• Overview

  • Trip Itinerary

  • Trip Includes

  • Trip Excludes

  • FAQ

9 DAY SOUTHERN DRIFT

Package from:

  • From NZ$3,429 per person twin share*

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Starts: Christchurch

Ends: Christchurch

Destinations: Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka and Fox Glacier

Overview:

Experience the best of New Zealand's South Island on this self-drive adventure. Journey through the stunning Mackenzie Country, spend time in Queenstown, enjoy a Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience, cruise spectacular Milford Sound overnight, and travel through Wanaka and Fox Glacier before returning to Christchurch for a memorable Tramway Restaurant dining experience.

Your package includes:

  • 9 days car hire with pick-up and drop-off at Christchurch Airport
  • 1 night at Distinction Christchurch Hotel in a Classic Room
  • 1 night at Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in a Deluxe Room
  • 2 nights at The Rees Apartment Hotel in a Superior Hotel Room
  • Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience (3:00pm – 6:30pm)
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 1 night at Edgewater Wanaka in a Premium Hotel Room
  • 1 night at Te Weheka Retreat, Fox Glacier in a Double Room including breakfast
  • 1 night at Distinction Christchurch Hotel in a Classic Room
  • Tramway Restaurant Dinner Experience in Christchurch

Journey Highlights:

  • Self-drive through some of the South Island's most spectacular scenery
  • Experience the beauty of the Mackenzie Country
  • Stay in vibrant Queenstown
  • Enjoy a Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience
  • Spend a night cruising in Milford Sound
  • Visit picturesque Wanaka
  • Explore the glacier region of the West Coast
  • Enjoy a unique dining experience aboard Christchurch's Tramway Restaurant

Accommodation Included:

Christchurch

  • Distinction Christchurch Hotel
  • Classic Room

Mackenzie Country

  • Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
  • Deluxe Room

Queenstown

  • The Rees Apartment Hotel
  • Superior Hotel Room
  • 2-night stay

Wanaka

  • Edgewater Wanaka
  • Premium Hotel Room

Fox Glacier

  • Te Weheka Retreat
  • Double Room
  • Breakfast included

Included Experiences:

  • Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • Tramway Restaurant Dinner Experience

Why You'll Love This Journey:

  • Freedom of a self-drive itinerary
  • Premium accommodation throughout
  • Overnight cruise on Milford Sound
  • Unique culinary experiences included
  • Visit Queenstown, Wanaka and Fox Glacier
  • Showcases the very best of New Zealand's South Island

Travel Dates & Pricing:

  • 01 November – 15 December 2026: From NZ$3,429 per person twin share
  • 05 January – 22 March 2027: From NZ$3,579 per person twin share

Travel Information:

  • Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Starts and Ends: Christchurch
  • Vehicle Hire: 9 Days
  • Accommodation: Premium Hotels and Lodges as specified

*Price is per person twin share and subject to availability at the time of booking. Package includes accommodation, car hire and sightseeing as specified. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply.

No details found.

Your package includes:

  • 9 days car hire with pick-up and drop-off at Christchurch Airport
  • 1 night at Distinction Christchurch Hotel in a Classic Room
  • 1 night at Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in a Deluxe Room
  • 2 nights at The Rees Apartment Hotel in a Superior Hotel Room
  • Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience (3:00pm – 6:30pm)
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 1 night at Edgewater Wanaka in a Premium Hotel Room
  • 1 night at Te Weheka Retreat, Fox Glacier in a Double Room including breakfast
  • 1 night at Distinction Christchurch Hotel in a Classic Room
  • Tramway Restaurant Dinner Experience in Christchurch

Journey Highlights:

  • Self-drive through some of the South Island's most spectacular scenery
  • Experience the beauty of the Mackenzie Country
  • Stay in vibrant Queenstown
  • Enjoy a Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience
  • Spend a night cruising in Milford Sound
  • Visit picturesque Wanaka
  • Explore the glacier region of the West Coast
  • Enjoy a unique dining experience aboard Christchurch's Tramway Restaurant

Accommodation Included:

Christchurch

  • Distinction Christchurch Hotel
  • Classic Room

Mackenzie Country

  • Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
  • Deluxe Room

Queenstown

  • The Rees Apartment Hotel
  • Superior Hotel Room
  • 2-night stay

Wanaka

  • Edgewater Wanaka
  • Premium Hotel Room

Fox Glacier

  • Te Weheka Retreat
  • Double Room
  • Breakfast included

Included Experiences:

  • Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • Tramway Restaurant Dinner Experience

Why You'll Love This Journey:

  • Freedom of a self-drive itinerary
  • Premium accommodation throughout
  • Overnight cruise on Milford Sound
  • Unique culinary experiences included
  • Visit Queenstown, Wanaka and Fox Glacier
  • Showcases the very best of New Zealand's South Island

Travel Dates & Pricing:

  • 01 November – 15 December 2026: From NZ$3,429 per person twin share
  • 05 January – 22 March 2027: From NZ$3,579 per person twin share

Travel Information:

  • Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • Starts and Ends: Christchurch
  • Vehicle Hire: 9 Days
  • Accommodation: Premium Hotels and Lodges as specified
  • Travel Insurance – your North Travel consultant can provide you with a quote. Get a quote now.
  • Tourism visa or transit visa if required
  • Upgrades to Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class available and to be quote at the time of booking.
  • Itinerary deviations (e.g. extensions or specific airline requests). This will be quoted by a North Travel consultant at the time of booking.
  • Professional service fee's (if any)

Advertised prices are not guaranteed until confirmed at booking. Prices are dynamic and may be affected by foreign exchange, airline, cruise, tour and supplier changes beyond North Travel’s control.

By making a booking or enquiry with North Travel, you agree to our General Terms and Conditions. Please visit https://northtravel.co.nz/terms-and-conditions/

While it's not strictly mandatory for all bookings, North Travel highly recommends and, in many cases, requires you to have adequate travel insurance for international travel, and strongly advises it for domestic trips. It's a non-negotiable for your peace of mind and protection.

On some itineraries and tours you may be required to have comprehensive travel insurance by the travel supplier. One of our consultants can guide you on this.

North Travel's head office is located at 196 Bank Street, Whangarei, New Zealand.

We are a 100% New Zealand Owned and Operated Travel Agency.

Yes absolutely please give us a call on 0800 803 007.

If calling from outside of New Zealand please call +64 9 699 3074

Yes, we like to think we are.

In 2025 North Travel was a top 5 finalist at the NTIA Awards (National Travel Industry Awards).

North Travel is a fully bonded member of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association of New Zealand), an IATA Accredited Agency as well as a CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) member.

North Travel operates strict financial management through client trust accounts and carries comprehensive indemnity and liability insurance at all times.

All members of the North Travel team carry out CPD (Continuing professional development) weekly through various industry training webinars, supplier updates and insurance compliance.