Arrive Christchurch
"Haere Mai" Welcome to Christchurch - the Garden City. On completion of formalities, pick up your rental car and travel onto your centrally located accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Christchurch has to offer. The city has had 2 earthquakes in the last year, and as a result the central CBD district has been damaged. However many of the activites in and around Christchurch are still operating as normal, and there is plenty to experience and see. Stay: Pavilions
Day 2
Christchurch to Punakaiki
After breakfast this morning you head to Punakaiki. You turn inland to travel through the Canterbury Plains and over the beautiful Arthur’s Pass. Along the way you’ll see the awesome engineering feats of the Otira Viaduct and Tunnel. You’ll have time to stop and look around before descending through some fantastic alpine scenery and on down Greymouth, then its a short trip North to 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.
Relaxing Journeys also provides you with the option (additonal cost) of heading to Greymouth on the TranzAlpine Train where you'll pick up your car. (On arrival in Christchurch Day 1, you'll be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel). The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other. All carriages include both one way seating and tabled group seating allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board. Stay: Punakaiki Resort
Day 3
Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier
After a morning of sightseeing head south today down the West Coast. There are some great 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 4
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 5
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 6
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 7
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 (additonal cost). Or you can choose to stay overnight on the Sound! See 'Optional Extras' on the right.
Day 8
Queenstown at Leisure
Another free day to soak up the amibience of this magnicient alpine resort. Take in a bit of shopping, enjoy lunch on the wharf or take a Skyline Gondola ride high above Queeenstown.
Day 9
Queenstown to Central Otago, Dunedin
Today you travel through the sometimes barron 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 10
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 11
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 12
Aoraki-Mount Cook at Leisure
We have added this day at leaisure, 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 13
Mt Cook to Christchurch
After a relaxing monring, 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 14
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 $2,72014 Day South Island Tourer64.25
14 Day South Island Tourer Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 14 Day South Island Tourer.
We had a wonderful holiday. The well-planned itinerary enabled a good balance between the longer drives and just looking around. Other than in Christchurch, the accommodation was excellent. The Hagley Motel unit was somewhat ordinary - tired but clean. The Ashleigh Court Motel unit was very nice and well equipped but was small and cramped - a particularly problem on a last night when a major concern is space for repacking for the flight home. Thank you.
Anne Doherty & Denis Townsend (Australia) Tour Date 07/11/2011
The Sudima Hotel could not find our vouchers when we got there at midnight, but they let us have a room. The day clerk found the packet. When we left on the 18th at the end of the trip, they told us we owed money, but then again found the vouchers we had given them and said all was ok. They were swamped with customers and looked frazzled. The Grand Mercure was wonderful. It would have been nice to have clear directions. We wasted about an hour finding it as the road could not be accessed from the highway. Hotel and restaurant was a delight! The map book in the packet was invaluable. The CD not as much. Punga Grove was just ok. I had to put my mattress on the floor on the second night. The bed was weak/soft and gave me a backache. Management was very helpful. I highly recommend the Alice May restaurant just down the road. I had a massage at the Glacier Pools and we both soaked in the hot water...also recommend this after a day of hiking on the glacier. In Queenstown, we found the best meal of the trip..Bella Cuchina. Also recommend Prime for beef. We had rain on the Milford Sound cruise; not to be helped, but the shorter cruise would have been fine and a bit cheaper. Dunedin...poorest hotel of the trip. Quality Hotel Cargills. We would have paid more to be closer to CBD and better hotel. Absolutely no complaints about Mt. Cook chalets. Great place and amenities. Back to Sudima in Christchurch. Bad service in restaurant and food not good. However, the Transalpine trip was fun...we got stuck in the mud on the sheep farm, but that was entertaining also. So, we had a great time, and I am only letting you know of the minor negatives for future use. We appreciate your work in making this a really good trip!
Barbara Thomas & Robert Covington (United States) Tour Date 04/11/2011
We had a absolutely wonderful time. The hire car and accommodation all went smoothly and the voucher system for accommodation was great. There was quite a difference between the quality and amenity of accommodation with some being quite basic and others very comfortable indeed. The level of hospitality was consistently good. Mt Cook Hermitage is one to watch out for though. They don't tell you breakfast is included with the chalet accommodation and so we missed out altogether while we were there. The scenery and landscape of the South Island is just magnificent. Every corner you turn opens up a vista that looks like it could be a postcard. We would thoroughly recommend this type of tour, but watch out for the sand flies on the West Coast. They bite and itch.
Trevor & Dayle Carroll (Australia) Tour Date 12/03/2011
We found that the South Island of New Zealand was beautiful with so much to do and see. The self drive tour arranged by Relaxing Journeys was well organised with very good accommodation and a good itenery that was easy to understand. Considering the issues with the earth quake only days before showed how professional the team were.
Barry & Christine Swinburne (Australia) Tour Date 01/03/2011
Many thanks for the wonderful itinerary, especially considering the difficult times you were faced with the earthquake in Christchurch. We are in awe with your beautiful country. The info you gave us was extremely informative. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive across to Greymouth. It wasn't a disappointment that the TranzAlpine was out of action as the drive was spectacular. Franz Josef was fantastic. We walked to the glacier and took a helicopter flight the next day. Loved Lake Matheson and would recommend a drive to Gillespies beach. Rugged coastline, powerful waves with a beach covered in smooth rocks and a multitude of driftwood. All this with a backdrop of snow covered alps. Had a ball in Queenstown. A drive to Glenorchy was breathtaking. Loved Arrowtown with all the pretty shops and restaurants and had a relaxing day playing golf at the local course. Milford Sound was another mind blowing day with perfect weather and was surprised that I wasn't phased by the long bus trip. We had luck on our side, because everytime we got out of the bus or car the sun would come out allowing us to always take in the entire view. On the way to Mt. Cook we called into Oamaru. I loved the old buildings near the rail line and being an art teacher it was a bonus to go into the shops and see artists at work. We couldn't believe the accomodation at Mt. Cook as our chalet looked directly at that stunning mountain. All our accomodation with the exception of Greenacres Chalets was excellent. I realise that this was not on the original itinerary but it is definitely nowhere near the standard of the others. It was very old, basic and need of a makeover. Toni we have visited many countries and I would have to say that George and I would have to rate this as our best holiday. Beautiful scenery, easy driving, no crowds and hospitable people. Thank you once again. Next year we'll visit the North Island.
George & Denise Stach (Australia) Tour Date 28/02/2011
We had the best holiday ever. Thank you so much for making it as easy and as comfortable as it was. New Zealand's South Island is so beautiful and pristine, the roads were great to travel on, the food was fantastic, top quality and great locals. Thank you Cameron Potts, our tour organiser, you made it so pleasant and you were helpful and friendly all the way through.
Linda Davis & Lee Evans (Australia) Tour Date 19/03/2009
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.
4.2
5
