Explore South Island New Zealand: Tours from Christchurch NZ
Starting from Christchurch - our garden city? Stray knows how to craft you an epic experience on our South Island tours! Doing it the Stray way guarantees you access the top tours from Christchurch NZ. You get maximum adventure, a whole heap of iconic destinations and some incredible memories to boot.
Why Choose Stray?
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Stray offers unforgettable small group tours from Christchurch, delving into the heart of New Zealand’s wilderness with knowledgeable local guides and tailored experiences.
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Experience the majesty of the South Island with Stray tours, enjoying everything from the starry skies of Aoraki Mount Cook from Lake Tekapo to the fantasy landscapes of LOTR.
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Capture the essence of New Zealand with full-day adventures and up-close wildlife encounters, while making lifelong connections and memories with like-minded explorers.
Small Group Tours Starting in Christchurch
Join Stray on a cosy South Island journey, capturing the spirit of New Zealand’s magnificent landscapes in each small group tour. Christchurch, the starting point for this journey, sets the stage for an experience punctuated by personalised attention and the flexibility to explore at a pace that suits you. Imagine hopping on a private, air-conditioned bus, where the journey between destinations is as comfortable as it is scenic, all while forging friendships with fellow adventurers.
Stray moves beyond merely visiting trending locations, it leads you into the core of New Zealand’s wilderness, areas unexplored by conventional tours. The knowledgeable guides are your compass to hidden gems, offering unique insights and engaging tales that transform your trip from a simple tour to a journey of discovery.
The Kaka Tour: Your Gateway to Adventure
The Kaka Tour serves as your passport to adventure, presenting the best tour moments that go beyond mere sightseeing and draw you into the narrative. This tour begins with a breathtaking journey on the TranzAlpine train to the wild West Coast, a scenic ride through the Southern Alps that sets the tone for the epic vistas to follow. As you traverse the South Island, each hike reveals a new chapter of New Zealand’s natural splendour, from the imposing Franz Josef Glacier to the tranquil waters of Lake Matheson.
After days filled with exploration and adventure activities, including a mesmerising Milford Sound cruise, your nights are spent in the comfort of 3-4 star accommodations, nestled in the most picturesque locales.
Our 9-day tour of the South Island features:
- An epic start to your journey on the TranzAlpine train through gorges, rivers, and mountains from Christchurch to Hokitika.
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The freedom to tailor-make your own adventure on free days in Queenstown and Franz Josef. You can choose to get up close and personal with the Franz Josef Glacier or throw yourself down a canyon on a bungy. It's your choice with these optional paid activities.
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Green, awe-inspiring landscapes full of waterfalls, wide coastlines, mountain gorges, and endless lush native forests.
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A cruise through a natural wonder of the world Milford Sound - keep your phone in your hand to snap dolphins, seals and penguins.
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Live it up in our adventure capital Queenstown and our vibey city Christchurch.
The Kaka Tour starts in Christchurch, ensuring that your adventure is as seamless as it is exhilarating.
The Takahe Tour: A Journey Through Scenic Wonders
The Takahe Tour creates a mosaic of picturesque marvels for those searching for the South Island’s most breathtaking views. From the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park to the icy realms of Mount Cook National Park, you’llwitness the diversity of landscapes that make New Zealand’s South Island truly unique. With the option to begin your tour from Wellington or Picton, flexibility is at the heart of your travel experience.
Enjoy accommodations in twin-share rooms at comfortable hotels and visually appealing lodges, where the opportunity for a secluded retreat awaits post-exploration. This journey is not just about seeing beautiful scenery; it’s about contributing to the preservation of these wonders through sustainable travel practices, ensuring that the beauty of New Zealand endures for generations to come.
Our 11-day South Island tour features:
- Live it up in our adventure capital Queenstown and the vibey city of Christchurch.
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Tailor-make your own adventure on free days in Abel Tasman, Queenstown and Franz Josef. You can choose to hike through the Abel Tasman or to explore the Franz Josef Glacier, or any number of adrenalin-fill activities in Queenstown. It's your choice with these optional paid activities.
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Keep your phone in your hand to snap dolphins, seals and penguins on a cruise through a natural wonder of Milford Sound
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Green, awe-inspiring landscapes full of waterfalls, mountain gorges, golden sand beaches and endless lush native forests.
- In addition to starting in Christchurch, people traveling on the Takahe can also choose to start in Wellington with the one-way Cook Strait Ferry included, as well as starting in Picton.
Experience New Zealand's Beauty Up-Close
In New Zealand, nature’s craftsmanship is exhibited in full glory, and the trips provided by Stray serve as your platform to appreciate this beauty. From the soaring peaks of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park to the adventure capital of Queenstown, each day trip is an opportunity to experience NZ’s beauty up close and explore the breathtaking sights. Whether it's hiking in the coastal Abel Tasman National Park or cruising through the fiords of Milford Sound, you’re in for an array of unique experiences that are as diverse as the landscapes themselves.
As night falls, the dark skies over Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park become a celestial theatre, offering some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world. This is a place where the beauty of the Canterbury region is not just seen but felt—a place where nature’s majesty inspires awe at every turn.
An Instagrammer's Dream: Capturing NZ's Landscapes
The landscapes of New Zealand provide a photographic haven, perfect for creating stories to make your mates endlessly jealous. If you are serious about photography, full-frame cameras are your best friend here, allowing you to capture the grandeur of scenes and the subtleties of light during those magical golden hours.
Embrace the Elements: Four seasons in one day trip!
New Zealand’s climate mirrors the variety of its landscapes, and Stray’s tours are planned to adapt to the elements, irrespective of rain or sunshine. The itineraries are thoughtfully crafted, incorporating a mix of activities and non-travel days to ensure that your experience remains unspoiled, regardless of the weather.
This flexibility allows for spontaneous adventures and alternative plans, ensuring that every moment of your tour is filled with enjoyment and discovery.
Why Small Group Tours are the Best Way to See NZ
Small group tours of New Zealand are the best travel experience—cosy and no massive wait for everyone to get on the bus. With Stray, you’ll explore the South Island with a small group of like-minded explorers, visiting places that larger tours bypass and staying in accommodations that are both unique and comfortable. The journey is as chilled as it is endlessly enriching, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand without the rush.
Stray’s air-conditioned buses guarantee that your travel times become an integral part of the adventure, not just getting you from A to B. Relax watching the landscapes change through the window, sharing stories with new friends, and knowing that at every stop, a new discovery awaits during your day trips.
Meet Like-Minded Adventurers
There’s something special about travelling with people who share your sense of adventure and curiosity. Stray’s small group tours are where new friends are made and stories are shared with people from all corners of the globe.
Locals on Board: The Stray Travel Guide Difference
The guides aboard Stray’s tours are more than just navigators; they’re storytellers, local experts, and friends rolled into one. Their expertise transforms each day trip into a journey rich with local insights and personal anecdotes that you can’t find in any travel book.
With Stray, you’re not just a tourist; you’re an explorer uncovering the stories that make New Zealand’s landscapes come alive.
Customising Your Kiwi Adventure
As travel pros with many years under the belt, we know you all get a kick from different things. That’s why we offer free days in our greatest locations, allowing you to customise your New Zealand adventure. Whether you’re after adrenaline-pumping activities or tranquil explorations, you can cross those must-dos to make your own experience as dynamic or laid-back as you want.
Our guides are one of a kind—they’re not just your guides, they’re your friends and resources, offering personalised recommendations and local secrets. You get to tap into our knowledge, from where to get the best burger to recommending the most exciting experience operators.
Your Adventure Awaits – The #StrayWay
At Stray, we invite you to explore New Zealand in a way that's off-the-grid, rich in unique experiences, and shared with fellow adventurers. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, nature enthusiast, or cultural explorer, the #StrayWay guarantees an authentic and unforgettable Kiwi adventure.
Book your Stray travel experience today, starting from Christchurch, and discover New Zealand in a way that's as unique as you are. Embrace the extraordinary with Stray – Where Adventure Knows No Bounds!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a Stray tour from a city other than Christchurch?
Yes, you can start a Stray tour from a city other than Christchurch, such as Auckland, Wellington or Picton, providing flexibility to your travel plans. Ideal!
Our North to South trips also feature some remarkable destinations such as Kaikoura on a whale watch
What kind of accommodations can I expect on the South Island tours?
You can expect a range of accommodations on Stray tours, including 3-4 star hotels, picturesque lodges near waterfronts or national parks, and options for single occupancy upgrades, all ensuring a comfortable journey. We have two types of tours: Select and Adventure. Select tours are centred around our creatures of comfort including 3-4 star stays for most nights, while there are shared facilities in a couple of our off the beaten track locations
If you're up for maximum traveller experience our Adventure tours get you right into the heart of our backpacking community staying at hostels along the way.
How does Stray handle unpredictable weather during tours?
Stray handles unpredictable weather during tours by designing flexible itineraries that can accommodate changes and offering a mix of activities to ensure a great experience, regardless of the weather!
Are Stray Tours suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely! Stray tours are perfect for solo travellers who want to meet new friends and explore New Zealand in a small group setting. It'sa great way to socialise and make the most of your adventure!