South Island Experience
11 day Self Drive – from £1765
With flights from £3215
An unforgettable South Island adventure including a cruise on the spectacular Milford Sound and a visit to remote Stewart Island.
Highlights:
- See the penguin colony at Oamaru
- Enjoy a day trip to Stewart Island
- See the thrills of Queenstown
- Relax on a Milford Sound Nature cruise
- Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can customise your South Island self drive holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
![Blue Penguin Oamaru](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/BluePenguinOtago-200x133.jpg)
Drive from Christchurch through the expanse of the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Oamaru.
Oamaru is famous for its wildlife; the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides a unique opportunity to see these adorable creatures up close.
For those seeking other activities out of the car can enjoy the scenic Oamaru Public Gardens and the coastal Oamaru Harbour.
In Oamaru town you can explore the historic precinct with its charming Victorian buildings, antique shops, and galleries. The Steampunk HQ museum also offers a quirky and fun experience.
Standard: Bella Vista Motel Oamaru
Deluxe: Pen Y Bryn Lodge
![Blue Penguin Oamaru](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/BluePenguinOtago.jpg)
![Dunedin Albatross](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Dunedin-Albatross-200x133.jpg)
Day 2 – Dunedin
After your overnight stay drive south to the town of Dunedin. Dunedin is known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and you will be able to discover the town’s Scottish heritage during the afternoon.
You may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of a rare Royal Albatross Colony and endangered Yellow Penguins. Alternatively you may prefer to spend time wandering through the historic Larnach Castle and its grounds.
Standard: Distinction Leisure Lodge
Deluxe: Camp Estate, Larnach Castle
![Dunedin Albatross](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Dunedin-Albatross.jpg)
![Invercargill, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Invercargill-200x133.jpg)
Day 3 to 4 – Invercargill
Meander from the East Coast to the South Coast via the Southern Scenic Route taking you to Invercargill for a two night stay.
A full day excursion to Stewart Island is included where you may be lucky enough to spot the rare and elusive Kiwi.
Standard: Ascot Park Hotel
Deluxe: The Lodge, Transport World
![Invercargill, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Invercargill.jpg)
![Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Milford-Sound-1-2-200x133.jpg)
Day 5 to 6 – Te Anau
Continue North to the gateway to the Fiorldlands. With two nights in Te Anau we have included a full 2 hour nature cruise around Milford Sound to allow you to fully experience the wonder of this serene landscape.
Standard: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge
![Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Milford-Sound-1-2.jpg)
![Lake Wakatipu Queenstown](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-4-Lake-Wakatipu-Queenstown-200x133.jpg)
Day 7 to 8 – Queenstown
Drive north towards the scenic beauty of Queenstown, encased by the Remarkables Mountain Range. Enjoy a two night stay with time to take the Skyline Gondola, enjoy the thrills of any number of activities or cruise the still waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Standard: Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Deluxe: Browns Boutique
![Lake Wakatipu Queenstown](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-4-Lake-Wakatipu-Queenstown.jpg)
![Franz Josef Glacier](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Franz-Josef-2-200x133.jpg)
Day 9 – Franz Josef
Travel further still to the icy wonder of the Franz Josef glacier, one of the world’s most accessible advancing ice flows and one which you can take full advantage of by embarking on a valley walk or scenic flight over.
Standard: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, including breakfast
Deluxe: Rainforest Retreat
![Franz Josef Glacier](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Franz-Josef-2.jpg)
![Hokitika Gorge](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Hokitika-Gorge-1-200x133.jpg)
Day 10 – Hokitika
Continue your journey up the West Coast and spend the remainder of the day in Hokitika.
You may like to take a stroll along the beach or complete the short hike up to the gorge, where the river waters appear a bright turquoise due to the glacial sediment flowing down from up river.
