10 Day Highlights of the South Island Self Drive Tour Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ and Welcome to New Zealand.

New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The city itself has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes, and has shown its resiliency with a number of new developments popping up everywhere. Stop in at the Riverside Market - an exciting new development consisting of a 7-day-trading, indoor market, linked to a vibrant network of boutique retail, restaurants, cafes & bars. Make the most of your free time, your New Zealand short break starts tomorrow.

Some Suggested Activities If You Have Time

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Mt Cook National Park

This is a Fantasy Land of Ice and Rock. Mt Cook National Park, known for its exquisite alpine beauty and is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook. Its Maori name, ‘Aoraki’ means ‘cloud piercer’ and at 12,016ft (3,755m) it towers above the surrounding snow-covered peaks in the park.

Some highly recommended excursions around the National Park.

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

Accommodation: Mt Cook - 2 Nights

Tasman Glacier Boat Trip

Experience the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake and its icebergs, in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. A unique guided experience departing Aoraki/Mount Cook village. Board your MAC boat, and explore the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake, where you will discover the ever-changing ice face of the Glacier and icebergs, making each trip different from the last due to changing winds and currents. Knowledgeable guides, enhance your experience with their expertise and passion for this amazing alpine environment. Have you ever been alongside, discovered, or touched an iceberg?

Queenstown, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps, is New Zealand’s most celebrated destination.  Offering a wealth of experiences to be enjoyed – from adrenaline activities through to superb golf, gourmet food, and wine tours or romantic hot air ballooning.

Gondola Ride to the top of Bob's Peak Queenstown

Sit back and take in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! You'll be carried 450 metres to the top of Bob's Peak where you get to experience a spectacular 220-degree panorama with breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak. When you get to the top, choose from the host of activities on offer: whether you're looking for a day packed with thrills or a relaxing dining experience with some of the best of New Zealand and international cuisine.

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

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 Nights

Today, board a twin engine aircraft for your scenic 35 minute flight to Milford Sounds. During your flight there are panoramic views of the spectacular alpine scenery including glaciers, rivers, lakes and rainforest On reaching Milford Sound, enjoy a full length cruise of the fiord in modern, purpose built vessels. The vessels offer excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife with large windows, spacious decks and comfortable lounges. Commentaries are provided in several languages and interpretation handouts are available in eight languages.

A range of lunch options and complimentary tea and coffee is available on all vessels. At the completion of your cruise, return to Queenstown by plane. Transfers are provided to and from your accommodation to Queenstown airport.

Enjoy today a Shotover Jet Boat Trip and discover and explore every aspect of this magnificent area through a combination of exciting jet boating. 

If you want to enjoy spectacular scenic views, you can sit back and relax in the Skyline Queenstown Gondola (cost of Gondola included). The steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the must-do activities in Queenstown. 

Recommended Queenstown excursions if you have time:

Franz Josef village is small (only 500 locals) and is located only ten minutes from the Glacier. The Franz Josef is a glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km (13 Miles) to the south, it is a unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to just 200 metres above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. The glacier is currently 12 kilometres (8 miles) long and terminates 19 km (11mi) from the Tasman Sea. The glacier exhibits a cyclic pattern of advance and retreat, driven by differences between the volume of meltwater at the foot of the glacier and volume of snowfall feeding the neve.

Take the time this afternoon for a walk to the Glaciers Terminal Face.

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

Accommodation: Franz Joseph - 2 Nights

Simply the ultimate Glacier experience! Take in the Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter before descending onto the ice itself for an adventure like no other. From the crevasses and ice caves to the splendour of the clean blue ice, immerse yourself in the unique surroundings and touch the ice, breath the fresh air and enjoy one of the world's most exhilarating experiences. Franz Josef Glacier is 12km (7.45mi) long and fed by a massive 20 square km (7.7 sq mi) snowfield at the top of the Southern Alps.

It features ice pinnacles as high as multi-story buildings, deep crevasses and stunning, pristine blue ice. It's all on show and the most dynamic glacier in New Zealand is accessible to you via one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world.

Begin your morning with a breathtaking coastal drive to Greymouth. You might like to pause in Hokitika for a spot of shopping - this town is home to many artisan carvers of the local pounamu (greenstone), which is sacred to Maori. A unique, locally carved greenstone pendant would be a special way to remember your trip.

Rated as one of the top scenic train journeys in the world, the Famous Tranz Alpine Train will take you deep into the heartland of the South Island… a coast to coast journey through some of the world’s most extreme and beautiful scenery. The Tranz Alpine winds its way over massive viaducts and through spectacular gorges and river valleys, tracking slowly across the country's greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps. It stops in the heart of the Southern Alps at Arthur’s Pass National Park before descending to the Canterbury Plains and on to Christchurch.

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

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

There maybe time for some last minute excursions or shopping before making your way for your outbound flight. We are sure you will enjoy your New Zealand short break holiday, our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with plenty 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.