Explore the South Island

From Christchurch, follow the coastline south through the historic towns of Oamaru and Dunedin to the remote South Island. In Fiordland, explore scenic Milford Sound before heading to Queenstown and Wanaka for enjoyable leisure activities and adventures. Visit the exuberant West Coast and sunny Nelson and Blenheim, go up close and personal whale watching in Kaikoura, and then return to Christchurch for the full loop.

Day 1: Spend the day exploring Christchurch

As the largest central area in the South Island, Christchurch is a great blend of history and nature. Beautiful gardens, parks and the tranquil Avon River combine to make Christchurch known as New Zealand's 'Garden City'.

Hop aboard an old-fashioned punt and zig along the River Avon, through the botanical gardens of Hagley Park, before spending a leisurely afternoon on Sumner Beach. A little further afield is the Banks Peninsula, a great place to meet friendly wildlife. Take a dolphin cruise in Akaroa or visit New Zealand's largest inland blue penguin colony.

Day 2: From Christchurch to Dunedin

On today's journey south, enjoy superb views of the Southern Alps. Your first stop is the large town of Ashburton. Nestled between two large rivers, this town is the perfect place to experience fly fishing. If fishing isn't your thing, visit the town's many museums and handicraft shops.

In Timaru, stop by the beach at Caroline Bay or stroll through the lovely botanical gardens. Further south, the historic town of Oamaru is known for its beautiful white megalithic buildings and steampunk museum. This is also home to a colony of little blue penguins.

Be sure to stop on your way to Dunedin to see the famous Moraj Stone. These unimaginable natural wonders are a sight not to be missed by geology enthusiasts.

Day 3: Spend the day exploring Dunedin

Dunedin is a paradise for history buffs, with a variety of historic buildings preserved throughout the city. Visit Olverston Historic House or Lanark Castle, the only castle in New Zealand.

In addition to its ornate Victorian architecture, Dunedin is also home to a vast natural breeding ground for up-close encounters with wildlife. Take some time to explore the nearby Otago Peninsula, where penguins, sea lions and the world's only royal albatross breeding colony built on land can be found.

In the afternoon, take a stroll to Tunnel Beach, where the sandstone cliffs have been created by the sea breeze and the long-term action of the sea.

Day 4: Dunedin to Stewart Island

The Catlins are a 90-minute drive south from Dunedin. Many marine animals, from seals and sea lions to Hector's dolphins, as well as several species of penguins, make their home here. In the nearby Curio Bay, a stone forest dating back to the Jurassic period is preserved.

Continue south to Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city. From here, it's not long before you can reach Bluff, from here you can take the Stewart Island (Lachiura) border ferry.

Most of Stewart Island is a national park, and visitors can visit parts of the island to see the most pristine natural landscapes. Some of the highlights include the kiwi viewing spot on Ocean Beach, the native bird sanctuary on Alva Island and the Rachiura Trail hike.

Day 5: Stewart Island to Te Anau

Today's tour will take you back from Stewart Island to the main island and visit Te Anau.

From Invercargill, there are several routes to Te Anau. Take a slightly farther and more pristine route via Riverton and Tuatapiri, which are home to many outdoor activities. Take some time to explore the scenic Lake Manapuri before reaching Te Anau. Alternatively, take the closer route along SH6 via Lumsden, a town with some of the best scenic cycle paths around the mountain.

From Te Anau, it's a short time to reach Fiordland National Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery, which is also the starting point of the Milford Track. Popular activities in the park include lake cruises, hiking, canoeing and exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

Day 6: From Te Anau to Milford Sound

The scenery on the way to Milford Sound is almost as spectacular as the fjord itself. On the way, you can see the Hidden Mountain Avenue, the Mirror Lake and the steeply carved Hemer Tunnel

Take a boat trip to get the best view of Milford Sound's majestic waterfalls and friendly wildlife. Rent a canoe and paddle freely; Or take a boat cruise(opens in new window) with an underwater tour that takes you to see the creatures beneath the calm waters. If you're looking for the best of the fjord, an overnight cruise is a great option. Spend a fantastic night on the water and wake up to the natural beauty that surrounds you.

If you wish, you can also return to Te Anau to enjoy an abundance of dining and accommodation options.

Day 7 & 8: Queenstown

On today's tour, you'll travel from Milford Sound or Te Anau to Queenstown to experience exciting, challenging and attractive alpine resorts.

Next, spend two days enjoying all that this scenic area has to offer. Explore the majestic alpine scenery by bike, canoe, horseback riding, 4WD or on foot through one of the region's many hiking trails.

