Ultimate Scenic South Island Road Trip, self-drive

Driving Information: 251km/156mi | 3hr 20min

Departing from Christchurch, experience one of the world’s best inland rail journeys through the Canterbury Plains and the mighty Southern Alps. Along the way, you’ll see epic vistas: the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, miles of native beech forest and jaw-dropping mountains. Arrive into Greymouth, a town with a rich history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods. Take time to explore the historic main street before picking up your included hire car to begin your road trip. First stop: Franz Josef, home to one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers. Check into your hotel, enjoy a delicious 3-course meal and rest up for an action-packed day tomorrow.

Driving Information: 286km/178mi | 3hr 54min

Experience Franz Josef Glacier as it was meant to be experienced: by heli-hike! From a helicopter, enjoy jaw-dropping aerial views of the glacier, snow capped mountains and lush rainforest before touching down and getting up close and personal with this natural wonder. Because the glacier is so fast moving, its features are constantly changing – you might find yourself sliding through a narrow crevasse or between towering walls of ice, crawling through blue ice tunnels, hanging out in ice caves, or witnessing the glacier calving. No two trips are the same! In the afternoon, check out the Glacier Hot Pools before venturing onto Wanaka, a cute alpine town named for its stunning lake.

Driving Information: 68km/42mi | 1hr 2min

No trip to Wanaka is complete without a cruise of the beautiful lake! With a local guide, journey by boat out to the remote and magical Mou Waho Island nature reserve, which is predator-free and home to the rare, flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920). A one-hour guided bushwalk takes you to the secret lake on top of the island, where you will enjoy high tea overlooking the Southern Alps. You can even plant a native tree as part of your eco-experience! In the afternoon, take time to explore Wanaka town and take a late lunch before driving onto Queenstown, the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere.

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Surrounded by towering mountains, positioned on the edge of the stunning Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere and a launching pad for countless adrenaline-fueled activities. Explore Queenstown at your leisure.

Driving Information: 172km/107mi | 2hr 5min

Start your journey along the Scenic Southern Route, self-driving from Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of the Milford Sound. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise across beautiful Lake Anau to Cavern House on the lake’s western shores to view glittering glowworms in an underground cave system. Follow the path deep underground before transferring into small boats to drift silently along the river below a display of glittering glowworms in the glowworm grotto. In the subterranean darkness, the glowworms produce a sparkling display that is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Driving Information: 119km/74mi | 1hr 43min 

An early start today to make the most of the otherworldly Fiordland. Departing at 6am, drive to Milford Sound to meet your local guide for the Milford Track and Giant Gate half-day walk. Begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point and meander alongside the cascading Arthur River through lush rainforest to Giant Gate. This spectacular waterfall is best viewed from the large swing bridge spanning the river. Enjoy a late lunch and explore Milford at your leisure before boarding your overnight cruise. The cruise will take you through the heart of the Fiordland, which will steal your heart with epic views: spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests, mountains and wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. The cruise stops in a sheltered cove, enabling you to get out on the water in kayaks or the vessel’s tender craft (small boat). Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard.

Driving Information: 200km/124mi | 2hr 30min

Onboard your cruise ship, wake up early to bring in the dawn in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in Milford Sound before stepping back onto dry land to continue your journey along the Southern Scenic Route. First stop is Tuatapere, a quaint town on the edge of Fiordland’s wilderness where you can take in spectacular unspoilt scenery and lush rolling farmland. From here, it’s on to Invercargill, the South Island’s southernmost city. Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings give the city a charming old-world character. Explore the city at your leisure: take a guided tour through the Invercargill Brewery or visit Blue River Dairy, Southland’s Sheep Milk Café, where you can enjoy cheese tasting and a chance to try the best cheese roll in South Land. Or try your hand at chocolate making at the Seriously Good Chocolate Company.

Driving Information: 237km/147mi | 3hr 24min

Head back up north to complete the Scenic Southern Route. First stop is the Catalins where you can wander down the five-minute path to Nugget Point lighthouse. From here, marvel at the steep headland and rocky islets (The Nuggets) spearing from the sea. The famous three-tiered Purakaunui Falls is also worth a visit. After, continue onto Dunedin, New Zealand’s second largest city whose name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere with a wealth of gothic church spires, ornate mansions, grand buildings, intriguing alleyways and picturesque gardens to uncover. Depending on your trip style, enjoy dinner at one of the city’s many delicious restaurants or else at your accommodation.

Driving Information: 314km/195mi | 3hr 48min

Begin your drive day with a stop at Oamaru, home to New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, renowned Victorian architecture and two penguin colonies. In the town’s Victorian precinct, you will find shops, galleries and traditional crafts – there is no better spot on the route to stop for lunch! In the afternoon, continue on to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s tallest mountains and longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense - with sky scraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. In the evening, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner and stay up late to marvel at some of the darkest skies on Earth in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest of its kind in the world.

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Experience the magic of Aoraki Mount Cook with a guided hike of the spectacular Hooker Valley, one of the most popular walks in the national park. Follow the Hooker River and enjoy breathtaking views of this ancient landscape of ice and rock. Cross swing bridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, majestic mountains and the incredible Mueller Glacier. At the end of the day, return to your accommodation and enjoy yet another delicious 3-course dinner.

Driving Information: 226km/140mi | 1hr 55min

Don’t race out of the national park too quickly – the cute alpine towns of Tekapo and Twizel are definitely worth a visit, even if it is only to take a photo of the stunning lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. When you’re ready, journey onto Christchurch to complete your stunning South Island loop. Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island – suffered terribly in the 2011 earthquakes but has since been reborn into a bustling hub of award-winning restaurants and bars, street art and innovation, lush, green spaces and, of course, churches. Tonight, you have the option of dining at the iconic Tramway restaurant: a luxury, 36-seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram that will show the must-see sights of the city over a delicious multicourse dinner.

Enjoy your final day in Christchurch as you please with the option to join the Christchurch Grand Tour, which will show you the must-see sights of the city including Punting on the Avon, Christchurch Tram, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Gondola and Monavale Homestead. Drive to Christchurch Airport as required to return your hire car and commence your onward journey.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.