11 Day South Island
$1,451*
PER PERSON
Description
With these tours we present some of our most popular and compelling self-drive itineraries. Experience the benefits of self driving but enjoy the convenience and security of us pre-booking your chosen type of accommodation and rental car. Just enjoy the travelling without having to worry about where you are going to stay.Any of our itineraries can be modified as well as adding extra days in any of the locations. If you require something completely different, please advise and we will be happy to put something together.
During your trip you can call us anytime to make amendments to your tour, book extra activity or simply ask for some advice. We will be happy to help you anytime of the day or night.
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation in 3.5 to 5 star B&Bs / motels / hotels
- Rental vehicle of your choice including airport and ferry port collection charges, unlimited kms & additional driver fees
- Rental car insurance included – Excess reduced to zero
- Comprehensive travel itinerary, maps and vouchers
- Milford Sound Day Cruise, 2hrs 30mins (2hrs Winter)
- 24/7 nationwide roadside accident assistance
- Free after hours assistance for amendments or additional bookings with you assigned consultant.
- 15% Goods and Services Tax
Other Information
Duration
- These tours depart daily. Please click on the “Prices and Dates” tab for accommodation and rental car options.
Departure
- Daily departures / 365 days of the year
- Tours can start and finish on any day of the week
- Mix, match and join individual tours together to create a tailor made itinerary
For winter rates please contact us by email.
Rates from 1st October 2014 through to 30th April. Prices are based on a per couple basis (2pax)
Plan and Book Ahead
Preplanning and pre-booking your New Zealand vacation before you depart is essential. Limited accommodation in certain areas during the high season could mean that a town’s accommodation can be booked out well in advance. Without pre-booking, you may find that the you pay a higher rate upon check-in or waste a lot of time travelling between accommodation providers trying to find a suitable option.
We know the best places and with our discounted rates you are guaranteed of receiving well chosen accommodation options at the best possible price. Pre-planning will ensure you make the most of your valuable holiday time. Acrossnz is well-versed with all areas of New Zealand and is totally experienced at arranging well planned self drive itineraries. Feel free to ask the advice of Acrossnz when planning your self drive adventure to make sure you maximize your holiday experience.
Book early: New Zealand has very limited availability in the summer months and often books out well in advance. It is recommended to book early to avoid disappointment.
Create Your Own Self Drive Holiday
Along with choosing one of our prearranged itineraries you can construct your own ‘a la carte’ holiday by booking the rental vehicle from this link and selecting your accommodation from our accommodation link. If you choose to book your accommodation through our link we will happily assist with knowledge on your accommodation choices or amendment your itinerary to ensure your holiday is just what you want.
Camper Vans & Motor Homes
Perhaps you prefer to follow one of the itineraries we have created in a Motor Home? Just book the Motor Home with us and we will be happy to provide you for the full itinerary as well as assisting you with camping ground bookings. Click here to choose some of the cheapest options in NZ.
Arrive Christchurch - Travel to Paunakiki Rocks - Travel to Franz Josef Glacier - Travel to Queenstown - Full Day Queenstown - Full Day Queenstown - Travel to Te Anau, Fiordland National Park - Te Anau to Milford Sound - Travel to Mt Cook National Park - Travel to Christchurch - Depart Christchurch
Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch – known as the most English city outside of England. Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English Oak tree, the Botanic Gardens now feature one of the finest collections of exotic and native plants found in New Zealand.
Christchurch was struck by a strong earthquake on 22/2/2011 and this has affected the city center strongly; as result, many of the tourist attractions that were so fondly enjoyed – are not available currently, however there is a lot to see and enjoy in the city, as well as seeing the ‘Old Christchurch’ and the reviving new areas. Specific details for touring the city will be given with confirmation of the tour.
Travel to Paunakiki Rocks
Christchurch to Punakaiki
Driving distance: 296 km / 184 miles
Driving: Approx 3h59m
Leaving genteel Christchurch and heading west is always an exciting journey, especially so when going via Arthur’s Pass – a beautiful and dramatic drive, this Pass effectively cuts through mountain ranges revealing incredible vistas of peaks, scree and walls of rock.
Passing outdoor adventure areas, Cave Stream, Craigieburn and Arthur’s Pass village; the route travels through the difficult Otira Gorge before joining SH6 at Kumara junction nd here you are heading 40 minutes north to the Punakaiki – these are the Pancake Rocks.
