South Island Signature Circuit

Discover New Zealand’s South Island on a 12-day self-drive journey from Christchurch through Aoraki/Mount Cook, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown and Franz Josef. Enjoy alpine scenery, Otago Peninsula wildlife encounters, a Milford Sound cruise and a guided glacier heli-hike. With a rental car and 11 nights in 3-star accommodation included, explore at your own pace between planned experiences.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Arrive in Christchurch, the Garden City

Collect your rental car at Christchurch Airport and begin exploring leafy parks and modern rebuild areas. Visit the Botanic Gardens, punt on the Avon River, ride the historic tram, or browse Riverside Market. Enjoy a relaxed first day in the Garden City.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 2

Christchurch → Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Breakfast at hotel. Drive across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and its Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue past Lake Pukaki into Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. New Zealand’s highest peak rises above stunning alpine scenery.

Drive: 330 km / 4.5 hrs

Included: Glacier Highlights Scenic Flight

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 3

Mt Cook → Dunedin, City of Scottish Heritage

Breakfast not included. Travel south via Twizel, Omarama, and the Waitaki Valley, stopping in Oamaru with its Victorian buildings and steampunk charm. Continue to Dunedin, known for its grand architecture, harbour setting, and Scottish heritage.

Drive: 320 km / 4.5 hrs

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 4

Otago Peninsula Wildlife & History

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a guided day including Larnach Castle, a wildlife cruise at Taiaroa Head to see royal albatross and seals, and a visit to The Opera for a Yellow-Eyed Penguin experience.

Included: Castle to Cruise Tour & Penguin Encounter

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 5

Dunedin → Te Anau, Gateway to Fiordland

Breakfast at hotel. Drive through Southland’s farmland and small towns, with an optional detour through the Catlins’ waterfalls, beaches, and Nugget Point lighthouse. Arrive in Te Anau beside its peaceful lake.

Drive: 290 km / 4–4.5 hrs (longer via Catlins)

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 6

Milford Sound Self-Drive + Pure Milford Cruise

Breakfast at hotel. Drive the scenic Milford Road past Mirror Lakes and alpine valleys. Enjoy a Pure Milford Cruise featuring waterfalls, wildlife, towering cliffs, and a picnic lunch. Return to Te Anau at your own pace.

Drive: 240 km return / 4 hrs + stops

Included: Milford Cruise + Picnic

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 7

Te Anau → Queenstown, the Adventure Capital

Breakfast at hotel. Travel north past tussocklands and along the Devil’s Staircase beside Lake Wakatipu. Arrive in Queenstown, an alpine hub filled with restaurants, shops, and adventure activities.

Drive: 170 km / 2.5 hrs

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 8

Queenstown at Leisure

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Queenstown your way—wander the lakefront, dine outdoors, shop boutiques, or choose optional adventures such as jet boating, bungy jumping, or wine tasting in Central Otago.

Drive: Minimal (up to 60 km)

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 9

Queenstown → Franz Josef via Haast Pass

Breakfast at hotel. Cross the Crown Range into Wanaka, then follow the Haast Pass through alpine valleys, waterfalls, and rainforest. Arrive in Franz Josef, a village set beside its iconic glacier.

Drive: 350 km / 5.5–6 hrs

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 10

Franz Josef Glacier Helihike

Breakfast at hotel. Experience the glacier up close with a scenic helicopter flight and guided hike across ice formations, crevasses, and pinnacles.

Included: Franz Josef Glacier Helihike

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 11

Franz Josef → Christchurch (via Haast Pass & Mackenzie Country)

Breakfast at hotel. Retrace the Haast Pass, then continue through Wanaka and the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin. Stop at Lakes Tekapo or Pukaki before arriving in Christchurch.

Drive: 450 km / 7 hrs

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 12

Christchurch Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a final morning visiting Hagley Park or the Botanic Gardens before returning your rental car and checking in for your flight.

Drive: 10 km / 20 mins

Tour Highlights

Explore Christchurch’s blend of leafy parks and modern renewal.

Wander the Botanic Gardens or punt along the Avon River.

Ride the heritage tram for a charming city overview.

