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New Zealand South Island: Alpine Lakes and Glaciers
Experience the dramatic landscapes of the South Island, from the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the peaks of Mount Cook to the fjords of Milford Sound and the adventure capital of Queenstown.
7days
14stops
943km
The route
Tap a day or a townYou sleep in Christchurch · Lake Tekapo · Mount Cook Village · Wanaka · Fiordland National Park — start in Christchurch, end in Queenstown.
DAY01
Christchurch
0.9 km · 3m driving · Overnight in Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- 09:00Christchurch City Centre· start
- 0.9 km · 3m
- 12:00⭐ Christchurch Botanic Gardens· overnight
DAY02
Church of the Good Shepherd → Mount John Observatory
227 km · 2h 58m driving · Overnight in Mount John Observatory
- 09:00Church of the Good Shepherd· start
- 227 km · 2h 58m
- 12:00⭐ Mount John Observatory· overnight
DAY03
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint → Hooker Valley Track
53 km · 41m driving · Overnight in Hooker Valley Track
- 09:00Lake Pukaki Viewpoint· start
- 53 km · 41m
- 12:0014:00⭐ Hooker Valley Track· overnight
DAY04
Lindis Pass → That Wanaka Tree
127 km · 1h 33m driving · Overnight in That Wanaka Tree
- 09:00Lindis Pass Viewpoint· start
- 127 km · 1h 33m
- 12:00⭐ That Wanaka Tree· overnight
DAY05
Te Anau → Milford Sound
227 km · 2h 58m driving · Overnight in Milford Sound
- 09:00Te Anau Lakefront· start
- 227 km · 2h 58m
- 12:00⭐ Milford Sound· overnight
DAY06
Skyline Queenstown → Queenstown
288 km · 3h 54m driving · Overnight in Queenstown Gardens
- 09:00⭐ Skyline Queenstown· start
- 288 km · 3h 54m
- 12:00Queenstown Gardens· overnight
DAY07
Arrowtown → Queenstown
20 km · 24m driving
- 09:00⭐ Arrowtown Buckingham Street· start
- 20 km · 24m
- 12:00Queenstown Airport
Booking timeline
Book these before you go- Day 1Stay in Christchurch · Night 1
- Days 2–3Stay in Lake Tekapo / Mount Cook Village · Nights 2-3
- Day 4Stay in Wanaka · Night 4
- Day 5Stay in Te Anau · Night 5
- Day 6Stay in Queenstown · Night 6
Heads Up
- Book Milford Sound cruises and popular activities in Queenstown at least 4 weeks in advance.
- Check road conditions for the Crown Range and Milford Road, especially during winter or heavy rain.
- Sandflies are common in Fiordland; carry high-quality insect repellent for outdoor stops.
- Driving times can be longer than expected due to winding alpine roads and scenic photo stops.