Aerial view of the road winding along Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
Home / Journeys / The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey
10 nights · Auckland, New Zealand → Christchurch, New Zealand · Car

The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey

Glowworm caves, the Haast Pass and Milford Sound on one self-drive across both of New Zealand’s islands.

From£3,347pp
Duration10 days
StyleGuided
Best suited toDrivers who want the road to be the holiday
Find out more
An independent Stradora pick. Details from the operator's published information, last checked 16 Oct 2026. Stradora DiscoveryChosen independently by our editors because we think it's worth the drive. We're not partnered with this operator: dates, prices and booking are handled by them, and we last checked their published details on 16 Oct 2026.
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10 nights through New Zealand

Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, flight to Christchurch, Franz Josef, Haast Pass, Queenstown, Milford Sound and back, Lindis Pass, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch.

Style
Guided, Luxury
Duration
A week or so (7-10 nights)
Region
Oceania
Vehicle provision
Vehicle provided
Group size
15
Departures
December
Starts/ends
Auckland, New Zealand → Christchurch, New Zealand
Support
Guide
Accommodation
Hotels
Suitable cars
Drivers who want the road to be the holiday
Vehicle
Car
Price basis
Per person (sharing)
Run by
Independent specialist operator
The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey (1 of 8) Aerial view of the road winding along Lake Wanaka, New Zealand The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey (2 of 8) Milford Sound fiord in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey (3 of 8) Lupins in bloom on the shore of Lake Tekapo

Images selected by Stradora to represent the journey.

Day by Day

The Grand New Zealand Drive, Alpine Odyssey

Day 1

Arrive Auckland, vehicle handover

Arrive Auckland, vehicle handover.

Day 2

Auckland to Rotorua via the Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Auckland to Rotorua via the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Day 3

Rotorua, Te Puia geysers, Maori culture, Polynesian Spa

Rotorua, Te Puia geysers, Maori culture, Polynesian Spa.

Day 4

Fly Rotorua to Christchurch, new vehicles

Fly Rotorua to Christchurch, new vehicles.

Day 5

Christchurch to Franz Josef

Christchurch to Franz Josef.

Day 6

Franz Josef to Queenstown via the Haast Pass

Franz Josef to Queenstown via the Haast Pass.

Day 7

Queenstown, Skyline Gondola, optional activities

Queenstown, Skyline Gondola, optional activities.

Day 8

Return drive to Milford Sound with a fjord cruise

Return drive to Milford Sound with a fjord cruise.

Day 9

Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Lindis Pass, stargazing

Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Lindis Pass, stargazing.

Day 10

Tekapo to Christchurch

Tekapo to Christchurch.

Day 11

Vehicle drop-off and departures

Vehicle drop-off and departures.

What's included

  • 10 nights twin-share premium hotels
  • self-drive vehicle (2 per car)
  • lead vehicle and expedition support
  • airport assistance and transfers
  • Rotorua to Christchurch flight
  • signature experiences listed
  • meals as specified
  • goodie bag

Not included

  • International flights
  • visas
  • travel and medical insurance
  • personal expenses
  • optional experiences
  • anything not listed as included

Ready to drive it?

10 days, from £3,347pp

Independent Stradora pick
Find out more
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