DAY 1 Arrive Christchurch
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self drive to your accommodation. Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps. This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent. Overnight: Christchurch
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Antarctic Centre
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Christchurch Tram Dinner
DAY 2 Christchurch - Glacier Region
Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. Overnight: Glacier Region Christchurch - Glacier Region: 280-340km (approx 3.5-5hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Zipline and Walk Combo
DAY 3 Glacier Region
A temperate climate at a low altitude make Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millenia and here, the ice age is still underway. Today is a free day to add your preferred activity. Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. Overnight: Glacier Region
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
Kayak & Walk Tour
DAY 4 Glacier Region - Queenstown
Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools before continuing on to Wanaka and Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown Glacier Region - Queenstown: 350km (approx 4hrs, 45mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Puzzling World
DAY 5 Queenstown
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World. Make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun. Then head down to the waterfront to board the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm. Here you will enjoy a gourmet BBQ lunch before your cruise back to Queenstown central. Overnight: Queenstown
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Gondola Ride
Walter Peak BBQ Lunch by Vintage Steamship
DAY 6 Queenstown-Milford sound – Te Anau
Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today's stunning journey takes you past mirror lakes, spectacular waterfalls and water-sculpted rocks. Venture into Milford Sound, a New Zealand treasure carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your return to Te Anau. Overnight: Te Anau
Queenstown - Milford: 287km (approx 3hrs, 50mins)
Milford – Te Anau: 120km (approx. 1hr, 30mins)
DAY 7 Te Anau - Dunedin
We recommend adding a one hour side trip to your journey today to view the stunning scenery and wildlife at Nugget Point, The Catlins before arriving into the city of Dunedin.
Dunedin and its surrounds are a vibrant mix of heritage and wildlife. Set amidst a magical landscape edged by the sea, Dunedin City has the finest examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. Overnight: Dunedin.
Te Anau - Dunedin: 290km (approx. 3hrs, 20mins)
DAY 8 Dunedin
Beyond Dunedin city, the Otago Peninsula boasts an array of native wildlife with penguins, albatross, seals and sea lions. Today you’ll experience a guided wildlife tour with spectacular coastal views and personal encounters with nature. Overnight: Dunedin
INCLUDED ACTIVITES
Argo Wildlife Tour
OPTIONAL
Blue Penguins Pukekura
DAY 9 Dunedin -Tekapo/Mt Cook
The road from Dunedin is lined with breath-taking beaches and fascinating geology. We recommend a stop at the fascinating Moeraki Boulders before visiting the delightful historical town of Oamaru. Continue inland to a dramatic vast landscape of a rugged land of ice and rock that showcases multiple peaks including New Zealand’s highest mountain. Overnight: Tekapo or Mt Cook
Dunedin - Tekapo/Mt Cook 317km (approx 3hrs, 50mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Dark Sky Experience
DAY 10 Tekapo/Mt Cook – Christchurch
Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue north east where braided rivers and fertile green plains will signal your arrival into Christchurch. Overnight: Christchurch
Tekapo/Mt Cook - Christchurch: 230-330km (approx 3-4hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
Dark Sky Experience
DAY 11 Depart Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Christchurch Airport.
