Queenstown
70 km · 1 hour
Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountain range as...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Queenstown guide →Destinations
The South Island, explored properly
Where to go, what to do, and the drives that stitch it together. Each guide links to scenic routes and suggested cars so you can plan from Christchurch and book when you are ready.
Popular destinations
Wanaka
260 km · 3 hours 30 min
Wanaka is one of the South Island’s most scenic alpine towns, sitting on the shores of Lake Wanaka with views of the Sou...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Wanaka guide →Lake Tekapo
227 km · 3 hours
Lake Tekapo is famous for its turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and some of the best stargazing in New Z...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Lake Tekapo guide →Aoraki Mount Cook
105 km · 1 hour 15 min
Aoraki/Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak and the heart of the country’s alpine country. The village is the base f...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Aoraki Mount Cook guide →Milford Sound
119 km · 2 hours
Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations, a fiord of sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife. The d...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Milford Sound guide →Franz Josef
330 km · 4 hours 30 min
Franz Josef Glacier village is the gateway to one of the world’s most accessible temperate glaciers. Walk to the glacier...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Franz Josef guide →Hokitika
140 km · 2 hours
Hokitika is the jade (pounamu) capital of the West Coast, a small town with a rich gold-rush history, a wild beach, and...
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Hokitika guide →Punakaiki
100 km · 1 hour 20 min
Punakaiki is home to the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, weird, layered limestone formations and surge pools on the coast....
Key drives
Suggested cars
Read the Punakaiki guide →Routes
Scenic drives
Distance, time, and stops for each leg — then open the map planner when you want to go deeper.
Plan and book
Itineraries, cars, Christchurch handover
Itineraries and planning
Cars and booking
Considered car hire from Christchurch for South Island touring.
Christchurch handover · Airport-friendly
Ready when you are
Check live availability, browse cars, or ask which one we would take for your dates.