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.
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.
10 Day / 9 Night Tour
$1,889
85+ Booked
10 Day / 9 Night Tour
$1,889
85+ Booked
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.
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.
Breakfast not included. Discover Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s alpine scenery and visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to explore the region’s mountaineering history. Choose from available walking tracks or relax with mountain views. After sunset, enjoy stargazing within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, weather permitting.
Included: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre entry.
Overnight in Mt Cook.
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.
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.
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Gibbston Valley for its Prestige Tour, beginning with sparkling wine and a short film about winemaking. Explore the vineyard and Wine Cave, sample selected wines, and enjoy a two-course lunch with matching wines. Return to Queenstown for an afternoon at leisure.
Included: Gibbston Valley Prestige Tour with lunch.
Overnight in Queenstown.
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.
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.
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.
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
Self Drive
Exclusive Experiences
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3 days ago
The Majestic South itinerary was stunning from the very beginning. Lake Tekapo’s colours and the mountain views in Aoraki Mt Cook were unforgettable. Everything was perfectly organised, making the whole drive feel smooth and relaxed.
1 week ago
I loved how this trip highlighted the South Island’s most impressive landscapes. Christchurch to Tekapo was a beautiful start, and the time in Aoraki Mt Cook felt surreal. The planning and pacing made the journey incredibly enjoyable.
5 days ago
This 10-day route captured everything I wanted to see. The lakes, peaks, and alpine scenery were breathtaking, and having a clear itinerary made exploring so easy. A fantastic way to experience the South Island’s beauty.
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