Days 1 - 4: London to Christchurch
Board your flight from London to Christchurch. On arrival in New Zealand on the morning of day 3, due to the international time zones, you will be met and transferred to your Christchurch hotel for a 2 night stay. You have the opportunity to explore the city at your leisure and meet your fellow travellers at a welcome dinner on the evening of day 4. You'll also have an introduction and orientation of your motorhome at the hotel.
Days 5 - 6: Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook National Park
Distance: 274km / 170 miles
Your motorhome adventure starts today! Once you’re ready you’ll head south out of Christchurch across the Rakai River on the longest bridge in New Zealand. Drive across the Canterbury Plains towards Lake Tekapo. Be sure to stop and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, a photographer’s favourite. Head towards Lake Pukaki in the Mount Cook National Park, where you will stay for 2 nights.
Take the opportunity to explore World Heritage listed Mount Cook National Park. Covering over 70,000 hectares of breath-taking alpine scenery, the park is home to glacial lakes and New Zealand’s two highest peaks, Mount Tasman and, of course, Mount Cook.
Day 7: Oamaru
Distance: 186 km / 116 miles
Oamaru is best known for having some of the Southern Hemispheres most complete Victorian streetscapes and 19th century architecture, while nature lovers can head to see the world’s smallest penguins in their natural environment at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony. You can also witness the world’s rarest penguin – the yellow-eyed penguin – coming ashore at Bushy Beach.
Day 8: Dunedin
Distance: 113 km / 71 miles
From Oamaru follow the coast south making sure you have time for a stop at the mysterious Moeraki Boulders, then continue south to Dunedin, known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and gateway to the diverse wildlife of the Otago Peninsula.
Day 9: Invercargill
Distance: 204km / 128 miles
Looking on a map, the drive from Dunedin to Invercargill via the Catlin’s may seem a short distance, but with its winding roads, its stunning coastal landscapes and numerous photo opportunities, it may take you a little longer than you first expected.
The Catlin’s are ecologically unique and are made up of native coastal bush and forest, waterways, beaches, birds, and sea life and combined with the coast’s temperamental weather, a journey through the Caitlin’s will no doubt be a memorable one.
Affectionately known as the "City of Water and Light", which refers it’s the long summer days, the frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), and the city’s location by the Waihopai River estuary, Invercargill has plenty of character and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere
Day 10 - 11: Te Anau
Distance: 155km / 97 miles
From Invercargill you will drive through a patchwork of farmland and plains, dramatic coastal scenery and rolling hills before heading inland once more to Te Anau. Once in Te Anau, options here include an exhilarating jetboat ride, stopping at 3 of the actual film locations featured in the Lord of the Rings films or you can visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves where a mystical underground world of waterfalls and incredible rock formations awaits.
On day 11 we’ll take you on a full day excursion to Milford Sound where you get to take an extended nature cruise along the entire length of the Sound out to the Tasman Sea. Milford Sound is famous for the towering peaks that rise up almost vertically from the water as well as spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, and towering mountains.