CHECK DATES & BOOK INCLUSIONS SOUTH ISLAND ADVENTURE 12 DAY/11 NIGHT - NZ TOUR WELLINGTON TO QUEENSTOWN
PRICES START FROM:
AUD GBP EUR
$2999 £1599 £1860

Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your tour date with a deposit today! Booking and Transaction Fees apply. Find out more here.

12-DAY / 11-NIGHT GROUP TOUR

SOUTH ISLAND ADVENTURE

NEW ZEALAND | WELLINGTON TO QUEENSTOWN

4.8 Stars - based on 2592 ULTIMATE traveller reviews
PRICES START FROM:
AUD GBP EUR
$2999 £1599 £1860

Tour charges are in AUD. Secure your tour date with a deposit today! Booking and Transaction Fees apply. Find out more here.

> WELLINGTON to QUEENSTOWN – SOUTH ISLAND

Experience the highlights of New Zealand’s South Island with our ULTIMATE tour. This adventure takes you from Wellington to Queenstown, with stops at iconic locations like Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, and Queenstown. Cruise through the 8th wonder of the world, experience Whale Watching and a 2 night retreat in Lake Tekapo

ITINERARY

Fast Paced 12 Day adventure with 4 itinerary stops

WHERE WE STAY

Flashpacker. 4-12 Bed Dorms. Upgrades available.

EXPERIENCE

Guided trip from Auckland to Queenstown

WHALE WATCHING

2 hour Whale & Dolphin Cruise

MILFORD SOUND

Day trip to the 8th wonder of the world!

TRANSPORT

Scania coaches. WiFI. Reclining Seats.

New-Zealand-Highlights-Group-Tour-Map

WELLINGTON TO QUEENSTOWN – 12 DAYS

Experience the highlights of New Zealand’s South Island with our ULTIMATE tour. This adventure takes you from Wellington to Queenstown, with stops at iconic locations like Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, and Queenstown. Cruise through the 8th wonder of the world, experience Whale Watching and a 2 night retreat in Lake Tekapo

New-Zealand-Highlights-Group-Tour-Map

WHALE WATCHING

2 hour Whale & Dolphin Cruise

TRANSPORT

Scania coaches. WiFI. Reclining Seats. Ferry ticket INCL

ITINERARY

Fast Paced 12 Day adventure with 4 itinerary stops

WHERE WE STAY

Flashpacker. 4-12 Bed Dorms. Upgrades available.

EXPERIENCE

Guided trip from Wellington to Queenstown

MILFORD SOUND

Day trip to the 8th wonder of the world!

INCLUSIONS
TOUR INFORMATION
IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
BOOKING INFORMATION
INCLUSIONS

 

11 nights accommodation

Flashpacker hostels in 4-10 bed mixed dorms in leading hostels

Milford Sound

A full day trip to Milford Sound - the 8th wonder of the world!

All Transport

All travel included in the tour on NZ's #1 bus network and ferry between North and South Isle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fully Guided

Fully trained ULTIMATE Group Leader will be with you every step of the way!

Whale Watching Cruise

A bucket list activity spotting Whales and Dolphins in the wild!

Mt Cook 

Half day trip to Mt Cook - NZ's largest mountain! 

 

 

Lake Retreat

2 nights in the secluded lake town of Tekapo!

Stargazing

Take a guided trip to the lakefront at NZ's home of stargazing

Optional Extras

Opportunities to book optional adrenaline activities 

Please note most meals are NOT included in this package.

TOUR INFORMATION

Arriving into NZ:

This trip starts in Wellington - New Zealand's vibrant capital city. Wellington has an international airport, or you can fly to Auckland and travel southbound. 

 

Tour Start Time:

Your tour starts at 6pm in Day 1 with a welcome evening to meet your ULTIMATE Group Leader and new travel mates!

 

Before the Tour:

Before the tour, make sure you have the necessary travel insurance to travel to New Zealand. You will need a tourism visa or Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand will need to have this organised before you arrive. Luckily, many nationalities are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your own visa is your own responsibility. You will also need fully comprehensive travel insurance. 

 

Room + Tour Upgrades

You will be accommodated in mixed dorm rooms throughout your stay however you can opt to upgrade to private/double rooms at an extra cost

 

Want to travel the North Island too?

