The Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes
Around Canterbury you'll find the Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes. Ask your guide about whale and wildlife watching — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Central Otago & Queenstown Lakes → Canterbury
Wanaka to KaiapoiAdventure tours & scenic experiences
Set out from Wanaka towards Kaiapoi and the landscape starts telling its own story well before you arrive.
Kaiapoi sits in Canterbury — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps. Travel privately with a local driver-guide and the day becomes yours: stop for the view, take the short walk, and let someone else handle the wheel.
Canterbury
South Island experiences
A taste of what a day around Kaiapoi can hold.
Alpine passes and high-country stations
Around Canterbury you'll find alpine passes and high-country stations. Ask your guide about stargazing — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
A rebuilt garden city with street art everywhere
Around Canterbury you'll find a rebuilt garden city with street art everywhere. Ask your guide about scenic rail journeys — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Whale-watching and volcanic harbours on the coast
Around Canterbury you'll find whale-watching and volcanic harbours on the coast. Ask your guide about alpine hiking — it's the kind of thing that turns a transfer into a day you remember.
Tour & experience options
Ways to travel between Wanaka and Kaiapoi.
Full-day adventure tour
A big day out with your own guide — viewpoints, short walks and the landmarks that pull people to the South Island in the first place.
Scenic lake & mountain transfer
Move between towns the slow way, stopping at lake edges, passes and lookouts that most travellers drive straight past.
Hiking & walking tour
Guided time on foot, from gentle lakeside strolls to a genuine day walk, matched to your fitness and the conditions.
Multi-stop scenic journey
String several highlights together in one private vehicle, with the flexibility to linger where it's worth lingering.
Luxury experience
Premium vehicle, a hand-picked guide and a day shaped around cellar doors, private walks and quiet corners.
Why travel between Wanaka and Kaiapoi
The road between Wanaka and Kaiapoi threads through the kind of country people fly across the world to see — braided rivers and patchwork plains running up to the Southern Alps.
Going private means the day belongs to you: no fixed departure times, no coach-load of strangers, and no rushing past something you wanted to photograph.
Kaiapoi sits in Canterbury, which means the Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes and alpine passes and high-country stations are both within reach on the same outing.
Gateway experiences
Make the most of both ends of your journey.
Wanaka
Before you set out, Wanaka is a good place to slow down — Central Otago & Queenstown Lakes is known for pinot noir vineyards on schist hillsides and the country's densest concentration of adventure activities.
Kaiapoi
Once you arrive, Kaiapoi opens up alpine hiking, scenic rail journeys and stargazing in and around the wider Canterbury area.
Frequently asked questions
More day trips from Wanaka
Explore more of Central Otago & Queenstown Lakes
Ready to see Kaiapoi?
Tell us what you'd like to do and we'll come back with a private itinerary and a clear quote.