Itinerary
Experience the thrill of driving yourself through the South Island mountain country on this 12 Day itinerary. This is a Guided Self-Drive Tour with set select departures.
Collect your hire vehicle before checking into the motel. Check into your room at the Airport Gateway Motel from 2pm. Meet the team at the onsite bar at 5pm for a tour briefing followed by dinner.
This morning you will be collected and taken into town for a guided 50 min Tram tour of Christchurch City. Then enjoy lunch by the Avon River before heading back to the accommodation to collect your vehicles and heading for the hills. The first drive takes you through the Canterbury Plains, over the mighty Rakaia River, and then up the incredibly scenic mountain valley to your accommodation for the night on Glenfalloch Station. This is a boutique style accommodation that is a bit “rustic”. A great dinner awaits tonight, then hear from the property owners and find out what it’s like to live on a remote high country station.
Today you will get into some real 4WDing. The track around Glenfalloch Station through to Lake Heron Station is simply stunning. Some technical 4WD areas over the shingle fans will keep you on your toes, and the towering mountains will have you stopping for photos often. Enjoy lunch on the banks of Lake Stream surrounded by the mountains. Then, stop again on the shores of Lake Heron before continuing down the Ashburton River Valley, and out to the main road at Mount Sommers. Tonight you will stay in the acclaimed “Stronechrubie” Chalets with dinner at the restaurant.
Continuing South on the main road for a short time, you will head up the very scenic and somewhat technical 4WD track through the Orari Gorge. More stunning scenery today with frequent stops to admire the countryside. Trace the river’s source onto Blue Mountain Station, and your Lakeside Chalet accommodation near the private station lake. Dinner tonight is provided by the station owner, who will also tell us all about farming in the area.
I hope you like helicopters because your scenic flight will pick you up on the lawn outside your accommodation this morning to show you around this magnificent mountain scenery. After the flight, you will take the leisurely drive to the lakeside town of Tekapo. You can stock up at the supermarket this afternoon, just a short distance from our accommodation at Peppers Bluewater Resort. Dinner at the onsite restaurant.
This morning travel to Black Forest Station, on the shores of Lake Benmore, through the stark landscape of the Mackenzie Country. Following the power pylon track through the station, climb to great heights with some incredible views over the mountains and Lake Benmore. You will then come back to lake level, crossing the hydro dam wall, and then to your accommodation in the lakeside town of Otematata.
This morning you will run down the Waitaki River Valley, stopping for morning tea at a high country sheep and deer station near Kurow (home of Richie McCaw – All Black Rugby legend). After passing through Kurow, turn onto the Danseys Pass road and make our way over a high mountain pass. Lunch today is at the famous Danseys Pass Hotel. Continue into the Maniototo area of Central Otago, passing the historic towns of Nasby (coldest town in NZ), and St Bathans, with a stop at the character filled Vulcan Hotel. Backtrack slightly to your cottage accommodation at Wedderburn and the historic tavern over the road for dinner.
The drive through this part of Central Otago is stunning, with vast rolling treeless tussock slopes and eerie lakes. Some of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed in this area (Plains of Rohan). You’ll eventually drop into the Clutha Valley and follow this through the stone fruit producing areas of Roxburgh, and steep sheep farming land with more rocks than grass, before arriving at your accommodation in the historic village of Clyde.
After your included breakfast, travel through Cromwell and along Lake Dunstan to the wonderful lakeside town of Wanaka. After morning tea by the lake, head up the beautiful Matukituki Valley to Mt Aspiring Station for lunch at the station house. A rocking and rolling drive up the East Branch of the Matukituki River reveals stunning views into the surrounding towering mountains. Arrive at your accommodation in Wanaka, and have dinner nearby.
Heading back through Cromwell, travel up and over the highest public road in NZ. The Nevis Valley track takes all day. Once up and over the high pass, we descend to the valley floor, following the river to its source amongst huge mountains. Several water crossings make the track that much more interesting. At the head of the valley, climb another high range, with majestic views towards Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. After the long descent, make your way to Queenstown for your last two nights’ accommodation.
For your grand finale, take the drive along the lake to Glenorchy where you board the Dart River Jet for a three hour thrill ride up this spectacular mountain river. The scenery in this area will blow you away, and the jet boat ride will get your blood pumping! Back to town this afternoon (to recover) and then meet for your final farewell dinner somewhere very special!
Today is your final day on this epic journey. Return to Christchurch before embarking onto your next adventure.
