Southern Masterpiece Details | Hiking New Zealand (HikingNZ)

Tour Details

Start

8.15am - Millennium Hotel Queenstown
8.45am - La Quinta Queenstown
9.00am - Queenstown Airport

Finish

4.00pm - Queenstown Airport
4.15pm - La Quinta Queenstown
4.45pm - Millennium Hotel Queenstown

DEPARTURE DATES

9, 16, 23, 30 November 2026
7, 21, 28 December 2026
4, 11, 18, 25 January 2027
1, 8, 15, 22 February 2027
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 March 2027
5, 25 October 2027
8, 22 November 2027
6, 20 December 2027
10, 17, 24, 31 January 2028
14, 28 February 2028
13, 27 March 2028
6, 20 November 2028
4, 25 December 2028

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
Adult NZD $16,199.00
Single Supplement NZD $3,999.00

Days

14 days

Fitness grade

Grade: B
(reasonable standard of fitness required)

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Grading & Fitness

How fit do I need to be for the South Island Masterpiece?

Average of 4-5 hours physical activity per day
At times carrying small backpack of 4-5kgs (9-11 lbs)
Tracks generally in good condition
Altitude gains of up to 600m (2000ft) on harder days
No hiking experience necessary
Reasonable standard of fitness required

Inclusions and Additional Costs

What is included in the price of the South Island Masterpiece?

All meals except dinner the night you arrive in Nelson and breakfast, lunch and dinner on your free day in Nelson when guests like to explore the outstanding local restaurants and cafés.
Activities, hikes and guides as shown in the itinerary.
Accommodation as shown in your final itinerary.
New Zealand is not a tipping culture. If you'd like to show your appreciation to your guide with a trip it is very much appreciated but not an expectation on our trips.

What additional costs can I expect on the the South Island Masterpiece?

Airfares to and from New Zealand. Airfares between the North and South Island of New Zealand if you are joining our Sweet North trip.
Airport transfers.
Travel insurance.
Visas
Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner.

Accommodation

What accommodation is used on the South Island Masterpiece?

On the Masterpiece trip, you'll sleep soundly in comfortable accommodations that we have chosen specifically for their fantastic locations. You’ll meet friendly hosts and have a private ensuite room each night.

Transport

What transport is used on the South Island Masterpiece?

On your trip, you will generally travel in a late-model Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicle. They are the top-of-the-line vehicles of their size in New Zealand and have been chosen for their high safety and comfort ratings.

Packing List

What should I pack for the South Island Masterpiece?

We visit alpine regions on our tours and can encounter cold weather any time of the year. Most people underestimate how much the temperatures can vary in New Zealand even in mid-summer. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.

Essential Items for walking

A good waterproof rain jacket (Gore-tex or similar)
2-3 non-cotton base layers (top and bottom); polypropylene, or merino. We use and recommend Merino wool.
Long sleeve polypropylene or merino
Polar Tec or similar windproof fleece jacket / sweater
Down jacket
Waterproof rain pants (optional)
2 lightweight, quick dry long pants or shorts (no denim)
1 pair hiking boots or strong walking shoes (waterproof, with ankle support)
3 pairs thick walking socks
Warm hat (beanie/toque)
Gloves
Sunhat/cap
Water bottle or camelbak - minimum 2 litres (1 or 2 bottles)
Dry bag for clothes / valuables
Midsized backpack - You can bring one large suitcase or duffel bag (15kg (33lb) - 30kg (66lb)) that will go in the vehicle when we travel between locations – this will be whatever bag you check in for your flight. You should also bring a day pack, this is a small hiking pack around 25L – 30L. It should fit your water bottle, camera, wallet, suncream, medication, warm layers, rain protection, lunch (usually a sandwich, sweet treat and fruit) & anything else you may want to take on your day hikes.
Walking poles (if you use them)

Casual Clothing

1 pair jeans or other casual trousers
1 pair shorts (or a skirt)
2 tops/shirts
2 button up front long sleeve shirts
1 sleep shirt & sleep shorts (or whatever you sleep in)
1 light sweatshirt or long-sleeve t-shirt
1 swimming suit
Underwear
3 pairs socks both thin and thick
1 pair sport sandals (like Teva’s) and 1 pair casual trainers

Other Items

Motion sickness tablets
Toiletries/medications
Sunscreen, insect repellent and lip balm
Sunglasses
Camera and binoculars
Spare bootlaces
Reusable coffee cup if you want to purchase hot drinks while you're out and about

Food

A great deal of care goes into ensuring the high standard of food and wine on your trips is as varied as the scenery, and fuels your incredible experiences. Depending on the trip you choose, we'll take you to our favourite restaurants or your guide will host a dinner party and cook for you.

