7 Day Queenstown to Wellington Highlights Self Drive

Both Islands

NZ Fine Touring

from

NZ$2315

per adult

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Lake Pukaki in New Zealand with turquoise waters reflecting the Southern Alps and Mount Cook (Aoraki) in the distance under a clear sky.

Experiences

Self Drive Holiday Packages

Family-friendly Tours

Jet Boat Tours

Nature & Wildlife

Ziplining Tours

Both Islands

Start: Queenstown

Finish: Wellington

Location: Queenstown

Duration: 7 days

Distance: 903 kms

South Island Icons and Scenic Road Trips

This itinerary brings together the South Island’s most celebrated landscapes in a relaxed self drive format. From Queenstown’s alpine setting to the glacial valleys of Mt Cook National Park, each day reveals a new side of New Zealand’s natural beauty. Scenic highways, mountain passes and turquoise lakes make the driving experience a highlight in its own right.

The journey continues through Christchurch and along the dramatic Kaikoura coastline, where mountains rise straight from the sea. Well-paced travel days allow time for sightseeing, optional activities and local food stops. Comfortable overnight stays ensure each destination is enjoyed without feeling rushed.

Note: All self-drive packages are fully customisable and can be tailored or combined to match your travel plans. Just let us know your preferences in the enquiry form!

Night view of Queenstown with city lights reflecting on Lake Wakatipu and the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range in the background, New Zealand

Shotover Jet boat spraying water at high speed

Wine barrels stored in the Gibbston Valley underground cellar

Friendly café service on board the TSS Earnslaw cruise

Grilled chicken cooking on the BBQ at Walter Peak Station

Couple being served dinner at Walter Peak BBQ dining event

Tour group exploring floating icebergs on the Tasman Glacier lake

Sir Edmund Hillary statue with Aoraki Mount Cook in background

Brightly coloured autumn trees and garden plantings alongside the Avon River at Mona Vale in Christchurch.

Wine tasting and tour inside a Waipara winery with barrels and tanks

Close-up of sperm whale fluke in Kaikōura waters

Two zipliners gliding high over Kaikōura’s lush hillsides.

Interislander Kaitaki ferry moored at Picton waterfront

Interislander Kaitaki crew greets passengers at onboard reception

Wellington city buildings with the yellow clock tower on Lambton Quay

Kākā parrot perched among native bush at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary in Wellington

Wildlife Encounters and Capital City Finish

Wildlife experiences are a key feature of this tour, particularly along the Kaikoura coast. Here, nutrient-rich waters attract whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds, creating unforgettable viewing opportunities. These encounters add depth and variety to the scenic road journey.

The adventure concludes with a ferry crossing through the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait, offering striking coastal views. Arrival in Wellington introduces a creative and compact capital city known for its food, culture and harbour setting. It’s a fitting finale that balances nature, culture and city life in just seven days.

Inclusions

6 nights in standard 3-star hotel accommodation (upgrades available)
Intermediate rental car with unlimited km and fully inclusive rental car insurance (excess may apply; upgrades available)
After-hours touring support
Electronic Travel Guide + In-Country Support App
The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course
Interislander Ferry Picton to Wellington
Private Transfer Wellington Ferry Terminal to Hotel with In Style Executive
Private Transfer Wellington Hotel to Airport with In Style Executive
6 breakfasts

Tour code: 881

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown

Smiling passenger enjoying TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Whakatipu

Collect Rental Car & Enjoy Queenstown

Collect your rental car on arrival in Queenstown. Your tour includes an intermediate-sized vehicle, with the flexibility to upgrade if you’d prefer something different for your road trip.

Spend the day soaking up Queenstown’s lakeside atmosphere. Set beneath the Remarkables mountain range and beside Lake Wakatipu, the town offers a mix of adventure, dining and relaxed alpine charm.

Suggested experiences:

Skyline Gondola & Luge – glide to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views, then enjoy a thrilling luge ride back down.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner – cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard a historic steamship to a lakeside farm for a gourmet BBQ and evening cruise under the stars.

