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Budget South Island Adventure

New Tour

7 days

BUDGET TOUR: Embark on a 7-day road trip through New Zealand's South Island, taking in its breathtaking landscapes. Relax at Lake Tekapo, exploring bike trails and unwinding in hot springs under the Dark Sky Reserve. In Queenstown, we can enjoy thrilling activities and take a day trip to Milford Sound. Witness the Franz Josef glacier and opt to hike or book a scenic flight, before ending back in Christchurch. Staying in dorm rooms & hostels, recommended for travellers aged 18-39.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

7 days

Starts

Christchurch

Ends

Christchurch

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide/driver

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 18

Minimum age

18

Departs

Saturdays

Hotel Rating

Hostel & Dorm rooms

Countries

New Zealand

Arrival Transfer

No

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 6, Dinner: 1

Physical Rating

Easy

Tour Pace

Medium
Per person from
USD$1,855.00
Total From
USD$3,710.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$800.00
$3,310.00

Tour Highlights

Lake Tekapo - Explore local bike trails and unwind in lakeside hot springs, stargazing in the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve
Queenstown - Experience the adventure capital of the world with activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, and ziplining
Milford Sound - Join an optional cruise through the UNESCO-listed fjord, admiring colossal waterfalls, ancient forests, mountain landscapes, and playful dolphins
Franz Josef - Take in stunning ice formations via hikes or helicopter tours, or opt for quad biking, kayaking, or relaxing in hot tubs.
Wanaka - Enjoy a scenic stop before journeying along rugged coastlines, rainforests, glaciers, and waterfalls travelling through Haast Pass.

Included

6 breakfasts & 1 dinner
6 nights accommodation in shared and mixed-sex dorms
Escorted by an expert local driver/guide
Transportation in a luxury vehicle with Wi-Fi, leather seats, USB chargers, air-conditioning and a sound system perfect for road trip singalongs
The world's largest Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo
Church Of The Good Shepherd
Transport to Milford Sound (cruise optional)
The rugged west coast township of Franz Josef
Castle Rock walk
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tip for your tour guide / driver. We recommend you allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveller. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture.
Optional activities and experiences (book locally - approximate pricing is in the Trip Notes)
Airport transfers

Itinerary

Day 1 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Christchurch - Tekapo. You will be picked up in Christchurch at 09:00 (see the Trip Notes for details). We commence our journey from Christchurch to the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, one of New Zealand's most picturesque destinations. We can explore the local bike trails and then relax in the lakeside hot springs while stargazing in the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve.

Please Note: This tour offers a variety of optional excursions throughout the tour that can be booked and paid for locally. We will give examples of some of the optional activities available on tour, your guide can assist you with any other available options. Sightseeing and activities are generally not included on tour, this gives you the flexibility to shape your own adventure!

Overnight: Tekapo

Day 2 - Tekapo to Queenstown

Tekapo - Queenstown. This morning, after breakfast, you have the opportunity to partake in activities and hikes that we may not have been able to enjoy the previous day. Our journey will continue, taking us from Tekapo to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. Once you’re settled in, it’s time to explore! Queenstown is the ideal destination to check off several items from your bucket list, the activities available to be booked and paid locally include skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, and zip-lining.

Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Milford Sound

Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown. After breakfast, we will journey from Queenstown to UNESCO-listed Milford Sound, one of the greatest wildernesses in the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery here is punctuated with lofty mountains and deep glacial valleys. We reach Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', where you can admire colossal waterfalls, ancient forests, stunning mountain landscapes, and playful dolphins. You can book an optional cruise of the Milford Sound Fjord or you can relax with a beer, join a lively gathering, or enjoy New Zealand's famous Fergburger. We return to Queenstown for the evening.

Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Queenstown at leisure

Today you have the opportunity to experience thrilling activities in Queenstown. Whether it’s bungee jumping, canyon swings, or horseback riding, there’s something to suit every level of adventure. You can enjoy one of New Zealand’s most picturesque skydives, explore trails on a bike ride, try your hand at luging, or take a jet boat ride up the canyon.

Overnight: Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Queenstown to Franz Josef

Queenstown - Wanaka - Franz Josef. Leaving Queenstown this morning, after breakfast, we will make our way from Queenstown to Franz Josef, stopping for a break in the picturesque town of Wanaka.

We will then embark on an amazing journey along the rugged coastline, passing ancient rainforests, icy glaciers, and crashing waterfalls as we traverse Haast Pass. Our adventure will conclude at Franz Josef, the gateway to glacier country.

Please note: There is one included group dinner on this tour. This will take place at a favourite spot of your guide, and the day on which it takes place varies by tour and guide!

