Grand South Island Privately Guided Adventure Itinerary

Welcome to Christchurch, the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city's gardens, riverside precincts, and vibrant dining scene before your adventure begins.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Arrive in Christchurch
• Explore the 'Garden City' at leisure
• Riverside Market & Botanic Gardens
• 3 nights in Christchurch

Make it yours
Set the perfect tone for your journey with a memorable evening on the Christchurch Heritage Tram, where a delicious four-course dinner is served as the city lights come to life.

Suggested Accommodation: 

Journey across the volcanic landscapes of Banks Peninsula to the charming French-inspired seaside village of Akaroa. Cruise the sheltered harbour in search of rare Hector's dolphins, fur seals, and seabirds before enjoying free time to explore boutique shops, cafés, and waterfront walks.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• Scenic Banks Peninsula touring
• Akaroa Harbour wildlife cruise
• Historic French settlement of Akaroa

Enjoy a leisurely day to discover Christchurch at your own pace before experiencing an unforgettable progressive dining experience this evening. Explore hidden venues, sample local cuisine and beverages, and gain fascinating insights into the city's culture and evolving culinary scene.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Free time in Christchurch
• Private Night of Delights dining experience
• Local food and cultural encounters

Make it yours
Not sure where to go or what to see? Wander through the city with a guided tour and uncover cultural treasures hidden in plain sight, gaining unique insights into its history, architecture, and local stories along the way.

Ready to make the journey yours? Enquire online or speak with a Travel Designer to personalise your ultimate South Island experience.

Travel north along the dramatic Pacific coastline to Kaikōura, where you'll take to the skies on a scenic whale-watching flight. Continue into the Marlborough region, renowned for its world-class wines, sunny climate, and picturesque vineyard landscapes.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Kaikōura Wings Over Whales scenic flight
• Pacific Coast touring
• 2 nights in Blenheim

Approximate Distance: 310 kms | 196 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Spend the day at leisure exploring New Zealand's premier wine region. Discover award-winning wineries, boutique galleries, scenic cycling trails, and gourmet food experiences, all set amongst Marlborough's sun-drenched vineyards.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Explore Marlborough at leisure
• Marlborough wine country
• Gourmet food and wine experiences

Make it yours
Indulge in a privately guided wine experience, enjoy a leisurely cycle between cellar doors, or take to the water on a scenic cruise through the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds.

Travel west through rolling vineyards and picturesque countryside to the golden beaches of Kaiteriteri, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, renowned for its pristine coastline, turquoise waters, and native forest.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic drive through Marlborough and Tasman
• Golden beaches and coastal scenery
• 2 nights in Kaiteriteri

Approximate Distance: 180 kms | 112 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Explore one of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal regions by kayak and scenic cruise. Paddle around iconic Split Apple Rock, spot New Zealand fur seals, and enjoy time to walk or relax on secluded golden beaches.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Abel Tasman kayaking adventure
• Scenic coastal cruise
• Seal colony encounters

Journey south through fertile valleys and native forest to Murchison, a charming riverside town known for its outdoor adventures and spectacular mountain surroundings.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic drive through Nelson and Buller regions
• Mountain and river landscapes
• Overnight in Murchison

Approximate Distance: 140 kms | 87 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Suggested Accommodation: 

Travel through ever-changing landscapes of rainforest, rivers, and rugged coastline before arriving in Glacier Country, where ancient ice descends toward lush native forest.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• West Coast touring
• Glacier and rainforest scenery
• 2 nights in Franz Josef

Approximate Distance: 335 kms | 208 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Spend the day immersed in the dramatic landscapes of Glacier Country and enjoy an unforgettable helicopter flight over the magnificent Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, including a snow landing high in the Southern Alps.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Twin Glacier helicopter flight
• Snow landing experience
• Franz Josef Glacier

Make it yours
Exchange your scenic flight for a remarkable heli-hike experience and step onto the glacier itself for an extraordinary adventure among towering ice formations.

Continue south through one of New Zealand's most remote and untouched regions, where dense rainforest, rugged coastline, and waterfalls create an unforgettable journey to peaceful Lake Moeraki.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Scenic West Coast drive
• Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area
• 2 nights at Lake Moeraki

Approximate Distance: 285 kms | 177 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Suggested Accommodation:

Enjoy a day immersed in nature with opportunities to kayak, canoe, explore rainforest trails, or visit remote beaches and hidden glowworm grottos in this spectacular wilderness setting.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Explore Lake Moeraki at leisure
• Guided wilderness opportunities 

Make it yours
Join one of the Wilderness Lodge's exclusive guided nature experiences and uncover the remarkable landscapes and wildlife of Lake Moeraki.

