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Christchurch → Fairlie · 10 days

Experience the ultimate South Island loop from Christchurch to Queenstown and back. This journey balances iconic alpine scenery, world-class vineyards, and coastal wonders with unique culinary stops and hidden gems across New Zealand's dramatic landscapes.

10days
25stops
1691km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Christchurch · Lake Tekapo · Twizel · Oamaru · Dunedin · Ahuriri Flat · Te Anau · Queenstown · Wanaka — start in Christchurch, end in Fairlie.

DAY01

Christchurch → New Regent Street

1.9 km · 20m driving · Overnight in New Regent Street
  1. 09:00
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens· start
  2. 1.3 km · 10m
  3. 09:10
    ⭐ Riverside Market
  4. 0.6 km · 10m
  5. 10:50
    New Regent Street· overnight
DAY02

Church of the Good Shepherd → Mount John Observatory

220 km · 2h 27m driving · Overnight in Mount John Observatory
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Church of the Good Shepherd· start
  2. 2.9 km · 10m
  3. 09:10
    Mount John Observatory· overnight
DAY03

Peter's Lookout → High Country Salmon

177 km · 1h 52m driving · Overnight in High Country Salmon
  1. 09:00
    Peter's Lookout· start
  2. 61 km · 39m
  3. 09:39
    ⭐ Hooker Valley Track
  4. 76 km · 48m
  5. 11:57
    High Country Salmon· overnight
DAY04

Moeraki → Oamaru

196 km · 2h 4m driving · Overnight in Oamaru Victorian Precinct
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Moeraki Boulders· start
  2. 35 km · 22m
  3. 09:22
    Oamaru Victorian Precinct· overnight
DAY05

Larnach Castle → Speight's Brewery

146 km · 1h 33m driving · Overnight in Speight's Brewery
  1. 09:00
    Larnach Castle· start
  2. 15 km · 10m
  3. 09:10
    ⭐ Royal Albatross Centre
  4. 25 km · 16m
  5. 10:56
    Speight's Brewery· overnight
DAY06

Purakaunui Falls → Nugget Point Lighthouse

148 km · 1h 33m driving · Overnight in Nugget Point Lighthouse
  1. 09:00
    Purakaunui Falls· start
  2. 26 km · 16m
  3. 09:16
    ⭐ Nugget Point Lighthouse· overnight
DAY07

Milford Sound → Te Anau

396 km · 4h 11m driving · Overnight in Te Anau Glowworm Caves
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Milford Sound· start
  2. 101 km · 1h 4m
  3. 10:04
    Te Anau Glowworm Caves· overnight
DAY08

Kawarau Suspension Bridge → Fergburger

149 km · 1h 44m driving · Overnight in Fergburger
  1. 09:00
    Kawarau Suspension Bridge· start
  2. 24 km · 15m
  3. 09:15
    ⭐ Skyline Queenstown
  4. 1.1 km · 10m
  5. 10:55
    Fergburger· overnight
DAY09

Arrowtown → That Wanaka Tree

74 km · 53m driving · Overnight in That Wanaka Tree
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Arrowtown Buckingham Street· start
  2. 5.9 km · 10m
  3. 09:10
    Amisfield Winery
  4. 48 km · 30m
  5. 10:40
    That Wanaka Tree· overnight
DAY10

Lindis Pass → Fairlie

183 km · 1h 55m driving
  1. 09:00
    Lindis Pass Viewpoint· start
  2. 131 km · 1h 22m
  3. 10:22
    ⭐ Fairlie Bakehouse
Heads Up
  • Book Milford Sound cruises and Te Anau Glowworm tours at least 4 weeks in advance.
  • Check road conditions for Lindis Pass and Milford Road, especially during shoulder seasons.
  • Sandflies are prevalent in Fiordland; carry high-strength repellent.
  • Driving times can be longer than GPS estimates due to winding alpine roads.