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Discover New Zealand’s most epic natural scenery with this luxury 12-day, self-drive road trip showcasing the South Island’s must-see sights.
Departing from Christchurch, board the Tranzalpine to Greymouth and experience one of the world’s best inland rail journeys before picking up your hire car. From a helicopter, take in jaw-dropping aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier. Cruise Lake Wanaka and discover rare birds and a secret lake. Get your heart pounding in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere, with hundreds of outdoor activities to choose from including jetboating, bungy jumping, mountain biking and more. Walk and cruise the Milford Sound and be transported to a fantastical world of crystalline fiords and snow-capped mountains. Drive the Scenic Southern Route – one of the world’s most scenic drives – and explore ...
Departing from Christchurch, board the Tranzalpine to Greymouth and experience one of the world’s best inland rail journeys before picking up your hire car. From a helicopter, take in jaw-dropping aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier. Cruise Lake Wanaka and discover rare birds and a secret lake. Get your heart pounding in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere, with hundreds of outdoor activities to choose from including jetboating, bungy jumping, mountain biking and more. Walk and cruise the Milford Sound and be transported to a fantastical world of crystalline fiords and snow-capped mountains. Drive the Scenic Southern Route – one of the world’s most scenic drives – and explore the southern cities of Invercargill and Dunedin. Traverse Hooker Valley and Aoraki Mount Cook and marvel at some of the world’s darkest, most star-filled skies.
This incredible 12-day, self-drive road trip is offered at two price points: -4-star “best” staying at some of the South Island’s best 4-star hotels.-4-5-star “luxury” staying at a mix of 4 and 5-star hotels and lodges, for those seeking a little more luxury.
Both versions of the road trip include 11-nights in handpicked accommodations throughout the South Island. A hire car is included for the duration of the trip. Selected meals, activities and experiences are also included.
Be swept away by the natural beauty of New Zealand on the Ultimate Scenic South Island Road Trip.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Driving Information: 251km/156mi | 3hr 20min
Departing from Christchurch, experience one of the world’s best inland rail journeys through the Canterbury Plains and the mighty Southern Alps. Along the way, you’ll see epic vistas: the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, miles of native beech forest and jaw-dropping mountains. Arrive into Greymouth, a town with a rich history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods. Take time to explore the historic main street before picking up your included hire car to begin your road trip. First stop: Franz Josef, home to one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers. Check into your hotel, enjoy a delicious 3-course meal and rest up for an action-packed day tomorrow.
Driving Information: 286km/178mi | 3hr 54min
Experience Franz Josef Glacier as it was meant to be experienced: by heli-hike! From a helicopter, enjoy jaw-dropping aerial views of the glacier, snow capped mountains and lush rainforest before touching down and getting up close and personal with this natural wonder. Because the glacier is so fast moving, its features are constantly changing – you might find yourself sliding through a narrow crevasse or between towering walls of ice, crawling through blue ice tunnels, hanging out in ice caves, or witnessing the glacier calving. No two trips are the same! In the afternoon, check out the Glacier Hot Pools before venturing onto Wanaka, a cute alpine town named for its stunning lake.
Driving Information: 68km/42mi | 1hr 2min
No trip to Wanaka is complete without a cruise of the beautiful lake! With a local guide, journey by boat out to the remote and magical Mou Waho Island nature reserve, which is predator-free and home to the rare, flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920). A one-hour guided bushwalk takes you to the secret lake on top of the island, where you will enjoy high tea overlooking the Southern Alps. You can even plant a native tree as part of your eco-experience! In the afternoon, take time to explore Wanaka town and take a late lunch before driving onto Queenstown, the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere.
Driving Information: N/A
Surrounded by towering mountains, positioned on the edge of the stunning Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere and a launching pad for countless adrenaline-fueled activities. Explore Queenstown at your leisure.
