At a Glance
Discover the very best of New Zealand’s South Island on this ultra-luxe, 8-day, self-drive road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown, including the famous Milford Sound.
Departing from Christchurch, set out in your included compact SUV to discover majestic landscapes that offer awe and adventure in equal measure. Over eight days, be blown away by lush peninsulas, turquoise lakes, sparkling glaciers, snowcapped mountains and more. Step back in time in Oamaru and explore the country’s oldest public gardens, renowned Victorian architecture and two penguin colonies. Ride horses through the Ahuriri Valley, a dramatic landscape of rugged mountain country, wetlands, tussock lands and beech forest. Get your heart pumping in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Or, sample world-famous wines in the nearby Gibbston Valley. Cap off your adventure with a ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 8-day compact SUV hire (all inclusive). Upgrade to Full Size SUV is available at an additional cost
- 6-nights’ accommodation in handpicked luxury lodges on a twin share basis
- Overnight Milford Sound in a Double/Twin Cabin with ensuite
- Guided Oamaru walking tour (2hrs)
- Alps to Ocean cycle trail taster (4hrs)
- Ahuriri Valley horse trekking (1.5 – 2.5hrs)
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
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Driving Information: 251km/156mi | 3hr 20min Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand’s stunning South Island! Departing from Christchurch, head south in your compact SUV to the historic town of Oamaru. With a local guide, set out to explore the town’s heritage Victorian Precinct, where you will find shops, galleries and traditional arts and crafts within some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most complete Victorian streetscapes. If you have time, wander through New Zealand’s oldest public gardens. Visit Steampunk HQ and the Libratory, New Zealand’s first dedicated steampunk art gallery. Or, head down to the beach to view two penguin colonies in their natural habitat. In the evening, indulge in a decadent four-course dinner at your luxury lodge: Pen-y-bryn Lodge. |
Pen-y-bryn Lodge, Oamaru
Dinner |
Driving Information: 153km/95mi | 2hr 32min Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand’s stunning South Island! After a gourmet breakfast, get a taste of one of New Zealand’s Great Rides: the iconic Alps to Ocean (A2O). With pick up included from Pen-y-bryn Lodge, travel via Ngapara to Elephant Rocks, a famous Maori rock art site, where you will hop on bicycles for a guided tour of Prydes Gully, Island Cliff and Cants Road. Along the way, peddle along winding creeks and through picturesque pasturelands that were the basis of Aslan’s camp in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia. After your bike ride, enjoy lunch in Oamaru at your cost before journeying on to the Ahuriri Valley. In the evening, indulge in a decadent multi-course dinner at your luxury lodge: The Lindis. Before you go to bed, make sure to venture outside to marvel at some of the darkest, starriest skies on Earth. |
The Lindis, Ahuriri ValleyBreakfast, Dinner |
Driving Information: N/A After a gourmet breakfast, embrace your inner cowboy on horseback in the breathtaking Ahuriri Valley. Leaving from the stables head uphill through New Zealand native beech forest, ending up in beautiful sub alpine herb fields. After a gourmet picnic lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the local area and make the most of the lodge’s facilities including the luxurious outdoor bath. In the evening, enjoy yet another delicious dinner followed by some of the world’s best stargazing. |
The Lindis, Ahuriri ValleyBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Driving Information: 181km/112mi | 3hr 18min Enjoy a lazy morning at The Lindis before continuing your journey south to Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Surrounded by towering mountains, positioned on the edge of stunning Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has something for everyone. Get your blood pumping with high octane activities including bungee jumping, luging, jetboating, skydiving, canyoning, paragliding, whitewater rafting, ziplining and more. Or, take it all in at a more leisurely pace: cycling, hiking, fishing or golfing. Foodies should consider making the 40-minute drive over to Gibbston Valley to sample world class New Zealand food and wine. But if all that seems too much, why not simply rest and relax in your latest luxury lodge: Azur? In the evening, make the most of Azur’s complimentary shuttle service to treat yourself to a gourmet meal at one of Queenstown’s best restaurants (your cost). With picturesque views of Lake Wakatipu, it’s hard to go past the Grille by Eichardt’s. This legendary restaurant offers a mouthwatering “taste the region” four-course set menu – with matching vino, of course! |
