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6-Day Southern Splendour Self-Drive

Customisable Itinerary
4.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

Be charmed by magnificent vistas and majestic snow-capped mountains reflected in stunning turquoise lakes on this splendid South Island Road Trip.

Over six days driving yourself, you will pass through Christchurch, Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Mount Cook while seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes under the world’s darkest skies.

This is a great introduction to some of the most spectacular panoramas New Zealand has to offer!
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Cruising
Culture & Arts

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Christchurch

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Arrive in Christchurch

Upon arrival, you will collect your rental vehicle and drive to your accommodation. Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps. This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner-city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore after checking into your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Ashley Hotel Christchurch3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

    International Antarctic CentreOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch International Airport to The Ashley Hotel Christchurch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

Day 2

Self-Drive from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo

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Self-Drive from Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo

This morning, you'll depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes. At Lake Tekapo, the solitary ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Continuing south, you'll hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki and through the historic Central Otago region to Queenstown, where you'll be staying for a few nights.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Queenstown3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake TekapoOptional Activity

    The Church of the Good ShepherdOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Lake Tekapo

    Queenstown

Day 3

Self-Drive Day Tour to Milford Sound

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Self-Drive Day Tour to Milford Sound

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks to Milford Sound. You'll venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, you'll reflect on memories of a lifetime as you drive back to Queenstown.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Queenstown3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Milford Sound Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand

    Rental Car from Milford Sound to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Milford Sound

Day 4

Free Day in Queenstown

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Free Day in Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World. Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities on offer to your itinerary in this exciting town.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heartland Hotel Queenstown3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Shotover Jet QueenstownOptional Activity

    QueenstownOptional Activity

    Skyline Gondola BaseOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 5

Return to Christchurch from Queenstown via Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

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Return to Christchurch from Queenstown via Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Today, you'll return north through a picturesque sheep farming country to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. On your driver, you can embrace the dramatic vast landscape of a rugged land of ice and rock that showcases multiple giant peaks including New Zealand's highest mountain. Then, heading east, you’ll witness the return of the braided rivers and familiar plains that signal your arrival into Christchurch for your final night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Ashley Hotel Christchurch3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mount CookOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    Canterbury

    Christchurch

Day 6

Departure from Christchurch

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Departure from Christchurch

Today, your South Island road trip comes to an end. After a morning exploring Christchurch, you'll drive to the airport and turn your rental car before boarding your flight.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    ChristchurchOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Christchurch Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

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What’s included?

  • 5 nights accommodation
  • 1 activity
  • 5 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation

What’s not included?

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Inspiration for you

Explore the authentic activities in New Zealand

Milford Sound Cruise, Southland, New Zealand

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