New Zealand
Suggested Itineraries
10 Days South Island
Christchurch - Wanaka - Queenstown - Milford Sound - West Coast and Glaciers - Abel Tasman - Blenhiem - Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs
- 10 days/9 nights
- Arrive and depart Christchurch
- Rental car with About New Zealand Rentals, 1.6 l, unlimited kms, tax, insurance
- Lodge and B&B style accommodation all with private facilities
- Itinerary cost from NZ$1062.00 per person based on 2 people travelling together staying in one room.
- Please note: this itinerary can be amended, dates changed and quoted to your personal requirements. Please email us with your travel plans and a consultant will advise back to you shortly.
Day 1.
Arrive Christchurch. Visit the Arts Centre and Botanical Gardens, take a punt ride along the river Avon, and enjoy the riverside cafes to experience the very English flavour of this city. Stay Orari Bed and Breakfast.
Day 2.
Drive to Wanaka (424 km, 263 miles, 5 hours). Stop off for lunch beside the lake at Tekapo and take a scenic flight (optional) over the Mt Cook National Park or a helicopter ride (optional) up onto the snow below Mt Cook. Stay Wanaka Springs Lodge.
Day 3.
A short but very scenic drive to Queenstown (117km, 72 miles, 1.5 hours) and spend the day exploring the town — take a gondola ride, a boat trip on the lake, horse trekking, jetboating, bungy jumping, shopping, walking, visiting wineries (optional) - Queenstown has something for everyone. Stay St. James Apartments.
Day 4.
Take a day trip to Milford with Real Journeys (optional) or spend more time in Queenstown. Stay St. James Apartments.
Day 5.
Drive Queenstown to Fox Glacier (380 km, 236 miles, 5 hours) via the Haast Pass and the Westland National Park. A scenic flight by helicopter or helihike (both optional) is definitely recommended for the best views of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and Mt Cook. Stay Mt Cook View Motel.
Day 6.
Drive Fox Glacier to Punakaiki (250 km, 155 miles, 3 hours) with a stop off in Franz Josef and Hokitika, where you can see Jade carvers at work. Stay Punakaiki Rocks Villas.
Day 7.
Drive Punakaiki to Motueka (290 km,180 miles, 3.5 hours). From Motueka it is an easy drive up to the Abel Tasman National Park where you can take a boat trip, bush walk or sea kayak (all optional) around the golden sand beaches. Stay Old Schoolhouse Cottage.
Day 8.
Drive to Blenheim (200 km, 124 miles, 2.5 hours). Stop off in Nelson for lunch — this area is known for the quality of its arts and crafts so you may want to allow time to visit galleries and workshops of artisans. Blenheim offers a range of excellent wineries and we recommend you get hold of a vineyard map on arrival and start tasting! Stay Lugano Motor Lodge in Blenheim.
Day 9.
Start your drive south again down the East Coast to Kaikoura (129 km, 80 miles 1.5 hours). I always stop off at The Store in Kekerengu for coffee with great views of the Pacific Ocean. Take a Whalewatch trip or go swimming with the Dolphins (both optional). Stay The Old Convent.
Day 10.
Kaikoura to Christchurch (183 km, 113 miles, 2.5 hours) with a spectacular drive down the coastline. If time allows, take a detour to Hanmer Springs (allow another 2 hours driving) and relax in the Thermal Hot Pools before returning to Christchurch.
For more details or to book this itinerary please contact us.
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