Conquer the South Island's iconic sights and hidden delights on the Southern Kiwi Small Group Tour. Traverse glaciers, cruise majestic fiords, and bungee jump through heart-pounding scenery. With a small group and expert guide, experience New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown, and untouched natural wonders like Milford Sound. This is the ultimate Southern Island escape!
Conquer the South Island's iconic sights and hidden delights on the Southern Kiwi Small Group Tour. Traverse glaciers, cruise majestic fiords, and bungee jump through heart-pounding scenery. With a small group and expert guide, experience New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown, and untouched natural wonders like Milford Sound. This is the ultimate Southern Island escape!
Our most immersive South Island tour! From the secluded beaches in Abel Tasman National Park, to the thermal mineral pools in Hanmer Springs, and adrenaline capital Queenstown, this south island adventure has it all. Adventure activities are aplenty throughout the trip, as well as an abundance of wildlife. With accommodation and some activities included (see below); our tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
Days
- 15 days, 14 nights
Group size
- Max 24
Start / finish
- Christchurch / Christchurch
Return
- See itinerary for details
Accommodation
- 14 nights — three at Hotel Give in Christchurch across two separate stays, one at Dusky Lodge in Kaikōura, two at Kaiteriteri for Abel Tasman, two at Hanmer Springs, two at Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef, one at Lake Hawea or Wanaka, and three at Nomads Queenstown. Rooms are dorm share, split by gender.
Transport
- An air-conditioned mini bus with a driver guide throughout, plus a two hour boat cruise on Milford Sound.
Meals
- 14 breakfasts.
Route
Included experiences
- Milford Sound — a two hour cruise into Fiordland, driving in via Te Anau
- Abel Tasman National Park — a free day among golden sand beaches and native forest
- Kaikōura — the peninsula walk, with whales, dolphins and seals offshore
- Tawanui Farm — a working 330 hectare sheep and beef farm
- Marlborough — wine tasting at a cellar door, with a cheese pairing
- Nelson Lakes — the wharf jump, if you are brave enough
- Hanmer Springs — entry to the thermal pools, and the sculpture walk
- Iron Ridge Quarry — a sculpture park set in the North Canterbury hills
- Christchurch — a street art tour of the city
- Akaroa — a French and Māori heritage village, and a two hour Pōhatu Penguins nature tour
- Arthur's Pass — Castle Hill and the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall
- Franz Josef — a free day at one of the steepest glaciers in the country
- Pounamu carving — carving your own greenstone jewellery
- Franz Josef Wildlife Centre — a guaranteed live kiwi in the nocturnal house, plus tuatara
- Lake Matheson — the mirror reflection of Aoraki Mt Cook
- #ThatWanakaTree, then the Kawarau Bridge where bungy jumping began
- Lake Tekapo — the Church of the Good Shepherd, and Lake Pukaki on the way back
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
5.0
Based on 28 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 28 reviews
Travellers consistently praise this trip as a sociable and well-organised way to see New Zealand, particularly suited to solo travellers, with many highlighting the friendships formed and the mix of packed activities and free time. The most frequently commended aspect is the drivers, who are described as knowledgeable, engaging and helpful, often sharing local recommendations, cultural insights and commentary along the routes, and stopping at scenic spots that reviewers felt they would not have found alone. Reviewers also appreciated the variety of included activities, the comfortable bus and the generally good accommodation, and several noted the help desk staff as supportive. The most common caveats concern the booking system, which some found confusing or inefficient, and inconsistencies in communication and itinerary information; other recurring criticisms include some basic or shared-bathroom hostels, less frequent buses in the off season, and certain stops being too short or adding little to the trip.
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.
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.
“Lovely trip”
Loved my Kiwi Experience South 15 day tour. Our tour guide Ricky was exceptional, truly made the trip one to remember and was so knowledgeable! Enjoyed all of our stops however would have loved to have spent more time in Lake Tekapo rather than only passing through on the drive back to Christchurch but that’s my only comment. Accommodation and breakfasts were all great. Would 100% recommend to anyone considering it!
