South Island Nature Trail 10D9N, Self-Drive

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Arrive into Christchurch, pick up your rental vehicle and spend the rest of the day exploring the South Island’s largest city your own pace

Despite suffering extensive damage in the 2011 and 2016 earthquakes, Christchurch has blossomed into one of the world’s most unique destinations, combining urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture and exhilarating activity. Expect some of New Zealand’s oldest buildings alongside street art and innovation projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces. It’s easy to see why it is nicknamed “The Garden City”.

You’ll stay the night at The Classic Villa. Built in 1899, this 5-star boutique hotel is a beautifully appointed Italian style historic home situated on a quiet boulevard, directly opposite the Christchurch Arts Centre and only steps away from the Avon River and the world-renowned botanical gardens. Relax and mingle at the end of your day in the luxurious lounge and outdoor garden area.

Driving Information: Christchurch to Dunedin: 364km/226mi | 4.5 hours

Travel south, passing through the region’s many charming rural towns. Visit local museums in Ashburton, shop for arts and crafts in Geraldine and discover Maori rock art in Timaru. Oamaru, home to some of New Zealand’s finest 19th century architecture, is a good spot to stop for lunch. Don’t forget to check out the harbour and the Oamaru Blue Penguin colony – a must-see attraction.

The rest of the way to Dunedin is lined with breathtaking beaches and fascinating geology. Visit Moeraki, where giant perfectly rounded boulders lie strewn across the beach. At Katiki Point, see fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins resting along the Moeraki Lighthouse. Stroll down the stunning white sand beaches of Kakanui, Waikouati and Karitane. Time permitting, another worthwhile attraction is the Orokonui Eco Sanctuary, a 300-hectare, wildlife sanctuary and home to many of New Zealand’s native birds and reptiles.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at Camp Estate. This luxury country house with glamourous interiors is set in an easily accessible dramatic rural landscape, close to historic Larnach Castle. The house has 5 spacious bedrooms all decorated in the neo classic style. A particularly lovely feature of these rooms are the fire places and pastoral views of the surrounding countryside high above the picturesque Otago Harbour. Enjoy one complimentary drink and canapés in front of the wood fire before dinner.

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Spend the morning exploring Dunedin at your leisure. Founded by Scottish migrants in 1848, Dunedin was built on the riches of the gold rush, and this legacy lives on in one of the best collections of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Gothic church spires, ornate mansions, grand buildings, intriguing alleyways and picturesque gardens are woven through the city central, which is full of bustling cafes, shopping boutiques and outstanding street art.

In the afternoon, embark on a thrilling half-day tour of the Otago Peninsula, a memorable wildlife experience with a unique insight into some of the world’s rarest wildlife. Visit a private conservation with brilliant opportunities to photograph the Yellow-eyed Penguin (hoiho), the world’s rarest penguin, as well as Blue Penguins, Hooker’s Sea Lions and a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals. At Taiaroa Head, watch and observe the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross flying about the headland and to and from the ocean. A further 25-30 other estuarine and marine bird species are seen during the experience around the beaches and lagoons.

Driving Information: Dunedin to Invercargill: 203km/126mi | 2.5 hours

All aboard The Inlander for a spectacular 3.5-hour scenic rail journey through the Taieri River Gorge, offering amazing views and a fascinating insight into the hardy pioneers who built the rail line. Departing from Dunedin Railway Station, travel towards Central Otago with picturesque landscapes of hills and gorges, bridges and tunnels, pastureland and forests. It follows the route of the historic Otago Central Railway, constructed during Otago’s Gold Rush.

After the rail journey, set off along the Southern Scenic Route, one of the top 10 drives in the world, passing Milton, Balclutha and the Catalins. The Catalins is truly remarkable with a wealth of natural wonders, where lush rainforest spills onto brilliant beaches and Mother Nature still rules supreme. Time permitting, check out the fairy tale-like 3-tiered waterfall at Purakaunui and the spectacular spur at Nugget Point, with its lighthouse clinging to a cliff overlooking the sea. The Catalins also boasts some beautiful birdlife and some of the best surfing in the country with the highest recorded winter waves.

You’ll stay the night at Beersheba Estate, a private sanctuary just a few minutes from the city centre of Invercargill. Stroll around the expansive woodland gardens and look out for native birds such as tuis, fantails, and wood pigeons. When you’re ready, snuggle up in your cosy guestroom and make use of amenities including flatscreen TV, DVD player and tea and coffee making facilities.

Driving Information: Invercargill to Bluff: 28km/17mi | 20min

Spend the morning exploring Invercargill at your leisure. Founded in the 1850s, Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city – and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Here, you will find beautiful Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco heritage buildings as well as a curious obsession for anything with wheels. You too can experience “wheel mania”. Watch cyclists or take a ride at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome or discover the world-class vintage truck collection at Bill Richardson Transport World. Alternatively, 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 Southland. Or try your hand at chocolate making at the Seriously Good Chocolate Company.

After lunch, travel 20-minutes south to the small village of Bluff, where you will catch the 1:30pm ferry across the Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island (Rakiura) (small additional charge for car storage in Bluff). Upon arrival on the island, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your accommodation at Stewart Island Lodge. Nestled in native bush on a sunny hillside, this boutique lodge offers superior bed and breakfast accommodation with a lounge/dining area and extensive deck from which to appreciate the commanding views across the ocean.