Standard: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Deluxe: Rimu Lodge, Hokitika
![Hokitika Gorge](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Hokitika-Gorge-1.jpg)
![TranzAlpine](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-6-TranzAlpine-1-200x133.jpg)
Day 11 – Christchurch
After a night in Hokitika, travel to Greymouth to return your vehicle before embarking on the TranzAlpine train which leads you through the Southern Alps towards your final destination of Christchurch.
![TranzAlpine](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-6-TranzAlpine-1.jpg)
Your Itinerary
You can customise your South Island self drive holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1
| Christchurch to Oamaru
Drive from Christchurch through the expanse of the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Oamaru.
Oamaru is famous for its wildlife; the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides a unique opportunity to see these adorable creatures up close.
For those seeking other activities out of the car can enjoy the scenic Oamaru Public Gardens and the coastal Oamaru Harbour.
In Oamaru town you can explore the historic precinct with its charming Victorian buildings, antique shops, and galleries. The Steampunk HQ museum also offers a quirky and fun experience.
Standard: Bella Vista Motel Oamaru
Deluxe: Pen Y Bryn Lodge
![Blue Penguin Oamaru](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/BluePenguinOtago.jpg)
Day 2
| Dunedin
After your overnight stay drive south to the town of Dunedin. Dunedin is known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and you will be able to discover the town’s Scottish heritage during the afternoon.
You may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of a rare Royal Albatross Colony and endangered Yellow Penguins. Alternatively you may prefer to spend time wandering through the historic Larnach Castle and its grounds.
Standard: Distinction Leisure Lodge
Deluxe: Camp Estate, Larnach Castle
![Dunedin Albatross](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Dunedin-Albatross.jpg)
Day 3 to 4
| Invercargill
Meander from the East Coast to the South Coast via the Southern Scenic Route taking you to Invercargill for a two night stay.
A full day excursion to Stewart Island is included where you may be lucky enough to spot the rare and elusive Kiwi.
Standard: Ascot Park Hotel
Deluxe: The Lodge, Transport World
![Invercargill, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Invercargill.jpg)
Day 5 to 6
| Te Anau
Continue North to the gateway to the Fiorldlands. With two nights in Te Anau we have included a full 2 hour nature cruise around Milford Sound to allow you to fully experience the wonder of this serene landscape.
Standard: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Deluxe: Fiordland Lodge
![Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Milford-Sound-1-2.jpg)
Day 7 to 8
| Queenstown
Drive north towards the scenic beauty of Queenstown, encased by the Remarkables Mountain Range. Enjoy a two night stay with time to take the Skyline Gondola, enjoy the thrills of any number of activities or cruise the still waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Standard: Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Deluxe: Browns Boutique
![Lake Wakatipu Queenstown](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-4-Lake-Wakatipu-Queenstown.jpg)
Day 9
| Franz Josef
Travel further still to the icy wonder of the Franz Josef glacier, one of the world’s most accessible advancing ice flows and one which you can take full advantage of by embarking on a valley walk or scenic flight over.
Standard: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, including breakfast
Deluxe: Rainforest Retreat
![Franz Josef Glacier](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-5-Franz-Josef-2.jpg)
Day 10
| Hokitika
Continue your journey up the West Coast and spend the remainder of the day in Hokitika.
You may like to take a stroll along the beach or complete the short hike up to the gorge, where the river waters appear a bright turquoise due to the glacial sediment flowing down from up river.
Standard: Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Deluxe: Rimu Lodge, Hokitika
![Hokitika Gorge](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Hokitika-Gorge-1.jpg)
Day 11
| Christchurch
After a night in Hokitika, travel to Greymouth to return your vehicle before embarking on the TranzAlpine train which leads you through the Southern Alps towards your final destination of Christchurch.
![TranzAlpine](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image-6-TranzAlpine-1.jpg)
This Self Drive Includes
Flights & More
Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.
They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:
- An upgrade to deluxe hotels
Next Step
Please get in touch with our New Zealand Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
South Island Experience
11 day Self Drive – from £
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.
Map
![New Zealand South Island Experience, Route Map](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/south-island-experience-.png)
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