
This fabulous GPS Tour is designed for real sports car enthusiasts, as you'll be driving over multiple Southern Alps mountain passes. With your GPS guiding you via all the best roads to all the best attractions along the way, simply relax and enjoy the drive. At the Abel Tasman National Park there's a two night stop-over to relax and get back to nature, go kayaking, sun-bathe on the golden beaches, hike some of the Abel Tasman Walkway, or drive 'over the hill' to beautiful Golden Bay and Cape Farewell.
You'll be able to get up close to unsurpassed stunning scenery without having to use any unsealed roads. Burkes, the Catlins, Milford Highway, Crown Range, Haast, the wild West Coast, Arthurs, the Lewis, and the mighty Buller Gorge, a great driving experience throughout the South is all here waiting for you.
Hundreds of twists and bends snake around the Marlborough Sounds and through pretty vineyards until the Pacific Coast Highway, home to our mighty whales, comes into view and shows you the way back home.
Driving times:4-5 hours driving time
Distance:4000 kms approximately, option to do more on 'Rest or Drive' days
Rest or Drive:Abel Tasman National Park
Driver Competence:Safe for all competent drivers
Route Grade:100% asphalt, mountain pass switchbacks with twists and tight bends
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)
Start the day with a very pleasant drive across the plains with the glorious Southern Alps in your sights. It won't be long before you're driving over the mountain pass and down to the beautiful southern lakes of Mackenzie Country towards Mount Cook National Park. Along the way check out the local provisions of country villages and at beautiful Lake Tekapo the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd as well as hot pools and Mount John for some star-gazing. Overnight Lake Tekapo
Day 2
Tekapo to Dunedin (410km, 5-6 hrs + breaks)
Snake your way from alps to ocean beside pristine lakes and over lush rolling hills.. Get up close to mighty Mount Cook before following the hydro-lakes eastwards to the Pacific Ocean. Stretch your legs at a cute edwardian town and then check out massive ancient beach boulders before arriving at Dunedin with its grand architecture, Scottish and Maori heritage, and amazing wildlife peninsula. Overnight Dunedin
Day 3
Dunedin to Invercargill (278km, 4-5 hrs+ breaks)
Soak up the atmosphere of the beautiful and isolated Catlins Coast with its white-sand beaches, fossilized beach forest and other secret locations that we'll show you along the way. Before settling in at Invercargill why not drive to Bluff, New Zealand's most southerly point, for that special photo! Overnight Invercargill
Day 4
Invercargill to Fiordland National Park (191km, 3-4 hrs + breaks)
We've allowed time this morning to check out Invercargill and it's amazing transport museums, or you may prefer to just spend more time at your destination today, beautiful Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park setting the scene. The traffic-free drive to get here is interesting with a mix of wind-swept marshlands, coastal bluffs, and forests interspersed with neat little cafes and tiny villages. Overnight Te Anau
Day 5
Milford Magic (250km, 4hrs + breaks)
Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, drive the magical Milford Highway today to Milford Sound. Golden grasslands and mirror lakes give way to rainforest, majestic waterfalls, raging rivers, and mile-high mountains. Emerge from a dark tunnel into a forgotten world and descend down deep into the valley, until in front of you stands iconic Mitre Peak towering 1692 meters from the sea floor. Let us book you a highly recommend boat trip before your blast back to Te Anau. Overnight Te Anau
Day 6
Fiordland to Queenstown Region (213km, 3-4hrs +breaks)
This glorious five star drive snakes its way between New Zealand's longest lake and the world-famous ‘Remarkables' mountain range. This afternoon take an old steamboat to an isolated working sheep-farm, or a cable car up the mountain. Go bungy jumping, wine-tasting, or just more fabulous driving in magical Lord of the Rings country. Overnight Queenstown
Day 7
Explore Queenstown
So much to see and do today and the choice is yours! Take the legendary lake-side drive to Paradise! Go bungy jumping, jet-boating, wine-tasting, four-wheel driving or cruise the lake on a steamboat to a remote sheep station for a fabulous gourmet buffet at the Homestead. Overnight Queenstown
Day 8
Queenstown to Franz Josef - (385 km, 4-5hrs + breaks)
Unsurpassed driving today via empty ribbon roads over NZ's highest sealed road and around the lakes to Mount Aspiring National Park and through the legendary Haast Pass. Lake vistas give way to lush rainforest, rushing rivers and the rugged Tasman Sea driftwood beaches. Look up to discover huge waterfalls and the famous Glaciers that uniquely terminate so close to the sea. If you're interested in hiking or heli-hiking ask your Tour Planner about a 2 night stopover here. Overnight Franz Josef Glacier Village
Day 9
Franz Josef to Hanmer Springs 488km, 6hrs + breaks)
Take a blast along the rugged west coast, checking out the local arts and crafts along the way. Then head inland on yet another legendary sprint over the alps. Mountains give way to vineyards and pretty limestone rolling hills to the alpine thermal spa town of pretty Hanmer Springs. Take a well-earned soak in the therapeutic open-air hot pools surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Overnight Hanmer Springs Village
Day 10
Hanmer Springs Village to Punakaiki (252km, 3-4hrs + breaks)
Yet another legendary mountain pass today as you head over the alps back to the wild West Coast. Isolated and stunningly beautiful, this is the real New Zealand, with huge ferns and unique palms. Stop to explore the amazing Pancake Rocks and blow-holes of Paparoa National Park. Overnight Punakaiki/Paparoa National Park
Day 11
Punakaiki to Abel Tasman National Park (256km, 4-5hrs + breaks)
Sports Car heaven is on the agenda all day today. A heavenly coastal driving blends into the curves of the mighty river that twists and bends through narrow gorges. Here's your chance to walk or zip line across New Zealand's longest Swing Bridge! A superb valley highway snakes it's way northwards towards to the Abel Tasman National Park, with its golden sand beaches. Overnight Abel Tasman National Park
Day 12
Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Kayak to a deserted golden-sand beach and spend the day in the sun. Hike the Abel Tasman walkway or drive to Golden Bay and the Cape. Soak up the arts and crafts culture and visit an awesome transport museum - the choice is all yours!
