National Geographic awarded Flying Kiwi Tours as one of the best tour companies in the world.

April Student Tour

April Student Tour

  • Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch or Queenstown
  • 9, 14, 15 or 16 days
  • Nelson, Wellington or Queenstown
  • from NZD$1,390.00

Flying Kiwi Local's Tip

Steely - Student tour guide
"Don't be shy - get amongst it!"

For High School students only. The April Student tour departs and finishes: 13 - 28 April 2019

From stunning golden sand beaches to snow-capped mountains and grade 5 white water rapids why would you want to go anywhere else!? We choose the best two tour guides to guide you from one amazing location to the next, while making it fun along the way!

When you travel with us, you don’t stay in a cramped hostel in the middle of a city, we get you out into the beautiful New Zealand countryside where you set your tent up beside lakes, oceans and rivers…perfect for an evening bonfire on the beach or a swim in the river.

Our student tours are very popular so get in quick! It's an ideal way to experience the "real" New Zealand, try once in a lifetime activities and enjoy loads of free hikes, bike rides and more, with students from around the world! We leave from Nelson and Christchurch but we're happy to help arrange your transport to/from other parts of NZ if needed (own cost).

Are you ready for your Ultimate South Island Adventure? 

If you have any questions, contact us here!

tour inclusions:

  • Transport 
  • Camp fees
  • Shared tent, 2 people per tent
  • Return ferry transfers
  • 14 x Breakfasts
  • 7 x Lunches
  • 13 x Dinners
  • Free use of bikes
  • Free Tekapo Hot Pools
  • Free Flying Kiwi t-shirt
  • The chance to swim with dolphins in Kaikoura
  • Queenstown Ten Pin bowling competition
  • Group games
  • Spot prizes
  • Maximum 26 passengers
  • 2 professional Flying Kiwi guides
  • Flexible trip durations
  • Plenty of free optional hikes, entrance to national parks + much 

  1. Join your guide and fellow travellers at the Railway Station in central Wellington city then it’s underway to the ferry terminal for our departure to Picton through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Tonight, we stay at a great hostel with time tomorrow morning to explore before joining our group at 12noon.

  2. Leaving Nelson we travel towards Picton then onwards to Kaikoura. The Pacific coast to Kaikoura takes us along a stunning coastal route where close encounters with fur seals and sea birds are common. Optional fishing, sea kayak or whale watch flight and a spectacular evening peninsula walk. Stay at a beach camp with an amazing sunrise opportunity

    • Meals: Dinner

  3. This is the morning of one of the most popular activities we offer, swimming with dusky dolphins! It’s an early start but it’s great starting the day with an epic sunrise and definitely worth it for a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with wild dolphins! For those not swimming we’ll have a lesuirely breakfast and a bit more time to check out Kaikoura before heading south to Christchurch.

    We’ll arrive in Christchurch in time for lunch and you’ll have a couple of hours to explore this city that is still on the mend after two major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Evidence of these earthquakes is evident in the city  but there is also evidence of new and exciting prospects for the city as it works to rebuild. You can visit the restart mall which was made from shipping containers brought in shortly after the quakes, check out the botanical gardens and see the remains of the Christchurch Cathedral which famously collapsed during the earthquakes.

    After leaving Christchurch we will start heading towards the mountains and across the Canterbury plains, a flat open area of farmland. Tonight we stay at a sheepshearers HQ, on a working farm with great mountain views and next to the Rangitata river. 

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Cycle into camp along a quite country road through fields of cows, sheep and deer with a mountainous backdrop
    • Walks and Hikes: The Peninsula Walkway is a must if you missed it yesterday! You’ll also have plenty of time on your feet when we stop through Christchurch to check out the awesome rebuild of Christchurch city!
    • Available Upgrades: Yes
    • Drive Distance: Approx. 4 - 5 hours

  4. Optional white water rafting on the mighty Rangitata River or explore the region with a morning cycle or walk in Peel Forest. Travel through Geraldine and MacKenzie Basin with views of the Main Divide before arriving at the amazing Lake Tekapo. We stay by the lake with wonderful outdoor Hot Pools to soak up the views of Mount Cook.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Morning cycle to peel forest if not rafting
    • Walks and Hikes: exploring peel forest
    • Drive Distance: 2 Hours

  5. Scenic lake side drive or optional cycle past Lake Pukaki to the Aoraki National Park. Hike around the basin of Mt Cook, before making our way to the east coast. We have a short stop in Oamaru before heading to our camp overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Short cycle along the lake or at camp later in the day
    • Walks and Hikes: walk to the base of Mt. Cook up the Hooker Valley
    • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

  6. Today starts with a short walk or bus ride to the mystical Moeraki Boulders. We then travel the short distance to the historic and picturesque Dunedin –home to the world’s steepest street! Sample the delights of the Cadbury chocolate factory or take to the sea and try your luck at surfing before we set up camp beside St Kilda beach.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: cycle from camp to an awesome viewpoint
    • Walks and Hikes: walk up the worlds steepest street before exploring Dunedin
    • Drive Distance: 2 Hours

  7. Today we journey through scenic southern pastures, stopping for lunch at Gore and a group photo by the big Trout. Visit the lake town of Te Anau before travelling into the Fiordland National Park and our historic camp in the unspoilt Hollyford Valley with excellent cycle rides and some awesome bush treks.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Cycle a short distance to camp in the heart of Fiordland
    • Walks and Hikes: Short bush walks from camp
    • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

  8. Travel on a route voted in the top 10 drives in the World as we head to Milford Sound. Optional boat cruise to enjoy the fiord and all its beauty up close then it’s onto the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown!

