Self Drive the South Island of New Zealand Tours
Hanmer Springs, Abel Tasman & Motueka, Punakaiki, Franz Josef glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, Dunedin and Lake Tekapo.
Helicopter flight over glaciers, jet boat ride, wildlife tour
This is a superb opportunity to discover some of New Zealands most celebrated scenic drives, pristine coastlines and exciting resort destinations. With a Vacations New Zealand self drive tour we book your accommodation and activities, we show you the places to visit and then leave you to take the wheel and experience the very best the south of New Zealand has to offer. Level of comfort is 4/5 star.
Start / finish Christchurch. 10 Nights / 11 Days
Price NZ $8,700 per couple
Start/ finish Christchurch. 8 Nights/ 9 Days
Price NZ $7,000 per couple
For those wanting a shorter stay while covering all the South Island Highlights, our South Island self drive tour 8 Nights/ 9 Days is similar to the above tour, instead you will travel directly from Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki, via the Lewis Pass.
Our self drive tours are suitable for a couple, two friends travelling together or if you are exploring New Zealand on your own. Price includes a mid size late model vehicle, accommodation and activites as listed in this itinerary. Fuel is not included.
If you are a family please Contact Us about our Self Drive tour for Families. This is a customised tour package put together especially for the needs of your family, we use family friendly accommodation and activites you will really enjoy for your stay here in New Zealand.
Day 1. Christchurch to Hanmer Springs
We meet you in the morning to pick up your rental car and familiarise you with your tour and destinations. Then you begin your journey, driving north through rolling countryside, vineyards and beautiful rivers. Spend the day in Hanmer Springs, a small resort town known for its geothermal baths, nature walks, mountain biking, golf and other leisure activities. Your accommodation is at Braemar Lodge, a fabulous 5 star luxury lodge surrounded by wilderness and only a ten minute drive from Hanmer springs.
Drive time 2 hours.
Self drive tour includes: meet and greet, 3 course dinner
Accommodation: 5 star luxury lodge
Day 2. Hanmer springs to Motueka/Abel Tasman
This morning you will drive north following the scenic highway to the beautiful coastal town of Kaikoura, before carrying on to Blenheim and the home of New Zealand’s largest vineyards. Feel free to stop in at one of the many cellar doors to taste some delicious wine!
Following the road west to Nelson we arrive in Motueka, a relaxed town full of home grown culture and fabulous beaches. Your accommodation is the Luxury Resurgence wilderness lodge for 2 nights. ( During the months of May – October your stay will be at the Kisamar lodge near Mapua, a luxury self contained apartment set on 3 arcres of beautiful grounds.)
Drive time 4.5 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast and 3 course dinner
Accommodation: 5 star luxury wilderness lodge
Day 3. Motueka & Golden Bay
Today there is plenty of time to explore the region. We recommend driving up over the Takaka hill to the golden sands of Pohara beach and Golden Bay. Quiet roads and stunning scenery, you won’t want to leave. So many places to walk, sea kayak or just soak in the view with a great cup of coffee.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast
Accommodation: 5 star luxury wilderness lodge
Day 4. Motueka to Punakaiki
This morning you drive south via country roads and lush rain forest until arriving at the wild West Coast of New Zealand. If you are adventurous we recommend the adventure caving in Charleston as an optional extra or just enjoy the wild beaches and pancake rock blowhole formations in Punakaiki. Paparoa National Park is located here and is well worth walking its trails to see limestone formations, hanging trees and breathing its pure fresh air. Your accommodation is the Punakaiki eco resort hotel right on the beach.
Drive time: 3.5 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast
Accommodation: 4.5 star hotel eco-suite
Day 5. Punakaiki to Franz Josef Glacier
Today you drive south via beautiful vistas of mountain, ocean and rainforest. Stop in Hokitika for the local favourite of Fish and Chips caught fresh from the sea, and continue south through thick sub tropical rain forest just a stones throw from the beach.
