SOUTH ISLAND ESCAPE SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
The plains of South Canterbury are a colourful patchwork of fields flanked by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps. Discover the West Coast where you will find New Zealand’s wildest scenery, people and food. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown occupies one of New Zealand’s most scenic locations, set against the majestic Eyre Mountains and the snow-capped splendour of the Remarkables.

Day 1 Christchurch
Christchurch is exceptionally beautiful with its stunning parks and gardens, the Avon River meandering through the city centre and its dramatic harbour within the flooded crater of an extinct volcano. Take a punt ride, enjoy walks around the city, visit the Arts Centre boutique craft shops, experience life on the southern continent at the International Antarctic Centre and be entertained at the Court Theatre or brilliant Art Gallery. Overnight in Christchurch

Day 2 Christchurch – Hokitika. Distance: 260kms (4 hours, 40 minutes)
Begin your journey on the Great Alpine Highway which rises across the Canterbury Plains high over the Southern Alps at Arthurs Pass and into the temperate West Coast rainforests. You may wish to make a short detour north to explore the pancake rocks and blow holes at Punakaiki. Formerly an 1860’s gold rush settlement, Hokitika still has the feel of a frontier town, where you can find your own treasures of gold and jewellery in the cheerful shops. Overnight in Hokitika

Day 3 Hokitika – Fox Glacier. Distance: 161kms (3 hours)
The scenery is dramatic and ever changing as you travel through spectacular forests, across racing torrents and past serene, bush clad lakes. Nestled between the sea and the high alps, the huge ice-age glaciers Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier descend right into the forests allowing you to take a guided walk or helicopter landing flight on the rivers of ice. Nearby at Lake Matheson, you may experience the classical reflections of New Zealand’s two highest peaks in the mirrored waters. Overnight in Fox Glacier

Day 4 Fox Glacier – Wanaka. Distance: 264kms (5 hours, 25 minutes)
Your journey continues through the South Westland World Heritage Area, a place of incredible beauty and natural value, over Haast Pass to Wanaka, popular for fishing and boating and snow sports in winter. Explore Mount Aspiring National Park, enjoy a lake cruise, visit the famous Wanaka Warbirds Museum or challenge yourself at Puzzling World. Wanaka offers an appealing mix of outdoor activities, family fun and fine living. Overnight in Wanaka

Day 5 Wanaka – Te Anau. Distance: 278kms (4 hours, 30 minutes)
Take in the magnificent landscape enroute to your optional country farmstay or the township of Te Anau, picturesquely sited on Lake Te Anau. A country farmstay will allow you the opportunity to enjoy traditional New Zealand hospitality and experience life on a typical South Island farm. Overnight in Te Anau

Day 6 Te Anau – Milford – Te Anau. Distance: 240kms (4 hours, 40 minutes)
Travel via the Eglinton Valley, the Homer Tunnel and down the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound deep in the Park, to board a cruise and view captivating wildlife surrounded by sheer mile-high mountain walls before returning to Te Anau. Overnight in Te Anau

Day 7 Te Anau – Queenstown. Distance: 179kms (2 hours, 45 minutes)
At the head of Lake Wakatipu look out for the historic train – the Kingston Flyer, before following the lake shore below the jagged Remarkable Mountains into Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. This alpine town offers an amazing range of attractions including canyon jet boat rides, mountain biking, bungy jumping, helicopter flights, horse treks and 4WD expeditions. There are also more passive pastimes – wilderness safaris, historic steamer lake cruises, gondola cableway, superb golf courses and gardens as well as uncovering gold-mining artifacts in the quaint town of Arrowtown. Overnight in Queenstown

Day 8 Queenstown – Full day
Take the day to explore Queenstown. Overnight in Queenstown

Day 9 Queenstown – Christchurch, via Lake Tekapo. Distance 491kms (7 hours, 15 minutes)
Driving through the centre of the South Island towards Christchurch, you follow the spectacular backbone of the Southern Alps. Huge glacial lakes have been connected by a series of man-made canals to produce hydroelectricity for the nation. At Lake Pukaki, if the weather is kind, you will see the most stunning view of New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook. Lake Tekapo provides great photo opportunities with its Church of the Good Shepherd and sheepdog statue.

Total distance: 1873kms