New Zealand South Island Discovery

10 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
While New Zealand’s North Island is known for its spectacular coastline, the South Island is gifted with gorgeous coast, rugged mountains, pristine glacier-carved landscapes and renowned wine. We’re not going to pick which one is better, but – you get the idea. Beginning and ending in Queenstown, this ten-day adventure takes you to the charming, gold rush tow...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Trek through the Catlins, a breathtaking land full of waterfalls, titanic caves, illustrious nature walks and remains of a petrified wood forest.
    • Visit the well-preserved gold rush town of Arrowtown and sample renowned local drops in Gibbston Valley.
    • A cruise along Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound– the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park– will leave you speechless. Sail past hundred of plunging waterfalls, rugged peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets and dolphins and fur seals play.
    • Head to stunning Lake Wanaka and be treated to the Hongi greeting, Haka performance (traditional Maori war cry and dance) and hear traditional Maori tales.
    • Enjoy plenty of opportunity to get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown, the 'Adventure Capital of the World'.

What's this trip about?

    While New Zealand’s North Island is known for its spectacular coastline, the South Island is gifted with gorgeous coast, rugged mountains, pristine glacier-carved landscapes and renowned wine. We’re not going to pick which one is better, but – you get the idea. Beginning and ending in Queenstown, this ten-day adventure takes you to the charming, gold rush town of Arrowtown, the rugged Catlins coastline, across the Foveaux Strait to unspoiled Stewart Island and to the breathtaking Fiordland National Park. With the perfect balance of organised activities and free time, this comfort style trip is the best way to explore the many treasures of New Zealand’s south.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Dunedin
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Queenstown

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Queenstown

Welcome to the South Island! Make your own way to the hotel, where the adventure kicks off with a 6 pm welcome meeting where you'll meet your tour guide and travel group. If you arrive early, make sure to get out and explore the 'Adventure Capital of the World'. The a...

Day 2 Queenstown - Wanaka

After breakfast, take a short drive to the well-preserved, gold mining town of Arrowtown. This charming town has retained much of its rich heritage and historic buildings. Get a sense of what it was like during the gold rush days as you stretch your legs on a guided w...

Day 3 Wanaka - Dunedin

This morning you’ll head to a stunning location to learn about Maori culture. The destination: the shores of Lake Wanaka. With rugged mountains looming behind it, and the curved branches of a much-photographed tree emerged from the lake’s waters, there’s no better pla...

Day 4 Dunedin - Catlins

After breakfast, hop in your transport and continue down the coast to discover the thick forests, rugged coastlines, hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls of The Caitlins. Explore the Cathedral Caves, which owe its name to its immense size (it measures up to 30 metres ...

Day 5 Catlins - Stewart Island

Take a ferry across the Foveaux Strait to New Zealand’s third largest island, Stewart Island. It takes about one hour to travel the 30-km strait. A haven for birdwatchers, Stewart Island’s unspoiled forests, beaches and bays are home to a variety of bird species inclu...

Day 6 Stewart Island - Te Anau

Head to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau – gateway to Fiordland National Park. Watch the tranquil landscapes pass by, catch up on some sleep or watch a film that provides eye-opening insight into Fiordland National Park called Ata Whenua as you make the five-hour d...

Day 7 Doubtful Sound

Today you’ll set off on an unforgettable cruise to Doubtful Sound, the second largest fiord in the national park. Sail along Lake Manapouri, looking out for dolphins and seals at play, as you make your way past hundreds of plunging waterfalls, rugged peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Lunch will be a picnic onboard the boat. Return to Te Anau in time for dinner (not included).

Day 8 Te Anau - Queenstown

After breakfast, make the leisurely journey back to Queenstown today. Stop along the way for a wine and cave tour at a winery in the Gibbston Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of Vines’. The majority of the grapes grown in this region are pinot noir, though other vari...

Day 9 Queenstown

Enjoy a free day in Queenstown to see the sights you missed at the start of the trip or to get your adrenaline fix in the 'Adventure Capital of the World'. Your leader can help to organise a range of optional activities on offer. Otherwise, the day is yours to spend how you please before reconvening with the group in the evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 10 Queenstown

Your South Island Discovery comes to an end today after breakfast. There are no activities planned today.

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Dates & Availability

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Last Updated: 11/18/2020

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. In New Zealand your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish in a coaster vehicle. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Our crew are chosen for their driving skills, their knowledge of the country, their personality, and of course their leadership abilities. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Travellers who reside within the European Union or Switzerland receive basic international health insurance, so travel insurance is not mandatory under European Union Law. However, as this does not cover situations such as emergency rescues, private health care, or repatriation to their home country, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. European Union or Swiss travellers who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services Australians travelling to New Zealand are eligible for publicly funded health care whilst in New Zealand. This medical care generally covers emergency treatment and is free. Please note that Intrepid travellers still require comprehensive travel insurance to cover against emergency repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You will need a valid passport to travel internationally. As a general rule, most countries require that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets exactly and contact us immediately if there are any errors. We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leave copies at home with family or friends. VISAS Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time. It is important that you check your government's foreign travel advisories along with the consular website of the country or countries you are travelling to for the most up to date information specific to your nationality and circumstances. Please be aware that not all visa information found online from other sources may be valid while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Visas can take several weeks to process, so make sure you research the requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for obtaining any necessary documents as well as the application and processing time. Your booking consultant can advise on a visa processing service or you can apply yourself directly through a consulate. Below you will find general visa advice about the destinations on your trip. Due to constantly evolving COVID-19 requirements and restrictions, please refer to your government's foreign travel advice for most up to date information. Some passport holders are required to request a NZeTA ((New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to traveling to New Zealand. It's important you check the requirements prior to travel. For the most up to date information on this and all visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Blue Peaks Lodge 11 Sydney Street Cnr Stanley 9300 Queenstown NEW ZEALAND
Trip ID
intrepid-PHCNS

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