Journey through New Zealand's natural wonderland on an 11-day road trip from the far north of the North Island all the way to the bottom of the South Island. Travelling in a small group of no more than 18, we take in kauri forests, Māori culture, glacier country and the adventure capital at a relaxed, personal pace.
We swim in the crystal-clear Kai Iwi Lakes, stand beneath Tāne Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest, explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds over a traditional Hāngī dinner, then head south for the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo, three nights in Queenstown, a Milford Sound cruise and the icy formations of Franz Josef.
Days
- 11 days, 10 nights
Age
- 18 to 39 years
Group size
- Max 18
Start / finish
- Auckland / Christchurch
Return
- See itinerary for details
Accommodation
- 10 nights in 3-star hotels and flashpacker dorms — one beachfront at Omapere, two at Paihia, one in Christchurch, one at Lake Tekapo, three in Queenstown and two at Franz Josef.
Transport
- A Mercedes Sprinter with your guide, the flight from Auckland to Christchurch after day 4, and a cruise boat at Milford Sound.
Meals
- A traditional hāngī dinner at Waitangi on day 3. No other meals are named in the itinerary.
Route
Included experiences
- Milford Sound — a fiord cruise past waterfalls and towering mountainscapes
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds — with an included combo pass, and a hāngī dinner that evening
- Tāne Mahuta — the largest living kauri tree, in the Waipoua Forest
- Bay of Islands — a free day for cruising, dolphin spotting or kayaking to secluded beaches
- Franz Josef — a free day for a glacier hike, a helicopter flight or the hot pools
- Lake Tekapo — lakeside hot springs and stargazing in the Dark Sky Reserve
- Queenstown — three nights and a free day for skydiving, luging or jet boating
- Kai Iwi Lakes — clear freshwater ringed by native forest
- Kauri Museum at Matakohe — the story of the kauri and the early pioneers
- Marsden Winery and Matakana Village — wine tasting in the Far North
- Wanaka and Haast Pass on the drive up to glacier country
- Arthur's Pass — the crossing back through the snow-capped Southern Alps
- Hokitika — the town known for its jade carving
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.9
Based on 248 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, one of the shorter trips it's built from, or the same trip in the opposite direction. Gathered from around the web and paraphrased — each review says which.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“An epic week experience”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
Travelling with a friend, this reviewer made new friends along the way and found the trip really well organised with a great range of activity choices. Guide Telli was friendly and always had excellent suggestions at every stop. A highly recommended week.
“Amazing tour group! Highly recommend!”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer had a wonderful, hitch-free experience with Wild Kiwi thanks to guide Telli, who went above and beyond. They loved the accommodation, the range of activities on offer, and the group they travelled with.
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
On her first visit to New Zealand, this reviewer chose the Southern Voyager to see the South Island and found the driving, pit stops and accommodation all very well organised. She felt it captured the best of the region's diverse scenery. Travelling solo, she felt safe and comfortable throughout thanks to guide Tom, who made time for fun and conversation.
“Great experience 🫶”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer spent two weeks on the South Island and was blown away by how many places were covered, even if it felt a little rushed at times. Guide Tom was informative, helpful and clearly passionate about his job. She'd recommend Wild Kiwi as a great, varied way to see New Zealand.
“South Island: A wonderful week!”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer had a great, affordable, and well-organised week exploring the South Island, visiting everywhere she'd hoped to see. Her small group got on well, making for good evenings together, and guide Tom was knowledgeable and attentive — even adjusting the last day's schedule so the group could finally complete their skydive. She'd highly recommend it and hopes to book again.
“Great host, distances travelled were prohibitive.”
Reviewed on the 7 Day Southern Voyager, one leg of this trip
This reviewer found the South Island's attractions stunning but spread far apart, with one day involving a 600km-plus drive to reach a fjord cruise. Guide Tom kept the group entertained through the long driving days, though fog often obscured the views he wanted to show them. Accommodation throughout, shared with fellow travellers, was of a reasonable standard; he suggests the North Island tour instead if you only have a single week, since it packs in more with less driving.
