New Zealand's South Island self-drive

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Christchurch.

On-board your international outbound flight to Christchurch.

Arrive in Christchurch today where you will be welcomed by one of our representatives and transferred to your accommodation for the next two nights. Relax, unwind and recover from your flight, there is plenty to do in Christchurch within an easy stroll of your accommodation.

Enjoy the day at leisure in Christchurch. The nearby beach suburbs of New Brighton and Sumner are well worth a visit - here you can enjoy a coffee whilst watching the surf roll in.

Take a taxi to the airport to collect your car this morning and make your way north from the city today and inland to Hanmer Springs. Enjoy an afternoon soak in the famous and therapeutic hot pools here.

Today you take a scenic drive along the Lewis Pass then north through Murchison to Motueka, close to the Abel Tasman region.

Today you get to explore this pristine area from the water and on foot. Start with a kayaking trip around the edges of the National Park, paddling gently with the breeze. Then, enjoy a cruise along the coast to a beautiful beach where you are dropped off to enjoy a short walk on one of the tracks here.

You start your journey down the west coast today and make your way to Hokitika. This is a long drive so we suggest making a day of it and stopping of at sights along the way. You might like to stop at the Pancake Rocks, near Punakaiki.

Make your way south along the wild West Coast to Franz Josef, the scenery on this drive is fabulous! The rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps visit Te Koha Gallery where you can try your hand at jade carving.

Today is at leisure to explore Franz Josef, you might like to visit Lake Matheson for stunning views of nearby Fox Glacier and Mount cook, take a glacier valley walk up to the Franz Josef Glacier or arrange for a helicopter or light aircraft flight over the glaciers.

Another stunning drive down the coast and inland to Lake Wanaka. There are lots of lovely spots to stop and go for short walks; each with something fascinating to see and photograph, along the way.

Today you join a delightful 4WD eco-tour to a privately owned high country station. You will see deer, sheep and cattle, learn a little about the station and take in some of the most magnificent views that Wanaka has to offer. To top it off you'll enjoy a lovely cup of tea served on top of one of Wanaka's wild hills with probably one of the most beautiful views in New Zealand.

You make your way to Te Anau today, where you will spend the night before embarking on your overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Do stop in and visit Queenstown as you pass through. Arrowtown is also a lovely little town you will reach before Queenstown and well worth a visit.

A wonderful experience awaits as you embark on a magical journey to Doubtful Sound, you will spend the night here, and wake up as some of only a few people to experience the Sound first thing in the morning. Keep a sharp eye out for wildlife such as Penguins, Otters, Dolphins, Seals and Albatross.

You will be dropped off at Te Anau this lunchtime, collect your car and drive down to Invercargill where you will catch a short 20 minute light aircraft flight over to Stewart Island.

Today you will enjoy a half day tour of Stewart Island and Ulva Island, learning all about the abundant birdlife and botany of these unique places. If you wish, you can extend this to a full day tour, just let your specialist know.

A short 20 minute hop on the small plane back to Invercargill this morning and you'll drive on up to Dunedin, where you will spend the next two nights at leisure.

Dunedin is a beautiful city to explore, in addition to the architecture, you might like to arrange for a boat tour around the Otago peninsula, to see some of the native penguins.

A long drive up to Christchurch today, so we suggest making a day of it and stopping at Oamaru and Timaru to see the sights along the way. You will spend your last night in Christchurch tonight. Why not go for one last dinner on board the Tramway restaurant, which trundles around the city as you dine on fine New Zealand cuisine.

Today you will meet your international flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.