This very popular tour covers much of the South Island of New Zealand including the fabulous Southern Alps. Without a doubt you'll be driving along the best of New Zealand's roads during this real 'Southern Kiwi experience'.
Visit all the awesome 'hot spots' along the way - Queenstown for bungy and jet-boating, the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin, Highlands Motorsport Park, Milford Sound, Punakaiki Blow-holes, and the Hanmer Thermal Hot Springs.
Immerse yourself in Nature's wonders - parrots, seals, dolphins, whales, albatross, rainforests, glaciers, the worlds best unspoilt natural scenic beauty is here in the South Island of New Zealand.
And no-one offers all of this and the time to enjoy and savour each location more than NZ Sports Car Tours!
Driving times:4-5 hours daily + breaks
Distance:3000 kms (1500 miles) approximately, option to do more on 'Rest or Drive' days
Rest or Drive:Queenstown, Te Anau (Milford)
Driver Competence:Suitable for all competent drivers
Route Grade:100% asphalt, mountain pass switchbacks with twists and tight hair-pins
Support Vehicle Info:Route-loaded GPS, Personalised Handbook/Itinerary, 24 hour on-call service
All prices are in New Zealand Dollars. Price shown includes sports car hire. Click on the prices to convert the prices into a currency of your choice. The default is NZD to USD but you can choose any currency you like on the conversion tool.
Day 1
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (270km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Enjoy fabulous care-free driving across the sheep-filled plains and over the mountain pass towards Mount Cook National Park. Check out quaint country villages and local craft galleries along the way. At Lake Tekapo there's the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, hot springs, big skies for stargazing. Overnight Lake Tekapo
Day 2
Lake Tekapo to Oamaru (210km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Pure enjoyment is driving along-side pristine lakes from Mount Cook National Park
today then there’s the awesome sweeps and bends on traffic-free roads that take
you through Mackenzie sheep country, along-side hydro-lakes and dams, through
limestone hills all the way to pretty Oamaru, where we have some special secrets in store for you! Overnight Oamaru
Overnight Oamaru
Day 3
Oamaru to Dunedin (176km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Drive superb back roads today through ancient limestone landscapes that lead you to
the Pacific Ocean where you can explore the beach with its 65 million year old
boulders. From here it’s a leisurely drive to Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula.,
home to the Royal Albatross, penguin and other sea creatures. Overnight Dunedin
Day 4
Dunedin to Invercargill (244km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
The Southern Scenic Route skirts white sand beaches of the deserted Catlins Coastline for mile upon mile. Discover 'quirky' Kiwi cafes, caves and waterfalls along the way. Then it’s time for a photo-shoot and fresh oysters at Bluff, NZ’s most southerly point. Overnight Invercargill
Day 5
Invercargill to Fiordland National Park (191km, 2-3hrs + breaks)
We've allowed time this morning to either check out some of Invercargill's awesome transport museums before setting off, or to enjoy beautiful Lake Te Anau. Enjoy more traffic free roads all the way to Lake Te Anau, your gateway to the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park. Overnight Te Anau
Day 6
Milford Magic (121km. 2hrs each way + breaks)
Combine one of the world’s finest highways with vistas of unsurpassed scenic beauty, and you have the Milford Road. Golden grasslands and mirror lakes give way to rainforest, majestic waterfalls, raging rivers, and mile-high mountains. Emerge from a dark tunnel into another forgotten world and descend down deep into the valley, until in front of you stands the iconic Mitre Peak towering 1692 metres from the sea floor. Take one of the awesome boat cruises on Milford Sound, then do it all over again! Overnight Te Anau
Day 7
Fiordland to Queenstown Region (213km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
This glorious five star drive snakes its way between Lake Wakatipu and the world’s most photographed ‘Remarkables’ mountain range. You’ll soon find yourself in The Lord of the Rings country, where there’s time for bungy jumping, wine tasting, jet-boating and panning for gold, before arriving into the ‘Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere’! Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 8
Queenstown Region 'Rest or Ride'
Known as the Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown provides the perfect opportunity to do all those once-in-a-lifetime activities - a magical steam-boat-cruise across Lake Wakatipu to an isolated working sheep-farm, a gondola ride to the mountain top, white-water rafting, and the legendary lake-side drive to Lord of the Rings 'Paradise' - to name just a few!
Overnight Queenstown Region
Day 9
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Village (351km, 5hrs + breaks)
Today you’ll be driving over the highest tar-sealed road in New Zealand, then through mountain passes and lush rainforest. You’ll experience beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterfalls on your way to the Tasman Sea, not to mention the legendary Haast Pass and Mt. Aspiring National Park. At Franz Josef village there’s time to visit the glaciers, hunt for glow-worms, or soak away your aches in hot pools surrounded by rain forest.
Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village
Day 10
Franz Josef Glacier to Punakaiki (217km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Driving through Jurassic rainforest and alongside the dramatic rugged coastline of the Tasman Sea is just a dream, with gorgeous views of glacier topped mountains ahead. Check out local arts and craft displays and explore the rugged coastal driftwood beaches. Then drive the magnificent coast-line and into the next national park to see amazing rock formations, blowholes and native flightless birds that forage amongst the bush-lined pathways. Overnight Punakaiki
Day 11
Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs Village (259km, 5-6hrs + breaks)
Starting with a magical coastal drive, meander your way over the fabulous mountain pass renowned for its fabulous twists, turns and bends. Stop for lunch in the middle of the alps and have a soak in open-air thermal hot pools before continuing your journey to the pretty and vibrant village of Hanmer Springs with its Thermal Pools & Spa where you can have a soak or a swim, (or massage booked in advance) Overnight Hanmer Springs Village
Day 12
Hanmer Springs Village to Christchurch (128 kms, 2 hrs + breaks)
Empty ribbon-roads follow the river from the Alps down to the tranquil Canterbury Plains via interesting limestone rock formations. On the way stop for lunch among the vineyards of the Waipara Hills and try some of our award-winning wines.
12 Day South Island GPS Tour |
Day |
Route |
1 |
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo |
2 |
Lake Tekapo to Oamaru (with Mount Cook Village option) |
3 |
Oamaru to Dunedin |
4 |
Dunedin to Invercargill |
5 |
Invercargill to Te Anau (2 nights) |
6 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau |
7 |
Te Anau to Queenstown (2 nights) |
8 |
Queenstown Rest or Drive |
9 |
Queenstown to Glacier Country, West Coast |
10 |
Glacier Country to Punakaiki, West Coast |
11 |
Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs |
12 |
Hanmer Springs to Christchurch |
Tour Highlights:-
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
- Aoraki Mount Cook - the 'Cloud Piercer'
- Moeraki Boulders
- The Catlins
- Magical Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
- Queenstown - Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere
- Drive New Zealand's highest sealed road
- Haast Pass, Mount Aspiring National Park
- The West Coast Rainforests & Glaciers
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
- The amazing Buller Gorge
- Lewis Pass
Recommended extra activities:-
Here's a guide about some extra activities that we can incorporate seamlessly into your Trip. There's no booking fee, the retail rate is simply added to your personal account, and in the unlikely event the operator cancels you will be refunded in full. Your friendly Tour Planner will send you further information about each activity to help you decide.
- Dark Sky Experience, Tekapo
- Penguin Tours, Oamaru and Dunedin
- Albatross, Castle & Brewery Tours, Dunedin
- Bill Richardson Transport World, Invercargill
- Glow-worm Caves & Milford Sound Boat Cruise (highly recommended)
- Highlands Motorsport Park, Jet-boat rides, boat cruises, wine tours, bungy, rafting, skydiving, bungy swing, (Queenstown)
- Glacier Helicopter Rides, Franz Josef
- Westcoast Wildlife Centre, Franz Josef
- Thermal Hot Springs, Hanmer
What's included in your 12 Day South Island GPS Tour?
Easy Rider (Motor-lodge no breakfast) |
- 12 Days Vehicle Hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief, emailed before arrival
- Tour Pack with Full Colour Itinerary Booklet
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
|
Kiwi Classic (Bed & Breakfast) |
- 12 Days Vehicle Hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 x Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief, emailed before arrival
- Tour Pack with Full Itinerary Handbook
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
|
Supreme (Hotel Full Breakfast) |
- 12 Days Vehicle Hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 x Full Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief emailed before arrival
- Tour Pack with Full itinerary Handbook
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers to/from Christchurch Base
|
Platinum (Hosted Luxury Lodge Full Breakfast Full Dinner) |
- 24/7 Personal Care Service
- 12 Days Vehicle Hire
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- 12 Full Breakfasts
- 12 Evening Dinners
- Side and top luggage
- Personalised Brief
- Tour Pack with Full Colour Itinerary Booklet
- New Zealand maps
- Route loaded GPS
- Activity booking service
- 24/7 Roadside Assist
- Full insurance
- Government tax
- Luggage Storage facility
- Transfers between Christchurch hotel and Base
- Transfers between Christchurch airport and Christchurch hotel
|
Not included:- Flights, travel insurance, drinks (except where indicated in lodgings inclusions) , fuel, activities (unless stated), room service, hotel incidentals (unless stated)