“Real wonderful Kiwi Experience”
What an amazing 15-day Southern Kiwi trip - the views at Abel Tasman, Arthur's Pass, Queenstown and Lake Hawea were incredible. The bus was comfortable and most hostels were great, with good breakfasts and a fantastic group. Guide Tawh made everyone feel welcome and looked after, planning each day around our needs and sharing plenty of local knowledge - doing the work of two or three people. I'd recommend this trip to friends.
“Fantastic Experience!”
Incredible experience! Hopefully you get Fraser as one of your drivers! Really worth the money and took most of the hassle away.
“One of the best tours!”
Less buses on off season. Lightning the bus driver is the absolute best.
“I loved the experience overall.”
The places you are taken to are stunning and the views are incredible. The route is spot on. It’s super social but I did go in the winter which meant buses were way less regular. I’d say my only criticism is dependent on the driver you get. If you get a good driver such as Frosty or Cowboy who really involves themselves in your group, your experience will be incredible but sadly we did not have them for the full journey and it did really affect the whole experience.
“This trip was my first time ever solo traveling and I was really”
Very quickly our small group became close with one another. By day two we had inside jokes, we were playing games, doing amazing things together. It was truly such an incredible time. Our driver, Ahu, was the absolute best. Super down to earth, funny, knowledgeable, and he always went out of his way to ensure the best possible experience for each and every one of his guests. He was constantly looking up things to do that we would be interested in if we had a little extra time during the day or in the evening so we always had options and direction. He would answer every one of the millions of questions I had and do research if he didn’t know the answer. He taught us so much about his culture and about the land of Aotearoa. It was an experience I will never forget and it will always live in my heart as such a fond memory. By far the small group tour is worth every cent. My personal highlights for the trip where the Waitomo caves and getting to Blackwater raft through them, all of the amazing hikes that got us up close and personal with the scenery, the cultural experience at Te Pa Tu, kayaking through cathedral cove, and of course how slay all of Ahu’s commentary was. Good accommodation in all locations, great included experiences, and over all phenomenal people every stop of the way. Great way to experience the north island with no stress.
“Can’t recommend enough!”
Amazing trip!
“ The sooner you do it, the better!”
I discovered Kiwi Experience through a friend, and after seeing tons of positive reviews and YouTube videos, I decided to try it. And I can say it was a truly life-changing experience! I took a short but incredibly scenic trip around New Zealand's North Island, visiting places like Paihia, Cape Reinga, Hot Water Beach, Waitomo, Rotorua, and Taupo. Each place was unique and left a special memory. The bus was always comfortable and clean. At the beginning, the driver, Richie, gave us information about the places before we arrived. He cracked lots of funny jokes that made the atmosphere light and pleasant. He had a strong Kiwi accent that I sometimes struggled to understand, but I still liked because it made everything even more authentic. Then Cowboy arrived, and he made everything even more interesting. Not only did he give us information, but he also suggested the best routes to take to make the most of our time. He was also always full of energy and took us to bars for drinks, fun, and karaoke, creating a great group. The breaks were well-planned, with just enough time to stop for a swim or a bite to eat, without ever feeling too tired. Among the many things I saw, three experiences particularly stayed with me: Hot Water Beach at night, where I dug my own thermal pool under the starry sky; the Black Water Rafting Labyrinth in Waitomo, a unique rafting adventure through dark caves; and the sailing trip in Taupo, with its tranquil lake and breathtaking views. There's nothing I'd change, except that I found it a little complicated at first to organize everything through the website. But after carefully reading the instructions, everything worked out! Otherwise, everything was perfect. If you want to tour New Zealand on a budget, I absolutely recommend Kiwi Experience. It's a trip for everyone, of any age, and the best part is that you can plan it however you like, meet people from all over the world, and have an adventure you'll never forget.