Arriving in Franz Josef township you will embark on a 30 min scenic helicopter flight high above the glaciers and land on the snow where all the ice is formed, towering above you are the mighty Southern Alps, New Zealand’s main alpine mountain range. Late afternoon there is time for a visit to the glacier hot springs and then feed those hunger pains with a 5 course dinner at your luxury accommodation Te Waonui.
Drive time 3 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast, 30 min scenic helicopter flight and 5 course dinner
Accommodation: 5 start eco resort hotel
Day 6. Franz Josef Glacier to Wanaka
This morning you drive south and stop in to view the Fox glacier, the 3rd largest in New Zealand. Get up and close to the terminal ice face by taking an easy 40 minute walk to view this magnificent glacier. Carry on via Haast and stop in to try their famous white bait patties – a local favourite.
A couple more hours driving brings you along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea where you will notice the dramatic scenery change from lush rainforest to dry schist landscapes. Your night here will be at the Lime Tree luxury lodge just a short drive from Wanaka township.
Drive time 4 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast
Accommodation: 5 star luxury lodge
Day 7. Wanaka to Queenstown
Today you will drive New Zealand’s highest public road into Queenstown over the Crown Range, a scenic road with stunning views over the whole region. You will detour into Arrowtown a beautiful and historic village that was once the centre of the gold rush in the mid 1800’s, now a picturesque town of boutique shops, bakeries and historical relics.
Arriving in Queenstown there is time to explore, catch up on some shopping or check out the endless list of activities in this vibrant resort town also known as New Zealand’s adventure capital. Your accommodation for 2 nights is at The Dairy private boutique hotel located in the heart of Queenstown.
Drive time: 1 hour.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast
Accommodation: 4.5 star boutique hotel
Day 8. Glenorchy and Queenstown
Mid morning you are booked in for a thrilling one hour jet boat rideover the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu, then up the Kawarau river before joining the fast moving braided Shotover river. A fantastic and informative way to enjoy this beautiful region by jet boat, and don’t forget to take your camera. We highly recommend a drive along Lake Wakatipu to the beautiful wilderness town of Glenorchy and stop in for lunch at the groovy G.Y.C cafe. Early afternoon is yours free to relax in Queenstown and enjoy a great selection of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast and 1 hour jet boat ride
Accommodation: 4.5 star boutique hotel
Day 9. Queenstown to Dunedin
Today you drive the scenic road via Central Otago through vineyards, orchards and rolling hills to the very Scottish city of Dunedin. A university town, it combines the young vibrancy of cafes and budding designers with beautiful architecture and natural wildlife. A trip out to the peninsula this afternoon you visit one of New Zealand’s consistently awarded best wildlife tours. Their small group focus enables close, unobtrusive viewing of wildlife, particularly penguins, fur seals, albatross and sea lions. Accommodation is at the Bluestone on George in the heart of Dunedin.
Drive time 4.5 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast and wildlife tour
Accommodation: Self-contained 4.5 star premier room
Day 10. Dunedin to Lake Tekapo
This morning you can wander into town and choose from a fantastic selection of cafes for your breakfast. Once on the road, follow it north and continue up the coastal highway stopping to view the fascinating Moerakei boulders geological rock formations. The inland road takes you by quaint local towns, several large lakes, and also one of the best views on a clear day in all of New Zealand, Mount Cook our highest peak at 3754m from Lake Pukaki.
Arriving in Lake Tekapo township your stay is at the Peppers Bluewater resort with views over the lake and just a stones throw to the hot springs where you can relax those muscles in the pools or take a treatment at the spa.
Drive time 4.5 hours.
Accommodation: 4.5 star hotel resort
Day 11. Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
After a leisurely morning you prepare for your final day on the road and drive north through the Canterbury plains. We meet you back in Christchurch early afternoon where you return the rental car and we can drop you back at your hotel or at the airport to meet your connecting flight.
Drive time 2.5 hours.
Self drive tour includes: breakfast