Overnight: Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Franz Josef

Prepare your crampons because Franz Josef might just be the most breathtaking destination you'll ever encounter. Discover the spectacular ice formations sculpted over millennia, and choose between hiking, an optional scenic helicopter tour, or both, for an unforgettable experience. Prefer activities at a lower altitude? You can enjoy quad biking, kayaking, or unwinding in the glacier hot pools, then wind down with a refreshing beverage to fully appreciate the scenery.

Overnight: Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Franz Josef to Christchurch

Franz Josef - Christchurch. After breakfast this morning, we will depart from Franz Josef and make our way to Christchurch. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a quick stop in the beautiful town of Hokitika before embarking on a spectacular journey through Arthur’s Pass, surrounded by the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps.

Our adventure around New Zealand’s South Island will then end as we return to Christchurch. You will be dropped off at our pick-up point at approximately 15:00 - 16:00 (more information in Trip Notes).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Tekapo

Surrounded by trees and overlooking Lake Tekapo, this informal resort is a minute’s walk from the lakeshore, a 500-metre walk from the thermal pools at Tekapo Springs, and 1 km from State Highway 8. The simple dormitories offer Wi-Fi access and shared bathrooms, with some featuring verandas. Bed linen is provided. Amenities include a communal kitchen, a lounge with a TV, as well as BBQ and picnic areas. Bike hire and guest laundry facilities are available. Various activities such as cycling, fishing, and hiking can be enjoyed on-site or in the surrounding area. Dining options, including Blue Lake Eatery & Bar, McKenzies Café Bar & Grill, TLV Restaurant & Bar, and Dark Sky Diner, are all within 1.2 km.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Hostel
Haka House Queenstown Lakefront
Queenstown

Haka Lodge Queenstown Lakefront provides comfortable and affordable mixed dorm accommodation, with modern bunks, privacy curtains, individual reading lights, and shared bathrooms. Communal spaces include a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious lounge and a cozy outdoor deck offering stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. Situated right on the lakefront, the hostel is just a short walk from Queenstown's bustling town centre, with its shops, bars, and restaurants. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. The location provides direct access to the Queenstown Gardens and a short ride to adventure sports hotspots, perfect for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the outdoor adventure capital of New Zealand.

Our Rating
Simple
Local Rating
Hostel
Rainforest Retreat
Franz Josef

Rainforest Retreat offers mixed dorm accommodation in a unique, forested setting. The dorms are cozy and well-maintained, with shared bathroom facilities and personal lockers. Guests can take advantage of communal areas, including a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge with a fireplace, and outdoor hot tubs nestled among the rainforest. Located in the heart of Franz Josef, the retreat is just a short walk from the village’s cafes and shops, and a short drive to the famous Franz Josef Glacier. Free Wi-Fi, a BBQ area, and a tour desk help make stays convenient and enjoyable. Surrounded by nature, guests can easily explore local walking trails, soak in the nearby hot pools, or enjoy glacier hikes and helicopter tours to experience the area's stunning scenery.

Our Rating
Simple
Local Rating
Hostel

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with 1 traveller. 'Dorm' prices shown are based on mixed dormitory rooms (PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DORM PRICES)! There is also a 'Twin/Double' room upgrade and a 'Single' room upgrade for solo travellers. 'Twin/Double' room upgrades are based on two people travelling together and are subject to availability.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
23 Nov - 29 Nov
$1,855
$2,155
30 Nov - 6 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
7 Dec - 13 Dec
$1,855
$2,155
14 Dec - 20 Dec
$1,885
$2,195
21 Dec - 27 Dec
$1,885
$2,195
28 Dec - 3 Jan
$1,885
$2,195
2025
Twin/Double
Single
4 Jan - 10 Jan
$1,855
$2,155
11 Jan - 17 Jan
$1,855
$2,155
18 Jan - 24 Jan
$1,855
$2,155
25 Jan - 31 Jan
$1,855
$2,155
1 Feb - 7 Feb
$1,855
$2,155
8 Feb - 14 Feb
$1,855
$2,155
15 Feb - 21 Feb
$1,855
$2,155
22 Feb - 28 Feb
$1,855
$2,155
2026
Twin/Double
Single
3 Jan - 9 Jan
$1,905
$2,205
10 Jan - 16 Jan
$1,905
$2,205
17 Jan - 23 Jan
$1,905
$2,205
24 Jan - 30 Jan
$1,905
$2,205
31 Jan - 6 Feb
$1,905
$2,205
7 Feb - 13 Feb
$1,905
$2,205
14 Feb - 20 Feb
$1,905
$2,205
21 Feb - 27 Feb
$1,905
$2,205

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