New Zealand
South Island Escape
Tour Guide
Discover useful pre-departure information, important trip details, and a route guide for your South Island Escape Premium Tour.
New Zealand's #1 Rated Tours
Your Essential Guide
Planning a New Zealand premium small group tour on our South Island Escape route? Explore our guide to discover important travel details and help you plan an unforgettable New Zealand adventure.
Check-In / Return
CHECK-IN - CHRISTCHURCH
Your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at the Wyndham Garden Christchurch City Hotel at 9.00 am. Please meet your guide outside in the parking area and arrive at least 10 mins before this time to allow for a timely departure.
We will email you 3 days before your tour departure with your guide's contact information. Please be aware that phone contact with your guide is only possible from the Saturday when your tour commences. Prior to this, your guide will be busy focusing on their current tour group.
IMPORTANT: If you have any questions before the day your tour departs, please contact the office customer service team:
EMAIL: hello@wildkiwi.com
PHONE: +64 9 973 5676
They will be more than happy to help with any queries you have.
DROP-OFF LOCATION
After a final breakfast, we start our travel back to Christchurch where you will arrive mid-afternoon. Your guide can drop you back to Christchurch CBD or Christchurch Airport. If catching a flight from Christchurch Airport on the final day of your tour, please ensure any domestic flight departs after 5 pm and any international flight departs after 7 pm.
Getting There
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
If you are travelling from overseas then you will arrive at Christchurch International Airport into the International Terminal. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival.
If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive into the Domestic Terminal.
Airport Transfer
Travel Time from the airport to the city centre is approximately 15 - 20 minutes. Uber and Ola are available, just download the app and follow the instructions.
Taxis
Travel time from the city centre to the airport is approximately 15-20 minutes. Prices vary by taxi company and you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around $45-$65. Your taxi is charged $5.50 to collect or deliver you to Christchurch Airport.
Corporate Cabs (Pre-book): 0800808544
Blue Star Taxi’s: 033799799
Airport Taxi: 0272300782
Super Shuttle: 0800 748 885
This is an affordable door-to-door shuttle service. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the Airport if availability allows.
Itinerary
Milford Sound
Franz Josef Glacier
Lake Tekapo
Stargazing at Mt John Observatory
Church of the Good Shepherd
Kayak Milford Sound
Queenstown
Jetboating Queenstown
South Island Escape
Departs Christchurch
All Year Round - Guaranteed Departures
Maximum Group Size - 14 people
7 Days
Embark on a 7-day luxury tour through the natural wonderland of New Zealand's South Island. Experience Queenstown, the adventure capital, cruise Milford Sound, hike Franz Josef glacier, and discover breathtaking vistas for an unforgettable adventure.
Travel Tips
Our Sustainability Commitment
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Tiaki means to care for people and places. The Tiaki promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand for now and for future generations and by joining the Wild Kiwi family you are a part of what Tiaki means.
From the outset, our mission has been to nurture both our communities and the environment, aligning with and advocating for The Tiaki Promise.
We are committed to continuous improvements in environmental, economic & social sustainability and want to make sure we all travel more responsibly.
While on your Wild Kiwi adventure, we ask that you make a commitment to New Zealand by following the Tiaki promise. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.
Where To Stay
There are some outstanding places to stay in Christchurch if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your tour.
We recommend the Wyndham Garden Christchurch Hotel in the CBD or the Sudima Hotel at Christchurch Airport.
Wyndham Garden Christchurch Hotel
Address: 64 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013
Phone: 03 2440101
Sudima Hotel
Address: 550 Memorial Avenue, Harewood, Christchurch 8053
Phone: 03 3583139
Tour Activities
As you travel around New Zealand there will be heaps to see and do. You will also have the choice of a variety of optional activities. Don’t feel limited to these options, just chat with your Guide and they will be happy to make recommendations and get you booked into any activity you are interested in!
All activities are optional. What's wonderful about this is that it puts you in the driver's seat to craft your own adventure. You get to choose which activities you'd like to include in your tour, or perhaps opt for some free time to explore the area at your own pace, like embarking on a scenic hike.
As part of making the tour zero-stress, your guide will handle the bookings of all of your activities for you whilst on the road, so all you have to do is decide what to tick off your bucket list first.
We hold allocations on the most popular activities to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything whilst on tour or to pre-book your activities.
Get in touch
If you have any further questions about your tour, please email hello@wildkiwi.com or book in a call with one of our team. If you or anyone you are travelling with has any particular health needs or allergies let us know.