“100% authentic experience”
I spent three incredible weeks with Kiwi Experience, far beyond my expectations! The team was always available, and our driver, Cliff, was truly an integral part of the trip—an exceptional guide who made the adventure even more memorable. The stops along the way were well-planned and allowed me to discover some magnificent places. I met so many wonderful people that I hope to see again one day! As for accommodation, some of the hostels weren't great, but that's to be expected—with hostels, it's always a bit unpredictable. The only downside for me was the stop in Mahinapua, which didn't add much to the trip. But other than that, everything was absolutely incredible! I would definitely do it again and I 100% recommend it to anyone who wants to explore New Zealand in a fun and stress-free way.
“unforgettable!”
Great small group tour for those who don't like big groups. The trip was a nice combination of jam packed activities and down time. It hit so many key areas of NZ in one whirlwind trip.
“Fantastic Experience!”
If you are doubting whether to choose kiwi experience or not, hesitate no more: do it. The bus driver will help you all the way, will treat you like family, and will make sure that you are having the best time possible. They will show you the real Aotearoa New Zealand and you won’t miss any of the important bits. There are plenty of activities included in the tour and you will always have the chance to do more. I feel like I enjoyed this trip to the max thanks to kiwi experience
“It was one of the best tours!!”
Really good but as a first tour since reopening after Covid - we were Guinea pigs in an experiment. There were some inconsistencies in information about the tour and the itinerary
“Great way to discover New Zealand!”
Very comfortable, well organized and had stops I would have never found on my own.
“Memorable.”
Kiwi Experience is the perfect solution for traveling in New Zealand, especially if you're traveling alone! Their bus doesn't run every day, but by planning your trips a little in advance, you can organize an amazing trip, stopping for as long or as little time as you like. They offer tons of fun and interesting activities, and the drivers are all very knowledgeable and willing to help! Richie, Cowboy, Shaun, and Scott are the drivers I met this month, and I must say they all helped make the trip more enjoyable. Furthermore, along the way, they always stop at the most scenic spots for walks or photo opportunities, allowing us to discover lesser-known little paradises. The reservations team is also always super available for explanations or to help with any unexpected issues that may arise!
“Thank you”
I had a great holiday and really enjoyed learning about Maori culture from our guide Ahu.
“Really enjoyed my experience”
Would recommend to anyone wishing to travel nz, particularly as a solo traveler. Engaging driver. Great recommendations for accommodation. Variety in activities.
“Stunning Views!”
tour leader was great and communication from him was good, but communication from Kiwi Experience was virtually none and even what was communicated was not actu…
“Really cool experience! ”
Great way to see the country. Cowboy is a legend! Also the help desk is great. They help you with everything. Especially Karin helped me out with a lot of issues! She should get a pay raise!!!
“10/10 great experience, c”
Couldn’t have asked for a better driver, Tawh was very knowledgeable about the country and made the trip!
“Very well done! Thank you!!”
Enjoyed the tour in general. However the experience at some of the sites where attached bath was not provided was not pleasant. It was quite inconvenient to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. Moreover some of the rooms were absolutely basic with not even a counter space to keep your personal items.
“I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
I had the most incredible time on the Kiwi Experience bus. There was never a bad day, each day was fun and each stop was something different and exciting. I made friends for life that I will miss dearly until we reunite (maybe next year on another Kiwi bus!). Our driver Dan was amazing, he definitely made the trip much more enjoyable as he was so knowledgeable on the drives and great fun during the activities. I would highly recommend the Kiwi Experience for anyone looking to travel New Zealand as it’s the most unforgettable experience.
“I had a truly unforgettable 15-day time with Kiwiexperience on t”
We had one night at Lake Hawea, and it was definitely too short, as we didn't arrive until the evening. Therefore, we weren't able to go on a hike at Lake Hawea. I wish the small group tour would stay there for two nights and include the Secret Sauna at Lake Hawea as an add-on activity!
