You have chosen New Zealand as your destination for your next adventure and want to know how to get started.
With this 9-day fully guided trip, you will get to tick the first items off your bucket list on the South Island of New Zealand, but you will also finish the trip with an NZ Bank Account, SIM Card, and IRD number, ready to secure a job.
The focus of this 9-day group tour is the South Island of New Zealand, starting and finishing in New Zealand’s adventure capital Queenstown. As part of your trip, you will be visiting the world-famous, picture-perfect Milford Sound. The turquoise lakes Lake Wanaka and Lake Tekapo, of course, cannot be missed either. In fact, you will get to kayak on Lake Wanaka and swim in and bike around Lake Tekapo. To capture the breathtaking views of the southern alps and the tallest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook, you will find yourself hiking up Mt John and the legendary Hooker Valley Hike. Make sure to have your camera ready as you get close to natures’ beauty with your new group of friends. After this trip, you will be all set up to start working in New Zealand. What a way to start your gap year.
Kia ora! Touching down in Queenstown, We’ll meet you at our centrally located hostel to settle in. This evening you’ll meet up with the rest of your travel crew and get excited for all the adventures to come in Aotearoa!
Day 2: QUEENSTOWN & JET BOATING – QUEENSTOWN
Today we get oriented with beautiful Queenstown, the high-octane adventure capital of NZ (and dare we say, the world!), getting our first splash of adrenaline with a jet-boat ride. Feel the thrill as highly skilled driver keep things pumping with 360 degree spins and speeds in excess of 80km/h. Tonight it’s time to see what this backpacker hub is all about after dark! Don’t forget to listen out for the local Kiwi accent to see if it lives up to its title as the ‘World’s Sexiest.’
Day 3: MILFORD SOUND CRUISE - MILFORD SOUND
This morning we make tracks to New Zealand’s most majestic attraction – Milford Sound. Jumping on a fjord cruise, we’ll experience the spellbinding combination of towering peaks, forested cliffs, resident seals, and plummeting waterfalls up close and personal. Pick your jaw up off the floor, this is nature at her finest. Tonight we’ll cosy up in Te Anau, a picturesque town in the heart of Fiordland.
Day 4: TRAVEL TO WANAKA – WANAKA
After soaking up Middle Earth’s awe-inspiring vistas and filling our camera rolls we’ll continue on to Wanaka, a quaint resort town on a lake dwarfed by snow-capped peaks.
Day 5: DISCOVER WANAKA - WANAKA
Today we check out all Wanaka has to offer, including going kayaking on the beautiful Lake Wanaka. Discover Ruby island, a tiny island off of Lake Wanaka. Stroll around the entire island, swim or just relax and take in the beautiful landscape.
Day 6: AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK – AORAKI
Saying goodbye to Wanaka, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the southern alps towards Tekapo. Famed for its milky turquoise lake, Lake Tekapo is alpine in the purest sense – boasting sky scraping peaks, enormous glaciers and purple lupins – so have your camera at the ready! On the way we’ll stretch our legs on the iconic Hooker Valley Hike, this track will wind us through the valley to give us awe-inspiring views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, aka the tallest mountain in New Zealand.
Day 7: LAKE TEKAPO – TEKAPO
Today we will hike up Mount John where we’ll get 360-degree views of the Southern Alps as well as a stunning bike ride around Lake Tekapo. After the walk we’ll soak our tired muscles in some hot pools, nourishing both body and soul! New Zealand truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
Day 8: WORK & ONWARD TRAVEL PLANNING – QUEENSTOWN
After travelling back to buzzing Queenstown, securing you a paid job in New Zealand is number one on the agenda for today. Our team will help make sure you’ve got everything sorted for living and working in NZ, and get you signed up to our NZ Jobs program. Tonight we’ll get the gang together one last time, dressing sharp for our farewell dinner and final night out on the town! Sweet as, Bro.
Day 9: CHECK OUT – QUEENSTOWN
This morning your Southern Kiwi adventure comes to an end. Prepped and ready for the next leg of your travels along with the new friends you’ve made, we’ll be there for support every step of the way.
Inclusions & Extras
Included
Airport Transfer
8 Nights Accommodation
5 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Queenstown City Orientation
Jet Boating on Lake Wakatipu
Milford Sound Cruise
Kayaking on Lake Wanaka
Hooker Valley Hike
Bike Ride Around Lake Tekapo
Hike Mount John
Hot Pools
All transport
Experienced Group Leader
NZ Bank Account
IRD Number
Sim Card
Lifetime NZ Jobs Membership
Unlimited Job Finding Assistance
24/7 Support in NZ
Help with Onward Travel
Excluded
Visas
Some Meals
External Flights
Travel Insurance
Tour Type & Availability
TourInclusionsPrice
9 Day New Zealand Group Tour
9 Day Fully Guided New Zealand South Island Tour
$2,399.00
What to bring
Passport & Flight Tickets
Arrival Information
Travel Insurance Documents
Sneakers/Trainers or Good Walking/Outdoor Shoes
Casual Summer Clothes (Oct-April)
Casual Winter Clothes (April-Oct)
Light Rain Jacket
Insect Repellant & Sunscreen
Money for Snacks & Meals
Refillable Water Bottle
Camera to Capture Every Moment of This South Island Tour
Pick Ups & Departures
Complimentary pick-ups are offered from Queenstown International Airport (ZQN), Queenstown, New Zealand.
Supplier Terms & Conditions
INTRO TRAVEL Terms & Conditions
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Refunds will be processed according to the following time frames.
Cancellations within 28 Days of the start date incur a 100.00% fee.
Between 28 Day and 365 Days incur a 25.00% fee.
Free date or tour changes up to 30 days before start date. If changes are made within 30 days, fees will apply
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reconfirm my bookings?
All bookings South Island tour must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance by contacting your tour provider directly using the contact information listed on your tour voucher.
What should i do if my trip is cancelled due to bad weather?
You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or you can email our support team on [email protected] and include your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details. Once you’ve emailed us, you can drop us a line at +61 2 5633 1149.
Do you book tours with flexible dates? If so, how long are they valid for?
Yes, we do have open dated/flexible tickets available. Most tour vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however please be aware that you may be subject to supplier price fluctuations. All ticket validity is specified on the tour voucher. If you are unsure of the validity of your voucher, just ask one of our wonderful staff.
What do I do if I need help with an existing booking?
Some tours have extra costs and you should be aware that there may be added expenses. These expenses will differ for each service provider, but some of the more usual extras are: EMC tax, stinger suit hire, luggage storage, sleeping bag hire, linen hire, national park fee, food, insurance, accommodation, equipment hire, petrol levy, etc. We will alert you to extra costs to the extent reasonably practicable. However, you must also check with each individual service provider when you re-confirm your booking.
Do I need travel insurance?
We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.
Do you offer payment plans?
Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100AUD deposit required).
How do I know if my trip is BYO?
Most tour vouchers will specify if your trip is BYO however we recommend asking your tour provider if your trip is BYO when you reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior to departure.