South Island Self Drive Tours

Starting and finishing in the 'adventure capital' of Queenstown This comprehensive South Island itinerary visits every South Island must see location including Milford Sound, Mt Cook National Park, Christchurch and Akaroa, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park and Nelson, Hanmer Springs and the West Coast Glaciers.

Explore the National Parks and natural areas of the South Island. You begin with a whale watching adventure in Kaikoura, before heading to Abel Tasman National park for a guided kayak and walk. Then you journey down the wild West Coast to Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Westland National Park. Take a heli-hike from Franz Josef before travelling to the alpine village of Wanaka. Mt Cook National Park is next with a full day to explore and a Glacier Explorers iceberg encounter. Heading east you reach Dunedin, before heading to Te Anau and Fiordland National park. You venture deep into the pristine forests and fiords with a Milford Track guided day walk and Doubtful Sound cruise. Then it’s onto your final destination of Queenstown.  

This loop of the lower South Island follows much of the spectacular coastline where wildlife abounds.  In Dunedin you’ll enjoy a full day encounter with the unique marine life that inhabits the Otago Peninsula before heading south along the wild Catlins coastline to the deep south.  A real highlight of this tour is exploring the remote Stewart Island. As well as the iconic Milford Sound, you’ll also venture into Mt Aspiring National Park on a Dart River Jetboat Safari from Queenstown.  On the beautiful West Coast you’ll marvel at the glaciers during your on-ice adventure, before crossing the Southern Alps on board the world famous Tranz Alpine Scenic Train back to Christchurch.