10-Day Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Self-Drive Tour

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Take a look through a selection of late-model vehicles available and select your rental car. To help you on your way, GPS is included with all rentals. As an option today, you drive out to the Heathcote Valley, just fifteen minutes from Christchurch, and ride a gondola for nearly a kilometre to the collapsed rim of an extinct volcano which exploded six million years ago. Take in the 360-degree views of the city, Canterbury Plains and the distant peaks of the Southern Alps.

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Today you'll drive through the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing to Fairlie. Ascending Burkes pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Take in the view of Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain, from Lake Pukaki, known for its turquoise blue colour. Continue along the lake to Mt Cook Village. Please note there are no shops at Mount Cook, you will need to stock up prior to arriving if you wish to self-cater.

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The Lindis Pass is one of New Zealand’s highest roads reaching 971 metres as you pass from the Mackenzie Basin and into Central Otago. The first village you reach is the quaint Tarras. it's then a short drive to Bendigo Reserve, once a gold mining settlement with ruined cottages from this bygone era. Drive through Kawarau Gorge and Gibbston Valley, one of New Zealand's premier wine-growing regions. Then, it's onto Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu which guides you into Te Anau, where you stop.

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Today, see some of the most iconic scenery on the road to Milford Sound. With crystal clear lakes, mountains and glacier-formed meadows, the area of the Milford Sound is abundant with picture-perfect scenes. Take the Chasm Walk through native beech forest to see powerful waterfalls. Continue on through the Homer Tunnel, an engineering marvel and arrive in Milford, where you will be greeted with an amazing view of Mitre Peak. A day cruise into the heart of the sound is not to be missed.

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Today make your way to Queenstown across vast tussock lands. Head through Mossburn, the deer capital of the nation, then continue on through rolling Southland countryside. Soon the road skirts the lake edge and the Remarkables mountain range makes for an impressive welcome to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Hop aboard the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw for an iconic Queenstown experience, taking in the local scenery as you cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.

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On the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the panorama of the Remarkables Mountain, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of wonders. Head down the Gibbston valley wine trail to sample some of the region’s Pinot and have lunch at the Michelin-star ‘Rata.’ Check out the historic Arrowtown and enhance your experience with a 4WD trip to Macetown. Go into the Fiordland National Park or drive through Lord Of The Rings country or jump aboard one of many dedicated LOTR tours.

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From Queenstown, you'll cross the Crown Range –the highest sealed road in New Zealand– to the Alpine town of Wanaka. Skirting the shores of Lake Wanaka and Hawea, you will enter Makarora. Stop at Blue Pools for a 1-hour walk through native beech forest to a glacier-fed swimming hole. Then through the remote settlement of Haast before heading up the West Coast, a 600 km stretch of bush and rainforest. Fox Glacier welcomes you first, then comes your destination - Franz Josef township.

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Your drive takes you north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. This seaside town dates back to the 1860s and is known for its greenstone. Take in the sea views and pick up a souvenir at one of the craft shops before moving on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point of the next leg of your journey - the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train. Drop your rental car at Greymouth Station and board one of the most spectacular trains in the world to Christchurch.