Sample local flavours and artisan stalls at Riverside Market.
Cross the Canterbury Plains toward shimmering turquoise lakes.

Stop at Lake Tekapo and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd.

Follow Lake Pukaki into the heart of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight above glaciers and alpine peaks.
Drive through alpine valleys, rolling farmland and small townships.

Explore Oamaru’s white-stone Victorian precinct and steampunk accents.

Continue through the Waitaki Valley toward the coast.

Arrive in Dunedin, famed for its Scottish heritage and grand architecture.
Tour Larnach Castle and stroll its gardens with sweeping harbour views.

Cruise around Taiaroa Head to see royal albatross and coastal wildlife.

Watch fur seals bask on rocky shores and spot dolphins in the surf.

Visit a penguin conservation project protecting the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin.
Journey through Southland’s green farmland and peaceful rural towns.

Optional detour through the Catlins for waterfalls and wild coastline.

Arrive in lakeside Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Enjoy serene walks, cafés and views over Lake Te Anau.
Follow the iconic Milford Road through Mirror Lakes and alpine valleys.

Pass dramatic peaks and glaciers on the way to the fiord.

Cruise beneath towering cliffs and thundering waterfalls.

Savour a picnic lunch on board while watching for seals and birdlife.
Drive past vast tussock plains and rugged mountain backdrops.

Follow the shores of Lake Wakatipu along the Devil’s Staircase.

Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Stroll the lakefront, dine al fresco or browse boutique stores.
Enjoy a free day exploring Queenstown’s alpine scenery.

Wander historic Arrowtown or venture to scenic Glenorchy.

Choose from jet boating, bungy jumping or wine tasting.

Relax lakeside with views of the Remarkables.
Cross the Crown Range into the lakeside town of Wanaka.

Drive through Haast Pass with waterfalls, deep gorges and rainforest.

Follow the wild West Coast to Franz Josef Glacier Village.

Settle into a landscape where rainforest meets ice.
Fly by helicopter above towering peaks and glacier icefields.

Land on Franz Josef Glacier for an expert-guided glacier hike.

Explore blue ice caves, crevasses and sculpted formations.

Experience one of New Zealand’s most thrilling alpine adventures.
Retrace the West Coast’s rugged coastline and alpine valleys.

Cross Haast Pass and travel through Wanaka and Lindis Pass.

View turquoise lakes Tekapo and Pukaki beneath the Southern Alps.

Arrive in Christchurch for your final night on the South Island.
Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Christchurch’s parks and riverside.

Visit the Botanic Gardens or browse Riverside Market cafés.

Return your rental car at the airport before departure.

Fly home with memories of glaciers, fiords and alpine peaks.

Accommodations

1 night in Christchurch at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Mt Cook Village at a 3 Star Hotel.
2 nights in Dunedin at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Te Anau at a 3 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 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 to upgrade to 4-5 Star hotels. Upgrades are subject to availability and additional costs.

Package Includes

Self-Drive:

Premium rental car for 11 days
Unlimited kilometres included
GPS navigation included

Exclusive Experiences:

Glacier Highlights Scenic Flight (Mt Cook).
Larnach Castle tour and gardens (Dunedin).
Otago Peninsula wildlife cruise & penguin experience.
Pure Milford Cruise with picnic lunch on a self drive Milford Sound day trip. (Te Anau).
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-hike with Glacier Guides.
Accommodation in a 3 Star Hotel for 11 nights with Breakfast.

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What Travelers Are Saying About Our Tours

Freya H.

3 days ago

The South Island Signature Circuit was such an incredible journey. Dunedin’s railway, Fiordland’s beauty, and the West Coast glaciers made every day exciting. The 12-day pace was perfect, and the self-drive setup felt really smooth and easy.

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Lucas D.

1 week ago

I loved the mix of structured experiences and optional adventures. The Taieri Gorge Railway and Milford Sound cruise were unforgettable, and the heli-hike in Franz Josef was a standout. Everything was well-planned from start to finish.

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Naomi R.

4 days ago

This itinerary offered amazing variety—wildlife, mountains, glaciers, and charming towns. Queenstown was a highlight, and the freedom to add activities made the trip feel personalised. A brilliant way to explore the South Island.

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