9-Day Southern Alps and Southern Lakes Self-Drive Tour

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This morning, you'll collect your rental car for the trip. You'll then have the day free to spend as you wish, exploring Christchurch or heading out on a day tour to Akaroa. Should you choose to explore Akaroa, you can travel to Akaroa via Governors Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Forsyth and Little River. You can then take a two-hour cruise through Akaroa Harbour for a chance to see this quaint French settlement from the sea as well as dolphins, penguins and seals.

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Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park. You'll catch your breath in Geraldine before continuing through Fairlie and ascending Burkes Pass, you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Tekapo. Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue colour.

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Leaving the alpine region of Mount Cook behind, you'll travel over the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand's highest roads with a summit of 971 metres. Approaching Queenstown, the Remarkables Mountain Range comes into new as you arrive into the capital of adventure in New Zealand. You have the option to go on a wonderful art and wine tour today and in the evening, you'll enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner on the TSS Earnslaw Cruise!

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Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Go on a wine tour, have lunch in a Michelin-star restaurant, take a hike or get an adrenaline surge with the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, canyon swing or zipline activities on offer.

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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 one-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-kilometre stretch of bush and rainforest. Fox Glacier welcomes you first, then comes your destination - Franz Josef township.

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Franz Josef is a small but lively town in the heart of the West Coast, known for its 12-kilometre long glacier. Surrounded by lush rainforest-clad mountains the township has a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. To see the ice from a viewpoint you can walk along the valley floor to the terminal face without a guide. However, to go on the glacier itself you must take a licensed helicopter tour which you can do today with The Helicopter Line.

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Your drive today takes you north through the historic gold mining region of Hokitika, a seaside town dating back to the 1860s. Take in the sea views before moving on to Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and the starting point of the next leg of your journey. You'll drop your rental car at Greymouth Station and board one of the most spectacular trains in the world to Christchurch, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your accommodation.