19 Days & 18 Nights

New Zealand: South Island Adventure

Explore the majestic landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island
Tramp on the Abel Tasman, Routeburn & Rakiura Great Walk Tracks
Behold the beauty of Stewart Island, Mount Cook, Wanaka and Lake Tekapo
Local gastronomy & wines, such as Central Otago’s Pinot Noir
Milford Sound & wildlife galore, including dolphins, sea lions & penguins

Walk and explore the length and breadth of New Zealand’s South Island on this drive and hike adventure. Discover world-famous landscapes of lush peninsulas, snow-capped peaks, sparkling glaciers, and turquoise lakes. Enjoy coastal, mountain, forest and lakeside walks and spot a plethora of wildlife such as Hector dolphins, sea lions, Kea parrots and penguin colonies. This 19-day odyssey offers awe and adventure in equal measure; hiking in Fiordland National Park, 2 nights on Stewart Island, where you can even spot the elusive Kiwi, a smorgasbord of seasonal produce, local award-winning cool-climate wines such as Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc and the matchless beauty of the Southern Alps, which run along the entire length of this majestic and unforgettable island.

From $4,999.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Christchurch and overnight Day 2: Rental car pick up. Drive to Kaikoura Day 3: Drive Kaikoura to Picton Day 4: Queen Charlotte Track, Water Taxi to Ship Cove. Walk to Endeavour Inlet 8 miles / 13 km Day 5 Drive to Marahau. Abel Tasman Track. Boat to Anchorage Bay, walk to Marahau 8 miles / 13 km Day 6 Drive to Nelson Lakes, choice of walks 7 miles / 11 km Day 7: Drive to Arthur’s Pass. Bealey Valley Track 2 miles / 4 km Day 8: Walk the Avalanche Peak and Scott Tracks 5 miles / 8 km Day 9: Drive to Lake Tekapo and explore Day 10: Explore Lake Tekapo and walk the Mount John Summit Circuit Track or explore Mount Cook 7 miles / 11 km Day 11: Drive to Wanaka (Otago Region). Free time. Day 12: Roy’s Peak Track 10 miles / 16 km Day 13: Drive to Te Anau via Arrowtown/Queenstown. Day 14: Milford Sound Cruise. Routeburn Track, Key Summit 4 miles / 7 km Day 15: Drive to Invercargill, flight to Stewart Island Day 16: Port William Coastal Track (Rakiura Great Walk) 8 miles / 13 km Day 17: Flight back to Invercargill. Drive to Dunedin (3H30) via Catlins Coast 1.8 miles / 3 km Day 18: Free time in Dunedin. Drive to Christchurch Day 19: Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 13kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 13kg is equivalent to 4 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This drive and hike itinerary takes in the very best of New Zealand’s South Island and it’s iconic sights. This is the perfect itinerary if you want a variety of walking experiences, from easy to challenging, all in stunning landscapes. With comfortable accommodations, an included rental car and 24 hour local support, you are sure to fall in love with this very special part of New Zealand.

Tour Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wine

Coastal Walking

National Parks

Alpine Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

There are many varying types of walks on this itinerary, from easy, flat and short walks, to longer more challenging hilly walks on rough terrain. However they are all optional and therefore you can choose which walks you would like to do. All the walks are available in the Macs Smartphone App, so you can easily find your way using this GPS technology.

In the majority of routes are on trails and dirt tracks, which are mostly Department of Conservation walks all very well-maintained. New Zealand is a walkers paradise and well-renowned for its walking tracks, therefore it is all very well organised and sign-posted.

There are walking tracks that are seasonal, but you should be able to do them all as this tour is available in the spring, autumn/fall and summer. However, some walks are weather-dependent and since the weather can change rapidly in New Zealand is it always best to check the forecast, especially walking in high elevations. Also, if there is a Department of Conservation or tourist office nearby, we recommend checking the weather and the condition of the trail before embarking on a walk, particularly the longer walks in high terrain.

Some walks are also in avalanche territory, so again, its best to check at a DOC office or on the DOC website for any warnings (see information pack for more details).

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

18 Nights in B&B’s, guest houses, lodges, and hotels
Private transfer from Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Hotel
Car Rental
16 Breakfasts
Domestic return flight to Stewart Island from Invercargill
Water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove and Endeavour Inlet to Picton
Water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay
Milford Sound Cruise
Water taxi Oban to Port William
Kaikoura whale-watching tour
Information pack and Travel document
Access to the Macs Smartphone App with GPS Tracks
24/7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to and from Christchurch
2 Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Fuel for car
Queen Charlotte Track private land walking fee ($12)
Drinks and snacks
Personal necessities
ETA & IVL requests (mandatory as per 1 Oct 2019)
Car Parking fee in larger cities

Extras

Additional nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Car Rental

Car rental is included in the cost of this tour, as it is a drive and hike itinerary. When you arrive in Christchurch, a private transfer is included to take you to your accommodation. Car pick up will occur on the morning of Day 2. You will then use the car for the remainder of your trip and drop it off at Christchurch Airport on your final day.

You will be able to park your car at all of the accommodations and the walks will mostly have car parks at the start where you can safely leave it. At times you will have to leave your car in a car park with luggage inside, however New Zealand has a very low crime rate and you should feel comfortable doing so. The car will be a Mitsubishi ASX or equivalent (a bigger vehicle for more people)

The car rental includes tax (GST), unlimited kilometres and insurance, but excludes the first NZ$2500.00 (deductible) of any accident damage to the vehicle.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

Extra Information How fit do I need to be? How far in advance do I need to book? Can I use my mobile phone with a SIM card and as a GPS in New Zealand ?

Using a mobile phone in New Zealand with a SIM card and as a GPS is straightforward. Here’s how it works:

SIM Cards & Mobile Networks in New Zealand

Local SIM Cards: If you have an unlocked phone (for the US please check with your provider), you can buy a prepaid SIM card from major providers like Spark, Vodafone (now One NZ), or 2degrees at airports (recommended to get it upon arrival), convenience stores, or phone shops.
eSIM Option: Some providers, like One NZ and Airalo, offer eSIMs for digital activation.
Coverage: Coverage is good in cities and towns but can be limited in rural areas or mountains.
Cost: Expect to pay NZD 20–50 for a SIM with data, calls, and texts.

Using Your Phone for GPS Navigation

Google Maps & Apple Maps: Work well but need mobile data or offline maps (recommended to load the route into Google Maps when having Wifi at you accommodation the evening before you go).
Offline Navigation: Before traveling to rural areas, download offline maps in Google Maps to avoid needing mobile data.
Apps like Waze or Maps.me: Good alternatives, especially for traffic updates.
Car GPS vs. Phone: Many rental cars offer GPS, but using your phone with a SIM is often cheaper and more convenient.

Considerations:

Network Coverage: Spark is noted for having extensive 4G/5G coverage across New Zealand, which is beneficial if you plan to travel to rural or remote areas.
eSIM Compatibility: Ensure your device supports eSIM functionality before opting for an eSIM plan. eSIMs offer the convenience of not needing to swap physical SIM cards and can be activated instantly.
Data Usage: Assess your data needs based on your usage patterns. For instance, if you plan to use GPS navigation extensively, stream media, or make video calls, consider a plan with a higher data allowance or unlimited data.

By selecting a plan that aligns with your travel duration and data requirements, you can stay connected throughout your journey in New Zealand.

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