12 Day - South Island - Wildlife and Nature

Day 1: Nelson

Arrive into Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington international airports. Transfer to a domestic flight to Nelson. Have a relaxing afternoon with a personalised tour – choose from exploring mountains, lakes or coastline with an experienced local guide. 

Recommended activities:

• Explore the area with Wine, Art and Wilderness
• Guided cycle tours around Nelson and Mapua with Kiwi Journeys

Day 2: Nelson to Collingwood

Visit Farewell Spit, a wetland of international importance, and a bird sanctuary since the 1930s. It’s home to more than 90 bird species. Bar tailed godwits, knots, curlews, whimbrels and turnstones fly around 12,000 kilometres every northern hemisphere autumn to spend the summer here. Stay the night in Golden Bay.

Top Tips:

• If it’s too wet for bird spotting, check out the World of Wearable Arts Museum and Nelson Classic Car Gallery in Nelson.
• If you can’t get enough of the beautiful coastline, spend the night at Adrift – accommodation right on the water’s edge of a private beach. 

Recommended activities:

• Explore Farewell Spit Nature Reserve, a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance.
• Closer to Nelson you can explore Abel Tasman National Park to see seals and birdlife.

Day 3: Golden Bay – Murchison – Punakaiki

Golden Bay – Murchison (181km/2 hours 45 minutes)
Murchison – Punakaiki (139km/2 hours)

Today you will drive south through some incredible, rugged scenery. Hang on tight as you jet boat into the Buller Canyon, past thundering waterfalls and pink granite rock canyons. Once you reach the coast, stretch your legs on a short walk to Cape Foulwind, where you can spot a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat. After a big day of travel, nod off to the sound of pounding waves at beachfront Punakaiki Resort.

Top Tips:

•    Leave plenty of time for today’s long drive, the scenery is incredible so allow for regular stops. 
 

Recommended activities:

• Enjoy the stunning scenic reserve by
  Jet Boat
• Watch the seals at Cape Foulwind
• Spend the night at Punakaiki Resort

Day 4: Punakaiki – Hokitika – Franz Josef

Punakaiki – Hokitika (84km/1 hour, 10 min)
Hokitika – Franz Josef (134km/1 hour 45 min)

Explore a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools on a short walk. Stop off en route to Franz Josef for a treetop adventure, where you can walk in the canopy of a temperate rainforest of ancient giants. After a day of travel, enjoy a soak in a hot pool amongst lush vegetation, before spending the night in a rainforest retreat.
 

Recommended activities:

• Stroll around the walkways at Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
• Walk through the tree canopy in Hokitika
• Purchase Pounamu gifts (Greenstone) in Hokitika
• Enjoy the pristine waters of Hokitika Gorge
• Enjoy private pools set in the forest at the Glacier Hot Pools
• Stay in a Rainfrest Retreat or Scenic Lodge

Day 5: Franz Josef – Wanaka

Combine a breath-taking scenic flight with a jaw-dropping walk on the ice or admire the everchanging icescape from the river valley with a dedicated guide. See kiwi chicks up close and learn about New Zealand’s conservation efforts at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef.

Top tip: There are lots of scenic short walks to break up the drives over the last two days, such as the Hokitika Gorge and the Blue Pools.

Recommended activities:

• Take to the Skies with a Heli-Hike on the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers
• Enjoy a scenic Helicopter flight with Snow Landing
• See Kiwi chicks at the West Coast Wildlife Centre
• Enjoy a stroll around Lake Matheson 
• Break the drive and stretch your legs at the Blue Pools

Day 6: Wanaka

Begin your morning with a lake cruise and guided nature walk on Mou Waho island, where you can spot the rare flightless Buff Weka. After lunch, go jet boating amongst the ancient river valleys and snow-capped mountains of the Mt Aspiring National Park – a World Heritage Area. 

Top tip: For something unique, stay with a local farming family to experience authentic Kiwi hospitality.

