South Island 15 day
Fully booked on 4th April 2026 – 18th April 2026
Next Trip September 26th – October 10th 2026
The experience of a lifetime, make awesome friends, and experience NZ adrenaline activities!
Book early, to save your place on this amazing Trip! To find out more email us info@kiwianatours.com
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | AUCKLAND to AUCKLAND
PICK-UP: 8.00 am 28 Princes Street, Auckland, CBD, 1010 RETURN: 5.00 pm 28 Princes Street, Auckland, CBD, 1010 |
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| DEPARTURE TIME | Email us to arrange a time and the best place to meet. We pick up from Auckland, Taupo, Wellington, Nelson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| WHAT TO BRING |
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NOTE: Kiwiana Tours (follow) comply with the Code of Practice for Patrol care for international Students as set out by the NZ government for the care and safety of international students while travelling with Kiwiana Tours. We also follow the school rules at all times.
Note: some activities like skydiving are weather-dependent!
Terms and conditions apply.
1
Day 1: Auckland → Wellington
Depart: As advised or from 28 Princes Street CBD, 1010. We travel south to the Waikato Region, stopping to visit Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. We visit the famous Huka Falls, with 220,000 Litres passing through the chasm at every second. Next National Park, home to three active volcanic mountains, Mt. Ruapheu, Mt. Tongariro & Mt. Ngāuruhoe. A fun evening, our first dinner together as we get to know one another, your friendly Tour Manager and team to discuss the awesome days ahead! Overnight Mt Raupehu National Park.
Includes: Lunch/ Dinner
2
Day 2: National Park - Wellington
Breakfast Today, we travel to Wellington, visit Mt Victoria where you’ll see Wellington 360 view. Afternoon you will have free time to discover the famous Cuba Street, shop or take a walk along the oriental parade, or visit the famous Te Papa museum. 7 pm 10 Pin Bowling and Pizza. Overnight Wellington.
Includes: Breakfast/ 10 Pin Bowling / Dinner
3
Day 3: Wellington → Abel Tasman
Breakfast. Take the awesome 3-hour cruise across to Picton through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. From Picton, we travel south through to the sunshine capital of Nelson stopping here for lunch and a supermarket stop, then make our way to the edge of Abel Tasman. Overnight Abel Tasman National Park
Includes Breakfast/ Dinner / Malborough Sounds Cruise
4
Day 4: Abel Tasman
Breakfast. Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous coast track. The afternoon we spend Kayaking along the Golden Bays near Kaiteriteri, looking out for the local marine wildlife. Overnight Kaiteriteri
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner/ Kayaking Abel Tasman
5
Day 5: Abel Tasman → Punakaiki → Hokitika → Franz Josef
Breakfast Explore the rugged West Coast of NZ. Travel through snow-capped mountains and fantastic lakes toward Hokitika famous for its Greenstone Factories. In Hokitika, we see live Kiwis and the Kiwi House. Arrive early evening at Franz Josef Glacier, a frozen glacial “River” formed thousands of years ago, optional flight to the top of the glacier (weather permitting). Overnight FRANZ JOSEF.
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner
6
Day 6: Franz Josef → Wanaka - Queenstown
Breakfast We leave early driving along the breathtaking West Coast beaches, and rain forest of Haast Pass and Fantail waterfalls. Arrive in Queenstown in early evening in Queenstown. Overnight Queenstown
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner/ Live Kiwis / Punakaiki Rocks
7
Day 7: Queenstown
Breakfast. QUEENSTOWN FREE DAY Optional activities: Bungy Jump, Skydiving, Gondola & luge. Enjoy the Queenstown waterfront, gift shopping and alpine scenery. In the Evening Ice bar dance party and mocktail. Overnight Queenstown. Afternoon, enjoy Queenstown waterfront, gift shopping and Alpine scenery. We will have dinner at Famous Ferg Burger Overnight Queenstown
Includes: Breakfast / Dinner
8
Day 8: Queenstown
Breakfast, Today we take a Queenstown Jet boat ride, after you have a free day to test your limits in the adrenaline capital of the world with these optional activities: Bungy Jump, Skydiving, Gondola & luge. Dinner Overnight Queenstown
Includes: Breakfast/ Ice Bar Mocktails
9
Day 9: Queenstown
Breakfast. A fun day at Milford Sounds Fiordland National Park. Board a spectacular catamaran. With spacious interior cabins and ample outdoor viewing decks. See ocean wildlife, dramatic cliffs, and the famous Bowen waterfalls. Picnic lunch is included. Overnight Te Anau
Includes: Breakfast/Lunch / Milford Sound Coach and Cruise
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Day 10: Te Anau - Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Drive north to Twizel, fim location of Gondor in “Lord of the Rings” From here you can see NZ’s highest mountain Aoraki (Mount Cook), the famous bronze dog and the church of the Good Shepherd. Stopping to feed the Salmon. Travel to Lake Tekapo Mackenzie country see the Bronze dog and the Church of the Good Shepherd, dinner & Hot pools.
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner/ Hot Pools
11
Day 11: Lake Tekapo → Christchurch
We head to Christchurch: South Island’s largest city, vibrant and ever-changing after 2010 earthquake. Take a tour around the city, dinner provided in a nice restaurant. Overnight Christchurch
Includes: Breakfast
12
Day 12: Christchurch → Kaikoura
Travel to Kaikoura is world-renowned for the variety of marine mammals. Optional activity whale and dolphin watching Visit the seal colony and we can do a nice walk around the area. Or you may want to just relax and do some shopping.
Includes: Breakfast/ Seal Colony
13
Day 13: Kaikoura → Picton
Breakfast, today choose optional Dolphin watching /swimming before we head off to Picton this evening for Fish and chip dinner.
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner
14
Day 14: Picton → Wellington → Taupo
Take a cruise from Picton through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington, Travel further North until we hit Taupo, Visit Huka Falls – also that’s the last chance to Skydive. Overnight Turangi
Includes: Breakfast/ Dinner/ Malborough Sounds Cruise
15
Day 15: Taupo → Auckland
Includes: Breakfast
Note this itinerary may change slightly due to accommodation availability
Fun Optional Activities (Extra Cost)
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Tour Reviews
If you’re reading this and haven’t booked your South Island trip with Kiwiana Tours 2009 Limited yet, you might want to book now before scrolling on! I did mine in September 2025, and it honestly became one of the absolute highlights of my time in NZ. Not only did I get to experience some of the most stunning places in the country, but I got to do it with the best company possible, Kiwiana Tours. I met amazing friends I’m still in touch with, and our guides made the whole journey unforgettable. They were always approachable and easygoing, and they made our group feel comfortable from day one. Each day was a mix of breathtaking views, good laughs, and just enough structure so it never felt like we were on a tight schedule. I couldn’t have asked for more, and I hope you’re ready to dive into your own South Island adventure with Kiwiana Tours!
I was a international student doing an exchange and went on the South Island tour with Kiwiana Tours 2009 Limited and honestly it was such a good experience. The guides were super chill, really friendly, and actually made everything fun instead of awkward or boring. We saw some insane places and they always made sure everyone felt included and looked after. The whole trip was really well organised but still relaxed, and it never felt rushed. I made great memories, met awesome people, and had the best time — I’d 100% recommend Kiwiana Tours to anyone wanting an unforgettable South Island adventure.
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