14 Days South Island Wilderness Encounters Self Drive

Private Airport Transfer & Free Time

Upon arrival at Christchurch Airport, a private driver will transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of the city.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Ride the heritage tram, stroll through the Botanic Gardens, or visit the creative hub of Riverside Market. A short drive takes you to the seaside village of Sumner or the bustling port town of Lyttelton.

TranzAlpine Train Journey & West Coast Drive

Begin your day with a transfer to the station for one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys — the TranzAlpine Train. Travel from Christchurch across the Southern Alps to the wild West Coast town of Greymouth.

Collect your rental car and enjoy a short but scenic drive north to Punakaiki, home of the Pancake Rocks and blowholes.

Included experience: TranzAlpine Train journey – Christchurch to Greymouth

Caves, Blowholes & Glowworms

Start your day with a visit to the Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point — a short loop walk reveals dramatic blowholes and limestone formations shaped by the sea.

Later, venture underground on a guided glowworm rafting tour, floating through ancient caves lit by thousands of bioluminescent creatures.

Included experience: Underworld Rafting & Glowworm Cave Tour

West Coast Road Trip & Kayaking the Wetlands

Head south along one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives. Stop in Hokitika to browse greenstone carvings and make a detour to the turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge. Pass historic gold towns like Ross and Hari Hari on your way to glacier country.

Later, glide through Okarito Lagoon on a guided kayak tour, surrounded by rainforest and rare birdlife.

Included experience: Okarito Lagoon Guided Kayak Tour

Glacier Heli-Hike & Free Time in Glacier Country

Today includes an unforgettable experience — a scenic helicopter flight and guided glacier hike on Franz Josef Glacier. Fly high above the Southern Alps before landing on the ice, where expert guides will lead you through towering formations of blue ice and deep crevasses. It's an awe-inspiring way to connect with this ancient natural wonder.

After your heli-hike, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Take one of the local walking tracks through rainforest to a glacier viewpoint, browse artisan shops in the village, or visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home to the rare rowi kiwi.

Suggested activity:

Waiho Hot Tubs – relax in your own private, wood-fired hot tub surrounded by native bush

Alpine Passes & Hidden Lakes

Depart Franz Josef and head south past Fox Glacier, where a short detour leads to Lake Matheson, famed for its perfect mirror reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook on a clear day. Continue along the wild and remote West Coast before turning inland at Haast, entering a landscape of dense rainforest, cascading waterfalls and glacial rivers.

As you travel through the Haast Pass, stop for a short walk to the vibrant turquoise Blue Pools, where glacier-fed waters invite a refreshing pause. Further along, admire the powerful Thunder Creek Falls, tumbling 28 metres into a forested gorge. Before reaching Wānaka, take in the breathtaking alpine views over Lake Hawea, a photographer’s dream.

Arrive in Wānaka, a peaceful alpine town nestled beside its namesake lake and surrounded by snow-dusted peaks. With its relaxed vibe and natural beauty, Wānaka is the perfect base for exploring the Southern Lakes region.

Island Nature Walk & Scenic Drive

Begin your day with a cruise across Lake Wānaka to Mou Waho Island, a predator-free nature reserve home to a unique hidden lake. Enjoy a guided walk through native bush to the top of Tyrwhitt Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over Lake Wānaka, the surrounding mountains and the remarkable lake-on-an-island-on-a-lake formation below.

Later, drive over the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest sealed road, offering panoramic alpine views. Stop in at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a photo or a drink, wander the charming streets of Arrowtown, or visit a cellar door in Gibbston Valley before arriving in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Suggested activity:

Skyline Gondola & Stratosfare Buffet Dinner – ride to Bob’s Peak for sweeping views, then enjoy a gourmet dinner with a view

Discover the Best of the Adventure Capital

Today is yours to explore Queenstown, a town that blends epic scenery with adventure and charm. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and framed by the Remarkables, it offers everything from heart-pumping thrills to laid-back lakeside vibes.

