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Active South Island

Plunge into an abundance of outdoor adventure as you explore New Zealand’s beautiful and epic South Island in this ultimate road-trip. It really is an active traveller's dream, a playground of rewarding and exhilarating experiences; spend your days hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and exploring remote sheep stations by 4x4, embrace heli-hiking in Franz Josef National Park; jet boat in Wanaka; cruise through Doubtful Sound in the Fiordland National Park and hike the stunning Lake Marian Track.

Christchurch, Arthur's Pass, Lake Heron, Wanaka, Fiordland
14 nights private tour from SGD $30,800 Per person

Journey highlights

  • Ultimate active trip for adventure seekers, with hiking, kayaking and outdoors activities aplenty

  • Rest your bodies in beautiful and traditional lodges offering authentic NZ experiences in rugged landscapes

  • An epic road trip highlighting the mesmerising landscape of the South Island full of mind-blowing experiences

  • Get off the beaten track to hidden gems like Lake Heron Station, a high country working sheep farm
  • Active itinerary:Our Active Journeys let you get under the skin of a destination by hiking, biking or kayaking your way through it, while unwinding in some of the finest hotels around
Our tailor made journeys include:
  • Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • Your own private, English-speaking local guides
  • Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
  • Entrance to must-see local sites
  • Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
  • Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit

The climate in New Zealand is incredibly pleasant, with warm and balmy summers and cold crisp winter months with wonderful clear, blue skies. The warmer high-season months of November to April are perfect for outdoor exploration. The colder months of June to August are the best time to ski.

South Island is drier on the east coast, rather than on the west, where mountain ranges act as a trap for the moisture-rich winds from the Tasman Sea. It is also worth remembering that it is usually a few degrees cooler on the South Island than the North Island and as New Zealand has a maritime climate, the weather can change rapidly.

Itinerary

Day 1 - 2
Day 2 - 5
Day 5 - 8
Day 8 - 12

  • Fiordland National Park

    At a Glance

    Last but by no means least, head into the Fiordland region, truly getting off the grid. After spending one night at Cabot Lodge, a traditional kiwi luxury homestead, cruise overnight on the Doubtful Sound, retracing the steps of early explorers who navigated these often-foggy waters in search of a landing point on the island. You'll get the chance to swim in the calm waters, if you’re lucky play with the playful dolphins, as well as kayak in this silent sound looking out for wildlife from Fiordland penguins and fur seals. Your final couple of nights will be back on dry land at Cabot Lodge, where you take part in a wide variety of daily adventure activities, you can participate in a variety of lodge-based activities from kayaking to heli-hiking or can opt to explore the surrounding landscape from its wetlands to forest, mountains to lakes and even glaciers. Enjoy an adventurous guided day excursion hiking from Te Anau to Lake Marian amongst forest and alpine scenery. Begin with a gentle walk alongside a series of waterfalls, becoming steeper and rocky underfoot as you ascend through a lush forest of fuchsia, ribbon wood and beech trees. There are ample opportunities for you to stop for photographs, bird-watching and enjoying the scenery as you go. Making the most of your last drop od adventure before you return home.

    Where to stay

    Cabot Lodge (4 nights)
    Cabot Lodge

    Alternative Places to Stay Nearby

    More Experiences in This Area

Price Guide: (Per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)

Departing Price from*
  • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
  • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
  • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
 		Deposit from * Enquire
October 2025 SGD $34,400 SGD $5,200 plan your trip
November 2025 SGD $38,100 SGD $5,700 plan your trip
December 2025 SGD $38,100 SGD $5,700 plan your trip
January 2026 SGD $38,100 SGD $5,700 plan your trip
February 2026 SGD $38,100 SGD $5,700 plan your trip
March 2026 SGD $34,400 SGD $5,200 plan your trip
April 2026 SGD $34,400 SGD $5,200 plan your trip
May 2026 SGD $34,400 SGD $5,200 plan your trip
June 2026 SGD $30,800 SGD $4,600 plan your trip
July 2026 SGD $30,800 SGD $4,600 plan your trip
August 2026 SGD $30,800 SGD $4,600 plan your trip
September 2026 SGD $34,400 SGD $5,200 plan your trip
  • October 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $34,400
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,200
  • November 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $38,100
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,700
  • December 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $38,100
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,700
  • January 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $38,100
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,700
  • February 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $38,100
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,700
  • March 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $34,400
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,200
  • April 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $34,400
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,200
  • May 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $34,400
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,200
  • June 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $30,800
    Deposit from*
    SGD $4,600
  • July 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $30,800
    Deposit from*
    SGD $4,600
  • August 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $30,800
    Deposit from*
    SGD $4,600
  • September 2026
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveller pricing is available upon request.
    SGD $34,400
    Deposit from*
    SGD $5,200
  • plan your trip

Experiences in this tour

Lake Wanaka - New Zealand's Great Outdoors
Mountain biking - New Zealand's Great Outdoors
Hiking - New Zealand's Great Outdoors
Kayak the Doubtful Sound - New Zealand's Great Outdoors
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Active South Island
Active South Island

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 212 372 7009 to start planning your holiday.

Plan your trip

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