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168 hours
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New Zealand’s South Island hosts the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. From the turquoise waters in Abel Tasman, pods of dolphins in Kaikoura and world famous wineries, discover nature's best on our Southern Loop adventure.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We accommodate for most dietaries and allergy requirements eg. vegan, vegetarian, Dairy-free, Gluten-free etc.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Private transportation
Private Room Upgrade ( Additional Charge for $140 NZD per room per night)
WiFi on board
Accommodation for all 6 nights (Linen, Sheets, Pillows and Duvets included)
Dinner
Licensed guide / driver
Spending Money
Visas and Passports (Needs to be done Individually)
Travel Insurance (Needs to be done individually)
Extra Activities and Excursions - Such as Skydiving or Kayaking (ranging from $10 to $600+ NZD)
Lunch and Dinner (expect one)
Pre and Post Night Accommodation or Transportation
Punakaiki Beach Camp
DINNER
Dinner
Punakaiki
Get ready to start an epic adventure as we drive one of three scenic passes across the Southern Alps to the west coast. The Lewis Pass takes us through unmodified beech forests, alpine wetland and along the Lewis River. We have plenty of distance to cover but we will have stunning landscapes & stops on our way to the picturesque town of Punakaiki.
Punakaiki Beach Camp
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Punakaiki
The ultimate beachside destination for adventure and exploration, this picturesque coastal village is full of exciting things to do but is best known for the Pancake Rock where columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of hotcakes. Spend the afternoon experiencing luxuriant coastal forest, fantastic limestone cliffs and canyons, mysterious caves, pristine rivers, and an absolutely spectacular coastline.
Marahau Adventure Inn
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Abel Tasman National Park
Drive the wild west coast with stops that include lighthouse views and seal colonies. As we head inland we drive through the scenic Nelson Lakes towards arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful National Park, Abel Tasman. Spend the afternoon exploring the tiny town or go on an adventure to collect fresh green lipped mussels.
Marahau Adventure Inn
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Golden Bay
Today we head to Golden Bay, home to New Zealand's longest sandspit along with stunning beaches and wildlife. Be ready for an adventure today, as we stop to explore the Ngārua Caves followed by a walk around Te Waikoropupū Springs, some of the clearest water you will see. Finally, follow the track to the most northern point on the South Island at Wharariki Beach.
Marahau Adventure Inn
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Abel Tasman National Park
Kick back on the beach or, if you’re feeling adventurous, discover the raw natural beauty of Abel Tasman National Park by hiking parts of the track or grab a kayak and spend the day along the coastal track. If you’re lucky, you might spot native wildlife such as the Tui or Tuatara.
Dusky Lodge Kaikoura
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
After a few epic adventures on our way out of town we head to the famed Marlborough Wine Region. Have a sip or two of its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc and snap some Insta-worthy shots in the vineyards.
Kaikoura
Our drive continues on to Kaikoura, there are very few places in the world that can boast such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in this small community. As we come into town you'll notice the dramatic, rugged cliffs on the edge of town, which are as impressive as the whale watching and dolphin swimming.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Spend the morning ticking off the rest of your bucket list, whether it's spotting seals, searching for whales or swimming with dolphins. After a morning of adventure we will hop on the road for our final drive back to Christchurch. Say your goodbyes to your Wild Kiwi fam or convince them to continue the adventure through the funky neighbourhoods of Christchurch.
16 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
822ligiak,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
7 days of Magical Experiences . and Incredible Beauty . This tour was packed with adventures and relaxation. Ben, our guide was absolutely a gem! He was always professional and ready to assist all of us with a smile that made our days joyful and memorable!










370robz,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Our guide Ben took care of all the details of our trip, customizing our experience to what we wanted to do and see. I’ll be honest, being 31, I was a little hesitant to be staying in hostels and traveling with strangers, but by the end of the week, I had a new group of international friends from every corner of the world, along with a newfound appreciation for New Zealand and all its beauty. Wild Kiwi allows you to build your trip while you’re on it, with a menu of add-ons everyday (and your guide will help stack your days so you don’t have to overthink the logistics of driving / timings / directions / etc. Overall - I highly recommend this trip. And a bonus if you get matched with Ben as your guide!



caoimhej2018,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was an experience of a lifetime for us , we couldn’t have dreamt of a better honeymoon. The bus was comfortable and had charging points which is ideal for the longer days taking photos and videos constantly! Our guide Ben was extremely knowledgeable and had great stories to tell us on our drives throughout the South Island. His humour and relaxed nature made us all gel as a group and have great fun! He also organised all our requests for excursions and the main event for us was our day trip to Milford sound and helicopter scenic tour of Franz Josef. I’ll struggle to see anything as profound as that again! Hotels were all a high standard. Thanks for everything Wild Kiwi we will recommend this company for years to come 😊




belurodriguezp,
Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I was a bit nervous about doing this tour solo, in a country so far away from home, with complete strangers... and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I was lucky enough to get Claudia as my guide for the week and she just made sure we had the most exciting, fun and enriching time in New Zealand. If you're thinking about booking this, just do it. You will not regret it and it is worth every single cent. Also, brace yourself for saying "WOW" every five seconds because the views you're about to witness will blow your mind. I am so grateful I got to spend a week with Wild Kiwi to experience all the magic NZ has to kindly offer. I can't wait to be back.

noramE9964DZ,
Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Had such a wonderful trip on the South Island! Tom was a great tour guide and was very organized and friendly. Accommodation was good and the tour was well-thought out. Thanks for the memories!
Curious31793966480,
May 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I was on Claud’s group trip and had the most amazing time! She told us stories and history as we drove to each town & she sang with us in the van. I met people from various different countries and of all different ages and we all got along so well. We stayed in nice hostels which also made the trip great. The best activities, the best group dinners, the most amazing country! I highly recommend!!!!
Seaside08839224635,
Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Highly recommend booking with Wild Kiwi! I had an amazing tour experience—everything was perfectly planned, covering key destinations while also allowing for stops at stunning viewpoints and charming towns along the way. Even though we traveled long distances, the journeys never felt tiring, thanks to our incredible guide, Ben. He kept us engaged with fascinating stories, anecdotes, and insights not only about the places we visited but about New Zealand as a whole. Ben’s positive and infectious energy truly made the trip special. He ensured that everyone felt included, which was especially great as we were all solo travelers. It was an unforgettable experience!
Shane D,
Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
One of the best 2 weeks of my travels by far . It was so great to hand the reigns to an experienced tour guide and let them show you all the best sights and experiences New Zealand has to offer . From amazing hikes with breathtaking views to wild adventures for the adrenaline junkies . Tom was our tour guide and we all just felt we were truly blessed to have him. He was so knowledgeable, experienced, approachable and friendly. He also encouraged the group to amalgamate and get to know each other which added to the entire experience . Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to get the most out of their time in New Zealand !




ChanineK4,
Mar 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I definitely recommend the big South tour!! A fantastic way to experience all the beautiful gems New Zealand South Island has to offer. Our guide, Tom, went above and beyond to ensure we had spots on amazing activities, a smooth drive, and great recommendations for lunch, dinner, and delicious breakfasts. The accommodations were comfortable and well-equipped, and I had a private room Wild Kiwi organised, so I felt well taken care of.
Mark H,
Mar 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great accommodations! Ben the tour guide was great at guiding us to the best activities. Well thought out tour. Make sure you do the glacier helicopter tour and the jetboat!
Operated by Wild Kiwi Tours