SOUTH ISLAND SELF-DRIVE TOUR
18 night self-drive tour from £ 3999pp by car from £ 2789pp by motorhome
BY CAR OR MOTORHOME
BEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND
18 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 return trip on the TranzAlpine to Greymouth via Arthur ’ s Pass , one of the world ’ s great rail journeys ( at extra expense ).
DAY 5 Christchurch / Kaikoura
Head to picturesque Kaikoura . 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
Glacier aside , Franz Josef is an oasis for nature lovers and you ’ ll find around 30 trails which showcase the scenery .
DAY 11 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 12 Wanaka / Queenstown
Plot your route for Queenstown , New Zealand ’ s adrenalin capital ( 43 miles ).
DAY 13 Queenstown
At leisure . Maybe 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 14 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 15 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 16 Te Anau / Invercargill
We recommend the Southern Scenic Route and , if you like birdlife , stop between Manapouri and Blackmount as sometimes black falcons 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 sometimes seen . Drive on to Invercargill ( 96 miles ).
DAY 17 Invercargill
Spend the day 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 18 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 19 Dunedin / Mount Cook
Travel north along the coast before heading inland to Mount Cook ( Aoraki ). On arrival take a walk to soak up the majestic views ( 197 miles ).
DAY 20 Mount Cook / Christchurch
Return to Christchurch and perhaps take a stroll around the beautiful Botanic Gardens ( 204 miles ).
DAY 21 Christchurch This epic adventure concludes with your onward journey .
Tasman Sea
Wanaka Queenstown Te Anau
Invercargill
Franz Josef
Greymouth
SOUTH ISLAND
Mount Cook
Dunedin
Pancake Rocks
Nelson
Kaikoura
Christchurch
Blenheim
Christchurch 2 nights | Kaikoura 1 night Blenheim 1 night | Nelson 1 night | Greymouth 1 night Franz Josef 2 nights | Wanaka 1 night | Queenstown 2 nights Te Anau 2 nights | Invercargill 2 nights | Dunedin 1 night Mount Cook 1 night | Christchurch 1 night
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BY CAR : Departures : Daily . Accommodation : 4★ Crowne Plaza Christchurch ; 4★ The White Morph , Kaikoura ; 4★ Vinters Retreat , Blenheim ; 3★Plus Saxton Lodge , Nelson ;
3★Plus Copthorne Hotel Greymouth ; 3★Plus Glenfern Villas , Franz Josef ; 4★ Edgewater , Wanaka ; 4★ Crowne Plaza Queenstown ; 4★ Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas ;
4★Boutique The Lodge at Transport World , Invercargill ;
4★Plus Distinction Dunedin ; 4★ Hermitage , Mount Cook . Meals : Room only . Continental breakfast at Invercargill . Tour price : The price shown for this self-drive tour includes international flights , accommodation as shown , whale watching from Kaikoura on day 5 , Milford Sound tour from Te Anau on day 15 and 19 days compact all inclusive car hire .
BY MOTORHOME : Departures : Daily . Meals : Not included . Tour price : The price shown includes return international flights , one pre-night at Rydges Latimer Christchurch , whale watching and Milford Sound tours as above , and an Apollo Euro Tourer motorhome with value pack for 18 days . See pages 8-9 for motorhome options and details .
128 NEW ZEALAND visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900