Wander the lakefront gardens, browse boutique shops, or take the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for sweeping views. Queenstown is also a gateway to wine tasting, scenic cruises, and high-country heritage.

If you’re after adrenaline, try jet boating, bungy, or ziplining — all within easy reach of the town centre.

Suggested activities:

Macetown 4WD Gold Heritage Tour – rugged off-road adventure through historic gold mining country

TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak BBQ Lunch – steamship cruise, gourmet lunch and a charming farm experience on the lake’s edge

Included Adventure & Wine Country Wandering

Start the day with a thrilling Epic Duo experience in Gibbston — combining the precision of clay target shooting with the adrenaline rush of a jet sprint boat ride, reaching speeds of 0–100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. It’s fast, fun, and set in a spectacular high-country setting.

Afterwards, take your time exploring the Gibbston Valley, known for its world-class pinot noir and dramatic scenery. Enjoy lunch at a local winery or detour through Arrowtown, a picturesque gold mining village full of heritage charm.

Suggested activity:

Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour – venture underground into New Zealand’s largest wine cave and sample local varietals

Lakeside Drive & Fiordland Film Experience

Depart Queenstown and travel south along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with dramatic alpine views of the Remarkables. Pass through Kingston and the rolling farmlands of Mossburn before arriving in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

This afternoon, enjoy an included screening of Ata Whenua – Shadowland, a breathtaking short film that captures the raw beauty and remote wilderness of Fiordland from above — the next best thing to a scenic flight.

Included activity: Ata Whenua – Shadowland Film at Fiordland Cinema

Jet Boat Adventure, Glowworm Caves & Scenic Options

Enjoy an incredible day in Fiordland National Park, with two included experiences showcasing the region’s pristine beauty. Start with the Pure Wilderness Jet Boat — a thrilling journey down the Waiau River and across Lake Manapouri, followed by a guided walk through ancient native forest featured in The Lord of the Rings.

Later, cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, where you'll drift beneath a canopy of twinkling glowworms in a peaceful, hidden world beneath the earth.

For those wanting to take things further, a scenic seaplane flight over Doubtful Sound offers breathtaking aerial views of waterfalls, fiords and untouched wilderness.

Included activities:

Pure Wilderness Jet Boat

Te Anau Glowworm Caves with RealNZ

Suggested activity:

Doubtful Sound Seaplane Flight – dramatic aerial views of one of New Zealand’s most remote fiords

Scenic Drive & Overnight Fiord Cruise

Set off early for the spectacular drive to Milford Sound, often considered one of the most scenic journeys in the world. Wind through alpine meadows, past reflective Mirror Lakes, and through the dramatic Homer Tunnel before emerging into the breathtaking landscape of Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.

This afternoon, board the Milford Mariner for an unforgettable overnight cruise through the fiord. Explore the tranquil inlets by kayak or tender, watch waterfalls cascade from towering cliffs, and keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and native birdlife. After a delicious buffet dinner, anchor in a sheltered cove for a peaceful night surrounded by nature.

Included experience:

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise – guided nature cruise with kayaking, wildlife viewing, and dinner included

Morning Cruise & Scenic Return

Wake up in the heart of Milford Sound, surrounded by towering cliffs and the morning mist rising over still waters. Enjoy breakfast on board as you take in the final sights of the fiord before disembarking.

Begin your return journey along the Milford Road, retracing your steps through Fiordland National Park and the open plains of Southland. With plenty of scenic stops along the way, this drive is as much a highlight as the destination.

Arrive back in Queenstown by late afternoon, with time to unwind or enjoy one last lakeside stroll.

Farewell from Aotearoa

Spend your final morning enjoying Queenstown at your own pace — whether it’s a lakeside coffee, a short walk through the gardens, or a last-minute souvenir stop.

When the time comes, return your rental car at Queenstown Airport and check in for your onward flight.

As we say in Aotearoa — mā te wā — not goodbye, but see you again.