Self Drive New Zealand’s Spectacular South Coast

Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass, Nelson, Marlborough & Kaikoura

Best time to travel

Sep - May

Ideal length

12 nights

Perfect for

Couples

From (incl flights)

€8,799 pp

At a glance

International return flights from Dublin to Christchurch.
Private airport transfer and 12 days’ pre-arranged car rental in a Toyota Camry, or similar.
12 nights’ accommodation in our luxury partner properties in Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass, Nelson, Marlborough, Kaikoura and Christchurch.
Experience Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park by air, land and sea on this exciting and all-encompassing excursion.
Take a leisurely cycling tour from Kaiteriteri to Mapua and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight in search of whales and other aquatic life.

Let's plan your trip!

Introduction

We won’t let you miss a thing on this complete tour of New Zealand’s South Island. From the towering mountains of Arthur’s Pass to the pods of sperm whales off Kaikoura’s coast, the tropical sandy beaches of Abel Tasman to the gourmet luxuries of Marlborough, the South Island is a wonderful amalgamation of diverse scenery and exquisite Kiwi culture. Your journey begins and ends in Christchurch, with incredible excursions throughout and pre-arranged car rental, essential for your own discoveries along the way.

View all of our luxury holidays to New Zealand.

Trip Overview

Depart from Dublin to Christchurch.

Upon arrival, your private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your luxury accommodation overlooking the picturesque River Avon and Hagley Park, your home for the next two nights. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the city before picking up your rental car and driving to Arthur’s Pass.

Discover the wonders of Arthur’s Pass.

Arrive at your luxury accommodation in the heart of the Southern Alps, your home for three nights. Enjoy the wonderful scenery before driving to your luxury accommodation in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions, between Nelson and Abel Tasman, your home for the next three nights.

Experience Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park.

Fly over the pristine beaches, walk to Te Waikoropupu Springs and cruise to see the dolphins and seals. The next day, enjoy a cycle from Kaiteriteri to Mapua, with a great variety of scenery and places to stop. We also suggest embarking on a guided walking tour through Abel Tasman National Park.

Spend two nights in the Marlborough wine region.

Your luxury accommodation is perfectly positioned in New Zealand’s gourmet province, a treasure trove of food, wine, arts, adventure, culture and scenery. You’ll then spend the next two nights at the base of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range.

Experience the magnificent wildlife and scenery from a helicopter.

Fly over the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary to marvel at the sperm whales from above. Soar along the coastline, spotting other wildlife including the resident dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. Then, return to your luxury accommodation in Christchurch for one night.

Drive to the airport.

Drop off your rental car and board your flight. Arrive in Dublin.

Tailoring your holiday

OROKO Itineraries are created with you in mind and no two are the same. These can be used to help plan your trip - or we can design a completely different itinerary to suit you.

Let's plan your trip!

Accommodation

Where to rest your head

Looking for the best accommodation? We've got the contacts

The Marlborough

Perfectly positioned in New Zealand’s gourmet province, The Marlborough is a luxury boutique hotel on its own country estate in Marlborough wine region.

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Hapuku Lodge

Hapuku Lodge is situated on a deer farm at the base of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range, just a short drive from the town of Kaikoura.

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The George

Overlooking the picturesque River Avon and Hagley Park, the George is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Christchurch.

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Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass

In the heart of the Southern Alps lies Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass, the perfect location for your exploration of the wilds of New Zealand’s South Island.

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Edenhouse

Located between beautiful Nelson and the gorgeous sandy beaches of Abel Tasman, Edenhouse is a charming and elegant country house set on a 48-acre estate.

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What people are saying

Conor in OROKO arranged a holiday this summer for us and our four teenage boys. We were unsure where to go and his advice was fantastic! He took over completely after a consultation about our expectations, taking into consideration our boys’ needs too! He most certainly delivered a tremendous holiday for us all – way beyond what we could have done ourselves, with each of our three destinations better than the last. All incredibly located and absolutely stunning!

Everything was done for us – check-ins/five-star transfers/individual bag tags/ferry transfers with all seats pre-booked! Conor was incredibly helpful, patient, knowledgable and open. It made our trip truly memorable from conception to finish and I cannot fathom planning a trip again without OROKO! Thank you for everything we will never forget it!

Valerie & family – Greece, 2022