6-Day NZ South Island Self-Drive Tour: Southern Splendour

Upon arrival collect your rental vehicle and self drive to your accommodation. 

Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps.  This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. 

Enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.

Overnight: Christchurch

Included Activities

• Antarctic Centre

Depart a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes.  At Lake Tekapo the solitary ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Thought-provoking, educational and entertaining, the Dark Sky Experience is an experience which will forever change the way you see the night sky.  Lap up the  fresh air and sparling skies in this International Dark Sky Reserve.  Overnight: Tekapo or Mt Cook

Christchurch - Tekapo/Mt Cook: 230/330km (approx 3/4hrs)

Included Activities

• Dark Sky Experience

Optional Activities

• Glacier Explorer
• Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Embrace the dramatic vast landscape of a rugged land of ice and rock that showcases multiple giant peaks including New Zealand's highest mountain.  Then hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki before travelling through the historic Central Otago region to Queenstown.  Overnight: Queenstown

Tekapo/Mt Cook - Queenstown: 255/265km (approx 3hrs, 15mins)

Optional Activities

• Skyline Gondola Ride

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities on offer. Overnight: Queenstown

Optional Activities

• Walter Peak Farm Excursion on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
• Shotover Jetboat Ride

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.  Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown

Queenstown - Milford: 287km (approx 3hrs 50mins) each way

Included Activities

• Milford Sound Cruise

Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Queenstown Airport.

Please Note 

(i) Rental Car "Days" are based on a 24 hour hire.  

Early arrivals into and/or late departures out of New Zealand may necessitate a longer hire period.

(ii) Adding Optional Tours may necessitate an additional nights' stay in that location.