Description
The Tour
8 days/7 nights - the ultimate self-drive tour of the best of the South Island.
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
On arrival into Christchurch, collect your Thrifty rental car from the rental desk and proceed to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Standard option: Copthorne Hotel Durham Street, Christchurch; Superior option: Millennium Hotel Christchurch. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore or relax. Christchurch is known as the 'most English city outside England' or the 'garden city'. The city was planned around Canterbury Cathedral, whose 65m spire dominates almost any view of the city. From the unique Summit Road, there is a magnificent view of the Canterbury Plains, bounded on the west by the Southern Alps. (RO)
Day 2: Christchurch - Mount Cook - Queenstown (620km - approx 8 hours 45 min)
Travel across the Canterbury Plains to reach Mount Cook around lunchtime. A rare opportunity here is to take an optional scenic flight for an overview of Mount Cook's ice falls, snow fields and glaciers (extra cost). Your journey continues over the Lindis Pass and through the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown, where you will spend the next 3 nights. Standard option: The Aspen Hotel, Queenstown (Lake View Room); Superior option: Millennium Hotel Queenstown. (RO)
Day 3: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown (600km - approx 10 hours 10 min)
An early start today as you follow Lake Wakatipu via Kingston, arriving in Te Anau for a morning tea break. Follow the shores of Lake Te Anau before entering the Eglington Valley. Pass the mirror lakes and travel through the 'avenue of the disappearing mountain'. Your spectacular drive continues through the mountains, valley and forests of the Fiordland National Park, with a dramatic descent into Milford Sound. A fascinating launch cruise to Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak is included. Later, return to Queenstown. (RO)
Day 4: Queenstown at leisure
A full day at leisure to explore or relax. Striking mountain peaks surround Queenstown and although still rural in character, the town has developed into a tourist resort for all seasons. Perhaps try one of the many activities on offer, including a scenic flight, gondola ride, lake cruise on the vintage Earnslaw, jetboat ride, Dart River excursion, white-water rafting or the world-famous bungee jump! Alternatively, you may wish to drive to the nearby historic Arrowtown. (RO)
Day 5: Queenstown - West Coast Glaciers (420km - approx 6 hours 30 min)
Today, enjoy a memorable drive through some of the most magnificent scenery in New Zealand. Travel via Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea and over the Haast Pass to the beech forests of Mount Aspiring National Park, to overnight in Franz Josef. Standard option: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Hotel (Graham Wing); Superior option: Te Weheka Fox Glacier. (RO)
Day 6: West Coast Glaciers - Greymouth (205km - approx 3 hours 30 min)
This morning, enjoy a guided walk to a glacier terminal face. You may also like to take an optional scenic flight (extra cost) for a bird's-eye view of this spectacular terrain. Enjoy the magnificent glaciers and a full day to continue northwards along the coast to Greymouth, where you will overnight. Standard option: Kingsgate Hotel, Greymouth (Superior Room); Superior option: The Ashley Hotel, Greymouth. (RO)
Day 7: Greymouth - Christchurch (250km - approx 4 hours)
This morning, visit the historic Shantytown and try panning for gold. Return your Thrifty rental car to the train station depot in Greymouth and board the scenic TranzAlpine Express train, a journey famous for its spectacular mountain scenery as it traverses the Southern Alps to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch, you will be transferred to your accommodation for your overnight stay. Standard option: Copthorne Hotel Durham Street, Christchurch; Superior option: Millennium Hotel Christchurch. (RO)
Day 8: Depart Christchurch
After a wonderful week of driving through stunning scenery on the South Island, your tour concludes with a transfer to Christchurch airport for your onward flight. (RO)
Please Note: Distances and driving times are approx.