New Zealand

Southern Grandeur

Return to South Island Self Drive Holidays

11 Day Self Drive NZ South Island Itineraries Christchurch to Christchurch

Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Dunedin - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Christchurch

Visit historic Dunedin and see the wildlife on Otago Peninsula on this Self Drive New Zealand Itineraries; take an Overnight Cruise on Milford Sound; be amazed at the majesty of the West Coast Glaciers.

Total Driving Time About: 25 hrs 55 mins                        Distance: 1,962 kms

Itinerary - 11 Day Southern Grandeur

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival collect your Budget Rental Car. The rest of the day is free to explore this "Garden City".

Overnight accommodation, Standard - Chateau on the Park, Superior - Rydges Hotel or Deluxe - Millennium Hotel.

Option: Why not arrive a day or two earlier into Christchurch and enjoy this elegant, rather English-feeling city with a refined sense of fun. You could saunter through Hagley Park and admire the Botanic Gardens; take a tram ride around the city centre; or go punting on the Avon River. Travel up the Christchurch Gondola for massive views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton Harbour, or visit Akaroa.

Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Estimated Driving Time: 3 hrs 45 mins            Distance: 256 kms 

From Christchurch take the scenic route through Darfield, before passing Methven, and driving through Geraldine and Fairlie to Tekapo. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do. The Church of the Good Shepherd built from local stone and oak; and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities. This afternoon you may like to enjoy an Air Safaris scenic flight over glaciers, lakes and Mt Cook.

Overnight accommodation, Standard - Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort, Superior - Peppers Bluewater Resort or Deluxe - Lake Tekapo Luxury Lodge (B&B).

Day 3: Lake Tekapo to Dunedin

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 10 mins            Distance: 315 kms 

This morning travel south to Omarama and historic Oamaru, home of the Little Blue Penguins. Be sure to check out the unique geological formations known as the Moeraki Boulders located 70km's north of Dunedin "the Edinburgh of the South". Dunedin is memorable for its historical architecture. Arrive into Dunedin in time to join the remarkable Taieri Gorge Railway Journey departing from the massive stone Flemish Renaissance-style Dunedin Railway Station. 

Two nights accommodation, Standard - Mercure Hotel, Superior - Larnach Castle Lodge B&B or Deluxe - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.

Day 4: Dunedin

Today you have a full day to explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, famous for it's eco tourism and wildlife and there are a variety of tours and cruises showing all the best of the Dunedin region. Visit the Royal Albatross Centre or go on a guided tour of the Yellow Eyed Penguin reserve. 

Take time to explore Larnach Castle and learn about its scandalous history. You might also want to visit Baldwin Street, the world's steepest residential address. End the day with a tour of the 125 year old Speights Brewery, finishing with a tasting of their range of world class beers. Dunedin is memorable for its historical architecture. 

Day 5: Dunedin to Te Anau    

Estimated Driving Time: 3 hrs 55 mins             Distance: 290 kms

Travel across the lush green farmlands of South Otago and Southland, at Balclutha cross the mighty Clutha River and on to Gore. From here you travel across river plains, and onto Te Anau located on the shores of beautiful Lake Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Experience the beauty of the Fiordland Region at the Shadowlands Cinema for a 35 minute breath taking journey. This evening you could take an evening cruise across the lake to visit the incredible limestone caves that shimmer with thousands of glow worms.

Overnight accommodation, Standard - Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Superior - Distinction Hotel & Villas or Deluxe - Dock Bay Lodge (B&B).  

Day 6: Te Anau to Milford Sound

Estimated Driving Time: 1hrs 25 mins              Distance: 117 kms

You have the morning to enjoy in Te Anau and maybe take a drive down to view Lake Manapouri. This afternoon drive one of New Zealand's most scenic routes in Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, check in for your overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner at the Real Journeys office. This cruise is the best way to experience the magnificient surroundings of Milford Sound and you can explore using kayaks or tender craft. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you'll remember.

