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.
Featured accommodation
White Morph
Day 2 - Kaikoura
Enjoy a whale watching tour from Kaikoura.
Featured accommodation
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.
Featured accommodation
Rutherford Hotel
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.
Featured accommodation
Beachfront Hokitika
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.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
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.
Featured accommodation
Tin Tub Resort
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.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
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.
Featured accommodation
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.
Featured accommodation
Fiordland Lodge
Day 10 - Te Anau
Enjoy a cruise in the beautiful Fjord of Milford Sound.
Featured accommodation
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.
Featured accommodation
Kelvin Hotel
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.
Featured accommodation
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
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.
Featured accommodation
Peppers Bluewater Resort
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.
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 15 - Christchurch
Today your journey concludes in Christchurch.
White Morph
Set on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, Heritage Collection The White Morph enjoys commanding views of the ocean and mountains, and gives you access to all of the region’s experiences.
Rutherford Hotel. Nelson
Their stylish accommodation will suit anyone looking for a great place to stay in Nelson, whether you’re here on holiday, in town for a wedding or visiting Nelson for a conference. They also offer rooms with disabled access on request. All of their rooms have WiFi capabilities.
Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika
Located right on the beach, The stunning Beachfront Hotel is located in central Hokitika on New Zealand’s West Coast and offers a wide range of quality accommodation, full dining and event facilities.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand's most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming you to this enticing and dramatic region.
Tin Tub Resort
Wanaka Luxury Lodge Tin Tub Wanaka is the perfect place if you want the very best in accommodation.
Heritage Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.
Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau
Set in a World Heritage Area, Fiordland Lodge in Te Anau offers the discerning traveller style, comfort and privacy, and is the perfect base from where to explore Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, and the surrounding Fiordland National Park.
Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill
The Kelvin Hotel Invercargill provides comfortable well appointed accommodation with all the modern conveniences. Located in the main shopping area of Invercargill, Kelvin Hotel has the facilities to cater to all your needs while in Invercargill.
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service.
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Peppers Bluewater Resort is set amongst the purest natural landscape. Romantic and secluded, your accommodation in Lake Tekapo reflects the beautiful landscape surrounding you.
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
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 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 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
- Visit Hobbiton
- Travel on the TranzAlpine train
- Climb the Fox Glacier
- Ride the Skyline Gondola
12 Nights from £3805pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- 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 £4430pp
New Zealand’s Islands, Geysers & Glaciers
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Hibiscus Coast
- Maori cultural experience
- Wellington cable car
- Cruise Milford Sound
21 Nights from £5475pp
Golf New Zealand
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Jacks Point Queenstown
- Millbrook Resort Queenstown
- The Kinloch Club Taupo
- Explore Rotorua and its volcanic plateau
14 Nights from £1300pp
Snapshot of North Island
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Taupo
- Tongariro National Park
- Martinborough
- Wellington
- Matamata for Hobbiton Movie Set
- Mount Victoria lookout
- Rotorua’s geothermal parks
- Tongariro National Park
9 Nights from £1385pp
South Island’s Mountain Explorer
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Mount Cook
- Lake Tekapo
- Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
- Spectacular rail journey through the Southern Alps
- Mount Cook National Park
- Coloured Lake Tekapo
9 Nights from £1630pp
