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Christchurch to Queenstown Self Drive

Drive from the garden city of Christchurch to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Head south along the inland scenic route to Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, before returning to the coast near the Moeraki boulders to arrive at the very Scottish city of Dunedin, with its wildlife attractions on the Otago Peninsula; historic Larnach Castle, Olveston Historic Home and Taieri Gorge Railway; as well as many outstanding gardens, including two internationally significant gardens at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens and Larnach Castle.

From Dunedin you can either head inland to Te Anau and magnificent Fiordland National Park, popular with hikers and location for both the magnificent Milford Sound and the grandeur of Doubtful Sound, often referred to the “Sound of Silence”. For those with more time a drive from Dunedin around the Southern Scenic Route through Invercargill to Te Anau, is one of the world’s most scenic drives. You need to take your time, and spend at least 2 days doing this section. A diversion to beautiful, unspoilt Stewart Island is a must. If you can spend 2 or 3 nights here, visit the jewel in the crown, Ulva Island with its rare and endangered birds, go walking in Rakiura National Park, take a cruise, or go fishing or kayaking in serene Paterson Inlet.

Take the Tranz Alpine scenic train to Greymouth before exploring the rugged West Coast. Visit Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks, discover historic Hokitika with its Pounamu or NZ jade craftsmen, founded by the settlers as a gold mining town. Walk on Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier on a heli-hike or scenic helicopter flight with glacier landing. Stop at Wanaka in Mt Aspiring National Park, one of the South Island’s best kept secrets. As well as being popular for outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, biking, skydiving, climbing, skiing and snowboarding; Wanaka has many family friendly attractions ideal for all ages including Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World and the many attractions and activities at Wanaka Airport.

Amendments

Our Christchurch to Queenstown self-drive itineraries are fully flexible, so they can be amended or combined with other itineraries. All one way itineraries can also be done in reverse. So if you have any changes or special requests, just put a note in the booking/enquiry form.

Airfares

International flights can be included from Australia for all Australian residents.

10 Day Southern Explorer Self Drive
10 Day Southern Explorer Self Drive
South Island
NZ$2,226.00
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Dunedin - Te Anau - Queenstown ...
10 Day Southern Explorer Self Drive
10 Day Southern Explorer Self Drive
South Island
NZ$2,674.00 to NZ$3,093.00 per person
Christchurch - Dunedin - Stewart Island - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown ...
15 Day Queenstown to Christchurch Coastal Explorer Self Drive
15 Day Queenstown to Christchurch Coastal Explorer Self Drive
South Island
NZ$3,453.00
Queenstown - Franz Josef - Punakaiki - Arthur's Pass - Kaikoura - Blenheim - Abel Tasman National Park - Westport - Greymouth - TranzAlpine Train - C...
18 Day South Island National Parks Self Drive Tour
18 Day South Island National Parks Self Drive Tour
South Island
NZ$5,332.00
Christchurch -  Kaikoura - Abel Tasman National Park - Punakaiki - Franz Josef Glacier - Wanaka - Mt. Cook - Dunedin - Te Anau - Queenstown ...
6 Day Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Self Drive
6 Day Christchurch to Queenstown Food and Wine Self Drive
South Island
NZ$2,402.00
Christchurch - Mt. Cook - Queenstown ...
7 Day Mountains and Lakes South Island Family Self Drive
7 Day Mountains and Lakes South Island Family Self Drive
South Island
NZ$1,813.00
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Dunedin - Queenstown ...
7 Day South Island Express Self Drive
7 Day South Island Express Self Drive
South Island
AU$2,304.00
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Te Anau- Milford Sound - Queenstown ...
7 Day Southern Scenes Self Drive Tour
7 Day Southern Scenes Self Drive Tour
South Island
AU$2,484.00
Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Queenstown ...