New Zealand : Simply South Self Drive

Day 1: arrive Christchurch
On arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city centre for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Christchurch-Greymouth
Transfer to the train station and board the TranzAlpine for the journey through the rugged Southern Alps to Greymouth for overnight stay. Collect your rental vehicle upon arrival in Greymouth. A tour of Punakaiki is included this afternoon.

Day 3: Greymouth-West Coast Glaciers (205km)
Head south, following the coast to the glaciers of Westland National Park and take an afternoon guided walk to the glacier terminal. Optional scenic flights are available offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Day 4: West Coast Glaciers-Queenstown (420km)
Enjoy a memorable trip through some of the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand. Travel over the Haast Pass and through the beech forests of Mt Aspiring National Park, past Lake Wanaka to Queenstown for a 2-night stay.

Day 5: Queenstown
At leisure to take advantage of the many optional excursions available in Queenstown. Take a scenic flight, gondola ride or perhaps cruise the lake on the vintage Earnslaw Steamer. Try a jetboat ride, white water rafting or a bungy jump.

Day 6: Queenstown-Milford Sound-Te Anau (420km)
Starting early follow Lake Wakatipu via Kingston arriving in Te Anau for morning tea, before embarking on the spectacular drive through the mountains, valley and forests of the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Join a cruise out in the sound, before returning to Te Anau for overnight stay.

Day 7: Te Anau-Invercargill (160km)
Drive to Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city. Overnight.

Day 8: Invercargill-Dunedin (220km)
Continue on the Southern Scenic route through the spectacular area of the Catlins to the charming city of Dunedin renowned as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ for an overnight stay.

Day 9: Dunedin-Christchurch (365km)
Explore the sights of Dunedin at leisure perhaps visiting Larnach Castle or Olveston House, before heading north to Moeraki. Continue across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch via Oamaru and Timaru. Overnight stay.

Day 10: depart Christchurch
Drive or transfer to the airport.