Touring The South

Take in the breathtaking coastal vistas and dramatic mountain scenery as you travel around New Zealand's remote South Island.

Day 1 - Christchurch/Greymouth or Hokitika
This morning make your own arrangements to Christchurch Railway Station for the TranzAlpine Train. Depart Christchurch on the Tranz Alpine train for your journey across Arthur's Pass to Greymouth. The TranzAlpine Train journey is rated one of the world's great scenic railway journeys and travels from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rain forest to the west coast town of Greymouth.
On arrival a Greymouth you will collect your rental car and make your way to your hotel in Greymouth or Hokitika (approxinately 40kms to Hokitika).
STANDARD: Kingsgate Hotel Greymouth
DELUXE: Kapitea Ridge Hokitika, B&B basis

Day 2 - Greymouth or Hokitika/Franz Josef (180km)
This morning make your way down the West Coast to Franz Josef from Gremouth or Hokitika. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Franz Josef. Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as South Westland's most famous pair, Franz Josef and Fox. Both descend to levels of about 1000 feet (300 metres) above sea level. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier, which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 12 km long extending into the rainforest just 5km from the Franz Josef Township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints, or for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, heli-hike excursion or scenic flight.
STANDARD: Punga Grove Motor Lodge (Franz Josef)
DELUXE: Franz Josef Country Retreat, B&B basis

Day 3 - Franz Josef/Queenstown (348km)
Make your way to Queenstown where on arrival you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. Queenstown nestles in Queenstown Bay, about midway along the eastern shores of the azure blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. An unusual feature of the lake is the regular 'breathing', a 3-inch rise and fall every 15 minutes. Striking mountain peaks surround Queenstown, and although still rural in character, the town has developed into a tourist resort for all seasons. Situated more than 300 metres above sea level, it is sufficiently inland to provide a sharp contrast between the hot summer and bracing winter. The autumn colours and the Lake District are justly famous and a delight to photographers and painters. Winter brings spectacular snow scenery, ice-skating, white water rafting, parapenting and much more.
STANDARD: Mercure Resort Queenstown
DELUXE: Browns Boutique Hotel, B&B basis

Day 4 - Queenstown
Full day at your leisure to select your optional sightseeing (at your own expense): thrilling jet boat rides, vintage steamer lake cruises, visit to high country sheep stations, mountain gondola rides — the list is endless and you also have time to relax and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
STANDARD: Mercure Resort Queenstown
DELUXE: Browns Boutique Hotel, B&B basis

Day 5 - Queenstown/Te Anau (420km)
Make your way to Te Anau going via Milford Sound where time is available to enjoy a cruise on the scenic sound (at your own expense).
STANDARD: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
DELUXE: Fiordland Lodge Log Cabins, dinner and breakfast

Day 6 - Te Anau/Dunedin (290km)
Make your way to Dunedin - the "Edinburgh of the South". This afternoon in Dunedin time is available to explore — you may like to visit the Otago Peninsula - home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Penguins or historic Larnach Castle (at your own expense).
STANDARD: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
DELUXE: Larnach Lodge at Larnach Castle, B&B basis

Day 7 - Dunedin/Christchurch (360km)
Depart Dunedin and make your way to Christchurch, known as the 'most English City outside England' or the 'garden city'. The city was planned around the Canterbury Catherdral, whose 65m spire dominates almost any view of the city. Gothic in design, and like many of the city's buidings, the cathedral is built out of rough grey local stone. From the unique Summit Road there is a magnificent view of the Canterbury Plains, bounded on the west by Southern Alps and on the east by the Lyttleton Harbour and the Banks Peninsula.
STANDARD: Copthorne Durham St
DELUXE: Charlotte Jane, B&B basis

Day 8 - Christchurch
Tour ends with returning your rental car to the Christchurch City or airport depot.


8 day self drive tour - Standard from £509 or Deluxe from £837

Standard tours include accommodation in comfortable touring hotels. Deluxe tours include more intimate accommodation in lodges, country houses and small hotels offering a warm welcome and personal service. With Deluxe hotels breakfast is included.

Accommodation is subject to availability and may be changed for one of a similar standard if necessary.