14 Day New Zealand South Island: Walking Adventure Tour

Leaving the city behind, we’ll travel north to Gore Bay to stretch our legs and get some fresh air after your flight. Then we’ll continue north to the seaside town of Kaikoura, referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the South Pacific as it has an amazing variety of whales, dolphins, fur seals, and other marine life that feed from the surrounding waters. We can walk to view fur seals basking on the rocks and playing in the eddies from a lookout point. This stretch of rugged coastline was uplifted in the Kaikoura earthquake - it’s amazing to see this brand-new land!

Tonight, we’ll kick back and enjoy some delicious kiwi cuisine and get to know your fellow adventurers.
Accommodation: The Fairways, Kaikoura
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

From Kaikoura, we’ll travel along the coast to Blenheim, a town in the Marlborough region, with the Pelorus River Track our destination this afternoon. An idyllic spot for a hike, through cool, green native bush, alongside the Pelorus River. You can expect crystal clear waters in this enchanting scenic reserve and even a little bit of Middle-earth magic, as one of the locations for the filming of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

After a picnic lunch here, we’ll carry on to Nelson where we’ll explore the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, the largest fenced Sanctuary for endangered plants and creatures in the South Island. With over 15 kilometres of walking tracks among mature New Zealand beech forest, we’ll have the opportunity to see rare and endangered species such as tīeke, tuatara, kakariki, and karaka.
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 2 miles (3 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 65 feet (20 meters) ascent, 65 feet (20 meters) descent

Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and the world-renowned Abel Tasman Coast Track. This morning, we’ll take a water taxi through crystal clear, sheltered waters - we’re at the whim of the tides here, though our boat captains know the Abel Tasman Coastal Track like the back of their hands, so we’ll find the best section to hike.

Once ashore, we’ll make our way along the coast through stands of ancient rimu, totara, and rata. The rata (known as the South Island Kiwi Christmas tree) blossoms with brilliant red flowers between November and January. After our hike, we’ll relax on a white sandy beach and go for a dip in the ocean if you’d like. This area of New Zealand is famous for receiving the most sunshine hours of any place in the country.
Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 5.2 miles (8.4 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 260 feet (80 meters) ascent, 260 feet (80 meters) descent

Today we journey to Cape Foulwind on the West Coast, where we’ll hike a spectacular track that takes us to a viewpoint overlooking a New Zealand fur seal breeding colony, then on to a lighthouse, taking in panoramic views of the coastline. The sparsely populated West Coast stretches 600 kilometers (372 miles) from north to south and is home to temperate coastal rainforest and two magnificent glaciers.

After a picnic lunch, we'll continue south until we reach Punakaiki, a small coastal village where we’ll stay for the night. Here, we’ll walk along Truman's Track, rated one of New Zealand’s finest short walks. We’ll wander through dense native forest with tall flax stands near the ocean, eventually giving way to a pebbled bay and barren sandstone cliffs. 

We'll finish our day with a visit to the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – aptly named limestone formations that have been sculpted through relentless pounding by the Tasman Sea.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki or Punakaiki Beachfront Hotel, Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cape Foulwind Hike: 2 miles (3.5 kilometers), 1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 65 feet (20 meters) ascent, 210 feet (65 meters) descent

Truman Track Hike: 0.8 miles (1.4 kilometers), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 130 feet (40 meters) ascent, 130 feet (40 meters) descent

Pancake Rocks Hike: 0.65 miles (1.1 kilometers), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 95 feet (30 meters) ascent, 95 feet (30 meters) descent

We’ll begin the day with a hike on the Pororari River Trail in Paparoa National Park, which passes beneath magnificent limestone cliffs and through dense temperate rainforest full of distinctive coastal plants including the southern rata and towering rimu. This area has a unique micro-climate that supports the native nikau palm, a tree usually found much further north.

Traveling along the scenic coastline, we’ll stop in Hokitika to check out local art galleries and pounamu-carving workshops (pounamu is Maori for jade).  From here, we’ll carry on down to Franz Josef where we’ll stay for the next couple of nights. Nestled in the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, Franz Josef is the heart of New Zealand glacier country. 
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Paparoa Track Hike: 4.3 miles (7 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 540 feet (165 meters) ascent, 540 feet (165 meters) descent

This morning we’ll take a short journey over to Okarito, a little-known beach community on the coast. We’ll take to the water in sea kayaks and glide along a picturesque lagoon, set against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

Okarito is home to the only native white heron colony in New Zealand, as well as a host of other interesting birds. If you’d prefer not to kayak, we’ll point you in the right direction for a relaxing hike through the lush coastal forest or along the black sand beach.

Later we’ll head back to Franz Josef where you’ll have the option to take another hike or relax in the hot tub, before enjoying a night on your own for dinner.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Kayaking: 2-4 hours

Hiking: 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 394 feet (120 meters) ascent, 394 feet (120 meters) descent

With some 140 glaciers making their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is fittingly known as glacier country. Few sights equal the spectacle of two of these giant frozen rivers (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) imperceptibly grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level. Our hike will take us into the Waiho River Valley and offer views of the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier.

