Holiday Overview
The southernmost of New Zealand’s South Island is filled with dramatic scenery which seems to continually fill the skies as you travel throughout this region. Not only is this home to beautiful flora & fauna but deep sounds and crystal clear lakes. The geography of this area will keep you intrigued throughout this drive as you work your way to the southern coastal cities of Dunedin and Invercargill. These well-preserved towns offer great architecture and is your turning point for this incredible trip.
Start Christchurch - End Christchurch
14 nights / 15 days
Islands visited: South Island
Highlights;
Witness the Giant Sperm Whales, Fur Seals and Dusky Dolphins of Kaikoura
Visit Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks
Experience Franz Josef Glacier - climbing or helicopter
Fiordland of Te Anau
Walk the shores of Lake Wanaka
Mountains, Lakes & Sounds of South Island includes:
- Flights
- 2 Nights Accommodation Kaikoura
- 1 Night Accommodation Nelson
- 1 Night Accommodation Hokitika
- 1 Night Accommodation Franz Josef
- 1 Night Accommodation Lake Wanaka
- 2 Nights Accommodation Queenstown
- 2 Nights Accommodation Te Anau
- 1 Night Accommodation Invercargill
- 1 Night Accommodation Dunedin
- 1 Night Accommodation Lake Tekapo
- 1 Night Accommodation Christchurch
- Compact Car Hire
- Whale Watching at Kaikoura
Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch - Kaikoura
Arrive Christchurch, collect your hire car and venture northwards to the seaside town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching.
Day 2 - Kaikoura
Enjoy a whale watching tour from Kaikoura.
Staying at White Morph
Day 3 - Kaikoura – Nelson
Drive through some of New Zealand’s finest wine country, with perhaps a stop in Blenheim to Nelson. From the city centre it is an easy walk to the geographical centre of New Zealand, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city, port, Tasman Bay and surrounding mountains.
Day 4 - Nelson – Hokitika
Venture to the West Coast with a visit to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. These ancient limestone stacks were formed over 30 million years ago. At high-tide it’s possible to witness the blowholes in action. From here make your way to Hokitika, a town famous for its pounamu (greenstone) jewellery and art works.
Day 5 - Hokitika – Franz Josef
Take the relatively short drive from Hokitika to Franz Josef, ask your consultant for options regarding a once in a lifetime helicopter experience.
Day 6 - Franz Joseph – Wanaka
Continue to Wanaka, on the edge of the lake, Wanaka affords stunning lake and mountain views. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 7 - Wanaka – Queenstown
Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges and is a wonderful hub for this beautiful region. After checking into your hotel spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 8 - Queenstown
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the area. Ask your consultant with regards to the many day trips and excursions that are available.
Staying at Heritage Queenstown
Day 9 - Queenstown – Te Anau
Journey to Fiordland and the lakeside town of Te Anau, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10 - Te Anau
Enjoy a cruise in the beautiful Fjord of Milford Sound.
Staying at Fiordland Lodge
Day 11 - Te Anau – Invercargill
Today New Zealand’s most southernmost city Invercargill beckons. Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco heritage buildings give the city a charming old-world character.
Day 12 - Invercargill – Dunedin
Continue onwards to Dunedin. Surrounded by dramatic hills and at the foot of a long, picturesque harbour, Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the nearby Royal Albatross Centre.
Day 13 - Dunedin – Tekapo
Turn northwards to Tekapo, the township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Tekapo is also home to the much-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd.
Day 14 - Tekapo – Christchurch
Return to Christchurch and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps ride the Gondola to take in the magnificent view across the city, over the Canterbury Plains and on to the Southern Alps.
Day 15 - Christchurch
Today your journey concludes in Christchurch.
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Image Gallery
Milford Sound - Mitre Peak
Doubtful Sound
Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks)
Lake Wanaka - Twilight
Milford Sound Waterfalls
Kaikoura - Giant Sperm Whale
Milford Sound
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand’s Movies, Mountains & Maori
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Fox Glacier
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Visit Hobbiton
- Travel on the TranzAlpine train
- Climb the Fox Glacier
- Ride the Skyline Gondola
12 Nights from £3740pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
14 Nights from £4500pp
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Hibiscus Coast
- Maori cultural experience
- Wellington cable car
- Cruise Milford Sound
21 Nights from £5680pp
New Zealand in Style
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Twizel
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Boutique Accommodation
- Heli Hiking Tour
- Scenic Milford Flight
- Māori culture
15 Nights from £6795pp
Snapshot of North Island
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Martinborough
- Wellington
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Matamata for Hobbiton Movie Set
- Mount Victoria lookout
- Rotorua’s geothermal parks
- Tongariro National Park
9 Nights from £1300pp
Golf New Zealand
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Jacks Point Queenstown
- Millbrook Resort Queenstown
- The Kinloch Club Taupo
- Explore Rotorua and its volcanic plateau
14 Nights from £1300pp