Cover the South Island’s essential one-way route in six flexible days, driving from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Basin to Queenstown without retracing your journey. Visit the International Antarctic Centre, continue to Lake Tekapo for an included Dark Sky Experience, and travel beneath Aoraki Mt Cook before reaching Queenstown. A free day allows time for the town’s adventure activities or nearby Glenorchy and Arrowtown, followed by a full self-drive day to Milford Sound and an included fiord cruise with lunch. Five nights’ accommodation, rental car hire and three experiences are included. The Tekapo stargazing programme operates Thursday to Monday. This compact itinerary suits travellers who want maximum South Island scenery in limited time while retaining control of each day.
A Glimpse of Your Journey
- ◆Self-drive — 5-day rental car with zero or reduced excess liability, Christchurch to Queenstown
- ◆Dark Sky Experience at Lake Tekapo — one of the world's certified Dark Sky Reserves
- ◆International Antarctic Centre — Christchurch's gateway to the frozen continent
- ◆Milford Sound — self-drive to Fiordland with fiord cruise and lunch
- ◆Aoraki Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo — the Mackenzie Basin at your own pace
Itinerary & Route
Collect your rental car at Christchurch Airport and drive to your accommodation in the city. The car is included for 5 days with zero or reduced excess liability — confirm the specific excess terms at collection. Christchurch Airport is 10 kilometres from the city centre; the drive in takes 20–25 minutes.
International Antarctic Centre — Included. Adjacent to the airport terminal, covering Antarctic exploration from Christchurch's role as a gateway city. The live penguin encounter, the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride, and the storm simulation room are the main experiences. Use the included admission today on arrival or tomorrow morning before heading inland. Allow at least 2 hours.
Christchurch City Centre — The Botanic Gardens and Avon River precinct are within easy reach of most central accommodation and are worth an evening walk after a long travel day.
Collect your rental car at Christchurch Airport and drive to your accommodation in the city. The car is included for 5 days with zero or reduced excess liability — confirm the specific excess terms at collection. Christchurch Airport is 10 kilometres from the city centre; the drive in takes 20–25 minutes.
International Antarctic Centre — Included. Adjacent to the airport terminal, covering Antarctic exploration from Christchurch's role as a gateway city. The live penguin encounter, the Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride, and the storm simulation room are the main experiences. Use the included admission today on arrival or tomorrow morning before heading inland. Allow at least 2 hours.
Christchurch City Centre — The Botanic Gardens and Avon River precinct are within easy reach of most central accommodation and are worth an evening walk after a long travel day.
What's Included
- hotel
Accommodation
5 nights’ accommodation
- restaurant
Meals
Lunch on the Milford Sound cruise
- airport_shuttle
Transport
5-day rental car with zero or reduced excess liability
- local_activity
Activities
International Antarctic Centre, Lake Tekapo Dark Sky Experience and Milford Sound cruise
Dates & Prices
Dates are flexible
This is a private, ground-only itinerary — travel on dates that suit you. Enquire and we'll quote you for your preferred dates.