“Had an amazing time with Kiwi Experience.”
It's a great way to discover NZ as a whole with a bunch of other people that also want the same while doing fun activities. I did the minimum time stay on a Tiki trip. My driver was Ricky, and honestly, he was very welcoming, informative and friendly with everything, couldn't have asked for more.
“10/10 recommend”
I did the whole kit and caboodle hop on hop off bus pass earlier this year. I enjoyed my experience on the kiwi bus, though there are certain aspects of their business model that I disliked. The way the pass works is they have a set route around New Zealand and you can book accommodation and activities through their website, but you also have the option to book elsewhere. You also choose how long you stay in every destination with buses running most days. (There are a couple exceptions where you can’t stay longer than the minimum). They give a minimum stay for every place, but I would recommend staying longer in most places because depending on the bus times, you may not get much time in certain destinations. You get the benefits of a tour because you meet so many people on the bus, you do your activities together and you usually stay in the same accommodation together. But you also have the freedom to book other accommodation or stay longer if you like. I did adjust my route during my trip, though the buses do book up fast so it’s best to try and book at least a few days to a week in advance. It’s also great because if you don’t click with the people on your bus, stay an extra day and you get a whole new group lol! You do get the 18 year olds on a gap year, but overall the crowd was mostly mid twenties and the people were super nice. I loved that the bus would stop in national parks on our way to the next city, something you don’t get taking the regular bus. The bus drivers are super knowledgeable and give commentary on the ride, and are fantastic for giving personal recommendations. Here’s the negative. I hate their booking system. You need to book and pay for activities on their website, but that doesn’t actually sign you up. They pass around a clipboard on the bus and you write down the activities you want and your receipt number, then the driver books the activities. But you’re not guaranteed to do the activities that you book online. For example, in Cathedral Cove I was the only one on my bus who signed up to go kayaking and so they didn’t run the activity. I did get a refund, but it was the same thing where I had to sign a sheet and wait for the driver to call the head office. As well, some activities have number caps. We had one activity (I believe it was the Franz Josef helicopter) where only the first 20 or so people on the sheet were guaranteed a spot. Our driver was able to get more spots for everyone, but it would suck to not be able to do an activity because you were sitting at the back of the bus and all the spots were taken by the time the paper reached you. I just found it really strange and not the most efficient. Another booking thing I didn’t like was the accommodation. If you book through their website, you can only book for the number of nights as recommended on your itinerary. I believe this is because the accommodations save spots for the kiwi bus (which is great- especially for Queenstown where accommodation books up FAST). But also annoying because if you want to stay longer you have to make a separate booking. I would usually just book my accomodation entirely separately, but it meant that I was never in a room with my friends from the bus. Overall, I would highly recommend the kiwi bus for someone between 18 to early thirties as a way to see New Zealand. Especially with the rest stops in national parks, I feel like I got to see a lot of the country that I wouldn’t have been able to do unless I rented a vehicle.
“Highly highly recommend!”
I've wrapped up my small-group Kiwi Experience tour and had a genuinely amazing time. Having the itinerary already sorted felt reassuring since I was new to solo travel, and every optional activity I paid for was worth it. Days were packed but there was still plenty of downtime, and driver Ricky made things even better. Highly recommend.
“Sweet as time on Kiwi Ex”
Best solo trip I've done - the whole thing ran with real smoothness and slick organisation throughout. Driver Ricky was fantastic and added extra fun with his local facts and tips on what to see in each town we passed through. I'd highly recommend this for anyone who wants to travel without going it entirely alone.
My 15 days on the South Island Small Group Tour with guide Connor were truly unforgettable. We only had one night at Lake Hawea, which felt far too short since we arrived in the evening and couldn't fit in a hike there. I'd love to see the tour spend two nights at Lake Hawea and add the Secret Sauna as an optional extra.
If you're unsure about choosing Kiwi Experience, stop hesitating and book it. The driver looked after us the whole way, like family.
