Southern Pioneer Tour

• Get up to $90 cash back per person when you book with us
• A 10-day premium tour of New Zealand, soaking up the scenery of the South Island
• An itinerary designed for small groups of travellers in their mid-thirties & upwards
• 9 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation, with a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, & rainforest retreats
• 6 continental breakfasts & 2 dinners
• Cruise through Wanaka on a scenic e-bike (bicycle with electric motor) experience
• Carve your own pounamu (jade) pendant in Franz Josef
• Take in the stunning Southern Alps & the vast Canterbury Plains aboard the TranzAlpine inland rail journey.
• Services of an expert tour manager
• Transport onboard a comfortable 22-seat Toyota Coaster 
• Departs from the meeting point at Bealey Suites, 263 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch (meeting location may change, please check your final documents for the confirmed location) 

• Optional activities & accommodation upgrades

Fall in love with the highlights of the South Island on this 10-day tour that takes you on a circuit of spectacular mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls and rainforests and allows you to enjoy all the bucket list adventures you could wish for. 

Created for travellers in their mid-thirties and upwards, on this tour, you'll visit Christchurch, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Tekapo (and Lake Wakatipu, Lake Mapourika, Lake Hawea – so many lakes!), Plus, visit Mackenzie Country, and Franz Josef, and take one of the world's most extraordinary train rides!

You'll travel from the vast plains of Canterbury, through the mountains and lakes of Central Otago, to the glaciers and pristine rainforest of the West Coast via the spectacular Haast Pass. The itinerary includes some activities considered absolute essentials; however, you'll also be able to add on various optional experiences to suit your interests. 

Your comfortable 3–4 star accommodation on tour includes a boutique hotel, a rainforest retreat and even a night in a yurt with mountain views.

Day 1 – Christchurch

Kia ora (hello!) and welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Today is a chill start to the adventure to come; all you need to do is settle into your accommodation and be ready for the 6:00 pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new road trip friends.

Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. A good night's sleep is recommended in order to be ready for tomorrow's early start, but you may want to experience Christchurch's exciting nightlife - the choice is yours!

Day 2 – Christchurch to Ohau (via Lake Tekapo)

After breakfast, you'll explore iconic downtown Christchurch, and your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing 2011 earthquake here. Christchurch folk are an innovative and creative bunch – the Transitional Cathedral, created from cardboard, is totally inspirational.

Then, mid-morning, you'll head for Lake Tekapo. Keep your camera ready, as the lake's breathtaking turquoise colour and mountain backdrop are a photographer's dream come true. It's also home to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, which stands right at the water's edge, proving that small is bold and definitely beautiful. 

Day 3 – Ohau to Queenstown

Today's journey is particularly scenic. From the golden tussock lands of Mackenzie country – where Peter Jackson filmed epic battles of Return of the King – to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, it's like you're driving into a postcard.

Your guide will pause for many photos stops en route to give your camera a workout, including a stop at the spectacular Kawarau Gorge. This also happens to be the world home of Bungy! Give it a go or enjoy watching the jumpers scream their way into the gorge.

The end destination for this afternoon is Queenstown. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, this scenic town has something for absolutely everyone. With two nights and plenty of daylight hours here, get ready – this town certainly knows how to live life to the max.

Day 4 – Queenstown

With a full day in Queenstown, let's work on that bucket list! There are heaps of optional add-ons to choose from: extreme jet boat rides, river kayaking, horseback riding through Lord of the Rings scenery, and the Skyline Gondola are just a few favourites.

For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as incredible as the destination. Once on the Sound, as you sail beneath thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces, you'll understand why we call it the "8th Wonder of the World".

Day 5 – Queenstown to Wanaka

With another free morning in Queenstown, you have another chance to tick off your bucket list today. What will it be? A trip to the top of the Skyline Gondola, or perhaps an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride through the Shotover Canyon? You decide!

This afternoon you'll jump back onto the road and head off to Wanaka, a quick one hour drive away. The drive is a scenic highlight in itself, and en route, you'll stop in charming Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with heaps of old-world character.

This afternoon is your chance to relax in stunning Wanaka, known as Queenstown's slightly quieter little sister. Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you'll soon see why Wanaka's considered one of New Zealand's most beautiful mountain towns. There are breathtaking hikes and leisurely bike rides for a welcome chance to relax.

Day 6 – Wanaka

Today is your chance to explore one of the most beautiful towns in the southern lakes region with plenty of activities to tempt every lover of the outdoors. Start the day off with an included scenic e-bike experience. It's like a regular bike but has a small motor, so you don't need to pedal as hard.

