Highlights of the South Island Self Drive Tour Itinerary

Begin your New Zealand journey in a city where heritage charm meets modern creativity, with a beautifully restored city centre and a revitalised dining scene.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Explore at your leisure
• 1 night in Christchurch
   

Suggested Accommodation

Collect your rental vehicle and journey into the heart of the South Island, where the Canterbury Plains give way to the striking turquoise lakes and vast alpine landscapes of Mackenzie Country. 

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Scenic alpine drive
• Church of the Good Shepard & Lake Tekapo
• 2 nights in Mt Cook

Make it yours
Elevate your stay with an unforgettable stargazing experience under some of the clearest skies in the world-renowned Dark Sky Reserve or immerse yourself in the spectacular walking trails surrounding Mt Cook.

Approximate Distance: 330 km | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins


Suggested Accommodation

Cruise across the glacial waters of Tasman Lake, where icebergs drift beneath snow-capped mountains, and explore the region’s rich mountaineering heritage.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, dinner
• Tasman Glacier boat cruise
• Hooker Valley Walking Track
• Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre experience

Make it yours
Upgrade to a scenic helicopter flight for a breathtaking perspective of the Southern Alps.

Ready to make the journey yours? Enquire online or speak with a Travel Designer to personalise your perfect New Zealand escape.

Travel south through ever-changing landscapes, from vast alpine basins and river valleys to historic towns, before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Scenic Lindis Pass
• Historic Arrowtown visit
• Skyline Gondola & 3 luge rides
• 3 nights in Queenstown

Make it yours
Upgrade your Skyline experience with a premium dinner overlooking panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables at sunset.

Approximate Distance: 265 km | 165 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Suggested Accommodation

Journey along one of the world’s most spectacular alpine roads on a coach tour to Milford Sound, where a scenic boat cruise awaits beneath towering cliffs and roaring waterfalls, surrounded by lush rainforest.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Lunch
• Scenic Milford Road Drive
• Milford Sound cruise 
• Fiordland National Park scenery

Make it yours
Take your Milford Sound experience further with a scenic flight back to Queenstown for a breathtaking aerial perspective of Fiordland’s vast wilderness.

Experience Queenstown your way, from lakeside relaxation and year-round adventure to exceptional dining and wineries, before unwinding this evening on a scenic cruise along the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Gourmet BBQ Dinner
• Time to explore at your leisure
• TSS Earnslaw vintage steamboat cruise
• Walter Peak Farm visit

Experience the ever-changing landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island as you journey through alpine passes and rainforest-cloaked valleys, revealing the wild beauty of the West Coast.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Lake Wanaka stopover
• Scenic Haast Pass
• Alpine passes & rainforest scenery
• 2 nights in Franz Josef

Approximate Distance: 355 km | 220 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours


Suggested Accommodation

Discover the dramatic beauty of the West Coast glaciers, where ancient ice meets rainforest creating unforgettable views of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• West Coast Wildlife Centre visit
• Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Scenic helicopter flight
• Alpine snow landing experience

Make it yours
Enhance your experience by extending your heli-experience or including guided glacier valley walks.

Travel to Greymouth winding through dramatic gorges, river valleys, and towering viaducts before reaching Christchurch, offering a memorable finale to your South Island journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast, lunch
• TranzAlpine rail journey
• Arthurs Pass alpine & river landscapes
• 1 night in Christchurch

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


Suggested Accommodation:

Your South Island adventure comes to an end today. Reflect on the alpine peaks, glacial lakes, and and scenic rail journeys through New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Breakfast
• Private airport transfer

Inspired by what you’ve seen? Let’s create a journey to Aotearoa, New Zealand that’s uniquely yours.

Speak with a Travel Designer to start planning your personalised escape.