Touring the South
9 day Self Drive – from £1079
With flights from £2179
Take in the breathtaking coastal vistas and dramatic mountain scenery as you travel around New Zealand’s remote South Island.
Highlights:
- Travel to Arthur’s Pass on the TranzAlpine train
- See the Franz Josef Glacier
- Enjoy a day to explore Queenstown
- Relax on a Milford Sound Nature cruise
- Visit Christchurch
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can customise your South Island self drive itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Arrive into the delightful and ever evolving city of Christchurch to enjoy a day at leisure exploring the charming parklands, lively bars and restaurants and heritage buildings.
Distinction Christchurch
Day 2 – Christchurch to Hokitika
This morning make your own way to Christchurch Railway Station for the TranzAlpine train. Depart Christchurch on the TranzAlpine for your journey across Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth. The TranzAlpine train journey is rated one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys and travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other.
From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rainforest to the west coast town of Greymouth.
On arrival at Greymouth you will collect your rental car and make your way to your hotel in Hokitika.
Beachfront Hotel
Day 3 – Franz Josef
This morning make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef from Greymouth or Hokitika. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Franz Josef. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as South Westland’s most famous pair, Franz Josef and Fox. Both descend to levels of about 1000 feet (300 metres) above sea level.
Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier, which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 12 km long extending into the rainforest just 5km from the Franz Josef Township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints, for for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided walk along the valley floor, heli-hike excursion or scenic flight.
Scenic Hotel
Day 4 – Queenstown
Make your way to Queenstown where on arrival you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. Queenstown nestles in Queenstown Bay, about midway along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. An unusual feature of the lake is the regular ‘breathing’, a 3-inch rise and fall every 15 minutes. Striking mountain peaks surround Queenstown, and although still rural in character, the town has developed into a tourist resort for all seasons.
Situated more than 300 metres above sea level, it is sufficiently inland to provide a sharp contrast between the hot summer and bracing winter. The Autumn colours and the Lake District are justly famous and a delight to photographers and painters. Winter brings spectacular snow scenery, ice-skating, white water rafting and much more.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Day 5 – Queenstown
Full day at your leisure to select your optional sightseeing (at your own expense): thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer lake cruises, visit to high country sheep stations, mountain gondola rides — the list is endless and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Day 6 – Te Anau
Make your way to Te Anau via Milford Sound where time is available to enjoy a cruise on the scenic sound (at your own expense).
Distinction Te Anau
Day 7 – Dunedin
Make your way to Dunedin – the “Edinburgh of the South”. This afternoon in Dunedin time is available to explore — you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Penguins or historic Larnach Castle (at your own expense).
Distinction Leisure Lodge
Day 8 – Christchurch
Depart Dunedin and make your way to Christchurch, known as the ‘most English City outside England’ or the ‘garden city’. It is home to beautiful gardens, quirky new shopping malls and restaurants and English heritage.
Crowne Plaza
Day 9 – Farewell from Christchurch
Tour ends with returning your rental car to the Christchurch City or airport depot.
Your Itinerary
You can customise your South Island self drive itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1
| Christchurch
Arrive into the delightful and ever evolving city of Christchurch to enjoy a day at leisure exploring the charming parklands, lively bars and restaurants and heritage buildings.
Distinction Christchurch
Day 2
| Christchurch to Hokitika
This morning make your own way to Christchurch Railway Station for the TranzAlpine train. Depart Christchurch on the TranzAlpine for your journey across Arthur’s Pass to Greymouth. The TranzAlpine train journey is rated one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys and travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other.
From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rainforest to the west coast town of Greymouth.
On arrival at Greymouth you will collect your rental car and make your way to your hotel in Hokitika.
Beachfront Hotel
Day 3
| Franz Josef
This morning make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef from Greymouth or Hokitika. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Franz Josef. Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as South Westland’s most famous pair, Franz Josef and Fox. Both descend to levels of about 1000 feet (300 metres) above sea level.
Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier, which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 12 km long extending into the rainforest just 5km from the Franz Josef Township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints, for for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided walk along the valley floor, heli-hike excursion or scenic flight.
Scenic Hotel
Day 4
| Queenstown
Make your way to Queenstown where on arrival you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. Queenstown nestles in Queenstown Bay, about midway along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. An unusual feature of the lake is the regular ‘breathing’, a 3-inch rise and fall every 15 minutes. Striking mountain peaks surround Queenstown, and although still rural in character, the town has developed into a tourist resort for all seasons.
Situated more than 300 metres above sea level, it is sufficiently inland to provide a sharp contrast between the hot summer and bracing winter. The Autumn colours and the Lake District are justly famous and a delight to photographers and painters. Winter brings spectacular snow scenery, ice-skating, white water rafting and much more.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Day 5
| Queenstown
Full day at your leisure to select your optional sightseeing (at your own expense): thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer lake cruises, visit to high country sheep stations, mountain gondola rides — the list is endless and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Copthorne Resort Lakefront Queenstown
Day 6
| Te Anau
Make your way to Te Anau via Milford Sound where time is available to enjoy a cruise on the scenic sound (at your own expense).
Distinction Te Anau
Day 7
| Dunedin
Make your way to Dunedin – the “Edinburgh of the South”. This afternoon in Dunedin time is available to explore — you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula – home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Penguins or historic Larnach Castle (at your own expense).
Distinction Leisure Lodge
Day 8
| Christchurch
Depart Dunedin and make your way to Christchurch, known as the ‘most English City outside England’ or the ‘garden city’. It is home to beautiful gardens, quirky new shopping malls and restaurants and English heritage.
Crowne Plaza
Day 9
| Farewell from Christchurch
Tour ends with returning your rental car to the Christchurch City or airport depot.
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 accommodation – from £548
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.
Touring the South
9 day Self Drive – from £1079
With flights from £2179
All prices are per person and based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Price shown based on low season travel from May to September, subject to availability. Hotels specified are subject to availability and may be substituted by one of a similar or higher standard. Supplements will apply if alternative hotels are booked.