12 Day Southern Explorer Haka Plus Tour

12 Day Southern Explorer Haka Plus Tour

Welcome to the 12 Day Southern Explorer Haka Plus Tour!

This tour kicks off in Wellington and wraps up 12 days later in Christchurch. Over the course of your week and a half in Aotearoa New Zealand, you’ll travel through some of the most magical scenery you could hope to see in your lifetime. National Parks, rainforests, mountain ranges, UNESCO World Heritage Areas… everywhere you turn, there’s something different to behold.

You’ll have the opportunity to swim, kayak, surf, jet boat, bungy jump, quad bike, skydive, canyon swing, hike, heli hike, bike, luge, horse ride, see kiwis (and whales, dolphins and albatrosses), relax in hot pools, eat and drink like a local, and more!

But only if you want to; this is your trip. It’s designed to be flexible – we include some absolute essentials, but let you make the call on what kind of activities appeal to you. You can pre-book the things you are certain you want to do before the trip starts – and then add more on while you’re on tour.

Itinerary

Day 1: Wellington

Stop At: Hotel Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman, 169 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Settle into your accommodation and be ready for the 6pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends.

Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. We recommend a good night’s sleep to be ready for tomorrow’s early start, but you may want to experience Wellington’s exciting nightlife - the choice is yours!

Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman Hotel will be our accommodation for tonight

Day 2: Wellington to Kaikōura

Stop At: Interislander, Picton 7281 New Zealand
Rise and shine! It’s time to head straight for our main destination – the South Island. We take one of the world’s most scenic ferry journeys as we cross the Cook Strait.

The South Island has a stunning welcome in store for us – gliding through the Marlborough Sounds as we approach Picton Harbour, you’ll feel like you’re in another world.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Blenheim i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim 7201 New Zealand
One of the best ways to explore Marlborough, the region at the top of the South Island, is with your tastebuds. That’s why we jump straight on a wine tasting, to sample some of the best vineyards in the country.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand
After lunch, our next destination is Kaikōura which literally means “to eat crayfish” – and the area is teeming with them. The nutrient-rich waters of this area attract a wide variety of marine wildlife including the stars of the show – the whales and dolphins.

Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Lobster Inn at Kaikōura Waterfront

Day 3: Kaikōura to Christchurch

Stop At: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, 40 Fyffe Quay West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand
The chance to swim with dolphins in the wild is a massive New Zealand highlight for many travellers, and Kaikōura is one of the best places to find them, with pods of up to 300 of these playful creatures hanging out here at any one time.

If you want to get up close to the giants of the ocean, a whale watching tour here is the way to do it. Humpbacks, sperm whales and orca all stop by at various times of year, so this is a great chance to meet some of them.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Christchurch New Zealand
After visiting the local seals on our way out of town, our road trip continues to our home for the night – Christchurch, known as the “Garden City” for its peaceful parklands and lazy rivers.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel 115 at the heart of Christchurch is our hotel for tonight

Day 4: Christchurch to Lake Ohau (via Lake Tekapo)

Stop At: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Christchurch New Zealand
This morning we’ll explore iconic downtown Christchurch and your guide will show you the cool and creative ways the city is being rebuilt after the life-changing 2011 earthquake here. Christchurch folk are an innovative and creative bunch – the Transitional Cathedral, created from cardboard, is totally inspirational.
Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Lake Tekapo 7945 New Zealand
Mid-morning we head for Lake Tekapo. Ready your camera – the lake’s breathtaking turquoise colour and mountain backdrop is a photographer’s dream come true.

The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd stands right at the water’s edge, proving that small is bold and definitely beautiful. Grab some confetti and congratulate any passing brides – couples travel from all over the world for wedding shots in front of the chapel!

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lake Ohau Lodge at Lake Ohau is where you will rest your head tonight and count the stars above you

Day 5: Ohau to Queenstown

Stop At: Lindis Pass, Omarama New Zealand
From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie country – where epic battles of Return of the King were filmed – to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, it’s like you’re driving into a postcard.

We’ll pause for lots of photo stops en route to give your camera a workout, including a stop at the spectacular Kawarau Gorge. This also happens to be the world home of bungy! Give it a go or enjoy watching the jumpers scream their way into the gorge.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. With 2 nights and plenty of daylight hours here, get ready – this town certainly knows how to live life to the max.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Pinewood Lodge

Day 6: Queenstown

Stop At: Pinewood Lodge, 48 Hamilton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
With a full day in Queenstown, let’s work on that bucket list!

There are heaps of options to choose from: paragliding over the lake, mountain bike parks and trails to die for, bungy jumping while your Haka friends cheer you on, horse riding through Lord of the Rings scenery, and swinging through a canyon are just a few of our favourites.

Hikers: the Ben Lomond day walk (not for the faint-hearted) will be right up your alley. This is a firm tour guide favourite, and they can recommend great shorter walks too.

For scenery lovers, Milford Sound is a must-see. Whether you fly or drive, the scenery en route is as awesome as the destination. Once on the Sound, as you sail beneath thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces you’ll understand why we call it the “8th Wonder of the World”.

Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Pinewood Lodge

Day 7: Queenstown to Wanaka

Stop At: Queenstown Hill, Belfast Street, Queenstown New Zealand
Today starts with a cruise to Mt Nicholas on board the Spirit of Queenstown. Disembark the vessel and jump on your bicycle for an easy 1h 30m ride to Walter Peak Station.

Breathe in the fresh mountain air, watch the landscape unfold and take in the panoramic alpine views while cycling 14 kilometres along a remote but public shingle road to Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak. There’s an option to add on a BBQ lunch at Walter Peak before boarding the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for the return cruise to Queenstown.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Wanaka New Zealand
This afternoon is your chance to relax in stunning Wanaka. Wanaka is Queenstown’s slightly quieter little sister, a mere one hour drive away. En route we’ll stop in charming Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with heaps of old world character.

Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you’ll soon see why Wanaka’s considered to be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns. There are breathtaking hikes and easy bike rides for a welcome chance to relax.

Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Oakridge Hotel Wanaka

Day 8: Wanaka

Stop At: Wanaka New Zealand
Today is your chance to explore one of the most beautiful towns in the southern lakes region with plenty of activities to tempt every lover of the outdoors.

You can visit Mou Waho Island – accessible only by boat from Wanaka and famous for being home to an (unnamed) island, in a lake (Arethusa Pool), on an island (Mou Waho), in a lake (Lake Wanaka), on an island (the South Island) in the ocean (the Pacific!). Sounds complicated, but once you are there it will all make sense!

In Wanaka there are many walks, hikes and biking trails to choose from – check out the famous “Wanaka Tree” while making your way around the lake! Or, if you feel like relaxing, ask your guide to recommend their favourite secret spots to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

One of the best ways to admire Wanaka is from the air. Treat yourself to a skydive or a scenic flight in a vintage plane – you can even take a flying lesson. As always, it’s your trip and your choice: you do you!

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Criffel Station Woolshed, Mount Barker Road, Wanaka 9382, New Zealand
We mix things up tonight by heading to the stunning Criffel Station for a night of glamping (AKA glamorous camping)! Think fancy canvas tents with decadently comfortable beds and the great outdoors right on your doorstep. The views from Criffel are sublime… to get the real experience, you’ll have to see it for yourself!

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Glamping at Criffel Station

Day 9: Wanaka to Franz Josef

Stop At: Haast Pass, New Zealand
After a relaxing morning in Wanaka, the journey to Franz is an another stunner – many of our Haka Guides rate it as their most favourite drive in New Zealand.

As we hit the road, we’ll stop at one of our most popular lakeside lookout points at Lake Hawea or Lake Wanaka. Your guide will keep an eye on the weather and pick the best option.

From the cascading waterfalls of Haast Pass to classic Kiwi coastal views, you won’t want to nap on the bus in case you miss anything. Your guide will have some epic surprise photo stops and short walks along the way.

Between September and December it’s whitebait season (a small fish that’s a delicacy in New Zealand). Fried up with eggs and served on toast, it’s a local treat and shouldn’t be missed. We’ll stop at one of the local spots for a taste during the season.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
We roll into Franz Josef around late afternoon/early evening. This UNESCO World Heritage area is famous for its spectacular glacier, just 5km from town, which is begging to be explored tomorrow.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay in Tai Poutini/Westland National Park, Rainforest Retreat

Day 10: Franz Josef

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
With Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand’s highest mountain) twinkling behind the glaciers, Franz Josef is about as beautiful a setting as you can find in New Zealand.

Te Wahi Pounamu (which means ‘the place of greenstone’ in Māori) is the name given to the this part of the West Coast because of the abundance of pounamu (greenstone/jade) to be found here. Included in your tour today is a special opportunity to carve your very own pounamu pendant at a local gallery.

There are heaps of ways to enjoy Franz Josef Glacier; weather permitting, to get up onto the bluest ice you can take a scenic helicopter flight and hike onto the glaciers. Maybe you’d prefer to kayak on a glacial lake; or just relax in the steamy hot springs down below.

As well as the awesome glacier activities, you could also try out quad biking, horseback riding and even a bit of group karaoke tonight in Franz Josef!

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef

Day 11: Franz Josef to Christchurch

Stop At: Hokitika Beach, Beach Street, Hokitika New Zealand
Before you know it, it’s your last full day!

After breakfast we head further along the beautiful west coast on another of the most spectacular drives in the country (and, some would say, the world): a rugged, primeval landscape of luxuriant rainforest juxtaposed against breathtaking beach and ocean waves.

We stop at Hokitika and visit a greenstone factory, a great place to stock up on souvenirs for your friends and family back home.

Time permitting, we may also visit the National Kiwi Centre, where there is guaranteed viewing of rare kiwi birds in their nocturnal house.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: TranzAlpine, Greymouth New Zealand
On the way back to Christchurch, you'll traverse the South Island on the stunning TranzAlpine train crossing. Travelling across the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass, you'll arrive in Christchurch around 6.30pm before transferring to your accommodation.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel 115 in Christchurch

Day 12: Christchurch - Post tour debrief

Stop At: Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Christchurch New Zealand
Today is the final day of tour, where we exchange photos and stories over breakfast before saying our goodbyes and parting ways.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.