Land Rover South Island Adventure: Explore the unexplored parts of New Zealand

Discover the untouched parts of New Zealand’s South Island during this seven-day four-wheel self-guided driving tour with Once Upon a Trip New Zealand. Visitors will drive off the beaten path, crisscrossing Aotearoa’s largest island while immersing themselves in beautiful unseen landscapes not usually encountered by regular tourists.

Mountains, roads, glaciers and rivers

The Māori name for the South Island of New Zealand is “Te Waka a Māui” – the canoe of Māui. That name comes from the ancient Māori legend of the god Maui fishing up the North Island. While the North Island was the fish, the South Island was his waka (and Stewart Island was the anchor).

The South Island is the largest of the 3 islands that make up New Zealand, and the 12th largest island in the world. The Southern Alps run from North to South through the island, and because of its unique location straddling the Pacific and Australian fault lines, the South Island is teaming with geographical wonders.

During this trip, visitors will be able to explore these wonders by brand new Land Rover Discovery. No previous experience driving a four-wheel drive is required on this adventure.

From day one to day four

On the first day, visitors will depart from Christchurch and drive up the east coast of the South Island through Marlborough wine country towards Blenheim. On the way, they will have the chance to take in the beautiful scenery and try the delicacies of the Marlborough region.

Over the next three days, visitors will drive southwest through the centre of the South Island, visiting Hamner Springs, Mount Somers, Mount Sunday, Geraldine and ending up in Lake Tekapo at the end of day four. Along the way, they will have the chance to cast their eyes upon New Zealand’s tallest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and the village that lays at its base.

End your trip with a tasting experience
at the Cloudy Bay Shed

During the final three days of the adventure, visitors will continue from Tekapo through the small towns and majestic scenery of the Mackenzie Country. On the way down, they will pass through the Maniototo region. This region was the center of the Otago gold rush of the 1860s. Peter Jackson filmed part of the grasslands in the region for his Lord of the Rings film series. After passing through Wanaka, the trip will end at the adventure mecca of Queenstown.

We are delighted to offer you an exclusive wine tasting experience at the Cloudy Bay Shed for any reservation on KIWIFRENCH. The Shed is a remarkable and welcoming location nestled between Cloudy Bay’s bronzed hills Northburn Vineyard and the splendid Lake Dunstan in Cromwell (1-hour drive from Queenstown).

Please follow this link for more information and inquiries

Author : David Williams