Holidays in New Zealand - Self Drive Tour of South Island

This tour assumes that North Island has been visited and that your arrival is by ferry from Wellington to the picturesque port of Picton. A word of warning with regard to the west coast - we have tried to knock out the area from Westport south to Haast - having driven along this remote coast road, it has little to excite anyone with the exception of the Fox and the Franz Josef glaciers. Neither are dramatic enough in our view to make the long boring route on this side of the island worthwhile - if you have already seen or walked on a glacier in central Europe or Norway don’t bother with this part of the South Island is our advise. However, it can be added if required and allow two days for the journey.

If you intend to fly to Christchurch then your route is north from this city to Kaikoura (2 night stay) travel to Blenheim (1 night) and then return via Hanmer Springs (1 night for which there is an extra night to pay) to Christchurch and pick up the tour from then as given below.

Kaikoura:

Day 2: Continue south on Route 1 which in part hugs the coastline until you get to the town of Kaikoura.This area is known for its whale watching boat tours - and so popular are they in high season that you may need to pre book (which we can arrange) - there is also a cheaper and equally fascinating bird watching boat trip for which you can often book on the day of arrival (you can see Albatross and Molly Hawks). You need to stay 2 nights to fully appreciate the dramatic scenery and you have to sample the local lobster dishes.

We have two suggestions - the first is to stay at a Bed & Breakfast which we have sampled - Carrickfin Lodge - owned by Roger Boyd a fourth generation Kiwi but who still retains all the charm of his Irish ancestors…in a wonderful location with views of snow-capped mountains they offer a main house in a 100 acres estate which has four en suite bedrooms. If you are a small family you may also opt to rent for a few nights a detached homestead - cosy, comfortable and complete with open fireplace ready laid to light! Three bedrooms and sleeps up to six with ease, full kitchen and one bathroom. Either way you will get a warm welcome and a lot of local advise from Roger and his partner Rosalind

If you prefer a hotel then the White Morph Inn (four star quality) which is located facing the ocean in the old town well off the busy main A1 road. An ideal location and within walking distance of bars and restaurants.

Christchurch:

Twizel:

Day 6: Driving south from Christchurch tends to be rather dull and flat and mostly farming communities. Just south of Ashburton take off onto route 8 into the mountains, through Burkes Pass and the spectacular Lake Tekapo with a peep into the tiny Chapel of the Good Shepherd which has a breathtaking view of the lake - in winter, the Church has a congregation in the low teens and was founded by a Scot some of the first settlers in the region and lends a hint to the name of the nearby Grampian Mountains. The chapel is a lovely monument to the intentions of these first pioneers.

You need to keep a full tank of petrol on this route and take the chance to fill up in the nearby village of Twizel if you are getting lower than half a tank. Your night’s stay is in the village and this will give the opportunity to drive the one way in/out road (40 miles in each direction) to Mount Cook to gaze on the New Zealand Alps and Tasman Glacier (there are scenic flights from here) Your stay is at the Mackenzie Country Inn - mountain views and easy to find.

Queenstown:

Day 7: Heading for Queenstown a drive of around 150 miles through the Duns Ten mountain range past aptly named Cromwell and Gibbstown renowned for bungy jumping above the Kawarau River and then into Queenstown to for a one night stay. Your stay is at Aspen Hotel – a small three star hotel with indoor swimming pool and just five minutes drive from the town centre - or for a small supplement you can opt for the Novotel in the centre of town right down on the lake foreshore quiet position with lovely gardens and a pool. Excellent restaurant-even if not staying here!

Te Anau:

Day 8: Your route follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu past the hamlet of Kingston which home to the Kingston Flyer steam train then through the valley to Te Anau which is your home for the night staying at the three star, Village Inn, in the superior rooms.

You can, depending upon your timing, either travel on to Milford Sound to take the last afternoon cruise (last one is at 15:30 hours) around the Fjord; or an alternative is to take the coach/cruise the following morning at 08:00 which returns you to the hotel 7 hours later. (Cost is around £45 per person) If you take the later idea, you can opt to stay another night in Te Anau.

Day 9: A longish drive of some 170 miles via Queenstown to stay in Dunedin for a two-night stay. Fascinating town with its Victorian architecture - even the railway station is worth a visit being nicknamed the “Gingerbread House”. There are also mansions, ornate hotels and even a castle. The other attraction is the eco-tourism, which includes visits to colonies of penquins, seals and even albatross nests. There are organised pre bookable trips to see both the Penguin and Albatross colonies (budget for around £22 for the 3 hour round trip).

Your stay is in the junior suites at the Hotel Leisure Lodge in the town centre near to the Botanical Gardens.

Timaru:

Day 10: a drive of 80 miles to Oamaru, which allows you to visit along the way the Tortara living museum of 1860's farm buildings and Clarks Flour Mill of the same era at Palmeston, which also has a museum, devoted to early Scottish settlers. Oamaru itself has a population of around 12,000 and many historic buildings. Carry on a further 48 miles to the tiny city of Timaru which sounds like an Italian desert dish - however, it is a pretty town which has its own brewery, botanical gardens, excellent museum and one of the largest public Art Galleries in South Island.

Your stay is at the Benvenue Inn which offers an indoor heated pool, bar and restaurant and has just 30 studio style rooms.

Day 11: Just 50 miles drive to Christchurch to drop off your car to either return to the UK via Los Angeles or to fly onto to Auckland for other connecting flights via Hong Kong or Singapore.

We would strongly suggest a stop over of several nights on the return to the UK to avoid the gruelling 24 hour plus journey. Just ask for our stop-over rates that start from £50 per room per night.

Photograph courtesy of Phillip Pearson