SOUTH ISLAND SELF-DRIVE TOUR
Kaikoura Dunedin
Marlborough
BEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND
16 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
mesmerising landscapes • nature & whale watching cruises • optional TranzAlpine rail journey
DAYS 1-2 Fly to Christchurch
DAY 3 Christchurch On arrival , collect your hire car and proceed to your hotel .
DAY 4 Christchurch
Stay around Cathedral Square to enjoy the shops , cafés and restaurants or , perhaps take a trip on the TranzAlpine to Greymouth via Arthur ’ s Pass and return – one of the world ’ s great rail journeys ( extra expense ).
DAY 5 Christchurch / Kaikoura
Leave the city behind and head to picturesque Kaikoura , where restaurants and cafés serve daily seafood specials , particularly crayfish . This afternoon , join a boat trip to seek out whales such as humpback , pilot , blue or Southern right , as well as dolphins and seals ( 112 miles ).
DAY 6 Kaikoura / Blenheim
Enter the Marlborough region , famed for its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc , tasty seafood and diverse landscapes , from valleys of vines to sheltered waterways ( 80 miles ).
DAY 7 Blenheim / Nelson
Head to Nelson and on to Abel Tasman National Park . Discover long golden beaches , untouched forests and rugged mountains ( 112 miles ).
DAY 8 Nelson / Greymouth
Take the route to Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes in Paparoa National Park , before driving on to Greymouth ( 175 miles ).
DAY 9 Greymouth / Franz Josef
On arrival in Franz Josef be sure to take a walk to the foot of the glacier , its sheer enormity is humbling ( 106 miles ).
DAY 10 Franz Josef / Wanaka
Soak up more of the incredible glacial scenery as you drive further south and on to Wanaka , which has a stunning mountain and lakeside setting ( 177 miles ).
DAY 11 Wanaka / Queenstown
Plot your route for Queenstown , New Zealand ’ s adrenalin capital ( 43 miles ).
16 night self-drive tour from £ 3499pp by car from £ 2799pp by motorhome
BY CAR OR MOTORHOME
Invercargill
DAY 12 Queenstown
At leisure . Take the Skyline gondola up the hill for great views of the lake , go bungee jumping if you dare , visit Wakatipu to see some locations for ‘ Lord of the Rings ’, or simply sit back in one of the many bars or cafés .
DAY 13 Queenstown / Te Anau
Spend the morning in Queenstown , or if you prefer , head straight to Te Anau . This pretty township is the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland ( 106 miles ).
DAY 14 Milford Sound
Travel by coach to Milford Sound for a cruise exploring the full length of the fiord , past St Anne ’ s Point Lighthouse and right out to the Tasman Sea ( weather permitting ). Return to Te Anau late afternoon .
DAY 15 Te Anau / Invercargill
We recommend you take the Southern Scenic Route and , if you like birdlife , stop between Manapouri and Blackmount as sometimes the black falcon can be seen . Head on through the old timber town of Tuatapera , along the south coast to Riverton . From the cliff above Te Waewae Bay , Hector ’ s dolphins and southern right whales are occasionally seen . Arrive Invercargill for a glimpse of old New Zealand ( 96 miles ).
DAY 16 Invercargill
At leisure in New Zealand ’ s southernmost city , which boasts Victorian , Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings along with an excellent range of shops , lively bars and enticing restaurants .
DAY 17 Invercargill / Dunedin
Drive onward to Dunedin with its Scottish feel and Victorian architecture . If time allows , visit the Otago Peninsula to see rare yellow-eyed penguins ( 127 miles ).
DAY 18 Dunedin / Mount Cook
Travel north along the coast before heading inland to Mt Cook ( Aoraki ). On arrival take in the majestic views with a walk or simply admire the fabulous views from your hotel ( 197 miles ).
DAY 19 Mount Cook / Christchurch
This epic adventure concludes as you return to Christchurch for your onward journey ( 204 miles ).
Tasman Sea
Wanaka Queenstown Te Anau
Invercargill
Fox Glacier
Greymouth
SOUTH ISLAND
Christchurch
Christchurch 2 nights ~ Kaikoura 1 night Blenheim 1 night ~ Nelson 1 night ~ Greymouth 1 night Franz Josef 1 night ~ Wanaka 1 night ~ Queenstown 2 nights Te Anau 2 nights ~ Invercargill 2 nights ~ Dunedin 1 night Mount Cook 1 night
www . premierholidays . co . uk NEW ZEALAND 129
Mount Cook
Dunedin
Nelson Blenheim
Kaikoura
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BY CAR : Departures : Daily .
Accommodation : 4H Crowne Plaza Christchurch ; 3H PLUS The White Morph , Kaikoura ; 4H PLUS Chateau Marlborough , Blenheim ; 3H PLUS Saxton Lodge , Nelson ; 3H Kingsgate , Greymouth ; 3H PLUS Glenfern Villas , Franz Josef ; 4H Edgewater , Wanaka ; 4H Copthorne Queenstown Lakefront ; 3H PLUS Distinction Luxmore , Te Anau ; 3H PLUS Quest Invercargill ; 3H PLUS Hotel St Clair , Dunedin ; 3H PLUS Hermitage , Mount Cook .
Meals : Room only .
Tour price : The price shown includes international flights , accommodation , whale watching from Kaikoura on day 5 , Milford Sound tour from Te Anau on day 14 and 17 days compact car hire .
BY MOTORHOME : Departures : Daily . Meals : Not included .
Tour price : The price shown includes return international flights to Auckland and from Christchurch , one pre-night at Crowne Plaza Christchurch , whale watching and Milford Sound tour as above , and a Britz Venturer motorhome with bonus pack for 17 days . See pages 10-11 for motorhome options and details .