Southern Alps Signature Journey

Experience New Zealand’s South Island on a 12-day self-drive from Christchurch to Aoraki Mt Cook, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, and Franz Josef. Enjoy lakes, wildlife, alpine roads, wine tasting, and glacier country before returning to Christchurch.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Welcome to Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch and collect your rental car. Explore at your pace—stroll the Botanic Gardens, browse Riverside Market, or relax along the Avon River. Enjoy the rest of the day discovering the Garden City’s mix of heritage and modern charm.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 2

Christchurch → Aoraki/Mt Cook

Breakfast at hotel. Drive across the Canterbury Plains through towns like Geraldine and Fairlie. Stop at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.

Drive: 330 km / 4.5 hrs

Optional: Glacier Explorers

Overnight in Mt Cook.
Day 3

Aoraki/Mt Cook → Dunedin

Breakfast not included. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre before driving south through Mackenzie Country and along the Waitaki River. Stop in Oamaru’s Victorian precinct or see the Moeraki Boulders. Continue to Dunedin, known for Scottish heritage and historic charm.

Drive: 320 km / 4.5 hrs

Included: Hillary Alpine Centre

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 4

Dunedin Wildlife & Coastal Discovery

Breakfast at hotel. Explore the Otago Peninsula on a guided wildlife experience with lookouts for seabirds, seals, and penguins. Return to Dunedin for free time to enjoy cafés, shops, and historic landmarks.

Drive: 60 km return / 1.5 hrs

Included: Penguin Tour with The Opera

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 5

Dunedin → Te Anau

Breakfast at hotel. Travel south toward Te Anau via either the rugged Catlins coast—known for waterfalls and viewpoints—or the inland highway through tranquil farmland. Arrive in Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Drive: 395 km / 6.5 hrs

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 6

Milford Sound Day Cruise (Self-Drive)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive the scenic Milford Road past Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, and through the Homer Tunnel. Board your Pure Milford Cruise to see waterfalls, Mitre Peak, and wildlife while enjoying a picnic lunch. Return to Te Anau at your own pace.

Drive: 240 km return / 4.5 hrs

Included: Milford Cruise + picnic

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 7

Te Anau → Queenstown

Breakfast at hotel. Travel north through rolling countryside toward Lake Wakatipu, following its shoreline into Queenstown. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure—walk the lakefront, browse shops, or relax in scenic cafés.

Drive: 170 km / 2.5 hrs

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 8

Gibbston Valley Prestige Wine Experience

Breakfast at hotel. Self-drive to Gibbston Valley for the Prestige Wine Experience: private film, sparkling wine, premium tasting in the Wine Cave, vineyard tour, and a 2-course lunch with pairings. Return to Queenstown for free time.

Drive: 50 km return / 45 mins

Included: Prestige Wine Experience

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 9

Queenstown → Franz Josef (via Wanaka & Haast Pass)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka, then continue past Lake Hawea and through the Haast Pass. Stop at the Blue Pools before following the wild West Coast to Franz Josef.

Drive: 350 km / 5.5 hrs

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 10

Franz Josef Glacier Region

Breakfast at hotel. Explore Glacier Country—walk to glacier viewpoints, relax in hot pools, or join guided adventures. Optional helicopter flights offer dramatic views of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

Minimal local driving

Optional: Twin Glacier Flight or Heli Ice Climb

Overnight in Franz Josef.
11

Franz Josef → Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Drive back across Haast Pass, through Wanaka and Cromwell, then over the Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country. Stop at Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo before arriving in Christchurch by evening.

Drive: 450 km / 7 hrs

Overnight in Christchurch.
12

Depart Christchurch

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a relaxed morning—visit the Botanic Gardens, explore Riverside Market, or stroll the city centre. Return your rental car before your flight.

Drive: 10 km / 20 mins

Tour Highlights

Stroll the Botanic Gardens in New Zealand’s Garden City.

Browse artisan food stalls and cafés at Riverside Market.

Relax beside the Avon River with heritage and modern charm.

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace.
Cross the Canterbury Plains toward alpine horizons.

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

Follow Lake Pukaki’s turquoise waters toward the Southern Alps.

Settle into Mt Cook Village beneath New Zealand’s highest peak.
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre for mountaineering history.

Drive through Mackenzie Country and the Waitaki Valley.

Explore Oamaru’s Victorian precinct or see the Moeraki Boulders.

Arrive in Dunedin, rich in Scottish heritage and character.
Explore the scenic Otago Peninsula’s sweeping coastal vistas.

Spot penguins, seabirds and seals on a guided wildlife tour.

Return to Dunedin’s historic streets, cafés and boutique shops.

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon uncovering the city’s heritage.
Choose the rugged Catlins route or the peaceful inland highway.

Pass waterfalls, wild coastlines and remote Southland countryside.

Arrive in Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Spend the evening beside the serene lakeside township.
Drive the Milford Road past Mirror Lakes and Eglinton Valley.

Travel through the dramatic alpine scenery of the Homer Tunnel.

Cruise beneath towering cliffs, waterfalls and Mitre Peak.

Enjoy a picnic lunch while watching for dolphins and seals.
Journey through rolling farmland toward Lake Wakatipu.

Follow the lakeside road into alpine Queenstown.

Spend the afternoon exploring shops, cafés and lakefront paths.

Enjoy free time in New Zealand’s adventure capital.
Drive into the famed Gibbston Valley wine region.

Enjoy sparkling wine and a private tasting in the Wine Cave.

Walk the home block vineyard with your expert host.

Savour a 2-course lunch paired with premium regional wines.
Cross the Crown Range into Wanaka’s mountain landscape.

Continue past Lake Hawea and into the Haast Pass rainforest.

Stop at the Blue Pools for crystal-clear alpine views.

Arrive in Franz Josef village on the wild West Coast.
Walk rainforest tracks to glacier viewpoints.

Relax in the Franz Josef hot pools or enjoy scenic flights.

Choose from helicopter experiences or glacier hikes.

Explore a landscape where ice, river and rainforest meet.
Retrace the West Coast route across Haast Pass.

Travel via Wanaka, Cromwell and the Lindis alpine corridor.

Pause at lakes Tekapo and Pukaki for iconic South Island views.

Arrive in Christchurch for your final evening.
Enjoy a slow morning exploring Christchurch’s revitalised centre.

Browse Riverside Market or relax in the Botanic Gardens.

Return your rental car at the airport for departure.

End your South Island journey with alpine and coastal memories.

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 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 11 days
Unlimited kilometres included
GPS navigation included

Exclusive Experiences:

Entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Mt Cook.
Penguin and Wildlife Tour on the Otago Peninsula with The Opera.
Pure Milford Cruise with picnic lunch from Te Anau.
Gibbston Valley Prestige Wine Experience including wine cave tasting and 2 course lunch.
Accommodation in a 3–4 Star Hotel for 11 nights with Breakfast.

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