New Zealand South Island Walking & Hiking Tour
9 days
8 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Casual Hotels
New Zealand South Island Walking & Hiking Tour
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
#MyBackroadsTrip
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.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
