New Zealand South Island Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
New Zealand South Island Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
9 days
8 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Casual Hotels
2025: Oct-Dec2026: Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec2027: Jan-Apr
Rugged Coast & Mountains from Christchurch to Queenstown
After this trip, the bar will be forever raised. Other coasts will seem less striking. Even mountains will pale in comparison. Your next vacation will have big shoes to fill.
Highlights
- Hike through the unmatched natural wonders and sacred sites of the South Island—it’s a New Zealand tradition!
- Explore the stunning landscape surrounding Lake Wānaka, an absolute gem of the South Island
- Relax at family-owned wilderness lodges that showcase Kiwi hospitality and allow access to remote areas
- Discover the many charms and secrets of Arrowtown, rich in gold-mining history, and Hokitika, renowned for its jade
- Experience a variety of scenery, from alpine tundra and glaciers to dramatic coastal rain forest trails to seascapes
StartChristchurch
EndQueenstown
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Tramp through the spectacularly beautiful South Island • Hike to a Maori sacred site, Kura Tawhiti, a gorgeous set of limestone outcroppings • As you ascend Bealey Spur, soak up grand views of snowcapped peaks and the braided Waimakariri River • Behold beech forests and alpine lakes while climbing to a sheep station hut • Bird lovers rejoice: look for tiny rifleman and gregarious alpine parrots called kea.
Nights 1-2
Experience warm hospitality and breathtaking alpine landscapes at this welcoming mountain retreat and high-country sheep station surrounded by a beech forest and frosted peaks.
Day 3
Ascend through a mountain beech forest to a magical alpine garden in a glacier-hewn valley • Mighty mountains, dividing east and west, tower above as you make your way to the summit of Arthur's Pass—the striking beauty of the area is undeniable • Take in the views as you head south along the incredible West Coast to Franz Josef, the gateway town to "Glacier Country" and the Southern Alps, New Zealand's highest mountain range • Settle into our decadent retreat, enveloped in native forest.
Night 3
Situated amid native West Coast rainforest near Franz Josef Glacier, this eco-retreat provides for every comfort, even a pillow menu. (spa)
Days 4-5
Hike to Franz Josef Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world that descends into a temperate rain forest • Swap rain forest for pounding surf at Munro Beach and search for pounamu, the native jade • Explore the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area—choose hiking or kayaking with a naturalist on Lake Moeraki.
Nights 4-5
Surrounded by stunning World Heritage wilderness, this riverside lodge offers cozy guest rooms, warm hospitality and excellent cuisine.
Days 6-7
Board a jet boat for a thrilling ride past towering cliffs and pristine wilderness • Discover the stunning landscape of the surrounding Alps and catch a spectacular view of Lake Wanaka • Wind through a dazzling valley and traverse a swing bridge to the Rob Roy hanging glacier—a quintessential New Zealand hiking experience!
Nights 6-7
On the shores of Lake Wanaka, this serene retreat offers stunning alpine views, spacious accommodations and direct access to the lake's scenic walking trails, all framed by the breathtaking Southern Alps.
Days 8-9
Take in the vistas at the top of Rocky Mountain • Experience jaw-dropping Milford Sound, New Zealand's most famous fjord, on an optional excursion • Extend your adventure in picturesque Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, situated near scenic Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by breathtaking views of the Remarkables mountain range.
Night 8
Set on a sprawling estate, this luxurious retreat offers style, tranquility and mountain views. (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.
In order to access the most scenic routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the shuttle—though always to reach a worthwhile destination!
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.
The lush green landscapes of New Zealand's West Coast makes this region unlike any other. Its climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that may bring tropical storms and dramatic weather changes. (It's sometimes called the Wet Coast!) It could rain any day on your trip.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Casual Hotel
Experience warm hospitality and breathtaking alpine landscapes at this welcoming mountain retreat and high-country sheep station surrounded by a beech forest and frosted peaks.
