8-DAY INDEPENDENT SOUTH ISLAND HOLIDAY

South Island Scenic Explorer Without the Driving

Experience some of the South Island’s most spectacular landscapes on an independent journey connecting Christchurch, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the wild West Coast.

Travel using small-group tours, scheduled transfers and the famous TranzAlpine scenic train, with accommodation and key experiences arranged along the way.

Travel independently. See more of the South Island. Leave the driving to someone else.

Start Planning This Holiday
View the Itinerary

Your Journey at a Glance

Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights

Travel Style
Independent travel

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Start
Christchurch

Finish
Christchurch

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From
NZ$9,980 per person twin share

Accommodation
Hotel Accommodation

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Includes small-group touring, scheduled transfers, Milford Sound coach and cruise, and the TranzAlpine scenic train

Pricing is indicative and may vary by season, availability and selected experiences.

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Your 8-Day Route

Christchurch → Aoraki/Mt Cook → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Franz Josef → Christchurch

Travel from the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps before continuing to Queenstown and Fiordland. Then cross the Haast Pass to the West Coast and finish with the spectacular TranzAlpine rail journey back to Christchurch.

Why You’ll Love This Journey

A scenic South Island journey connecting Aoraki/Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the West Coast, with transport and key experiences carefully planned for you.

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Travel through Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Country to the dramatic alpine landscapes of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

West Coast & TranzAlpine

Cross the Haast Pass to glacier country before travelling over the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine scenic train

Queenstown

Enjoy time in New Zealand’s alpine adventure capital with a full free day to explore at your own pace..

Milford Sound

Journey through Fiordland National Park and cruise beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls in Milford Sound.

ITINERARY

Each day is planned around realistic travel times, transport connections and time to enjoy the destinations along the way.

  • Welcome to New Zealand. On arrival at Auckland Airport, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel.

    The rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore Auckland at your own pace. Wander the waterfront, visit the Viaduct Harbour or simply relax after your journey.

    Included today: Private airport transfer
    Accommodation: SkyCity Hotel Auckland
    Meals: Breakfast included with your stay

    Optional experience: Auckland Harbour sailing dinner cruise.

    This modern and spacious hotel allows you to relax in style while enjoying the world-class casino, more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower - all right on your doorstep!

    Includes Breakfast

    Welcome to Auckland

    Auckland, New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Explore the central museums and galleries on foot, or get out onto the water to experience the best views of the city.

    SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Harbour Sailing Dinner Cruise with Explore

    This unique on-water sailing and dining experience is not to be missed while you're in Auckland. Enjoy smooth sailing on the Waitemata Harbour - then watch this photogenic city come alive with twinkling lights. Enjoy your meal as you sail around the beautiful Auckland Harbour taking in the view as the sun slowly sets. You'll be treated to canapes and a drink as you set off towards Westhaven Marina. Choose between dining in the downstairs cabin or on deck to take in the iconic sights of the Auckland Harbour. To finish the evening off, savour your dessert course as you leisurely sail back to Auckland's vibrant Viaduct Harbour.

  • Leave Auckland on a small-group journey south through the Waikato countryside to the famous Hobbiton Movie Set.

    Explore the detailed movie set with your guide, including Hobbit Holes, Bagshot Row, the Mill, Party Tree and Green Dragon Inn. After your visit, continue through to Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s best-known geothermal and Māori cultural destinations.

    Included today: Small-group Auckland to Rotorua tour and Hobbiton Movie Set experience
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
    Meals: Breakfast

  • Spend the day experiencing Rotorua’s extraordinary geothermal landscapes and Māori culture.

    Your included visit to Te Puia takes you through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, home to the Pōhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools, traditional Māori arts and the Kiwi Conservation Centre.

    Included today: Te Puia daytime experience.
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
    Meals: Breakfast

    Optional experience: National Kiwi Hatchery tour.

  • Today you fly from Rotorua to Christchurch and begin the South Island part of your journey.

    On arrival in Christchurch, a private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your centrally located accommodation. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace.

    Included today: Domestic flight and private Christchurch airport transfer
    Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
    Meals: Breakfast


  • Travel south from Christchurch on a small-group journey through the Canterbury countryside and into the spectacular Mackenzie Country.

    Visit Lake Tekapo before continuing alongside the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki toward Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Your journey finishes at the Hermitage Hotel, surrounded by the peaks of the Southern Alps.

    Included today: Small-group Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt Cook tour and lunch
    Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel – Wakefield Wing Superior Room
    Meals: Breakfast and lunch

    Optional experience: Glacier Explorers boat trip on Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake.

