Southern Splendour: New Zealand & Victoria Self-Drive Adventure

Journey from New Zealand's Spectacular South Island to Victoria's Iconic Coastal Landscapes and Vibrant Melbourne

Duration

10 Days / 8 Nights

Price

$1,850

PEOPLE GOING

125+ Booked

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details
  1. Day 1
    Arrive in Queenstown

    Arrive at Queenstown Airport, collect your rental vehicle and drive to your accommodation. Spend the day exploring the waterfront, boutiques and cafés, or relax with Central Otago wine overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

    Drive: 8 km (15 mins). Overnight: Queenstown.

  2. Day 2
    Queenstown at Leisure

    Breakfast. Enjoy Queenstown at your own pace. Ride the Skyline Gondola, visit Arrowtown, stroll the waterfront, or relax by Lake Wakatipu. Optional Thunder Jet ride or Central Otago wine tour.

    Drive: Flexible touring. Overnight: Queenstown.

  3. Day 3
    Queenstown → Milford Sound → Queenstown

    Breakfast. Drive through Fiordland National Park via Te Anau and Eglinton Valley to Milford Sound. Admire mountains, waterfalls and rainforest. Optional cruise to see Mitre Peak, seals and dolphins.

    Drive: 574 km (9 hrs 30 mins). Overnight: Queenstown.

  4. Day 4
    Queenstown → Franz Josef

    Breakfast. Travel via Arrowtown, Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea and Haast Pass to Franz Josef Glacier. Explore rainforest trails, relax in hot pools or visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre.

    Drive: 350 km (5 hrs 30 mins). Overnight: Franz Josef.

  5. Day 5
    Franz Josef → Christchurch → Melbourne

    Breakfast. Drive through the Southern Alps, Mackenzie Country, Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo to Christchurch Airport. Return your vehicle and fly to Melbourne (flight not included). Collect your Australian rental car.

    Drive: 610 km (8 hrs 30 mins) + 23 km (30–45 mins). Overnight: Melbourne.

  6. Day 6
    Discover Melbourne

    Breakfast. Explore Melbourne’s laneways, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Southbank, Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy Gardens and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Discover cafés, arcades and street art. Walking: 3–6 km.

    Overnight: Melbourne.

  7. Day 7
    Great Ocean Road

    Breakfast. Travel via Geelong and Torquay along the Great Ocean Road, passing Bells Beach, Lorne and Apollo Bay. Visit the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Shipwreck Coast before returning to Melbourne. Drive: 520 km (8 hrs 30 mins–9 hrs).

    Overnight: Melbourne.

  8. Day 8
    Phillip Island

    Breakfast. Visit Phillip Island’s Koala Conservation Reserve and The Nobbies overlooking Seal Rocks. In the evening, witness the famous Penguin Parade before returning to Melbourne.

    Drive: 297 km (4 hrs 15 mins). Overnight: Melbourne.

  9. Day 9
    Melbourne at Leisure

    Breakfast. Enjoy Melbourne at your own pace. Shop, explore laneways, museums and galleries, relax along the Yarra River, or join optional Yarra Valley winery tours, hot air ballooning or coastal excursions.

    Drive: Flexible touring. Overnight: Melbourne.

  10. Day 10
    Melbourne Departure

    Breakfast. Enjoy free time before checking out. Drive to Melbourne Airport, return your rental vehicle and board your onward flight, concluding your New Zealand and Victoria self-drive adventure.

    Drive: 23 km (30–45 mins). End of Services

Tour Highlights
  • • Arrive at Queenstown Airport & collect rental car.

    • Drive to hotel & relax at leisure.

    • Explore downtown Queenstown & Lake Wakatipu waterfront.

    Overnight: Queenstown

Accommodations

New Zealand
Accommodation:

  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Queenstown with breakfast.
  • 1 night hotel accommodation in Franz Josef with breakfast.

 

Australia
Accommodation:

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation in Melbourne with breakfast.

 

Guests may request upgrades to 5-Star hotels. Upgraded options are subject to availability and additional costs

Package Includes

New Zealand
Self-Drive

  • Premium rental car for 5 days.
  • Unlimited kilometres.
  • GPS navigation.
  • Detailed self-drive route notes.

 

Experiences

  • Explore Queenstown.
  • Scenic self-drive to Milford Sound.
  • Haast Pass scenic drive.
  • Franz Josef Glacier region.
  • Mackenzie Country scenic route.

 

Australia
Self-Drive

  • Premium rental car for 6 days.
  • Unlimited kilometres.
  • GPS navigation or digital navigation support.
  • Route maps and detailed self-drive itinerary.

 

Experiences

  • Explore Melbourne’s iconic city precincts.
  • Great Ocean Road scenic drive.
  • Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
  • Phillip Island wildlife experience.
  • Koala Conservation Reserve.
  • Penguin Parade (admission not included unless stated).

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Southern Treasures: New Zealand & Victoria