Day 01
Night 1 · Christchurch
01
Day 1
Arrive in Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch
- 1
Botanic Gardensallow an afternoon
Ease in gently — gardens, a coffee, and the river.
Night 1 · Christchurch
Rough cost · NZ$230–NZ$400
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South Island · 10 days · 9 nights
10 Day South Island Road Trip
The full circuit — glaciers, passes, fiords and lakes
Ten days is the number the South Island actually wants. It gives you the wild west coast and the dry east, the glaciers and the fiords, and enough slack that a day of rain does not cost you the trip.
- Starts
- Christchurch
- Finishes
- Christchurch
- Days & nights
- 10 days · 9 nights
- On the road
- 2,050 km · approx. 28 hrs
Major highlights
Botanic GardensArthur's PassPunakaikiHokitikaFranz Josef Glacier valley walkLake MathesonHaastBlue Pools
Where you sleep
Christchurch (1 night) · Punakaiki (1 night) · Franz Josef (1 night) · Fox Glacier (1 night) · Wānaka (2 nights) · Queenstown (1 night) · Te Anau (1 night) · Lake Tekapo (1 night)
Christchurch
Punakaiki
Franz Josef
Fox Glacier
Wānaka
Queenstown
Te Anau
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch
The journey, day by day
10 days, one route.
Day 02
Night 2 · Punakaiki
02
Day 2
330 km · approx. 4.5 hrs driving
Christchurch → Arthur's Pass → Punakaiki
MorningOne of the great alpine crossings — by car or on the TranzAlpine train. · leave 8:00am
- 1
Arthur's Passallow 2 hours
Devils Punchbowl Falls is a one-hour return walk. Watch for kea in the car park — they eat rubber.
- 2
Punakaikiallow 1 hour
Pancake Rocks and blowholes, best an hour either side of high tide.
Don't miss
Kea. Keep the car doors shut.
Night 2 · Punakaiki
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$470
Day 03
Night 3 · Franz Josef
03
Day 3
200 km · approx. 3 hrs driving
Punakaiki → Hokitika → Franz Josef
- 1
Hokitikaallow 2–3 hours
Pounamu carvers, the driftwood beach sign, and the impossibly blue Hokitika Gorge.
EveningInto Franz Josef; glowworms in the dell after dark, free.
Night 3 · Franz Josef
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$500
Day 04
Night 4 · Fox Glacier
04
Day 4
50 km · approx. 0.75 hrs driving
Glacier country
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
MorningHelicopter and glacier walk if it is clear — this is the day to spend the money.
- 1
Franz Josef Glacier valley walkallow 1.5 hours
Free, 90 minutes return, to the terminal-face viewpoint.
- 2
Lake Mathesonallow 1.5 hours
The mirror lake. Go at dawn for the Aoraki reflection, or not at all.
Don't miss
Lake Matheson before 8am.
Night 4 · Fox Glacier
Rough cost · NZ$350–NZ$800
Day 05
Night 5 · Wānaka
05
Day 5
285 km · approx. 4.5 hrs driving
Fox Glacier → Haast → Wānaka
MorningThe wildest stretch of highway in the country.
- 1
Haastallow 45 minutes
Rainforest, river mouths and almost nobody. Fuel here.
- 2
Blue Poolsallow 1 hour
A short walk to glacial water so clear it looks fake.
Night 5 · Wānaka
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
Day 06
Night 6 · Wānaka
06
Day 6
Wānaka — a day off the road
Wānaka
- 1
Roys Peak or Diamond Lakeallow 1–6 hours
Choose your effort: five hours up, or one hour to a very good view.
- 2
Rippon Vineyardallow 1 hour
Lake, vines and mountains in one frame.
Night 6 · Wānaka
Rough cost · NZ$250–NZ$450
Day 07
Night 7 · Queenstown
07
Day 7
115 km · approx. 2 hrs driving
Wānaka → Crown Range → Queenstown
- 1
Arrowtownallow 2 hours
Gold-rush cottages, a good bakery, and autumn colour in April.
- 2
Queenstownallow afternoon
Check in, then the lakefront and the gondola.
Night 7 · Queenstown
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$560
Day 08
Night 8 · Te Anau
08
Day 8
415 km · approx. 6 hrs driving
Queenstown → Te Anau → Milford Sound → Te Anau
- 1
Te Anauallow 1 hour
Lunch by the lake, then the Milford road in the afternoon light.
- 2
Milford Soundallow 2 hours
A late-afternoon cruise leaves the fiord quiet after the coaches.
Book the cruise ahead.
Night 8 · Te Anau
Rough cost · NZ$330–NZ$580
Day 09
Night 9 · Lake Tekapo
09
Day 9
430 km · approx. 5.5 hrs driving
Te Anau → Ōmarama → Lake Tekapo
MorningThe long transfer east — big skies, small towns.
- 1
Ōmaramaallow 1 hour
Clay Cliffs, or the hot tubs if the legs need it.
EveningTekapo hot pools and the dark sky.
Night 9 · Lake Tekapo
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$520
Day 10
10
Day 10
275 km · approx. 3.5 hrs driving
Tekapo → Aoraki lookout → Christchurch
- 1
Lake Pukaki lookoutallow 45 minutes
One last look up the lake at the mountain before turning east.
EveningReturn the car in Christchurch.
Departs from · Christchurch
Rough cost · NZ$220–NZ$400
What it costs.
approx. NZ$310–NZ$470 per person, per day — around approx. NZ$3,100–NZ$4,700 per person for the whole trip, twin share, mid-range.
- AccommodationNZ$160–NZ$290 per night (twin share, mid-range)
- Rental carNZ$70–NZ$130 per day
- FuelNZ$360–NZ$460 for the route
- FoodNZ$80–NZ$130 per person, per day
- ActivitiesNZ$700–NZ$1,300 per person total
Practical notes.
Best time to go
November to April. The West Coast is wet year-round — plan for it, don't fear it.
What to book ahead
Glacier helicopter, Milford cruise, Mt Cook and glacier-town accommodation.
Longest driving day
Day 9 — Te Anau to Tekapo, around 5 hours 30 minutes.
Road & weather
Haast Pass and Arthur's Pass close occasionally in heavy rain or snow. Always check before setting out.
Sandflies
The West Coast and Fiordland have them. Repellent is not optional.
Costs
Indicative only — always check current prices before booking.
(Book) — Experiences on this route
Book the experiences along the way.
Tours and activities around Queenstown and this route — check availability with our booking partner.
Powered by our booking partner · Featuring Queenstown, New Zealand — you'll continue browsing on their site.
Where to stay
Find & Book Stays →Things to do on the way
Explore Experiences →Make it yours
✦ Ask Aotearoa →More itineraries.
Sources & useful links
Road conditions, closures and alpine passes change daily. Check the official journey planner on the morning you travel.
Last checked 21 August 2026