Itinerary
This is a 15 day self-drive itinerary that travels the South Island of New Zealand, starting and finishing in Christchurch.
Welcome to Christchurch. Having cleared customs and immigration formalities, collect your car rental and make your way to your accommodation. This evening we have included a unique luxury dining experience on a heritage tram. This is New Zealand’s only dining tramcar, and the menu features premium local cuisine paired with attentive service from professional wait staff.
Journey to the heart of the South Island passing the expansive Canterbury Plains. Stop for a break in Geraldine before heading through Fairlie. As you climb Burkes Pass, you’ll reach the scenic town of Tekapo, where you can admire Aoraki/Mount Cook from the shores of the stunning Lake Pukaki. Follow the lake to get to Mount Cook Village and settle into your accommodation.
Today you get to experience the ultimate ice adventure in Aoraki/Mount Cook. Cruise around the Tasman glacial lake in the safety of specially designed boats, you can marvel at towering ice cliffs and floating icebergs, and view unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand’s largest glacier. A trip on Glacier Explorers is a unique opportunity to truly feel small as the lateral moraines, which are sharp-crested piles of glacially transported rocks and debris that are dropped by the ice as it melts, rear up almost 200m.
Continue your drive south along the stunning Mount Cook Highway to join the main road south towards Twizel. Twizel is centrally located in the Mount Cook/ Mackenzie region, and the town is near five beautiful lakes.
The next town south is Omarama, where you’ll turn down the Waitaki Valley and follow the hydropower generating system towards the east coast. At the town of Oamaru, known for its white stone buildings, you can watch blue penguins come back to shore at dusk after their day at sea. Further south, the Moeraki Boulders are a unique geological feature and worth the short trip to the beach to see. Finally, you’ll arrive at your destination of Dunedin, where you can check into your hotel before going out to explore the university city’s Edwardian architecture and strong Scottish roots.
After a leisurely morning you will be transferred out over the Otago Peninsula. Enjoy postcard views of the harbour and coast as you travel past quaint communities and rural farms. Your tour will visit a remote Otago Peninsula beach just a short walk from the mini-bus which provides dramatic views of rugged coastal cliffs, offshore islands and perhaps some huge sea lions.
The trip continues to Wellers Rock Wharf, for a one-hour Wildlife Cruise. You’ll travel out of the harbour, around Taiaroa Head, and out to sea. See albatross, fur seals, penguins and other marine life. Finally, you will visit a Yellow-eyed Penguin reserve and learn about their conservation. The tour ends with a relaxed drive, following the harbour, back to Dunedin.
You will drive through the Southland countryside to Te Anau today. Take the coastal route and stop at Kaka Point to see the stunning cliffs and waves. Then, go through Invercargill to Riverton and Colac Bay, and continue to Manapouri. A short drive later, you will reach Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
Your accommodation is at the stunning Fiordland Lodge. The lodge overlooks Lake Te Anau and is surrounded by grasslands. It’s a great place to explore the untouched wilderness of Fiordland National Park. You can enjoy the local food, go fly fishing or hiking, or just relax and admire the views.
This morning you’ll drive south along Lake Te Anau, passing lush southern farmlands to reach the township of Lake Manapouri and the gateway to Doubtful Sound.
Here you’ll take in the tranquility and remoteness of the sound on a unique wilderness cruise. Beginning in Manapouri with a short boat ride across the lake, you’ll be taken by coach over the Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove, where you’ll board the Fiordland Navigator, a purpose-built vessel designed like a traditional coastal trading scow. Get settled into your cabin, then climb to the spacious deck. As you take in the stunning scenery of the fiord, you’ll be provided with a running commentary of the area and its history, points of interest, and wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to see dolphins, fur seals, and—if you’re lucky—rare Fiordland penguins. After anchoring in a sheltered cove, explore the shoreline by kayak, returning to the ship for dinner.
Following a cooked breakfast on board, spend the morning exploring other parts of the fiord before returning to Deep Cove at midday to disembark and travel back to Manapouri.
