- 4.9/5 364 Latest reviews
- Destination: New Zealand
- Duration: 9 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Cuisine
About This Trip
New Zealand South Island tour — this expertly crafted 9-day private journey takes you through the island's most breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures, blending pristine alpine scenery, dramatic fjords, charming coastal towns, and world-class food experiences into one seamless adventure.
This New Zealand South Island tour begins in Christchurch before traveling through the starlit skies of Lake Tekapo, the majestic peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, and the adventure capital of Queenstown. Cruise through the iconic Milford Sound — a UNESCO World Heritage fjord — explore the southern charm of Invercargill and Dunedin, witness rare wildlife along the Otago Coast, and end your journey in the French-inspired harbor town of Akaroa. With flexible pacing, handpicked accommodations, and personalized experiences, this private New Zealand South Island tour is ideal for couples, families, and travelers seeking comfort, extraordinary scenery, and unforgettable moments across New Zealand's most celebrated island.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo
2
Mt. Cook
Mt. Cook National Park
3 - 5
Queenstown
Milford Sound, Lake Wānaka, Queenstown Free Day with Optional Activities: Boat Cruising on Lake Wakatipu, Wineries Visit, etc.
6
Invercargill
Invercargill City Tour with Optional Activities: Bluff Oysters Tasting, Birdwatching on Stewart Island
7
Dunedin - Oamaru
Larnach Castle in Dunedin, Whitestone Cheese Factory in Oamaru, Penguins Watching at Oamaru Harbor
8
Akaroa
Akaroa Self-Guided Walk Tour
9
Christchurch
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Christchurch – Lake Tekapo (230km | 3 hours)
Your New Zealand South Island tour begins in Christchurch — the “Garden City” and the perfect starting point for an island-wide adventure.
Explore the city’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, the iconic Cardboard Cathedral, or take a heritage tram ride through the historic city center before hitting the road.
Drive south to Lake Tekapo — one of the most photographed locations in all of New Zealand. Admire its extraordinary turquoise waters, surrounding lupin fields, and the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
End the evening with a Dark Sky Dinner on the lakefront — a magical night under some of the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere.
Highlights: Lake Tekapo, Dark Sky Reserve, stargazing, Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo Springs, scenic drive
- Lake Tekapo
- Day 2: Lake Tekapo – Mt. Cook (103km | 1.5 hours)
Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park — one of the crown jewels of any New Zealand South Island tour and home to New Zealand’s highest peak.
Hike the legendary Hooker Valley Track for breathtaking close-up views of the glaciers and alpine ridgelines, or take a scenic helicopter flight over the vast Tasman Glacier.
The park is rich in wildlife — kea parrots, alpine birds, and chamois roam freely throughout. Capture unforgettable alpine landscapes that make this region so extraordinary.
Highlights: Mount Cook, Hooker Valley Track, Tasman Glacier, scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, alpine photography
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- Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
- Day 3: Mt. Cook – Queenstown (260km | 3.5 hours)
Depart Mount Cook and journey toward Queenstown — the adventure capital of New Zealand and a highlight of every New Zealand South Island tour.
Stop at Lake Wānaka to admire the famous solitary Wanaka Tree standing in the shallows — one of the most photographed spots in the country.
This scenic drive showcases the dramatic Southern Alps, glacial rivers, and sweeping valleys of New Zealand’s interior at their very finest.
Arrive in Queenstown and explore the lakeside gardens, stroll the promenade, or enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Wakatipu as the sun sets behind the Remarkables mountain range.
Highlights: Lake Wānaka, Queenstown arrival, Southern Alps views, lakeside dining, scenic South Island drive
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- Queenstown
- Day 4: Queenstown Free Day
A full free day in Queenstown — one of the most exhilarating stops on your New Zealand South Island tour.
Adventure seekers can bungy jump at the historic Kawarau Bridge — the world’s first commercial bungy jump site — or skydive over the turquoise expanse of Lake Wakatipu.