If you want to travel both the North and South Island then make sure you check out our 21 day New Zealand Highlights tour HERE

IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?

The short answer is YES!!! If you are between 18-35, a global backpacker from anywhere and everywhere or simply someone ready to experience the beauty and adventure-filled paradise of New Zealand then this is the ideal trip for you!

 

This New Zealand South Island tour is designed for solo travellers and all backpackers aged 18-35 years old. This group tour is designed to enjoy the beauty and adrenaline of New Zealand, meeting lots of people and participating in unique and adrenaline pumping activities you'll never forget! 

 

TRANSPORT

Wellington to Queenstown via coaches and public transport. Your ferry ticket from Wellington to the south island is also included.

 

ULTIMATE GROUP LEADER

Your Ultimate East Coast Group Leader will be travelling with you from start to finish and will showcase the very best of NZ South island.

 

 

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

To book this New Zealand tour, select your chosen departure date.

 

Once you are booked, we will send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour.

If you have a travel date in mind but you're not ready to pay in full, you can secure your spot with a $300 deposit.

  • Book your flights into Wellington Airport (not included)
  • Organise your travel insurance (not included)

 

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour starts at with a welcome evening in Wellington.
Tour ends in Queenstown, transport back to Auckland/Wellington can be organised at an extra cost.

 

EXTRAS

You can pre-book optional activities at time of booking or when you arrive in NZ!

TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR INFORMATION
IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?
BOOKING INFORMATION
TOUR INCLUSIONS
  • ULTIMATE Group Leader
  • 11 nights in dorm accommodation
  • All Coach & Ferry Transport
  • Christchurch City Walk
  • Whale and Dolphin Cruise
  • Mt Cook Half-Day trip
  • Milford Sound day trip - 8th wonder of the world!
  • Lake Tekapo Stargazing
  • Queenstown - Adrenaline capital of NZ

We recommend a budget of $100 NZD per day for extra meals/additional activities.

TOUR INFORMATION

Arriving into NZ:

Fly into Wellington International Airport as this is where the tour departs. You can arrive on the day of or the day before. You can also fly into Auckland too and organise travel south.

 

Tour Start Time:

Your tour starts at 6pm in Day 1 with a welcome evening to meet your ULTIMATE Group Leader and new travel mates!

 

Before the Tour:

Before the tour, make sure you have the necessary travel insurance to travel to New Zealand. You will need a tourism visa or Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand will need to have this organised before you arrive. Luckily, many nationalities are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your own visa is your own responsibility. You will also need fully comprehensive travel insurance.

 

Room + Tour Upgrades

You will be accommodated in mixed dorm rooms throughout your stay however you can opt to upgrade to private/double rooms at an extra cost

 

IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU?

The short answer is YES!!! If you are between 18-35, a global backpacker from anywhere and everywhere or simply someone ready to experience the beauty and adventure-filled paradise of New Zealand then this is the ideal trip for you!

 

This New Zealand group tour is designed for solo travellers and all backpackers aged 18-35 years old. This group tour is designed to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand, meeting lots of amazing people and participating in unique and adrenaline pumping activities you'll never forget! 

 

TRANSPORT

We travel from Wellington to Queenstown via coaches and public transport. Your ferry ticket from Wellington to the south island is also included.

 

ULTIMATE GROUP LEADER

Your Ultimate East Coast Group Leader will be travelling with you from start to finish and will showcase the very best of NZ's south island

 

WANT TO BOOK THE NORTH ISLAND TOO?

If you want to travel both the North and South Island then make sure you check our 21 Day New Zealand Highlights tour HERE

 

 

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

To book this New Zealand tour, select your chosen departure date.

 

Once you are booked, we will send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour.

If you have a travel date in mind but you're not ready to pay in full, you can secure your spot with a $300 deposit.

  • Book your flights into Auckland Airport (not included)
  • Organise your travel insurance (not included)

 

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour starts at with a welcome evening in Auckland.
Tour ends back in Wellington, transport back to Auckland can be organised at an extra cost.

 

EXTRAS

You can pre-book optional activities at time of booking or when you arrive in NZ!

> THE ITINERARY

DAY 1 WELCOME TO WELLINGTON!