Restaurants are available for evening dining in the township of Oban (own cost).

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Step into the natural world of Stewart Island and Ulva Island, one of New Zealand’s few pest-free open sanctuaries. In this unspoiled rainforest, you can get up close to rare birds and plants in a safe environment mostly unchanged by human activity and free of introduced animals.

With a local guide, travel by water taxi from Golden Bay Wharf to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary (7-minute journey). Upon arrival on the island, follow well-maintained gravel walking tracks that weave around fallen trees, through lush native podocarp forest alive with birdsong. Birds you will likely see include South Island Saddleback, Stewart Island Weka, New Zealand Pigeon (Kereru), South Island Kaka, Yellow- and Red-crowned Parakeet (Kakariki), Morepork, Rifleman, New Zealand Fantail, South Island Tomtit, Stewart Island Robin, Yellowhead (Mohoua), Brown Creeper, Grey Warbler, New Zealand Bellbird and Tui.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Stewart Island at your leisure. From Oban, you can launch yourself onto the tracks of Rakiura National Park. Here, is the place to find peace and solitude, surrounded by a habitat that has changed little for thousands of years.

In the late afternoon, consider joining a tour in search of the elusive Southern Brown Kiwi (own cost). As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, venture by torchlight through native forest with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45-minutes one way and the track emerges on to Ocean Beach. This wide sandy beach is where kiwi are often found feeding among the grasses and seaweed. Make sure to look up – if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights)!

Driving Information: Bluff to Te Anau: 179km/111mi | 2hrs 10min

In the morning, catch the ferry back to the mainland and collect your rental vehicle. Today’s picturesque drive skirts the rugged South Coast and the eastern boundary of Fiordland National Park, providing an introduction to the southern parts of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

First stop, Riverton. Nestled at the western end of Oreti Beach, this charming seaside town is popular for swimming, surfing and dolphin spotting. Nearly 200-years-old, it is also the oldest Pākehā settlement in Southland and one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand. Visit the excellent Te Hikoi Southern Journey Heritage Museum to gain an insight into the unique and dramatic history of Maori and European settlement in the area. As well as the museum, the small main streets are dotted with local artists’ studios and a plethora of cafes, vintage shops, and local goods stores.

Second stop, Tuatapere. Located near the beginning of the Humpridge Track and close to the deepest lake in New Zealand, Lake Hauroko, this quaint town has a rich sawmilling history and is home to a logging museum, along with many other reminders of the South Island’s pioneering history.

You’ll stay the night at Te Anau Lodge. With breathtaking lake and mountain views, this boutique lodge has been lovingly restored maintaining its original and delightful charm, with modern facilities. Take in the views from the sunny courtyard and spend your evening relaxing the cosy library. When you’re ready, the picturesque township of Te Anau is just 15-minutes’ walk away.

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Get ready to tick off a bucket list item, an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Sometimes called the “Sound of Silence”, Doubtful Sound is the deepest (421m/1381ft) and second longest (40km/25mi) of New Zealand’s fiords. The powerful serenity of the fiord, named Doubtful Harbour by Captain James Cook, who didn’t sail into the inlet because it looked a bit tight, contrasts with the nearby Milford Sound.

Departing from Manapouri at 12:30pm, cruise across Lake Manapouri before boarding a coach to travel on sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you will be met by the crew of the majestic Fiordland Navigator. Designed along the lines of a traditional scow, the Fiordland Navigator blends old world charm with modern comforts that include spacious viewing decks, a dining saloon with fully licensed bar and an observation lounge.

As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter.

After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or to simply relax on board. For the adventurous (or very brave), there’s even a chance to go swimming. All activities are weather dependent.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious 3-course buffet dinner prepared by the on-board chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some fine wines at the licensed bar and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars.

(As the overnight cruise does not operate in winter, it will be replaced with a day cruise including lunch and additional night in Te Anau).

Driving Information: Manapouri to Queenstown: 172km/106mi | 2hrs

Start your day aboard the Fiordland Navigator with a hearty cooked breakfast menu and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. You will return to Manapouri around 12:00pm.

The drive from Manapouri/Te Anau to Queenstown takes you past some of the best freshwater fishing rivers in the world. Anglers find it to be a nirvana, so consider throwing out a line if you a looking for a break in the drive. Alternatively, call into the charming settlements of Lumsden and Mossburn for a unique shopping experience – a farm tour is another possibility.

The adventure capital of Queenstown is exciting and fantastically attractive. Nestled on the shores of the stunning Lake Wakatipu, it is the place to source almost any kind of adventure including bungy, jetboating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It’s also a destination for luxury experiences – gourmet food and award-winning vineyards to visit by bike or car, indulge in spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.

You will stay the night at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel. Just 5-minutes’ walk to the town centre, this architecturally designed hotel complements Queenstown’s mountain backdrop to perfection. Inside, every space boasts a stylish and modern interior made up of thoughtfully selected finishes courtesy of local and internationally acclaimed designers. Enjoy complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapes and snuggle up in the cosy guest lounge with fireplace.

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All good things must come to an end! Check out by 11:00am and drop off your hire vehicle to commence your onward journey.

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