Food and wine enthusiasts can explore the celebrated Gibbston Valley wineries, just 20 minutes from town. Families will love a relaxing lake cruise or a visit to the Kiwi Birdlife Park.
Evening options include a gondola ride to Bob’s Peak for panoramic sunset views, or a soak in the Onsen Hot Pools overlooking the Shotover River canyon.
Highlights: Adventure sports, wine tasting, Lake Wakatipu cruise, Kiwi wildlife, New Zealand experiences
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- Queenstown
- Day 5: Milford Sound Day Trip
The most iconic day of your New Zealand South Island tour — a full-day excursion to Milford Sound, widely considered the eighth wonder of the world.
The drive through Fiordland National Park is itself extraordinary — ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and the dramatic Homer Tunnel cut through solid rock 1,270 metres above sea level.
Embark on a cruise through the fjord and witness towering cliffs rising 1,200 metres from the water, hundreds of temporary waterfalls after rain, and wildlife encounters with dolphins, fur seals, and penguins in their natural habitat.
Learn about the rich Māori legends and volcanic natural history of this UNESCO-protected fjord — Milford Sound is one of the most unforgettable natural experiences in the world.
Highlights: Milford Sound, fjord cruise, waterfalls, dolphins & seals, Fiordland National Park
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- Queenstown
- Day 6: Queenstown – Invercargill – Dunedin (200km + optional stops)
Drive south to Invercargill — the southernmost city in New Zealand and a charming stop on your New Zealand South Island tour.
Explore the beautiful Queens Park, stroll tree-lined civic avenues, and taste the world-famous Bluff oysters — regarded by many as the finest in the world.
Bird enthusiasts can take a short ferry to Stewart Island, a pristine wildlife sanctuary and one of the best places in New Zealand to spot the rare kiwi in the wild.
Continue to Dunedin — a city rich in grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture — and explore the scenic Otago Peninsula, one of New Zealand’s top wildlife destinations.
Highlights: Invercargill, Bluff oysters tasting, Stewart Island wildlife, Dunedin architecture, scenic Otago coastal drive
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- Dunedin
- Day 7: Dunedin – Oamaru
Explore Dunedin at its finest — beginning with a visit to the magnificent Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, set on a hilltop above the Otago Peninsula with sweeping views over the harbor.
Drive north to Oamaru — famous across New Zealand for its artisan Whitestone Cheese and beautifully preserved Victorian limestone streetscapes.
At sunset, watch the little blue penguins waddle ashore at Oamaru Harbor — one of the most charming and unforgettable wildlife experiences on this New Zealand South Island tour.
Highlights: Larnach Castle, Whitestone Cheese Factory, Oamaru Penguins, heritage architecture, New Zealand wildlife
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- Oamaru
- Day 8: Oamaru – Akaroa – Christchurch (≈300km)
Travel north to Akaroa — a French-inspired harbor town nestled on Banks Peninsula and one of the most distinctive destinations on any New Zealand South Island tour.
Walk its charming cobblestone streets, admire the pastel-colored heritage buildings, and sample fresh local seafood straight from the harbor. Akaroa is also one of the best places in New Zealand to swim or kayak with Hector’s dolphins — the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin species.
Continue to Christchurch along scenic routes through the rolling green hills of Banks Peninsula, taking in some of New Zealand’s most picturesque countryside on your final driving day.
Highlights: Akaroa town walk, French architecture, harbor views, dolphin tours, scenic New Zealand drive
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- Christchurch
- Day 9: Christchurch Departure
Your New Zealand South Island tour draws to a close in Christchurch this morning.
Spend your final hours visiting the stunning Botanic Gardens, exploring the Canterbury Museum, or enjoying a farewell brunch at one of the city’s excellent local cafés.
Depart with lifelong memories of alpine glaciers, UNESCO fjords, turquoise lakes, rare wildlife, and the extraordinary natural beauty that makes the South Island of New Zealand one of the world’s greatest travel destinations.
Highlights: Christchurch departure, last-minute city exploration, memorable New Zealand experiences
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