Tailormade tour Best of New Zealand's South Island tour New Zealand

Arriving in Nelson, you are transferred to your luxury accommodation by private chauffeur. Settle into the time zone with the help of your luxury accommodation, and the stunning views in this wild region of New Zealand.

Today would be a great day to venture into the true wilderness of the Abel Tasman National Park. Preferably, you could join your own private charter so that you get to see the major sights along the coast and have time for a swim and sunbathe and a picnic lunch on a pretty-much deserted beach. Either way, the Abel Tasman National Park is a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts the world over. Here lush vegetation and hills of native bush cascade into sheltered inlets of turquoise water and idyllic beaches. The Park can only be reached by water or foot, and it is this isolation that makes the Abel Tasman such a special retreat into nature.

Picking up your 4x4 hire car, your road trip through the South Island begins today. Today’s drive is particularly pretty as you head along the coast passing Nelson and then through wooded hills skirting the edge of the Marlborough Sounds near Havelock. Stop here for a fantastic lunch of the local Greenlip mussels before reaching the more expansive, drier country of the Wairau valley around Blenheim. Vineyards here stretch for miles with easily recognisable names such as Montana, Cloudy Bay and Stoneleigh. Enjoy a spot of wine-tasting in the late afternoon, as the sun cast golden hues over the pastoral landscape.

Another full day of exploring the world-famous vineyards of Marlborough could await guests. One of the most exciting ways to do this would be by riding The Golden Mile, a series of excellent vineyards connected by easy and scenic bike trails. Otherwise choose from a variety of activities to showcase the best of the region. For example, explore the local museums that tell the history of New Zealand, or hike and kayak around the Wairau Lagoon, where the site of New Zealand’s earliest human habitation, and over 90 species of bird are found.

Set out South East en route to Kaikoura. Spot striking beaches, and the friendly faces of sunbathing seals before arriving into Kaikoura for lunch of local crayfish, the delicacy from which this town takes its name. Set between the rugged Seaward Kaikoura Range and the vast Pacific Ocean, this wild place has been made famous by the exceptional marine life found just off the shores. Perhaps today though, explore the wonderful terrestrial environment with scenic tramping on the Kaikoura Coast Track, or take to the air with a scenic flight over this pristine ecosystem.

Having gazed over the coastline by foot or by air, it is now time to take to the water in order explore the rich biodiversity found below the waves. Sperm whales are found here in greater numbers than anywhere on earth. They can reach a length of 60 metres making them the world’s largest toothed mammal. Join one of the whale watching boats to get up close and personal with these wonderful creatures. Alternatively, you could choose to swim with the wild dolphins of the region, kayak with the inquisitive seals, or spot albatross by boat. There is no end to the once-in-a-lifetime encounters possible in Kaikoura. The boat trips usually take place in the morning, then continue by car to Christchurch for the night.

Spend the morning in Christchurch, exploring this fascinating city as it rebuilds in creative ways from the devastation of the 2011 earthquake. This afternoon an easy drive will take you from the Canterbury Plains of Christchurch into the Southern Alps. The scenery from the road is some of the best in New Zealand, and postcard images of the South Island will pass by in their dozens, from pastures of grazing sheep to craggy cliffs and distant snow-clad mountain peaks. The vistas reach their crescendo as you approach Arthur’s Pass. Here, settle into your friendly and cosy luxury hotel, and perhaps join one of the walking tours of this alpine environment before tucking into a well-earnt hearty meal.

Live like a true Kiwi local today by a tour of a real working sheep farm. With 3000 sheep and 120 Angus cattle, experienced guides will show you this typically New Zealand way of life, including traditional blade-shearing demonstrations, and handfeeding of tame shape. Alternatively, guests could hike or join an ecological guided tour of the area. The focus really is on the great outdoors, and the alpine scenery provides a magnificent playground in which to indulge oneself. In the evening, observe the stars of the southern sky in this second-to-none setting where clean air and zero light pollution reveal the entirety of the milky way.

Continuing west across the Pass, today’s drive will eventually take you down to the coast. Here awaits a marvel of the latitude, with the pristine glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox advancing close to the sea. Settle into your luxury lodge, and take a trip into town to find a charming town alive with Kea – a cheeky and comical West Coast Parrot. For pure relaxation, why not indulge in the glacier hot pools that weave their way through the lush rainforest.

Today can be adventurous in the most Kiwi of ways. One of the delights of the Franz Josef Glacier is the opportunity to take a thrilling helicopter ride onto the pale blue pristine ice formations, and hike along with the help of a qualified guide. This adventure is deceptively safe, and your well-trained guides will walk with you every step of the way. The views are exceptional, and the experience is unlike anything you will have tried before. It really is one of the highlights of a trip to New Zealand.

A scenic drive will take you along the west coast of New Zealand, past a number of achingly pretty stops. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mount Cook National Park, Haast and Mount Aspiring National Park before arriving in the idyllic surrounds of Wanaka. This charming resort town is surrounded invitingly by the pristine rivers, waterfalls, native forests and mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, as well as containing 750km of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails. There are excellent facilities for thrill seekers with canyoning, skydiving, off road tours and airborne adventures, as well as jet-boating, kayaking and paddle boarding in the summer, and world class ski resorts in the winter. In the evening, relax under the incredible star displays of this remote region.

Driving further south, touching the wineries of Otago, and passing into the famously adventurous Queenstown. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, New Zealand has saved the best for last. Settle into your lake-side accommodation and revel in the alpine surrounds. The choice of activities on offer in Queenstown is truly staggering. In the winter, head to the aptly-named Remarkables to find some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. In the summer, choose from mountain biking, white-water rafting or horse-riding amongst other activities. Many of these opportunities operate year-round, allowing you to acquaint yourself with Fiordland in an adventurous way. Queenstown itself is a beautiful and exciting home from home amidst all the adrenaline. There is a youthful energy available, as well as a palpable air of sophistication for those seeking outstanding hospitality, food and wine.

You have two full days in Queenstown. You can explore locally, the lake and nearby Arrowtown. Or one option, is to join a day cruise of either Milford or Doubtful Sound. These incredible fiords are home to an extraordinary mix of wildlife, from orcas to penguins, and feature some of the best scenery in New Zealand.

With memories to last a lifetime, drop your hire-car at Queenstown Airport and catch your onward flight.