Day by day

Day 1 London to Christchurch

Fly overnight from London to Christchurch

Day 2 Christchurch

Arrive into Christchurch and check into your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure

Day 3 Christchurch

Day at leisure in Christchurch. Why not pre book one of our amazing day trips?

Day 4 Christchurch to Hanmer Springs

This morning you will drive to Hanmer Springs where you will spend 1 night. Enjoy the afternoon relaxing in a therapeutic hot pool.

Day 5 Hanmer Springs to Nelson

Today’s drive will take you to Nelson where you will spend another night.  Make sure you plan your dates well so you don’t miss their famous market!

Day 6 Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park

After your 1 night in Nelson make the short drive to your next accommodation located right by Abel Tasman national park.  This is a great place to enjoy some kayaking in stunning surroundings!

Day 7 Abel Tasman National Park to Greymouth

Back in the car but this time heading west past Punakaiki and onto Greymouth. When you arrive check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 8 Greymouth to Fox Glacier

After a quick overnight in Greymouth you will continue west to your next stop, Fox Glacier.

Day 9 Fox Glacier

Named after Sir William Fox, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1869 to 1872, Fox Glacier describes both the glacier and the nearby village. Like its twin, Franz Josef, the glacier descends from the Southern Alps down into temperate rainforest just 300 metres above sea level.

To see the glacier, you can walk to the terminal face, arrange an ice-hiking adventure or book a sightseeing flight. There are glow worm caves just a short walk from the town centre, which offers a good choice of cafes and restaurants. Close to Fox Glacier is beautiful Lake Matheson, one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand. On a clear day it reflects Mount Cook.

Day 10 Fax Glacier to Wanaka

After an amazing 2 days in Fox Glacier drive to your next destination, Wanaka, here you will spend a further 2 nights. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 11 Wanaka

The lakeside town of Wanaka can provide you with an appealing mix of fine living, family fun and adventure. It has a high concentration of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops. It’s obvious that the Wanaka district is nicely obsessed with aviation.

At the airport you can arrange to go flightseeing or sky diving, and every two years the town hosts a spectacular airshow, Warbirds over Wanaka, revolving around classic miliary aircraft. Classed as one of the best warbird shows in the world it features historic aircraft, RNZAF jets, aerobatic formations and helicopters.

Day 12  - 13 Wanaka to Ranfurly

After your time in Wanaka drive to your next stop which is Ranfurly. Ranfurly was established in 1898 as a railhead for the Central Otago railway line. At the time, the neighbouring gold rush town of Naseby was the main centre of Maniototo, but because the railway bypassed Naseby, Ranfurly gradually took over as the administrative and economic centre of the area. Spend 2 nights here

Day 14 Ranfurly to Oamaru

Another short drive takes you to your next 2 night stay.

Day 15 Oamaru

The whitestone townscape of Oamaru contains some of the best-preserved heritage buildings in New Zealand. In the late 19th century, the town prospered through goldmining, quarrying and timber milling. Some of the wealth was spent on elegant stone buildings made from local limestone. The Harbour-Tyne Street area is particularly special – and the shopping is great too. After exploring the Victorian precinct, swing by the steampunk playground and museum.

Oamaru Harbour is home to a colony of little blue penguins, and you can also see yellow-eyed penguins from a special hide. Penguin viewing is best just before sunset.

Day 16 – 17 Oamaru to Akaroa

An easy drive south-east of Christchurch, Banks Peninsula is the South Island's most interesting volcanic feature. Originally an island formed by two volcanic cones, the peninsula has two dominant craters which form Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. The peninsula was named for botanist Joseph Banks, who sailed with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour.

Located on the south east side of the deep, sheltered Akaroa Harbour, the charming township of Akaroa has a special point of difference - it was the only French settlement in New Zealand.

Day 18 Akaroa to Christchurch

Today you will drive back to Christchurch airport where you will drop your car off and check in for your overnight flight home

Day 19 Christchurch to London

Arrive back into the UK after an amazing holiday.