Overnight Abel Tasman National Park
Day 13
Abel Tasman to Kaikoura (243km, 4+5hrs + breaks)
Our back-road route weaves between giant ferns and around narrow and twisting roads to glimpse the turquoise bays of Marlborough Sounds. As you leave the famous vineyards behind, enjoy the Pacific Coastal route south where mountain meets the ocean. Taste our famous green lipped mussels, award-winning Sauvignon Blanc and succulent Crayfish, discover our sea-life, whales, albatross, dolphin, seals, and embrace our Maori culture. Overnight Kaikoura
Day 14
Kaikoura to Christchurch (175km, 2-3hrs)
Look out for seals basking in the sun on the rocks as you head south on a spectacular drive along-side the Pacific Ocean. Then head inland and enjoy the twists and turns as you head up and over the Ranges and beside wide-braided rivers. Finally come back down to earth as rolling hills bursting with sheep, cattle and deer turn into tranquil vineyards dotted with winery cafes. This is the perfect time to try an award-winning sauvignon blanc with an al-fresco lunch before the final sprint into Christchurch City.
14 Day Scenic Sensation GPS Tour |
Day |
Route |
1 |
Christchurch to Tekapo/Mount Cook |
2 |
Tekapo/Mount Cook to Dunedin |
3 |
Dunedin to Invercargill |
4 |
Invercargill to Te Anau |
5 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau |
6 |
Te Anau to Queenstown Region |
7 |
Explore Queenstown! |
8 |
Queenstown to Haast |
9 |
Haast to Franz Josef Glacier Village |
10 |
Franz Josef Glacier to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks |
11 |
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks to Abel Tasman Nat. Park (2 nights) |
12 |
Explore Abel Tasman National Park |
13 |
Abel Tasman to Kaikoura |
14 |
Kaikoura to Christchurch |
Tour Highlights:-
- Christchurch, Garden City
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
- Aoraki Mount Cook - the 'Cloud Piercer'
- The Catlins
- Magical Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
- Queenstown - Adventure Capital of the Southern Hemisphere
- Lake Wanaka
- Haast Pass, Mount Aspiring National Park
- West Coast Rainforest, Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Marlborough Sounds & Vineyards
- Pacific Ocean
Recommended extra activities:-
Here's a guide about some extra activities that SPMT can incorporate seamlessly into your Trip. There's no booking fee, the retail rate is simply added to your SPMT 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 Tour, Dunedin
- Royal Albatross Sanctuary, Dunedin
- Larnach Castle, Dunedin
- Bill Richardsons Transport World, Invercargill
- Glow-worm Caves, Te anau
- Milford Sound Boat Cruise (highly recommended)
- Jet-boat ride, Queenstown
- Bunjy Queenstown
- Glacier Helicopter Ride, Franz Josef
- Whale-watch Kaikoura
The following is included in the Tour Price:-
Easy Driver (Motor-lodge no breakfast) |
- 14 Days Vehicle Hire
- 14 Nights Accommodation
- Side and top luggage
- Tour Pack with Full Itinerary
- 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) |
- 14 Days Vehicle Hire
- 14 Nights Accommodation
- 14 Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Tour Pack with Full Itinerary
- 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) |
- 14 Days Vehicle Hire
- 14 Nights Accommodation
- 14 Breakfasts
- Side and top luggage
- Tour Pack
- 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 |
- 14 Days Vehicle Hire
- 14 Nights Accommodation
- 14 Full Breakfasts
- 14 Evening Dinners
- Side and top luggage
- 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)