Azur, QueenstownBreakfast |
Driving Information: N/A After a gourmet breakfast, you have a full day to do as much or as little as you feel. Continue chasing highs or take it easy – it’s your holiday! Whatever you decide, take time to enjoy Azur and many luxuries it has to offer. Soak in the bathtub, which has been set into a bay window to give a feeling of being outdoors. Enjoy an in-villa massage or mini spa treatment. Or, sip a glass of local Pinot Noir on your private deck. The choice is yours! If you happen to be at Azur in the afternoon, homemade afternoon tea is provided. |
Azur, QueenstownBreakfast, Afternoon Tea |
Driving Information: 174km/180mi | 2hr 8min After a gourmet breakfast, continue south to Te Anau via the Scenic Southern Route, New Zealand’s oldest touring route. This road skirts the eastern boundary of Fiordland National Park, renowned for its dramatic alpine scenery: crystal-clear lakes, lonely fiords, untamed waterfalls, virgin forested valleys and towering, snowcapped mountains. In the afternoon, arrive into Te Anau, known as the Gateway to the Fiords. Enjoy a peaceful cruise of the western shores of Lake Te Anau onboard a purpose-built scenic cruise vessel before entering into the mysterious underground world of the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. Inside the 12,000-year-old twisting limestone passages, listen to the roar of an underground stream and waterfall before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glow worms. The glittering display these worms produce is nothing short of extraordinary. In the evening, indulge in a decadent four-course dinner at your luxury lodge: Fiordland Lodge. |
Fiordland Lodge, Te AnauBreakfast, Dinner |
Driving Information: 119km/74mi | 1hr 24min An action-packed day today! Departing from Fiordland Lodge no later than 6:30am, self-drive to the Main Milford Sound Boat Terminal to meet your local guide for the Milford Track, Giant Gate guided day walk. The walk begins with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point where you will begin walking alongside cascading Arthur River and moody Lake Ada on a well-maintained wilderness track. Hike through ancient rainforest surrounded by ferns, lichens and mosses in vibrant shades of green to Giant Gate Waterfall where an expansive swing bridge provides perfect photo opportunities. On return, take time to enjoy this incredible forest. After the hike, enjoy lunch (at your own cost) at one of the cafes and restaurants in Milford. At around 3:00pm, board the 5-star Fiordland Jewel for your luxury overnight cruise of the Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most spectacular natural wonder. Cruise down the southern side of the fiord, past Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, the world-renowned Mitre Peak, Mount Pembroke, Bridal Veil Falls and Fairy Falls. If weather permits, cruise into the mouth of the fiord past Anita Bay and head into the Tasman Sea for a glimpse of the West Coast before returning the Sound. From here, venture up the north side of the fiord past Dale Point, the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, Seal Rock, Stirling Falls, The Lion and Cascade Range. After cruising, anchor at Deepwater Basin for the night and take time to explore nearby in the onboard sea kayaks and tender boat before returning for drinks and a gourmet three-course meal. |
Milford Sound Overnight CruiseBreakfast, Dinner |
Driving Information: 164km/102mi | 1hr 52min Cap off your incredible South Island adventure with a glorious sunrise over the Milford Sound. (Dawn arrives at 6am in December but can be as late as 8am in March). Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast before returning to the terminal at 9:00am. Self-drive back to Queenstown on your own schedule. Stay another night in this bustling resort town or drop off your hire car at the airport and commence your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Dates & Prices
Departure daily on request. The price is a guide. Please contact us to confirm the availablity and price for different departure dates. Please contact us for group bookings. Peak/festival season surcharge applies.
More Info
Known as the “Land of the Long White Cloud”, New Zealand’s climate is complex with cool temperate climates in the far south and severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. The average annual temperature in the South Island is 10 degrees Celsius, with the warmest months being January or February and the coldest month being July.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
