Franz Josef Glacier & Views of Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki
Franz Josef Glacier & Views of Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki
Canterbury Cityscapes, South Island
Canterbury Cityscapes, South Island
Canterbury Plains, Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
Canterbury Plains, Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
Dunedin, Moeraki Boulders, Omarama Hills & Native Penguins
Dunedin, Moeraki Boulders, Omarama Hills & Native Penguins
Te Anau, The Catlins & Milford Sound
Te Anau, The Catlins & Milford Sound
Queenstown, South Island
Queenstown, South Island
Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, Moeraki Boulders & Haast Pass
Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, Moeraki Boulders & Haast Pass
Lake Matheson & Fox Glacier, South Island
Lake Matheson & Fox Glacier, South Island
TranzAlpine Train
TranzAlpine Train

South Island Natural Discovery Self-Drive

14 nights from £5,899 per person Including Flights

Overview

Spend this 15-day luxury self-drive tour exploring the natural wonders of the South Island. With jaw-dropping sights including Mt Cook, Franz Josef Glacier and the Lord of the Rings scenery of Twizel, you’ll be completely spoiled for fantastic photo opportunities and memories to last you a life time. Along the way you’ll take a cruise on the gorgeous Doubtful Sound and ride the world-famous TranzAlpine train. (NZ)

Highlights:

  • Enjoy adventure spots in Queenstown
  • Heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier
  • Ride the rails on the TranzAlpine train
  • Cruise on the Doubtful Sound
  • Glacier Hot Pools
  • Mount Cook Encounter Guided Walk
  • Luxury Lodge and Hotel accommodation included

Tailor-make this holiday:
Our travel specialist can tailor-make this self-drive itinerary to your requirements, whether you’d like to extend your stay, change a hotel or perhaps you would like an upgraded stay along the way – our experts will be happy to create a tailor-made holiday for you.

Whats included?
  • Car hire throughout
  • Tour pack
  • Flights & Taxes
Why Book with New Zealand Sky?
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  • Great deals on offer for multiple destinations
  • Low deposits
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Day 1

Christchurch

When you arrive in Christchurch you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation at the heart of the city. Here you can relax or spend your time at leisure before spending the night.

Overnight: Orari Apartments

Day 2

Akaroa

Your rental car is delivered then travel over the Port Hills to the French settlement of Akaroa before exploring the wildlife of the harbour

Overnight: Beaufort House Akaroa / breakfast included

Day 3

 

Akaroa to Mt Cook National Park

Mt Cook National Park

On day two you’ll pick up your hire car and drive across the Canterbury Plains. Passing some incredibly picturesque scenery you’ll climb Burkes Pass and then skirt by Lake Tekapo. Stop off here to enjoy the scenery from the shore, or opt to take a scenic flight to enjoy a truly unique view of the lake.

You’ll then head onwards past Lake Pukaki where you’ll see the towering figure of Mt Cook, before shortly arriving in Mt Cook village. You’ll spend the remaining part of day two and the whole of day three exploring Mt Cook National Park. You’ve got a number of options including hikes and helicopter flights as well as kayaking. It’s also well worth visiting the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre for a fascinating understanding of the area.

Overnight: Hermitage Hotel (Two breakfasts and one lunch included)

Day 4

Twizel/Dunedin

Today you’ll head away from Mt Cook towards Twizel. Twizel was one of the principal locations for the Lord of the Rings filming so you won’t be surprised to find otherworldly beauty all around you. It’s also a great destination for fishing and bird-watching as well as more adventurous activities including skydiving and rock climbing. Whilst you’re in the area, it’s a great idea to take the chance to visit the Black Stilt Visitor Hide to view this very rare bird.

You’ll then head on southwards to Omarama where you can stop off for a drink and a bite to eat. Then it’s on to Oamaru, a town famous for its white stone architecture, built out of local stone. It’s also worth knowing that as the sun goes down you’ll be able to see blue penguins coming ashore. You’ll then head on to Moeraki Boulders before arriving in Dunedin.

Overnight: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle / breakfast and dinner included

Day 5

Dunedin

Today you’ll get the chance to see some of the wonderful wildlife that surrounds Dunedin. You’ll take a half day tour including a cruise on Dunedin Harbour and along the side of the Otago shoreline. You’ll also visit The Penguin Place which is a great spot to view the rare yellow-eyed penguin and take a bus tour to bird watch in the wetlands.

Overnight: Camp Estate at Larnach Castle / brekafast and dinner included

Day 6

Te Anau

The drive today takes you through the rolling farmland of Southland as you travel along the wonderfully picturesque Southern Scenic Route. You’ll then head through The Catlins ambling alongside the Otago coastline to Invercargill before you finally reach to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and the world-famous Milford Sound.

Overnight: Te Anau Lodge / Breakfast included

Day 7

Doubtful Sound

Today is a full-day cruise on the Doubtful Sound. You’ll board the Fiordland Navigator, a ship specially designed for cruising on the fiords. From the deck you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Sound, as well as seeing incredible wildlife including seals, dolphins and, in the right season, penguins.

Overnight Fiordland Navigator (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 8-9

Queenstown

You’ll return to dry land at midday as you depart at Manapouri before travelling onwards through Mossburn, known as the deer capital of New Zealand. You’ll then head northwards past Lake Wakatipu and up to New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown. You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the Remarkables on the way.

Day nine is a free day to enjoy some of the activities Queenstown has on offer. Famous for specialising in adventure sports and thrill-seeking activities, you’ll find it in the form of nomad safaris, the Shotover River jet boat ride, skydiving and bungee jumping. If you’d prefer something a little more relaxed you can opt for a wine tour or a visit to some of the Lord of the Rings filming locations.

Overnight: The Dairy Private Hotel / breakfast included

Day 10-11

Mt Aspiring National Park/Lake Moeraki

On today’s drive you’ll cross the Crown Range, notable as the highest sealed road in New Zealand. From here you’ll pass the Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before reaching the town of Makarora, which is the gateway to the famous Mt Aspiring National Park. Here you’ll explore the scenery, visiting the blue pools and taking a stroll through the pretty beech forests.

You’ll then cross the Haast Pass through stunning vistas of waterfalls and rivers before you around at Lake Moeraki where you’ll be spending the night. You’ll then spend day 11 exploring the surrounding area with optional guided walks, adventure trips and canoe safaris. 

Overnight: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki (Two breakfasts and two dinners include)

Day 12-13

Franz Josef Glacier

Today you’ll travel through the west coast and head towards the glacier region. First you’ll see the impressive Fox Glacier and its magnificent mirror lake called Lake Matheson. Then you’ll continue on driving until you reach the wonderful Franz Josef Glacier. Once here you’ve got the chance to relax in a stunning natural environment: head to the Glacier Hot Pools.

On day 13 you’ve got a free day to explore the glaciers. You can take a heli-hike which involves a scenic flight over the glacier before it lands and you go exploring on foot with a guide.

Overnight: Westwood Lodge / breakfast included

Day 14

TranzAlpine train

Today you’ll drop your car off at Greymouth and board the TranzAlpine train which takes you on a stunning scenic journey back to Christchurch, passing the Southern Alps and many other incredible sights. When you arrive in Christchurch you’ll be transferred to your hotel for leisure time.

Overnight: Orari Apartments/ Breakfast included

Day 15

Depart Christchurch

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport and depart Christchurch.

 

What's Included

  • International flights
  • Luxury accommodation as listed
  • All breakfasts and 6 dinners
  • Private airport transfers
  • Car hire - including rental, fully inclusive car insurance, GPS, airport/ferry terminal fees and additional drivers
  • Tour pack - including your itinerary, detailed driving instructions, maps and guide books for each part of your journey
  • 24 hour support - detailed in your pack
  • Excursions including the TranzAlpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch, Mount Cook encounter guided walk, Glacier explorers tour in Mt Cook National Park, Wildlife cruise and yellow eyed penguin colony, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike, entry to Glacier Hot Pools.

 

The following excursions are available to book - approximate prices per person in New Zealand dollars:

  • Te Anau Glowworm Caves $196
  • Dart River Wilderness Jet $498
  • Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter Flight $700
  • Monteiths Brewery Personalised Bottle & Tour $70

Please note these prices are a guide only and can change at any time.
 

Holly Reid
Book today

Talk to our travel experts for more information and to book or tailor-make your holiday

01342 310 581 Call us 9am-7pm Mon-Fri / 9am-5pm Sat-Sun

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