Driving Information: 172km/107mi | 2hr 5min
Start your journey along the Scenic Southern Route, self-driving from Queenstown to Te Anau, the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of the Milford Sound. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise across beautiful Lake Anau to Cavern House on the lake’s western shores to view glittering glowworms in an underground cave system. Follow the path deep underground before transferring into small boats to drift silently along the river below a display of glittering glowworms in the glowworm grotto. In the subterranean darkness, the glowworms produce a sparkling display that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Driving Information: 119km/74mi | 1hr 43min
An early start today to make the most of the otherworldly Fiordland. Departing at 6am, drive to Milford Sound to meet your local guide for the Milford Track and Giant Gate half-day walk. Begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly Point and meander alongside the cascading Arthur River through lush rainforest to Giant Gate. This spectacular waterfall is best viewed from the large swing bridge spanning the river. Enjoy a late lunch and explore Milford at your leisure before boarding your overnight cruise. The cruise will take you through the heart of the Fiordland, which will steal your heart with epic views: spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforests, mountains and wildlife including seals, dolphins and penguins. The cruise stops in a sheltered cove, enabling you to get out on the water in kayaks or the vessel’s tender craft (small boat). Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard.
Driving Information: 200km/124mi | 2hr 30min
Onboard your cruise ship, wake up early to bring in the dawn in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in Milford Sound before stepping back onto dry land to continue your journey along the Southern Scenic Route. First stop is Tuatapere, a quaint town on the edge of Fiordland’s wilderness where you can take in spectacular unspoilt scenery and lush rolling farmland. From here, it’s on to Invercargill, the South Island’s southernmost city. Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings give the city a charming old-world character. Explore the city at your leisure: take a guided tour through the Invercargill Brewery or visit Blue River Dairy, Southland’s Sheep Milk Café, where you can enjoy cheese tasting and a chance to try the best cheese roll in South Land. Or try your hand at chocolate making at the Seriously Good Chocolate Company.
Driving Information: 237km/147mi | 3hr 24min
Head back up north to complete the Scenic Southern Route. First stop is the Catalins where you can wander down the five-minute path to Nugget Point lighthouse. From here, marvel at the steep headland and rocky islets (The Nuggets) spearing from the sea. The famous three-tiered Purakaunui Falls is also worth a visit. After, continue onto Dunedin, New Zealand’s second largest city whose name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere with a wealth of gothic church spires, ornate mansions, grand buildings, intriguing alleyways and picturesque gardens to uncover. Depending on your trip style, enjoy dinner at one of the city’s many delicious restaurants or else at your accommodation.
Driving Information: 314km/195mi | 3hr 48min
Begin your drive day with a stop at Oamaru, home to New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, renowned Victorian architecture and two penguin colonies. In the town’s Victorian precinct, you will find shops, galleries and traditional crafts – there is no better spot on the route to stop for lunch! In the afternoon, continue on to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s tallest mountains and longest glaciers. It is alpine in the purest sense - with sky scraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields, all set under a star-studded sky. In the evening, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner and stay up late to marvel at some of the darkest skies on Earth in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest of its kind in the world.
Experience the magic of Aoraki Mount Cook with a guided hike of the spectacular Hooker Valley, one of the most popular walks in the national park. Follow the Hooker River and enjoy breathtaking views of this ancient landscape of ice and rock. Cross swing bridges and encounter picturesque icebergs, majestic mountains and the incredible Mueller Glacier. At the end of the day, return to your accommodation and enjoy yet another delicious 3-course dinner.
Driving Information: 226km/140mi | 1hr 55min
Don’t race out of the national park too quickly – the cute alpine towns of Tekapo and Twizel are definitely worth a visit, even if it is only to take a photo of the stunning lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. When you’re ready, journey onto Christchurch to complete your stunning South Island loop. Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island – suffered terribly in the 2011 earthquakes but has since been reborn into a bustling hub of award-winning restaurants and bars, street art and innovation, lush, green spaces and, of course, churches. Tonight, you have the option of dining at the iconic Tramway restaurant: a luxury, 36-seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram that will show the must-see sights of the city over a delicious multicourse dinner.
Enjoy your final day in Christchurch as you please with the option to join the Christchurch Grand Tour, which will show you the must-see sights of the city including Punting on the Avon, Christchurch Tram, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Gondola and Monavale Homestead. Drive to Christchurch Airport as required to return your hire car and commence your onward journey.
NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
The itinerary starts and finishes in Christchurch, which is serviced by Christchurch International Airport (CHC). The Tranzalpine rail journey departs from Christchurch Railway Station, Troup Drive, Addington, Christchurch, which is conveniently located on the southwestern edge of the CBD.
Known as the “Land of the Long White Cloud”, New Zealand’s climate is complex with cool temperate climates in the far south and severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. The average annual temperature in the South Island is 10 degrees Celsius, with the warmest months being January or February and the coldest month being July.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.