Majestic South: 10 Day Highlights of the South Island Self Drive

Experience the best of New Zealand’s South Island on this 10-day self-drive journey. Start in Christchurch, continue to Lake Tekapo, and head into the alpine landscapes of Aoraki Mt Cook with towering peaks and shimmering lakes.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Welcome to Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, gateway to the South Island. After checking in, explore at your pace—stroll the Botanic Gardens, browse the Riverside Market, or enjoy a punting trip on the Avon River. Dine riverside and relax ahead of your journey.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 2

Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mt Cook

Breakfast at hotel. Drive across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue into the Mackenzie Basin toward Aoraki Mt Cook, surrounded by glaciers and alpine scenery. Check in and enjoy the dramatic mountain setting.

Drive: 330 km / 4.5 hrs

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 3

Alpine Wonders of Mt Cook

Breakfast not included. Spend the day exploring Mt Cook’s alpine landscapes—walk the Hooker Valley Track, enjoy lakeside picnics, or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. After dark, experience the region’s world-class stargazing in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve.

Included: Hillary Alpine Centre

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 4

Mt Cook → Queenstown

Breakfast not included. Travel through the Mackenzie Country, Cromwell Basin, and Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown. After checking in, enjoy free time—walk the lakefront, browse boutiques, or relax with Remarkables views.

Drive: 262 km / 3.5 hrs

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 5

Milford Sound Cruise (Self-Drive)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive the scenic route to Milford Sound via Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Board your Pure Milford Cruise for towering cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife, and a picnic lunch on board. Return to Queenstown with scenic stops along the way.

Drive: 574 km return / 9.5 hrs

Included: Pure Milford Cruise + picnic

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 6

Gibbston Valley Prestige Wine Experience

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a hosted Wine & Dine Tour, visiting boutique wineries, meeting local winemakers, and savouring a gourmet vineyard lunch paired with regional wines. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring Marine Parade.

Included: Hawke’s Bay Wine & Dine Tour

Minimal driving

Overnight in Napier.
Day 7

Queenstown → Franz Josef Glacier

Breakfast at hotel. Drive via Wanaka and Hawea, cross Haast Pass with waterfalls and rainforest, then follow the wild West Coast to Franz Josef. In the afternoon, walk to the glacier’s terminal face for dramatic views.

Drive: 350 km / 5.5 hrs

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 8

Franz Josef & West Coast Wildlife Centre

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre to see rare Rowi kiwi and conservation projects. Explore rainforest trails, visit Lake Matheson, soak in the hot pools, or take a glacier helicopter flight.

Included: Wildlife Centre entry

Minimal local driving

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 9

Franz Josef → Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Retrace the West Coast route, cross Haast Pass, and travel through Wanaka and Cromwell before the Lindis Pass leads you into Mackenzie Country. Pass Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo before returning to Christchurch for your final night.

Drive: 450 km / 7 hrs

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 10

Farewell from Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Christchurch’s gardens, markets, or architecture before returning your rental car at the airport and preparing for your onward flight.

Drive: 10 km / 20 mins

Tour Highlights

Explore Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens and peaceful riverside paths.

Browse artisan stalls and eateries at the lively Riverside Market.

Enjoy a gentle punting ride along the Avon River.

Dine in the city centre and unwind before your South Island journey.
Cross the wide Canterbury Plains toward the Southern Alps.

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd beside turquoise Lake Tekapo.

Continue into the Mackenzie Basin beneath Aoraki Mount Cook.

Settle into your alpine hotel surrounded by glaciers and peaks.
Walk the iconic Hooker Valley Track across swing bridges and rivers.

Enjoy quiet alpine lakes and dramatic mountain vistas.

Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to learn mountaineering history.

Experience world-class stargazing in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve.
Travel through Mackenzie Country’s vast high-country landscapes.

Pass the Cromwell Basin and dramatic cliffs of Kawarau Gorge.

Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Stroll the lakefront or relax with views of Lake Wakatipu.
Drive through Fiordland National Park’s towering peaks and valleys.

Stop at Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel and Eglinton Valley.

Cruise Milford Sound beneath waterfalls, cliffs and wildlife.

Enjoy a picnic lunch aboard your Pure Milford vessel.
Visit Gibbston Valley for exclusive tastings and vintage pours.

Tour the Wine Cave and home block vineyard with expert hosts.

Savour a 2-course lunch with curated wine pairings.

Return to Queenstown for a relaxed afternoon in town.
Drive via Lakes Wānaka and Hawea for scenic lakeside stops.

Cross the Haast Pass with waterfalls and lush rainforest.

Arrive in Franz Josef, where rainforest meets glacier.

Take an afternoon walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre to see the rare rowi kiwi.

Explore rainforest trails and reflective vistas at Lake Matheson.

Unwind in the Franz Josef hot pools or choose a scenic flight.

Enjoy an evening surrounded by glacier-carved landscapes.
Retrace the wild West Coast toward Haast Pass.

Travel through Wanaka, Cromwell and sweeping alpine valleys.

Cross the Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country and turquoise lakes.

Arrive in Christchurch for your final night on the South Island.
Spend a gentle morning exploring Christchurch’s gardens and markets.

Enjoy the riverside ambience and revitalised city centre.

Return your rental car at the airport for your onward flight.

Depart with memories of glaciers, fiords and mountain landscapes.

Accommodations

1 night in Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Mt Cook Village at a 3 Star Hotel.
3 nights in Queenstown at a 3- Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Franz Josef at a 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.

Guests may request upgrades to 5-Star hotels. Upgraded options are subject to availability and additional costs.

Package Includes

Self Drive

Premium rental car for 10 days
Unlimited kilometres included
GPS navigation included

Exclusive Experiences

Entry to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
Pure Milford Scenic Cruise with Picnic Lunch.
Gibbston Valley Prestige Wine Experience.
Private Bud to Bottle film viewing with sparkling wine
Wine Cave tasting of current and past vintages
Guided home block vineyard tour
2 course lunch with wine pairings
Entry to West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef.
Accommodation in a 3-4 Star Hotel for 9 nights with Breakfast.

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