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

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Tour Overview

TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader. Take 10 days of pure unadulterated Kiwi adventures and turn them into a trip of a lifetime. From the adrenalin-pumping capital of Queenstown to the jaw-dropping scenery of Franz Josef, Milford Sound and Wanaka, this is your chance to see all this great southern island has to offer – with a bunch of mates just as stoked to be here as you are. It’s time to dive in: you ready? ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Visit Kaikoura

  • Explore the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region

  • Take an orientation walk of Wanaka with a Trip Leader

  • 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

  • -Visit Kaikoura

  • -Visit Hokitika

  • -Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Christchurch (South Island, New Zealand)

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! ...more ...less

Day 2: Christchurch – Kaikoura – Hamner Springs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Minicoach

  • Guide

  • Scenic Cruise

    A scenic cruise on Milford Sound, including lunch, is part of the tour.

  • Wine Tasting

    Wine tasting in the Central Otago region is included.

  • Orientation Walks

    Orientation walks in Wanaka and Queenstown with the Trip Leader are included.

  • Arrow River Bridges Cycle Ride

    A cycle ride along the Arrow River Bridges is included.

  • Visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd

    A visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd is included.

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 kind of transport is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides transport in an air-conditioned minicoach.

  • Is there a guide included in the tour?

    Yes, a guide is included in the tour.

  • What activities are available in Queenstown?

    In Queenstown, you can enjoy activities such as skydiving, jet boating, canyon swinging, and taking the skyline gondola for views over Lake Wakatipu. You can also visit Queenstown Gardens for scenic views.

  • What can I expect during the Milford Sound cruise?

    During the Milford Sound cruise, you can expect to see thundering waterfalls, razor-edge cliffs, and resident seals. Lunch is included on board, surrounded by stunning views.

  • Are there any wine tasting opportunities on this tour?

    Yes, there is a wine tasting tour in Cromwell, which is famous for its Pinot and also offers other varieties like Sauvignon Blanc.

  • What is the highlight of the visit to Lake Tekapo?

    The highlight of the visit to Lake Tekapo is the opportunity to photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd, one of New Zealand's most photographed buildings.

  • 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 of this operator

Sarah, Traveller  

Road Trip USA

01-Oct-2020

"The tour leader and bus driver were exceptional at all times. The optional activities were great and catered to a lot of different people. The tour as a whole was great and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would definitely book with Topdeck again."

Tobin, Traveller  

Japan Highlights

29-Nov-2019

“Incredible experience! I had done a tour with another company in Europe so thought I knew what to expect but was blown away with my Topdeck tour. Better accommodation, such a great group of people and our trip leader was incredible. Saw so much stuff I would have missed without him. Highly recommended!” ...more ...less

Emily, Traveller  

Jordan & Israel

08-Aug-2019

“I felt so safe everywhere we went and would go back in a heartbeat if I could! Can't wait to make my way back to Egypt! I would recommend this to everyone, any doubt you have about Egypt or any of the Middle Eastern countries will be washed away as soon as you step off that plane!” ...more ...less

Axel Taylor (Google Reviewer)  

So Topdeck, you have better...

07-Apr-2024

So Topdeck, you have better not of cancelled my trip that I paid over $6000, and now I can’t even login into my own account because of some 403 Error and need permission to gain access to my account. Get it sorted out because I am not flying all the way over to Lisbon Portugal to find my reservation at the hotel has been cancelled. This is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful. You even got my flights wrong when I went to Tokyo back in 2017 and I ended up at the wrong airport. Topdeck get your act together and sort it out. And let me back into my own account. ...more ...less

Jayden Urch (Google Reviewer)  

Will cancel your trip 1...

16-Sep-2023

Will cancel your trip 1 week beforehand

1 Select your preferred date

Friday - Sunday

Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025
$2349 $2114

Operator discount: -$235

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.

Delve Deep: New Zealand South Island 2025-26

10 Days Starting and ending in Christchurch

Visiting: New Zealand

Tour operator:

Topdeck

Tour code:

TGKCC5

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-39

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Interests:

Wildlife Tours

From: $2349 $2114 Operator discount: -$235

NB: Prices correct on 06-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

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