Pure South Island Discovery

Discover New Zealand’s South Island on a 10-day self-drive from Christchurch to Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Wanaka, and Franz Josef. Enjoy alpine scenery, lakes, wildlife, a Milford Sound cruise, and glacier landscapes before returning to Christchurch.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Arrive Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, collect your rental car, and explore the Garden City. Ride the heritage tram, visit the Botanic Gardens, browse Riverside Market, or relax along the Avon River. Enjoy the afternoon discovering the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 2

Christchurch → Dunedin (via Oamaru & Moeraki)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive south across the Canterbury Plains, stopping in Oamaru to see its Victorian precinct and Steampunk style. Continue along the coast to the Moeraki Boulders before arriving in Dunedin, known for Scottish heritage and historic architecture.

Drive: 360 km / 4.5 hrs

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 3

Dunedin → Te Anau

Breakfast at hotel. Travel west through farmland and small Southland towns to Te Anau, a peaceful lakeside settlement and gateway to Fiordland. Spend the afternoon enjoying lakeside paths, cafés, or scenic viewpoints at your own pace.

Drive: 290 km / 4 hrs

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 4

Te Anau → Queenstown

Breakfast at hotel. Drive north through open countryside toward Lake Wakatipu, following its shoreline into Queenstown. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure—walk the lakefront, browse boutiques, or relax in cafés with mountain views.

Drive: 170 km / 2.5 hrs

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 5

Milford Sound Self-Drive Tour & Cruise

Breakfast at hotel. Drive the scenic route to Milford Sound through Fiordland’s lakes, peaks, and valleys. Join your Pure Milford Cruise to see towering cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife while enjoying a picnic lunch. Return to Queenstown at your pace with scenic stops.

Drive: 574 km return / 9.5 hrs

Included: Cruise + picnic

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 6

Queenstown at Leisure

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a free day exploring Queenstown—visit Arrowtown, discover Glenorchy, or try a range of optional activities. Wine lovers can join a guided tour to Central Otago vineyards.

Optional: Gibbston Valley Prestige Wine Experience

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 7

Queenstown → Franz Josef (via Wanaka & Haast Pass)

Breakfast at hotel. Travel over the Crown Range into Wanaka, then continue north through Haast Pass with waterfalls, rainforest, and river gorges. Arrive in Franz Josef, surrounded by glacier landscapes and lush temperate forest.

Drive: 350 km / 5.5–6 hrs

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 8

Explore Franz Josef Glacier Region

Breakfast at hotel. Spend the day exploring Glacier Country—walk to glacier viewpoints, follow rainforest trails, or visit Lake Matheson. For a highlight, consider a scenic helicopter flight over the twin glaciers.

Optional: Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 9

Franz Josef → Christchurch (via West Coast & Arthur’s Pass)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive north along the rugged West Coast, stopping in Hokitika for pounamu and artisan shops. Continue through Arthur’s Pass with dramatic alpine scenery before reaching Christchurch for your final night.

Drive: 380 km / 6 hrs

Overnight in Christchurch.
10

Depart Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a relaxed final morning—visit the Botanic Gardens, stroll the Avon River, or explore galleries. Return your rental car at the airport before your onward flight.

Drive: 10 km / 20 mins

Tour Highlights

Explore the Garden City’s tree-lined streets and revitalised centre.

Ride the heritage tram through the city’s historic precincts.

Wander the Botanic Gardens or stroll along the Avon River.

Enjoy artisan food and coffee at Riverside Market.
Cross the Canterbury Plains toward coastal farmland and seaside towns.

Explore Oamaru’s Victorian precinct and quirky Steampunk culture.

Visit the famous Moeraki Boulders along the wild coastline.

Arrive in Dunedin, rich with Scottish heritage and grand architecture.
Travel west through open farmland and peaceful rural landscapes.

Arrive in Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Walk lakeside paths and enjoy tranquil Fiordland views.

Relax in cafés or explore the town’s scenic lookout points.
Follow scenic valleys north toward the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Enjoy sweeping alpine vistas as you approach Queenstown.

Wander the lakefront promenade and vibrant town centre.

Browse boutiques or relax with mountain views from a café terrace.
Drive one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine routes.

Pass Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley and the dramatic Homer Tunnel.

Cruise Milford Sound beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on board with views of Mitre Peak.
Explore Queenstown’s dramatic landscapes at your own pace.

Wander Arrowtown’s gold-rush streets or visit Glenorchy’s lakeside vistas.

Choose from wine tours, lake cruises, or adventure activities.

Optional: Prestige Wine Experience at Gibbston Valley.
Cross the Crown Range toward alpine Wanaka.

Drive through Haast Pass with waterfalls, gorges and rainforest.

Arrive in Franz Josef, where glacier country meets lush temperate forest.

Enjoy a relaxed evening in this rugged West Coast village.
Walk rainforest tracks and glacier valley viewpoints.

Visit Lake Matheson for mirror-like reflections of the Southern Alps.

Explore local nature trails or unwind in Franz Josef hot pools.

Optional: Fly over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on a scenic helicopter flight.
Follow the wild West Coast north through rugged coastline and forest.

Stop in Hokitika for pounamu artisans and local craft stores.

Cross the dramatic alpine landscapes of Arthur’s Pass.

Descend onto the Canterbury Plains and return to Christchurch.
Enjoy a gentle morning exploring Christchurch’s gardens and riverside.

Visit local galleries or stroll the city’s walkable centre.

Return your rental car at the airport before departure.

Fly home with memories of fiords, glaciers and mountain landscapes.

Accommodations

1 night in Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Dunedin at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Te Anau at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
3 nights in Queenstown at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Franz Josef at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.

Guests may request upgrades to 4-5-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

Explore Christchurch’s gardens, art spots, and renewed city centre.
Visit Oamaru’s Victorian precinct and the Moeraki Boulders.
Discover Dunedin’s heritage, architecture, and coast.
Relax by the lakeside in Te Anau.
Drive to Milford Sound for a Pure Milford Cruise and picnic lunch.
Enjoy Queenstown with an optional Gibbston Valley wine tasting.
Travel through Wanaka and the alpine Haast Pass.
Explore Franz Josef’s rainforest, glacier viewpoints, and optional flights.
Cross Arthur’s Pass back to Christchurch.
Accommodation in a 3 Star Hotel for 9 nights with Breakfast.

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