Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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10 Days From

$2349

$2114

Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

10 Days Starting and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand

Visiting: Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hamner Springs, Hokitika, Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier Region, Lake Matheson, Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, Te Anau, Ivon Wilson Park, Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Cromwell, Lake Ohau, Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd

Tour operator:

Topdeck

Tour code:

TGKCC5

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

10 - 20

Physical rating:

Medium

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $2349 $2114 (USD) Operator discount: -$235

NB: Prices correct on 29-Mar-2025 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26" tour, a thrilling adventure through New Zealand's stunning landscapes. Begin in Christchurch and explore the breathtaking beauty of Kaikoura, Franz Josef Glacier, and Milford Sound. Enjoy a scenic cruise with lunch, cycle along the Arrow River Bridges, and indulge in wine tasting in Central Otago. Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and take an orientation walk in Wanaka. Travel in comfort aboard an air-conditioned minicoach, and experience the vibrant culture and natural wonders of New Zealand's South Island. With optional activities like whale-watching and heli-hikes, this tour offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery. Join us for an epic exploration of New Zealand's most captivating destinations.

Highlights

  • Visit Kaikoura

  • Explore the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region

  • Enjoy a scenic cruise on Milford Sound, including lunch

  • Experience wine tasting in the Central Otago region

  • Cycle along the Arrow River Bridges

  • Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo

  • Take an orientation walk of Wanaka with a Trip Leader

Itinerary

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Day 1: Christchurch (South Island, New Zealand)

Location: Christchurch

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

One minute you’re stuck in that boring home routine, next minute you’re landing in Christchurch, meeting a bunch of people who are 100% different but 100% the same. We’re kicking off this South Island tour with an included group dinner – swap notes on all the weird and wonderful stuff you’re planning to do. Get ready to delve into local hot spots, legendary cities and mind-blowing natural wonders. See you in the morning!

Day 2: Christchurch – Kaikoura – Hamner Springs

Location: Christchurch, Kaikoura, Hamner Springs

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the mood to see Mother Nature showing off? Say hello to Hamner Springs. But first up: B-E-A-Utiful Kaikoura. Options here = soak up the laid back atmosphere in town, take a hike around the peninsula, keep your eyes peeled for Giant Sperm Whales on a whale-watching tour, or get your butt down to one of the seafood caravans on the foreshore for some fresher-than-fresh crayfish. Fancy a spa afternoon? Once we reach Hamner Springs, make your way to its natural thermal pools. There’s 22 in total, plus the complex also hosts New Zealand’s biggest water slide: the Conical Thrill.

Day 3: Hamner Springs – Hokitika – Franz Josef Glacier Region

Location: Hamner Springs, Hokitika, Franz Josef Glacier

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You’re in luck – today we’re heading to one of New Zealand’s most famous glaciers. En-route, we’ll make a photo stop in historic Hokitika. Head to the beach and find the quirky sculpture made by the locals. Gift a pounamu (greenstone) to your new travel BFF for good luck. Or give ‘mountain oysters’ a try (hint: Google it first). Then, it’s time to roll into the jaw-dropping Franz Josef Glacier region. Here, you can work up an appetite during an optional kayaking session on Lake Mapourika. Need somewhere for dins? Your Trip Leader’s got the recs.

Day 4: Franz Josef Glacier Region – Lake Matheson – Wanaka

Location: Franz Josef Glacier Region, Lake Matheson, Wanaka

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Rise and shine! If the weather is good, you’ll have the chance to tour this chilly playground on an optional heli-hike. Strap on your crampons and pile into the chopper – we’ll head up to 800m above sea level to explore the maze of ice formations with an expert local guide. Then, it’s time to move on to Lake Matheson. Cue: snapping photos that’ll make your friends back home jealous AF. Later, we’ll arrive into Wanaka: a lakeside, alpine town with some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery. Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your Trip Leader. After snapping endless photos of this beaut town, gather your mates for dinner. Our pick? Francesca’s Italian Kitchen for yummy wood-fired pizza.

Day 5: Wanaka – Arrowtown – Queenstown

Location: Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Set the course for Arrowtown and stretch out those calves – there’s a cycle along the banks of the historic Arrow River in store for today. Venture through some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery and cross awe-inspiring suspension bridges. Then: we’ll turn our attention to the adventure capital of the world! Get the lay of the land with your Trip Leader before enjoying some free time. Opt to race your Topdeck buddies on the sky-high luge track. Or try bungy jumping and try not to stack it in front of your trip mates. Then, there’s a group dinner on us at Fergburger. Tonight you can hunker down in World Bar – with world-famous teapot cocktails, it’s the perfect spot to make a plan for your full day in Queenstown.

Day 6: Queenstown

Location: Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

If Queenstown had a Tinder profile it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenalin junkie to share adventures with. And all its pics would be of people throwing themselves off extreme heights. Swiping right? Hell yes! Skydiving. Jet boating. Canyon swinging. You want it, this place has it. And you’ve got 24 hrs to embrace it all. DW if all the above makes you want to run and hide – there’s more here than death-defying antics. Take the skyline gondola for some incred views over Lake Wakatipu. Or visit Queenstown Gardens for stunning scenes of the The Remarkables. Tonight: head to the Cookie Bar. We’re talking warm cookies, freakshakes, s’more, ice-cream...*wipes drool from chin*.

