New Zealand South Island Express: Hostel Adventure – 9 Days
A budget South Island loop with hostel dorms and free time for adventure.
Tour overview
This 9-day trip is a fast, budget-friendly loop of the South Island with a local leader and a group of up to sixteen. You stay eight nights in multi-share hostel dorms with shared bathrooms, with breakfast most days, leaving plenty of budget for optional adventures.
From Christchurch you drive to Lake Tekapo and the little Church of the Good Shepherd, then over the mountains to Queenstown for two days to bungy, jet boat, hike or simply take in the lakes.
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Laid-back Wanaka comes next, then the West Coast and two nights at Franz Josef, where you can walk towards the glacier or take an optional heli-hike, before travelling up the coast via Hokitika and Greymouth back to Christchurch.
The physical rating is low. This trip suits younger and budget travellers happy to share dorms in exchange for a low price.
Trip highlights
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Lake Tekapo (Day 2)
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Queenstown (Days 3–4)
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Wanaka (Day 5)
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Franz Josef Glacier (Days 6–7)
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The wild West Coast (Day 8)
Your route
9 stops from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass
- Christchurch Days 1 & 8–9
- Lake Tekapo Day 2
- Queenstown Days 3–4
- Arrowtown Day 5
- Wanaka Day 5
- Franz Josef Days 6–7
- Hokitika Day 8
- Greymouth Day 8
- Arthur's Pass Day 8
Why choose this tour
The South Island at a low price. Free time for adventure activities.
Best suited to
- Budget travellers
- Younger travellers
- Solo travellers
- Adventure seekers
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days from Christchurch, New Zealand to Christchurch, New Zealand
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Day 1 · Christchurch Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand.
- Hotel
- Hostel
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Day 2 · Christchurch, Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo
To Lake Tekapo.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Queenstown Queenstown
Into Queenstown.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Queenstown Queenstown
A free day for adventure.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Wanaka Wanaka
To Wanaka.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Haast Pass, Franz Josef Franz Josef
Over to the West Coast.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef
The glacier.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Hokitika, Greymouth, Christchurch Christchurch
Up the coast.
- Hotel
- Hostel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Christchurch Christchurch
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Christchurch (1 night) Hostel
- Lake Tekapo (1 night) Hostel
- Queenstown (2 nights) Hostel
- Wanaka (1 night) Hostel
- Franz Josef (2 nights) Hostel
- Christchurch (1 night) Hostel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights in multi-share hostels
- Meals 8 breakfasts
- Private vehicle throughout
- Christchurch city tour
- Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- Optional activities such as bungy and heli-hikes
- Most meals
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a private room
- You want most meals included
- You want comfortable hotels
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £924 per person, twin share, tour only. 61 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
UK citizens do not need a visa but must have an NZeTA (electronic travel authority) before travelling.
What is the accommodation like?
Multi-share hostel dorms of 4–8 beds with shared bathrooms; you may share with other guests.
Are activities included?
Sightseeing is included; bungy, jet boats and heli-hikes are optional extras.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast on most days.
How many people travel together?
No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary