Compare New Zealand's South Island self-drive by Audley Travel vs New Zealand: See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 21 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 9,705 | $ 4,545 |
| Price Per Day | $ 462 | $ 455 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
Along with lunch on Day 8, a traditional Maori (native) dinner is included on this tour on Evening 9. We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine. |
| Description |
Enjoy the view from a nearby coffee shop. Experience the golden sands and turquoise waters of the Abel Tasman National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive all the way down the west coast - from Westport to Haast, where the forest meets the ocean - this rugged coastline is atmospheric and beautiful. |
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Christchurch.
Day 2 : International outbound flight
On-board your international outbound flight to Christchurch.
Day 3 : Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch today where you will be welcomed by one of our representatives and transferred to your accommodation for the next two nights. Relax, unwind and recover from your flight, there is plenty to do in Christchurch within an easy stroll of your accommodation.
Day 4 : Christchurch
Enjoy the day at leisure in Christchurch. The nearby beach suburbs of New Brighton and Sumner are well worth a visit - here you can enjoy a coffee whilst watching the surf roll in.
Day 5 : Hanmer Springs
Take a taxi to the airport to collect your car this morning and make your way north from the city today and inland to Hanmer Springs. Enjoy an afternoon soak in the famous and therapeutic hot pools here.
Day 6 : Nelson
Today you take a scenic drive along the Lewis Pass then north through Murchison to Motueka, close to the Abel Tasman region.
Day 7 : Nelson
Today you get to explore this pristine area from the water and on foot. Start with a kayaking trip around the edges of the National Park, paddling gently with the breeze. Then, enjoy a cruise along the coast to a beautiful beach where you are dropped off to enjoy a short walk on one of the tracks here.
Day 8 : Hokitika
You start your journey down the west coast today and make your way to Hokitika. This is a long drive so we suggest making a day of it and stopping of at sights along the way. You might like to stop at the Pancake Rocks, near Punakaiki.
Day 9 : Franz Josef Glacier
Make your way south along the wild West Coast to Franz Josef, the scenery on this drive is fabulous! The rest of the day is at leisure, perhaps visit Te Koha Gallery where you can try your hand at jade carving.
Day 10 : Franz Josef Glacier
Today is at leisure to explore Franz Josef, you might like to visit Lake Matheson for stunning views of nearby Fox Glacier and Mount cook, take a glacier valley walk up to the Franz Josef Glacier or arrange for a helicopter or light aircraft flight over the glaciers.
Day 11 : Wanaka
Another stunning drive down the coast and inland to Lake Wanaka. There are lots of lovely spots to stop and go for short walks; each with something fascinating to see and photograph, along the way.
Day 12 : Wanaka
Today you join a delightful 4WD eco-tour to a privately owned high country station. You will see deer, sheep and cattle, learn a little about the station and take in some of the most magnificent views that Wanaka has to offer. To top it off you'll enjoy a lovely cup of tea served on top of one of Wanaka's wild hills with probably one of the most beautiful views in New Zealand.
Day 13 : Te Anau
You make your way to Te Anau today, where you will spend the night before embarking on your overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Do stop in and visit Queenstown as you pass through. Arrowtown is also a lovely little town you will reach before Queenstown and well worth a visit.
Day 14 : Array
A wonderful experience awaits as you embark on a magical journey to Doubtful Sound, you will spend the night here, and wake up as some of only a few people to experience the Sound first thing in the morning. Keep a sharp eye out for wildlife such as Penguins, Otters, Dolphins, Seals and Albatross.
Day 15 : Stewart Island
You will be dropped off at Te Anau this lunchtime, collect your car and drive down to Invercargill where you will catch a short 20 minute light aircraft flight over to Stewart Island.
Day 16 : Stewart Island
Today you will enjoy a half day tour of Stewart Island and Ulva Island, learning all about the abundant birdlife and botany of these unique places. If you wish, you can extend this to a full day tour, just let your specialist know.
Day 17 : Dunedin
A short 20 minute hop on the small plane back to Invercargill this morning and you'll drive on up to Dunedin, where you will spend the next two nights at leisure.
Day 18 : Dunedin
Dunedin is a beautiful city to explore, in addition to the architecture, you might like to arrange for a boat tour around the Otago peninsula, to see some of the native penguins.
Day 19 : Christchurch
A long drive up to Christchurch today, so we suggest making a day of it and stopping at Oamaru and Timaru to see the sights along the way. You will spend your last night in Christchurch tonight. Why not go for one last dinner on board the Tramway restaurant, which trundles around the city as you dine on fine New Zealand cuisine.
Day 20 : International return flight
Today you will meet your international flight home.
Day 21 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: A Cable Car Ride Over Stunning Landscape & the Country's Most Popular Destination
Our tour starts in Queenstown, a vibrant resort which serves as New Zealand’s most popular destination. This evening we head to a nearby place called Skyline Queenstown. There we take a cable car ride to the top of a mountain called Bob’s Peak. Beautiful views can be seen in every direction. While there, a buffet-style dinner can be purchased at a restaurant called Stratosfare. The cable car ride is included on the tour.
Day 2: Flight-Seeing Over Fjords & a Majestic Boat Ride
Today we make a daytrip to Milford Sound, getting to there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival, we go on a boat tour cruising atop clear waters and in between postcard-perfect mountains. Milford Sound has been judged the world’s top travel destination in an international survey taken by TripAdvisor, receiving the Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction.
Please note that due to unpredictable weather conditions in and around Milford Sound, it is common our customers get to there or return from there by land. When this happens, stops are made so we can enjoy Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, the mountainous Monkey Creek and a national park called the ‘Chasm’.
Day 3: Rapid Jet-Boating, Zip-Lining, Exploring a Gorge & a Cruise on a Vintage Steamship
We start our day with a quick drive to a picturesque gorge called Skippers Canyon. It is mostly one-way, narrow and steep with sheer drops of several hundred meters. After our scenic land expedition, we head to the nearby Shotover River. There we go on a very fast and swerving jet-boating ride. Following lunch, we go zip-lining near the village of Glenorchy.
Our day ends with a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. While on the tour, we make a stop at a homestead which is known for its sheep, alpacas and a beautiful garden. After dinner, we visit a purpose-built amphitheater. There we see a farmyard of sheep shearing (cutting the sheep’s wool) and otherwise watch a ‘sheepdog round-up’ (the dog makes the sheep walk together as a group).
Day 4: Approaching the Highest Mountain in New Zealand
Today we relocate from Queenstown to Mount Cook Village. Upon arrival, we are provided with a guided tour inside Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s Hooker Valley Track. The lookout point at the end of the track is the closest any walking track comes to seeing the highest mountain in New Zealand (Mount Cook). The end of the track reveals completely unobstructed views, with Hooker Glacier seen in the valley below.
Day 5: A Plane Landing on Tasman Glacier & Visiting Ice Grottoes and Caves
Before relocating to the city of Christchurch, we make a daytrip to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s Tasman Glacier. We get to there and back to Mount Cook Village by scenic flight. Of New Zealand's 20 peaks over 3,000 meters, all except one lie in this park. Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park area, notably the Tasman Glacier. After landing on this glacier, we go on a guided snow shoeing hike, seeing blue ice grottoes and caves.
Please note that due to unpredictable weather conditions in and around Tasman Glacier, it is common our customers get to there or return from there by land. When this happens between September and May, we replace the flight-seeing tour with a popular boat ride which visits icebergs. When this happens between June and August, we replace the flight-seeing tour with a four-wheel drive expedition around Tasman Valley.
Day 6: The Historic Architecture of Christchurch & Sightseeing
Before relocating to the town of Nelson by flight, we are provided with a guided tour around Christchurch. This city was established in 1850 by Anglican English settlers. The heritage shows in its fine older buildings, especially the neo-gothic ones. The city highlights are the cathedral, riverside market and botanical gardens.
Day 7: The Finest Beaches on This Tour
Before relocating to the city of Auckland, we make a daytrip from Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park. There we are provided with a scenic boat tour. Abel Tasman National Park is in one of the sunniest places in the country, with over 2,000 hours of sunlight per year. The most notable features of this park are its golden-sand beaches, arguably the finest in New Zealand.
Day 8: Where Lord of the Rings was Filmed & Glowworm Grottoes
When relocating from Auckland to the town of Rotorua, two important stops are made along the way. The first is at the Hobbiton Movie Set, home to the internationally acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. There we are provided with a guided tour and lunch. The other important stop before reaching Rotorua is at the Waitomo Caves. There we are provided with a boat ride through glowworm grottoes. The site is spectacular, to say the least.
Day 9: A Mud Bath, Volcanic Craters, Hot Water Springs & a Native Show with Dinner
This morning starts with a daytrip to the nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which includes Lake Rotomahana. On a self-guided tour, there we see volcanic craters, hot water springs and other geothermal features. Upon returning to Rotorua, we are taken to the so-called Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa. There we bathe in a mud pool. The evening ends at the nearby Tamaki Maori Village. There we learn about native rituals, watch a show and have a traditional dinner. The meal is included this evening.
Day 10: Our Tour Ends Today
Rotorua is the final destination on our tour around New Zealand. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport.
Note that you can extend this standard 10-day tour by one day if you wish to engage in some extreme sports activities near Queenstown. Specifically, on this added day, you would jump off a 43-meter (141-foot) bridge called Kawarau as well as run off a 60-meter (196.85-foot) cliff. It is called the Fox Jump. Obviously, these two activities are not for everyone. This is why we are offering it as a one-day extension to our standard 10-day tour around New Zealand. Let us know if you are interested.
Also, note that you can extend this standard 10-day tour by returning to and visiting Auckland once done in Rotorua. Some customers want a day or two to go sightseeing in New Zealand’s largest city. We offer guided tours upon request. Ask us for details.
