12 Days of Wild Beauty & Adventure - South Island Immersion

Day 1 • April 10 – Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch and settle into your hotel before meeting your group for a welcome dinner -  the perfect ice-breaker and an easy start to the adventure ahead.

Day 2 • April 11 – Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill
Journey across the Southern Alps on one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. Stretch your legs with short hikes to Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall and the dramatic limestone boulders of Castle Hill. Gather again that evening for a relaxed dinner with the group.

Day 3 • April 12 – Christchurch → Kaikōura
Head north along the coast, pausing for views at Cathedral Cliffs and Gore Bay. Arrive in Kaikōura for a hands-on, farm-to-table cooking experience at Hapuku Kitchen, ending the day with a shared feast of your own making.

Day 4 • April 13 – Whale Watch → Abel Tasman
Spend the morning on a whale-watching cruise in Kaikōura’s deep coastal waters, then travel to Kaiteriteri and board a boat through the golden bays of Abel Tasman National Park. Overnight at the historic Meadowbank Homestead, surrounded by native bush and sea views.

Day 5 • April 14 – Abel Tasman Walk & Coastal Adventure
Hike through forest trails and across swing bridges to hidden beaches on one of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal tracks. Arrive at Torrent Bay Lodge and unwind with dinner overlooking the water - the kind of evening that makes you forget what day it is.

Day 6 • April 15 – To the West Coast
Take a water-taxi back to Kaiteriteri, then drive the wild and rugged West Coast to Charleston for the Underworld Glow-worm Cave Rafting Adventure, a surreal float beneath thousands of sparkling lights. Continue to Punakaiki for a relaxed group dinner in the rainforest.

Day 7 • April 16 – Punakaiki → Franz Josef
Visit the famous Pancake Rocks & Blowholes, stop in the craft town of Hokitika, then continue south to Franz Josef. End the day gliding across Lake Mapourika at sunset before a cosy dinner with the group.

Day 8 • April 17 – Franz Josef Adventures
An epic day of contrasts - soar by helicopter for a glacier landing in the morning, then jump on an off-road quad-bike adventure through rainforest trails. That night, raise a glass to one of the most unforgettable days of the trip.

Day 9 • April 18 – Franz Josef → Queenstown
Travel through mountain passes and lakeside towns, including a stop at the turquoise Blue Pools of Wanaka, before arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Share stories over dinner as the sun sets behind The Remarkables.

Day 10 • April 19 – Milford Sound
A big day - and one you’ll never forget. Journey deep into Fiordland National Park for a Milford Sound Nature Cruise, where waterfalls tumble from sheer cliffs into mirror-still water. Dinner is enjoyed en route back to Queenstown.

Day 11 • April 20 – Queenstown Adventures & Winery Farewell
Kick off the morning with a Dart River Wilderness Jet Safari, then spend the afternoon however you like - spa, shopping, or lakeside wandering. End your South Island adventure with a winery farewell dinner, celebrating new friends and shared memories.

Day 12 • April 21 – Departures
Breakfast together, heartfelt goodbyes, and transfers to the airport - or extend your stay if you’re not quite ready to head home.