Spirit Of The South
7 Day Tour
New Zealand Private Tours, Planned Especially For You.
South Island (Reversible)
Discover the South Island's breathtaking high country, picturesque lakes district, and awe-inspiring Fiordland with New Zealand Private Tours' most popular South Island itinerary. Ideal for travellers seeking a comprehensive yet leisurely exploration of New Zealand’s South Island in just one week, this tour offers a seamless blend of stunning landscapes and diverse experiences. Contact us today to learn more about the various travel styles, accommodations, and activities available, and let us help you craft your perfect 7-day New Zealand South Island vacation tailored to your preferences.
Christchurch
〰️
Mt Cook
〰️
Queenstown
〰️
Milford Sound
〰️
Christchurch 〰️ Mt Cook 〰️ Queenstown 〰️ Milford Sound 〰️
Spirit of the South 7 Days
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise - Heli Hike - Wānaka
Star Gazing - TSS Earnslaw - Hooker Valley Walk
Travel Style:
Accommodation Style:
Motel I Hotel I Boutique Lodges
ITINERARY
-
Explore: Christchurch
New Zealand's garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it's known for its wide tree-lined avenues and lush gardens. Christchurch is also known for many great restaurants, with the local delicacy being fresh-caught crayfish.
-
Today you'll drive through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie. Ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue color. Continue along the lake to your final destination, Mount Cook Village.
-
Scenery: Heli or Ski Plane FlightThis Mount Cook helicopter tour or ski plane adventure is the ultimate way to see the Southern Alps. Traverse the Main Divide to the West Coast and view the magnificent landscape of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Track north along the Tasman Sea before recrossing the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the Tasman Glacier.
Nature: Big Sky Stargazing
Take a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos as you explore the wonders of New Zealand's night sky; home to planets, stars and a whole other world we only dream about. Our resident astronomy guides will take you on a 90-minute tour of the night sky through high powered telescopes along with discussing incredible features visible to the naked eye.
Scenery: Glacier Explorer
Cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake and experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier. The towering ice wall is really quite incredible, with an astonishing history.
Scenery: Hooker Valley Walk
Walk one of New Zealand's most famous walks in the the Hooker Valley.
-
Leaving the alpine region of Aoraki Mt Cook, you'll travel through the lakeside town of Twizel, then a little further to Omarama the gliding capital of New Zealand. Continue on over the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads with a summit of 971 metres. Arrive in the quaint village of Tarras, then continue on a short way to the historic Bendigo Reserve, one of Otago's original gold mining settlements.
Follow the road to Cromwell, and keep going through the sheer cliffs of the Kawarau Gorge towards Gibbston, one of New Zealand's premier wine growing regions. See the historic Kawarau Bridge where you can bungy jump or relax and watch others take the plunge. Approaching Queenstown, the Remarkables mountain range comes into view as you arrive into the adventure capital of New Zealand
-
Suggested activities
Explore: Queenstown and surrounds
Celebrated as New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic, and scenic wonders.
Adventure: Arrowtown and Skippers Luxury 4WD Private Tour
Embark on an immersive journey through the historic charm of Arrowtown and the exhilarating adventure of Skippers Road on our luxury 4WD private tour. With the comfort and safety of our premium vehicle, you'll experience the thrill of this historic route like never before
World Famous: TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak including gourmet BBQ dinner and a farm tour
Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting.
Take in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and its surroundings as you cruise across the lake to the historic Walter Peak high country farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.
After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals.
-
Suggested Activity
Nature: Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise
Onboard the Milford Mariner you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea, leisurely exploring on the way many points of interest.
After reaching the open sea, subject to weather and favourable conditions the sails are hoisted for a period. The vessel returns to the calm and shelter of Harrison Cove for your overnight stay.
Accompanied by a nature guide, you can go exploring in the tender craft and kayaks or simply relax on deck. After the day's activities, you enjoy a delicious evening buffet in the spacious saloon before retiring to your private cabin. There is plenty of time to view the waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife and the experienced nature guide on board will be able to answer any questions you may have.
-
Enjoy the wonderful drive along the Milford Road as you head back towards Te Anau. Crossing the rolling tussock lands, pass through Mossburn, the deer capital of New Zealand. Following the lake north, the Remarkable mountain range towers over you as you approach the adventure capital of Queenstown. Once you arrive in Queenstown is time to say goodbye.