South Island Scenic

20 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

 

 

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£6,440 per person

 

(Based on two people travelling. Low season can be a lot cheaper, and peak season or 5* hotels can be substantially more expensive.)

 

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or add this holiday to your online quote

Day 1
You will depart the UK today and start your journey to New Zealand.
Day 2
Today you will be in flight. You might like to consider a stopover to break the journey, there are many options around the world for a stopover.
Day 3
Today you will arrive in Christchurch. Spend the afternoon exploring the city after your long flight.
Day 4
Today you will join a guided tour to Akaroa where you will enjoy a scenic harbour cruise. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous dolphins of the area.
Day 5
This morning you will collect your car hire and make your way up the East coast to Kaikoura. This is a beautiful drive that winds its way along the coastal road to Kaikoura.
Day 6
This morning you will join a whale watching excursion in search of sperm whales. If you are lucky you will see pods of dolphins on your way out to sea. After your cruise make your way north to Picton, on the edge of the Marlborough Sounds. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the magnificent scenery in this area.
Day 7
Today you will join a fantastic scenic cruise around the Marlborough Sounds, joining the daily Mail Run boat which visits the remote lodges and bays to deliver their post. Stay alert to see dolphins and Orca at certain times of the year.
Day 8
You will begin today by making your way over to Nelson. You may like to take the scenic Queen Charlotte road to Havelock where you can have lunch, try the famous green lipped mussels.
Day 9
Make your way to Kaiteriteri on the edge Abel Tasman National Park and take a day trip in to the park, looking for seals and other wildlife along the way. You will also have time to do a short walk on the Abel Tasman track today.
Day 10
Continue your journey towards the west coast and stop overnight in Punakaiki. Visit the famous Pancake Rocks this afternoon where the sea has formed very interesting rock formations that look like stacks of pancakes!
Day 11
You will continue your journey today as you wind your way down the west coast to Glacier Country. This afternoon is at leisure so visit the hot pools for some relaxation after your drive.
Day 12
Start your day with a fabulous scenic flight over the glaciers and if weather permits a snow landing, then take a walk around Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier.
Day 13
Journey south along the coast and through the beautiful Haast Pass to Queenstown. Stop at lake Wanaka for lunch and a stroll around this beautiful little town before continuing on to Queenstown.
Day 14
Today you will take a 4wd back-country tour with a local guide, passing through some spectacular scenery and interesting historic points of interest. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan we can organise a tour to show you some of the places the films were shot in and around Queenstown.
Day 15
Today you will make your way to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. This afternoon take a trip to the local cinema or we can organise a glow worm trip for you this evening.
Day 16
Join a wonderful trip to Milford Sound today, with a scenic coach journey and three hour cruise included. Milford Sound is arguably one of the most spectacular areas of New Zealand with breathtaking scenery.
Day 17
Make your way across the southern tip of the country to Dunedin today. You will follow some of the Scenic Southern road today which is some of the best driving the country has to offer. Allow time to stop for lunch and photos along the way.
Day 18
Join a fantastic, full-day wildlife tour today, including a visit to the Albatross Centre, penguin viewing from unobtrusive hides and a one hour cruise to view the ocean birdlife.
Day 19
Today you will make your way north, first stopping at the fascinating Moeraki Boulders, then head inland to Lake Tekapo. Spend the afternoon exploring the glacial lake and the most photographed church in New Zealand, the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Day 20
The final leg of your journey takes you across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Board your overnight flight back to the UK this eveninng.

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

The South Island of New Zealand is dominated by the magnificent Southern Alps which run all the way from Kahurangi National Park at the top to Fiordland National Park at the bottom. The landscape either side of the mountains is very different, with steep, rain-forest clad slopes to the west and much drier, flat plains to the east and the island boasts majestic glaciers, beautiful beaches, rolling winelands and stunning lake vistas. It’s also home to a fantastic array of wildlife and it’s possible to see whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and albatross here. This self-drive itinerary gives you a flavour of all of the above and more, at a relaxed pace and with some spectacular drives.

2 nights Christchurch – 1 night Kaikoura – 2 nights Blenheim – 2 nights Nelson – 1 night Punakaiki – 2 nights Fox or Franz Josef Glacier – 2 nights Queenstown – 2 nights Te Anau – 2 nights Dunedin – 1 night Lake Tekapo


Where you'll go

What you'll do

Where you'll stay

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