NEW ZEALAND South Island Highlights

10 Day New Zealand South Island Highlights by Self-Drive Car.

( Can also be used as a basis for a Motor-home tour).

         

Maori dancers doing traditional welcome dance for tourists.

 

Day 1               Depart Hong Kong by air on Air New Zealand flight NZ070

 

Day 2              Arrive Auckland

            Depart Auckland by air, arrive Christchurch. Take delivery of a self-drive car [or motorhome] on arrival. Drive to hotel and check in, then at leisure.

Hotel: PAVILIONS / THE HERITAGE

 

 Day 3                         Depart Christchurch and cross the Canterbury Plains and on over the snow fed Rakaia River. Hug the foothills of the Southern Alps and climb Burke’s Pass before passing Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Arrive at Mount Cook.

Hotel: THE HERMITAGE

 

 

 

A Christchurch tram is a great way to see the city.

 

 

 Day 4             A night at Mt. Cook provides time to immerse yourself in this land of towering peaks surrounded by the clearest air in the Southern Hemisphere.  Plenty of easy half to full day walks abound, offering the perfect complement to an on snow ski plane landing. Beautiful year round. Continue across the Mackenzie Country with its expanses of tussock framed by the snow capped Southern Alps.

Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook in the background.

Traverse the Lindis Pass to the arid Central Otago and on to the Kawarua Gorge, with the thundering Kawarua River, before reaching Queenstown.

Hotel: MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE / HERITAGE

 

 

 

 Day 5             Two days to discover Queenstown with its vast range of activities. Ride the spectacular Shotover Jet or cruise aboard the Earnshaw on Lake Wakatipu. The adventurous can try parapenting, and white water rafting or a world famous bungy jump. Included is a gondola ride up Bob’s Peak (and Kiwi Magic Show).

 

 

 

 

 

The TSS Earnshaw on Lake Wakatipu.

 

 Day 6             Queenstown is an ideal venue for horse riding, hiking or mountain biking. All activities can be easily organised on arrival. For the less energetic, try a high country sheep station tour or visit nearby historic and beautiful Arrowtown.

 

        

 

Horse riding along the side of lake Wakatipu

 

 

Day 7              Skirt the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu and cross northern Southland to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. Travel through the remote wilderness of the Eglinton Valley, part of the World Heritage Area, with its lakes, waterfalls & hanging glacial valleys. Emerging from the Homer Tunnel drive on to the magnificent Milford Sound. The cruise provides opportunity to inspect the waterfalls & sheer rock walls, which rise to over5000 ft above the Sound. Stay in Te Anau for two nights

Hotel: LYNWOOD LODGE /LUXMORE RESORT

 

 Day 8 A full day excursion to Doubtful Sound. Visit this enchanting land of mist that for centuries has nurtured the silent, serene and green landscape. Experience quiet joy drifting on Doubtful Sound surrounded by 400 year old podocarp forests and gigantic glacial valleys carved during the ice age. Observe Bottle Nose Dolphins and Fur Seals. View the Lake Manapouri power station 170m below the lake surface before returning to Te Anau.  

 

 

 

Doubtful sound looking at Mitre Peak.

 

 

 

Day 9              Enjoy a leisurely return drive to Queenstown before spending your last night in this, the most beautiful region of New Zealand.

Hotel: MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE / HERITAGE

 

Day 10            Surrender the self-drive car at the airport.

Depart Christchurch by air, arrive Auckland

Depart Auckland by air arrive Hong Kong.

Also available using a self-drive Motorhome.

     

Pictured here are one of the Motor homes available, with views of the interior and exterior.

 

COSTS

 

Prices are based on two traveling together and sharing one hotel room and car.

 

Price Includes:-

Round trip Economy Class air tickets with Air New Zealand.

Hotel accommodation, as booked, with daily breakfast.

Other meals as specified.

Car hire Economy class vehicle, as specified, unlimited mileage.

Or

Motorhome as specified.

 

Price Excludes:-

Airport Tax and Airport security Charges.

New Zealand Visa (If required).

Personal expenses for drinks etc.

 

 

 

This is a suggested itinerary only, which can be varied to suit individual requirements with stops at other locations in New Zealand or elsewhere.