Suggested Tours:

Walter Peak Gourmet Bbq Dining

Accommodation: Stay 2 nights at Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Just a short stroll from the town centre, this lakeside property offers convenience and comfort with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Guests enjoy spacious rooms and easy access to Queenstown’s many attractions.

Day 2: Queenstown

Jet boat near old mining tractor in Shotover Canyon

Adventure or Relaxation

Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace. Choose from adrenaline-filled activities or take things slow with lakeside walks, boutique shopping and local dining.

Suggested experiences:

Shotover Jet Boat Ride – race through narrow canyon walls on one of Queenstown’s most iconic thrill rides.

Central Otago Boutique Wine Tour – sample cool-climate wines across Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell, paired with a relaxed vineyard lunch.

Suggested Tours:

Shotover Jet Boutique Wine Tour

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Queenstown to Mt Cook

Glacier Explorers boat cruising past icebergs on Tasman Glacial Lake

Travel through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge and past Central Otago’s vineyards before crossing the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin. The landscape opens into wide tussock plains, glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks as you approach Mt Cook Village.

Suggested experiences:

Glacier Explorers – cruise among floating icebergs on Tasman Glacier Lake for a close-up look at New Zealand’s largest glacier.

Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre – discover the region’s mountaineering history and enjoy immersive films and exhibits.

Travel Time: 3 hours

Distance: 256 kms

Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel – Mount Cook View Room

Nestled in the shadow of Aoraki/Mt Cook, this iconic alpine lodge offers spectacular mountain views and modern comfort. The hotel is the ideal base for exploring glaciers, alpine trails, and the southern night sky.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Mt Cook to Christchurch

People walking through a sunlit meadow in Hagley Park, Christchurch

Depart Mt Cook via Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, both famous for their striking turquoise waters. Continue through Burkes Pass and the fertile Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Suggested experience:

Discover Christchurch Afternoon Tour – learn about the city’s heritage, earthquake recovery and evolving urban landscape.

Travel Time: 4 hours

Distance: 331 kms

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Cotswold

Featuring charming Tudor-style architecture, this Christchurch hotel blends old-world elegance with modern amenities. Located close to Merivale’s shops and Hagley Park, it offers a tranquil urban retreat.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Christchurch to Kaikōura

Whale Watch Kaikōura boat cruising at sunrise with mountains in the background

Drive north through the Waipara wine region and rolling North Canterbury hills. Optional stops include Hanmer Springs for a soak in the thermal pools before continuing to the Kaikōura coast, where mountains meet the sea.

Suggested experiences:

Whale Watch Kaikōura – enjoy a marine encounter with sperm whales, seals, dolphins and seabirds.

EcoZip Kaikōura – combine scenic views, conservation stories and a multi-line zip experience above farmland and native forest.

Travel Time: 2.5 hours

Distance: 179 kms

Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Kaikōura

This modern waterfront hotel delivers coastal luxury with sweeping ocean views and contemporary design. Just minutes from local wildlife experiences, it’s the perfect base for exploring Kaikōura’s marine wonders.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Kaikōura to Wellington

Tūī bird perched on a branch in native forest at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary in Wellington

Follow the dramatic coastline north, stopping at Ohau Point to see fur seals. Continue through Marlborough’s wine country to Picton, where you’ll board the ferry across Cook Strait.

The ferry journey offers stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington Harbour, often with dolphins and seabirds alongside.

On arrival in Wellington, enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.

Suggested experience:

Zealandia by Night Tour – explore a protected eco-sanctuary after dark and spot rare native wildlife.

Travel Time: 2 hours

Distance: 137 kms

Accommodation: Ibis Wellington

Centrally located in Wellington's bustling Featherston Street, the Ibis offers convenience and comfort in the heart of the capital. It’s an ideal base for exploring nearby cafes, shops, and cultural landmarks.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Depart Wellington

Red Wellington Cable Car overlooking city skyline and harbour on a clear day

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Wellington Airport for your onward journey.

Farewell Aotearoa New Zealand with memories of alpine landscapes, coastal wildlife and unforgettable road trip moments. As the locals say, mā te wā — see you again soon.

Meals included: Breakfast