Overnight accommodation is aboard Milford Mariner (Sep - May) during Jun to Aug this night will be at Standard - Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Superior - Distinction Hotel & Villas or Deluxe - Dock Bay Lodge (B&B) with a Milford 11.00am Scenic Cruise as alternatives.

Day 7: Milford Sound to Queenstown

Estimated Driving Time: 3 hrs 40 mins             Distance: 288 kms

The Milford Mariner docks at Milford Wharf at 9.30am and return to Te Anau. Trout fishing rivers and high country scenery are features of the drive to Queenstown. The small towns of Mossburn and Lumsden can be explored for unique shopping opportunities - a farm tour is another possibility. From Kingston, the rest of your journey clings scenically to the edge of Lake Wakatipu as you make your way to Queenstown.

An early afternoon arrival will give you time to experience one of the many activities available in this region such as a jet boat ride on either the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers. Alternatively enjoy the shopping and cafes. This evening, for a night to remember take a ride up the Skyline Gondola to a view that will take your breath away before sitting down a sumptuous buffet dinner.

Two nights accommodation, Standard - Blue Peaks Lodge, Superior - Hotel St Moritz Queenstown or Deluxe - Sofitel Queenstown.

Day 8: Queenstown

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting and fantastically attractive. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Nearby is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown is a living, historic holiday destination, nestled beside the Arrow River.

Experience an exciting jetboat ride on the famous Shotover Jet. It's a thrilling ride - skimming past rocky outcrops at close range in your Shotover Jet "Big Red", as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds. And a major highlight - hold tight for the Shotover Jet full 360° spins!

The rest of the day is free. Why not board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for a 40-minute cruise along Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station and enjoy a farm show or a sumptuous meal.

Day 9: Queenstown to Fox Glacier

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 15 mins             Distance: 330 kms

The shortest route to Wanaka is over the Crown Range Road. It's a challenging drive, but the views are amazing and you'll probably encounter friendly keas (mountain parrots). More conservative drivers can take the route that runs beside the Shotover River, Lake Dunstan and the Clutha River. The vineyards of the Gibbston area and bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge are interesting distractions along the way. Leaving Wanaka, Lake Hawea is the first scenic highlight, followed closely by the northern end of Lake Wanaka. The famous ‘bra fence' is impossible to miss - it started as a joke, but it's become a local legend.

At the wilderness town of Makarora you can fuel up and refresh before you take on the dramatic twists and turns of the Haast Pass  to the wild West Coast. At pretty Lake Paringa you can enjoy a delicious meal of salmon at the salmon farm.  Upon arrival in Fox Glacier you could take a guided evening walk to the terminal face of the mighty Fox Glacier. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are unique relics of the last ice age. Mighty rivers of solid white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, they are classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Nowhere else in the world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude.

Overnight accommodation, Standard - Sunset Motel Fox Glacier, Superior - 58 on Cron Franz Josef, or Deluxe - Te Weheka Inn B&B Fox Glacier.

Day 10: Fox Glacier to Christchurch

Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs 45 mins       Distance: 365 kms

This morning you could take a helicopter flight with a snow landing on the top of Fox Glacier in the heart of the Southern Alps, before driving north passing Franz Josef Glaciers and on to Hokitika for lunch, which is the centre for fine greenstone jewellery. A short drive onwards you turn off to take the Arthurs Pass road, the highest of the three passes through the Southern Alps, back to Christchurch.

Option Drop your rental car off at Greymouth, where you board the world famous TranzAlpine train (extra cost) for your journey through the Southern Alps, back to Christchurch.

Overnight accommodation, Standard - Chateau on the Park, Superior - Rydges Christchurch Hotel or Deluxe - Millennium Hotel. 

Day 11:  Depart Christchurch

Today you are free to explore Christchurch before returning your rental car for your onward journey.

Total Driving Time About: 25 hrs 55 mins                        Distance: 1,962 kms  

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