10 - Day best of South tour

Take the Atomic Shuttle over the stunning Arthur’s pass where you have 30 minutes free before meeting up with the bus. This afternoon we’ll make a stop in Hokitika then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef glacier.

This day is free for you to explore the glacier. Among included activities, you can enjoy the Ice-Explorer Trip, a short heli-flight onto the glacier followed by an educational tour, or relax in the hot pools.

Depart at 9 am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass and Makarora. We pass by the beautiful Lake Hawea and arrive in Wanaka with an afternoon to enjoy this picturesque lakeside town.

Optional paid activities: Puzzle World. 
Free activities: Mirror Lake walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk, explore Wanaka.

Depart 10.30 am. This morning you will have the opportunity to check out amazing views of the lake either by skydiving or walking up Mount Iron. We'll cruise into Queenstown with a stop at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site and then head to the "adventure capital of the world". Queenstown offers an optional big night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music.

Optional paid activities: Skydiving, bungy jumping. 
Free activities: Walk Mount Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge.

Some free time to enjoy Queenstown. Accommodation will be provided each night at a central hostel. 

Optional paid activities: bungy, swing, jetboating, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding, trip to Milford Sound. 
Free activities: Sleep in, great walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town. 
Included Activities: Doubtful Sound day trip, Shotover Jet (these can be done on any free day of your choice).

Depart from 8.40 am. We head over the Lindis Pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country and Lake Pukaki, then head north to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook, arriving in the early afternoon. There are some incredible walks to do in this area. 

Optional paid activities: visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
Free activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake. 
Included activities: 6WD Argo Tour.

Depart 10am. We make our way to the Lord of the Rings landscape of Rangitata. We head past the turquoise Lake Tekapo, where we stop for ice-skating, snow tubing or a swim at the hot springs. We arrive early afternoon in Geraldine, and then head through to spend the night at Rangitata. Accommodation: One of Canterbury’s original sheep stations. 

Optional paid activities: walk or horse ride through Peel Forest.
Free activities: Take photos of stunning scenery, go for a walk.

Depart 7.30am. It is an express haul across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch. We arrive at 9.40am at the Christchurch International Airport.