New Zealand Trails

5-21 day, all-inclusive, guided adventure tours

Intro Map Itinerary Reviews Dates Activity Level Accommodation FAQs

The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South

Discover Milford Sound, Stewart Island and day walk on our favourite New Zealand Great Walks including the Kepler Track, Milford Track and Routeburn Track.

On The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure you'll day walk on the best parts of the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Kepler Track and Rakiura Track over five unforgettable days in Fiordland and Stewart Island. 

If you want to experience New Zealand's Great Walks at a relaxed pace without the crowds and end each day with a superb restaurant meal and a comfortable hotel bed then this all-inclusive guided tour is for you. On The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure, you’ll day walk on four of the best New Zealand Great Walks, with your experienced Kiwi guide looking after you every step of the way. Walk at a relaxed pace, reconnect with nature, and rest your head at the end of each day in supremely comfortable accommodations. You’ll quickly feel the stresses and strains of everyday life melt away. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the adventure.

Explore UNESCO World Heritage areas, gaze up at the towering mountains and waterfalls on a nature cruise of Milford Sound, journey over Foveaux Strait on a scenic plane ride to Stewart Island, spot a Kiwi bird on Ulva Island, and soar over the peaks of Fiordland on the Kepler Track heli-hike. This is five days of the very best of Fiordland, Stewart Island and New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Activity Level 2 to 4: Designed for you to have maximum flexibility. You can scale your activity level up to a 4, down to a 2, or anywhere in between every day so you can enjoy New Zealand at a pace that's right for you. Walk on well-formed tracks and enjoy a mixture of day walks and activities that showcase the best of New Zealand. Click here for a full breakdown of The Great Walk Adventure - South activity level.

Trip Style: At New Zealand Trails we've perfected small-group travel and on this guided tour you'll experience local hospitality at its best. Experience New Zealand's Great Walks at a relaxed pace without the crowds, enjoy local cuisine in New Zealand’s best restaurants and eateries and rest your head at the end of each day in perfectly located ensuite hotels.

Click here to download the The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South itinerary

5 Days

South
ISLAND

map
Starts

Queenstown

Finishes

Queenstown

Activity level 2 - 4

Accommodation

Hotels

Price
NZD$4799 NZD$7999 AUD$4799 USD$4299.00 +tax GBP£3899 CAD$5699.00 +tax
ALL INCLUSIVE!

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The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South Route Map

GW MAP

The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day

1

Queenstown
Day walk on the Routeburn Track

Includes

Lunch
Dinner

Meals
Activities
Walking Sightseeing
Accommodation

Queenstown

River at Routeburn Flats
best of Routeburn river native bush happy group copy Routeburn Track

Day 1 - Day walk on the Routeburn Track

This morning you will meet your local guide and fellow travellers in Queenstown before heading to Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. This is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand and you’ll be greeted by mountain peaks and endless impressive vistas before we reach the first of our Great Walks, the Routeburn Track.

Your guide will fill you in on the local history and special flora and fauna of the area as you walk through beautiful native beech forest alongside a crystal clear glacial river. Our destination today is the expansive open meadow at Routeburn Flats, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch alongside the Routeburn River.

Refreshed from today’s wilderness experience we’ll head back to Queenstown to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants.

Tonight we stay at Queenstown Ramada Central*

Day

2

Helicopter to Mt Luxmore
Day walk on the Kepler Track

Includes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Meals
Activities
Walking Sightseeing Helicopter
Accommodation

Te Anau

Kepler Heli Hike guest photo blue sky views
Kepler Track Cheeky kea playful Kepler Heli-hike

Day 2 - Helicopter ride and day walk on Kepler Track

This morning we’ll travel south tracing the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the open plains and tussocks of the Southern high country to reach Fiordland National Park and our second Great Walk, the Kepler Track.

We’ll be met at the helipad by our local Fiordland guide before taking a spectacular flight over the hidden lakes and beech forest of Mt Luxmore and touching down in the alpine area of Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track. Panoramic views of the Te Anau basin and the mountains of Fiordland will greet us and our local nature guide will teach you about the unique flora, fauna and history of this remote area.

This afternoon we’ll walk through beautiful beach forest and alongside towering limestone rock formations as we descend down to Brod Bay, the pick-up point for our cruise back to Te Anau, our resting place tonight.

If helicopters aren't really your thing, that's no worries at all, your New Zealand Trails guide will be able to take you on a day walk through the forest floor instead.

Tonight we stay at Distinction Te Anau*

Day

3

Milford Sound Cruise
Day walk on the Milford Track

Includes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Meals
Activities
Walking BoatCruise Sightseeing
Accommodation

Te Anau

Arthur River, Milford Track
Milford Sound cruise Giants Gate Falls, Milford Track

Day 3 - Day walk on the Milford Track and cruise Milford Sound

Today we’ll journey through some of the most spectacular and dramatic views in the country. We leave Te Anau and head through to Milford Sound, the Eighth Wonder of the World. There are many highlights along the drive including the glacier-carved Eglinton Valley, the Divide and Homer Tunnel, keep an eye out for the cheeky Kea, NZ’s alpine parrot.

