This is an incredible four week tour around the South Island of New Zealand, taking in the best hikes, bike trails and sea kayaking opportunities available in the Southern Hemisphere...not to mention the array of adrenalin sports on offer as you work your way around this breathtaking country. New Zealand’s passion for outdoor sports is infectious and pretty much covers everything from trail walking to parachute jumping.

So if you want to explore this wonderful country whilst getting involved in some extreme and some less-extreme sports, this is the trip for you!

Where will I go?

The tour starts and ends in Christchurch on the East Coast of the South Island. Said to be the most British city outside England, Christchurch is a very quaint city with a lot to offer. From there you will travel south west to Peel Forest and the Rangitata River, before continuing the journey to Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. At this point you will be in the centre of the Island exploring the beautiful lakes which sit amongst New Zealand’s Southern Alps mountain range. From the lakes you will head further north to Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, before turning south to enjoy the delights of Queenstown - an action packed experience for even the tamest of travellers.

Mount Aspiring National Park, the Routeburn Track and Milford Sound are next on the itinerary, followed by an exploration of Catlins Coast (the south coast) culminating in Dunedin, the South Island’s second largest city and a rugby haven. From Dunedin you will travel north west through the Otago region to Waipiata and then on to Wanaka, a puzzler’s heaven. Franz Josef Glacier is the next stop and then north to Punakaiki and Abel Tasman National Park. Crossing the north of the island from Marahau to the Marlborough region and then on to Kaikoura you will enjoy hiking, wine and dolphins, before a final leg involving Hamner Springs, Akaroa and then finishing in Christchurch.

What will I do?

With such an excellent route you are guaranteed non-stop incredible scenery, adventure activities and plenty of time exploring this exceptional island.

Week 1: hiking in Peel Forest Park, white water rafting on the Rangitata River (optional), hiking and sight-seeing around the lakes (Pukaki and Tekapo) and Aoraki-Mount Cook, sea kayaking on Mueller Glacial Lake, mountain biking and hiking in/around Queenstown, adrenalin options include sky diving, bungee jumping and hang gliding.

Week 2: sight-seeing in/around Queenstown including Lord of the Rings locations, hiking the Routeburn Track across Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, cruise and sea kayaking around Milford Sound, optional hiking in Riverton, tour of the Catlins Coast including coastal walks, wildlife tour in Dunedin, mountain biking the Central Otago Rail Trail.

Week 3: optional adventure activities in Wanaka, hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park to Rob Roy Glacier, night tour in Okarito, hiking on Franz Josef Glacier, walking/exploring Punakaiki (pancake rocks).

Week 4: relaxing in Marahau (Abel Tasman National Park), sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, optional mountain biking in/around Marahau, wine tasting tour in Marlborough, snorkeling with fur seals in Kaikoura, hot thermal springs in Hanmer Springs, optional hiking or swimming with dolphins, Art Gallery and Museum in Christchurch, night out in Christchurch.

What can I do after the tour?

New Zealand is a fantastic destination to travel around because there is so much to see and do, and the people are really welcoming and friendly. If you want to travel around the North Island, there is no shortage of things to do; learn about Maori heritage in the Bay of Islands (northern tip of the North Island), explore the smelly wonders of Rotorua or skydive over Lake Taupo (both central North Island).

There are loads of ways to travel around both islands and much of New Zealand’s beauty is outside its popular towns and cities, in its mountains, lakes and coastlines many of which are geological wonders. Outside New Zealand, Australia and Fiji are the two most popular onward destinations, both of which are easily accessible by aeroplane.

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