  • Leave Aoraki/Mt Cook and travel south through some of the South Island’s most impressive alpine scenery.

    Pass Lake Pukaki, travel through the Mackenzie Basin and cross the Lindis Pass before continuing through Central Otago and the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown.

    After arriving, settle into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

    Included today: Small-group Aoraki/Mt Cook to Queenstown transfer tour
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
    Meals: Breakfast

  • Enjoy a relaxed day discovering Queenstown and its surrounds.

    Join a small-group tour visiting scenic viewpoints, Lake Hayes and historic Arrowtown while learning more about the region’s history and landscapes. The rest of the day is yours to explore Queenstown independently.

    Included today: Arrowtown & Around small-group tour
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
    Meals: Breakfast

    Optional experience: Skyline Gondola.

  • Today is one of the journey’s highlights.

    Fly from Queenstown across the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, enjoying spectacular aerial views along the way. On arrival, join a cruise through the fiord beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls before taking another scenic flight back to Queenstown.

    Included today: Queenstown–Milford Sound scenic flight, Milford Sound cruise and return scenic flight
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
    Meals: Breakfast

  • Experience two very different sides of the Queenstown region today.

    Travel toward Glenorchy for the Dart River Wilderness Jet, journeying through the spectacular landscapes surrounding Mount Aspiring National Park.

    Later, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner followed by a farm demonstration before cruising back to Queenstown.

    Included today: Dart River Wilderness Jet, TSS Earnslaw cruise, Walter Peak BBQ dinner and farm experience
    Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
    Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

  • Leave Queenstown and travel north toward the wild West Coast.

    The journey takes you past alpine lakes and mountain scenery before crossing the Haast Pass. As you reach the western side of the Southern Alps, the landscape changes to dense rainforest, rivers, waterfalls and rugged coastline.

    Arrive in Franz Josef and settle into your accommodation in the heart of the village.

    Included today: Queenstown to Franz Josef scheduled transfer
    Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
    Meals: Breakfast

  • Travel north through the West Coast to Hokitika, a historic town known for pounamu and its gold-mining past, before continuing to Greymouth.

    From here, board the famous TranzAlpine scenic train for one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys. Cross the Southern Alps through Arthur’s Pass, deep river valleys and the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch.

    A private driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel.

    Included today: Franz Josef to Greymouth transfer, TranzAlpine scenic train and private Christchurch transfer
    Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
    Meals: Breakfast.

  • Your New Zealand journey comes to an end today.

    A private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to Christchurch Airport in time for your departing flight.

    Included today: Private transfer to Christchurch Airport
    Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Your journey brings together accommodation, transport and key experiences, so the major parts of your holiday are arranged before you arrive.

Accommodation

  • 11 nights in 4-star accommodation

  • Daily breakfast

  • Selected additional meals where shown in the itinerary

Transport

  • Private airport and station transfers where specified

  • Domestic flight from Rotorua to Christchurch

  • Scheduled and small-group transport between destinations

  • TranzAlpine scenic rail journey

  • Queenstown–Milford Sound scenic flights

Experiences

  • Hobbiton Movie Set

  • Te Puia geothermal and Māori cultural experience

  • Aoraki/Mt Cook small-group journey

  • Milford Sound cruise

  • Dart River Wilderness Jet

  • TSS Earnslaw cruise and Walter Peak BBQ dinner

Not Included

International flights, travel insurance, meals not specified, optional activities and personal expenses are not included unless stated otherwise.

Planning & Support

  • Your complete personalised travel itinerary

  • All confirmed travel documents

  • New Zealand-based support during your journey

  • Coordination of accommodation, transport and included experiences

Where You’ll Stay

Stay in comfortable 4-star accommodation selected for location, quality and how well it fits the journey.

Rotorua

Millennium Hotel Rotorua
A convenient base close to Rotorua’s geothermal attractions and city centre.

Aoraki/Mt Cook

The Hermitage Hotel
Stay in the heart of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park surrounded by alpine scenery.

Franz Josef

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
A convenient base in the village for exploring the West Coast and glacier region.

Queenstown

Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Comfortable accommodation within easy reach of central Queenstown and local touring.

Accommodation may vary depending on availability. If a listed hotel is unavailable, we will use a similar standard and location.

Make This New Zealand Journey Your Own

Use this 12-day itinerary as your starting point, then we can adjust the route, accommodation and experiences to suit your travel dates, interests and budget.

We’ll bring the transport, accommodation and touring together into one carefully planned New Zealand holiday.