From Christchurch: 8-Day New Zealand South Island Tour - Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Hanmer Springs & Akaroa

Start in Christchurch and
travel around the South Island for 8 days

This 8-day South Island tour starts and finishes in the multicultural city of Christchurch. You travel by Kiwi Experience bus with a local driver guide (English) as part of a group with other travelers. Accommodation, daily breakfast and selected activities are included, so there is no need to plan separately. On the first evening, you meet your fellow travelers and guide at a welcome gathering.

Enjoy a farm visit, the Kaikōura coast and Marlborough wine

On day 2, visit Tawanui Farm, a 330-hectare sheep, beef and deer farm, where you watch the sheepdogs at work and hand-feed the farm animals. In the afternoon, head to Kaikōura, famous for its marine life, and walk the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. On day 3, stop briefly to see seals resting on the rocks, then pass through the vineyard-filled Marlborough region and enjoy wine and gin tastings.

Relax on the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park

You arrive at Abel Tasman National Park on the afternoon of day 3 and have all of day 4 to explore it at your leisure. The park combines golden sand beaches, clear waters and native forest, and you can choose optional activities (extra cost) such as skydiving, kayaking, canyoning and sailing.

Pass Nelson Lakes and unwind in the Hanmer Springs hot pools

On day 5, stop at Nelson Lakes for a wharf-jumping photo, walk the Conical Hill track and arrive in the alpine spa village of Hanmer Springs. Day 6 is a free day, and your included ticket lets you enjoy the outdoor thermal pools and hydroslides at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools. Forest hikes, rafting and bungy jumping are optional activities.

Finish with a sculpture park, street art and the Akaroa penguin tour

On day 7, stop at Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park overlooking the Waipara River Valley, then return to Christchurch for a street art tour. On the last day, take a day trip to Akaroa, a historic village blending Māori, French and English culture, and learn about penguin conservation on the 2-hour Pōhatu Penguins nature tour. The tour ends when you return to Christchurch.

※ The itinerary is for reference only and may change depending on local conditions.
※ Wildlife lives in its natural habitat, so sightings are not guaranteed.
※ Optional activities during the tour cost extra.