New Zealand
Big South
Tour Guide
Find essential preparation tips, travel information, and a navigational tour guide for your Big South journey.
New Zealand's #1 Rated Tours
Your Essential Guide
Planning a New Zealand small group tour on our Big South route? Check out our guide to explore all of the important trip details and help you plan an epic New Zealand adventure.
Check In / Return
CHECK-IN - CHRISTCHURCH
Your check-in location will be at the Wild Kiwi bus, at Lylo Christchurch at 9.00 am. Please meet your guide outside in the parking area and arrive at least 10 mins before this time to allow for a timely departure.
We will email you 3 days before your tour departure with your guide's contact information. Please be aware that phone contact with your guide is only possible from the Saturday when your tour commences. Prior to this, your guide will be busy focusing on their current tour group.
IMPORTANT: If you have any questions prior to the day your tour departs, please contact the office customer service team:
EMAIL: hello@wildkiwi.com
PHONE: +64 9 973 5676
They will be more than happy to help with any queries you have.
Keep in mind the lower South Island part of your trip runs in two different directions. If you have any pre-planned activities or arrangements, please let us know and we can confirm your tour order.
DROP-OFF LOCATION
After a final breakfast, we start our travel back to Christchurch where you will arrive mid-afternoon. We will drop you back to Lylo Christchurch, which is a short 10-minute walk from the airport. If catching a flight from Christchurch, please make sure your flight is after 5 pm on your final day or 7 pm for an international flight.
Getting There
Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
If you are travelling from overseas then you will arrive at Christchurch International Airport into the International Terminal. Please allow plenty of time to clear customs and immigration on arrival.
If you are travelling domestically, you will arrive into the Domestic Terminal.
From Christchurch City
Bus: Regular Metro Bus services connect Christchurch city to the airport; the number 29 bus departs from Central Station. You can buy your tickets from the driver; they cost $8 one way or $14 return.
Both terminals are a short 10-minute walk from Lylo Christchurch.
Taxis
Travel time from the city centre to the airport is approximately 15-20 minutes. Prices vary by taxi company and you are advised to ask before beginning your journey. The standard fare is usually around $45-$65. Your taxi is charged $5.50 to collect or deliver you to Christchurch Airport.
Corporate cabs: 0800808544
Blue Star Taxi’s: 033799799
Airport Taxi: 0272300782
Alternatively, Christchurch does have Uber and Ola.
Itinerary
Franz Josef Glacier
Milford Sound
Stargazing at Mt John Observatory
Whale watching at Kaikoura
Abel Tasman National Park
Jetboating in Queenstown
Marlborough wine tasting
Abel Tasman National Park
Wharariki Beach
Big South
Departs Christchurch
All Year Round - Guaranteed Departures
Maximum Group Size - 18 people
14 Days
Enjoy 2 weeks ticking off your bucket list in New Zealand's South Island. From the spectacular glaciers to the most stunning beaches, this trip has everything you need to experience the best of the south.
Travel Tips
Where To Stay
CHRISTCHURCH
There are some really awesome places to stay in Christchurch if you are planning a couple of days exploring before or after your trip. We recommend Hotel Give (Formerly YMCA Christchurch), or if you arrive the night before and want to stay close to your pick-up location – Lylo Christchurch.
Lylo Christchurch
Address: 5 Peter Leeming Rd, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053
Phone: 0800 427 736
Mention ‘Wild Kiwi’ to be grouped in the same room with other Wild Kiwi guests (subject to availability)
Tour Activities
As you travel around New Zealand there will be heaps to see and do. You will also have the choice of a variety of optional activities. Don’t feel limited to these options, just chat with your Guide and they will be happy to make recommendations and get you booked into any activity you are interested in!
All activities are optional. What's wonderful about this is that it puts you in the driver's seat to craft your own adventure. You get to choose which activities you'd like to include in your tour, or perhaps opt for some free time to explore the area at your own pace, like embarking on a scenic hike.
As part of making the tour zero-stress, your guide will handle the bookings of all of your activities for you whilst on the road, so all you have to do is decide what to tick off your bucket list first.
We hold allocations on the most popular activities to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything whilst on tour or to pre-book your activities.
Get in touch
If you have any further questions about your tour, please email hello@wildkiwi.com or book in a call with one of our team. If you or anyone you are travelling with has any particular health needs or allergies let us know.
