Free New Zealand Travel Planning & Itineraries - 7 Day South island New Zealand Tour

HOW TO PLAN AND BOOK THIS NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY

Within this detailed itinerary you will find lists of accommodation and activity operators in each New Zealand area.
Beside each of these operators names is either a nightly price indication or a brief description about their operation. For more information and to make a booking with each individual operator, simply click the operators name which is an active link to their web page. On their web page you can read more about their establishment and are able to make enquiries and bookings directly with them.
If you would like a customised quote for this itinerary CLICK HERE

7 Day South Island Wildlife Tour
Christchurch - Timaru/Geraldine - Kurow, Waitaki Valley, Aoraki Mt Cook, Wanaka/Lake Hawea - Queenstown

Click map to enlarge

For rental car options we recommend:

Day 1 - Christchurch

Christchurch Accommodation

Antonio's Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*from NZ$128)
Milano Motor LOdge, Christchurch (*from NZ$125)
Christchurch Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$105)
Croydon House B&B and Apartments (*from NZ$110 B&B)
Best Western Clyde on Riccarton Motel, Christchurch (*From NZ$115)
Avonhead Lodge Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$89)
Charlie B's Backpackers, Christchurch (*from NZ$19pp)
Adorian Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$85)
de lago Motel Apartments, Christchurch (*from NZ$125)
Country Glen Lodge, Christchurch City (*from NZ$105)
Tower Junction Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*from NZ$110)
Akaroa Cottages, Akaroa (*POA)
Amross Court Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*POA)
Chardonnay Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*from NZ$110)
Merivale Court Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$90)
Colombo in the City Motel, Christchurch (*POA)
Camelot Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*from NZ$125)
A Nest on Mount Pleasant Bed & Breakfast, Christchurch (*from NZ$80 B&B)
A Nest on Mount Pleasant Holiday Home, Christchurch (*from NZ$120)
Thomas's Hotel on Hereford, Christchurch (*from NZ$ 22-$155)
YMCA Budget Hotel, Christchurch (*from NZ$25)
Clearview Lodge 5 Star Accommodation, Christchurch (*POA)
Kowhai Farmstay, Oxford, 40 mins from Christchurch (*from NZ$75)
Destination Akaroa - Akaroa information service
Seascape-Escape Bed & Breakfast, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch (*POA)
Glentanner Park, Mt Cook (*from NZ$13-NZ$110)
Avon Grove Villa Bed & Breakfast, Christchurch (*from NZ$100 B&B)
Eyrewell Downs Executive Holiday Home, Christchurch (POA)
298 Westside Motor Lodge, Christchurch (*from NZ$99)
Langdon House Luxury Accommodation, Christchurch (*from NZ$350 B&B)
Stonehurst Accommodation, Christchurch City (*POA)
Lyell Creek Lodge, Kaikoura (*from NZ$40)
Denton Park Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$110)
Wayside Motel, Woodend (20mins north of Christchurch) (*from NZ$75)
Addington City Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$95)
Raceway Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$80)
Base Christchurch Backpackers, Christchurch (*from NZ$26pp)
CentrePoint on Colombo (*from NZ$105)
City Oasis Lodge & Motel (*from NZ$20-NZ$95)
Christchurch Top 10 Holiday Park, Christchurch (*from NZ$45)
Riccarton Village Inn Hotel, Christchurch (*from NZ$79)
306 on Riccarton Motel, Christchurch (*from NZ$105)
Bishops Manor Bed & Breakfast, Christchurch (*from NZ$195 B&B)

