10 Day South Island Wonders Holiday Package

Discover the stunning South Island with this all inclusive self drive holiday package…

Holiday Package Includes:

• 10 Nights in 4 Star Accommodation
• Car Hire: Premium Toyota Corolla Sedan Automatic, including Full Insurance (zero excess)
• Shotover Jet – the world’s most exciting jet boat ride
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise ex Queenstown by Scenic Coach
• Franz Josef Glacier Guides Half Day Glacier Hike
• Abel Tasman Boat Cruise

Day 1 Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Collect your rental car and make your way to your accommodation. Stay 1 night in Christchurch City.

Day 2 Lake Tekapo

Driving time Christchurch to Lake Tekapo 230 km / 143 miles, 3 hours

Depart Christchurch and travel south across the Canterbury Plains and inland towards the Southern Alps to reach Lake Tekapo an amazing turquoise blue lake. Tekapo presents many world class attractions from the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, to scenic flights exploring NZ’s highest mountains and largest glaciers; including Mt Cook, Tasman, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Stay 1 night in Lake Tekapo.

Day 3 Queenstown

Driving time Lake Tekapo to Queenstown 254 km / 158 miles, 3 hours

Travel through the dramatic Lindis Pass, which links the Mackenzie Basin to Central Otago. Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world. First off get ready for the World’s most exciting Jet Boat ride with Shotover Jet! It’s a thrilling ride, as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds. Stay 2 nights in Queenstown.

Day 4 Queenstown -> Milford Sound

Enjoy a scenic coach journey through heartland New Zealand to reach Milford Sound where you will enjoy a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Stare in amazement as Milford Sound will impress! Sheer cliffs, towering snow capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys, sub-tropical rain forests, marine life… words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! After your cruise relax while your coach cruises through stunning scenery delivering you back to your Queenstown accommodation.

Day 5 Wanaka

Driving time Queenstown to Wanaka 70 km / 43 miles, 1 hour

Drive over the beautiful Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest State Highway and admire the vistas from fantastic viewing points. Be sure to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a refreshment before your arrival into Wanaka boasting panoramic views, a relaxed atmosphere and a myriad of walking tracks. Take an optional Mt Aspiring National Park Jet Boat Safari. Stay 1 night in Wanaka.

Day 6 Franz Josef – Glacier Country

Driving time Wanaka to Franz Josef 285 km / 177 miles, 3.5 hours

Carry on up the west coast to reach Franz Josef – there are many short walks / viewing points to take in along the Haast Pass Highway to break the journey. Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 7 Hokitika

In the morning enjoy the Franz Josef Glacier Half Day Glacier Hike. This is a fantastic introduction to an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty. After a short walk through regenerating rainforest, you will strap on your crampons and make your way up the terminal face of the glacier, where pre-formed tracks make exploring the lower reaches of the glacier achievable.

Driving time Franz Josef to Hokitika 136 km / 85 miles, 1.5 hours

After your glacier experience, discover more West Coast beauty as you travel to Hokitika. Hokitika is famous for its arts and crafts, expansive beach and great walking tracks. Stay 1 night in Hokitika.

Day 8 Abel Tasman

Driving time Hokitika to Abel Tasman 359 km / 223 miles, 4.5 hours

Journey towards the Abel Tasman, an area renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, rich unmodified estuaries, long sunshine hours and the world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. In the afternoon relax on one of the many golden sand beaches. Stay 1 nights in the Abel Tasman.

Day 9 Nelson

In the morning enjoy a boat cruise into the Abel Tasman National Park where you can relax on the hot golden sand or enjoy a day walk. Take in the natural beauty and enjoy!

Driving time Abel Tasman to Nelson 65 km / 40 miles, 1 hour

In the afternoon make your way to Nelson. Enjoy NZ’s highest sunshine hours and discover the creative paradise that is Nelson, with artists, galleries, local markets and gourmet cafés. Stay 1 night in Nelson.

Day 10 Hanmer Springs

Driving time Nelson to Hanmer Springs 308 km / 191 miles, 3.5 hours

Travel on to Hanmer Springs, a year round holiday destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, great cafes and of course the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. As a natural spa destination, visitors have been travelling to bathe in the rejuvenating hot mineral pools for over 120 years! Relax in open-air thermal public and private pools and de-stress with spa therapies. Stay 1 night in Hanmer Springs.

Depart Christchurch

The following day travel to Christchurch at your leisure and depart Christchurch Airport.

Driving time Hanmer Springs to Christchurch 145 km / 90 miles, 2 hours