Bounded by the Southern Alps to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, the beautiful garden city of Christchurch is the gateway to the diverse region of the South Island and a great base from which to explore the Canterbury region.

This vibrant, picturesque, boutique city offers easy access to surf, snow and the richly diverse backyard of the surrounding Canterbury region. Within a few hours from the heart of the city you'll find lush vineyards, pristine glacial lakes, alpine hot pools and world-class wildlife experiences - and just 30 minutes away, discover an ancient volcanic peninsula dotted with charming townships, hidden bays and breathtaking views.

Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Cotswold

After collecting your rental car, it’s time to take an unforgettable journey through the Southern Alps across the Arthurs Pass towards the West Coast. ‘West Coasters’ are renowned for their friendliness & hospitality, and have developed a distinctive culture all of their own.

With a population of only 31,000 people, the West Coast retains the feeling of a pioneer frontier. It's a wild place known for rivers and rainforests; glaciers and geological treasures. Legends and stories from the past cling to every feature of the landscape.

Of all the glaciers in the Southern Alps, only the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers have crept as far as the rainforests. These giant tongues of ice have squeezed down their valleys to just 250 metres above sea level.

Accommodation: 10 Cottages Motel, Franz Josef (Situated in a quiet street with rainforest and mountain views)

Today is a free day to enjoy to beauty of this stunning region at your leisure. While glaciers around the world are retreating, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers still flow almost to sea level. The temperate climate at this low altitude means these glaciers are among the most convenient to visit in the world. Easy walks to the foot of the glaciers pass along ancient river valleys with steep sides bearing gigantic horizontal scars from when the glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia.

You may like to discover the glaciers up close by combining an awesome helicopter flight over Franz Josef with a unique guided walk, hiking amongst ice caves & pinnacles in this pristine alpine environments.

Accommodation: 10 Cottages Motel, Franz Josef

Enjoy waterfalls and river scenery as you leave the coast and climb up the Haast river valley to Haast Pass. The road snakes through the Aspiring National Park, and the vegetation becomes sparser as you travel inland. The wilderness town of Makarora is a chance to refuel and refresh. Watch for the famous ‘bra fence’ – it’s become a local legend.

Framed by mountains, Lake Wanaka is a glacier-carved lake which can be enjoyed from the water or by hiking around shoreline tracks. There are two ways to drive between Queenstown and Wanaka, and the Crown Range road is the most memorable, and the highest main road in New Zealand.

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It’s also a destination for luxury experiences – gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.

Accommodation: Tanoa Hotel Aspen on Queenstown

Today is free to you to explore Queenstown at your leisure. From crystal clear Lake Wakatipu across to The Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown’s environment is majestic, awe inspiring and almost unbelievable.

Queenstown’s wildly exciting environment is irresistible to adventure seekers. In the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ you’ll find adrenalin-stirring, sanity-reducing exploits of the most extreme kind.

Accommodation: Tanoa Hotel Aspen on Queenstown

High country landscapes and trout fishing rivers are features of the road to Te Anau. The first part of your drive clings scenically to the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Take a break when you reach the small town of Kingston, the home of a remarkable vintage steam train. Further on, the settlements of Lumsden and Mossburn can be explored for unique shopping opportunities – a farm tour is another possibility.

Nestled beside one of New Zealand's largest lakes and surrounded by magnificent scenery, Te Anau is the one true gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

Accommodation: Aden Motel, Te Anau

The road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak.

A cruise on Milford Sound will be an essential component of your time in Fiordland, or you can get up close and personal in a sea kayak. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you’ll remember. The underwater observatory is an option with most cruises.

Our self-drive tour includes an extended 2 1/2 hour cruise of Milford Sound to the open sea with full commentary. The road to Milford has many interesting stopping points. In particular don't miss Mirror lakes (58 kms from Te Anau) and The Chasm with its curiously shaped rocks (109 kms from Te Anau). The luxury vessel cruises the full length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea and stops at various points and offer excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. The cruise is accompanied by comprehensive commentaries. Return to Te Anau this evening.

Accommodation: Aden Motel, Te Anau

Leaving Te Anau this morning, and travelling through Lumsden you’ll travel across the river plain to Gore. Stop in Mandeville if you’d like to fly in a Tiger Moth, or by the Mataura River if you want to catch a trout. Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany you to Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched concrete bridge and an interesting museum. Milton is the last sizeable settlement before Dunedin - the unusual kink in the main road is where two surveyors didn’t quite meet.

In the late 19th century, Dunedin acquired an impressive amount of ostentatious Victorian architecture. Today you can enjoy the historic public buildings, imposing churches, palatial homes and ornate hotels. There’s even a castle. Eco-tourism is the other face of Dunedin – visit penguin, albatross and seal colonies.

Dunedin is a beautiful and vibrant city with a strong community and a wide range of things to see and do.

Accommodation: LivingSpace Dunedin

Free day to enjoy the city.

Dunedin's dramatic hills surround a long, natural harbour, which attracted Maori settlers to the site over four centuries ago. More recently the area was settled by whalers, gold miners and migrants from Scotland and China. Memorable for its historical architecture, Dunedin is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. On the doorstep of the city, you can find incredible wildlife - the world's rarest penguins, a mainland albatross colony, fur seals and sea lions.

Accommodation: LivingSpace Dunedin

Today is an easy going drive north to Christchurch following the main state highways, with plenty of great countryside scenery to be enjoyed, from the historic architecture and rugged coastlines of Otago to the Southern Alps of Canterbury.

Some notable stops along the route to Christchurch include the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, where you can view the world's smallest penguins in their natural environment. In Timaru you may want to enjoy the striking Timaru piazza, with its stunning views that stretch from Caroline Bay across to the snow-clad mountains, which is a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the town.

The busy service town of Temuka is home to Temuka Homeware. Generations of New Zealander's have Temuka pottery products on their table or in their oven! The factory shop is located on Vine Street in Temuka and includes the Brix Cafe.

Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city. Also referred to as 'The Garden City', Christchurch is a fabulous place to visit during Spring and Summer when the inner city parks and gardens are in full bloom and Hagley Park is buried under a yellow sea of daffodils. Christchurch is a very visitor friendly city and you will find navigating around the inner city and botanical gardens is easy on foot, or else hop on the historic Tram which runs a circuit throughout the day past the inner city and popular Arts Centre, Gallery, etc.

Accommodation: Hearthland Hotel Cotswold Christchurch

Depart Christchurch for your onward arrangements.