Day 7: Queenstown – Te Anau

Location: Queenstown, Te Anau, Ivon Wilson Park, Te Anau Bird Sanctuary

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

There’s time for one last adrenaline rush and a final feed before we wave goodbye to Queenstown. Soak up all the incredible views racing past the coach window as we make our way to Te Anau. Stretch your legs with a walk around Ivon Wilson Park. Or keep your eyes peeled for rare tuis and kakas in the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. Tonight: seek out the resident glow worms on an after-dark adventure – just ask your in-the-know Trip Leader.

Day 8: Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau

Location: Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, it’s time for a trip to the mesmerising Milford Sound. Plaster your face to the window as we take the scenic route through Fiordland National Park. Then, the main event: a cruise on the Milford fjord complete with thundering waterfalls, razor-edge cliffs and resident seals. This place is National Geographic on steroids (like Schwarzenegger steroids). Tuck into lunch on board surrounded by a view you’ll tell your children (12 cats) about for years to come. Back in Te Anau, gather your mates and explore the local haunts – your Trip Leader knows ‘em, just ask.

Day 9: Te Anau – Cromwell – Lake Ohau

Location: Te Anau, Cromwell, Lake Ohau

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Fuel up with an included brekkie ‘cos it’s time to make tracks to the final overnight stop of our epic NZ South Island trip: Lake Ohau. First, there’s a wine tasting tour on the cards in Cromwell. The Central Otago town is famous for its Pinot. Prefer a cool glass of Savvie B? There’s plenty of that, too. Then, onto Lake Ohau. Nestled between towering mountains and overlooking the sparkling lake, it's the perfect place to spend the last night of our southern expedition. We’re gonna give this trip the send-off it deserves at tonight’s final group dinner.

Day 10: Lake Ohau – Lake Tekapo – Christchurch

Location: Lake Ohau, Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, Christchurch

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ok, nobody panic – the tour’s coming to a close. But we’re sure as hell not done yet! Lake Tekapo is calling. Add one of New Zealand’s most photographed buildings to your camera roll with a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd along the shoreline. Then, we’ll make tracks for Christchurch where it’s time to say goodbye. Eight days. Countless thrills, spills and good times. You embraced it all and shared the adventure with a bunch of strangers who are now like family. Reunion trip next year? 100%.

What's Included

  • Transport

    Travel in comfort with an air-conditioned minicoach, ensuring a pleasant journey across New Zealand's stunning South Island landscapes.

  • Guide

    A knowledgeable guide is included to enhance your travel experience.

  • Scenic Cruise

    Enjoy a scenic cruise on Milford Sound, including lunch.

  • Wine Tasting

    Experience wine tasting in the Central Otago region.

  • Cycling

    Cycle along the Arrow River Bridges.

  • Orientation Walk

    Take an orientation walk of Wanaka with a Trip Leader.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities such as whale-watching tours, spa afternoons, kayaking sessions, and heli-hikes are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs and additional meals are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with an air-conditioned minicoach, ensuring a pleasant journey across New Zealand's stunning South Island landscapes.

Accommodation

Accommodation details are not provided in the tour description.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transport is used during the tour?

    The tour uses an air-conditioned minicoach for comfortable travel across New Zealand's South Island.

  • Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

    Yes, optional activities such as whale-watching tours, spa afternoons, kayaking sessions, and heli-hikes are available but not included in the tour package.

  • What is included in the Milford Sound experience?

    The Milford Sound experience includes a scenic cruise on the fjord with views of waterfalls, cliffs, and seals, along with lunch on board.

  • Is there a group dinner included in the tour?

    Yes, there is an included group dinner on the first day in Christchurch and another group dinner at Fergburger in Queenstown.

  • What kind of activities can I expect in Queenstown?

    In Queenstown, you can engage in activities like skydiving, jet boating, canyon swinging, and taking the skyline gondola for views over Lake Wakatipu. There are also more relaxed options like visiting Queenstown Gardens.

  • Will there be opportunities for wine tasting during the tour?

    Yes, there is a wine tasting tour in Cromwell, which is famous for its Pinot Noir, as part of the itinerary.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Curious? Open-minded? Same. Topdeckers are a mixed bunch, but that’s what makes us special. They come from all over the globe and are aged between 18 and 39. Like you, they’re looking to feel real. To experience more. To embrace the unknown. To grow and connect – without judgement.

  • Is there an age limit on Topdeck trips?

    Yes. Our trips are specifically designed for those aged 18-39 years of age.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    https://www.topdeck.travel/resources/booking-flexibility

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    We operate Single Share across across all touring styles and will match you with someone of the same gender

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    E-Documentation will be sent

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes, we work dilligenltly with our partners to acheive this

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes you can on European Tours

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Anonymous  

Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

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1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Sunday

Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025
$2349 $2114 (USD)

Operator discount: -$235 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Topdeck requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of topdeck charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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