Arrive Christchurch
After clearing customs and immigration at Christchurch airport, you will pick up your rental car and then make your way to your hotel in the central City. Today you can choose to relax and explore this most English of New Zealand cities. Why not sit back and relax as you pass the trailing willows and leafy banks of the stunning Christchurch Botanic Gardens while punting down the river Avon? Stay: Pavilions
Day 2
Christchurch to Kaikoura
This morning and head north out of Christchurch. It’s two hours direct to Kaikoura or you may like to take a more scenic inland route via Hanmer Springs to bathe in the mineral pools in their alpine setting. This afternoon we have included a Whale Watch Cruise to see the giant sperm whales, dolphins, fur seals and depending on the season, you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Stay: White Morph Inn
Day 3
Kaikoura to Nelson
The journey then takes you to Blenheim and on to Nelson – the sunniest location in NZ and gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Stay: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco (2 nights)
Day 4
Nelson and Abel Tasman Area Today is yours for relaxing or exploring this lovely area. There are the arts and crafts of the Motueka and Takaka areas, or you may like to choose one of the activities available in the Abel Tasman National Park. There are guided or independent kayak trips available which can include a mix of kayaking and walking.
Day 5
Nelson to Punakaiki
Head south down SH 6 through Murchison and the Buller Gorge to make your way to the West Coast. Stay the night at Punakaiki, best known for its Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - both of which are spectacular and a must-see when visiting the West Coast. Other activities include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided tours to name just a few. Punakaiki has many colourful local crafts people - jewellers, carvers, painters and potters. Stay: Punakaiki Resort
Day 6
Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier
After a morning of sightseeing head south today down the West Coast. There are some neat old towns to visit on the way as well as some great places to photograph the scenery and take a look at the dramatic coastline, you have time to enjoy this area at a leisurely pace. Continue south through to Franz Josef Glacier. The terminal face is a mere 19 kilometres from the sea and just 5 kilometres from the township. Stay: Punga Grove (2 nights)
Day 7
Explore the Glaciers There’s lots to explore in this area – you can take your own time walking up to the glacier, going to the Okarito Lagoon; or join a guided walk on the glacier, take a heli-hike adventure, or a scenic flight over both glaciers.
Day 8
Franz Josef to Queenstown Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass to Wanaka. (You may wish to add an extra day here to break up your trip and to take advantage of the scenery and available activities like the Siberia Experience.) There's time to wander around the popular lakeside township before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown and then on to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination. Stay: Copthorne Queenstown Lakeviews (4 nights)
Day 9
Queenstown at Leisure
There are a huge number of activities to choose from here in Queenstown – for the adventurous there is bungy jumping, jet boating, skiing, 4WD Safaris snow boarding, rafting and skydiving to name a few. There are also some less adrenaline producing activities such as a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, a ride up the Skyline Gondola, or even a great day out on the Dart River Wilderness Safari.
Day 10
Milford Sound
Today we've included the Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board our vessels, the Milford Mariner or Milford Wanderer which are designed along the lines of traditional trading scows; purpose built to operate in the fiords and offering a laid back, extended, 2.5 hour cruise. Explore dramatic, moody Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous waterway. Throughout your cruise, our nature guide provides an engaging commentary about the magnificent scenery and wildlife (English only). Keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Return by coach to Queenstown or weather permitting, you can choose to fly back to Queenstown. Please ask your consultant about this option. (L)
For something a little different you have the option of substituting this tour for another to Doubtful Sound (additional cost). Or you can choose to stay overnight on the Sound! See 'Optional Extras' on the right.
Day 11
Queenstown at Leisure
Another free day to soak up the ambience of this magnificent alpine resort. Take in a bit of shopping, enjoy lunch on the wharf or take a Skyline Gondola ride high above Queenstown.
