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NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

13 DAY / 12-NIGHT

EUR	GBP	AUD
€1,435	£1,275	$2,299

13 DAY / 12-NIGHT NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

AUCKLAND – WAITOMO CAVES – TAUPO – WAIOURU – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA – HOKITIKA – FRANZ JOEF – FOX GLACIER – WANAKA – QUEENSTOWN – LAKE TEKAPO – CHRISTCHURCH – NEW PLYMOUTH – MATAMATA

4.7 Stars - based on 1151 ULTIMATE Traveller Reviews

EUR	GBP	AUD
€1,435	£1,275	$2,299

Confirm with a $49.00 AUD deposit. Deposit now, pay the rest 45 days before your start date.

CHECK DATES & BOOK

GET TRIP NOTES

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EXPERIENCE

WHERE WE GO

This Fully Guided New Zealand South Island Tour is about uncovering the awe-inspiring beauty of the South Island. We explore amazing locations and will make great friendships that will last a lifetime. Download our trip notes for more tour information.

GET TRIP NOTES

GROUP TRAVEL

SHARE THE EXPERIENCE

This New Zealand South Island Tour is great for solo travellers or for those travelling with friends. Enjoy your trip with a group of up to 20 other 18-30-somethings from all over the world . Discuss your New Zealand travel plans with other travellers via our Facebook groups.

MEET MY GROUP

ULTIMATE VALUE

ENDLESS ADVENTURES

Our local partners in New Zealand deliver a Fully Guided group experiences all over New Zealand. Itineraries are pre-arranged, so you can relax & let our tour leaders take you on the trip of a lifetime! You can book your optional activities as you go. Check out the range of tours below.

NEW ZEALAND TOURS

CULTURE AND FUN

GREAT INCLUSIONS

New Zealand adventures are packed will give you an in-depth tour of the South Island from a local perspective. The New Zealand South Island Tour is packed with key sights and includes transport, accommodation at the best boutique hostels in the South Island. Check out our tour inclusions.

FULL INCLUSIONS

// WHAT’S THE DEAL?

INCLUSIONS

BEFORE THE TOUR

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

HOW TO BOOK

INCLUSIONS

13 Nights Hostel shared accommodation (1 night pre-tour. 12 Nights tour)
All itinerary transport
Daily Breakfast
Five Lunches
Four Dinners
Return Cook Strait Ferry,
‘World famous’ seal colony
National Army Museum
Otira Viaduct lookout
Jade Carving Tour
Access to Two Glaciers
Blue Pools
Cardrona Bra Fence
Clay Cliffs
Blue Springs

BEFORE THE TOUR

The South Island Adventure tour starts in Auckland on Day 1 of the itinerary at 6.30am in the morning.

You should arrive into Auckland the day prior (included in the cost of the tour)

Choose to add additional pre-tour nights when you book online, or chat with our Ultimate team to organise extra nights.

Airport Transfers are not included. You should make your own way to your first nights accommodation. We will provide you with arrival advice once your booking is confirmed.

Before the tour, make sure you have the necessary travel insurance and Visa to travel to New Zealand.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

The South Island of New Zealand has endless adventures available. There will be some times during the itinerary where you may want to book an optional activity listed below.

These activities can be booked on tour with your guide.

Hobbiton movie set ($84 approx.)
Highest Bungy Jump in NZ ($275 approx),
Skydiving ($299),
Ski/Snowboarding ($144),
Jet-boating ($135),
Shotover Canyon Swing ($249),
Shotover Canyon Fox ($169),
Lord of the Rings Tour ($195),
Queenstown Expedition ($169),
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise ($169),
River Boarding ($225),
Pub Crawl ($20)
Scenic Flight and Glacier Landing ($479),
Glacier Kayak Tours ($115),
Quad Biking ($160),
Glacier Hot Pools ($28)
Waitomo Caves

HOW TO BOOK

To book, select your chosen departure date and select if you require additional nights. Once you are booked, we will send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour.

Book your flights into Auckland (AKL) and out of Auckland (AKL) (Flights not included)

Organise your travel insurance (not included)

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour starts at Base Backpackers Auckland (Mondays at 6.30am)

Tour ends at Base Backpackers Auckland (Wednesdays at 6pm)

Note: Departure airport transfer is not included.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Flights to New Zealand are not included.

Transport to and from Airports is not included.

