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Interested in joining us on our awesome 11-day New Zealand journey from Picton to Christchurch? Explore the best of what the South Island has to offer, named after the Weka, our bold and inquisitive native bird, known for its 'coo-et' call.
Kick off in Picton amid the Marlborough Sounds, then water taxi into Abel Tasman's golden coves for picnics, canyoning and secluded swims. Then marvel at Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks blowholes and trek Franz Josef's glacier face through misty bush.
Prepare yourself for epic adventures in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the country, you’ll be treated to stunning hikes, iconic Fergburgers, and nightlife buzz. Cruise Milford Sound's waterfalls with seals, penguins, and dolphins.
Stargaze Tekapo's Dark Skies by the Church of the Good Shepherd, then punt Christchurch's Avon and enjoy the street art. All with an expert guide and like-minded adventurers. Which stop’s got you pumped?
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✔️ Guaranteed Departures: All 2025/2026 tours are guaranteed
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Confirm your place now with only a $200 deposit and pay the rest in flexible instalments. Find out more here.
Tour Highlights:
Strademark
Place
Cleopatras Pools: Visit one of Abel Tasman's natural playgrounds on a short walk to Cleopatra's Pool. This water slide totally rocks!
Punakaiki: Dreaming of pancakes stacked as high as these rocks? Grab breakfast and see the spectacular limestone Punakaiki 'Pancake Rocks' and blowholes!
Lake Matheson: Mirror mirror on the wall, what's the greatest New Zealand lake of them all? Take some time to reflect on your trip so far as you stroll around the magnificent Lake Matheson.
Queenstown: YAASSS QUEEN(stown), birthplace of the bungy jump. Spend a few days in the adventure capital of New Zealand that also happens to boast some pretty epic scenery too... You'll probably never want to leave!
Milford Sound: Be memorised by the steep, rainforest-clad mountains surging out of the deep-blue fiords of Milford Sound. See if you can spot New Zealand fur seals, penguins, dolphins and other wildlife.
Lake Pukaki: This lake is so blue da-ba-di-da-ba-di, you'll struggle to even believe it's real! Take advantage of this photo pit-stop on the way into Tekapo and see if you can spot Mount Cook in the background.
Lake Tekapo: Hike up to the Mt John observatory or just stroll around the lakeside Good Shepherd Church, either way you can 'alp' yourself to breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains.
What's included:
10 nights dorm share accommodation is all included. You'll stay in quality comfy hostels and unique locations from scenic lodges close to waterfront to alpine chalets next to a national park!
Activities
During the adventure tour, you will experience the fantastic NZ by joining activities in both islands.
- Abel Tasman National Park tracks and water taxi
- Trip to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Day trip and Cruise to the Milford Sound
- Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo
- Seal Colony in Kaikoura Coast
Meals
10 breakfasts are included on your tour. We've also included other meals here and there, be sure to check your itinerary for details.
Take the pressure off, kick back, relax, soak up the scenery and let someone else do the driving. You'll travel by private, air-conditioned bus.
We are fun and multicultural small group tours with a maximum of 24 passengers plus a driver guide per bus. Most travellers on our Adventure Tour are aged between 18-40 although we have no maximum age because we believe age doesn't matter - it's all about attitude!
Tour Guide
Expect entertaining anecdotes, great recommendations, extra support and local insider knowledge from your charismatic guide. They know every inch of this country. You can't get this from a google search!
Top Rated Experiences
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Spend two days in paradise as you explore the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park.
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Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes before staying in the rainforest at Franz Joseph
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Enjoy a peaceful retreat among the mountains at the Rainforest Retreat Franz Joseph
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Enjoy at stop at the amazing Lake Matheson, known as the mirror-lake
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Enjoy four nights in Queenstown including two full free days
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Look out for the impressive Mitre Peak, lush rainforests, waterfalls and wildlife during a day trip to the iconic Milford Sound
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Discover the wonders of tātai aroraki (Māori astronomy) and its central role in the Māori view of the universe at the Dark Sky Project centre.
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Explore the city and then enjoy the quality hospitality at newly renovated Drifter Christchurch complete with it’s own bar.
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Relax in quality accommodation at Haka House Queenstown & Tekapo.
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Free time in Franz Joseph, Queenstown & Lake Tekapo
Tour Dates:
| 2025 | |||
| ARRIVE PICTON | DEPART CHRISTCHURCH | AVAILABILITY | PAY $200 DEPOSIT |
| 2026 | |||
| 22 JAN | 01 FEB | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 05 FEB | 15 FEB | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 19 FEB | 01 MAR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 05 MAR | 15 MAR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 19 MAR | 29 MAR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 02 APR | 12 APR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 16 APR | 26 APR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 30 APR | 10 MAY | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 14 MAY | 24 MAY | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 28 MAY | 07 JUN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 11 JUN | 21 JUN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 16 JUL | 26 JUL | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 13 AUG | 23 AUG | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 17 SEP | 27 SEP | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 01 OCT | 11 OCT | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 15 OCT | 25 OCT | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 29 OCT | 08 NOV | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 12 NOV | 22 NOV | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 26 NOV | 06 DEC | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 10 DEC | 20 DEC | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 24 DEC | 03 JAN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 2027 |
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| 14 JAN | 24 JAN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 21 JAN | 31 JAN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 04 FEB | 14 FEB | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 18 FEB | 28 FEB | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 04 MAR | 14 MAR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 18 MAR | 28 MAR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 01 APR | 11 APR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 15 APR | 25 APR | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 29 APR | 09 MAY | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 13 MAY | 23 MAY | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 27 MAY | 06 JUN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 17 JUN | 27 JUN | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 15 JUL | 25 JUL | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 12 AUG | 22 AUG | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 09 SEP | 19 SEP | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
| 30 SEP | 10 OCT | BOOK NOW | PAY NOW |
What’s Included:
- Experienced tour guide
- Private coach transport
- 11 days of once in a lifetime experiences
- 10 nights’ accommodation (dorm-style)
- 10 x Breakfasts, 1 x Dinner
- Abel Tasman National Park tracks and water taxi
- Trip to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Day trip and Cruise to the Milford Sound
- Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo
Itinerary
Picton Pick Up Information
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Pick up (3 options):
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Picton - 11:45AM - 12:15PM, The bus stop on Auckland Street outside i-SITE Information Centre (opposite to Picton Railway Station). Subject to change depending on ferry arrival time. Please be ready at the pickup 15 minutes prior to the departure.
