South Island self drive tour suggestions

Coast to Coast

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Our family package tours are designed to ensure a great time. Accommodations suggested are ideal with spacious family rooms or 2 bedroom motel/apartment style and all have kitchen facilities.

Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour explore Christchurch in depth before heading to Mt. Cook National Park and a spectacular scenic flight. Then to Dunedin to explore its unique wildlife with a full day guided tour. On to Fiordland National Park including a visit to the Glow Worm Caves and Milford Sound before heading to the adventure capital of Queenstown. The West Coast Glaciers are next and two nights allow time to enjoy one of the many guided walk options. Also included is a Quad Bike adventure for a fun way to view the glaciers. Return to Christchurch crossing the Southern Alps on board the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.

Top of the South

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Explore Christchurch, the Garden city before heading north along the magnificent Kaikoura Coast. Take a Whale Watching tour to view the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Then to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough wine region and enjoy an afternoon guided tour amongst the vines. 
Abel Tasman National Park and its golden sand beaches are explored on a guided day hike and kayak tour. Heading south through the Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast and the town of Westport before continuing to Westland National Park and the glaciers. spend a day at Franz Josef including a guided helicopter hiking trip on the upper glacier slopes.
Cross the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass National Park and 2 nights at Wilderness Lodge. This working high country station also has a network of walking paths and other great outdoor activities to experience or simply relax amongst the magnificent surroundings.

The Southern Circle Day Walks

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour travels the Canterbury Coastline through Timaru, Oamaru and Moeraki to Dunedin. A full day Nature cruise takes you to the Albatross and yellow eyed penguin colonies. Cross the rich farmland of Southland toward Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Here you experience a guided day hike on the world famous Milford Track. There is a full day to explore Milford Sound including a Real Journeys Nature Cruise. Onto Queenstown and a steamship cruise, dinner and a farm tour is included on your first evening. The following day a fully guided day hike on the incredible Routeburn Track. Some free time in Queenstown on your third day following and exhilarating tour deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park on a Dart River Wilderness Safari. Mt. Cook National Park is a definite highlight made even better with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps and a landing on a glacier and the next day enjoy a fully guided hike deep into the park for unsurpassed views and an intimate introduction to the park. Then cross the Mackenzie high country through Lake Tekapo and back to Christchurch.

Guided Day Hike Walks are only available during our summer months and actual available dates may vary - just contact us to check. 

South Island Navigator

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The Southern Circuit

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour visits Mt. Cook National Park, travels through the Southern Lakes region and into the deep south. Time to explore Dunedin and wildlife of the Otago Peninsular before crossing the rich farmland of Southland toward Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. There is a full day to explore Milford Sound including a Real Journeys Nature Cruise. Then to Queenstown for two nights with time to relax or enjoy the countless activities here. The West Coast Glaciers are next and two nights allow time to enjoy one of the many guided walk options or scenic flights. Return to Christchurch aboard the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.

The Southern Circle

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour travels the Canterbury Coastline through Timaru, Oamaru and Moeraki to Dunedin. A full day Nature cruise takes you to the Albatross and yellow eyed penguin colonies. Cross the rich farmland of Southland toward Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. There is a full day to explore Milford Sound including a Real Journeys Nature Cruise. Onto Queenstown for two nights, a steamship cruise, dinner and a farm tour on your first evening. The following day an exhilirating tour deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park on a Dart River Wilderness Safari. Mt. Cook National Park is a definite highlight made even better with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps and a landing on a glacier. Then cross the Mackenzie high country through Lake Tekapo and back to Christchurch.

Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour visits the Mackenzie high country and Lake Tekapo before heading onto Mt. Cook National Park. Then to Te Anau and a Milford Sound Nature Cruise before heading to Queenstown for two nights. Time to relax or enjoy the countless activities here. The West Coast Glaciers are next and two nights allow time to enjoy one of the many guided walk options or scenic flights. Return to Christchurch aboard the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.

A Taste of the South

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A short highlights tour driving the countryside of Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Fiordland and the West Coast. Visiting Mt. Cook, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown and Franz Josef Glacier you return to Christchurch via the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.

The Southern Coast

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour visits Mt. Cook National Park, travels through the Southern Lakes region and into the deep south. Time to explore Dunedin and wildlife of the Otago Peninsular before crossing the rich farmland of Southland toward Invercargill and then onto magnificent Stewart Island. A guided walk on Ulva Island is included. Then onto Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. There is a full day to explore Milford Sound including a Real Journeys Nature Cruise. Then to Queenstown for two nights with time to relax or enjoy the countless activities here. A Dart River Wilderness Safari is also included. North to the West Coast Glaciers and a guided helicopter trip and ice walk is included as well as a trip to see the unique White Heron Sanctuary. You return to Christchurch crossing the Southern Alps on board the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train.

The Southern Circle

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Starting and finishing in Christchurch this tour travels the Canterbury Coastline through Timaru, Oamaru and Moeraki to Dunedin. A full day Nature cruise takes you to the Albatross and yellow eyed penguin colonies. Cross the rich farmland of Southland toward Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. There is a full day to explore Milford Sound including a Real Journeys Nature Cruise. Onto Queenstown for two nights, a steamship cruise, dinner and a farm tour on your first evening. The following day an exhilirating tour deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park on a Dart River Wilderness Safari. Mt. Cook National Park is a definite highlight made even better with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps and a landing on a glacier. Then cross the Mackenzie high country through Lake Tekapo and back to Christchurch.