Hiking Tour of New Zealand’s South Island

Meet your expert guide and your fellow hikers in the Rutherford Hotel foyer at 4 pm. You can either do a guided hike up Botanical Hill, also known as the “Center of New Zealand” to enjoy sweeping views of Tasman Bay and Nelson City, or you can independently explore this lively town—you’ll get the best recommendations for go-to places from your guides. Celebrate the start of the South Island tour by dining together in one of Nelson’s best restaurants.

Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
Meals: Dinner
Hiking: 1 hour, 1.5 miles/ 2.5 km

Spend your day exploring the Abel Tasman National Park. At the beach resort of Kaiteriteri, board a water taxi and cruise the coastline past golden sand beaches, rugged granite headlands and bush clad islands. Step ashore at Bay Bark and hike the famed Abel Tasman Coast Track, tread native forests and walk along cascading streams. Following the well-formed path, you’ll reach Torrent Bay, where you can jump into the crystal clear waters of Cleopatra’s PoolJourney back to Kaiteriteri before heading back to Nelson. Here’s your chance to further explore this vibrant and artsy little town.

Accommodation: Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4 hours, 7.5 miles/ 12 km

As you make your way to the West Coast, you’ll stop for a hike at century-long burning natural flames. Access this unique phenomena with a local guide through a deer farm and relish a cup of billy tea and pancakes prepared over the flames. Continue your journey alongside the mighty Buller River as it cuts its way through the massive wilderness. You’ll arrive at Punakaiki, where you’ll catch the sunset and visit a local pub for dinner. Take an evening stroll around the famous Pancake Rocks, a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes. You’ll return to this area the following day if your expert guide sees that there’s a bigger chance for high tide.

Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 3 hours, 5 miles/ 8 km

Built in 1867, hike the Inland Pack Track which was once used by prospectors and miners to avoid coastal cliffs. The track today forms part of the Paparoa Track, which leads you through deep limestone canyons and towering rainforest of tropical nikau palms. There are plenty of lakes along the way, so feel free to jump in and cool off! After that, you’ll travel on a highway which offers views of lush green rainforests, glaciated Southern Alps and tussock grasslands. East of Arthur’s Pass, stop for a stroll around the limestone outcrops of Kura Tawhiti, a once important meeting place for Maori people which was named the “Spiritual Center of the Universe” by the Dalai Lama. To end your day, you’ll follow the back roads around Lake Lyndon and reach Methven, a ski town by winter with a spectacular backdrop of the Southern Alps.

Accommodation: Ski Time, Methven
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 3 hours, 6 miles/ 10 km

Continuing south, pass along the extensive Canterbury Plains and go into the intermontane Mackenzie Basin to Lake Tekapo, famous for its vibrant turquoise waters and a small church perched by the lake. Have a picnic lunch with the broad views of the Mackenzie Region in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps—braided riverbeds, glacial lakes and golden grasslands extend to distant mountains. On arrival at Mount Cook village, hike in Governors Bush and on up to Red Tarns for elevated views of Aoraki/ Mt Cook. Take in the panoramas before wandering back down to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Lodge within Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 3 hours, 3 miles/ 5 km

Hike up the Sealy Tarns Track and enjoy the views of Mt Sefton, Mueller Glacier and up the Hooker Valley to Aoraki/ Mt Cook. If you’re feeling energetic, join your guide for a climb above the tarns to the crest of Mueller Ridge for even wider views of the alpine landscape. If you prefer to take it easy, you can explore the valley floor independently, take the walk up the Hooker Valley for views of the Mueller and Hooker Glacier terminal lakes or learn more about the national park in the visitor center.

Accommodation: Lodge within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 4 hours, 6 miles/ 10 km

Travel up the Tasman Valley towards the country’s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Take a walk through glacial moraine and board a boat for a unique spin around the terminal lake, which is increasing in size every year due to the glacier’s retreat. This dynamic environment is dotted with icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Continue your day with climbing over the tussock lands of the Lindis Pass into the southern lakes district of Central Otago. You can sample the wine and learn about the sustainable winemaking practiced at an award winning vineyard, or enjoy a walk among the vines. Final stop of the day is Wanaka, a lovely lake-side holiday town.

Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, Wanaka
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 1 hour, 2 miles/ 3 km

Drive alongside Lake Wanaka and reach the peaks of Aspiring National Park. Hike in the Matukituki Valley on the Diamond Lake walk and on up Rocky Mountain, a distinctive glacially sculpted rock sheep for spectacular views over the lake, and to the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring/ Tititea. After the hike, drive over the Crown Range into the Wakatipu Basin and the scenic wine growing area of Gibbston Valley, pressed between schist mountains and the rocky Kawerau Gorge. Sample fine wine, craft beer and locally sourced food over lunch before you journey on toward the Fiordland wilderness and lake Te Anau.

Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 3 hours, 4 miles/ 7 km

Described by Rudyard Kipling as one of the wonders of the world, the fjord of Milford Sound and the Fiordland mountains offer views and tranquility like no other place. You’ll stop at The Divide to walk a section of the Routeburn Track to Key Summit for panoramic views of the Humboldt and Darran Mountains. Easier short walks, and the preferred option if clouds rob Key Summit of views, are located below in the Hollyford Valley. Continue on to Milford Sound and cruise between glaciated mountains under sheer cliffs which plummet hundreds of meters into deep dark waters. Enjoy views of mile-high Mitre Peak and Lady Bowen Falls as you keep an eye out for marine wildlife. You may spot dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and, if you’re lucky, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Return to Te Anau in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Hiking: 3 hours, 4 miles/ 7 km

On your last day, hike part of the famed Kepler Track onto the shores of Lake Manapouri, where you’ll find an abundance of small islands, bush fringed beaches, and mountain backdrop. Travel back up northwards where your South Island hiking tour ends in the lively scene of Queenstown. Queenstown is a town with many adventure activities to pick from—a jet boat ride, highest bungee jumping in New Zealand or a paddle down a river on a funyak. If you’re planning on prolonging your stay, you can also do one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks. Go on a guided hike to Hollyford Track in the heart of Fiordland NP or journey back to Milford Sound which can be explored by boat. Whatever your preference, your expert guides can help you with any post-trip activities that you might like to add on to your New Zealand adventure!

Hiking: 3 hours, 6 miles/ 10 km