(Click a region for more details) |
For 1-3 persons: a group CDAR (Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 litre 5 door with air conditioning, or similar).
For 4 persons: a group FDAR (Mitsubishi Diamante 3.0 litres, 4 door automatic with air conditioning, or similar).
Other car types are available. Please call for further details.
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| Outline Itinerary [1/2] >> |
| Day 1: |
arrive Christchurch
You are met on arrival and assisted with collecting your rental vehicle. Overnight at the Charlotte Jane. |
| Day 2: |
Christchurch-Blenheim (420 km)
Drive north on the coastal route, perhaps stopping on the way at Kaikoura, where you can take an optional whale or dolphin trip. Continue to Blenheim for a two night stay at the Old St Mary’s Convent. |
| Day 3: |
Blenheim
A day at leisure to relax and explore some of the vineyards in one of New Zealand’s acclaimed wine-producing areas. Alternatively, it is a short drive to the town of Nelson and the superb coastal scenery of the Abel Tasman National Park, where kayaking and hiking are popular activities. |
| Day 4: |
Blenheim-Hokitika (400 km)
Drive past sparkling Lake Rotoiti, to Westport, on the South Island’s West Coast. Travel south along the coast road, stopping to admire the impressive Punakaiki blowholes and other superb coastal scenery. Overnight in the former gold mining town of Hokitika at the lovely Villa Polenza. |
| Day 5: |
Hokitika-Wanaka (430 km)
Make an early start because there is simply so much to see on today’s drive. Head south to the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, stunning Lake Matheson and the World Heritage forests around Haast. Heading inland over the Haast Pass, you’ll reach Wanaka, where you stay overnight at the Wanaka Springs Lodge. |
| Day 6: |
Wanaka-Queenstown (70 km)
Spend the morning relaxing in Wanaka, perhaps visiting its ‘Maze’. A short drive brings you to Queenstown, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooking the Remarkables. Next three nights at Brown’s Boutique Hotel. |
| Day 7: |
Queenstown
A day to relax, shop or perhaps try out one of the adventurous adrenaline-charged activities on offer, such as bungy jumping or jet boat riding. There are also lake cruises, a scenic gondola ride and many other things to see and do here. |
| Day 8: |
Queenstown-Milford Sound-Queenstown (600 km)
We highly recommend a visit to Milford Sound. By road the round trip drive is quite long, though incredibly scenic, but you can opt instead to fly there and back (at additional cost). A short cruise on the sound will let you experience its tranquil beauty and perhaps see some of the wildlife, which includes dolphins and penguins. For a shorter day, why not visit Te Anau, beautifully situated on the lake of the same name. |
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| © Lake Wanaka Tourism |
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Northland