From Franz Josef, we’ll travel down the coast through lush forest visiting historic Ship Creek to explore the Kahikatea forest, providing a glimpse back in time to what the West Coast may have looked like prior to human settlement. Tonight we’ll stay in the small settlement of Makarora, where you can enjoy incredible views of the mountains right outside your window.
Accommodation: Wonderland Lodge, Makarora or Heartland Haast Hotel, Haast
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 66 feet (20 meters) ascent, 66 feet (20 meters) descent

This morning’s journey unfolds through a remarkably diverse landscape—transitioning from dense beech forest to semi-arid terrain before transforming into an impressive vista of lakes and mountains. After a relaxed picnic lunch, we’ll head out to explore the Mt. Iron Track. This rewarding loop walk offers sweeping views of Mt. Aspiring National Park and the surrounding alpine scenery.

From Wanaka, it’s a short but dramatic journey over the Cardrona Saddle to Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, our base for the next couple of days. We’ll stop in at the historic village of Arrowtown and explore an old Chinese goldmining settlement nearby. Chinese immigrants traveled to New Zealand during the 1800s and like many New Zealand pioneering stories, theirs is one of adversity and adaptation.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hiking: 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 722 feet (220 meters) ascent, 722 feet (220 meters) descent

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand (if not the world!) and all the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. You’ll also find incredible optional activities here including horse trekking, a gondola, fishing, winery tours, a historic steamship, bungy jumping, jet boating, and skydiving, as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere at one of many local cafés. Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

This morning we’ll take a scenic drive through Te Anau, our base for the next couple of nights. We’ll enjoy a tasty lunch before heading out to explore Fiordland’s wilderness on foot where we’ll take a hike on the famous Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks - we follow the track through mountain beech forest and along the Waiau River. It’s an awesome hike with spectacular views!

Tonight we’ll stay on the edge of Lake Te Anau, enjoying the scenery and the delicious local fare.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 165 feet (50 meters) ascent, 165 feet (50 meters) descent

This morning, we set off for our largest and perhaps most spectacular national park, Fiordland. We’ll take a short drive through the Homer Tunnel and emerge at the top of a spectacular glacier-carved valley for a memorable descent to the shore of Milford Sound. Rudyard Kipling rated this fiord as the eighth natural wonder of the world and it is truly breathtaking, with steep granite walls plunging over a thousand meters to the Tasman Sea and waterfalls cascading into the deep inky water.

We’ll jump on board a boat cruise, where you’ll gaze in wonder at the waterfalls tumbling down enormous vertical rock faces all around and journey right out to the entrance of the fiord.

Afterwards, we’ll hike part of the Routeburn Track for unsurpassed views of the Hollyford Valley, as well as Lake Marian and Mt. Christina, before heading back to Te Anau for the night.
Accommodation: Matai Lodge, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise: Upto 2 hours

Hiking: 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,540 feet (470 meters) ascent, 1,540 feet (470 meters) descent

Bannockburn, at the southern end of the Cromwell Basin, has a narrow range of heat summation, large diurnal shifts, and long, cool, dry Autumns, perfect for winemaking! We’ll visit the Mt Difficulty Cellar Door for a wine-tasting accompanied by a grazing board for lunch.

Then we’ll drive through the tussock country of Lindis Pass to the remote and beautiful Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village. Our accommodation for our last two nights is tucked in beside the towering mountains, with stunning views stretching across to Aoraki/Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps – the ideal spot to stargaze!
Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook Lodge and Motels, Mt Cook or Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt. Cook was first named Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by South Island Maori. This region was Sir Edmund Hillary’s training ground as he prepared for his and Tenzing Norgay’s famous summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. We have a few hikes to choose from in this spectacular national park and our favourite is the impressive hike up to a lake at the base of the Hooker Glacier, complete with icebergs! The track is surrounded by peaks, glaciers, native vegetation, and mountain streams, and provides excellent views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook on a fine day.

Another option is the stunning day hike to Sealy Tarns, a unique alpine environment including endemic flora such as the Mt. Cook lily (Ranunculus lyallii), the world’s largest buttercup.It’s a tough hike and the weather would need to cooperate, but the views across the Southern Alps are worth it!

After hiking, we’ll relax back at our lodge nestled right in the heart of the National Park for the last night of the trip and we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner as we sit outside and watch the sunset on Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook Lodge and Motels, Mt Cook or Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hooker Valley Hike: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 328 feet (100 meters) ascent, 328 feet (100 meters) descent

Sealy Tarns Hike: 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,132 feet (650 meters) ascent, 2,132 feet (650 meters) descent

After breakfast, we’ll head north past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo. We’ll stretch our legs with a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd, easily one of the most scenic locations for a church you’ll ever come across!

After our lunch stop, we’ll head to Christchurch. This is the end of your trip, and we’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch