Day 4 - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TO WANAKA

This  morning depart for four and a half hour journey to Wanaka. Still headinf south on SH6 you will lead through what is arguably one of the most spectacular Alpine routes you will encounter. The Haast Pass as you travel through Mount Aspiring National Park took 100 years to complete and opened up the link between Westland and Central Otago. Wanaka, sheltered behind the Southern Apls in the South Island of New Zealand, is an ideal holiday destination. Close Mount Aspiring National Park, the area is a natural paradise. Stunning mountain scenery, tranquil secluded bays and scenic outlooks abound. Whilst just under a two hour drive from Queenstown, is also a lakeside township offering adrenaline activities and adventures the pace of life here is more sedate and less hurried than in Queenstown.

Day 5 - WANAKA TO QUEENSTOWN

Today you will bid farewell to this tranquil lakeside township, and travel just over 2 hours by road to the Adventure capital of New Zealand - Queenstown. Continue on SH # 6 taking you back through gold country past lake Dunstan which formed behind the relocated Hydro power Township of Cromwell. The gold bearing alluvial soils around Cromwell produce bountiful stone fruit (in particular apricots and cherries) these can be bought directly from the orchard growers, from roadside stalls. Then it is the Kawaerau Gorge, the Goldfields Mining Centre past he suspension Bridge, and the final 20 Kms to Queenstown.

Day 6 - QUEENSTOWN

Today is free to enjoy the many leisure pusuits. Queenstown has captured hearts since the first Maori came in search of Pounamu (greenstone or jade) and to hunt the giant Moa Bird and he same magic remains today. Queenstown in now an established resort for visitors from all parts of the world and all spectrums of life. This town deep in the heart of the South Island of New Zealand is pure escapism. This is the place where limits stop and peoples imagination take over.

Day 7 - QUEENSTOWN TO TE ANAU

Take a leisurely drive into Fjordland National Park area to the village of Te Anau. Your journey takes you along the shores of Wakatipu on SH # 6 before reaching Kingston at the southern tip of the lake.

In the summer months (October to April) you can relive the age of steam on the stretch of track between Kingston adn Fairlight. Hauled by coal-fired Locomotives, designed by NZ Railway engineers, The "Kingston Flier" was one of the locomotives that first came into service in 1915.

Day 8 - MILFORD SOUND DAY EXCURSION WITH NATURE CRUISE

To truly enjoy today's excursion we recommend leaving your rental behind and let someone else do the driving. Drive through the magnificant beech forest of the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound for a launch excursion on the Fjord. Enjoy breathtaking scenery including the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak with a full commentary on the natural history of the fjord. Upon conclusion of the cruise, return to Te Anau.

Day 9 - TE ANAU TO DUNEDIN

Leaving Te Anau behind, pass over "The Key" and through wide flat farmland and through the farming tours of Mossburn and Lumsden. After travelling alongside the Hokonui Hills, where moonshine was distilled during the prohibition years, pass through Gore, over the Taieri Plains past Mosgiel before entering into Dunedin early afternoon.

The city's attractions include museums, gardens and galleries, tow great baronial houses and the nearby Otago Peninsula with its Albatross and Penguin colonies.

Day 10 - DUNEDIN TO MT COOK

SH1 will lead you north today to Oamaru where you will then leave the coast to head inland on SH83. Follow the Waitaki River up the Waitaki Valley past Lake Waitaki, the Aviemore and Benmore Dams to Omarama. At Omarama you join SH#8 through to Twizel and Lake Pukaki. Here you will turn up SH80 which runs approximately 60 kms alongside the Mt Cook Village.

Day 11 - MT COOK TO CHRISTCHURCH

After rejoinng SH 8, the journey north passes Lake Tekapo with its beautiful stone church at the edge of the turquoise glacial lake, The Church of the Good Shepherd. Built in 1935 the church is a memorial to the pioneer run holders of the Mackenzie. Nearby is the bronze statue of a sheepdog, tribute to the working dog and the contribution they have made to the near impossible task of grazing the high country.

From Tekapo, heart of the Mackenzie Country it is through the Two thumb range to descend down to the patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Day 12 - DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Today is at leisure until you return your rental car back to Christchurch Airport.