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South Island Discovery Road Trip

This 14 day tour starts in Christchurch and finishes in Christchurch.

Your 14-day South Island discovery road trip in Ōtautahi / Christchurch allows a relaxed start before you collect your car and travel to Aoraki-Mount Cook for an evening of spectacular stargazing and a gourmet buffet. Next, explore the magnificent glaciers before heading south to Ōtepoti / Dunedin's Otago Peninsula for an unforgettable penguin encounter. The journey continues to Patea-Doubtful Sound for a serene overnight adventure, followed by the vibrancy of Tāhuna / Queenstown, including a heritage cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. The West Coast offers a thrilling helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, culminating in a magnificent scenic rail journey aboard the TranzAlpine train from Māwhera / Greymouth.

Accommodation type on this tour is: Hotel 4 star.

This tour also features:

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Private Transfer Christchurch International Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

Included activity: TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner

Included activity: Twin Glacier Scenic Helicopter Flight with The Helicopter Line

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch Scenic Plus with Great Journeys NZ

Included activity: Shared Transfer from Christchurch Train Station to Christchurch CBD Accommodation with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: The Alpine Restaurant Buffet Dinner

Included activity: Big Sky Stargazing

Included activity: Glacier Explorers

Included activity: The Panorama Room 3-course Dinner with The Hermitage Hotel

Included activity: Castle to Cruise Tour and Penguin Experience with Monarch

Included activity: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, Aboard the Navigator with Real NZ

13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners, 1 special dinner

Itinerary summary for: South Island Discovery Road Trip

Day 1: Welcome to Ōtautahi / Christchurch
Accommodation: Fable Christchurch

Day 2: Explore the ever-changing city of Ōtautahi / Christchurch
Accommodation: Fable Christchurch

Day 3: Collect your rental car this morning, then enjoy a scenic drive through Canterbury and the Mackenzie Country to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 4: Explore the Tasman Glacier and enjoy some of the short walks in the National Park
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing Premium

Day 5: Leave the mountains for the coast and the Scottish influenced city of Ōtepoti / Dunedin
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Day 6: Get up close to the wildlife and history of the Otago Peninsula
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Day 7: Drive through Southland to Te Anau, the gateway to Te Rua-o-te-Moko / Fiordland
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

Day 8: Experience the majestic beauty of remote Patea / Doubtful Sound on an overnight cruise
Accommodation: Fiordland Navigator Overnight Boat in Doubtful Sound

Day 9: From Fiordland head north to Tāhuna / Queenstown, the adventure capital of Aotearoa / New Zealand
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 10: Free day to explore all that Queenstown has to offer
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Day 11: Take the spectacular road to Franz Josef, allow plenty of time for photo stops
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 12: Enjoy the immense views of glaciers, Tasman Sea and lush forest from your scenic flight
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 13: Head north to Greymouth, where you board the TranzAlpine back to Christchurch
Accommodation: Fable Christchurch

Day 14: Explore more of Christchurch before departing for home