South Island 11 Day Explorer Tour

Our new adventure kicks off in Christchurch, where everyone will arrive from different parts of New Zealand before we bring the whole group together and hit the road! Once everyone is ready, we’ll head north towards the beautiful coastal town of Kaikōura, enjoying the stunning scenery along the way. Known for its incredible marine wildlife and dramatic mountain-meets-ocean landscapes, Kaikōura is the perfect place to start our South Island adventure. Once we arrive, we’ll have time to explore the coastline, spot seals and seabirds, take in the amazing views and settle in for our first night together. Let the adventure begin!

Wake up in beautiful Kaikōura with the chance to experience some of New Zealand’s most incredible marine wildlife! The morning is all about optional bucket-list activities, with the opportunity to jump into the ocean for an unforgettable dolphin swimming experience or head out on a whale-watching tour to get up close to some of the ocean’s giants. For those who prefer a more relaxed morning, there’ll be time to explore Kaikōura at your own pace. Once everyone is back together, we’ll hit the road and make our way north towards the stunning Abel Tasman region, taking in more of the South Island’s breathtaking scenery along the way. Another big day of adventure awaits!

Today we’re heading into the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, famous for its golden beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water and beautiful coastal scenery! Students can choose their own adventure for the day, with the option to jump into a kayak and explore the coastline from the water, discovering hidden bays and beautiful beaches along the way. For everyone else, we’ll lace up our walking shoes and head off together on an awesome coastal hike, exploring the national park on foot and stopping along the way to enjoy the incredible views, take photos and soak up the sunshine. Whether by kayak or on foot, it’s going to be an unforgettable day in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful national parks!

Get ready for an adrenaline-filled morning in the Abel Tasman region! For those brave enough, there’s the option to take the ultimate leap of faith with an unforgettable skydiving experience, taking in some incredible views of New Zealand from thousands of feet in the air. For everyone else, enjoy a relaxed morning and some extra time exploring the beautiful surroundings. Once we’re all back together, we’ll hit the road and make our way down the spectacular West Coast towards Greymouth. Along the way, we’ll stop at the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki, where you can explore the incredible limestone formations and watch the ocean crash dramatically against the coastline. After a big day of adventure and sightseeing, we’ll continue on to Greymouth to settle in for the night.

Today we’ll continue our journey down the spectacular West Coast, heading from Greymouth towards Fox Glacier! Along the way, we’ll stop in Hokitika to visit a traditional greenstone (pounamu) shop, where you can learn about this special Māori stone and pick up a unique Kiwi souvenir. Once we arrive in Fox Glacier, the afternoon is all about exploring this incredible alpine region. For those wanting a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there’ll be the option to jump aboard a scenic helicopter flight and take in breathtaking views of the glaciers and Southern Alps from above. For everyone else, we’ll head out together on some epic walks around Fox Glacier, exploring the beautiful rainforest and surrounding landscapes. As the sun goes down, we’ll finish the day with a magical glowworm walk, discovering these amazing little creatures lighting up the forest at night!

Buckle up for another incredible road trip as we leave Fox Glacier and make our way towards the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown! Today is all about spectacular scenery, with plenty of stops along the way to take photos, explore and enjoy the amazing landscapes of the South Island. We’ll make a stop in the beautiful lakeside town of Wānaka, where you can stretch your legs, grab some lunch and check out the famous Wānaka Tree. After taking in the views, we’ll continue our journey through the stunning Southern Alps before arriving in Queenstown. But the fun doesn’t stop there! We’ll kick off our Queenstown experience with a visit to the famous Ice Bar, followed by a night of dancing and fun as we settle into the adventure capital of New Zealand!

Today is all about making the most of everything Queenstown has to offer! We’ll kick things off together with a visit to the famous Kawarau Bridge Bungy, where everyone can watch the action and soak up the adrenaline at the home of commercial bungy jumping! Afterwards, the day is yours to choose your own adventure. For those chasing an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of optional activities to choose from, including jet boating, the Nevis Canyon Swing, paragliding and the Skyline Gondola for incredible views over Queenstown. Not feeling quite so adventurous? No problem! We’ll also have a separate programme planned, with plenty of fun activities and opportunities to explore Queenstown without taking part in the big adrenaline experiences. Whatever you choose, there’s something for everyone today!

Get ready for one of the absolute highlights of our New Zealand adventure! Today we’re heading out on an epic road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound, travelling through some of the most breathtaking scenery the country has to offer. Along the way, we’ll pass towering mountains, beautiful lakes, dramatic valleys and incredible waterfalls, with plenty of scenic stops to jump off the bus and capture some amazing photos. Once we arrive at Milford Sound, we’ll jump aboard a spectacular scenic cruise, exploring the famous fjord, getting up close to enormous waterfalls and keeping our eyes peeled for seals, dolphins and penguins. After our cruise and some unforgettable views, we’ll make the journey back to Queenstown, taking in even more of the incredible scenery. It’s a big day, but one that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!

Today we’ll say goodbye to Queenstown and make our way north towards the stunning Lake Tekapo! Along the way, we’ll experience a taste of real New Zealand country life with a visit to a working farm. Get up close with some of New Zealand’s famous farm animals, learn about everyday life on a Kiwi farm and enjoy a hands-on experience of rural New Zealand. After our farm visit, we’ll continue through the spectacular South Island countryside, taking in rolling hills, wide-open landscapes and incredible mountain views before arriving in Tekapo. We’ll finish the day surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the turquoise lake and the Southern Alps – the perfect place to relax and enjoy another side of New Zealand!

After breakfast, we’ll pack up and hit the road for our final journey towards Christchurch! We’ll enjoy one last look at the beautiful South Island landscapes as we make our way through the countryside and towards the Garden City. Once we arrive, the afternoon is all about exploring! We’ll head out together to discover Christchurch, check out its famous sights, wander through the city centre and enjoy some of the local cafés, shops and attractions. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to grab some photos, pick up a few souvenirs and enjoy our final afternoon together before settling in for the evening.

And just like that, our South Island adventure comes to an end! After breakfast, we’ll get everyone packed up and ready for their journeys home. We’ll say our final goodbyes, exchange contact details and look back on an incredible trip filled with unforgettable experiences, amazing scenery, new adventures and, most importantly, new friendships. We’ll help everyone get to the airport or bus station for their onward travels. Thanks for being part of the adventure!