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 - 8 : Dunedin
Distance: 266 km / 165 miles
Heading south through the Waitaki Valley and along the coast, be sure to stop at the mysterious Moeraki Boulders appearing to emerge from the sands at low tide.
Affectionately known as ‘the Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is your next stop. It is an endearing city of classical Victorian & Edwardian architecture and is the gateway to diverse wildlife of the Otago Peninsula. Tours of the Otago Peninsula are available, taking in the region’s wildlife, scenery and historic buildings including Lanarch Castle, the Royal Albatross Centre and Penguin Place. Other options in Dunedin include tours of Cadbury Chocolate World and Speights Brewery, home of New Zealand’s most popular beer.
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. Spend an overnight stop in the laid-back city of Invercargill.
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.
