10 Day Alpine Explorer Self Drive

Upon arrival, pick up your rental car at the airport.

Depending on when you touch down, you may have time to sample the delights of this elegant city. Cathedral Square is at the heart of the post-earthquake rejuvenation, with food markets, sculpture, street art, and new architecture happily sharing space with the original cityscape.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch

Today you traverse the wide Canterbury Plains to reach the alpine town of Lake Tekapo, with its impossibly blue lake and pristine landscape. The historic Church of the Good Shepherd is a stellar spot for photo opportunities, or take a scenic flight over Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Park for an experience you’ll never forget.

Stay 1 night in Lake Tekapo

Head south from Twizel, a filming location for The Lord of the Rings, and pass through Omarama, known as New Zealand’s gliding capital. Follow the Waitaki Valley towards the east coast, where the route traces the country's hydroelectric system. Stop in Oamaru to see its distinctive white limestone architecture and Steampunk-inspired art. If you're there around dusk, you might catch a glimpse of the little blue penguins returning to shore.

Further down the coast, make a quick detour at Moeraki to visit the iconic Moeraki Boulders on the beach. These unusually round rock formations are a must-see. Finish the journey in Dunedin, where Edwardian architecture and Scottish heritage are on full display around the city centre and The Octagon.

Stay 2 nights in Dunedin

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore this memorable city. Take a drive out to visit Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula. The peninsula is also renowned for its abundance of seabirds – Toroa (royal albatross), Korora (little blue penguins), and Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) – in addition to colonies of fur seals and sea lions. This evening, enjoy a tour of the iconic Speights Brewery followed by sumptuous dinner at Speights Alehouse.

Today head inland to Te Anau. Cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden, before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Stay 1 night in Te Anau

Drive the scenic Milford Road, taking time to stop for photos in the breathtaking surrounds. In the heart of Fiordland National Park, board a boat for your nature cruise on Milford Sound and feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, enchanting waterfalls and native fauna. Afterwards, follow the road back to Te Anau and onto Queenstown.

Stay 2 nights in Queenstown

Spend this free day in Queenstown savouring the myriad of activities on offer. Options include a jetboat ride, winery tour, skiing (mid-June – early October) and lots more. This evening, we suggest taking a ride up Bob’s Peak on the Skyline Gondola and dine at Stratosfare. With spectacular food and panoramic views over the lake and mountains, it’s an exceptional experience.

Leave Queenstown early this morning and head into the quaint village of Arrowtown, known for its heritage buildings and old gold mining days. Drive north through Wanaka and along the untamed west coast. In Haast Pass a number of short walks start at the road’s edge, leading through rainforest to thundering waterfalls and luminous blue pools.

Stay overnight in Franz Josef

Continue northward and drop your rental car in Greymouth, before boarding the TranzAlpine for one of the world’s finest scenic rail voyages. You will be treated to unparallelled vistas over deep gorges, traverse the roughly-hewn alpine landscape of the mighty Southern Alps, and roll through a mosaic of farmland as you make your way into Christchurch.

Stay overnight in Christchurch

Today you are free to explore Christchurch before transferring to Christchurch Airport for your onward journey.