New Zealand South Island
Eight days exploring the breathtaking South Island of New Zealand — from the turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie Basin to the adrenaline capital of Queenstown, the ancient temperate rainforests of the West Coast, and the towering peaks of Fiordland National Park. This is adventure travel at its finest.
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Get startedVisiting Christchurch in August?
Expect -4-8°C (25-46°F) — ski season. About 9 rainy days this month. Ski season — Queenstown is buzzing, mountains are snow-covered. Replace some hikes with skiing.
We've adjusted some activities below for the current season.
Trip Highlights
Some activities have been adjusted for August weather
Arrive Christchurch
- Arrive at Christchurch Airport
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Punting on the Avon River
- Dinner in the Riverside Market
Mackenzie Basin
- Drive to Lake Tekapo
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Lake Tekapo hot pools
- Continue to Lake Pukaki for Mount Cook views
Mount Cook
- Hooker Valley Track hike to glacier lake
- Mount Cook village and museum
- Glacier scenic flight
- Drive to Queenstown
Queenstown Adventures
- Queenstown gondola and luge
- Bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge (optional)
- Shotover Jet boat ride
- Queenstown waterfront dinner
Glenorchy & Paradise
- Drive to Glenorchy (Lord of the Rings locations)
- Paradise flat hiking and photography
- Lake Wakatipu kayaking
- Central Otago wine tasting
Milford Sound
- Drive to Milford Sound via Te Anau
- Mirror Lakes stop
- Milford Sound cruise past Mitre Peak
- Fiordland waterfalls and wildlife
- Overnight in Te Anau
West Coast
- Drive to Franz Josef Glacier
- Glacier valley walk
- Hokitika Gorge turquoise river
- West Coast wildlife — kiwi spotting (evening)
Departure
- Scenic drive back towards Queenstown or Christchurch
- Final New Zealand hike or picnic
- Depart from Queenstown or Christchurch Airport
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Estimated budget: $1,160 per person for 8 days