Exam Buster South Island Tour 2024

DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH

Kia ora and welcome to ‘Te Wai Pounamu’; New Zealand’s South Island!

 

Our tour kicks off with a fun evening as we meet our fellow travelling crew and friendly Tour Manager and Tour assistants.

 

Tonight, we have our first home cooked meal; a delicious duo of dinner and dessert and then discuss the exciting days ahead!

 

Includes: First group dinner | Discuss the exciting days ahead | Meet your crew

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DAY 2 CHRISTCHURCH - KAIKOURA

Christchurch is our largest city in the South Island and following the 2010-11 earthquakes, this city has re-emerged as a vibrant, ever changing city.

 

This morning starts off with a city tour to see the devastation that hit Christchurch and what enormous efforts are going ahead to rebuild this amazing city.  

 

After lunch, we drive north to the coastal township of Kaikoura and visit one of our special NZET spots where we get to see a seal colony up close and personal!

 

Tonight, head to the beach for a refreshing swim, relax in the spa and get ready for another delicious dinner.

 

Includes: Breakfast | Christchurch city tour | Visit a seal colony | Dinner

 

DAY 3 KAIKOURA - MOTUEKA

Kaikoura is well known for its abundance of marine life and this morning you have an opportunity to experience the unforgettable sight of whales or go swimming with dolphins (at your own cost)

 

If you don’t feel like getting wet, there is also an optional boat trip to view these amazing creatures instead.

 

This afternoon we make our way to Motueka, home for our next two nights and situated beside the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park.

 

Includes: Breakfast | Optional Swimming with Dolphins | Optional Whale Watching |  Dinner

 

DAY 4 MOTUEKA

We rise bright and early to take advantage of this paradise!

 

We enjoy the ultimate sea kayaking experience and explore the beautiful golden beaches, peaceful coves and lagoons, offshore islands, wildlife and the native forest.
 

Stopping at our secluded beach, we have a picnic lunch and enjoy some free time to relax and go swimming before our trek back to the mainland.

 

Includes: Breakfast | Hiking | Sea Kayaking | Picnic lunch |  Dinner

 

DAY 5 MOTUEKA - FRANZ JOSEF

Have your cameras ready as our drive takes us through the Buller Gorge and the spectacular West Coast. We visit the famous Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) and have time to explore the rocks and blowholes before making our way to Hokitika where you will be able to grab lunch and look around the shops.

 

From here we travel to Franz Josef where we stay overnight. You may wish to take a Scenic Helicopter (at a very special NZET price) and experience the awe-inspiring scenery of Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers as you climb to 6000ft.

 

Tonight, the pizza is on us and later take a walk to see the Glowworms. 

 

Includes: Breakfast | Pancake Rocks  | Dinner

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DAY 6 FRANZ JOSEF - WANAKA

Another spectacular day as we travel through three National Parks and even more awesome scenery.

 

This morning we walk around Lake Mattheson 

 

From here we head to Wanaka, a place of breathtaking lakes and mountains.

 

We stop at Puzzling World, the world’s first modern-style maze and a deceptive, frustrating, confusing and definitely out of the ordinary experience!

 

Later we have some time to explore the town or walk to the famous tree growing in the lake. 

Includes: Breakfast | Haast Pass| Puzzling World 

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DAY 7 WANAKA - TE ANAU 

Today we travel through the spectacular Kawarau Gorge where our first stop is the famous AJ Hackett base, the birthplace of bungy and one of the most famous attractions in Queenstown.

 

We watch the secrets of bungy and then for those of you who dare... you have time for an optional 43m bungy off Kawarau Bridge! It's then time to capture our awesome crew with a professional group photo.

From here we travel onto Te Anau where we have some free time before having a thrilling Jetboat Ride. 

As night falls, we head outside to check out the amazing stars 

 

Includes: Breakfast | Secrets of Bungy |  Dinner

 

DAY 8 TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN

This monring we travel into  the mystical wilderness of Fiordland National Park

We travel via the Mirror Lakes,  through the famous ‘Homer Tunnel’. to Milford Sound. Here we trade our coach for the Milford Mariner and cruise out to the open sea.

 

We have plenty of time to view the spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife within this amazing World heritage Park.  

We retrace our steps and travel to Queenstown - the Adventure Capital of New Zealand and home to the latest and greatest activities from bungy jumping to whitewater rafting and canyon swinging. 

Dinner tonight is your choice at one of the many cafes and restaurants in town.

 

Includes: Breakfast |   Milford Sound Cruise  |  Homer Tunnel |  Dinner 

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DAY 9 QUEENSTOWN

Today is a free day and time to make the most of the adventure activities on offer! With special NZET prices, try a Canyon Swing, Nevis Bungy, or Skydive or any of the other thrilling activities.

 

Do you feel like dangling on a high wire cable 134 metres over the valley floor? Then try the Nevis.

 

If jumping or being released from 109 metres into a canyon with over 70 different jumpstyles, try the Canyon Swing.

 

This afternoon we meet again to  sit back and relax in the Skyline Gondola which carries you 450 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak. Followed by 3 crazy luge rides down. 

 

(Remember, as long as we have your natural parent’s permission for the activities on offer, we will organise all of these activities for you while on tour).

 

Includes: Breakfast | Free day for Optional Activities | Gondola and 3 Luge Rides |  Dinner

 

DAY 10 QUEENSTOWN - TEKAPO

Our morning starts off with a spectacular Jet boat ride on the mighty Shotover River. In the heart of one of New Zealands most historic gold mining regions, we have an unforgettable 40-minute ride through the gorge.

 

We then have a stunning scenic drive as we travel through the Mackenzie Country stopping at  Lake Pukaki for spectacular views of Mount Cook - New Zealand’s highest Mountain. then onto Tekapo. 

 

We enjoy a soak  in the Tekapo Hot Pools before visiting the  famous ‘Church of the Good Shepherd' followed by the Collie Dog Memorial 

 

Tonight is our final night of the tour and a very a special evening. We have some final night fun with a mix of games, presentations and dinner party. Bring your tissues because tonight is full of laughs but also tears as you realise we have to say good bye tomorrow.

 

Includes: Breakfast | Jet boat ride | Church of the Good Shepherd | Tekapo Hot Pools   |  Final night dinner

 

DAY 11 TEKAPO - CHRISTCHURCH - HOME

Our last morning takes us from Tekapo back to Christchurch where we are dropped off at Christchurch Airport with an amazing bunch of new friends and ‘ferntastic’ memories.

 

Includes: Breakfast | Farewell with great memories and new friends

 

We are happy to book your flights to and from the tour and will always try and find the best priced flights available through our preferred airline - Air New Zealand.

The cost of these flights are NOT included in the tour price and are an additional cost along with a $20.00 booking fee.

*Please note, at our discretion, the itinerary is subject to change in the case of unforeseen circumstances.