New Zealand Active South Island

Company : G Adventures
Duration: 2 weeks to 3 weeks
Approx Costs: 2000 to 2500 £ Pound (UK)

New Zealand is the perfect place for adrenaline and activity, and there's nowhere in the country more suited to that than the South Island.

On this two-week trip, cover the ground (or water) by sea kayak, boat, bike, and on foot. Explore Abel Tasman National Park, glide along the waters of Milford Sound and take two wheels through the Rail Trail in Central Otago. If you're not out of breath just from reading all that, then it's time to start packing.

Itinerary

Day 1 Wellington
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Abel Tasman
Transfer by ferry to the South Island and then transfer by water taxi into Abel Tasman National Park

Day 3 Marahau
Sea-kayak in Abel Tasman out to the edge of the park before joining a short transfer to Marahau.

Day 4 Paparoa National Park
Transfer to Paparoa NP, and enjoy a trek in the park. Overnight on the edge of the Paparoa NP.

Day 5-6 Franz Josef
Transfer to Franz Josef, stopping at Okarito lagoon en route. Opt to go glacier trekking in Franz Josef.

Day 7 Makarora
Transfer to Makarora, where there are a variety of optional activities available. Opt to hike, a jet boat excursion or scenic flights.

Day 8-9 Queenstown
Travel into the heart of Central Otago, stopping at the resort town of Wanaka. Continue onto the “adventure capital of the world”, Queenstown, in time for an afternoon of optional activities such as from bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), sky diving, rafting, mountain biking, hang gliding, and so much more!

Day 10 Milford Sound
Continue to the fjords of the South Island. Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound from the deck of a boat.

Day 11 Te Anau
Continue onto Te Anau where you can explore the area surrounding the South Islands largest lake with the option to hike, bike or explore the Te Anau glow-worm caves.

Day 12 Central Otago
Cycle the Rail Trail, a route created specially for mountain biking. Cycle through scenery unspolied by traffic and not visible from any roads. Continue to Christchurch for the evening.

Day 13 Christchurch
Drive through breathtaking central Otago via the Lindis Pass & Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak arriving in Christchurch for the evening.

Day 14 Kaikoura
Transfer to Kaikoura, with optional whale or dolphin-watching in the afternoon.

Day 15 Wellington
Transfer to Picton and visit a seal colony along the way before taking the ferry back to Wellington where the tour ends upon arrival. Onward travel can be booked after 8pm.