At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Dive deep into the true natural beauty of New Zealand, on a route less travelled but no less fascinating. The hidden wonders of the South Island are waiting to be discovered. This journey gives you the opportunity to uniquely experience the ever-changing landscape. Have close encounters with rare and native wildlife. Meet the locals and more.
Quick facts about this sample itinerary
- This itinerary can be customised to suit your individual wishes
- Best travel time is September - October and March - April
- Moderate travel pace with 1-4 nights at each location
- The average drive between each accommodation is 2 to 4 hours
- Stay with locals at 12 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of small-group activities with locals
- Collect your rental car in Queenstown and return in Christchurch
- Domestic flight from Christchurch to Queenstown
Below, you can discover our suggested locations. Feel free to adjust your comfort level, add activity packages along the route, and indicate whether you would like us to arrange your flights. The price indication is based on travel in high season, so shoulder season travel will often give you a price advantage.
Route and Impressions
![new-zealand](/img/maps/map-new-zealand-fc.png)
![Enjoy a day trip to the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu by jet boat](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b3914f2ff4ec544b97e18eaa21db90ed 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=4f577347b4bf14549ac69b355367fb64 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e117cd2f1d94a215c1fd98c2d61dc60 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=85c483f5306a278c0779b73f230d90f7 400w)
![Hiking enthusiasts will be in heaven in the Fiordland National Park](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-lake-marion-fiordland-national-park-2-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=6d9f2bbea3d591eaf9d77e1a367a918e 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-lake-marion-fiordland-national-park-2-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=a06f309121251fe4fbc2c84f2159c0d3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-lake-marion-fiordland-national-park-2-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e877c7f59d4160dba4e95e80e8de92e 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-lake-marion-fiordland-national-park-2-itinerary.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d03507c0935d43d17bdb535ae2c56f5e 400w)
![Have a close encounter with Kiwi on Stewart Island](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=ca24ed0e8dd7d3a4eabe6e82282a30e4 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=a9740f1df4b65e9c4de59c0e668f68c6 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=77e7149a82c855e3d8c06b72838c4b13 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpg-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=c25ea00b2a36d61ff5d3d16487ae24eb 400w)
![Invercargill is the gateway to Stewart Island](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/u128-invercargill-southland-venture-southland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=37b7b9a82d5f21d040ca24e4c1599d5a 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/u128-invercargill-southland-venture-southland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=b1b4a10a2945d283403db11a7abf6d74 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/u128-invercargill-southland-venture-southland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=afc641f5b78781caa319a8a60bc28081 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/u128-invercargill-southland-venture-southland.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=8dc219e96829a50b0f6e2d25a1c5143d 400w)
![Explore an untouched, rugged corner of New Zealand](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=eefb9cee4e48a136cac890ece255d385 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=6ef1f61180122f90df416bf820b1422f 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=321feeab563453930d1840ed5354037a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/detailed-discoverpage/nz-catlins-rolling-hills-barton-matthews3-discoverpage-detail-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0bd87c50bdda72bbd0d37043382b91dc 400w)
![Have a close encounter with wildlife on the Otago Peninsula](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=432ca558bb3fc06f10ba315c46a31755 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=e03d164fd6a07dbd839e004dd3ce4237 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9082ffe82a063b21d46556b51d9f696a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-south-sea-lion-otago-peninsula-new-zealand.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=f2666885ca8b034667806f8a1d2a4a29 400w)
![Lake Wanaka is the gateway to exploring the wilderness of Mount Aspiring National Park](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=9fd2ce3449bcd5597b97ccdfeb3d9b62 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=85d9d4334349746e9376caa6d6f467f7 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e53139cd88aecb182df580ab6df09a7 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-aspiring-fly-fishing-2-friends-active.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d3172d49169fd252ab2d54cb2b0f6286 400w)
![Enjoy picturesque views in every direction in Omarama](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/Omarama-Lindis-Pass.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=4d1ee2ac5af8478fc5f25f07d6e0d802 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/Omarama-Lindis-Pass.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=1db8c532687026fe3048b2c9dfdcd758 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/Omarama-Lindis-Pass.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=a1df90ef1237d0fdb646e8b6adff99d4 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/Omarama-Lindis-Pass.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=6bc0a39607026b16e9973e1985c9c7dc 400w)
![Don't miss out on a picture-perfect moment at The Church of the Good Shepherd](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f1cc1c859995c002a27e63c703ee293f 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=25b5550e1f183b8fc06e70f251de2e97 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=43b3c4220312eec4db5572c03b414e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-lake-tekapo-church-lake-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=55fe9610cd2d09621fac0f4945bd0b3b 400w)
![Soak up the fresh rural air with views of the snow-capped Southern Alps](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/1-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=3e81f64d7497e6f89412147439467a53 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/1-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=ea4cda1a0656485280228035e11e965d 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/1-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=b54ff549cc2d20d1869f8762c3ba1b3a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/1-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=f773716f5e6b5ed1c1b1fc4cb7a5d68f 400w)
![Swim with Hector's dolphin](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=25d2088479e6579ddcac3f3ea7e89cec 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=daef915321f32b5e47b153f3f536c67b 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=72953f4ffd678c8507c1dc50d348c05d 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/black_cat_cruises_dolfijnen_nieuw_zeeland_1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0079aa500ca0ebc8613f419caeaebb8d 400w)
![The best way to explore Christchurch is on foot](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=7b6f18768364089cdb6b0c46990caa43 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=7bdf09da9d68d7d0ca3887d9ee3c5ea1 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=7311f8c8adf61a3af32198be6fde9e64 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/jpeg.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=0279fa42b3d0e900433231642e7e402d 400w)
Price guide per person
and car change
During shoulder season you can enjoy significant price savings. Talk to a specialist now on 020 36 95 95 69
More sample itineraries
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.