Self Drive Holidays 13 Day Southern Spectacular Self Drive Tour

12 nights accommodation

• 1 night Wellington
• 2 nights Kenepuru Sound
• 1 night Hanmer Springs
• 2 nights Mt Cook
• 4 nights Queenstown
• 1 night Franz Josef
• 1 night Christchurch

9 days car rental (CDAR Compact Auto: Toyota Corolla or similar)

Interislander Ferry Crossing

Water transfers to and from Kenepuru Sound

Tasman Glacier Explorer boat expedition (not available July to 14 September)

Spectacular Milford Sound cruise

Entry to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre

Tranz Alpine Train from Greymouth to Christchurch

Private airport and train transfers

Wellington - Interislander Ferry - Kenepuru Sound - Hanmer Springs - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Franz Josef - TranzAlpine Train - Christchurch

Interislander ferry Wellington to Picton

The 92 km journey between Picton and Wellington takes around 3 hours and has been described as 'one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world'. Around one hour of the cruise takes you through the Marlborough Sounds. This region of bush covered mountains, small islands, crystal clear waters and secluded bays offer remarkable photographic opportunities.

From the Cook Strait, spectacular views of the Kaikoura Ranges on the South Island can be enjoyed and often dolphins and sea birds are seen. After crossing the strait you approach Wellington Harbour and pass many interesting points such as Pencarrow Head on top of which is New Zealand's oldest lighthouse (1859). Red Rocks is home to a seal colony and Oterangi Bay is the site which recorded the country’s highest ever wind speed of 268 kph (167 mph).

Kenepuru Sound

A free day to relax and marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Lodge staff will share their love of the region with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips.

From Mt Cook

Glacier Explorers Mt. Cook

Experience 500 year old icebergs up-close on the Mt Cook terminal lake. The Glacier Explorers tour is the only one of its kind in New Zealand - and one of only three in the world! Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer of them are accessible. See towering ice cliffs and floating icebergs from the safety of a specially designed boat. These boats provide a safe way to view unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand's largest glacier - The Tasman.

Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre

A tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, humanitarian, ambassador & one of the world's greatest explorers, the centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people & its place in the universe. The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre's 126-seat custom-designed theatre is the world's only theatre with 2D, 3D & a Digital Dome Planetarium contained within the same space. Cutting edge technology allows the 2D screen to raise up for storage while the 3D screen is in use and the Digital Dome Planetarium to lower into place when required.

In the foyer of the theatre, you'll find the museum showcasing the history of the Mount Cook region through transport, climbing, the Hermitage Hotel & pioneer extraordinaire, Sir Edmund Hillary himself.

From Queenstown

Spectacular Milford Sound Cruise

Travel by coach to the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound. Join a leisurely nature cruise of this spectacular fiord. View spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Optional return scenic flights to Queenstown are available subject to weather conditions.

TranzAlpine Scenic Train Greymouth to Christchurch

Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the Tranz Alpine scenic train takes you from Greymouth to Christchurch. You'll travel across the South Island through the Arthur's Pass National Park from the west coast to the east.

From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch.