9 Day South Island Self Drive Tour: Lakes & Glaciers
price from
NZ$ 2553
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island 
Self Drive Tour 
9 days 
Christchurch 
Christchurch 9 Day New Zealand South Island Self-Drive Tour | Glaciers, Alpine Lakes & Scenic Landscapes | Christchurch Return
We’re delighted to present your carefully crafted 9-day self-drive journey through New Zealand’s South Island, where nature reveals its most spectacular side.
This self-drive tour invites you to discover a land of breathtaking contrasts. Experience the pristine shores of turquoise glacier-fed lakes and the mighty rivers of ancient ice cascading down alpine valleys. Traverse the wild West Coast, where lush rainforests meet dramatic seascapes. Explore the adventure playground of Queenstown, nestled beneath majestic snow-capped peaks.
Your itinerary balances the freedom to explore at your own pace with thoughtfully included experiences. These experiences showcase the region’s highlights. Visit the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch and enjoy a scenic cruise aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship. Take a gondola ride offering panoramic views above Queenstown. We’ve woven together moments that will create lasting memories.
This is more than just a 9 Day South Island Self-Drive Tour. It’s an invitation to slow down, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and immerse yourself in the gentle rhythms of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes. Stand before the awe-inspiring Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Gaze at the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki. Watch the sunset paint Aoraki Mt Cook in golden hues. Each day promises new wonders.
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Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Rental Car
Tour Departures
- Daily
Airport Transfers
- N/A
Pricing
-
Prices starts from NZ$2,553 per person, twin share, Daily Departures
The price is customized based on final hotel choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences. If you require modifications to the itinerary as well as travel arrangements, please also advise.
Meals
- 8 x Breakfast
- 1 x Lunch
Accommodation
- First Class Hotels
- Superior Hotels
- Standard Hotels
Cities/Regions Visited
-
CHRISTCHURCH – MT COOK – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – GLACIER REGION
Group Size
- no minimum number
Tour Code
- GTNZ13
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
Itinerary
Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and drive yourself to your accommodation.
Christchurch, nestled between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps, is a vibrant and ever-changing city. Its inner-city parks and gardens are delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Today or tomorrow, enjoy admission to the International Antarctic Centre for an icy insight into this astounding continent.
Overnight: Christchurch
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
- Antarctic Centre
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Christchurch Tram Dinner
Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast. New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. Overnight: Glacier Region
Christchurch – Glacier Region: 280-340km (approx 3.5-5hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES
- Zipline and Walk Combo
A temperate climate at a low altitude makes Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millenia and here, the ice age is still underway. Today is a free day to add your preferred activity. Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or, for an absolute bucket list experience, add a scenic flight with a glacier landing and a thrilling hike to your itinerary. Overnight: Glacier Region
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
- Kayak & Walk Tour
Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls, and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown. We recommend stopping for a break, and stretching the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools before continuing to Wanaka and Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown
Glacier Region – Queenstown: 350km (approx 4hrs, 45mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Puzzling World
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.
Make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun.
Then head down to the waterfront to board the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm. Here you will enjoy a gourmet BBQ lunch before your cruise back to Queenstown Central. Overnight: Queenstown
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
- Skyline Gondola Ride
- Walter Peak BBQ Lunch by Vintage Steamship
Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities on offer. Overnight: Queenstown
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Skippers Canyon Scenic Jet Boat Tour
- Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool
Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains, and turquoise lakes. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Overnight: Tekapo or Mt Cook
Queenstown – Tekapo/Mt Cook: 256-266km (approx 3hrs,15mins)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Glacier Explorer
- Ultimate Alpine Experience Combo – Heli & Ski Plane 45mins
Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch.
Tekapo/Mt Cook – Christchurch: 230-330km (approx 3-4hrs)
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Dark Sky Experience
- Tekapo Springs Hot Pools
Arrangements conclude today with the return of your rental car to Christchurch Airport.
Inclusions & Highlights
- 8 Day Rental Car Hire with zero or reduced excess liability
- 8 Nights Accommodation
- International Antarctic Centre
- Skyline Gondola Ride
- Scenic Lake Cruise & Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch
Tour Departure Dates
Daily departures
Accommodation
- Standard Accommodation
Standard accommodation offers the comfort and convenience of a quality 3-star tourist hotel. These hotels provide excellent value for money and typically include a licensed restaurant and bar, ensuring a pleasant stay. - Superior Accommodation
Superior accommodation falls within the 3½ to 4-star category, offering enhanced comfort and amenities. These hotels are often centrally located and feature a wide range of services and facilities, making them an excellent choice for discerning travelers. - First-Class Accommodation
First-class accommodation represents the pinnacle of comfort, with hotels in central city or resort locations rated 4 to 4½ stars. These properties boast outstanding facilities, including on-site bars, restaurants, swimming pools, spa baths, and fully equipped gymnasiums, delivering a premium experience. - Please refer to our comprehensive guide here for more details on specific accommodations.
Included activities
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