From here you’ll get behind the wheel again, continue north through lush countryside towards Lake Wakatipu, where the road hugs the lake edge and the Remarkables mountain range welcomes you to Queenstown—the adventure capital of New Zealand and your base for the next two nights.
A leisurely start to the day before you head to Gibbston Valley winery for their iconic cave tour with 3 wine tastings, packaged with a three-course lunch with matching wines. The seasonal menu features carefully-selected ingredients which reflect local flavours and are expertly paired with our wines to make every element sing.
During any free time please feel free to explore the wider Gibbston Valley property, explore the Cellar Door and Cheesery & Deli or hire a bike from the Bike Centre and cycle down along the vineyard trails to the nearby wineries.
The rest of the day is yours to continue to explore Queenstown.
You will drive over the Crown Range, the highest road in New Zealand, to Wanaka. You will then follow the lakeside roads to Makarora, the entrance to Mount Aspiring National Park. Here, you can visit the Blue Pools and walk to a glacier-fed pool in the beech forests. Next, you will drive down to the Haast Pass, where rivers and waterfalls lead to the wild West Coast, a long stretch of rainforests. Soon, you will arrive at Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, your home for two nights.
Few places on earth can match the stunning natural setting of Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, surrounded by lakes, rivers, rainforest and seacoast in the heart of Te Wahipounamu, the southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. This is a paradise for nature lovers, active travelers and wilderness seekers.
Each day one complimentary guided nature activity is included. These daily trips are fun, educational and interactive. They are led by expert naturalists and introduce you to the area’s remarkable natural history. Some of the activities on offer include:
The Interior of the Rainforest – A Step Back in Time
Discover 1000-year-old trees, orchids, and a myriad of ferns. Search for birdlife & learn about the conservation campaigns that saw these rainforests protected in perpetuity as a World Heritage site.
Freshwater Ecology of the Moeraki River
Learn about the inhabitants of a waterway teaming with life. Discover tiny invertebrates that support a complex food web and handfeed giant freshwater eels.
Learn Easy Kayaking
Join a trained guide to paddle our safe and stable kayaks. Explore the calm waters of Lake Moeraki and watch waterbirds, spot trout and experience absolute serenity.
Night Sky & Glow Worm Discovery
After dinner take a stroll to learn about the stars of the southern sky and see glow worms light up the rainforest.
Your road trip continues today, as you follow the wild West Coast and pass through ancient podocarp forests. At Knights Point Lookout, an interesting display tells of shipwrecks in the region and at the right time of year, you can see elephant seals basking on the far beaches. As you continue north, you’ll pass the imposing Fox Glacier and the reflective Lake Matheson as you enter New Zealand’s glacier region. Nearby, a wilderness of crashing surf and distant snow-capped mountains welcomes you to the historic Gillespie’s Beach, worth a short detour for its seal colony and colorful gold mining history. A further 45 minutes north takes you to your destination of Franz Josef township, nestled in the shadow of its eponymous glacier.
We start the date with a guided glacier experience you will never forget. Your experience combines a short, exhilarating helicopter ride, jaw-dropping scenery and a two-and-half-hour hike through the most spectacular glacier features. It’s no wonder our guests often label their Glacier Heli Hike as the highlight of their visit to Aotearoa (New Zealand). The friendly and experienced guides will share their knowledge of the glacier region, leaving you with a whole new appreciation for Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier).
Today, you’ll head north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. This seaside town is famous for its greenstone (pounamu) and has a rich history dating back to the 1860s. Visit the coast and enjoy the endless sea views or find a souvenir at one of the many craft shops. Continue to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, and the starting point for the next leg of your journey—the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Leave your rental car at the Greymouth Train Station depot, before getting on your train back to Christchurch.
Regarded as one of the world’s great train journeys, you’ll travel across the South Island from the west to east coasts, crossing through Arthur’s Pass National Park. From the comfort of your carriage, see lush beech forest, deep river valleys, and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.
A driver will be waiting for you at the train station to take you to your accommodation. Enjoy your final evening in New Zealand with a farewell dinner and a night on the town.
Free time this morning for some last-minute sightseeing, shopping, or relaxing before returning your vehicle at Christchurch airport for your onward flight.
