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New Zealand: The South Island
Guided
While most walking tours of New Zealand’s South Island skip over its majestic north coast, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the best of the island! On this unique Country Walkers adventure, you’ll explore the Southern Alps, Marlborough Sounds, and the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park.
Discover New Zealand
Heralded as one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, New Zealand is a paradise for walking—or “tramping,” as the locals might say. Here you will walk amid a wilderness that is nothing short of astonishing.
Snow-capped peaks slope down into dense tropical woodlands that harbor over two-hundred native bird species, across a land whose geographic isolation allowed countless varieties of unique flora and fauna to develop without influence from other parts of the world.
Traverse the easy sloping trails of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of the nine New Zealand “Great Walks,” a hike that seems to combine all of the island’s distinct geography in one trail: lush savannas, granite cliffs, and vast golden sand beaches. Explore hidden ocean inlets and freshwater pools while kekeno—New Zealand fur seals—frolic on nearby rocks.
Refresh in the sleepy settlement of Marahu, where numerous casual cafes offer fresh local seafood—king salmon, whitebait herring, and crayfish—as well as freshly grown tamarillos, avocados and berries from the wider Tasman region.
Country Highlights
- Follow the banks of glacial riverbeds, tracing the footsteps of ancient Maori settlers and colonial-era gold miners.
- Take a magical night-time stroll through a rainforest, the stars of the Southern Cross glittering above.
- Sample fine wines from Otago during meals at beautiful wilderness lodges and at local restaurants.
- Walk the Te Moeka o Tuawe Valley alongside the hulking Franz Josef Glacier.
The Great Walks
Discover New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes, magnificent wilderness and stunning wildlife when you hike one of the country’s nine Great Walks. Spanning native forests, rugged peaks and vast valleys, each of the trails are well formed, well marked and easy to follow.
Sample New Zealand Wines
New Zealand’s cool yet sunny climate, low rainfall and free-draining, moderately fertile soil produces some of the world’s most unique and delicious wines. Sauvignon Blancs from the nation’s Marlborough region helped make the country an international destination for wine lovers since the 1980s.
Queenstown
From the easy navigable paths of Queenstown Hill to more difficult Ben Lomond, Queenstown, New Zealand is an internationally renowned destination for outdoor adventure, whether you’re a veteran climber or simply want to bask on the quiet shoreline of Lake Wakatipu.
Our Walking & Hiking Tours in New Zealand
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New Zealand: The South Island
Guided Easy to Moderate
Days 8 From $ 5,545 Tour Only
While most walking tours of New Zealand’s South Island skip over its majestic north coast, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the best of the island! On this unique Country Walkers adventure, you’ll explore the Southern Alps, Marlborough Sounds, and the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park.
Expert Local Leaders
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
David Mangnall
With over 30 years of experience working in outdoor education, David is an expert when it comes to New Zealand’s stunning natural landscape. With diplomas in both teaching and outdoor and environmental education, David has an exceptional talent for educating travellers about New Zealand’s remarkable landscape.
With his wealth of experience, including eight years on the management team at Outward Bound New Zealand, David serves an assessor for the New Zealand Outdoor Instructor’s Association in the areas of Bush and Sea Kayak qualifications. He is rated “Technical Expert” for sea kayaking, ropes courses and zip line, coasteering and tramping-and holds a New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Leadership.
In his spare time, David enjoys tramping, mountain biking, bike packing, and skiing adventures, as well as participating in orienteering events.
Stories from New Zealand
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A Nature-Lover’s Guide to New Zealand
The landscapes of this island nation are delightfully diverse—with frosty alpine regions, rainforests, and golden sand beaches all within easy reach in a single day....
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Kicking Off Your New Zealand Walking Vacation in Christchurch
The South Island of New Zealand has a lot to offer the travelers who venture there. It is a cultural and geographical microcosm of a vibrant nation. Although the country’s...
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Six Favorite Highlights of Our Staff
Interested in receiving the inside scoop on a destination? So are we! There’s no better way to find out what makes a tour memorable than to ask the people who...
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