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Southern Light

Want to the see stunning scenery and experience NZ's highest peaks and remote beaches and bays but short on time? This South Island tour is for you!

Discover the Highlights of the South

The South Island of New Zealand is a visual paradise filled with jaw dropping scenery.

Our shorter South Island tour, the Southern Light, will show you the highlights - perfect if you don't have much time!

What you can expect from the Southern Light tour:

Exploring the country's best National Parks: From New Zealand's highest peak at Aoraki/Mount Cook to the dramatic beauty of Fiordland National Park where you'll see the iconic Milford Sound.
Sleeping under the stars to the sound of the ocean: Does this sound like a bit of you? If you love wide open spaces, clean fresh air, spectacular views and sitting around the campfire with mates then you'll love this trip. All tickets include a shared tent or dorm room depending on our location, and there are options to upgrade to cabins or private rooms along the way so you can enjoy a bit of self-care and privacy some nights too.
Everything from dolphin swimming to bungy jumping: New Zealand is an outdoor paradise and we love finding the best adventures to throw ourselves into! On this tour you'll have the chance to try as much as you can handle - highlights include dolphin swimming, skydiving, sailing, bungee jumping and so much more.
Optional hikes and bike rides everyday: Our unique trip style gives you the chance to try a huge variety of walks! For bike rides you'll have the chance to take easy, short downhill rides or challenging off-road tracks - just choose your favourites and go! All walks and rides will offer spectacular views and lifelong memories.
Get to know the locals: We love Aotearoa/New Zealand and we want you to get to know all about our history, culture and people. Our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories with you whilst the trip style gets you away from tourist crowds to locations where you'll hang out and mix with the locals!

What's Included:

Accommodation: At our carefully selected campsites staying in a shared tent, two people per tent. Solo travellers will be paired with someone of the same gender. You can upgrade to your own tent if you prefer.
Food: We provide tasty & healthy meals suitable for all diets. Check your trip itinerary to see how many meals your tour includes.
Use of sports equipment on board: Bodyboards, frisbees and more are supplied free of charge, for your enjoyment.
Hikes: There are heaps of free hikes included along the way, so you can see the best of NZ's natural beauty
National Parks: Kiwis are a generous bunch - there are no costs to access our national parks!
Wine Tasting in Marlborough: The Sauvignon Blanc wines of Marlborough are internationally recognised - tastings are on us in our specially arranged wine tasting experience.
Free activities such as visiting the Church of Good Shepherd in Tekapo, gazing in wonder at Aoraki/Mt Cook and watching amazing sunrises and sunsets at beautiful beachside campsites.

Highlights

Visit a UNESCO World heritage site
Cycle trails
Queenstown
Fiordland
Milford Sound
Abel Tasman
Kayaking
Glowworm walks

Itinerary

Pickup Location: Latimer Square Coach Parking, Cnr Hereford St & Latimer Square, 2pm

Welcome to the first day of your Flying Kiwi adventure! Your tour begins in Christchurch, one of New Zealand’s most famous destinations which has been rebuilding since the infamous earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and is now home to great shopping, cool laneway bars and amazing eateries. You’ll meet your group and Guide at 2pm outside the Rydges Hotel and then continue on down to the stunning Lake Tekapo where we’ll spend the next two nights camping.

Meals: Dinner

Bike Rides: Tekapo Lakefront

Walks and Hikes: Explore Christchurch

Available Upgrades: Yes

Today you have a full free day to explore Lake Tekapo. Hike the Mt John Walkway for 360 degree views of the Mackenzie Basin flats and the surrounding lakes and mountains, go and see the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, play some frisbee golf or just relax at the campsite. This evening, we recommend going for a soak in the nearby hot pools or enjoying some world famous star gazing at the Mt John Observatory - you are staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, after all!

Meals: Breakfast

Bike Rides: Lake Tekapo Regional Park, A2O Cycle, Cowans Hill

Walks and Hikes: Mt John walkway, Cowans Hill

Optional Activities: Tekapo Hot Pools, Star Gazing

Available Upgrades: Yes

This morning, we’ll wake up in arguably the most beautiful part of the South Island. Lake Tekapo is incredibly scenic, and home to the most spectacular turquoise waters which get their colour from the glacial flour brought down from the rivers flowing from glaciers high up in the mountains.

