12 Day Ultimate Southern Adventure
South Island Self Drive Tour
Christchurch to Christchurch
Days: 12 days / 11 Nights
Accommodation: 4-5 star
Vehicle: Modern Toyota Rav4 + GPS + Full Insurance
From $555 NZD Per Person, Per Day*
Price: $6660 NZD Per Person, Twin Share *(low season)
All Inclusive & Customisable
Self drive the breathtaking South Island with our bespoke 12 day itinerary. Cruise through the floating icebergs of NZ's largest glacier & marvel at the beauty of Milford Sound with its cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains on a cruise. Discover enchanting glow-worm caves, cruise on the historic T.S.S Earnslaw steam ship & uncover the finest wines of Central Otago, including a visit to the renowned Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. After your scenic Franz Josef Heli Hike exploring ice sculptures you’ll soak in the Waiho Hot Tubs, surrounded by lush rainforest before experiencing the best of Queenstown.
Chat with us today to customise this tour!
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The Monday Room Trust the Chef Dinner banquet style shared dining, combined with their extensive wine list.
Explore the Hooker Valley Track - a trail which leads you past gigantic snow capped mountains.
Glacier Explorers trip. Experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier by boat as you weave in and out of floating icebergs
Milford Sound Cruise Including Picnic Lunch, featuring pristine waterfalls and towering mountains.
Lake Te Anau glow worm cave cruise to view the shimmering light of thousands of luminous glow-worms.
Gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting, after cruising across Lake Wakatipu in a 110 year old steam ship - The T.S.S Earnslaw.
Visit 4 of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors, including a visit to New Zealand’s famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave.
Private bathing cedar lined hot tub experience at Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown.
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Scenic helicopter flight and a guided walk on the ice of the glacier.
Waiho Hot Tubs - aromatic wood smoked private tub, nestled in a lush rainforest setting.
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11 nights in 4-5 star/best available motel, hotel, bed and breakfast or apartment featuring mountain, ocean and lake views (subject to availability)
12 days vehicle hire of a modern Toyota Rav4 or similar + GPS + full insurance
All meals as listed under each day's itinerary
All experiences as listed under each day's itinerary
All bookings and reservations + assistance for urgent matters during your trip via email and a free calling number
A digital travel guide APP outlining our top picks for what to see and do and where to eat along your route
The donation of 4 native trees – a sustainability initiative to offset carbon emissions and re-grow Aotearoa/New Zealand's forests
Arrival and departure flights not included
Detailed Itinerary - Day by Day
Day 1
Stay: Rydges Latimer
Meals: Dinner Included
Your Day: Christchurch Arrival
Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation where the day and night are free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Tonight you will enjoy a 2 course trust the chef dinner at The Monday Room. Their ever popular banquet style shared dining, combined with their extensive wine list and ever changing cocktail menu never fails to provide a phenomenal dining experience.
Day 2
Driving time: 333 km, 4.5 hours driving
Stay: Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook
Today you will make your journey inland and south to New Zealand’s highest peak - Aoraki/Mount Cook. Along the way you will pass through the Canterbury Plains with views to the Southern Alps along the journey. Why not stop in the quaint little town of Geraldine and sample some of their New Zealand-famous jam? From here you head west to Lake Tekapo. Perhaps soak in the thermal pools on the lakeside (optional – extra cost) and see the famous Church of the Good Shepherd up close. Following this, you will drive to the top of Mount John to take in some of the most stunning 360 degree views New Zealand has to offer! Take the short drive towards Lake Pukaki and drive along it to reach Mount Cook Village, nestled in the Southern Alps near our tallest mountain. In Mount Cook National Park you have the option to enjoy some beautiful nature walks, including the famous Hooker Valley Track - a trail which leads you past gigantic snow capped mountains, fast flowing glacial rivers and glacial lakes to a stunning view point of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Day 3
Stay: Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Aoraki/Mount Cook (Glacier Explorers)
Today you will enjoy a Glacier Explorers trip. Experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier by boat as you weave in and out of floating icebergs. It’s a surreal and mesmerising experience in a totally unique environment. No two days are the same on the Tasman Lake with a constant shifting of conditions, which simply adds to the magic of this very special place.
The rest of your day is free to explore Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and we will provide plenty of suggestions for what to see and do in your travel guide.
Day 4
Driving time: 421km, 5 hours driving
Stay: Lakefront Lodge Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Te Anau
This morning you will travel over the Lindis Pass (965m) to Central Otago, known for its Merino Sheep and wool industry. First perhaps stop at a local salmon farm and sample fresh or smoked salmon. From there you head through to Cromwell where you can visit a local fruit shop for a chance to try ‘Real Fruit Ice cream’, take a tour of a local fruit orchard (including tasting some fresh fruit! – optional activity) and sample a few of the New Zealand famous manuka honey products. Continue along Lake Wakatipu and cross over into Southland to reach the beautiful lakeside town of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Day 5
Driving Time: 240km, 4 hours driving
Stay: Lakefront Lodge Te Anau
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) Day Trip
Be prepared for one of the jewels of the New Zealand landscape! The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most spectacular in the world and certainly a highlight on any New Zealand tour. En route you will see spectacular valleys, breath taking mountains and hopefully spot the cheeky Kea (New Zealand’s mountain parrot). This morning you will experience all that the fjords have to offer with a 1.5 hour boat cruise featuring pristine waterfalls and towering mountains plunging into the Tasman Sea (included activity). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and the Fiordland crested Penguin. On your trip back to Te Anau there is the opportunity to enjoy several short walks in the Fiordland National Park.