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Christchurch - 7:30AM, outside Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street, near Colombo Street. Subject to change. Please be ready at the pickup 15 minutes prior to the departure. Please Note: Your first leg unguided public bus journey ends in Blenheim at approx. 12:40PM. You will meet your Stray Guide outside Blenheim i-SITE Information Centre (The Railway Station). In the event the pickup will significantly delay due to the ferry arrival, we will notify you by email in advance.
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Wellington - Meet your Stray Guide & group outside the Cambridge Hotel (28 Cambridge Terrace) at 6:30AM before heading to check in the Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry together. Subject to change. Please arrive at the Hotel 5 minutes prior to the departure time.
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Drop off: Drifter Christchurch, 96 Lichfield Street, Christchurch. Check out is 10am.
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Our itinerary is a guide. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips and lack of control over New Zealand's weather(!), what we do each day might occasionally vary.
Picton to Marahau (Abel Tasman)
Kia ora (hello)! Your Stray Adventure Journey kicks off from the picturesque harbour town, Picton - the Heart of the Marlborough Sounds. We will then set off through the Marlborough Region to Marahau, our accommodation is situated right on the edge of the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park - perfect for exploring arguably the best National Park in NZ.
Marahau (Abel Tasman)
Count yourself lucky because you have a full day to explore New Zealand’s most popular national park today. From our accommodation we’ll head by water taxi to Anchorage Bay, admiring the park’s natural golden sand beaches and brilliant blue waters along the way. Enjoy a picnic on the beach before checking out Cleopatra’s Pools, moss lined fresh water pools with a natural water slide and then, we’ll walk approximately 4 hours back to our accommodation, stopping along the way to take amazing photos and swim in the secluded bays.
Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Franz Josef
Buckle up for an awesome day driving down the incredibly scenic ‘wild’ West Coast, an area known for its untamed beaches and spectacular rainforest. Through Buller Gorge and down a stretch of road named one of the top drives in the world by Lonely Planet, there’s not much phone reception but you are NOT going to need it – we dare you to peel your eyes away from the window for even just a second. We’ll stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes to explore this unique part of coastline before continuing on to the quaint township of Franz Josef, set amongst the rainforest. Tonight, we’ll have a group dinner together at our accommodation.
Franz Josef
Ice, ice baby! Get ready to experience the Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast. Take a short drive to the beginning of the track. Hike through native bush and across glacial streams to see the terminal face for spectacular photos or just hang out at the Retreat and relax in one of NZ’s largest spa pools.
Franz Josef to Queenstown
It’s another scenic journey today with plenty of photo stops. First up is the amazing Lake Matheson, known as the mirror-lake, for a short walk. We travel inland through the mountainous Haast Pass and alongside beautiful Lake Hawea and into Queenstown. Once settled, put on your dancing shoes and head out to explore this lakeside resort, there are over 100 clubs and bars to choose from in Queenstown!
Queenstown FREE DAYS
Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! You’ve got 2 full days in the adventure capital. With awesome night life, beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place.
Milford Sound Day Trip
Today you’ll hop aboard the Coach and we’ll take you to the stunning and world famous Milford Sound. After a super scenic drive, you’ll board the boat and cruise across the Sound. Look out for the impressive Mitre Peak, lush rainforests and (if it’s been raining) thundering waterfalls. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot lots of amazing wildlife like Fur Seals, Penguins and Dolphins. Once you’ve snapped as many pics as you possibly can, it’s back to Queenstown where you can check out some one of the many restaurants Queenstown has to offer - or try the famous Fergburger!
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
It’s a short drive to Lake Tekapo this morning where we’ll see an electric blue lake framed by the Southern Alps. Walk over to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, a quaint stone church right on the edge of the lake for some awesome photo opportunities.
In the afternoon take part in an engaging experience that offers deep insight into Tātai Aroraki (Māori astronomy) and its central place in the Māori view of the universe at the Dark Sky Project centre.
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
Our next stop is Christchurch, a super cool city with the Avon River running through it, full of lush parks and cool laneway bars! Spend your afternoon wandering the city streets to discover creative street art and hidden eateries, visit the Botanic Gardens, do some shopping or hop on the tourist tram and see the sights!
Depart Christchurch
Today your adventure comes to an end. Say goodbye to your guide and your new Stray mates, we hope you had a great time and we look forward to adventuring with you again in the future!
Accommodation
You'll stay in quality comfy, fully air-conditioned hostel or backpacker standard accommodation including high country farm, scenic lodges close to waterfront or national park in our unique destinations.
The cabins at The Barn offer private bedrooms and shared facilities so you will get your own space whilst still socialising in our communal areas.
With incredible views of the Abel Tasman Coast and tucked among the Marahau Valley, The Barn is your gateway into The Abel Tasman National Park.
Just step out your cabin in a clear night of Abel Tasman National Park. The breath-taking stars and the Milky Way are over the vault.
