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New Zealand South Island Alpine Explorer

A comprehensive journey through the South Island's dramatic landscapes, from the turquoise lakes of Tekapo to the deep fjords of Milford Sound and the rugged glaciers of the West Coast.

10days
28stops
1318km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Christchurch · Aoraki Mount Cook · Wanaka · Te Anau · Queenstown · Franz Josef · Hokitika — start and end in Christchurch.

DAY01

Christchurch → Riverside Market

1.3 km · 5m driving · Overnight in Riverside Market
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Christchurch Botanic Gardens· start
  2. 1.3 km · 5m
  3. 12:00
    Riverside Market· overnight
DAY02

Church of the Good Shepherd → Mount Cook Village

273 km · 3h 28m driving · Overnight in Mount Cook Village
  1. 09:00
    Church of the Good Shepherd· start
  2. 225 km · 2h 53m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
  4. 48 km · 35m
  5. 15:00
    Mount Cook Village· overnight
DAY03

Hooker Valley Track → Wanaka

105 km · 1h 34m driving · Overnight in Wanaka Lakefront
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Hooker Valley Track· start
  2. 3.3 km · 7m
  3. 12:00
    Omarama Clay Cliffs
  4. 102 km · 1h 27m
  5. 15:00
    Wanaka Lakefront· overnight
DAY04

That Wanaka Tree → Te Anau

32 km · 32m driving · Overnight in Te Anau Lakefront
  1. 09:00
    That Wanaka Tree· start
  2. 4.3 km · 7m
  3. 12:00
    Cardrona Hotel
  4. 28 km · 25m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Te Anau Lakefront· overnight
DAY05

Eglinton Valley → Te Anau

119 km · 1h 46m driving · Overnight in Te Anau
  1. 09:00
    Eglinton Valley· start
  2. 53 km · 42m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Milford Sound
  4. 66 km · 1h 4m
  5. 15:00
    Te Anau· overnight
DAY06

Skyline Queenstown → Queenstown

172 km · 2h 11m driving · Overnight in Queenstown Gardens
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Skyline Queenstown· start
  2. 172 km · 2h 11m
  3. 12:00
    Queenstown Gardens· overnight
DAY07

Arrowtown → Queenstown

86 km · 1h 34m driving · Overnight in Queenstown
  1. 09:00
    Arrowtown Historic District· start
  2. 20 km · 24m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Glenorchy Wharf
  4. 67 km · 1h 10m
  5. 15:00
    Queenstown· overnight
DAY08

Blue Pools Bridges → Franz Josef

158 km · 2h 24m driving · long drive · Overnight in Franz Josef Glacier Village
  1. 09:0011:00
    Blue Pools Bridges· start
  2. 138 km · 2h 4m
  3. 12:00
    Thunder Creek Falls
  4. 19 km · 20m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Franz Josef Glacier Village· overnight
DAY09

Lake Matheson Walk → Hokitika

218 km · 3h 10m driving · Overnight in Hokitika Beach
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Lake Matheson Walk· start
  2. 28 km · 32m
  3. 12:00
    Hokitika Gorge
  4. 189 km · 2h 38m
  5. 15:00
    Hokitika Beach· overnight
DAY10

Arthur's Pass → Christchurch

154 km · 2h 6m driving
  1. 09:00
    Arthur's Pass Village· start
  2. 100 km · 1h 23m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Castle Hill Rocks
  4. 54 km · 43m
  5. 15:00
    Christchurch City Center
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Stay in Christchurch · Night 1
  2. Day 2Stay in Aoraki Mount Cook · Night 2
  3. Day 3Stay in Wanaka · Night 3
  4. Days 4–5Stay in Te Anau · Nights 4-5
  5. Days 6–7Stay in Queenstown · Nights 6-7
  6. Day 8Stay in Franz Josef · Night 8
  7. Day 9Stay in Hokitika · Night 9
Heads Up
  • Day 8: 5h 3m driving — plan rest stops
  • Book the Milford Sound cruise and glacier heli-hikes well in advance as they fill up quickly.
  • Check road conditions for the Crown Range and Haast Pass, especially during shoulder seasons.
  • Sandflies are prevalent in Fiordland and the West Coast; carry high-quality repellent.
  • Fuel stations can be sparse between Te Anau and Milford Sound; fill up before departing.