Overview
This dream journey brings you everything you could want to do on the South Island—that’s why we named it Ultimate South Island! It includes hikes on four of the country’s celebrated Great Walks: the alpine Routeburn Track, plus the lush Rakiura, Kepler, and Abel Tasman tracks, all protected in pristine national parks filled with soaring landscapes and native forests. Besides our wonderful hikes, we’ll take an overnight cruise in stunning Milford Sound (the jewel of Fiordland National Park), sea kayak in the azure waters of Abel Tasman National Park, look for kiwis (the feathered kind) on remote Stewart Island, and sip wines in the renowned vineyards of Central Otago. We’ve arranged three internal flights on the South Island to make the most of our time and get to the South Island’s most diverse settings. New Zealand’s acclaimed food and drink scene and our friendly lodges and inns keep us comfy along the way.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-3
Queenstown / Mount Crichton / Routeburn Track
From the “adventure capital” of Queenstown, hike the Mount Crichton Loop Track, with magnificent views of vast Lake Wakatipu, and in Mt. Aspiring National Park, take a fantastic walk on the Routeburn Track across swing bridges above the jade-green Routeburn River.
Days 4-6
Stewart Island / Kiwi-Spotting / Rakiura Track / Kepler Track
A quick flight brings us to remote Stewart Island and Rakiura National Park. Here we’ll hike the Rakiura Track along the coast and look for kiwis on predator-free Ulva Island. Back on the mainland, we’ll hike our third “Great Walk,” the Kepler Track, through red beech forests along Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park.
Days 7-9
Milford Sound Cruise / Gibbston Vineyards
Enjoy an overnight cruise in 8-mile-long Milford Sound, a spectacular meeting of mountains and sea, then from our cottages in Gibbston wine country, sample the pinot noirs for which Central Otago is famous.
Days 10-11
Wanaka / Mt. Aspiring National Park / Rob Roy Glacier Track
Our hike on the Rocky Mountain Track to Diamond Lake brings panoramas of Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps, and in Mt. Aspiring National Park, we take the Rob Roy Glacier Track into a dramatic setting of snowfields, hanging glaciers, cliffs, and waterfalls.
Days 12-15
Abel Tasman National Park / Hiking and Sea Kayaking / Nelson
Our grand finale is Abel Tasman National Park, with its aquamarine seas, golden beaches, mystical forests of giant tree ferns, and magnificent coastal trails. From our beautiful lodge right in the park itself, we’ll hike to our heart’s delight and explore by sea kayak. Depart via Nelson on Day 15.
New Zealand: Ultimate South Island
Highlights
Highlights
Details
Moderate hiking, 3-6 hours a day on hiking days, optional sea kayaking (no previous experience necessary)
