Self Drive Holidays 7 Day Milford Sound Highlights Self Drive Tour

Private transfer Christchurch airport to your accommodation
On arrival you will be met by a private driver and delivered to your Christchurch accommodation.

Welcome to Christchurch City
On arrival into Christchurch airport you will be met from your flight and a transfer will deliver you to your accommodation.
The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Christchurch City is the largest city in the South Island. Often referred to as the Garden City it boasts one of the largest public parks in the country and the city centre is full of very impressive stone buildings reminiscent of the English university towns.

Stay 1 night Christchurch

Collect your rental car

Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Today you head into the heart of the South Island. Crossing the vast Canterbury Plains along the inland scenic route the first township of Geraldine offers an ideal refreshment stop before you head into Mackenzie country.
Passing through places such as Beautiful Valley it's not hard to understand where the names originate. Ascending Burkes Pass and onto the high country plateau and the picturesque town of Lake Tekapo, the first of the large Southern Lakes. It's a great place to take a scenic flight, enjoy a guided horse trek, a boat trip on the pristine lake or just enjoy the magnificent views.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Earth & Sky Mt John Night Observatory Tour, Lake Tekapo

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Stay 1 night Lake Tekapo

From Lake Tekapo, a short drive brings you to Lake Pukaki, offering stunning views of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3,754 meters. Twizel, nearby, was a filming location for Lord of the Rings, and Omarama, known for its gliding, offers a great spot to stop at the Wrinkly Rams café. Continuing on, the Lindis Pass provides breathtaking views as you cross into Central Otago.

Just off the main highway, Bendigo offers a glimpse into Otago's gold mining past, with marked paths leading to historic stone cottages. Cromwell, at the head of the Kawarau Gorge, is known for its restored old town and scenic Lake Dunstan. As you travel through the gorge, you’ll pass Gibbston, a famous wine region, before arriving in Queenstown, with views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak BBQ Dinner

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship, enjoying stunning mountain views before indulging in a gourmet BBQ buffet at Walter Peak High Country Farm. After dinner, watch a sheep-herding demonstration, meet farm animals, and cruise back under the southern stars towards Queenstown.

Stay 2 nights Queenstown

Enjoy a relaxing return luxury coach journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with photo stops along the scenic Milford Road. Upon arrival, embark on a 1 hour 40 minute cruise through the fiord, with opportunities to admire waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife, while your crew provides informative commentary.

From Queenstown you'll cross the Crown Range - the highest sealed road in New Zealand - to arrive in the Alpine town of Wanaka, gateway to Mt Aspiring national park. Skirting the shores of both Lake Wanaka and Hawea, you will enter the small town of Makarora. Stop at Blue Pools for a ten minute walk through native beech forest to a glacier-fed swimming hole. Continue on through the remote seaside settlement of Haast before heading up the wild West Coast - a 600 km stretch of bush and native rainforest. Fox Glacier welcomes you first, then comes your destination for the night - Franz Josef township.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Twin Glaciers Scenic Helicopter Flight

Stay 1 night Franz Josef/Fox Glacier

Today you’ll head north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Known for its Greenstone (Pounamu) this seaside town has a rich history dating back to the 1860’s. Head to the coast and take in the endless sea-views or pick up a souvenir at one of the many craft shops. Continue on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point for the next leg of your journey - the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Drop your rental car at the Greymouth Train Station depot located inside the train station building before boarding your train to Christchurch.

Tranz Alpine Scenic train Greymouth to Christchurch

Travel in the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train across the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Private transfer Christchurch train station to your accommodation

Private transfer to Christchurch airport
You will be collected from your accommodation and a private transfer will deliver you to Christchurch airport in time for your departing flight.