South Island 11 Day Explorer Tour
New Zealand11 Apr - 21 Apr '2711 days
Overview
Location
New Zealand
Departure
Christchurch
Dates
11 Apr 2027 - 21 Apr 2027
Price
$3,299.00
Description
The Student Tours’ 11‑day South Island Adventure Tour delivers an unforgettable journey through some of the most spectacular landscapes in Aotearoa/New Zealand. With experienced guides leading the way, students will explore dramatic coastlines, ancient forests, alpine valleys, and glacier‑carved mountains while connecting deeply with the culture and stories of the South Island.
Designed to balance adventure, education, and cultural immersion, this tour gives students the chance to learn through hands‑on experiences and shared moments. Across 11 days, they’ll discover the beauty and diversity of Te Waipounamu, build confidence through outdoor activities, and form lasting friendships with peers from around the world.
Itinerary
Day
01
South Island Adventure
Our South Island adventure begins as we touch down in Christchurch, the largest city in Te Waipounamu. After meeting our guides and gathering the group, we set off north along the coastline toward Kaikōura. The drive offers a stunning introduction to the South Island, with sweeping ocean views, rugged cliffs, and the Seaward Kaikōura Range rising dramatically beside us. By the time we arrive in the laid‑back seaside town of Kaikōura—famous for its incredible marine wildlife—students are already immersed in the beauty and excitement of the journey ahead.
Day
02
Wake up to the fresh sea breeze and get ready for an epic coastal walk! Keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins, and even whales in the wild. Then, we head to Mārahau via Nelson, where we’ll pass rolling vineyards and stop at the exact geographic centre of New Zealand!
In Kaikōura students also have the option to get even closer to the action with a thrilling dolphin and whale watch experience form the water
Day
03
Explore the stunning Abel Tasman National Park—home to golden beaches and turquoise waters, one of New Zealand’s most picturesque national parks. Whether you choose to hike through secluded beaches and bays or kayak alongside playful seals, this is a slice of paradise you won’t want to miss!
Day
04
Road trip time! As we journey down the rugged West Coast, we’ll pass lush rainforests, roaring rivers, and epic mountain views. A highlight of the day? The famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks—towering limestone formations that look like stacks of pancakes! By evening, we reach Franz Josef, home to the famous glacier!
Day
05
Get ready for jaw-dropping views of Franz Josef Glacier. Here, you’ll be wowed by massive ice formations and have the chance to explore the glacier up close. Whether you opt for a guided hike, a thrilling helicopter ride, or just take it all in from the valley floor, this place is pure magic! Also experience the mirror like reflections in Lake Matheson.
Day
06
As we leave the glacier region on route to Queenstown, we traverse the Haast Pass, offering panoramic views of alpine peaks, before opening up to the stunning vistas of Central Otago. Queenstown, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is New Zealand’s adventure tourism capital and will be our location for the next three nights.
Day
07
Get ready for an epic day in Queenstown! From bungee jumping and jet boating to indoor skydiving and thrilling luge rides, this place has it all. Prefer a more relaxed vibe? Visit a wildlife park to see native kiwi up close or just soak up the jaw-dropping lake and mountain views.
Day
08
A day trip to Milford Sound is an unforgettable adventure into New Zealand’s natural splendour. Sometimes referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, embark on a cruise to marvel at the fjord’s towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and mirror-like waters. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including dolphins, seals, and penguins.
Day
09
Our journey continues as we travel from Queenstown through the enchanting landscapes of Lake Tekapō. Along the way, we stop to visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd — a tiny stone chapel perfectly framed by turquoise water and snow‑capped peaks. With time to explore the lakefront and soak in the alpine scenery, this day offers a calm and scenic pause in the middle of our adventure. As evening arrives, we settle in and enjoy dinner together, recharging for the final day still ahead.
Day
10
We leave Tekapō in the morning and travel across the Canterbury Plains, stopping at a local working farm to experience rural Kiwi life and see a shearing or dog‑handling demo. After the visit, we continue on to Christchurch, arriving in the afternoon to settle in and explore the city before our final day together.
Day
11
On our last morning, we gather our things, enjoy a relaxed start to the day, and make our way to the airport for our flight home. It’s a smooth, easy finish to the adventure, giving everyone time to reflect on the memories and friendships made along the way.
What's Included
- 11 Breakfasts & Dinners (the full tour)
- Epic Accommodation Every Night
- Milford Sound Cruise (one of the most beautiful places in NZ)
- Pancake Rocks
- So many Activities to do in Queenstown!
- Dance Party at an Ice Bar
- Visit a real life farm with epic demonstrations!
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Experience a Kiwi BBQ
- Pick Up and drop off at Airports at each end of the tour
- Travel to locations you will remember forever!
- Super experienced and fun guides!
Optional Activities
Whale Watching
Rare combinations of the perfect climate lure an abundance of marine wildlife, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. It was a whale that led the Māori ancestor Paikea to New Zealand many centuries ago. His descendants live in Kaikōura today. Fittingly, the whale continues to guide the people of Kaikōura and the visitors they host.
From $90
Learn moreDolphin Swimming
Imagine being eye to eye with a dusky dolphin! It is something incredibly special that these wild animals choose to stop and engage 1:1 with swimmers in the water. Dusky dolphins are probably the most interactive dolphin species; we don’t know why, and this sense of mystery makes the engagement with them all the more extraordinary!
From $225
Learn moreAbel Tasman Aqua Taxi
Abel Tasman AquaTaxi has been operating water taxi trips, sea shuttle services and scenic cruises in the Abel Tasman National Park since 1990. Experience the breath-taking beauty of the Abel Tasman from the comfort of our purpose-built, quiet and eco-friendly water taxis. AquaTaxi gets you closer to those out-of-the-way spots along the Abel Tasman coastline.
From $50
Learn moreAbel Tasman Ocean Kayaking
Our extensive range of trips will suit however you want to explore the Abel Tasman. Come explore the beautiful golden beaches, peaceful coves and lagoons, offshore islands, wildlife and the native forest fringing granite coastline that is the Abel Tasman!
From $140
Learn moreAbel Tasman Skydiving
Jump the best sky in New Zealand from the most scenic South Island drop zones in Abel Tasman, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, and Aoraki/Mount Cook at Pukaki! Feel a rush of adrenaline and awe as you experience spectacular natural scenery from deep blue oceans and snow-capped mountains, to green native forestry and national parks. All from the best place to see it – the sky! Get up here!
From $285
Learn moreGlacier Helicopter Flight
Franz Josef Glacier provides some of the most stunning ‘ice architecture’ of any Glacier in the world. The Glacier was in a state of advance until 2008 when it started retreating. Following a spectacular collapse of the terminal face in 2012, it is now only accessible by helicopter.
From $300
Learn moreBungy Jumping
A bungy jump is a free-fall activity where you jump from a height while attached to an elastic rope or harness. It's a popular adrenaline sport that involves a leap of faith and the release of adrenaline. The Kawarau bridge is the first bridge in the world jumped from commercially!
From $280
Learn moreShotover Jetboating
The only way to experience our Canyons, see their beauty and feel their power, is to come on a journey with us, the world’s most exciting jet boat ride. A unique combination of beauty and power, it’s an experience like no other, blending pristine natural landscape with wall to wall canyon action from start to finish!
From $110
Learn moreCanyon Swing
Welcome to the Shotover Canyon Swing. This is the World’s #1 Canyon Swing, ‘cos we invented it. No other is like ours; it’s the first, heaps of fun and it’s sh*t your pants scary. We’ve been locally owned and operated since 2002, so we’re pretty good at this. We give you the freedom; you can jump yourself or be released, no other swing can say the same.
From $295
Learn moreHighlights
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