Welcome to New Zealand’s vibrant capital city! This is where your New Zealand South Island Adventure begins! Meet your group and group leader at our central Wellington CBD accommodation and find out all the info you need about your next 12 epic days. Grab a bite with your group and prepare for the journey south tomorrow morning.

DAYS 2-3 KAIKŌURA

Now is the time to make the journey to the south island. You will then board the Interislander Ferry across the Cook Strait with your group and head to relaxed and beautiful seaside town of Kaikōura, which is New Zealand’s home of marine wildlife and the undisputed BEST fish ‘n’ chips in New Zealand! On your free day, you will experience a proper bucket list activity – an included Whale Watching cruise! Take a 2 hour trip around the bay enjoying all the marine wildlife – enjoy seeing heaps of Whales, sometimes we even see some dolphins and Orcas too!

DAYs 4 CHRISTCHURCH

Spend a night enjoying the chilled and cultural vibes of Christchurch, visit the Botanical Gardens. Christchurch is nicknamed ‘Garden City’ because of how many different gardens and botanics it has to offer! It’s also know for a diverse music scene and has large variety of vibrant music venues.

DAYs 5-6 LAKE TEKAPO

Enjoy a 2-night lakefront style retreat in Tekapo. Known as THE #1 spot in the southern hemisphere to Stargaze, fingers crossed the weather plays it part and you and your group will have a night you’ll never forget! During the day you can visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd or take a dip in the Tekapo Hot Springs. You’ll have a front row seat to the ice-blue Tekapo waters with your lakefront hostel’s large panoramic windows.

DAY 7 MT COOK VISIT & QUEENSTOWN ARRIVAL

Today you’ll leave Tekapo behind to make your way south to Queenstown. On the way you’ll make a stop venturing the foothills of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook. This fully guided half-day trip will have you enjoy the scenery of the Southern Alps and take a group tour around the base. You can decide to upgrade to an Alpine Scenic Flight if you wish. Then carry on your journey to New Zealand’s Adventure Capital – Queenstown!

DAYS 8-12 QUEENSTOWN

Spend 5 epic days in the backpacker and adrenaline capital of New Zealand – Queenstown! After you check into your ski lodge style hostel you can choose to join the party of Queenstown’s legendary nightlife with a local bar crawl if you wish! Then, repeat the fun for the next few days, adding some epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences! Here you can take the leap with a 15,000 ft Skydive, ride on the QT Jetboat or brave the Canyon Swing. Queenstown is also home to the AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy – the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, offering an exhilarating 7 seconds of freefall! If you’re after a more laid-back vibe, explore the cafes and boutique shops in this ski town.

DAY 9 MILFORD SOUND

Enjoy a day trip to the undisputed 8th wonder of the world! Experience an unforgettable boat cruise through the Milford Sound, taking in the landscapes, huge waterfalls and mountains.

 

> WHERE WE STAY

The South Island Adventure Tour includes 12 nights accommodation in flashpacker dorm room accommodation. We partner with well reviewed properties in the areas we visit! You can be assured that after a adventurous day exploring, a comfortable bed is waiting.  Your accommodation features

  • Dorm Rooms
  • Upgrades to Private Single Rooms available at the booking process*
  • Breakfast included in select hostels
  • Free WIFI available
  • Accomodation is a mixture of hostels and lodges
  • Lakeside retreat

BOOK TOUR

  • MAKING YOUR BOOKING

    To make your booking, select your chosen departure date and any optional extras you would like to book. If you are unsure about optional extras or if you need additional accommodation before or after your tour, you can let us know later via email. If you have a travel date in mind but you’re not ready to pay in full, you can secure your spot with a $300 deposit. We’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour.  Your final payment is due 45 days before your tour date and you will be sent an automatic reminder. You can make payments on your tour balance sooner or regularly via our website here.   A non refundable 5.25% booking processing fee applies to each booking.

  • BOOK OPEN DATED

    Book open dated when you have not decided on a tour date yet, but want to confirm your travel plans and secure a price. Once you have booked an open dated tour, you can book on to any available start date of your choosing, subject to availability. Book open dated here.

