NZ Southern Encounter - A Luxury Self Drive Itinerary

When you touch down in New Zealand your detailed documentation pack will be hand-delivered by one of our trusted representatives. You'll find everything you need in one handy place: your personalised itinerary, clear instructions and maps, and reservation details for your accommodation and activities.

24 Hour Assistance: We’re just a free phone call away if you encounter any issues while you're on the road - at any time of day or night. Don’t waste your precious vacation time stressing - First Light Travel are here to help you quickly when every second counts.

What's also included?

‘Kia Ora’. Welcome to Christchurch.

A First Light Travel representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore the ‘Garden City’

Some suggested activities in Christchurch if you have time:

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Climb aboard the TranzAlpine and travel via Arthur's Pass to Greymouth on the West Coast. This rail journey is truly something special. Enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as you travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River and traverse the mighty Southern Alps, where spectacular views of the chiseled alpine landscape will take your breath away at every turn. Ranked among the world’s top 6 train journeys, these tracks flow through some of New Zealand's most splendid countryside from the Southern Alps to Greymouth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see natural grandeur on such a scale. 

Collect your rental car in Greymouth and travel to the west coast glacial village of Franz Josef where you can relax and soak in the thermal pools after an invigorating day.

Approximate Distance: 196 km | 140 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night

Before you leave this morning you might want to experience a scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions),

The scenery is impressive all the way, and once over the Haast Pass, it changes dramatically as you head into the mountains and bid farewell to the coastline. Continuing up the Haast River into Mount Aspiring National Park and Central Otago (This pass was used by the Maori to trade Poumanu (Greenstone) you follow Lake Hawea nearly all the way through to Wanaka over the Crown Range to Arrowtown and Queenstown. This drive is world-class, some of the vistas to watch out for are: Lake Matheson, Views of Mount Cook, Bruce Bay, Ship Cove, Haast River/Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Blue Pools, Lakes Hawea & Wanaka.

Approximate Distance: 350 kms | 217 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 55 mins

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights

The surrounding area is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards and the natural landscape with wild rivers, high peaks and deep canyons has allowed Queenstown to developed an exciting array of outdoor adventure activities - and there's plenty to choose from. But if you are just want to chill out then Queenstown's compact downtown area is relaxed during the day and huge fun at night. In any season, you can count on stylish designer shops and many trendy restaurants offering a kaleidoscope of dining experiences.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:

From Queenstown drive the scenic route to the lakeside town of Manapouri in Fiordland National Park a World Heritage Area.
 
From Manapouri embark on an amazing cruise through the moody and mysterious Doubtful Sound. Onboard the Fiordland Navigator experienced nature guides will provide commentary on the wildlife sightings ensuring you don’t miss any of the highlights. Watch out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and the Fiordland yellow eyebrow crested penguin.  After anchoring for the evening you will have the opportunity to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat.

Dinner will be prepared by an onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Before retiring to your private cabin (with ensuite bathroom) take time to gaze at the stars and listen to the sound of ‘silence’. 

Approximate Distance: 172 kms | 107 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 10 mins

*Please Note: The overnight cruise does not operate in the winter: 18 May – 20 Sept.

Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator Doubtful Sound  - 1 night

After a hearty breakfast, spend the morning cruising Doubtful Sound back to Deep Cove. In particular, keep an eye out for the resident bottlenose dolphins that patrol the fiord or the New Zealand fur seal seen basking as the sun rises warming the rocks they occupy and when in season the rare Fiordland crested penguin.  

Retrace your steps back to Manapouri and travel to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South.

Approximate Distance: 302 kms | 188 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 50 mins

Accommodation: Dunedin  - 2 nights

Today cruise the length of the Otago Harbour. Experience an unforgettable half day cruise and peninsula tour and explore Careys Bay historic fishing village, Port Chalmers’ busy wharves and the harbour’s beautiful bays, hills, farmland and forest. Enjoy Monarch’s fascinating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head and the surrounding coastline of dramatic cliffs. Watch the NZ Furseals play and swim near their breeding colonies, out at sea you can spot rarely seen ocean birds including other albatross species and petrels, and you may see penguins, dolphins and other marine mammals.

Stop to view the mystical Moeraki Boulders 40 km (24 Miles) south of Oamaru. These otherworldly boulders are steeped in Maori Legend. Scientists explain the boulders as septarian concretions formed about 65 million years ago. Crystallization of calcium and carbonates around charged particles in muddy undersea sediments gradually formed the boulders in a process taking as long as four million years. The soft mud-stone containing the boulders was raised from the seabed around 15 million years ago and sea erosion is exposing the erosion-resistant boulders.

Then its time to visit Oamaru. While its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels, and restaurants, the residents ‘the Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact quite the contrary, unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemians artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops, and venues – it has to be seen to be believed and you'll love it.

Your journey continues into the World Heritage Mt Cook National Park, with its 70,000 ha of breathtaking alpine scenery. After dinner, enjoy a guided tour of the Digital Dome Planetarium before your astronomy guides take you to their outdoor stargazing site where you explore different elements of the spectacular southern sky.

Approximate Distance: 322 kms | 200miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation: Mt Cook Village - 1 night

Heading North upcountry, we look for a spot for some great photos at Lake Tekapo. Tekapo is one of three significant, neighboring lakes that border the Mackenzie Valley in New Zealand's South Island. Golden tussock grass carpets the surrounding hillside and roll away into the distance where the Southern Alps frame the horizon. The charming 'Church of the Good Shepherd' sits alone on its shores and the views to our highest mountain, Aoraki are awesome.

Approximate Distance: 333 kms | 207 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 20 mins

This afternoon make your way back to the 'Garden City' Christchurch

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

Return your rental car to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight. We are sure you will enjoy this itinerary and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.