Day 6
Driving time: 175km, 2 hours driving
Stay: Rydges Resort Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included
Your Day: Te Anau to Queenstown
This morning in Te Anau you will take a tour by boat across Lake Te Anau to the glow worm caves to view the shimmering light of thousands of luminous glow-worms in a 12,000 year old grotto (included). Following this, you will head to Queenstown, ‘New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world’. Skirting your way around Lake Wakatipu makes for some stunning photography and you will be amazed by the Remarkables Mountain Range, one of the most famous back drops for Lord of the Rings. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish in Queenstown, and there is plenty to see and do! Perhaps enjoy a walk around the botanic gardens on the lake, enjoy a drop of Central Otago pinot noir at a nearby winery, or sample some fresh local cuisine on offer on the lakefront. This afternoon you will enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal and a farm demonstration in a stunning lakeside setting, after crusing across Lake Wakatipu in a 110 year old steam ship - The T.S.S Earnslaw.
Day 7
Stay: Rydges Resort Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Queenstown Wine Sampler Tour + Onsen Experience
Did someone say Queenstown wine tour? It’s time to pinot! Travel in premium Mercedes vehicles visiting four of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors, including a visit to New Zealand’s famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Look, smell and taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines and enjoy an optional scrumptious lunch (additional cost ordered on the day) whilst your charismatic wine guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local winemaking facts and stories. This evening you will indulge in a private bathing experience at Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown. Your experience begins with a 45-minute soak in a cedar lined hot tub while you enjoy a complimentary drink and snack and soak up the incredible views of the quintessential southern landscape. Once relaxed, calm and warm, you will then be treated to your choice of face or body treatments in Onsen Queenstown's peaceful day spa room with 1 hour spa packages available.
Day 8
Stay: Rydges Resort Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Queenstown Free Day
Today is free to explore Queenstown at leisure and take part in some of the fantastic activities that this ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ has to offer. Options for the adventurous include: Skydiving, Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Canyon Swings, White Water Rafting, Flyboarding and Paragliding. If you feel like taking a more relaxed approach to the day, take a walk through Queenstown’s Botanic Gardens or perhaps drive out to the head of Lake Wakatipu and experience the breath-taking scenery of the Glenorchy area.
Day 9
Driving time: 350 km, 5 hours driving
Stay: Aspen Court Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
You start your day with a drive over The Crown Range, New Zealand’s Highest Highway to Wanaka, a popular lakeside resort town. From here, one of the prettiest and most dramatic journeys in the country is what you can experience on this tour over the Haast Pass through to Franz Josef Glacier. The walking possibilities are endless today around Haast and Haast Pass and we can do one of or several walks, some of which feature spectacular waterfalls and deep blue coloured pools where it is possible to see trout swimming. One of our favourite hidden spots at The Road Trip is an isolated beach featuring native Totara trees hugging rugged coastline. Keep a look-out for dolphins bobbing up and down on the shoreline. En route to Franz Josef Glacier, we visit Lake Matheson, otherwise known as ‘Mirror Lakes’ where on a clear day it is possible to see the reflection of New Zealand’s highest mountain Mt Cook (3754m/12,316ft).
Day 10
Driving time: 193 km, 2 hours 30 minutes driving
Stay: Aspen Court Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Franz Josef Glacier (Heli-Hike + Waiho Hot Tubs)
Franz Josef Glacier is one of only three glaciers in the world to be surrounded by rainforest! This morning you will enjoy a scenic helicopter flight to Franz Josef Glacier and a guided walk on the ice of the glacier. This is a first-hand exploration of a glacier by chopper, seeing only what experienced mountaineers can reach is a wilderness experience you’ll never forget. You’ll fly up to the Franz Josef Glacier and walk for two hours amongst the ice formations and pinnacles and see first-hand the extraordinary colours of the ice-flow. Touch the ice, breathe in the fresh air.
This evening you will enjoy a soak at Waiho Hot Tubs. Relax and unwind in the soothing comfort of fresh, warm water and aromatic wood smoke after your exhilarating heli-hike. Enjoy your own private tub, nestled in a lush rainforest setting on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Day 11
Driving time: 388 km, 5 hours driving
Stay: Rydges Latimer
Meals: Breakfast Included
Your Day: Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch
This morning you drive North, through Hokitika to have a look at the greenstone factory where you can view up close how the local people carve necklaces and sculptures from the precious stone. Next up perhaps check out the stunning Hokitika Gorge with its beautiful bright blue waters and surrounding native forest. From here will drive through the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass and Christchurch. Keep a look out for the Bealey River and lakes Pearson and Lyndon with the towering Alps above. Arrive in Christchurch in the evening.
Day 12
Meals: Breakfast Included
Onward flight is not included
Your Day: Christchurch Departure Day
Time permitting you could hop on a tram tour. Christchurch's historic tram offers a 30-minute tour of the city, allowing you to see some of the most significant landmarks and sights. You could also visit the Canterbury Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.
Pending your flight booking, you will transfer to your onward travel arrangements. We trust you have had a fantastic time in our beautiful country and wish you safe travels to your next destination.
Here's how it works.
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Step One.
Enquire by filling out our form with a few more details about your driving holiday plans. Our driving holiday experts will be in touch to discuss options and ideas with you.
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Step Two.
We will help match you to your perfect New Zealand driving holiday itinerary, complete with all the destinations you want to visit and any additional activities you would like to include.
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Step Three.
Once you are happy with everything, we can take a small deposit and you can get excited to hit the open road and explore New Zealand. With our 24/7 support, you can rest easy knowing that everything is arranged.
Plan your ultimate New Zealand driving holiday today with our expert travel agency.
Our team of specialists will help you create a seamless travel solution, tailored to your specific touring plans and desired duration.