10 Day South Island Farm Stay Holiday Package

Tour the South Island and enjoy a farm stay in NZ with this popular 10 day holiday package.

Experience a slice of rural life with an idyllic Akaroa farm stay. In addition, visit top destinations such as Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier. This holiday package includes a range of excellent activities–perfect for families and couples.

Read on for the full details of this farm stay NZ holiday package.

10 Day South Island Farm Stay NZ Holiday Package

Day 1 Arrive Queenstown

Arrive in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Collect your rental car from the airport and explore the vibrant downtown, or relax in your accommodation.

Relax and explore Queenstown this afternoon. You have the option to visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, the Underwater Observatory, or the Ivan Clarke Gallery; ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin, or simply enjoy a lakefront stroll or a bit of boutique shopping.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Day 2 Queenstown

Start your holiday off with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Disembark at the Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you will enjoy a fantastic gourmet BBQ lunch. Afterwards, an entertaining farm show will allow you to experience high-country farm life.

In the afternoon explore Queenstown or add on an exciting adventure – options include 4WD tours, rafting, helicopter flights, or the Skyline Luge.

Day 3 Queenstown

Today, get ready for the world’s most exciting jet boat ride! It’s a thrilling ride as the Shotover Jet twists and turns through the narrow canyons at breathtaking speeds.

In the afternoon, you have the option to make a trip to Arrowtown. You’ll be enchanted by historic Arrowtown, a New Zealand treasure located 20 minutes from Queenstown.

Arrowtown is charming and quirky – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River.

The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of heritage buildings that stretches into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miner’s cottages. The buildings in this lovely precinct house shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants – many classy, most individual, and not one from an international chain.

Day 4 Wanaka

Driving time Queenstown to Wanaka 69 km / 43 miles, 1.5 hours

Drive over the beautiful Crown Range, one of New Zealand’s highest alpine roads, and admire the fantastic views along the way. Be sure to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a refreshment before your arrival into Wanaka, an alpine town boasting panoramic views, a relaxing atmosphere and myriad walking tracks.

Relax and explore Wanaka this afternoon – you may want to visit Puzzling World, Wanaka’s illusional attraction, or the National Toy and Transport Museum. Other options include strolling along one of Wanaka’s stunning walking tracks, relaxing on the lake’s edge or browsing through Wanaka’s boutique shops.

You could also visit Rippon Vineyard and Tasting Room to sample local wines, or catch a film at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka’s quirky local theatre.

Stay 1 night in Wanaka.

Day 5 Franz Josef – Glacier Country

Driving time Wanaka to Franz Josef 286 km / 177 miles, 4 hours

Enjoy the journey up the West Coast to reach Franz Josef. There are many short walks and viewing points to take in along the Haast Pass Highway, which will help break up the journey—a scenic walk to the Blue Pools is highly recommended. Other points of interest along the way are Ship Cove and Bruce Bay. Continuing along the West Coast, you may like to visit to Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier, where you can take a 20 minute walk (one-way) to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.

In the afternoon, discover Franz Josef with the highly recommended Franz Josef Heli Hike. After an exciting scenic flight, you’ll land high up on the glacier and undertake a two hour guided hike amongst some of the most pristine glacier scenery available. You’ll soon be making your way through a wonderland of towering pinnacles and blue ice.
Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains with plenty of photo opportunities. This will almost certainly be your most memorable experience whilst in New Zealand.

Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 6 Greymouth

Driving time Franz Josef to Greymouth 173 km / 108 miles, 2.5 hours

Enjoy your journey along the West Coast, stopping at towns of interest such as Hokitika, before continuing on to Greymouth. Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast of the South Island, with around 13,000 people calling it home. This hardy West Coast town has a history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods. The West Coast is known for its rugged beaches and coast, and for the ‘coasters,’ or the locals. They are an independent bunch, who are self-resilient but also friendly and hospitable.

This afternoon you might like to add on an off road 4WD adventure!

Stay 1 night in Greymouth.

Day 7 Hanmer Springs

Driving time Greymouth to Hanmer Springs 214 km / 132 miles, 3 hours

Travel on to Hanmer Springs, a year-round holiday destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, great cafés and of course the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Visitors have been travelling to bathe in the rejuvenating hot mineral pools for over 120 years! Relax in open-air thermal public and private pools and de-stress with spa therapies.

Stay 1 night in Hanmer Springs.

Day 8 Akaroa

Driving time Hanmer Springs to Akaroa 216 km / 134 miles, 3.5 hours

Journey along the South Island’s stunning East Coast to reach Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.

Escape to Okains Bay, one of the Banks Peninsula’s unique and beautiful bays near Akaroa. Kawatea is a gracious historic homestead set in mature gardens, surrounded by 1500 acres of coastal land farmed by the family for five generations. Enjoy the secluded beaches with panoramic views and excellent swimming and walking opportunities. Learn about Maori culture and the life of the early settlers at the acclaimed Okains Bay museum. Join your hosts in the evening for creative country fare from their garden whilst sharing experiences with fellow travellers.

Stay 2 nights near Akaroa at a Farm Stay.

Day 9 Akaroa

Today, relax or take part in the many activities on offer, including Pohatu Penguins Nature and Sea Kayak Tours – Pohatu is home to the largest Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. You may also like to take a harbour cruise to view dolphins, penguins and fur seals.

In the evening you may like to visit one of the local restaurants with their focus on French cuisine and head along to Barry’s Bay Cheese, where they’ve persevered with original methods for over a century.

Day 10 Christchurch

Driving time Akaroa to Christchurch 81 km / 50 miles, 1.5 hours

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City, and explore the city – you could visit the botanic gardens or the Canterbury Museum, or go punting on the Avon River.

In the evening, experience the luxury of a 36-seater colonial-style dining tram. Enjoy fabulous dining at your private table with a sightseeing tour showcasing Christchurch’s inner city vibrancy and heritage.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 11 Depart Christchurch

Drop off your rental car at Christchurch Airport and depart Christchurch at your leisure.

For more information about New Zealand Farm Stays, read our informative blog: What is the best farm stay in New Zealand? New Zealand Travel Organiser can custom-design the perfect New Zealand holiday inclusive of your choice of farm stays.

Plan a Farm Stay in NZ

New Zealand is home to countless home stay experiences throughout both islands. Each farm stay in NZ offers the unique chance to escape the bustle of city life and get a look at life on a working farm.

Children love interacting with friendly farm animals, while adults enjoy the idyllic countryside and stunning views as well as the opportunity to learn about the kiwi country lifestyle.

We offer a range of other options for a farm stay in NZ. For inspiration, browse our other farm stay holiday packages:

• 7 Day North Island Farm Stay Holiday Package
• 10 Day North Island Farm Stay Holiday Package
• 14 Day North Island Kiwi Experience Holiday Package

Our team will work with you to ensure your holiday package matches exactly what you are looking for.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser to begin planning your unforgettable farm stay today.