South Island self-drive holidays normally run from 7 to 16 days, with extended itineraries of up to 21 days also available. Most start in Christchurch or Queenstown and finish in either city, although selected routes begin in Wellington with ferry travel to Picton. Expect approximately two to four hours of driving on most travel days, with longer four-to-five-hour sectors on some routes. Packages generally include accommodation, rental car hire and a planned itinerary, with prices from NZ$2,500 per person twin share.*
What Can You Experience on a South Island Self Drive Holiday?
Explore alpine landscapes, glacier valleys, turquoise lakes, dramatic coastlines and remarkable national parks on a South Island self-drive holiday. Choose a short journey between Christchurch and Queenstown, follow a circular route from either city or plan a longer New Zealand South Island road trip covering both coasts.
Each itinerary combines independent travel with pre-arranged car hire and accommodation. Routes can normally be customised with extra nights, alternative accommodation and sightseeing experiences that suit your dates, interests and preferred pace.
Smarter Travel With Hybrid and Electric Rental Cars
Hybrid and electric rental vehicles are available with selected South Island self-drive packages. Vehicle availability, charging requirements and the suitability of your intended route should be checked when requesting a quote.
How Do South Island Self Drive Itineraries Compare?
The best South Island self-drive itinerary depends on the regions you want to visit and the amount of time available. Seven-day holidays normally focus on one route, while 10 to 14 days provides a better balance of driving, sightseeing and multi-night stays. A 21-day itinerary can cover both coasts and several major national parks.
| Itinerary | Days | Typical Route | Islands Visited | Indicative Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Day South Island Scenic Route | 7 days | Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, or Queenstown to Christchurch via Wānaka and the West Coast | South Island | from NZ$2,500 per person |
| 10 Day South Island Road Trip | 10 days | Christchurch to Queenstown via the West Coast and Wānaka, or via Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland | South Island | from NZ$3,500 per person |
| 14 Day South Island Driving Holiday | 14 days | Christchurch or Queenstown circuit through the West Coast, Wānaka, Fiordland, Dunedin and Aoraki/Mount Cook | South Island | from NZ$4,000 per person |
| 21 Day South Island Self Drive | 21 days | Christchurch or Queenstown circuit covering Kaikōura, Marlborough, Abel Tasman, the West Coast, Fiordland, Dunedin and the Southern Alps | South Island | from NZ$6,000 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, Where and How Much Driving Is Included?
- 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: Most packages begin in Christchurch or Queenstown. Selected itineraries start in Wellington and include ferry travel to Picton before the driving portion begins.
- Finishing points: Popular finishing points include Christchurch and Queenstown. Some itineraries finish in Picton, with ferry travel back to Wellington.
- What is included: Packages generally include rental car hire, pre-booked accommodation and a planned day-by-day itinerary. Selected cruises, rail journeys, tours and meals may also be included.
- Driving each day: Most travel days involve approximately two to four hours of driving. Longer regional sectors can require four to five hours, while multi-night stays provide days with little or no driving.
- Indicative cost: South Island self-drive packages start from approximately NZ$2,500 per person twin share. Longer, boutique or activity-rich itineraries can cost considerably more.
Prices are subject to change and depend on travel dates, accommodation, rental vehicle availability and included experiences.
What Is Included in a South Island Self Drive Package?
South Island self-drive packages normally include a rental vehicle for the required driving period, pre-booked accommodation at each overnight destination and a detailed day-by-day itinerary. The itinerary provides recommended routes, approximate travelling times, overnight stops and suggestions for places to visit along the way.
Depending on the package selected, inclusions may also feature a Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound cruise, scenic rail journey, glacier experience, wildlife tour, guided walk, food and wine experience or selected meals. Each individual itinerary will clearly identify included experiences and optional additions.
What Is Not Normally Included?
International and domestic airfares, fuel, parking, most meals, travel insurance and optional activities are not normally included unless specifically listed in the package.
Rental vehicle insurance conditions, excess reductions, additional driver fees and one-way rental charges can differ between packages. These costs and conditions should be checked when requesting a quote.
Where Do South Island Self Drive Holidays Start and Finish?
Christchurch is a convenient starting point for circular journeys and routes through Canterbury, Kaikōura, Marlborough, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the West Coast. It also provides several options for one-way travel to Queenstown.
Queenstown is well suited to itineraries concentrating on Wānaka, Central Otago, Fiordland, Dunedin and the southern lakes. Queenstown-to-Christchurch journeys can travel through Aoraki/Mount Cook or follow the longer West Coast route.
South Island itineraries can also start in Wellington. These packages normally include passenger travel on the Interislander ferry to Picton, where the rental vehicle is collected. The car can then be returned in Christchurch, Queenstown or Picton, depending on the itinerary.
How Do Wellington-Starting South Island Packages Work?
Wellington-starting packages normally include an Interislander ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton. Rental car hire generally begins after arriving in Picton rather than in Wellington. Travellers then drive south to Christchurch or Queenstown, or follow a circular route that returns the vehicle to Picton.
Another option is to return the rental car in Picton and travel back to Wellington on the ferry. Car hire from Wellington can be arranged when required, although it is not normally included in a Wellington-starting South Island package.
Which South Island Regions Can You Include?
South Island self-drive itineraries can combine several different landscapes and regions:
- Christchurch, Akaroa and the Canterbury Plains
- Kaikōura and the Pacific Coast
- Marlborough and the Marlborough Sounds
- Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park
- Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps
- Punakaiki and the West Coast
- Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
- Wānaka and the Southern Lakes
- Queenstown and Glenorchy
- Te Anau, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
- Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula
- The Catlins, Invercargill and Stewart Island
- Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook
Short itineraries generally concentrate on one or two regions. Longer South Island road trips can combine the upper South Island, West Coast, Fiordland, Central Otago and the eastern alpine route.