Night 3
*Deluxe Hotel
Situated amid native West Coast rainforest near Franz Josef Glacier, this eco-retreat provides for every comfort, even a pillow menu. (spa)
Nights 4-5
Casual Hotel
Surrounded by stunning World Heritage wilderness, this riverside lodge offers cozy guest rooms, warm hospitality and excellent cuisine.
Nights 6-7
Casual Hotel
On the shores of Lake Wanaka, this serene retreat offers stunning alpine views, spacious accommodations and direct access to the lake's scenic walking trails, all framed by the breathtaking Southern Alps.
Night 8
*Premiere Hotel
Set on a sprawling estate, this luxurious retreat offers style, tranquility and mountain views. (pool, spa)
Gallery
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 29 customers
Fantastic trip and experience.
We loved this active trip! The leaders were amazing and we saw so much. It felt great to experience so many different parts of the island. The food was great and snacks as well! The accommodations were wonderful. The flight over Milford Sound was a true highlight. It was our first backroads trip and we will look forward to our next one!
Amazing trip to New Zealand's South Island
I cannot imagine a better trip! This was our first trip with Backroads and we'll definitely be doing more. The hikes were challenging but not too tough for us, the food and lodges/hotels were just perfect, and we learned so much about New Zealand too. Our guides and fellow travelers definitely made the trip extra special!
New Zealand is gorgeous, and this is a fantastic trip!
We loved every part of this trip. It's hard to describe how beautiful the South Island is. The hotels were great, the hikes were spectacular, and the Backroads leaders made all the difference. Anjuschka, Darryl and Tristan were excellent - professional, knowledgeable, patient, flexible, funny and enthusiastic. We would love to travel with them again! If you have ever thought about hiking in New Zealand, figure out a way to go on this trip. You will be glad you did.
Absolutely Phenomenal
From start to finish, a wonderful experience. New Zealand is a really special destination, and I feel so lucky to have been able to see it, for the first time, as a hiker and with a great group of people. Our leaders were beyond professional: Informative, energetic and flexible. The logistics were pristine, which allowed our group to relax and embrace every minute in this incredible country.
See many areas of New Zealand
This trip concentrates on hiking…one or two a day…and puts you right in the landscape of New Zealand. Our leaders were knowledgeable, quick to accommodate all our needs, and spent time making each of us feel welcome and valued. If the success of a trip depends upon its leaders, you could not go wrong with Back Roads.
Backroads hits another home run in New Zealand!
This was my second Backroads trip and my expectations were high based on a great biking experience in Croatia several years ago. I'm happy to say this New Zealand hiking trip exceeded them! The scenery and hikes were spectacular, and Emily, Claire and Annie were superb trip leaders. They were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and had great rapport. They made everyone feel welcome and comfortable regardless of ability. The food and accommodations were excellent. I highly recommend Backroads for an active vacation in New Zealand!
Best Backroads leaders in 5 trips, not to pick favorites!
New Zealand is a wild and beautiful place, but our trip there with Backroads was made all the more memorable by our three excellent group leaders. Not having a local guide with us the whole time, Chloe, Nine and Andrew were pressed into service answering all our questions on topics ranging from flora and fauna to Maori customs. With the helpful Snapshot route summaries and Inside Scoop supplementary info, every day had a theme or objective that made us look forward to waking up to those five-mile hikes! Not only did our leaders juggle schedules with what individuals wanted to do, they went above and beyond to make our Franz Josef Glacier and Milford Sound excursions happen (even though the weather failed to cooperate). Finally, they also expertly dealt with not one, but two!, minor medical emergencies. We knew we were in good hands.
This trip far exceeded my expectations. Best BR trip so far
Leaders were knowledgeable, experienced, fun and personable. We had a ball on the hikes, at meals and on the shuttles. Trip of a life time.
Trip of a lifetime
New Zealand was so much more than I expected. Wild, welcoming, primitive, cosmopolitan. Seeing it with Backroads was perfect. Our leaders were the best I've ever had.
Experience a living post card in NZ
Breath taking vistas Fantastic food Lots of exercise Loved it!!
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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