  • MEETING OTHER TRAVELLERS

    Travelling solo? Great! Most of the people you meet on tour will also be on a solo adventure! If you are curious as to who you could be travelling with or want to make some friends before arriving, join our Travel Community and reach out to your potential new travel mates! Join the conversation here.

  • BOOKING WITH CONFIDENCE

    Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We take payments securely via Mastercard or Visa Credit and Debit Card and we will charge you in Australian Currency (AUD). Your deposit is flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination if you notify us 30 days before your scheduled tour date. Date changes are permitted without additional change fees up until 30 days before your scheduled tour date! Check out our full booking policy here.

> TOUR FAQS

WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?
WHO WILL I BE TRAVELLING WITH?
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
CAN YOU HELP ME ORGANISE FLIGHTS & INSURANCE?
WHAT IS THE CURRENCY AND WILL I NEED CASH?
ARE THERE MEALS INCLUDED?
DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND?
WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
CAN I BOOK OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES?
IS THERE FREE TIME ON THIS TOUR?
WILL I NEED ID & WHAT IS THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE?
WHAT IF I AM TRAVELLING WITH SOMEONE ELSE?
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
IS TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED?
HOW DO I BOOK?
WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?

The 12 Day New Zealand South Island Adventure tour starts in Wellington and ends in Queenstown. 

WHO WILL I BE TRAVELLING WITH?

You’ll be travelling with a group of 18-35 year olds from all over the world, this is a fully guided tour!

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

You’ll be staying in mixed dorm rooms throughout your New Zealand Group tour in 4-6 bed accommodation.

CAN YOU HELP ME ORGANISE FLIGHTS & INSURANCE?

Sure! We recommend searching and comparing flight prices using Skyscanner.com – get a flight quote.

Find the best insurance policy for your Ultimate adventure with the help of our recommended travel insurance provider.

WHAT IS THE CURRENCY AND WILL I NEED CASH?

The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar. Everywhere you will be staying accepts card so you don't necessarily need to withdraw any cash.

 

$1 NZD is roughly £0.45 GBP, €0.52 EUR or $0.92 AUD.

ARE THERE MEALS INCLUDED?

Mostly, no. However some hostels and activities have meals included. Generally we recommend around $100 NZD per day for food, drink and activities.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND?

Most nations do not require an official visa to enter New Zealand, however some do. If you are from the UK or most other European countries you require an NZETA which is a Visa Waiver Visitor Visa. This needs be applied for and granted before arrival and costs around $50NZD to complete. This grants unlimited access to NZ for 3-6 months but has no working rights.

 

For information, or to apply visit here

WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?

Make sure to include any dietaries when you book. Vegetarian, vegan and GF options are available for the breakfasts and meals included

CAN I BOOK OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES?

YES! You can pre-book a few of the adrenaline pumping activities at the time of booking. If not, no stress! You can book these on Day 1 of your New Zealand Tour through your ULTIMATE Group Leader.

IS THERE FREE TIME ON THIS TOUR?

This tour is fast paced and energetic. There is a key activity included at every stop and your Group Leader will be sure to tell you when you have free time throughout the itinerary. But yes, you'll have time to zen too!

WILL I NEED ID & WHAT IS THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE?

The legal drinking age in NZ is 18 years old. You will need ID to be served and please be aware most placed do not accept international driving licenses therefore you will need your passport. 

WHAT IF I AM TRAVELLING WITH SOMEONE ELSE?

More the merrier! Book together and our supplier will do their best to put you together or book seperately and make sure you tell us beforehand!

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ON MY TOUR?

Our group sizes vary but can be up to 18 backpackers exploring the world just like you!

 

IS TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED?

Yes. It is mandatory that you travel with a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover the likes of cancellation, personal injury and medical expenses. By joining us on tour, you acknowledge that you have obtained a policy and are covered. You are responsible for reading and understanding the details of the policy that you are taking out. You should book your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip.

HOW DO I BOOK?

To book our New Zealand South Island Adventure, select your chosen departure date, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour and where you can meet others booked onto your start date! Got a travel date in mind but not ready to pay in full? Choose to pay a non-refundable $300AUD deposit to secure a spot on your chosen departure date. Need someone to talk through your travel plans with? Get in touch!

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