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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
1319km
Day 1: Christchurch Botanic Gardens → Riverside Market
5min · 1.3km2 stops
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
09:00 – 11:00
5min · 1.3km
Riverside Market
12:00 – 14:00
Day 2: Church of the Good Shepherd → Lake Pukaki Viewpoint → Mount Cook Village
3h 28min · 273km3 stops
Church of the Good Shepherd
09:00 – 11:00
2h 53min · 225km
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
12:00 – 14:00
35min · 48km
Mount Cook Village
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Hooker Valley Track → Omarama Clay Cliffs → Wanaka Lakefront
1h 34min · 105km3 stops
Hooker Valley Track
09:00 – 11:00
7min · 3.3km
Omarama Clay Cliffs
12:00 – 14:00
1h 27min · 102km
Wanaka Lakefront
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: That Wanaka Tree → Cardrona Hotel → Te Anau Lakefront
32min · 32km3 stops
That Wanaka Tree
09:00 – 11:00
7min · 4.3km
Cardrona Hotel
12:00 – 14:00
25min · 28km
Te Anau Lakefront
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Eglinton Valley → Milford Sound → Te Anau
1h 46min · 119km3 stops
Eglinton Valley
09:00 – 11:00
42min · 53km
Milford Sound
12:00 – 14:00
1h 4min · 66km
Te Anau
15:00 – 17:00
Day 6: Skyline Queenstown → Queenstown Gardens
2h 11min · 172km2 stops
Skyline Queenstown
09:00 – 11:00
2h 11min · 172km
Queenstown Gardens
12:00 – 14:00
Day 7: Arrowtown Historic District → Glenorchy Wharf → Queenstown
1h 34min · 86km3 stops
Arrowtown Historic District
09:00 – 11:00
24min · 20km
Glenorchy Wharf
12:00 – 14:00
1h 10min · 67km
Queenstown
15:00 – 17:00
Day 8: Blue Pools Bridges → Thunder Creek Falls → Franz Josef Glacier Village
2h 24min · 158km3 stops
Blue Pools Bridges
09:00 – 11:00
2h 4min · 138km
Thunder Creek Falls
12:00 – 14:00
20min · 19km
Franz Josef Glacier Village
15:00 – 17:00
Day 9: Lake Matheson Walk → Hokitika Gorge → Hokitika Beach
3h 10min · 218km3 stops
Lake Matheson Walk
09:00 – 11:00
32min · 28km
Hokitika Gorge
12:00 – 14:00
2h 38min · 189km
Hokitika Beach
15:00 – 17:00
Day 10: Arthur's Pass Village → Castle Hill Rocks → Christchurch City Center
2h 6min · 154km3 stops
Arthur's Pass Village
09:00 – 11:00
1h 23min · 100km
Castle Hill Rocks
12:00 – 14:00
43min · 54km
Christchurch City Center
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Book the Milford Sound cruise and glacier heli-hikes well in advance as they fill up quickly.
- 2. Check road conditions for the Crown Range and Haast Pass, especially during shoulder seasons.
- 3. Sandflies are prevalent in Fiordland and the West Coast; carry high-quality repellent.
- 4. Fuel stations can be sparse between Te Anau and Milford Sound; fill up before departing.
- 5. Day 8: 5h 3m driving — plan rest stops