South Island Touring Routes

The South Island is a land of contrast. The spectacular scenery provides a backdrop to both adrenaline-pumping adventure and indulgent relaxation – whatever your clients are looking for, they’ll find it here!

The South Island of New Zealand has all the variety you could imagine and more. Renowned for natural beauty, the South Island is an untamed paradise dominated by a rugged and unspoilt landscape.
There’s no need for your clients to forgo the comforts of civilization though, because South Islanders like to balance the wilderness of their surroundings with the best of fine food, wine and accommodation. Whatever their budget, there are a multitude of accommodation options scattered against the wild backdrop.

Outdoor adventure aficionados will find themselves well served in the South Island. In the north the theme is maritime. Sheltered coves invite exploration by kayak, while the forest nudging the beach is ideal for a scenic walk. In the northeast, Blenheim is the centre of a renowned wine producing region, while Kaikoura is a base for whale-watching. Canterbury, with its wide-open plains, is unlike any other place. Here visitors will find Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, where modern culture blends with historic atmosphere. Further south, the picture-postcard Mackenzie region is dominated by mountains and blue lakes. In Otago’s lakeside resorts of Queenstown and Wanaka, visitors can dine in a world-class restaurant with a panorama of mountains spread before them. In winter, the mountains offer fantastic skiing and snowboarding.

Dunedin, the other major city of the South Island, is set on a harbour where wildlife lives side-by-side with people. This is a city with strong roots in the past: stately historic buildings, including New Zealand’s only castle, are a must-see. A visit to Stewart Island, the smallest of New Zealand’s three major islands, is an opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife. To truly experience the untamed beauty of nature, any visit must include the West Coast. From Karamea in the north through to Fiordland in deepest South Westland, in this extraordinary region you’ll find an abundance of rainforests and scenery that will leave your clients spellbound.

Highlights

Outdoor activities
The South Island offers an unparalleled diversity of outdoor activities – from the relaxing to the extreme. Within two hours of Christchurch Airport, for example, visitors can ski at a world-class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump, go rafting, mountain biking, wind surfing, whale watching or visit world-class wineries and gardens.

Extreme landscapes
The South Island landscape is nothing short of astounding. Visitors can drive from East Coast to West Coast within a day, encountering sandy beaches, sun-bleached plains, green rolling hills, rugged mountains and dense rainforest. Particularly awe-inspiring features include the forest-fringed beaches of Nelson and Marlborough, the glaciers of South Westland, the lakes of Mackenzie and the fiords of Fiordland.

5 days +
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Christchurch - Greymouth
Day 2 Greymouth - Fox Glacier
Day 3 Fox Glacier - Wanaka
Day 4 Wanaka - Mt Cook
Day 5 Mt Cook - Christchurch

Route 1 Island of Contrast

Journey from coast to coast and see the balance of nature and culture. Start with culture in Christchurch. Head west to the mountains of Arthur’s Pass. The West Coast towns of Greymouth and Hokitika introduce you to gold-mining history before you head south through rainforest to the glaciers. Enjoy cafés and nightlife in Lake Wanaka, against a backdrop of beautiful scenery. Marvel at blue glacier lakes on your way to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. Enjoy café stops in country towns as you cross Canterbury on your return to Christchurch.

3 days +
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Christchurch - Kaikoura
Day 2 Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs
Day 3 Hanmer Springs - Christchurch

Route 2 Island of Indulgence

Discover a balance of eco-adventure and indulgence. Purchase New Zealand designer fashion or an original artwork in Christchurch and enjoy a ride on the historic tram or an English-style punt. Discover rich wildlife in Kaikoura and indulge in the freshest of seafood. Stop at the Waipara Valley on your way south to enjoy local wine and the olive groves. Restore your body and mind in the hot pools of Hanmer Springs and treat yourself to a massage. Stop for coffee at Amberley on your return trip to Christchurch.

12 days +
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Christchurch - Oamaru
Day 2 Oamaru - Dunedin
Day 3 Dunedin - Te Anau
Day 4 Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Day 5 Te Anau - Queenstown
Day 6 Queenstown - Wanaka
Day 7 Wanaka - Franz Josef Glacier
Day 8 Franz Josef Glacier - Greymouth
Day 9 Greymouth - Nelson
Day 10 Nelson - Marlborough
Day 11 Marlborough - Kaikoura
Day 12 Kaikoura - Christchurch

Route 3 South Island Circuit

A complete circuit of the South Island. From Christchurch, follow the coast to Oamaru, taking in the historic sandstone architecture, penguins and the Moeraki Boulders. View Dunedin’s historic buildings and the stunning wildlife on the Otago Peninsula before you drive across Southland to Te Anau and Milford Sound. Enjoy adventure or indulgence in the resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka. Explore the West Coast: the magical Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and the natural wonder of the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. Enjoy laid-back Nelson and Blenheim, exploring beaches, vineyards and galleries. At Kaikoura take a boat trip to get up-close to seals, dolphins and whales. Explore the vineyards of Waipara Valley on the return trip to Christchurch.

5 days +
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Christchurch - Hanmer Springs
Day 2 Hanmer Springs - Nelson
Day 3 Nelson - Blenheim
Day 4 Blenheim - Kaikoura
Day 5 Kaikoura - Christchurch

Route 4 Inspiring Relaxation

Hot springs, vineyards and adventure combine to create a truly relaxing holiday. Indulge your cultural side in Christchurch’s shops, galleries and museums. In Hanmer Springs, nourish body and soul with a walk in crisp mountain air, followed by a soak in the thermal pools. Travel north through the alpine scenery of Lewis Pass to arty Nelson. Wine and dine in Blenheim, then travel to Kaikoura and view native whales, dolphins and seals. Return to Christchurch via the lush vineyards of the Waipara Valley, stopping to sample the fine local vintages.

9 days +
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Christchurch - Oamaru
Day 2 Oamaru - Dunedin
Day 3 Dunedin - Invercargill
Day 4 Invercargill - Stewart Island
Day 5 Stewart Island - Te Anau
Day 6 Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Day 7 Te Anau - Queenstown
Day 8 Queenstown - Mt Cook
Day 9 Mt Cook - Christchurch

Route 5 Natural Wonderland

Fill your memory with eco-experiences. From Christchurch, drive to Oamaru and visit the penguin colony. In Dunedin, see Royal Albatross on Otago Peninsula. Follow the Southern Scenic Route through rainforest to Invercargill and Stewart Island. Back on the mainland, travel to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. Enjoy magnificent scenery in Queenstown. See Mount Cook on your return to Christchurch.