Day 12
Queenstown to Central Otago, Dunedin
Today you travel through the sometimes barren but always striking Central Otago before arriving in charming Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers. A vibrant, architecturally splendid city framed by a magnificent harbour, Dunedin is the nature and heritage centre of New Zealand and gateway to an arresting hinterland. Stay: 858 George Street Motel (2 nights)
Day 13
Dunedin at Leisure
A free day in Dunedin allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Perhaps you'll choose to experience a Monarch Harbour Cruise to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Passengers board the Monarch to see what cannot be seen from land, to greet the mighty Northern Royal Albatross as it sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean and soars above the spectacular inaccessible cliffs of Taiaroa. Other options include the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge Train excursion or explore the city by foot.
Day 14
Oamaru, Mt Cook National Park
This morning travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere. A total scenic highlight, you may wish to see Mt Cook from above by taking an optional scenic flight. Stay: Hermitage Chalets (2 nights)
Day 15
Aoraki-Mount Cook at Leisure
We have added this day at leisure, to ensure you have enough time to take advantage of your surroundings. There are many tracks for walking and tramping in this area – you can find the most suitable for you by going to the Visitor Centre. There are scenic flights available by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, and if you wish to have a glacial adventure there is the Glacier Explorers excursion on Lake Tasman at the base of the Tasman Glacier - highly recommended.
Day 16
Mt Cook to Christchurch
After a relaxing morning, leave New Zealand’s highest mountain behind today as you head north through the picturesque town of Geraldine and across the Canterbury Plains, through to Christchurch. Be sure you make a photo stop at Lake Tekapo, a beautiful turquoise coloured lake. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of the lake. This is one of the most photographed churches in the world made of stone and sand from around the lake. Stay: Pavilions
Day 17
Depart Christchurch
After breakfast this morning, please make your way to the airport where you will return your car in time for your onward flight.
Note:This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same.To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary.Top
from NZ $3,37217 Day Complete South Island45.05
17 Day Complete South Island Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 17 Day Complete South Island.
Thank you for organizing a great holiday. Everything planned went well. Self drive is a great way to see New Zealand. Ours was a 'mid-range' tour and we were most impressed by the quality of most of the acomodation and included tours. We were grateful for the assistance of Relaxing Journeys in modifiying the 'standard' tour to our needs. We would recomend this tour and this company to others.
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Value For Money Accommodaton Tour Pace Our Service
Robert & Sue Taylor (Australia) Tour Date 27/12/2011
Our tour was excellent, included much more than we expected as far as scenery and activities to do. The pace was steady but also relaxing with much more time allowed for travel than we required. Your itinerary made our trip easy. Accommodation was excellent and easy to find. We did upgrade at Mt Cook as the chalet wasn't suitable for 2 couples to share for 2 nights. We had separate motel rooms which worked out well. New Zealand is just beautiful where ever you are. A very easy country to navigate with lots of freindly people. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and hope to return soon to explore the North Island.
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Value For Money Accommodaton Tour Pace Our Service
Carol & Michael Gardiner (Australia) Tour Date 27/12/2011
Fantastic, what a beautiful country. From the rugged west coast down to the picturesque Fiordlands and on to the Canterbury Plains and the east coast, this island has it all. The complete tour was well organised and the acommodation was, on the the whole very good. I would have to say the highlight of the trip was an organised tour to Milford Sound with a return trip to Queenstown by plane, great scenary. Looks as though I will have to organise another trip with Relaxing Journeys to New Zealand in the near future. Maybe the North Island next time. Well done Relaxing Journeys.
Peter and Irene Davies (Australia) Tour Date 31/08/2009
Wonderful, thanks very much. The car, accommodation and organisation was all excellent. Will recommend you to my friends planning a trip to NZ.
Charlotte Price (United Kingdom) Tour Date 28/01/2009
2012 Season Sale! Save 5% off the prices shown on our website, for all 2012 departures. Deposit this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking.
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
Self Drive Tour Notes
Prices above are per person & valid till September 2012.
International flights to & from New Zealand are not included.
Breakfasts are optional for mid range self drive tours, please select your preference when requesting a quote.
Mixed accommodation pricing is available on request.
For families we can also price our mid range self drive tours using self catering apartments.
If a property listed on our itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking we will replace it with a equivalent accommodation, and let you know, to ensure it is to your satisfaction.
Please note this itinerary was updated 5 July 2011.
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