When we arrive in Milford Sound we’ll board a small boat that will take us across the fiord to the world-famous Milford Track, your third Great Walk of the trip. We’ll walk through this unique World Heritage area underneath a canopy of towering emerald-green ferns to the tumbling falls of Giant’s Gate. Be sure to take a moment to take in the birdsong that echoes through the forest.

This afternoon we’ll take a nature cruise on Milford Sound. We’ll check out Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully and the dramatic Mitre Peak as we make our way towards the Tasman Sea. This is your chance to learn more about the unique Fiordland environment from your Milford Sound guide on board while enjoying the sights and sounds of waterfalls tumbling down around you.

Tonight we stay at Distinction Te Anau*

Day

4

Stewart Island
Day walk on the Rakiura Track

Includes

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Meals
Activities
Walking Plane Sightseeing
Accommodation

Stewart Island

Stewart Island
5. Group picture Beach front Stewart Island 2 rakiura track scenic view

Day 4 – Scenic flight to Stewart Island and day walk on the Rakiura Track

Today we’re venturing further off the beaten track to Stewart Island and Rakiura National Park. Tucked off the southern coast of the South Island, Stewart Island is the smallest of our main islands. A haven for brown kiwi birds, who outnumber the 400 humans on the island, and part of New Zealand’s Dark Sky Reserve, Stewart Island is a paradise of untouched rugged peaks and rainforest.

This morning we’ll take a scenic flight across Foveaux Strait and touch down in Oban, the main settlement of Stewart Island. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring our fourth Great Walk, the Rakiura Track. We’ll walk from Lee Bay to Māori Beach, which in the early 1900s was a bustling settlement. Today the rainforest hides most of what remains of the early village but remnants of the boiler and steam engine used by the old sawmill can still be found, along with clumps of montbretia and bluebells - legacies from the sawmiller's cottages.

Tonight we’ll return to Oban where we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at the local tavern, the best place in New Zealand to try our famous blue cod. Stewart Island is known as Rakiura which means ‘the land of glowing skies’ and tonight you’ll be able to experience some of the best stargazing straight from the balcony at your accommodation.

Tonight we stay at Bay Motel Rakiura*

Day 4 Optional Add-ons

Below are some of the optional add-ons you can also enjoy:


Optional Kiwi Encounter Tour

This evening you'll have the option of going on a Kiwi Encounter Tour. At dusk, you will depart from Stewart Island's Halfmoon Bay for a cruise across Paterson Inlet to Little Glory Cove. During the cruise, you will pass Ulva Island (a predator-free sanctuary) and learn about Stewart Island's rich history. As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, you will venture by torchlight through the native forest, with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45 minutes one-way and the track will emerge onto Ocean Beach. This wide sandy beach is where kiwi are often found feeding among the grasses and seaweed. Here in the darkness, you will get to see the Southern brown kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) - often searching for food.




NZD$229
Day

5

Stewart Island
Explore Ulva Island

Includes

Breakfast
Lunch

Meals
Activities
Sightseeing Walking
Accommodation

Finish in Queenstown

Lake Wakatipu
Earnslaw, Queenstown Weka Bird at Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Day 5 - Explore Ulva Island & finish in Queenstown

On the final morning of the trip, you’ll explore the untouched paradise of Ulva Island. This small predator-free island measuring just 3.5km is tucked just off the coast of Stewart Island. We'll take a short boat ride across to this beautiful island sanctuary that is home to flourishing populations of kiwi, saddleback and yellowhead birds. Ulva Island is a haven for bird lovers, nature enthusiasts and the perfect place to explore on our last day together. 

We'll then return to the mainland. Our last journey together is a scenic trip through tussock country and small farming towns, before tracing the shoreline of the Lake Wakatipu back to Queenstown. Once there, it’s time to say goodbye to your guide and other travellers as we drop you at the airport or your accommodation.

If you’re joining us to explore the North Island on our Sweet North trip, we’ll ensure a smooth transition for you. If not, we hope to see you again soon!

*For logistical reasons, we may make small changes to our itineraries or accommodation from time to time.

Dropoff Information

Today your guide will drop you off either at Queenstown Airport or your Queenstown accommodation.

5.00pm Queenstown Airport 

             OR

5.30pm Queenstown Accommodation

**When booking flights please make sure that your flight departs from Queenstown no earlier than 6pm Domestic or 7pm International.

Don’t take our word for it...

Michele Fisk 1k
Brilliant! A once in a lifetime achievement. Absolutely a wonderful experience both the scenery and the tour structure. It was perfect that all dietary requirements were catered to without any difficulty. Loved the ease of transport and the transfers to the various hikes and activities.
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Michele Fisk (Great Walks, December 23)

Star
Sandy Abrams 1001
New Zealand Trails, from first contact to the last moment of my Great Walks trip, was fabulous! From the info and pictures in the brochure to the materials provided to prepare for the trip and the daily care to the organization by our guides, we were provided with the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand while eating well and sleeping comfortably. Thanks to everyone at New Zealand Trails for allowing me to reach a life goal.
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Sandy Abrams (Great Walks, January 24)

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Customer rating:

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The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South Accommodation

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Frequently asked questions

It's very important to us that you have all your questions answered about our New Zealand Great Walk Adventure. We’ve collected some of the questions we get asked most often and answered them below. Or visit our general FAQ page here for more answers!

