9 Day South Island Eastern Highlights

Starting From NZD $2,134
Map
We Tour NZ > Tours > 9 Day South Island Eastern Highlights

A great compact tour of some of the main highlights of New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll visit the alpine playground of Queenstown, venture into Milford Sound and visit Dunedin before returning to Christchurch.

Tour Highlights

  • TSS Earnslaw dinner cruise
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Larnach Castle Tour
  • Christchurch Tram Tour

Tour Itinerary

Motel, 3 Star Hotel or 4 Star Hotel Accommodation Options
We can tailor this tour to include an accommodation style to suit you, choose from Motel, 3 Star Hotel or 4 Star Hotel Accommodation.
1
Christchurch
Day 1
Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch today where you have free time to explore the ‘Garden City’. Christchurch, known for its parks, gardens and English heritage with the Avon River gently meandering through the city centre. Flat-bottomed punts glide on the river and on its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Exploring the city on one of the trams is a great way to get to know your way around, take a boat ride on the Avon or simply sit back at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Oxford Terrace and enjoy this attractive city.
Christchurch Tram
The Christchurch Tram is a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. The beautifully restored heritage trams are one of the city’s best loved attractions.
Read more
2
Christchurch to Mackenzie Country/Mt Cook 330km | 205mi, 4 hours 15 minutes drive time
Day 2
Christchurch to Mackenzie Country/Mt Cook 330km | 205mi, 4 hours 15 minutes drive time
This morning depart Christchurch, heading South through the outlying towns of Rolleston and Dunsandel and cross the Rakaia River. The Rakaia Bridge is New Zealand's longest road bridge at 1.8km long and crosses the Rakaia River, one of Canterbury's large braided rivers. Not far from here you begin to head inland, through the beautiful town of Geraldine, Fairle and Burkes Pass before arriving at the stunning turquoise-blue Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie region. Here you can see the Church of the Good Sheppard set against a stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps. Tonight, you will stay in the Mackenzie Region for the night.
3
Mt Cook/Mackenzie Country – Queenstown 262km | 163mi, 3 hours 20 minutes driving time
Day 3
Mt Cook/Mackenzie Country – Queenstown 262km | 163mi, 3 hours 20 minutes driving time
Spend the morning exploring the Mt Cook area, you may choose to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe. Then depart the Mackenzie region heading south through the dramatic Lindis Pass which links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. For many months of the year, you can expect to see snow in this mountainous area, here snow tussock grassland dominates the landscape of this undulating terrain. Your journey continues on through the once Gold Mining and now stone fruit growing town of Cromwell, set on the shores of Lake Dunstan. From here continue through the wine growing region of Gibbston Valley notable for it’s Pinot Noir, through historic Arrowtown and onto the alpine playground of Queenstown.
4
Queenstown – Day at leisure
Day 4
Queenstown – Day at leisure
Today is yours to explore this beautiful lakeside town, with it’s towering mountains and majestic natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. There’s adventure activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting all year round. Queenstown is also a renowned cycling destination, providing everything from easy scenic tracks to backcountry trails, road rides to heli-biking and the Southern Hemisphere’s only gondola accessed downhill mountain biking. Or if a slower pace appeals, experience one of the many walking and hiking trails, sightseeing tours or indulge yourself with spa treatments, boutique shopping and excellent food and wine. This evening enjoy a dinner cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship to Walter Peak Station where you will enjoy a BBQ dinner and entertainment.
Skyline Gondola Queenstown - Suggested Addition
The iconic Skyline Gondola gives you the opportunity to take in stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere.  You’ll be carried 480 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak to enjoy a spectacular 220 degree panorama.
Read more
Dart River Safari - Suggested Addition
The Dart River Safari jetboat experience is an exhilarating and spectacular journey through iconic landscapes. The landscapes in the Dart River Valley are nothing short of awe-inspiring. And you'll learn about the area as you travel past snow-capped mountain peaks, crystal clear waterways and lush ancient native beech forests. 
Read more
Boutique Winery Tour Queenstown - Suggested Addition
A boutique winery tour is a wonderful way to explore the vineyards of Gibbston Valley, near Queenstown. Famous for their world-class pinot noir, the vineyards you will visit are set in the truly breathtaking scenery of an alpine valley.
Read more
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
The TSS Earnslaw offers one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship taking in the views at a leisurely pace.
Read more
5
Queenstown-Milford Sound-Te Anau 406km | 252mi, 5 hours 20 minutes driving time
Day 5
Queenstown-Milford Sound-Te Anau 406km | 252mi, 5 hours 20 minutes driving time
This morning depart Queenstown, head along Lake Wakatipu through the towns of Kingston, and Mossburn and onto Te Anau. Here is a great spot to stop for morning tea and stretch the legs before continuing on to Milford Sound. This part of your journey today offers a stunning range of scenery, from lush beech forest and vast valleys to mirror-like lakes, towering mountains and impressive feats of roading engineering. While the final reward is the breathtaking vista of Milford Sound, the Milford Road delivers a journey which is every bit as impressive as the destination. Enjoy a Cruise on Milford Sound where you can get close to the stunning nature of this area, from thundering waterfalls to sky-high mountains and lush rainforests soak up this pristine slice of New Zealand. After your cruise return to Te Anau where you spend the night.
Milford Sound Cruise
Cruise Milford Sound, the most well-known and accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water. 
Read more
6
Te Anau-Dunedin 287 km | 178mi, 3 hours 30 minutes driving time
Day 6
Te Anau-Dunedin 287 km | 178mi, 3 hours 30 minutes driving time
This morning after a leisurely start in Te Anau, your journey crosses the bottom part of the South Island taking you to Dunedin. As one of New Zealand’s first three cities, Dunedin was built on the riches of the gold rush, and this legacy lives on in one of the best collections of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the southern hemisphere. Gothic church spires, ornate mansions, grand buildings, intriguing alleyways and picturesque gardens are woven through the central city, which is full of bustling cafes, shopping boutiques and outstanding street art. There is a wide range of public and privately run art galleries and this city is the only UNESCO Creative City of Literature in New Zealand. It was the home of many of the country’s most celebrated authors and is today a University City home to the Otago University.
7
Dunedin – day at leisure
Day 7
Dunedin – day at leisure
Today is yours to explore Dunedin and in particular the Otago Peninsula, flanking the southern edge of Dunedin's extensive harbour, Otago Peninsula is high and rugged on the ocean side; warm and sheltered on the harbour side. Volcanic in origin, the peninsula is part of the crater wall of a large, long-extinct volcano. As a scenic drive, Otago Peninsula is spectacular. Beginning at Vauxhall, you can follow the coastal road past small settlements and beaches to Taiaroa Head, where there's an albatross colony. Other attractions near Taiaroa Head include the fur seals at Pilots Beach and sea lions on Te Rauone Beach. Visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only Castle, offers an insight into Victorian Culture. Built from 1871, by William Larnach, Merchant Banker and Politician, Larnach Castle showcases master craftsmanship, New Zealand Antiques and the style of Victorian living. Learn about Larnach's three wives, six children... and eventual scandalous suicide in Parliament Buildings. Beautifully restored and interestingly interpreted by the Barker family who have owned and cared for the Castle since 1967.
Larnach Castle
Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, a short distance from Dunedin, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell. Then master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior.
Read more
8
Dunedin-Christchurch 360km | 223mi, 5 hours driving time
Day 8
Dunedin-Christchurch 360km | 223mi, 5 hours driving time
Depart Dunedin this morning and head north up the East Coast of the South Island, to the small fishing village of Moeraki. Moeraki is now most famous for its boulders; mysteriously spherical stones scattered across a beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high. Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand hundreds of years ago. From here continue your journey North to Oamaru which has a rich history that can be explored in the Victorian precinct where you will find galleries and traditional crafts housed within some of the South hemispheres most complete Victorian streetscapes and architecture. This is a great lunch stop option before continuing your journey North up the East Coast to Christchurch.
9
Christchurch
Day 9
Christchurch
Spend the morning exploring this beautiful city before departing for your onward journey. You will be transferred to the airport.