We start our days with a healthy breakfast with lots of choices and awesome coffee served at your accommodation before heading off for the day’s activity! Lunches are either in the best little cafes or restaurants en route or your guide will organise a wholesome packed lunch to last you all day on your activities. Dinners are in our favourite local places or your lodgings, using the best fresh local ingredients with a strong emphasis on introducing you to New Zealand specialties. When we dine out at restaurants you'll be able to purchase beverages from a great selection of local wine, beer or non-alcoholic drinks.

Guides

Who are our guides and what safety measures are in place?

Your guide is a hand-picked, experienced and passionate Kiwi. From spotting native wildlife to bringing the past alive with stories from the land, adjusting gear on hikes or providing that little extra encouragement during the last mile, the connections you make with your guide will last a lot longer than the duration of this tour.

Safety is always our top priority. We take great pride in our impeccable safety record and our safety management plans. Your guides are highly experienced outdoors professionals who are first aid qualified and fully equipped with a satellite phone, personal locator beacon; and first aid kit. Our trips have direct access to our highly experienced operations team and other outside services 24 hours a day.

What kind of people will be on this trip?

Guests are like-minded people typically from Australia, the UK, Canada or America and come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. On average, there is a 50/50 split between men and women, with several single travellers on each trip as well as couples and friends travelling together.

Can you cater to my dietary requirments?

We can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements so just let us know your individual needs and we ensure you are well-fed. New Zealand caters well to gluten free, vegetarians, and vegans, so you will find plenty of options.

What happens with my luggage?

Your luggage will travel with you in the group's touring vehicle luggage compartment. You'll bring your small day pack inside the vehicle with your hiking essentials (jacket, water bottle, sun hat etc) which will be all you will need to carry with you when we are out exploring. Your luggage stays in the vehicle until we reach our accommodation for the evening.

How long do we spend driving?

The focus of our trips is spending as much time as possible, with our feet on the ground exploring the great New Zealand outdoors. On the Masterpiece, we have two-night stays in four locations. On the days we travel between locations we average around three hours of driving. We always break up the drives with walks, activities and visits to our favourite small towns. Your guide will also stop every hour or so for a coffee/bathroom break. You’ll always have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs.

Will I have access to Wifi on the trip?

Yes, we are well-connected in New Zealand! You will have access to the internet at your accommodation during every night on your trip. While New Zealand is quite tech-savvy the wifi at some accommodations may not be of the speed you are used to back home.

Can I do my laundry while on the trip?

There are plenty of opportunities to do laundry on your trip, many of the places we stay have washing machines available for a small fee.

Booking Conditions

What are the booking terms and conditions for the South Island Masterpiece Trip?

Payment:
For bookings four or more months before the departure, a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days before your trip. For bookings within four months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:

90 days or more: loss of deposit, or transfer to a future departure date should you elect to change your booking in place of cancellation.

89 to 60 days: 50% of tour price forfeited.

59 days or less: 100% of tour price forfeited.

There will be no partial refunds or credits for unused services within a tour. Any unpaid forfeited amount may be pursued as a debt.

Please indicate when booking if you would like to participate in the Glacier Heli Hiking or the Glacier Lake Boat Tour (Day 2).
For logistical reasons, there may be small changes to our itineraries or accommodation from time to time.

The nature of our trips and travelling in the outdoors means that itineraries are subject to change and should be treated as indicative only. The operator reserves the right to amend itineraries before or during any trip. This is sometimes necessary due to the nature of the New Zealand great outdoors and weather events, for example. Some trips are dependent on external suppliers for some activities, and the cancellation or substitution of any given activity does not give rise to a breach of contract and is not considered a cancellation by us.

Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance for the South Island Masterpiece Trip?

We suggest clients take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Southern Masterpiece