Travel insurance is essential for Ultimate New Zealand, and is not included in the package price.

Your New Zealand tourist or working holiday visa is not included.

If there are any extra activities you’d like to do, your tour guide will be on hand to help you organise

CHECK DATES & BOOK

INCLUSIONS

BEFORE THE TOUR

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

HOW TO BOOK

INCLUSIONS

13 Nights Hostel shared accommodation (1 night pre-tour. 12 Nights tour)
All itinerary transport
Daily Breakfast
Five Lunches
Four Dinners
Return Cook Strait Ferry,
‘World famous’ seal colony
National Army Museum
Otira Viaduct lookout
Jade Carving Tour
Access to Two Glaciers
Blue Pools
Cardrona Bra Fence
Clay Cliffs
Blue Springs

BEFORE THE TOUR

The South Island Adventure tour starts in Auckland on Day 1 of the itinerary at 6.30am in the morning.

You should arrive into Auckland the day prior (included in the cost of the tour)

Choose to add additional pre-tour nights when you book online, or chat with our Ultimate team to organise extra nights.

Airport Transfers are not included. You should make your own way to your first nights accommodation. We will provide you with arrival advice once your booking is confirmed.

Before the tour, make sure you have the necessary travel insurance and Visa to travel to New Zealand.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

The South Island of New Zealand has endless adventures available. There will be some times during the itinerary where you may want to book an optional activity listed below.

These activities can be booked on tour with your guide.

Hobbiton movie set ($84 approx.)
Highest Bungy Jump in NZ ($275 approx),
Skydiving ($299),
Ski/Snowboarding ($144),
Jet-boating ($135),
Shotover Canyon Swing ($249),
Shotover Canyon Fox ($169),
Lord of the Rings Tour ($195),
Queenstown Expedition ($169),
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise ($169),
River Boarding ($225),
Pub Crawl ($20)
Scenic Flight and Glacier Landing ($479),
Glacier Kayak Tours ($115),
Quad Biking ($160),
Glacier Hot Pools ($28)
Waitomo Caves

HOW TO BOOK

To book, select your chosen departure date and select if you require additional nights. Once you are booked, we will send you a booking confirmation as well as important information about your tour.

Book your flights into Auckland (AKL) and out of Auckland (AKL) (Flights not included)

Organise your travel insurance (not included)

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour starts at Base Backpackers Auckland (Mondays at 6.30am)

Tour ends at Base Backpackers Auckland (Wednesdays at 6pm)

Note: Departure airport transfer is not included.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Flights to New Zealand are not included.

Airport transfers are not included.

Travel insurance is essential for Ultimate New Zealand, and is not included in the package price.

Your New Zealand tourist or working holiday visa is not included.

If there are any extra activities you’d like to do, your tour guide will be on hand to help you organise

BOOK NOW

// WHERE WE GO

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Today you should arrive into Auckland at anytime. Our airport transfer will take you to our hostel and tomorrow morning’s departure point. Today is yours to explore the Harbour city.

DAY 1 AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / TAUPO

Welcome to this Ultimate Kiwi adventure. After saying Kia Ora to our new travel group, we jump onto our bus and head south to the beauty that awaits visitors at the world-famous Waitomo. We explore the natural surrounds of the region before we continue our travels south for our first night in Taupo.

DAY 2 WELLINGTON

Today we make the journey south to NZ’s capital, Wellington,New Zealand’s most ‘eclectic city’. If craft beer, street art or an alternate music scene is your thing, then this city is for you! We spend tonight together as a group exploring the social aspects of the cities nightlife!

DAY 3 PICTON / KAIKOURA

After two days exploring the North Island, we cross the Cook Strait for the South Island. Our first stop is the beautiful seaside town of Kaikoura. Famous for its abundance of sea life, we try our luck at sight seeing a seal colony or Whales feeding out from the coastline!

DAY 4 – 5 FRANZ JOSEF

Regarded as New Zealand’s best scenic drives, Day 4 has us travel through Arthur Pass’s Village as we make our way to Franz Josef.

We spend the following two nights getting up and close to the famous Franz Josef Glacier. We embark on the free walk to the view point and give you the opportunity to choose a heli-tour to the top of the glacier for an epic Instagram shot.

DAY 6 – 8 QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown is arguably the adventure capital of the world and for the next three nights, you will get to know why! Spend the coming days bungy jumping, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, jet-boating… the list of bucket-list and adrenaline activities available in Queenstown is limitless! If your not into the adventure stuff, don’t sweat, Queenstown has an abundance of natural sights and wonders to explore.

DAY 11 – 13 PICTON AND NEW PLYMOUTH

We say our ‘Haere Rā’ to the South and catch the ferry back to the North Island. We will pass through Wellington for a second time and then journey north to the beautiful Taranaki region and its capital, New Plymouth. Over our final two days, we will explore more coastal towns and the majestic ‘Blue Spring’. Before we arrive back to Auckland, we will travel via Hobbiton where you can choose one last adventure and visit the World famous movie set.

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Today you should arrive into Auckland at anytime. Our airport transfer will take you to our hostel and tomorrow morning’s departure point. Today is yours to explore the Harbour city.

DAY 1 AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / TAUPO

Welcome to this Ultimate Kiwi adventure. After saying Kia Ora to our new travel group, we jump onto our bus and head south to the beauty that awaits visitors at the world-famous Waitomo. We explore the natural surrounds of the region before we continue our travels south for our first night in Taupo.

DAY 2 WELLINGTON

Today we make the journey south to NZ’s capital, Wellington,New Zealand’s most ‘eclectic city’. If craft beer, street art or an alternate music scene is your thing, then this city is for you! We spend tonight together as a group exploring the social aspects of the cities nightlife!

DAY 3 PICTON / KAIKOURA

After two days exploring the North Island, we cross the Cook Strait for the South Island. Our first stop is the beautiful seaside town of Kaikoura. Famous for its abundance of sea life, we try our luck at sight seeing a seal colony or Whales feeding out from the coastline!

DAY 4 – 5 FRANZ JOSEF

Regarded as New Zealand’s best scenic drives, Day 4 has us travel through Arthur Pass’s Village as we make our way to Franz Josef.

We spend the following two nights getting up and close to the famous Franz Josef Glacier. We embark on the free walk to the view point and give you the opportunity to choose a heli-tour to the top of the glacier for an epic Instagram shot.

DAY 6 – 8 QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown is arguably the adventure capital of the world and for the next three nights, you will get to know why! Spend the coming days bungy jumping, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, jet-boating… the list of bucket-list and adrenaline activities available in Queenstown is limitless! If your not into the adventure stuff, don’t sweat, Queenstown has an abundance of natural sights and wonders to explore.

DAY 11 – 13 PICTON AND NEW PLYMOUTH

We say our ‘Haere Rā’ to the South and catch the ferry back to the North Island. We will pass through Wellington for a second time and then journey north to the beautiful Taranaki region and its capital, New Plymouth. Over our final two days, we will explore more coastal towns and the majestic ‘Blue Spring’. Before we arrive back to Auckland, we will travel via Hobbiton where you can choose one last adventure and visit the World famous movie set.

// BOOK SOUTH ISLAND 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 20% 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.
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 always flexible and if you can no longer travel, you can save your deposit for a later trip or destination, or even gift it to a mate to use anytime in the future. We also allow date changes up until 14 days before your scheduled tour date! Check out our full booking policy here.

// NEW ZEALAND TOUR GALLERY

// TOUR FAQ’S

WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?

CAN I BOOK ANY EXTRA NIGHTS WITH MY TRIP?

HOW LONG ARE THE TRAVEL DAYS?

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

WHERE DO WE SLEEP?

HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY WILL I NEED?

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

WHO IS MY TOUR GUIDE?

DO I NEED A VISA?

CAN YOU HELP ME ORGANISE FLIGHTS & INSURANCE?

WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?

The South Island tour starts and end in Auckland (North Island) at Base Backpackers Auckland. The tour ends in the same location.

Flights should be booked into and out of Auckland Airport.

CAN I BOOK ANY EXTRA NIGHTS WITH MY TRIP?

If you need additional nights before or after your trip, just add them to your booking when you checkout.

Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touch to chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

HOW LONG ARE THE TRAVEL DAYS?

Most of the travel days are short but you can expect some travel days of between 4 and 7 hours. Dont worry - our team make sure they are comfortable and FUN!

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

All breakfasts are included on this South Island Adventure tour. There are also 5 x Lunches included and 4 x Dinners.

WHERE DO WE SLEEP?

All accommodation is based on 6-12 bed shared mixed room hostels. Single sex dorms cannot be guaranteed at all accommodation. Private room upgrades cannot be pre-booked.

HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY WILL I NEED?

We recommend you budget about $100 NZD per day. While this is often only used for some meals, some tour days will have optional paid excursions (e.g. Skydive, Hobbiton, Bungy jumping, etc.). Refer to the optional activity information to help you budget.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

1 x Bag (23Kg) is permitted per customer in addition to 1 x Carry on Bag.

WHO IS MY TOUR GUIDE?

Ultimate partner with local guides and operators to offer you our New Zealand Adventures. Your tour will be run by a local Kiwi guide who know NZ's most awesome spots and routes.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Most passport holders are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. Obtaining your own visa (if required) is your own responsibility. Visit New Zealand's immigration website to ensure you have the right to enter. https://www.immigration.govt.nz

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.

// TOUR FAQ’S

WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

HOW LONG ARE THE TRAVEL DAYS?

HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY WILL I NEED?

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

CAN I BOOK EXTRA NIGHTS?

CAN YOU HELP ME ORGANISE FLIGHTS & INSURANCE?

DO I NEED A VISA?

WHERE DO WE SLEEP?

WHO IS MY TOUR GUIDE?

HOW DO I BOOK?

WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?

The South Island tour starts and end in Auckland (North Island) at Base Backpackers Auckland. The tour ends in the same location.

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

All breakfasts are included on this South Island Adventure tour. There are also 3 x Lunches included and 4 x Dinners.

HOW LONG ARE THE TRAVEL DAYS?

Most of the travel days are short but you can expect some travel days of between 4 and 7 hours. Dont worry - our team make sure they are comfortable and FUN!

HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY WILL I NEED?

We recommend you budget about $100 NZD per day. While this is often only used for some meals, some tour days will have optional paid excursions (e.g. Skydive, Hobbiton, Bungy jumping, etc.). Refer to the optional activity information to help you budget.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

1 x Bag (23Kg) is permitted per customer in addition to 1 x Carry on Bag.

CAN I BOOK EXTRA NIGHTS?

If you need additional nights before or after your trip, just add them to your booking when you checkout.

Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touchto chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

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.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Most passport holders are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. Obtaining your own visa (if required) is your own responsibility. Visit New Zealand's immigration website to ensure you have the right to enter. https://www.immigration.govt.nz

WHERE DO WE SLEEP?

All accommodation is based on 6-12 bed shared mixed room hostels. Single sex dorms cannot be guaranteed at all accommodation. Private room upgrades cannot be pre-booked.

WHO IS MY TOUR GUIDE?

Ultimate partner with local guides and operators to offer you our New Zealand Adventures. Your tour will be run by a local Kiwi guide who know NZ's most awesome spots and routes.

HOW DO I BOOK?

Booking is easy! Select your chosen departure date, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour. Full payment is required at time of booking.

CHECK DATES & BOOK

13 DAY / 12-NIGHT NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

AUCKLAND – WAITOMO CAVES – TAUPO – WAIOURU – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA – HOKITIKA – FRANZ JOEF – FOX GLACIER – WANAKA – QUEENSTOWN – LAKE TEKAPO – CHRISTCHURCH – NEW PLYMOUTH – MATAMATA

EXPERIENCE

GROUP TRAVEL

ULTIMATE VALUE

CULTURE AND FUN

// WHAT’S THE DEAL?

// WHERE WE GO

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

DAY 1 AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / TAUPO

DAY 2 WELLINGTON

DAY 3 PICTON / KAIKOURA

DAY 4 – 5 FRANZ JOSEF

DAY 6 – 8 QUEENSTOWN

DAY 11 – 13 PICTON AND NEW PLYMOUTH

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

DAY 1 AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / TAUPO

DAY 2 WELLINGTON

DAY 3 PICTON / KAIKOURA

DAY 4 – 5 FRANZ JOSEF

DAY 6 – 8 QUEENSTOWN

DAY 11 – 13 PICTON AND NEW PLYMOUTH

// BOOK SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

// NEW ZEALAND TOUR GALLERY

// TOUR FAQ’S

// TOUR FAQ’S

// TRAVEL BLOG

// TRAVEL BLOG

GETTING PAID TO TRAVEL? MEET OUR ULTIMATE NZ GUIDE!

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5 Reasons Why NZ Is a Backpackers Paradise

Why You Should Take a New Zealand Gap Year

My New Zealand Road Trip!

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