Recommended activities:

• Explore Mou Waho Island
• Jet boat into Mt Aspiring National Park
• Cycle around the lake front
• Enjoy a self-guided photography tour of the area

Day 7: Wanaka – Arrowtown – Queenstown

Explore the private high-country farm stations around Wanaka for a hands-on introduction to deer farming, beekeeping and authentic Kiwi farm life. This afternoon explore Arrowtown on a walking tour, a charming gold rush village nestled below craggy peaks. Then head to Queenstown and enjoy a tour of the local award-winning wineries, tasting as you go.

Top tip: Stroll around the picturesque streets of Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village surrounded by mountains

Recommended activities:

• Visit Criffel Station and interact with the alpacas and red deer
• Grab a map from the Arrowtown Visitor Centre and enjoy on of their scenic walks.
• Alpine Wine Tours have a mid-afternoon tour that explores some of the scenic wineries.

Day 8- Queenstown – Doubtful Sound – Queenstown

Also known as the “Sound of Silence”, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the South Island's fiords. There’s no direct road access, so your adventure includes a cruise across crystal clear Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus trip over the majestic Wilmot Pass. Then board a spacious catamaran and cruise this pristine fiord, keeping your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and the Fiordland crested penguin. 

Recommended activities:

• Spend the day on a nature and wildlife expedition travelling return from Queenstown.
• For the ultimate wildlife experience enjoy an overnight cruise on Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound.
• Treat yourself to a luxury fiordland experience, and include helicopter transfers from Glenorchy or Queenstown.
• Or there's something for the backpacker budget too, everyone can enjoy the fiords.

Day 9: Queenstown – Dunedin

Spend the morning exploring Queenstown, before driving to Dunedin through the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago. Stop off for lunch in historic Clyde, a pretty little town at the head of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Recommended activities:

• Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoranomic views
• Enjoy a cruise on Lake Wakatipu 
• Sample a part of the Otago Central Rail Trail on a half or full day ride
• Visit the Dunedin Botanic Garden, the oldest and only public Garden of International Significance in New Zealand

Day 10: Dunedin

Dunedin is home to magnificent and rare wildlife. Spot the endangered yellow-eyed penguin on the Otago Peninsula before visiting the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross. 

Top tip: Stay the night at New Zealand’s only castle – Larnach Castle sits atop the Otago Peninsula with panoramic views of the harbour and beyond.
 

Recommended activities:

• Take a tour into the Catlins to see rare wildlife
• Get up-close to yellow-eyes penguins and Little blue penguins
• Visit the only mainland Royal Albatross colony in the world
• If you're not staying at Larnach Castle, still pop in to see their gardens, one of six of international significance in New Zealand.

Day 11: Dunedin – Christchurch

Drop your rental car off and take a short flight to Christchurch. This afternoon, explore Akaroa, originally a French settlement and home to fine food and colonial-style architecture. Swim with the endangered Hector’s Dolphin, the world’s rarest and smallest oceanic dolphin
 

Recommended activities:

• Swim with Hector's dolphins in Akaroa

Day 12: Christchurch – Kaikōura – Christchurch

Enjoy a scenic guided tour from Christchurch over the Canterbury plains before arriving in the seaside village of Kaikōura.  Experience spectacular views of the seaside and majestic mountains, visit a fur seal colony, and get up close with the locals on a marine wildlife tour of your choosing. Whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in these deep coastal waters. 

Recommended activities:

• Enjoy a full-day trip to Kaikōura with all transport included
• Coastal Pacific Train provides an overnight option
• Get up close to Sperm Whales with Whale Watch Kaikōura
• Swim with dusky dolphins with Dolphin Encounter
• Swim with Seals or Kayak amongst them

Day 13: Christchurch

Fly home today, either via Auckland International Airport or direct from Christchurch. Before you leave, visit the International Antarctic Centre by Christchurch airport, packed with interactive experiences to suit all ages. Learn about Antarctica in 4D, survive a snow storm, take an amphibious Hagglund Ride, and see little blue penguins.