We’ll go and see some incredible sights today, heading for Aoraki/Mt Cook where we’ll hike to the base of NZ’s highest mountain following a trail up the Hooker Valley where you’ll cross swing bridges and experience stunning views of the mountains before finishing up at a glacial lake with some awe inspiring views of the Hooker Valley glacier - trust us, you’ll want to bring your camera for this! This afternoon we’ll travel back towards the Pacific coast. We'll camp in the historic town of Oamaru this evening, close to the unique Moeraki Boulders and the Scottish city of Dunedin. Go for a walk this evening to a great view point offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and try to spot a little Blue Penguin along the shore.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Bike Rides: 13 km Alps2Ocean trail ride

Walks and Hikes: Hooker Valley, Historic Precinct Oamaru

Available Upgrades: Yes

If the tide is low this morning, we’ll go for a walk along the beach to see the mysterious Moeraki boulders. These perfectly round spheres of rock have formed over millions of years and have found their way onto the beach near Moeraki and make for some fun photo opportunities.

Next it’s onto the historic Scottish city of Dunedin, the South Island's second-largest city and home to NZ’s only castle. Dunedin is home to the world’s steepest residential street and the coastline is home to some fantastic and rare wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll continue down to the gateway to the Milford Sound, situated on the edge of Lake Te Anau. Tonight’s camp is on the lakeside in Te Anau, which is the South Island's largest lake. The bikers can go for a ride on the lake to lake Te Anau trail and the rest of us can enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakefront or head up to the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary where we can see the endangered native Takahē. If you’d like to do an activity, we recommend the incredible glowworm caves tour and boat ride.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Bike Rides: Lake Te Anau Lakefront Cycle Upukerora Trail (5km+)

Walks and Hikes: World’s steepest street, explore Dunedin city

Optional Activities: Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride

Available Upgrades: Yes

Today we’ll travel along one of the world’s most scenic roads and into Milford Sound! Described as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. We highly recommend boarding a cruise, where you'll see dramatic waterfalls and snow-capped peaks and if you’re lucky, some wildlife! At different times of year, penguins, dolphins, seals and even whales have been spotted at Milford. As it’s just the one road in and out, we head back along the same breath-taking route to our lakeside camp in Te Anau. Along the way, we drop off those doing the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks. This hike is a haven for native birdlife. Charge up your camera as this hike offers everything from mountainous peaks and sheer rock faces to pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense, luxuriant forest.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Bike Rides: Lake to Lake Te Anau trail, Lakefront Upukerora trail (5 km+)

Walks and Hikes: Plenty of short walks from camp

Optional Activities: Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau glowworm caves tour & boat ride

Available Upgrades: Yes

After a chance for a morning bike ride on the Lake to Lake Trail, if not done already, we will make our way along the Devil’s Staircase, and catch our first glimpses of Queenstown. The Adventure Capital of NZ, Queenstown is located on the shores of the South Islands second largest lake, Lake Wakatipu. There are many cycle trails & walks for everyone to enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast

Walks and Hikes: Routeburn Track (must be pre-booked and hikers will rejoin the group in Queenstown)

Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on! You are in the adventure capital of the world!

Available Upgrades: Yes

With so much to do we’ll spend another full day in the fantastic Queenstown, so everyone has the opportunity to have those once in a lifetime experiences. Speaking of experiences, may we suggest trying the legendary Fergburger! Tonight, we dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a feast at an iconic Queenstown eatery (own cost).

Meals: Breakfast

Bike Rides: Lake Wakatipu trail (16km), Queenstown trail (48 km)

Walks and Hikes: Queenstown walks, Ben Lomond

Optional Activities: Bungy jumping, skydiving, horse-riding, white water rafting, jet boating & the list goes on!

Available Upgrades: Yes

A last chance to indulge in the Queenstown action before finishing your tour with us here and saying farewell to your fellow Flying Kiwi travellers!

Meals: Breakfast

Bike Rides: Road cycling around town or on one of the many Queenstown trails