Note: You can travel this by road or by the TranzAlpine train. The itinerary pricing is based on collecting the car in Christchurch airport and crossing the Arthur’s Pass with your car. If you wish to travel by train – you will collect your car in Greymouth and the price may need to be adjusted.
Travel to Franz Josef Glacier
Punakaiki to Franz Josef
Driving distance: 224 km / 139 miles
Driving: Approx 3h14m
Following the coastline south from Punakaiki, SH6 is not only breath-takingly beautiful and utterly unique, it is also dotted with many wonders and fun opportunities. Try knife-making at Barrytown ; gold-panning at Shantytown, the restored town from the gold-rush era; and glass-blowing at Hokitika.
Okarito is known for its white herons; whilst the many lakes and beaches invite rest and reflection before arriving at the stunning Glaciers. One of the unique features of NZ glaciers is their easy access from the car park – a simple walk of 45 min to the face of the glacier.
Attractions for your choice at the glaciers are between walking TO the glacier, climbing ONTO the glacier (guided and must be pre-booked), a heli-hike ON the glacier (must be pre-booked) or a scenic flight. We would need to plan those to make sure you arrive at the glacier in time for your activity.
Travel to Queenstown
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Driving distance: 355 km / 221 miles
Driving: Approx 5h8m
Today your route heads south on the rugged and sparsely populated West Coast Road (SH6) before turning inland through the scenic and historic Haast Pass. Mount Aspiring National Park beckons, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea vie for attention and Wanaka is simply beautiful. Your visit to Queenstown is imminent: SH6 for the cautious or through the Crown Range for the adventurous.
Full Day Queenstown
An adventure playground extraordinaire, Queenstown is both beautiful and bountiful: even the mountain range framing the town is called “The Remarkables”. Add to this Lake Wakatipu and lush forestation, its no wonder Hollywood film-makers frequently visit. Home to the first commercial bungy jumping enterprise, Queenstown is known for its many adrenaline-filled activities. Nearby Skipper’s Canyon and Arthur’s point commemorate the discovery of gold in the area.
A stunningly beautiful and compact town, walking around Queenstown from eatery to entertainment, from parties to performances is all too easy – and being the unofficial adrenaline capital of New Zealand, you might want to pace out your days! Mountain skiing is immensely popular at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone; with cross country skiing at the Waiorau Snow Farm (near Cardrona). Other adventure possibilities include jet boating, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping, paragliding, canyon-swinging, sky diving, river surfing and fly fishing!
If a calmer pace suits you, Queenstown has a great shopping and commercial scene and there is an equally vibrant night-life. Take in Queenstown’s incredible scenery over a leisurely lunch and a locally produced Pinot noir from, apparently, the world’s southernmost wine region! Bars are a-plenty, whilst there is a constant buzz of street (and indoor) entertainment and live music.
Queenstown is home to the coal fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw; hosts an annual International Jazz Festival and a Winter Festival and also makes a great base for exploring the inland lakes (Lake Hawea, Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka).
Full Day Queenstown
Free day to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Today you might like to take a leisurely ride on the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak. From the top you can take in the views of Queenstown while lunching at the restuarant or if you are feeling adventurous ride the Luge run, guaranteed to remind you what its like to take life by the horns and ride it!
You could also take a day trip out on the lake or go for a walk on some of the many tracks nearby. If you’re the adventuruous type you are spolit for choice of all the activities on offer. Grab a brochure and make your picks according to how game you are.
There’s so much to do and see we advise you get your camera out, and snap away to your hearts content some of the gorgeous scenery, people and happenings, Then you can keep the memories of your trip to Queenstown alive forever.
Travel to Te Anau, Fiordland National Park
Queenstown to Te Anau
Driving distance: 174 km / 108 miles
Driving: Approx 2h32m
Te Anau – the gateway to the Fiordland National Park – the largest N.P in NZ at the very south of the island. Enjoy a hike in the area (we will recommend based on your interests and fitness level) and you may wish to visit the glowworm caves in the evening (guided, to be pre-booked).
Te Anau to Milford Sound
Te Anau to Milford Sound
Driving distance: 116 km / 72 miles
Driving: Approx 1h41m
They say that life is about the journey not just the destination and where better to reflect upon this than on the magnificent Milford Road? One of New Zealand’s stunning scenic highways, the beauty of this route is utterly breath-taking and sure to wet your appetite for the unforgettable experience of visiting the Milford Sound. Departing Te-Anau and its glorious lake, the route takes you inland through beech forests and expansive flats before opening up to mountain vistas. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park.
Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. Mirror Lakes provide a great resting spot and at Knobs Flat there is a small shelter with an information board and toilet facilities. The route climbs steadily towards ‘The Divide’, travels through the Homer Tunnel and leads you into the Cleddau Canyon ripe and ready for the Milford Sound experience – an amazing 22km-ling fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. A cruise on Milford Sound will be an essential component of your day, or you can get up close and personal in a sea kayak. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you’ll remember.
The underwater observatory is an option with most cruises.Of note is that the Milford Road has no fuel stops/petrol stations and in places can be narrow and winding.
We highly recommend to purchase the NZ$1 map of the Milford Road (from Te Anau info centre) for specific roads notes of the magnificent rivers, observation points, water falls and picnic areas to follow. Even though the road is 120KM – DO allow yourself 4 hrs for the drive there.
Activities
Milford Sound Nature Day Cruise
Travel to Mt Cook National Park
Te Anau to Mt Cook Village
Driving distance: 422 km / 262 miles
Driving: Approx 6h8m
Today holds a long drive, back from Te Anau via Queenstown and Cromwell to Mount Cook. Lake Pukaki is outstanding with its turquiose colors – result of melting minerals from the glaciers.
On arrival at the valley enjoy the vistas of the rising peaks, some are snowy; with the highest peak being Mount Cook – 3770 meters.
Enjoy a hike in the park, you could take a glacial lake cruise or a scenic hike; in the evening enjoy the silence of this remote and isolated valley as well as an amazing star gazing opportunity in the world’s first World Hritage Park for its sky (on clear nights).
Travel to Christchurch
Mt Cook Village to Christchurch
Driving distance: 332 km / 206 miles
Driving: Approx 4h50m
This morning you will have time to explore the park further before heading to Christchurch, via lake Tekapo and the McKenzie Country.
This is your last night in this tour.
Depart Christchurch
Return your vehicle at the airport. We will advise of the time according to your flight – domestic of international.
Have a safe trip back home.
| Vehicle | Quality Hotels | Bed & Breakfast | Superior Hotels | Exclusive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy |
NZ $2,903.00 | NZ $4,003.00 | NZ $3,703.00 | NZ $5,703.00 |
| Compact |
NZ $2,936.00 | NZ $4,036.00 | NZ $3,736.00 | NZ $5,736.00 |
| Intermediate |
NZ $3,068.00 | NZ $4,168.00 | NZ $3,868.00 | NZ $5,868.00 |
| Full Size |
NZ $3,112.00 | NZ $4,212.00 | NZ $3,912.00 | NZ $5,912.00 |
| Permium Wagon AWD |
NZ $3,255.00 | NZ $4,355.00 | NZ $4,055.00 | NZ $6,055.00 |
| Intermediate 4WD |
NZ $3,233.00 | NZ $4,333.00 | NZ $4,033.00 | NZ $6,033.00 |
| Full Size 4WD |
NZ $3,541.00 | NZ $4,641.00 | NZ $4,341.00 | NZ $6,341.00 |
| 8 Seater People Mover |
NZ $3,431.00 | NZ $4,531.00 | NZ $4,231.00 | NZ $6,231.00 |
| 12 Seater Van |
NZ $3,563.00 | NZ $4,663.00 | NZ $4,363.00 | NZ $6,363.00 |
Pricing Details
Pricing is per couple and is based on two adults per room. Option of Double Room (1 bed) or Twin Room (2 beds)
Chlidren Costs - Children under 5 travel for free (max 2 ) Children aged 5-14 at time of travel are an added extra (max 2)
For different rooming configurations (eg triple share or special needs) please contact us. For single travellers or larger groups vacationing together please contact us for a customized quation to ensure you receive the best price
Price includes 10 nights accommodation; 9 days rental vehicle of choice; All Inclusive rate hire including unlimited kilometres, loss damage waiver (LDW, provides Accident Damages Cover which is subject to excesses that can be reduced); airport concession fee recovery; ferry terminal fee recovery; accident excess reduction insurance; local sales tax (GST)
Price excludes flights to New Zealand and airport taxes
Prices are in New Zealand dollars and include 15% GST (local sales tax) Click here for an online currency converter to convert prices to your own currency (approximate only)
All prices are based on travel between October 1st through to March 31st. For prices outside these dates, please contact us directly
