Christchurch is one of the best starting points for a South Island self-drive holiday, with road trips connecting the city with Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Queenstown, the West Coast, Kaikōura and Marlborough. Trips can finish in Christchurch or continue one way to Queenstown, Wellington or Auckland, with itineraries ranging from shorter South Island road trips to longer journeys covering both islands. Self-drive packages typically combine car hire and accommodation, with sightseeing and activities added to suit your itinerary.
Itineraries are fully customisable – add extra nights, reverse the route, or swap in different destinations to suit your travel style. View our Christchurch self drive packages below:
Electric and Hybrid Self-Drive Holidays from Christchurch
Electric and hybrid self-drive holidays from Christchurch offer a more fuel-efficient way to explore New Zealand by road. Hybrid vehicles can help reduce fuel use on longer itineraries, while selected electric vehicle packages allow you to travel without petrol and make use of New Zealand’s EV charging network along the route.
Self-Drive Holidays Starting in Christchurch
Christchurch is a convenient starting point for South Island self-drive holidays, with routes heading inland towards the Mackenzie Country and Southern Alps, west to the West Coast, south towards Queenstown, Fiordland and Southland, or north towards Kaikōura and Marlborough. Depending on the itinerary, trips can return to Christchurch or finish elsewhere in New Zealand.
Starting in Christchurch gives you several directions to explore without having to follow the same route twice. Longer southern itineraries can travel beyond Queenstown and Fiordland towards Dunedin, the Catlins and Southland, with selected holidays also incorporating Stewart Island/Rakiura by ferry or flight.
Travelling north opens up the 'Top of the South', with routes through Kaikōura and Marlborough wine country to the Marlborough Sounds, Queen Charlotte Sound, Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Depending on the itinerary, you can return to Christchurch or continue from Picton across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Best Self-Drive Routes from Christchurch
The best self-drive route from Christchurch depends on where you want to finish and how much of New Zealand you want to explore. Christchurch return trips suit travellers wanting a South Island circuit, while one-way itineraries to Queenstown focus on southern highlights. Routes to Wellington or Auckland allow you to combine Christchurch with a longer journey through New Zealand.
| Self-drive route | Number of days | Typical Route | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch to Christchurch | 7-21 days | South Island circuits, with longer routes reaching Fiordland, the West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, and Stewart Island/Rakiura | from NZ$2,100 per person |
| Christchurch to Queenstown | 6-18 days | Central alpine highlights including Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Dunedin or via the West Coast, with options to include Wānaka or other stops | from NZ$2,700 per person |
| Christchurch to Wellington | 10-16 days | Kaikōura, Marlborough wine country, coastal scenery and the Cook Strait crossing, with longer routes including top destionations in South Island | from NZ$3,700 per person |
| Christchurch to Auckland | 7-21 days | South Island highlights followed by Wellington and the North Island | from NZ$4,100 per person |
Prices are approximate planning guides in New Zealand dollars and are generally based on two people sharing accommodation and a rental vehicle. Final prices depend on travel dates, accommodation standard, vehicle category and included experiences.
How Long Are Self-Drive Holidays from Christchurch?
Self-drive holidays from Christchurch range from trips of around a week to journey of three weeks or more. Shorter holidays are best suited to a focused selection of South Island destinations, while two or three weeks gives you more time to explore different regions, add activities and spend multiple nights in key destinations. Longer itineraries can also continue across Cook Strait into the North Island.
With around 7–10 days, it is generally better to concentrate on a smaller number of destinations rather than trying to cover the whole South Island.
Around 10–14 days gives you more scope to combine several regions and include additional activities or longer stays along the way.
With 14–21 days or more, you can consider a larger South Island circuit, travel further into areas such as Southland or the Top of the South, or continue north towards Wellington and Auckland.