Christchurch Activities

West Coast Shuttle - Daily transport from Greymouth to Christchurch. Mountain bike tours & ski packages.
Adventure Tours, Christchurch & Canterbury - Christchurch Day tours, half day tours, Maori Cultural Performance & lots more.
Antigua Boatsheds Boat Hire, Christchurch - Canoe, Paddleboat and Rowboat hire, on site cafe - available for parties, groups and special occassions.
HELiPRO, Christchurch - Unique and Unforgettable scenic flight options, combination packages and weekend getaways.
Katoro Waka Heritage Journeys, Christchurch - Your gateway to the world of the South Island Maori - waka (canoe) journeys, natural wildlife, and friendly Maori cultural performances
River Tours, Rakaia Gorge - Choose from anexciting range of Fishing and Jet Boat Tours on the pristine waters of the Rakaia Gorge
Kowhai Farm Horse Riding Holidays, Oxford - Horse trekking tours and riding school, from half day to 3 months.
Destination Akaroa - Information and bookings for Akaroa accommodation, rentals and activities.
Tamaki Heritage Village, Christchurch - Experience New Zealand Maori culture and see history come to life!
Airlink Rentals - Renowned for providing quality rental vehicles with handy New Zealand wide locations.
nzski.com - New Zealand's Premiere Skiing & Snowboarding Areas - Coronet Peak, The Remarkables & Mt Hutt
Pohatu Penguins, Banks Peninsula - See the large White Flippered Penguin colony unobtrusively by kayak and enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Pohatu Marine Reserve.
Canterbury Shuttles & Tours - Superior passenger transport service offering transfers, transport for private functions and personalised tours.
KoTane, Christchurch - Maori Cultural Experience
Jet Thrills, Christchurch - Jetboating on the mighty Waimakariri River
Southern Link Coaches - Daily buses & coaches from Christchurch to Queenstown and Nelson
Bill Rodgers Guided Fly Fishing, Timaru & Gore - Guided brown trout fishing in select parts of the Mataura River normally fished only by experts.

Day 2 - Timaru

Timaru Accommodation

Aspen on King Motel, Timaru (*from NZ$115)
Baywatch Motor Lodge, Timaru (*from NZ$110)
Parklands Motor Lodge, Timaru (*from NZ$99)
Kingsdown Manor, Timaru (*from NZ$180 B&B)
Caroline Motel, Timaru (*from NZ$85)

A real Kiwi experience at Glenmac Farmstay, a high country merino sheep and beef cattle farm spread over an amazing 1583 hectares (*from NZ$10pp - NZ$80pp)

Day 4 - Aoraki Mt Cook
Visit New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook. Stay overnight at Glentanner Park for budget to mid-range accommodation OR The Hermitage Hotel for luxury accommodation. Both of these properties also offer a range of activities in the Mount Cook area.

Wanaka River Journeys, Wanaka - Experience jetboating and helicopter tours through Lord of the Rings locations, watched over by Avalanche Glacier and Tititea (Mount Aspiring).
Lakeland Adventures, Wanaka - Choose from a selection of quality activities surrounded by stunning scenery in Lake Wanaka. Enjoy jet boating, guided trout & salmon fishing, and luxury yacht charters.
Southern Alps Air & Siberia Experience, Wanaka - Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Mt Aspiring scenic flights as well as the Siberia Experience hiking trip with hunting and fishing options available.
Alpine Kayak Guides, Luggate (12km from Wanaka) - Fun, scenic and safe kayaking trips and instructional courses on local Wanaka Rivers from October to April. Experience first hand the thrill of kayaking from a relaxed introduction to a full-on day of paddling.
Wanaka RentaCar, Wanaka - Short or long term hires in the Wanaka region , from small economical runabouts, mid-size and touring cars to 4WD and 8 seat people carriers.
Cardrona Adventure Park, Wanaka - Quad bike (ATV) safaris in the historic Gold Mining area of the Cardrona Valley, Wanaka - Queenstown.
Cardrona Adventure Park, Wanaka - See awesome Monster Truck stunts and record breaking jumps at this international stunt show - the only one of it's kind in the world!
NZ Back Country Saddle Expeditions, Wanaka - Horse trekking adventures in the Cardrona Valley tussock covered high country, taking in the Cardrona River.
Inside New Zealand Wilderness Adventures, Makarora, Wanaka - Experience fast-paced shallow water jet boating, thrilling scenic helicopter rides, classic backcountry bush walks, hunting, fishing and exclusive heli-skiing, all within the stunning World Heritage listed Mount Aspiring National Park.

Queenstown Accommodation options:

Queenstown Hill Vacations, Queenstown (*POA)
The Ferry Bed & Breakfast, Queenstown (*from NZ$195 B&B)
Arrowfield Apartments, Arrowtown (*from NZ$320)
The Stable Bed & Breakfast, Queenstown (*from NZ$160 B&B)
The Canyons Country Lodge, Queenstown (*from NZ$557 B&B)
Mount Nicholas Lodge, between Queenstown & Glenorchy (*from NZ$1150 DBB = extras)
The Villas in Queenstown, Queenstown (*POA)
Twin Peaks Bed & Breakfast, Queenstown (*from NZ$340 B&B)
Thomas's Hotel on the Waterfront, Queenstown (*from NZ$25-$155)
Wakatipu View Apartments, Queenstown (*from NZ$95)
1V Four Seasons Motel, Queenstown (*from NZ$145)
Cranbury Court Apartments, Queenstown (*from NZ$160)
Blue Peaks Lodge, Queenstown (*from NZ$110)
Trelawn Riverside Boutique Lodging, Queenstown (*from NZ$200 B&B)
The Glebe Luxury Apartments, Queenstown (*from NZ$192)
Villa Del Lago Luxury Apartments, Queenstown (*from NZ$240)
Base Discovery Lodge, Queenstown (*from NZ$26pp)
Abba Garden Motel, Queenstown (*from NZ$120)
Spinnaker Bay Resort, Queenstown (*from NZ$280)
Coronet Peak Hotel, Queenstown (*from NZ$80)
Alexis Motor Lodge & Apartments, Queenstown (*POA)
Gateway Apartments, Queenstown (*from NZ$140)
Lomond Lodge Motor Inn, Queenstown (*from NZ$125)
Nokomai Station, Lumsden, 1 hour from Queenstown (*from NZ$250)
Five Rivers Retreat, Lumsden, 1 hour from Queenstown (*from NZ$220 B&B)

Queenstown Activity options:

Shotover Jet, Queesntown - The only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons, hold tight for the world famous Shotover Jet full 360º spins!
Dart River Jet Safaris, Queenstown - Choose from three exciting Dart River Jet Safaris, each utilising the classic Kiwi invention of the jet boat to take you to snow-capped mountains, ancient forests, waterfalls and glacial valleys frozen in time.
Actionflite Aerobatics, Queenstown - Imagine strapping into the passenger seat of one of the finest, high performance aerobatic aircraft ever built, the Pitts Special.
Break One Clay Target Sports, Queenstown - Let our experienced, professional shooters guide you in the popular sport of clay target shooting.
Mad Dog River Boarding, Queenstown - River board your way down the infamous Kawarau Gorge rapids for an extreme adrenalin adventure.
Heliworks Helicopters, Queenstown - Scenic flights in and around Queenstown and Fiordland including Milford Sound or even deeper into the Fiordland to Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound.
JAG Air, Queenstown - Experience adrenaline fueled adventure, aerobatic, acrobatic flights in our Pitts Special Bi plane!
Real Journeys, Queenstown, Fiordland & Stewart Island - Providing a range of quality tourism excursions offering authentic experiences among some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand.
Southern Wings Charters, Invercargill - Offering visitors to Southern New Zealand a range of "Discovery" scenic flights to the Catlins Coast, Fiordland and Stewart Island.
Milford Sound BBQ Bus, Te Anau & Queenstown - Sit back and relax in our comfortable, modern coach and take in the experience of a personal tour of Milford Sound.
Ecotours & Active Planet, Te Anau & Queenstown - Milford Sound day trips ex Te Anau and Queenstown, Lord of the Rings tours, New Zealand wide itineraries.
Cruize Milford, Milford Sound - Providing personal friendly service and uncrowded Milford Sound boat cruises.
Topline Tours, Te Anau & Queenstown - Providing an all year round first class shuttle service for travellers, between Te Anau and Queenstown and return and tour charters throughout the South Island
Mitre Peak Cruises, Milford Sound - Specilaizing in cruises to Milford Sound, an up close and personal view of one of the worlds most spectacular settings
Fat Tyre Adventures Ltd - Ride the best mountain biking New Zealand has on offer around Queenstown, guided single track, Cross Country and Free Ride mountain biking over some of the most scenic mountain biking trails.
nzski.com - New Zealand's Premiere Skiing & Snowboarding Areas - Coronet Peak, The Remarkables & Mt Hutt
Sail Queenstown - A unique opportunity to sail an America's Cup boat on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown's only sailing experience!
Air Milford, Queenstown - Experience New Zealand flightseeing at its best with exclusive flight seeing tours of Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, Mt Cook and the Catlins
NZONE Skydiving - "the ultimate jump'". Tandem skydiving adventures in Queenstown & Rotorua
Air Fiordland - Take a scenic flight with Air Fiordland to iconic Milford Sound, as well as flights to the Glaciers, Doubtful Sound, Mt Cook, Lord of the Rings tours & private charters.
Cardrona Adventure Park - Several activities available for the whole family, a wide variety of Quad Bikes, Buggy and Monster Truck rides to suit all, from beginners to intermediate to the outright adrenalin junkie.