14 Day South Island Family Guided Tour

Your once-in-a-lifetime South Island family guided vacation begins in Christchurch, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” 

Discover the vibrant and picturesque garden city, renowned for its natural beauty, lively entertainment scene, and strong cultural heritage. 

Explore Christchurch with your guide. Options include; experiencing Christchurch Tramway, Gondola, Botanic Gardens, visiting the International Antarctic Centre or venturing to Sumner Beach.

In the evening option to add dinner aboard the Christchurch Tram. Enjoy a three-course meal whilst touring the inner city, the perfect way to start your New Zealand tour.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Travel time Christchurch to Lake Tekapo – 3.5 hours 

Your scenic journey through the Mackenzie Basin begins today. As the Southern Alps loom before you, there will be photo opportunities around every corner.

Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing and booking a stargazing tour. 

Lake Tekapo has many things to do and explore. Visit the historic Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most photographed places in the country. Around the corner from the Church is the Mackenzie Sheep Dog Statue, another great photo opportunity in an extraordinary setting. 

One of the most popular attractions in town is Tekapo Springs. With hot pools, spas, water slides, steam rooms, saunas and more, they have everything covered for everyone.

Stay 1 night at Lake Tekapo.

Travel time Lake Tekapo to Queenstown – 3.5 hours 

As you continue the spectacular drive south, you have the option to make a side trip to Mt Cook Village.

Along the way to Queenstown, your guide will take you to sample the fresh fruit from the orchards of Cromwell. Buy the freshest fruit available, sample manuka honey and treat yourself to a real fruit ice-cream.

Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. Let Queenstown awaken your inner-explorer. Whether you’re interested in exploring trails, food and wine, or seeking adrenaline thrills – there are adventures to be found here of all tastes and tempos.

Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, your experience starts with a Lake Wakatipu cruise in the 112 year old steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. Then disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the first farms set up in the region.

Relaxing in the charming ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, the heart of the stately homestead at Walter Peak, you’ll enjoy gourmet buffet dining prepared by the chef in front of you. You can choose from an expansive array of New Zealand and local produce, from succulent meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie or grill, a selection of delicious vegetables and salads. Then finish your meal with irresistible desserts, New Zealand cheeses and freshly brewed tea and coffee.

After dinner, an entertaining and informative demonstration gives you a glimpse of life in the high country. The night-time cruise home is magical. Sing-a-long with the ship’s pianist or simply breathe in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as the lights of Queenstown draw nearer.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

This morning sit back and relax and take in the stunning views as you ride the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. It is the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the must-do activities in Queenstown!

You’ll be carried 450 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, where you’ll enjoy the best view in the region. When you get to the top, take the drivers seat with the gravity-fuelled Skyline Luge.

In the afternoon visit Arrowtown with your tour guide. This charming gold rush village sits in a natural paradise. A Queenstown “must-do.” Arrowtown is a lively, quirky, historic village. So many pleasures to choose from – Arrowtown satisfies many sides of your personality. The nature lover, photographer, the museum visitor, the shop browser. The charm of historic Buckingham Street, while savouring a coffee.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate Jet Boating experience with Shotover Jet – the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof. You’ll speed over 10cm deep water, along the famous Shotover River and deep into the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.

Continue your quest for adventure and choose from any adventure activity on offer in Queenstown. Bungy jumping, skydiving, paragliding, quad biking, zip lining, heli flights, 4WD off-roading, you name it we can book it.

If you’re looking for a slightly slower pace there’s plenty of recreational activities including scenic flights to Milford Sound, the Kiwi Birdlife Park, or spa and wellness options to help you truly feel worlds away.

Travel time Queenstown to Wanaka – 1.5 hours

Your scenic tour will continue as you enjoy the drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka. Your guide will stop along the way for photos at fantastic viewing points. You can also stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel and Cardrona Distillery.

Explore Wanaka with your guide. You may want to visit Puzzling World, Wanaka’s illusional attraction. The National Toy and Transport Museum. Or the Wanaka Lavender Farm located just a few minutes from Wanaka, where you can experience 20 acres of beautiful lavender fields, farm animals & display gardens.

Test out your fishing skills at “Hook”, Wanaka’s very unique interactive Lake to Plate dining experience. Catch a Chinook salmon from the scenic spring-fed fishing lakes and then relax as the team prepares it for you. No experience is necessary and fishing equipment can be hired on the day.

Stay 2 nights in Wanaka.

Enjoy a luxury cruise on the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home of the lake on an island in a lake. Mou Waho is a predator free Department of Conservation reserve and home to many native birds not seen on mainland NZ. Here you can see first-hand results of conservation efforts including the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920), the wood pigeon and the native falcon. A one hour guided bush walk is included which takes you up to a lake right on top of the island, with magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction. On returning to your luxury 55 foot catamaran, you can enjoy afternoon tea aboard as the guides share some of the fascinating history of this entrancing island (Duration 3.5 hours).

Enjoy Wanaka today. Get an aerial perspective of the region and take a scenic flight. Stroll the streets and be inspired by galleries and stylish shops, or indulge in a delicious meal from the excellent selection of cafés and restaurants.

