New Zealand South Island Hiking & Walking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
7 days
6 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
New Zealand South Island Hiking & Walking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
7 days
6 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Premiere Hotels
2026: Feb, Oct-Dec 2027: Jan-Mar
Wild Coastlines, Queen Charlotte Sound & Marlborough Wine Country
Rolling hills, rugged beaches and tidy wine country vineyards. Where some of the world’s best trails and kayaking are tucked away. Where the night sky dazzles. Where? New Zealand.
Highlights
- Explore the Queen Charlotte Sound, a stunning maze of forested hills, quiet coves and coastal trails
- Kayak the sheltered waters of Ngākuta Bay, gliding past forested bays and spotting fur seals, soaring gannets and playful dolphins
- Savor farm-to-table Kiwi cuisine and sip world-famous Marlborough wine at the source
- Hike scenic sections of the Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails, staying at secluded wilderness lodges only reachable by foot or water
- Discover the Kaikoura Coast, where rugged mountains meet sapphire seas rich with marine life
Start Blenheim
End Christchurch
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Adventure begins in Blenheim, gateway to some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary places • Hike in Marlborough, where rolling hills and wide views set the tone • Settle into our boutique hotel, a welcoming base surrounded by vineyard country • Follow scenic coastal trails from Rārangi to White Bay.
Nights 1-2
A peaceful retreat set among vineyards and gardens in the heart of New Zealand’s wine country. Stylish rooms, warm hospitality and local flavors make this restored estate an inviting base for exploring the region’s trails and landscapes. (pool)
Days 3-4
Kayak the calm waters of Ngākuta Bay and Picton Sound, gliding past forested hills and into quiet coves • Back on land, hike pathways connecting coast and forest • Cruise the Marlborough Sounds’ legendary waterways, steeped in Maori history • Walk through native bush on one of New Zealand’s most beloved trails, the Queen Charlotte Track • From its skyline ridges, the majestic trail offers up one panoramic viewpoint after another • Gaze at a blanket of stars from our peaceful retreat.
Nights 3-4
Built at the turn of the 20th century as a private vacation abode, this historic lodge is tucked away among virgin native forest. The original colonial-style home and expanded resort is beautifully set at the head of the Endeavour Inlet in the Marlborough Sounds—enjoy sweeping views of the inlet from your private balcony or patio. Reachable only by boat or on foot via the Queen Charlotte Track, its exclusive waterfront location offers unparalleled tranquility and access to some of New Zealand's best trails.
Days 5-7
Explore along the Queen Charlotte Sound, keeping an eye out for bottlenose dolphins • Hike the undulating coastline through tree ferns, nikau palms and climbing kiekie • In a region renowned for Sauvignon Blanc, enjoy a taste of Marlborough wine • Soak in the heated mineral pool at our treehouse abode • Along the Kaikoura Coast, hike a seaside trail with snow-covered mountain scenery • Indulge in elevated Kiwi cuisine made with locally sourced seasonal provisions.
Nights 5-6
Situated on the rugged Kaikoura Coast with the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range as a backdrop and the Pacific Ocean spreading out before it, views abound from every corner of this family-owned lodge. Relax in your eco-conscious luxury room, meticulously designed with custom furniture and tailor-made mattresses, then soak in the heated mineral pool and watch wild deer wandering on the resident farm. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
While our hotels are some of the finest in New Zealand, the relaxed Kiwi approach to service is reflected in the hotels on this trip—they are down-to-earth, without a lot of bells and whistles, and may not offer the level of customer service that you might be used to.
To bring you to our favorite parts of this region, we make liberal use of water taxis and shuttles on this trip. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend more time aboard transportation.
Note that unexpected changes to water taxi schedules can result in alterations to the activities as described. We assure you that any such changes will not affect the quality of your experience.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
A peaceful retreat set among vineyards and gardens in the heart of New Zealand’s wine country. Stylish rooms, warm hospitality and local flavors make this restored estate an inviting base for exploring the region’s trails and landscapes. (pool)
Nights 3-4
Premiere Hotel
Built at the turn of the 20th century as a private vacation abode, this historic lodge is tucked away among virgin native forest. The original colonial-style home and expanded resort is beautifully set at the head of the Endeavour Inlet in the Marlborough Sounds—enjoy sweeping views of the inlet from your private balcony or patio. Reachable only by boat or on foot via the Queen Charlotte Track, its exclusive waterfront location offers unparalleled tranquility and access to some of New Zealand's best trails.
Nights 5-6
Premiere Hotel
Situated on the rugged Kaikoura Coast with the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range as a backdrop and the Pacific Ocean spreading out before it, views abound from every corner of this family-owned lodge. Relax in your eco-conscious luxury room, meticulously designed with custom furniture and tailor-made mattresses, then soak in the heated mineral pool and watch wild deer wandering on the resident farm. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Share Your Adventure!
Tag @backroadstravel or use #MyBackroadsTrip to submit your photos.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
