expedia
9 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive)
9 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive)
9 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive)
9 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive)
9 Day - South Island Tour (All inclusive)

8 Day Southern Crossing Small Group Tour

By Kiwi Experience
10 out of 10
Features
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure, this 8 day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.

Activity location

  • Christchurch
    • Christchurch, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Hotel Give
    • 12 Hereford Street
    • 8011, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Check availability


Sorry this activity isn't available on Wed, 19 Feb
Please choose a different date

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedAir-conditioned vehicle
  • What's includedWhat's includedAll Fees and Taxes
  • What's includedWhat's includedAccommodation (8 nights)

Know before you book

  • Public transport options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Day 1: CHRISTCHURCH ARRIVAL
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: Not included
  • Accommodation: Hotel Give
Christchurch
  • 4h
Welcome to Christchurch - the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the start of your Southern Crossing tour. Ōtautahi (Christchurch) is a vibrant city alive with everything from art, exhibitions, history, and hidden gems. Check out the Riverside Markets for a coffee, drink or bite to eat or stroll through the botanical gardens. This evening at 6pm you'll meet your Kiwi Experience Driver Guide and the rest of your new tour companions on a Christchurch Street Art Tour (included), a journey of street art, murals and graffiti art of all sizes, explaining the history of urban art, and the city's emergence as an urban art destination.
Day 2: CHRISTCHURCH TO FRANZ JOSEF
  • 2 stops
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Rainforest retreat
Arthur's Pass National Park
  • 2h
Today we travel from coast to coast right over the Southern Alps passing through the Arthur’s Pass National Park, one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. Arthurs Pass is a landscape of two halves, along the eastern side we’ll venture through riverbeds and beech forest, and on the western side deeply gorged rivers and dense rainforest.
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track
  • 2h
Along this road, we will stop off at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and the breath-taking Castle Hill.
Day 3: FRANZ JOSEF FREE DAY
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Rainforest retreat
Franz Josef
  • 12h
Incredible Franz Josef sits in the world heritage area, and the combination of alpine scenery and west coast rainforest makes for an epic setting for your free day. Immerse yourself in a unique opportunity today - carving your own Pounamu (Greenstone) jewellery (included). You’ll learn more about the cultural significance of pounamu as you engage in this authentic cultural experience and depart with your own special piece of Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll then get to explore the Franz Josef glacier, an ever-changing landscape of ice. Opt for the Heli-Hike adventure, allowing you to walk on top of the glacier itself. For a free option, walk through the rainforest to a viewing area where the icy wonderland lies just 750m away.
Day 4: FRANZ JOSEF TO LAKE HAWEA
  • 3 stops
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hawea Hotel
Franz Josef Glacier
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
We start the day off with a trip to the Franz Josef wildlife centre (included) where you can see the largest kiwi incubation and hatching facility on the South Island. You are guaranteed to see a live kiwi inside the open nocturnal house, as well as Tuatara, a reptitle only found in New Zealand.
Lake Matheson Walk
  • 2h
we head to Lake Matheson for a refreshing walk around the lake known for its perfect mirror reflection of Aoraki Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. The waters of Lake Matheson are dark brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface, and by a happy coincidence, the mountains to the east are perfectly positioned to reflect in the lake.
Lake Hawea
  • 5h
We'll then cruise up the last stretch of Highway 6, stopping at popular scenic spots along the way, and onwards to Lake Hawea. Lake Hawea is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise and a great place to swim, kite surf, kayak, bike, walk or just laze about on the lake’s edge.
Day 5: LAKE HAWEA TO QUEENSTOWN VIA WANAKA
  • 2 stops
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Wanaka
  • 2h
a resort town set on the southern end of its namesake lake with views of snowcapped mountains. It's the gateway to the Southern Alps' Mount Aspiring National Park, a wilderness of glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes. Make sure to check out #ThatWanakaTree and snap a pic of one of the most photographed tree in the world!
Kawarau Suspension Bridge
  • 4h
  • Admission ticket not included
Visit the world’s first commercial bungy site – The Kawarau Bridge. Only the bravest travellers will dare to sign up for this iconic bucket list bungy!
Day 6: QUEENSTOWN FREE DAY
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Queenstown
  • 12h
Queenstown has something for everyone; here, you can seek adrenaline-fueled adventures or enjoy a more leisurely exploration of the natural playground. Each season offers its own unique vibe, and most activities can be accessed all year round. If you’re looking for adrenaline, bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting and sky diving are all available. If a more relaxed pace is calling, hire a bike, take a stroll, enjoy a boat cruise, relax at a spa, or enjoy one of the many vineyards in the area.
Day 7: MILFORD SOUND DAY TOUR
  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Nomads Queenstown or similar
Milford Sound
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
A trip to the South Island would only be complete with a trip to Piopiotahi, Milford Sound. As we venture from Queenstown bright and early, we make time to stop for breakfast and coffee in the quaint town of Te Anau before continuing the breathtaking drive towards Milford Sound with scheduled photo stops along the way. Milford Sound is nestled within Fiordland National Park, known for its pristine wildlife, which marvels at any time of year and in any weather; Milford Sound is rich in geological formations, captivating waterfalls and, unsurprisingly, one of the most amazing scenic day trips to do in New Zealand. Enjoy a two-hour (Included) scenic boat cruise through the inky blackwater; keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, fur seals, and an abundance of birdlife; if you’re really lucky, you’ll spot the endangered Fiordland Crested Penguin. After your cruise, we return to Queenstown for the evening.
Day 8: QUEENSTOWN TO CHRISTCHURCH VIA LAKE TEKAPO
  • 2 stops
  • Meals: breakfast
  • Accommodation: Not included
Lake Tekapo
  • 2h
breathtakingly blue waters of the lake framed with colourful lupins
The Church of the Good Shepherd
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
Visit the The Church of the Good Shepherd; situated on the shores of Lake Tekapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESChristchurch
    • Christchurch, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEHotel Give
    • 12 Hereford Street
    • 8011, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Christchurch your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Christchurch

With so many things to do in Christchurch, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Christchurch. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Christchurch to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.