12-day South Island hidden treasures itinerary

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Akaroa

   After your arrival at Christchurch Airport, go to the rental car counter to collect your rental car. Your flight arrival time will dictate whether you need to stay one night in Christchurch. Otherwise start your travel through rural New Zealand to the seaside town of Akaroa. This should take you about 1.5 hours.

2. Day 2

   Akaroa

   Akaroa is the main village for the Banks Peninsula, which has many hidden bays and beaches. Do some local walks, join a dolphin tour or take a scenic cruise. For food and wine lovers there are also vineyards to check out. Think about buying some cheese at the iconic Barry's Bay Cheese Factory.

   Stay: Akaroa House Bed & Breakfast (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightBlack Cat Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises
   • Optional extraSwimming with Dolphins
3. Day 3

   Canterbury

   Set off back through the Banks Peninsula area, then take the Inland route via the scenic Rakaia Gorge to Mid-Canterbury. The tiny village of Staveley is undervalued as a fantastic base to explore local forest parks. Also just a short distance away, is the Canterbury High Country and the stunning scenery around Mt. Sunday and the Rangitata River. Part of the Lord of the Rings was filmed here (e.g. Edoras).

4. Day 4

   Canterbury

   Spend today exploring the Mt. Somers and Rangitata River areas. Your local hosts will guide you in the right direction to all those fantastic forest walks.

   Stay: Red Cottages Staveley (opens in a new tab)

   • RecommendedEdoras Mt Sunday Summit
   • Good to knowRangitata River (opens in a new tab)
   • RecommendedMount Somers
5. Day 5

   Burn Cottage Retreat

   Depart the Mid-Canterbury area and continue via Geraldine to the Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook region. This area is famous for the glacier lakes, scenic flights with snow landings and nature walks. If you are keen to join one of the suggested tours, you will have enough time to do all this on your way through. Continue traveling via Lindis Pass into the Central Otago region. This will be your base for the next three nights.

   Stay: Burn Cottage Retreat (opens in a new tab)

   • Optional extraAir Safaris Tekapo Optional
6. Day 6

   Burn Cottage Retreat

   The historic and and peaceful village of Cromwell is the ideal base for travellers. It is just a short drive from busy Queenstown, Wanaka and those great wine areas. Cromwell is also an excellent choice for repeat travellers. Most travellers would have stayed in Queenstown or Wanaka for their first visit. But even for first time visitors to New Zealand, Cromwell is a the perfect spot to discover the Central Otago region. There is much to see and discover!

   Stay: Burn Cottage Retreat Incl (opens in a new tab)

7. Day 7

   Burn Cottage Retreat

   In just the space of 30-40 min, you can discover beautiful historic villages, local day walks and exciting tours. If you feel you want to be more active, get a bike from your accommodation and discover the local wineries. They are conveniently located quite close to one another.

   Stay: Burn Cottage Retreat (opens in a new tab)

   • RecommendedCromwell
   • RecommendedBannockburn
   • RecommendedClyde
   • Optional extraAlexandra (opens in a new tab)
   • Optional extraArrowtown
8. Day 8

   Haast

   After enjoying the vast and arid landscape of Central Otago, travel to the beautiful lush rain forests of the West Coast of the South Island. There are many attractions en route - take a walk to stunning waterfalls and remote beaches. From Haast to Jackson Bay there are empty shingle beaches, lakes and wetlands, all with the backdrop of the Southern Alps. For an authentic insight to this remote area, join the Waiatoto River Jet Boating Safari.

   Stay: Collyer House B&B (opens in a new tab)

   • RecommendedHaast
9. Day 9

   Haast

   The Haast region is pristine and full of natural highlights. An absolute 'must do' is the jet boating journey up the Waiatoto River. You will breathe the purest oxygen, hear the bird song and listen to the rich history and nature stories by your driver-guide. There is plenty of time to head further south to the remote village of Jackson. Again, there are lovely local walks as well as the 'Craypot Cafe' for a bite to eat!

   Stay: Collyer House B&B (opens in a new tab)

   • HighlightWayne's Waiatoto River Safari R (opens in a new tab)
10. Day 10

    Hokitika

    Continue north towards Fox and Franz Josef Glacier. If the weather is good, we recommend a helicopter or heli-hiking trip up the glacier. Again, there are plenty of scenic options such as a loop walk around the beautiful Lake Matheson. If you want to see a real live Kiwi Bird, why not visit the Kiwi Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef. For bird nature lovers, a White Heron tour from Whataroa is a must-do. For the next two nights, stay in Hokitika.

    Stay: Hokitika Firestation Boutique Hotel Re (opens in a new tab)

11. Day 11

    Hokitika

    Hokitika is on the West Coast of the South Island, has a classic small town charm. Up until recently, the surrounding area of Hokitika has remains fairly undiscovered by tourists. But travellers are beginning to find new and exciting attractions, such as the Hokitika Gorge and the Southern Alps glaciers. Here you will discover the fantastic Six Glacier Helicopter trip - one of the best in New Zealand! There are other helicopter options in the busier Fox and Franz Josef.

12. Day 12

    Hokitika

    Depending on your flight time, you may have ample time to explore the South Island further. We can easily add arrange for you to travel further north to Nelson. From there, you could take a domestic flight to Auckland. Otherwise you will be travelling via Arthur's Pass to Christchurch and depart later in the afternoon or evening.

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