The South Island Adventure has been given a grade Medium:
Grade: Medium
No previous hiking experience is required, but you need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic.
Hiking per day up to 7 hours - average 4-5 hours
Pack weight up to 12 kg
Altitude gain per day up to 700 metres - normally 200 metres
Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.

New Zealand experiences very changeable weather - especially in the remote mountainous regions where we spend most of our time. Some days will be very hot with temperatures in the 30s and then the next day a cool southerly from the sub-Antarctic will bring in extremely cold temperatures. It is best to be prepared for the worst conditions. When you register and pay your application fee you will receive our online information packet. This packet will contain information on the types of clothing/gear you should bring.

The South Island Adventure is run on a food kitty system. Our first stop is usually the supermarket where we all help with buying food for the next few days. Everybody is involved with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, stews, pasta, dampers, hangi...Vegetarian meals are no problem. When we are on an overnight hike we tend to eat pasta and rice meals. We usually take lots of hiking food - chocolate, peanuts, raisins, biscuits. The vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans and billies. When we go on an overnight hike we carry a portable stove.

Since you will need to be at the Queenstown Visitors Center in the morning, you may need to arrive a day early. You will need to arrange and pay for your own accommodation on this night.

In addition, since you will not finish your adventure until the evening of the last day it is advisable that you spend one night in Christchurch and catch your connecting flight home the following day. Therefore you will need to arrange and pay for your own accommodation on the last night.

If you need to hire any equipment the rates are as follows:

Equipment Hire (NZ$): 10 days
Sleeping bag: $50
Backpack: $50
Therm-a-rest: $20
Polypro top+bottom: $20
Fleece jacket: $20
Raincoat: $40
Full set (all of above): $160
Walking pole: $20 each

Additional Expenses:
Kitty fund for food and camp/hut fees NZ$20/day
Optional activities: Milford Sound kayaking ($82) or Milford cruise ($60), or you may choose to explore Milford's cafes.

There are many ways of achieving and surpassing your financial goals. Once we have received your application, and application fee, we will send you a fundraising information pack that will help you to fundraise for your adventure in New Zealand.

Ideas and examples of how to raise money for your adventure include: Friends and family, your work-place, clubs, raffles, quizzes, fun-runs, and parties.

Although this trip is a great deal, it is still more expensive than most commercialized trips. Yet commercialized trips do not offer the unique opportunities our trip provides.

Firstly, our partner travel organization, Hiking New Zealand, has organized other fundraising hikes and is well respected within the traveling industry. Participating in our hike relieves you of the anxiety of searching for a reliable and established travel organization.

Secondly, this trip gives you the chance to meet other people who feel passionate about helping the global community. The participants of this trip will automatically have a unique bond because everyone involved will be working together to achieve two goals, navigate the South Island Adventure and assist New Zealand families.

Finally, and most importantly, your adventure will provide struggling families with the rest and relaxation they desperately need.