Explore New Zealand’s Mountains, Lakes, and Coastal Wonders
Explore alpine landscapes, glacier valleys, turquoise lakes, dramatic coastlines and remarkable national parks on a South Island self-drive holiday. Itineraries can begin in Christchurch or Queenstown, or start in Wellington with an Interislander ferry crossing to Picton.
For Wellington departures, car rental normally begins after arriving in Picton and finishes in Christchurch or Queenstown. Another option is to return the vehicle in Picton and travel back to Wellington on the Interislander ferry.
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South Island Self-Drive Duration, Routes, Inclusions and Driving Time
- Trip duration: Most South Island self-drive holidays run for 7 to 16 days, with extended itineraries of up to 21 days also available.
- Starting points: Itineraries can begin in Christchurch, Queenstown or Wellington. Wellington departures normally travel by ferry to Picton before collecting the rental vehicle.
- Finishing points: Popular options include Christchurch, Queenstown or Picton. Travellers finishing in Picton can return to Wellington on the Interislander ferry.
- What is included: Packages generally include car hire from Picton, Christchurch or Queenstown, pre-booked accommodation and a planned day-by-day itinerary. Interislander ferry travel is included when specified in the selected package.
- Optional Wellington car hire: Rental vehicles can be arranged from Wellington when required, but this is not normally part of a Wellington-starting South Island package.
- Driving each day: Most travelling days involve approximately 2 to 4 hours of driving. Longer regional journeys may require 4 to 5 hours, while multi-night stays provide days with little or no driving.
- Indicative cost: Allow approximately NZ$2,500 to NZ$7,000 per person twin share for most 7-to-16-day itineraries. Longer, boutique or activity-rich holidays can cost more.
How Do South Island Self-Drive Itineraries Compare?
| Itinerary | Days | Typical Route | Islands Visited | Approximate Cost Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short South Island Escape | 7 days | Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook, or Queenstown to Christchurch via Wānaka and the West Coast | South Island | NZ$2,500–NZ$4,000 |
| South Island Highlights | 9–10 days | Christchurch to Queenstown via the West Coast and Wānaka, or via Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook and Fiordland | South Island | NZ$3,500–NZ$6,000 |
| Wellington to Christchurch Journey | 7–10 days | Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, followed by car hire from Picton through Marlborough and Kaikōura to Christchurch | Both Islands | NZ$3,000–NZ$5,500 |
| Wellington to Queenstown Journey | 10–16 days | Interislander ferry to Picton, followed by car hire through the West Coast and Wānaka or through Christchurch and Aoraki Mount Cook | Both Islands | NZ$4,000–NZ$8,000 |
| Wellington Return Journey | 10–16 days | Return Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton, with car hire collected and returned in Picton | Both Islands | NZ$4,000–NZ$7,500 |
| South Island Discovery | 12–16 days | Christchurch circuit or Queenstown to Christchurch via Fiordland, Dunedin, Aoraki Mount Cook, the West Coast and alpine lake regions | South Island | NZ$4,000–NZ$7,000 |
| Complete South Island Circuit | 17–21 days | Christchurch loop via Kaikōura, Marlborough, Abel Tasman, the West Coast, Queenstown, Fiordland, Dunedin and Aoraki Mount Cook | South Island | NZ$6,000–NZ$10,000+ |
Prices are an approximate planning guide in New Zealand dollars and are generally based on twin-share travel. Final prices depend on travel dates, accommodation standard, vehicle category, ferry arrangements and included experiences.
What Is Included When Starting in Wellington?
Wellington-starting packages normally include passenger travel on the Interislander ferry to Picton, car rental collected after arriving in Picton, accommodation and a planned day-by-day itinerary. The rental vehicle then finishes in Christchurch or Queenstown or is returned to Picton for the ferry journey back to Wellington.
Car rental from Wellington can be added when required, but it is not normally included. Each itinerary will clearly identify the ferry journey, vehicle collection and return locations, accommodation and included experiences.
Should You Start in Wellington, Christchurch or Queenstown?
Christchurch is a convenient starting point for circular itineraries and journeys through Canterbury, Aoraki Mount Cook, the West Coast or the upper South Island. It generally provides the widest choice of routes for travellers planning to explore several regions.
Queenstown is ideal for holidays focused on Central Otago, Wānaka, Fiordland and the southern lakes. One-way journeys between Queenstown and Christchurch can follow either the east coast or West Coast route.
Wellington is an excellent option for travellers who want to include the scenic Interislander ferry journey through the Cook Strait and Marlborough Sounds. After arriving in Picton, travellers normally collect their rental vehicle and continue to Christchurch or Queenstown, or follow a circular itinerary that returns the vehicle to Picton before travelling back to Wellington by ferry.