And if you still can’t find the answers you need, give us a call or send us an email and we’ll help you out!

Which National Parks and Great Walks does the The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure visit?

How fit do I need to be for The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

What is the accommodation like on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

What time does The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure start and finish?

What are the bathroom facilities like on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

Is there electricity at all of the places we stay on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

Will I have WiFi or internet access throughout the trip?

What’s included in The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

What’s not included in The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

What kind of people will be on The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

Is The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure suitable for families?

Can you organise a private trip of The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure for me and my family/friends?

Tell me about your safety standards

How old are the people on your tours?

How hard are the hikes and activities – how fit do I have to be?

Do I have to pay extra if I'm travelling by myself?

Do you need any outdoors experience for The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure?

How many people will be on my trip?

What does going on a guided trip entail?

Can you help with pre/post-trip accommodation and flights?

How do we get around New Zealand? What happens with my luggage?

More frequently asked questions

Activity Level

The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South trip is an activity level 2 to 4. Designed for you to have maximum flexibility. You can scale your activity level up to a 4, down to a 2, or anywhere in between every day so you can enjoy New Zealand at a pace that's right for you. Walk on well-formed tracks and enjoy a mixture of day walks and activities that showcase the best of New Zealand.

Elevation Maps & Hike Information

Tour dates

Explore Stewart Island, Milford Sound and day walk on four of the best of Fiordland's Great Walks. Combine this trip with the Sweet North for 10 days of the best of New Zealand.

We regularly organise private trips for specialist groups, clubs, extended families and groups of friends wishing to travel together and would be more than happy to help you with your travel plans.

Thinking of visiting New Zealand in the next year or so?

We only run a limited number of departures each year and as you can see below, they fill up months in advance! Most of our guests lock in their trips at least a year out from travelling so they don't miss out on their preferred dates. If you have specific dates in mind, let’s chat!

2024

GREAT WALKS SOUTH
02 Apr 2024 - 06 Apr 2024
Nearly Full - Only three spots left!
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Only three spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
13 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
Nearly Full - Only one spot left!
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Only one spot left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
15 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
22 Oct 2024 - 26 Oct 2024
Nearly Full - Only five spots left!
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Only five spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
03 Nov 2024 - 07 Nov 2024
Nearly Full - Only six spots left!
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Only six spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
10 Nov 2024 - 14 Nov 2024
Nearly Full - Only five spots left!
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Only five spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
26 Nov 2024 - 30 Nov 2024
Full - Sold out.
Full
Sold out.
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
01 Dec 2024 - 05 Dec 2024
Full
Full
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
10 Dec 2024 - 14 Dec 2024
Filling Up
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
15 Dec 2024 - 19 Dec 2024
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2025

GREAT WALKS SOUTH
07 Jan 2025 - 11 Jan 2025
Nearly Full - Only four spots left!
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Only four spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
17 Jan 2025 - 21 Jan 2025
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
26 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025
Nearly Full - Only six spots left!
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Only six spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
09 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025
Filling Up
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
23 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025
Nearly Full - Only two spots left!
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Only two spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
09 Mar 2025 - 13 Mar 2025
Filling Up
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
16 Mar 2025 - 20 Mar 2025
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
23 Mar 2025 - 27 Mar 2025
Nearly Full - Only three spots left!
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Only three spots left!
GREAT WALKS SOUTH
01 Apr 2025 - 05 Apr 2025
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
04 Nov 2025 - 08 Nov 2025
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
25 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025
Filling Up
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
09 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025
Great
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2026

GREAT WALKS SOUTH
06 Jan 2026 - 10 Jan 2026
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
20 Jan 2026 - 24 Jan 2026
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
27 Jan 2026 - 31 Jan 2026
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
17 Feb 2026 - 21 Feb 2026
Filling Up
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
24 Feb 2026 - 28 Feb 2026
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
17 Mar 2026 - 21 Mar 2026
Great
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GREAT WALKS SOUTH
31 Mar 2026 - 04 Apr 2026
Great
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The New Zealand Great Walk Adventure - South – ready to book?

Ready to start your New Zealand adventure?

Your New Zealand 'Trip of a Lifetime' - with New Zealand's best walks, very comfortable accommodation, great food, iconic New Zealand activities in a friendly, small-group setting led by your local guide.

What’s included:

Local Kiwi guide, small groups

All inclusive

All food, transportation and activities

The very best accommodation

Local naturalist guides

Helicopter transfer

NZD$4799 AUD$4799 USD$4299.00+tax GBP£3899 NZD$7999 CAD$5699.00+tax
per person (twin or double share)

New Zealand Great Walk - Milford Track

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