Then, pick and choose from a range of optional activities. One option is a visit to Mou Waho Island. Accessible only by boat from Wanaka and famous for being home to an (unnamed) island, in a lake (Arethusa Pool), on an island (Mou Waho), in a lake (Lake Wanaka), on an island (the South Island) in the ocean (the Pacific!). Sounds complicated, but once you are there, it will all make sense!

In Wanaka, there are also many walks, hikes and biking trails to choose from – check out the famous "Wanaka Tree" while making your way around the lake! Or, if you feel like relaxing, ask your guide to recommend their favourite secret spots to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Lastly, one of the best ways to admire Wanaka is from the air. Treat yourself to a skydive or a scenic flight in a vintage plane – you can even take a flying lesson!

You'll mix things up tonight by heading to the stunning Oasis Yurts Wanaka. A yurt provides all the luxury and comfort of traditional accommodation with the benefits of being at one with the natural environment.

Day 7 – Wanaka to Franz Josef

After a relaxing morning in Wanaka, the journey to Franz Josef is another stunner – many of the guides rate it as their favourite drive in New Zealand. Once you hit the road, you'll stop at one of the most popular lakeside lookout points at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka. Your guide will keep an eye on the weather and pick the best option.

From the cascading waterfalls of Haast Pass to classic Kiwi coastal views, you won't want to nap on the bus in case you miss anything. Your guide will have some epic surprise photo stops and short walks along the way.

You'll arrive in Franz Josef around late afternoon/early evening. This UNESCO World Heritage area is famous for its spectacular glacier, just 5km from town, begging to be explored tomorrow.

Day 8 – Franz Josef 

Awake to a snowy wonderland, with Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand's highest mountain) twinkling behind the glaciers. Franz Josef is about as beautiful a setting as you can find in New Zealand.

Te Wahi Pounamu (which means 'the place of greenstone' in Maori) is the name given to this part of the West Coast because of the abundance of pounamu (greenstone/jade) to be found here. Included in your tour today is a special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery.

Then, there are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier; weather permitting, to get up onto the bluest ice, you can take a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers. Maybe you'd prefer to kayak on a glacial lake or just relax in the steamy hot springs down below.

As well as the awesome glacier activities, you could also try out quad biking, horseback riding and even a bit of group karaoke tonight in Franz Josef!

Day 9 – Franz Josef to Christchurch

Before you know it, it's your last full day on tour! After breakfast, you'll head further along the beautiful west coast on another of the most spectacular drives in the country (and, some would say, the world). It boasts a rugged, ancient landscape of luxuriant rainforest juxtaposed against breathtaking beaches and ocean waves.

Stop at Hokitika and visit a greenstone factory, a great place to stock up on souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Time permitting, you may also visit the National Kiwi Centre, where there is guaranteed viewing of rare kiwi birds in their nocturnal house.

On the way back to Christchurch, you'll traverse the South Island on the stunning TranzAlpine train crossing. Travelling across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass, this is considered one of the world's most scenic train journeys. Along the way, you'll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and see miles of native beech forest.

You'll arrive in Christchurch around 6.30 pm before transferring to your accommodation.

Day 10 – Christchurch (Post Tour Debrief)

Today is the final day of the tour, where you'll exchange photos and stories over breakfast before saying your goodbyes and parting ways.

Where we Visit:

• Christchurch
• Lake Tekapo
• Ohau
• Kawarau Gorge
• Queenstown
• Arrowtown
• Wanaka
• Oasis Yurts Wanaka
• Franz Josef
• Hokitika 
• TranzAlpine 
• Christchurch

• The minimum age is 18 years
• The Operator requires a minimum number of bookings in order for a tour to be financially viable & to have a pleasant group atmosphere
• Itineraries are subject to alteration without notice & are intended as a guide only. The Operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without any notice
• Some activities are strenuous in nature. Passengers should be of reasonable health and fitness and carry all required medication and accept that degrees of risk are involved. The Operator must be advised of any prior medical conditions at the time of booking

• If for any reason you do need to cancel your tour there are a few things to be aware of. Your $99 is a non-refundable deposit, however, in the event that you need to cancel outside of the cancellation period The Operator will hold your deposit on file for life & this can be used towards a future departure
• Upon cancellation, you will be liable to pay a fee to cover the cost of expenses incurred by The Operator at the time of booking in the below schedule. Tour Cost is inclusive of any additional activities and pre/post accommodation
  • Outside 60 days – Loss of 99NZD
  • 30–59 days – 50% of tour cost
  • 15–29 days – 75% of tour cost
  • Within 14 days – 100% of tour cost
• Changes to activities & additional accommodation are not permitted within 45 days of departure to tour
• If you need to change to an alternative departure date you may do so in accordance with the below fees:
  • Outside 45 days Notice – No fee
  • 8–44 days Notice – $500 Admin Fee
  • Within 7 Days Notice – 100% of tour cost