From jet boating and bungee jumping to white water rafting and skydiving, there are plenty of thrilling activities to choose from. For those looking for relaxation, there are food and wine routes, spa treatments, and world-class golf courses.

Day 9: Queenstown to Wanaka

Located at the foot of the majestic mountains, Wanaka is one of the calmest lakes in the South Island. Spend the day exploring Mount Aspiring National Park, or take a boat cruise through the crystal-clear Wanaka Lake to the Mouwahu Island Reserve, where you can see the rare Yellow Rail.

For both adventure and beauty, try the ferrata up to Twin Falls, a cordaline that runs up the cliff side of a steep waterfall. In the afternoon, take a break at one of the restaurants, browse the boutiques, or explore the psychedelic world of Wanaka.

Day 10: Wanaka to West Coast Glacier

Today's tour takes you through the spectacular Haast Pass, which takes you in everything from the West Coast's picturesque alpine landscapes to wooded rainforest landscapes. The area is home to two of New Zealand's most magnificent glaciers. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, mostly below sea level, are among the most accessible glaciers in the world, and can be reached quickly by short hiking trails through ancient moraines.

Take a guided ice hike or helicopter tour to explore these ancient ruins up close and see the "scars" left by the glacier's advance and retreat. Spend the night in the hospitable village of Franz Josef and warm up in the bubbling local hot springs.

Day 11: Franz Josef Glacier to Greymouth

Today, there are many sights to see on the way to Greymouth. The West Coast Treetop Walk, near Lake Mahinapua, takes you through a series of purpose-built boardwalks up the canopy. The nearby Hokitika gold prospector's settlement still evokes the charm of a 'frontier town', although today it is famous for its symbol of Punum (New Zealand green jade), as well as the professional carving studios and art galleries scattered throughout the town.

Shantytown has been restored to resemble a gold rush town of the 19th century in the 80s, and there are many remnants of the West Coast's pioneering history. In Greymouth, you'll find a town known for its magical sea views and spectacular estuary. Spend an afternoon exploring the area by bike, kayak or on foot.

Day 12: Greymouth to Marahau

Today's tour will take you along the coastline to Westport, then turn inland and continue to Marahau, the entrance to the Abel Tasman National Park. Take some time along the way to visit the 30-million-year-old Punakaiki Melaleuca Rock, a multi-layered rock outcrop that resembles a giant mille-feuille. Step out of Westport and take in the stunning views of the rugged coastline along the Cape Windwind Walk, which includes New Zealand fur seals.

In Marahau, you'll find New Zealand's smallest national park, where you can rent a kayak and swim with seals, or take a water taxi to one of the park's beautiful beaches.

Day 13: Marahau to Nelson

It's not a long way from Abel Tasman to Nelson, the City of Art, where art and culture can be found to blend perfectly. This seaside city is home to an art community of more than 300 artists, as well as art galleries and gourmet restaurants, wineries and beautiful golden beaches.

Nelson is sunny and mild, and it's also home to New Zealand hops, home to many craft breweries. Cycling is the best way to explore the surrounding countryside. Try cycling along the Food Bike Trail, a network of trails that connect Nelson to surrounding towns.

Day 14: Nelson to Blenheim

Blenheim is located in the heart of the Marlborough region, home to Sauvignon Blanc and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Explore the Marlborough Sounds on foot or by bike through the native forest. Take a boat cruise along the scenic fjord waterways and encounter local wildlife. Around midday, the many eateries, pubs and wineries here offer a wide selection of lunches. Fresh seafood is a local specialty.

Personalised accommodation is another feature of Blenheim, which offers a wide range of accommodation options, from home-based accommodations to boutique hotels.

Day 15: Blenheim to Kaikoura

Few places boast as many natural wonders as Kaikoura. As a base for a variety of wildlife experiences, Kaikoura is a great place to see minke, humpback and southern right whales, as well as pods of friendly dolphins. Along the Kaikoura Peninsula Track, you'll visit a sun-drenched fur seal colony and spot large seabirds such as lesser albatrosses, greater albatross and petrels.

Once here, don't forget to sample the local crayfish, from which Kaikoura takes its name: 'kai' means food and 'koura' means crayfish.

Day 16: Kaikoura to Christchurch

The final leg of the tour will take you to the northern Canterbury towns of Amberley, Waipara and Cheviot before returning to Christchurch. If you have time, stop for lunch in Waipara, a stunning valley known for its vineyards and olive groves.

In Christchurch, spend an afternoon exploring the city's museums, galleries and the International Antarctic Centre. Finally, end your New Zealand visit with a restaurant on High Street, Victoria Street or Stranges Lane.