Southern Explorer

One minute you're stuck in that boring home routine, 'nek minnit' you're landing in Christchurch, meeting a bunch of people who are 100% different but 100% the same - and making tracks to one of New Zealand's most famous glaciers. First stop? Historic Hokitika. Head to the beach and find the quirky sculpture made by the locals. Buy a pounamu (greenstone) for good luck. And give 'mountain oysters' a try (hint: Google it first). We'll make a photo stop at Lake Matheson to make your friends back home jealous AF - before rolling into the jaw-dropping Franz Josef Glacier region. After tucking into an included dinner with the gang, you could seek out the resident glow worms on an after-dark adventure - just ask your in-the-know Trip Leader.

Included today:
- Visit Hokitika
- Visit Lake Matheson
- Stay in the scenic Franz Josef Glacier region

Meals:
- Dinner

Rise and shine! If the weather is good, you'll have the chance to explore this chilly playground on an optional Heli-hike. Strap on your crampons and pile into the chopper - we'll head up to 800m above sea level to explore the maze of ice formations with an expert local guide. Or go all-out with a scenic flight that'll leave you with goosebumps and a full camera roll. Then: we'll turn our attention to the adventure capital of the world. Get the lay of the land with your Trip Leader, then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the bay area or holed up in World Bar - with world-famous teapot cocktails, it's the perfect spot to make a plan for next three days.

Optional activities:
- Glacier Heli-hike excursion: from $499
- Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier: from $280

Meals:
- Breakfast

If Queenstown had a Tinder profile it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenalin junkie to share adventures with. And be filled with pics of people throwing themselves off extreme heights. Swiping right? Hell yes! Skydiving. Bungy jumping. Jet boating. White water rafting. Canyon swinging. You want it, this place has it. And you’ve got 24hrs to embrace it all. DW if all the above makes you want to run and hide – there’s more here than death-defying antics. Take the skyline gondola for some incred views over Lake Wakatipu. Race your Topdeck buddies on the sky-high luge track. Jump aboard the TSS Earnslaw for a scenic cruise. Or strap on those Nikes and hike the Ben Lomond Saddle Loop – the views are worth the sore legs in the morning. Trust us. Tonight, head to Winnies and tuck into pizzas with toppings you can’t prepare for – they’re that good.

Optional activities:
- Jet boating in Queenstown: from $159
- Canyon swinging in Queenstown: from $249
- Bungy jumping in Queenstown: from $205
- Skydiving in Queenstown: from $359

Meals:
- Breakfast

Today, we’ll take a break from all the high-octane screaming with a day trip to the mesmerising Milford Sound. Plaster your face to the window as we take the scenic route through Fiordland National Park. Then, the main event: a cruise on the Milford fjord complete with thundering waterfalls, razor-edge cliffs and resident seals. This place is National Geographic on steroids (like Schwarzenegger steroids). Tuck into lunch on board surrounded by a view you’ll tell your children (12 cats) about for years to come. Then, back in Queenstown – gather the gang and see if the nightlife here really lives up to the rep.

Included today:
- Scenic cruise on Milford Sound (including lunch)

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Didn’t tick everything off? We’ve got your back – here’s another free day we prepared earlier. Head into Mount Aspiring National Park on a Wilderness Jet adventure. Jump in a funyak down the Dart River (like a kayak, but better). Or conquer the wild Shotover River on an adrenalin-pumping whitewater rafting experience. If you’d rather cruise in the slow-lane, sip your way through the Otago region on a wine tour or get your Fergburger take-away and head up to Queenstown Gardens for stunning views over The Remarkables. Tonight, we’ll get the gang together for an included dinner. Then? Head to the Cookie Bar. We’re talking: warm cookies, freakshakes, s’more, ice-cream...*wipes drool from chin*.

Optional activities:
- Funyaking in Queenstown: from $399
- Wilderness Jet adventure in Queenstown: from $259
- Whitewater rafting down the Shotover River: from $239

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Ok, nobody panic – the adventure is coming to a close. But we’re sure as hell not done yet! Set the course for Arrowtown and stretch out those calves – there’s a cycle along the banks of the historic Arrow River in store for today. Venture through some ‘holy-sh*t’-worthy scenery, cross awe-inspiring suspension bridges and try not to stack it in front of your trip mates. Then: press your nose to the window and soak up all the stunning views racing past the coach window as we make our way to our lakeside-lodge for the night. Nestled between towering mountains and overlooking the sparkling lake, this is the perfect place to spend the last night of our southern expedition. We’re gonna give this trip the send-off it deserves at tonight’s final group dinner.

Included today:
- Mountain biking in Arrowtown

Meals:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Squeeze in one last pano at Lake Tekapo before we make tracks for Christchurch. After an orientation tour of the city with your Trip Leader – it’s time to say goodbye. 7 days. Countless thrills, spills and good times. You embraced it all and shared the ride with a bunch of strangers who are now like family. Reunion trip next year? 100%.

Included today:
- Orientation tour of Christchurch

Meals:
- Breakfast