Self Drive Tours 12 Day - South Island - Hide Away Tour
Today's Price $2,451NZD
Brief Description
Price listed is per person on a 2 Adult basis. . This trip ventures to some great off the beaten track locations and offers some get away form it all time to enjoy nature at its best. This trip is also available in reverse and can either be scaled up or down in budget according to what kind of accommodation and activities options you would like. Please discuss this with your adventurenewzealand.com consultant.
Please enquire about single and additional person rates.
Day to Day Locations
Day 1. Christchurch Day 2. Barry Town Day 3. Franz Josef Day 4. Franz Josef Day 5. Wanaka Day 6. Wanaka Day 7. Wanaka Day 8. Te Anau Day 9. Milford Day 10. Te Anau Day 11. Lake Tekapo Day 12. Christchurch
Tour Highlights Include
Tranz Alpine Train Journey (voted in the top 6 Train Journeys on the Planet) - Private Beach front villa with panoramic ocean views - Punakaiki Pancake rocks and Blow Holes - Franz Josef Glacier - Two nights accommodation at Franz Josef Glacier Homestead - The Haast Mountain Pass - Southern Lake districts of Wanaka and Te Anau. - Milford Sound including an overnight cruise aboard the "Milford Mariner" - Lake Tekapo with views to Mt Cook (New Zealand's highest mountain).
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch (drive time = 25 min, depending on traffic)
Arrive today in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Transfer from the Airport to your centrally located Accommodation. Christchurch (the Garden City) is New Zealand's second largest city. Spend the remainder of your day recovering from your flight or check out some of the many sights, shopping and activities that Christchurch has to offer.
Accommodation: Eliza's Manor or Similar
Day 2: Christchurch - Barry Town (4 and Half Hours Scenic Train Journey and Half Hour Drive)
Today take the world famous TranzAlpine Train Journey to Greymouth. Upon your arrival you will be met by a representative for transfer to your rental car. There are many close nature walks including caving and the famous Punakaiki Pancake rocks and Blow Holes. Arive at your accommdation for a night of seclusion at your own beach hide away. Take in the sea breeze and ocean views from your own private deck or relax in the out door Hot Tub.
Accommodation : Beach Hide Away or Similar
Day 3: Barrytown - Franz Joseph 2.5 Hours
Awake to the song of native birds and roar of the ocean surf. Spend the day at your own leisure exploring the local area and the west Coast. Venture down the West Coast in the direction of Franz Josef Glacier. Points of interest include Paparoa National Park, Punakaiki, Tai Poutini National Park and the Glacier's. Hokitika is a popular stop off point for locally made jewery and is famous for its Pounamu (greenstone) treasures.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat or Similar
Day 4: Franz Joseph
Few sights equal the grandeur of Franz Josef Glaciers as it grinds down through temperate rainforest to just 250 meters above sea level. This is the only place outside of Argentina where this occurs. Take a guided glacier hike to an
enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks and cravases (suitable for most agile people). The remainder for the day is free for you to discover Franz Josef at your leisure.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat or Similar
Day 5: Franz Joseph - Wanaka 4 hours
Today's drive to Wanaka is simply spectacular. Drive and stop off at Glaciers, Lakes, along coastlines and over The Haast Mountain Pass through temperate rainforests with raging waterfalls. Pass through Glacial eroded valleys to arrive in the southern Lakes districts. The drive to Wanaka will no doubt be one of your travel highlights.
Accommodation: Mountain Range Lodge or Similar
Day 6: Wanaka
Today is free for you to explore Wanaka as you wish. Either sit back and enjoy the peace and serenity Wanaka has to offer. Or indulge in some of the many activites that Wanaka has to offer. Lake Wanaka has a stunning backdrop of Southern Alps and Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park. Seasonal Skiing in Wanaka offers some of the best snow and terain accessable in New Zealand, while in summer the Lake and mountains are and adventure playground that dreams are made of.
Accommodation: Mountain Range Lodge or Similar
Day 7: Wanaka
Today is free for you to explore Wanaka as you wish. Please ask your consultant if you would like more options here.
Accommodation: Mountain Range Lodge or Similar
Day 8: Wanaka - Te Anau 3.5 hours
Today venture from Wanaka to Te Anau. There are two ways to take this journey, through the Cardrona Valley with its great stop off points such as the Cardrona and Snow Park Ski Fields, Monster Mountain Rally or Cardrona Pub. Alternatively travel past Lake Dunstan and through Cromwell with its quaint local produce stores. Historic Arrowtown is another great stop off point in a town that is famous for its gold baring days. The Chinese Gold mining village in Arrowtown is well worth a visit.
Accommodation: Birchwood Cottages or Similar
Day 9: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Overnight cruise 1.5 hours
Milford Sound is without a doubt one of the most Heavenly places on the face of the Earth and often referred to as the eighth wonder of the World. The drive to get to Milford Sound is simply stunning and well worth the distance. Travel through glacier carved country into the Homer Tunnel coming through to a certain paradise on the other side. Climb aboard the "Milford Mariner" for your overnight cruise.
Accommodation: Milford Mariner - Dinner and Breakfast included
Day 10: Milford Sound - Te Anau 1.5 hours
Upon your arrival back on land this Morning travel to Te Anau where you have a host of activities available this afternoon. Suggested activities include the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves tour.
Accommodation: Birchwood Cottages or Similar
Day 11: Te Anau - Lake Tekapo 6 hours
Depart Te Anau and head in the direction of Lake Tekapo. Again this is an unforgettable road trip that will take you through landscapes heavily featured in Lord of the Rings. Lake Tekapo is a special place with the glacial run off from the Southern Alps giving the Lake its surreal Turquoise color. Tekapo offer amazing views of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake and boasts some of the clearest sky's on the planet. Tekapo is world renowned for it's Star watching. Observatory tours are available.
Accommodation: Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort or Similar
Day 12: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch 3.5 hours
Today, travel across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch City for your final stay in the South island. The remainder of the day is free for you to discover Christchurch at your own leisure. Christchurch is a great place to get in some last minute shopping in with its compact downtown area offering a little something for everyone. Tonight's accommodation is optional as you may need to return to Auckland today or connect with your international flight. Please advise your adventurenewzealand.com consultant as to what you would like to do here.
Accommodation: Eliza's Manor or Similar
Please Note:
All products listed in this itinerary are subject to availability and price changes. If products are not available similar options will be offered which may alter this package price. This itinerary may also be altered to suite your needs. Please enquire for further information on our services.
