Overview

Discover the most magical regions of the South Island of New Zealand. Explore the West Coast Glaciers, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Dunedin, whilst learning about our history and heritage, flora and fauna.

11 Day Self Drive Tour with your choice of Standard or Superior Accommodation for 10 nights.

Itineraries

All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Please advise amendments when requesting a quote.

Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu and cross rural farmlands to Lake Te Anau. Take a short drive to view Lake Manapouri before reaching Te Anau.

Two nights accommodation Te Anau

Day 7, Day Trip to Milford Sound

Travel Time: 3 hrs 20 mins

Distance: 234 kms

The road to Milford is one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you'll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park.

The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Grand, brooding, serene and wild are just some of the words that will come to mind on your Milford Sound Cruise. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you'll remember. Return to Te Anau.

Day 8, Te Anau to Dunedin

Travel Time: 3 hrs 45 mins

Distance: 288 kms

Follow the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu until you reach Alexandra. Explore the historic mining area of St Bathans before reaching the art deco town of Ranfurly. Follow the mighty Clutha River south, passing fertile stone orchards as you drive across the rugged country of Central Otago to reach Dunedin. Tonight enjoy a Speights Brewery Tour followed by dinner at the Ale House.

Overnight accommodation in Dunedin

Day 9, Dunedin

Travel Time: 5 hrs

Distance: 360 kms

Today you have a full day to explore the Otago Peninsula, famous for it's eco tourism and wildlife. First visit Larnach castle & gardens, with its exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present.

Afterwards take a Monarch Wildlife Cruise from Wellers Rock for a one hour cruise along the rocky Taiaroa Head, home to the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross colony. Be amazed as the albatross soar and glide over the ocean with their huge 3 metre wingspans.

On the Otago Peninsula you could also visit the nearby Royal Albatross Centre, or go on a guided vtour of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Reserve.

Day 10, Dunedin to Christchurch

Travel Time: 5 hrs

Distance: 360 kms

Be sure to check out the unique geological formations known as the Moeraki Boulders located 70km's north of Dunedin. At historic Oamaru home of the Little Blue Penguins, carry on across the Canterbury Plains to Timaru and Christchurch.

Overnight Accommodation in Christchurch

Day 11, Depart Christchurch

Your day is at leisure in Christchurch before returning your rental car.

Additional Information

Pricing

Cost per person 2022-23

	Twin/Double
Standard 3-3.5 Star Accommodation	From NZ$2,600* per person
Superior 4-4.5 Star Accommodation	From NZ$2,817* per person

* PLEASE NOTE *

Prices are estimates only, and are subject to availability and exchange rates when booking, seasonal or holiday price surcharges (such as Christmas/New Year and Easter); as well as special events that may be on. Please forward a request and we will be happy to forward a quote.

Car Rental

Car hire excess fees of up to NZ$4650 + GST applies. This will be imprinted on a credit card upon collecting the vehicle. Excess reduction options are available at an additional cost per day.
Airport/Ferry pick up fee applies in some locations. This must be paid direct in New Zealand.
Car parking fees may apply in some locations.

Payment

Deposit: $200 per person within 7 days of booking
Full Payment: 60 Days before travel
Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full no more than 6 days after booking

Cancellation Charges

Cancellation Fees up to 100% can apply after booking. Extra deposits or full payment may be requested to cover these charges prior to booking.

Currency Converter

Includes

10 nights accommodation

1 Night Christchurch
2 Nights Franz Josef
2 Nights Queenstown
2 Nights Te Anau
2 Nights Dunedin
1 Night Christchurch

9 days car hire (C/CDAR Toyota Corolla or Similar)

TranzAlpine Train Journey

Shotover Jetboat Ride

Milford Sound Cruise

Larnach Castle & Gardens entry

Monarch Wildlife Cruise

Private train station and airport transfers

Options

Itineraries

All itineraries can be amended or combined with other itineraries. Flights can be included from Australia if required. Please advise amendments when requesting a quote.

Airfares

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

Optional Extras

Explore Franz Josef

Half Day Helihike

Helihike Guides will outfit you in thick socks, boots, an alpenstock and waterproof coat then a helicopter flight over the Pinnacles, to land high on the glacier. This section contains many ice caves and beautiful ice formations which you will explore with your guide. All too soon it’s back into your helicopter for the return flight. Departs 9 am, noon & on demand daily.

Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Explore the rugged West Coast of the South Island on a helicopter flight from Franz Josef township. See the untamed beauty where the mountains meet the Tasman Sea, and where rainforests give way to Glaciers. Nowhere else in the world can glaciers be found in such a dramatic setting, in such close proximity to the sea, making Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers truly unique.

Explore Queenstown

Shotover Jet Ride

Skyline Gondola with Buffet Dinner

An essential inclusion on your Queenstown schedule. Travel by gondola to Bob’s Peak high above the township and lake where the unsurpassed views are matched only by a range of activity options that may require a day rather than an hour or two. The views stretch from Coronet Peak to the left, over the town and Remarkable Mountains, along Lake Wakatipu’s southern arm toward Kingston and to your right, across the lake, Cecil and Walter Peaks and the Earnslaw plying its waters as well.

Highlights

Shotover Jet Boat Ride

Shotover Jet is New Zealand’s most popular and instantly identified visitor activity. Nothing you have experienced will have you prepared for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor your adrenaline hits the roof as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the famous Shotover River. Your driver skillfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders, rock faces blur in your peripheral vision, white crystals of water spray with every turn, you grip the safety rail for reassurance and let out a whoop of excitement as the driver spins the boat around in its own length and you experience the 'trademark' Shotover Jet 360° spin.

Milford Sound Cruise

Milford Sound Cruises give a close-up understanding of Milford Sounds rainforest, towering rock walls, and wildlife, with professional nature guides aboard. The nature guides share accounts of the fiord’s history during the cruise, and are pleased to answer any questions you may have.You will cruise so near to waterfalls that water drenches the foredeck; or you will glide quietly through the sounds whilst looking out for dolphins, seals and penguins.

Larnach Castle & Gardens Entry

Located on the Otago Peninsula, with its exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present. Today, the Castle is the home of the Barker family, who have spent over forty years lovingly restoring the building and recreating the beauty of the 14 hectares of gardens and grounds.

Monarch Wildlife Cruise

The Otago Peninsula is a haven for seabirds of all descriptions. There is no better way to see them than to take a Monarch Wildlife Cruise from Wellers Rock for a one hour cruise along the rocky Taiaroa Head, home to the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross colony. Be amazed as the albatross soar and glide over the ocean with their huge 3 metre wingspans. Here you will also see other smaller albatross, petrels, and cormorants; as well as a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Occasionally sighted are the cute blue penguins, as well as hectors and dusky dolphins.

TranzAlpine Train Journey

Your TranzAlpine train journey begins in Christchurch, crossing the Canterbury Plains before following the spectacular river valleys and gorges of the Waimakariri River up into the Southern Alps. Finally descending down through lush beech forest past Lake Brunner and into Greymouth on the West Coast.

Book this self drive tour below

Book now, pay later No credit card required

11 Day Central South Island Self Drive

Fields marked with * are required

If you see this field, please leave it blank and invest in CSS support.

Start Date *

No. Adults *

No. Children

No. Infants

Your Details

First Name *

Last Name *

Home Address

Country *

Email Address *

Contact Phone *

(e.g +44 208 123456)

Additional Extras

Additional Items

Extra night Christchurch post-tour

Extra night Christchurch pre-tour

Extra night in Dunedin

Extra night in Queenstown

Franz Josef Glacier - Half Day Helihike

Franz Josef Glacier - Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Queenstown - Skyline Gondola with Buffet Dinner

Accommodation & Transport

Hotel

Room

Bed

Vehicle

Other Passengers

Please list the full name(s) of each passenger travelling with you.

Full Name(s)

Pre Tour Nights

Post Tour Nights

General Information

Please specify if you wish to include any tour options or extra days & if you have any special requirements. e.g dietary, physical, medical; and (if available) advise arrival and departure flight details in New Zealand.

Tour Questions

Self Drive Holidays 11 Day Central South Island Self Drive

Overview

Itineraries

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu and cross rural farmlands to Lake Te Anau. Take a short drive to view Lake Manapouri before reaching Te Anau.

Drive south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu and cross rural farmlands to Lake Te Anau. Take a short drive to view Lake Manapouri before reaching Te Anau.