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Walks and Hikes: Short walks on the way to Milford
    • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

  9. Time to enjoy any of the action-packed Queenstown activities on offer with too many options to list here – but you are guaranteed to find something you like. Test yourself with an adrenalin pumping bungy, canyon swing, skydive or enjoy a more relaxed horse trek or gondola ride – this place has it all, there really is something for everyone! 

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

  10. With so much to do we spend another day in fantastic Queenstown with the opportunity to enjoy those once in a lifetime experiences. Tonight, we go out as a group for a challenging but fun game of ten pin bowling and pizza.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

  11. Today is one of our longer travel days as we drive the dramatic Haast Pass with spectacular views of the Southern Alps. There’s some great short walks through rainforest and past waterfalls as we make our way to the wild West Coast. Stopping for a picnic lunch we then head to Glacier country and our camp at Fox Glacier with a chance to explore this unique town

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

  12. This morning is all about visiting Fox Glacier, either by Helicopter or by walking up to the terminal face viewpoint. The heli hike option is one of the most memorable activities you can do during the tour and is the only way to step foot on the ice, you fly up by helicopter and mountain guides take you into cravasses and ice caves before a short return flight to Fox. If you’re not keen to head up by helicopter the terminal face walk is a great way to view the valley and glacier but from a distance, the trail is also open to bikes so make the most of the morning and explore the area.

    During the afternoon we’ll take everyone down to Lake Matheson where we get incredible views over the Southern Alps if the weather is clear, and if it’s calm the lake can reflect the view. We then leave Fox and make our way to Okarito, a tiny west coast town that is famous for its wetlands reserve and bird conservation projects, where it’s possible to spot some rare and endangered bird including the kiwi!

    The camp is right next to a quiet west coast beach where we like to set up a small camp fire and chill out while watching the stars. 

    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: Ride along the walk/cycleway to the Glacier viewpoint and then ride to Lake Matheson later in the day. There is also a beautiful ride on the quiet road that leads to Okarito
    • Walks and Hikes: If you're not hiking on the ice then definitely head up to the terminal face viewpoint and then in the afternoon a walk around Lake Matheson is a must do!
    • Available Upgrades: Yes (limited options)
    • Drive Distance: Approx. 2.5 hours

  13. Start the day with an early morning walk and a chance to spot a Kiwi in the wild then it’s onto Hokitika and the Greenstone factories. There’s a great coastal walk option through native forest then we travel to the Paparoa National Park, home to Punakaiki and the famous Pancake Rocks! Catch the sunset then explore the Punakaiki cavern for glow worms.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Walks and Hikes: Early morning walk and walks in Paparoa National Park
    • Drive Distance: 4 Hours

  14. Travel through the Buller Gorge to one of NZ’s most stunning spots – the Abel Tasman region. Optional skydive or hang glide. We camp for two nights with the Abel Tasman National Park on our doorstep.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
    • Bike Rides: cycle to camp
    • Walks and Hikes: short walks from camp
    • Drive Distance: 5 Hours

  15. Free day to explore the National Park by kayaking or sailing the crystal-clear waters, or multiple walking options.

    • Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
    • Bike Rides: Kaiteriteri mountain bike park, cycle rides from camp if not on activities
    • Walks and Hikes: Exploring the Abel Tasman National Park - single & multi day walk options
    • Available Upgrades: Yes
    • Drive Distance: No driving today

  16. Your last chance to exchange photos before we say our final goodbyes.

    • Meals: Breakfast

Tour Dates & Prices:

Wellington - Wellington 13 - 28 April 2019 $2,199 NZD 16 days Start time: 1:30pm
Nelson/Picton - Nelson 14 - 28 April 2019     $2,095 NZD 15 days Start time: 9:00am
Christchurch - Nelson 15 - 28 April 2019    $2,049 NZD 14 days Start time: 2:30pm
Wellington - Queenstown 13 - 21 April 2018   $1,390 NZD 9 days Start time: 1:30pm
Nelson/Picton - Queenstown 14 - 22 April 2018   $1,390 NZD 9 days Start time: 9;00am
Queenstown - Nelson 20 - 28 April 2019   $1,390 NZD 9 days Start time: 5:00pm


*We can arrange your transfers to/from Christchurch or elsewhere within NZ (at your own cost)

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Need More Information?

We would be more than happy to help you. We have teams in Australia, New Zealand and Europe ready to take your call.

New Zealand: 0800 693 296
Australia: 1 800 143 515
Europe: +44 1392 660 606

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