In the evening you have the chance to catch a film at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka’s quirky local theatre (hint: the homemade cookies and ice cream at half time are delicious).

Travel time Wanaka to Franz Josef – 4.5 hours 

The Haast Pass Highway is one of the most scenic alpine routes in New Zealand. Explore the pass with your guide, stopping to view cascading waterfalls, broad alpine meadows, craggy snowcapped mountains, and the turquoise depths of the Blue Pools.

Continuing along the West Coast, your guide will take you to Lake Matheson, where you can take a 20 minute walk (one-way) to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.

In the afternoon, take an unforgettable helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, where you will land in the snow to enjoy incredible views of the majestic Southern Alps.

Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Travel time Franz Josef to Hokitika – 2 hours 

Discover the West Coast’s beauty in Hokitika, famous for its wild beach and arts and crafts scene. Hokitika is known as the ‘Cool Little Town’. There are some lovely old buildings on the town’s historic walk. You’ll also notice galleries specialising in pounamu jewellery and artworks.

While in Hokitika, you may wish to make the scenic drive to Hokitika Gorge, where an impressive turquoise river flows through a narrow canyon.

You could also visit the National Kiwi Centre, where you will be able to see a rare kiwi; view New Zealand’s living dinosaur, the Tuatara; and participate in feeding the giant eels.

You will find a great attraction in the West Coast Treetop Walk. Here, you’ll enjoy the views of the birds with the canopy walk that’s been carefully constructed across the ancient Kamahi and Rimu trees. The walkway is 450 metres in total and reaches heights of 20 metres giving you fantastic panoramic views of all around.

Stay 1 night in Hokitika.

Travel time Hokitika to Nelson – 5 hours 

Visit the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki on your drive north, where you will get the chance to marvel at the strange limestone formations that have been weathered by the relentless sea.

Nelson is a picturesque city offering beaches, wineries and boutique breweries. If you like scenery, nature, food, wine, and beer, you will love Nelson! The region also enjoys New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours, which makes it a mecca for fruit-growing.

Walk the sun-drenched golden sand beaches, and in the evening sit in the sun, sip a wine from one of the local vineyards, and dine on the famous Nelson cuisine.

Stay 3 nights in Nelson or Abel Tasman.

Travel time Nelson to Abel Tasman – 1 hour (each way)

Only a short drive away is Abel Tasman, renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, rich unmodified estuaries, long sunshine hours, and the world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track.

Take a boat cruise into Abel Tasman National Park today, where you can relax on the hot golden sand, enjoy a day walk, or simply remain aboard for the return cruise. Soak in the natural beauty and enjoy! This trip allows you to explore sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track; the boat will stop at scenic points along the way where you can get off and walk a section of the track. The boat will then collect you later in the day. You could also just pack a picnic lunch and beach towels and laze on the beach for the day. 

A visit to Golden Bay and Te Waikoropupū Springs (the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere) makes a lovely day trip. You can also take a tour of the 35km Farewell Spit, home to a vast bird sanctuary and various other wildlife.

In the evening discover the attractive walking mall at the heart of town is filled with galleries, gourmet cafés, and local shops. Visit the art studios, explore the craft markets, taste the delicious locally made artisan products and find something extraordinary to take home with you.

Travel time Nelson to Kaikoura – 4 hours 

Today your guide will take you on a scenic drive through the Marlborough wine region, with the option to stop at a winery (or two!) along the way for samples of the award-winning wines.

Kaikoura’s environment is truly spectacular – the village is caught between the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean. Kaikoura’s special talent is marine mammal encounters – whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in the coastal waters. Whale watching trips can be taken by sea or air and the local seal colony is always entertaining. There are also plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops to explore.

Spend the evening in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal town with a backdrop of majestic mountains. Be sure to sample the superb local seafood at dinner! Local specialties include blue cod, paua (abalone) and of course crayfish (lobster).

Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.

In the morning take a scenic cruise to view the majestic Sperm Whales off the Kaikoura Coast. Whale Watch Kaikoura is New Zealand’s only marine-based whale watching company, offering visitors enchanting up-close encounters with Sperm Whales at all times of the year. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.

Travel time Kaikoura to Christchurch – 2.5 hours

The impressive scenery of the coastal ranges accompanies your journey from Kaikoura to Christchurch today. From Cheviot you can detour to Gore Bay to see the fascinating cliff formations. Waipara is known for its vineyards and olive groves – an excellent place to pause for lunch. Continuing south your journey takes you past the surf beaches of Amberley, Leithfield, Waikuku and Woodend.

Relax in Christchurch for the afternoon. You might like to take time to explore the city by double-decker bus, vintage bicycle, gondola, tram or classic Edwardian punt. Or grab your walking shoes and discover bars, eateries and an eclectic mix of boutique shops by foot.

On your last evening, make a toast to a wonderful New Zealand holiday. All inclusive New Zealand vacation packages made easy.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Departure Day – Depart Christchurch
The next day your guide will deliver you to Christchurch Airport for your departing flight.