Want a custom itinerary?

We can customise any of our Self guided drive tours to your needs

Get in touch today

Inclusions

  • Rental Car 8 day hire
  • 8 nights accommodation
  • TSS Earnslaw dinner cruise
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • Larnach Castle Tour
  • Christchurch Tram Tour

Visited Locations

  • Christchurch
    Christchurch is an fascinating city to explore. It was once a historic garden city. Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes it has turned into a fascinating city of regeneration and growth.
    Read more
  • Aoraki Mount Cook
    Aoraki / Mount Cook, standing at 3,724 metres, is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It is  located within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
    Read more
  • Queenstown
    Queenstown is a stunning resort town, renowned for its beauty and wealth of adventure activities, it sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps mountains, Queenstown is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns.
    Read more
  • Milford Sound
    Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world", Milford Sound is a stunning fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island.
    Read more
  • Te Anau
    A two hour drive from Queenstown, Te Anau is a Southland town. A pretty lakeside town, it’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park.
    Read more
  • Dunedin
    Known as the 'Edinburgh of the South', Dunedin is a city that wears its Scottish heritage with pride. The small city boasts some eye-catching architecture and is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.
    Read more

Attractions

  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
    The TSS Earnslaw offers one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship taking in the views at a leisurely pace.
    Read more
  • Milford Sound Cruise
    Cruise Milford Sound, the most well-known and accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water. 
    Read more
  • Larnach Castle
    Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, a short distance from Dunedin, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell. Then master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior.
    Read more
  • Christchurch Tram
    The Christchurch Tram is a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. The beautifully restored heritage trams are one of the city’s best loved attractions.
    Read more

Available Dates

Dates Price per person
9 Day South Island Eastern Highlights
Days
9
Price from
NZD $2,134 per person share twin (low season)
Make an enquiry
Enquire now