The South Island is the largest island of the two main islands in New Zealand and is home to some of the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever see as well as some of the most down-to-earth locals you’ll ever meet.
From native bush, to glacial valleys, mountain ranges, star-filled skies, and unique wildlife, nature's best flourishes against a palette of dramatic scenes.
The largest city in the South Island is Christchurch, known as the Garden City because of its many beautiful gardens, and tree-lined streets. Premier alpine resort Queenstown is the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, discovery and rejuvenation.
Take a look at our range of South Island hiking, cycling and mulit-adventures below, and join us on an experience you'll never forget!
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From IntroductoryTo Challenging
6Days
Moderate
5Days
Introductory to Moderate
15Days
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As a general rule, November to April are the most ideal months for travelling in New Zealand’s stunning outdoors. One of the most important things travellers need to know about the New Zealand climate is that it’s a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses.
Thanks to its position in the path of the ‘Roaring 40s’ and mountainous terrain, New Zealand’s weather can frequently change with amazing rapidity. Because the weather can change so unexpectedly you should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions. This basically means having a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing. You don’t need to bring your winter wardrobe but a good fleece/jumper and good thermals are a must.
The temperature during the South Island summers range from 10-30 ºC, with a pleasant 40- 50% humidity. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler and snowfall is not uncommon even in summer. The Southern Alps act as a barrier to the moisture laden winds coming west across the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate on the west side of the mountains and a drier climate on the east side. The geography also creates a wind pattern, which can in summer be very hot, dry and fierce. Maximum temperatures we may encounter range up to 30°C. Minimum temperatures expected in the Southern Alps in Summer time are around -5°C. Weather is an integral facet of any mountain range and getting to understand and work with this major environmental factor is what will make you more prepared for your tour – any questions about what to expect on your tour talk to one of our sales team.
New Zealand is +12 hours ahead of UTC/GMT
New Zealand has 3 official languages: English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language.
New Zealand’s multi-ethnic society means that around 150 additional languages are spoken by different communities.
Maori language takes its roots from Eastern Polynesia, however, following settlement in New Zealand by Polynesian groups from the 13th century, Maori developed as a unique language distinct from other Polynesian languages. At the time of New Zealand’s 2013 Census, there were 148,395 Maori language speakers. Maori language is spoken mainly in the North Island, where the bulk of New Zealand’s Maori population resides.
New Zealand Dollar
There are opportunities to change money at banks during the tour or you may wish to change it when arriving at the airport.
In some of the rural areas that we visit there aren’t any banks and sometimes when there is a bank it could be shut when we arrive.
ATM machines are widespread throughout New Zealand, except when travelling through rural areas such as the West Coast.
Visa and Master card are the most widely accepted credit cards and we would recommend them for most expenses. American Express has limited use in NZ and it is only accepted in some centres.
A currency converter you may find helpful is www.xe.com.
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Electricity in New Zealand is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is I. (Aust - 3 flat prong).
Visas are not required for passport holders from the following countries visiting New Zealand for a stay of up to 3 months; Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom
However you should possess:
A passport that is valid for at least 3 months after your departure from New Zealand
An onward or return ticket to a country you have permission to enter
Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.
Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.
We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.