Transport

Private Vehicle , Ferry

Meals

5 breakfasts

Guide

All group trips in New Zealand are accompanied by one of our group leaders who will also be the driver. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise Milford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford Lookout Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake Gunn The Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is on twin share basis, and single travellers are paired with someone of the same sex. Single supplement room upgrades can be requested at the time of booking. Please note that due to limited accommodation options on Stewart Island the group will stay in a mix of motel units and hostel style twin room accommodation with shared facilities. Likewise, our accommodation in the Catlins has shared facilities. Hotel (2 nights), Hostel (twin share with shared facilities) (2 nights), Cabin (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Te Anau - Glowworm caves - NZD98 Stewart Island - Full day Coastal Highlights Guided Walk through Rakiura National Park - NZD295 Stewart Island Wild Kiwi Encounter - NZD199

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Queenstown / Te Anau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Queenstown / Te Anau

Welcome to the South Island! Make your own way to the hotel, where the adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting where you’ll join up with your leader and group. If you’re looking for more time in ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, look to book in some time after the end of the trip. After the meeting, head to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau – gateway to Fiordland National Park. Watch the stunning landscapes pass by as you round the bottom of Lake Wakatipu with the aptly named The Remarkables mountains in the background. The 3.5-hour drive will take you to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake, which extends into the fiords and deeply forested mountains. Once arrived, there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the spectacular surrounding nature. Perhaps head out to see the glow worms on the opposite shore of the lake.
Day 2 Day 2: Milford Sound / Te Anau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Milford Sound / Te Anau

The stunning, unforgettable sights of the fiords are best experienced by boat, so today you’ll set off for a memorable cruise on Milford Sound, known locally as Piopiotahi. Sail along the waters that pour out into the Tasman Sea, and look out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals at play. Nature feels close here in the silence of the sound as you make your way past countless tumbling, misting cascades, soaring icy peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Soak up the surrounds so stunning that they feel almost fake, and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Afterwards get a different perspective of the sound, surrounded by native bush, as you take on the lookout track with your leader. There’s a bit of a climb, but the views are more than worth it to look down on the water and up at the peaks. The spectacular views keep on coming with a Mirror Lakes walk, where the peaks and greenery reflect in the clear lake waters. Return to Te Anau in time for dinner this evening – maybe seek out some local fare like venison or even lobster for dinner.
Day 3 Day 3: The Catlins
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: The Catlins

This morning it’s time to swap one side of the island for the other as you make your way to what feels like a forgotten corner of Otago – the Catlins. This untamed coastal wilderness is home to rugged cliffs, dense forest, and some spectacular hidden waterfalls. Visit Nugget Point and its lighthouse, situated on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the South Pacific Ocean, and hike through dense forest to pretty McLean Falls. In the afternoon take the time to soak up the sights of pounding surf, windswept beaches and sunbathing sea lions as you stroll the sands with your leader.
Day 4 Day 4: Stewart Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Stewart Island

Head to the very bottom of the island and take a ferry across the Foveaux Strait to the country’s third largest landmass, remote and rugged Stewart Island. It takes about one hour to travel the 30-kilometre strait. The island is almost entirely national park, which makes its unspoiled forests, beaches and bays a haven for hikers of all abilities as well as birdwatchers – it’s home to endangered brown kiwi and the flightless Stewart Island kiwi. In the Maori language the island is known as Rakiura, which means ‘the land of glowing skies’.
Day 5 Day 5: Stewart Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Stewart Island

Enjoy a full free day to explore the island as you discover the coast and Rakiura National Park. Optional activities include cruises on the bays and inlets spotting penguins and seabirds and walks along forested coastal tracks past early Maori settlements. Learn about the local flora and fauna, and relax on the beach for a picnic lunch. Take in the views over glistening William Bay and see if you can spot the mountains of the South Island in the distance. Return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the evening to relax after your full day of island exploration. Perhaps join the group for dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Day 6 Day 6: Stewart Island / Queenstown
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Stewart Island / Queenstown

Head back over to the mainland, then continue back to Queenstown. Your trip comes to an end today when you arrive back in Queenstown at approximately 2pm. If you have extra time to spend in Queenstown, make sure to get out and take advantage of the numerous adventure activities on offer. The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu not only serve as spectacular props to get your adrenaline fix, they’re also beautiful to look at. The town is also a great base for exploring Central Otago’s excellent vineyards and historic mining towns.

6 days tour

Queenstown Southern Loop

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Queenstown Southern Loop

Day 1: Queenstown / Te Anau

Day 2: Milford Sound / Te Anau

Day 3: The Catlins

Day 4: Stewart Island

Day 5: Stewart Island

Day 6: Stewart Island / Queenstown

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