Travel through the dramatic landscapes of Haast Pass and Mt Aspiring National Park, stopping at waterfalls and pristine rivers before arriving in the picturesque lakeside town of Wānaka.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Haast Pass scenic drive
• Mt Aspiring National Park
• 2 nights in Wānaka

Approximate Distance: 175 kms | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Immerse yourself in the flavours of Central Otago with a private wine experience visiting boutique vineyards and enjoying exceptional food and handcrafted wines in one of New Zealand's premier wine regions.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• Private boutique wine tour
• Central Otago vineyards
• Gourmet food and wine experiences

Travel through Central Otago's spectacular landscapes to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, beautifully positioned on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering mountains.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic drive through Central Otago
• Lake Wakatipu and alpine scenery
• 3 nights in Queenstown

Make it yours
Pause in picturesque Arrowtown to stroll its boutique-lined streets and historic precinct, or dare to create an unforgettable memory with a bungy jump over the dramatic Kawarau Gorge.

Approximate Distance: 70 kms | 43 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Experience the thrilling Dart River Wilderness Jet adventure, travelling deep into the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park through landscapes of braided rivers, ancient forest, and spectacular mountain scenery.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, canapes
• Dart River Wilderness Jet experience
• Mt Aspiring National Park
• Guided wilderness exploration

Enjoy a leisurely day to explore Queenstown before boarding the historic TSS Earnslaw for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu and a gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, pre-dinner drinks, canapes, dinner
• Free time in Queenstown
• TSS Earnslaw cruise

Make it yours
Relax and recharge with a rejuvenating soak at Onsen Hot Pools, surrounded by Queenstown's stunning alpine scenery.

Travel through Southland's beautiful countryside to Te Anau before embarking on a magical journey to the famous Glowworm Caves, where thousands of tiny lights illuminate an underground world.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic drive to Te Anau
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves experience
• 2 nights in Te Anau

Approximate Distance: 170 kms | 106 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation: 

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound on a full-day excursion through Fiordland National Park. Cruise beneath towering peaks and cascading waterfalls while keeping watch for seals, dolphins, and penguins.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• Milford Sound cruise
• Fiordland National Park
• Waterfalls and wildlife encounters

Journey east through the rolling countryside of Southland and Otago to Dunedin, a city renowned for its Scottish heritage, beautiful architecture, and unique wildlife experiences.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic Southland and Otago touring
• Historic Dunedin
• 2 nights in Dunedin

Approximate Distance: 290 kms | 180 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Suggested ​Accommodation:

Explore New Zealand's only castle with a visit to the magnificent Larnach Castle and Gardens, rich in history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking harbour views.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Larnach Castle and Gardens
• Historic architecture
• Otago Harbour views

Make it yours
Venture onto the Otago Peninsula in search of rare wildlife, including albatross and penguins, or take to the water on a private cruise to experience this incredible coastline from a different perspective.

Travel through the Mackenzie Basin to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, where towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and expansive alpine landscapes await. This evening, experience one of the world's finest stargazing destinations.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Mackenzie Basin scenic drive
• Big Sky Stargazing experience
• 2 nights in Aoraki / Mount Cook

Approximate Distance: 320 kms | 199 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Suggested Accommodation:

Spend the day exploring New Zealand's highest mountain and its spectacular alpine landscapes. Choose from scenic walks, glacier experiences, or simply relax and take in the magnificent mountain scenery.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Explore Mount Cook National Park at leisure
• Alpine walks and glacier scenery
• International Dark Sky Reserve

Make it yours
Enhance your Mount Cook experience with a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and conclude the day with an immersive guided stargazing experience in one of the world's premier Dark Sky Reserves.

Travel through the stunning Mackenzie Country and Canterbury Plains, stopping at beautiful Lake Tekapo before returning to Christchurch for your final evening.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo
• Canterbury Plains scenic drive
• Overnight in Christchurch

Approximate Distance: 330 kms | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Enjoy a relaxed final morning before departing Christchurch, taking with you unforgettable memories of New Zealand's spectacular landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and exceptional experiences.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Departure transfer to Christchurch Airport

Ready to make the journey yours? Speak with one of our Travel Designers to customise your own unforgettable South Island adventure.