Grand South Island Explorer: Glaciers to Stewart Island
An epic 21-day journey covering the South Island's diverse landscapes. From the rugged West Coast glaciers and Alpine passes to the remote Stewart Island and the sun-drenched northern coast, this route hits every iconic landmark on your list.
Christchurch -> Arthur's Pass -> West Coast -> Wanaka -> Queenstown -> Stewart Island -> Kaikōura -> Nelson
- Arthur's Pass Village
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Franz Josef Glacier Village
- Fox Glacier Lookout
- Haast Township
- Blue Pools
- Mt Aspiring National Park
- Arrowtown Historic District
Southern Alps Entry
Christchurch City Center
Christchurch City Center, Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ
Castle Hill Rocks
Castle Hill Rocks, Castle Hill, Canterbury, NZ
Arthur's Pass Village
Arthur's Pass Village, Arthur's Pass, Canterbury, NZ
Alpine Waterfalls and Limestone Peaks
Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall
Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall, Arthur's Pass, Canterbury, NZ
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Otira Viaduct Lookout, Otira, West Coast, NZ
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, West Coast, NZ
Wild West Coast Drive
Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge, Hokitika, West Coast, NZ
Franz Josef Glacier Village
Franz Josef Glacier Village, Franz Josef, West Coast, NZ
Glacier Country Dual Wonders
Franz Josef Glacier Walk
Franz Josef Glacier Walk, Franz Josef, West Coast, NZ
Lake Matheson
Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, West Coast, NZ
Fox Glacier Lookout
Fox Glacier Lookout, Fox Glacier, West Coast, NZ
Southern Coastline and Haast
Ship Creek
Ship Creek, Haast, West Coast, NZ
Haast Township
Haast Township, Haast, West Coast, NZ
Over the Haast Pass
Thunder Creek Falls
Thunder Creek Falls, Haast Pass, West Coast, NZ
Blue Pools
Blue Pools, Makarora, Otago, NZ
Wanaka Lakefront
Wanaka Lakefront, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
Mt Aspiring Wilderness
Mt Aspiring National Park
Mt Aspiring National Park, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Rob Roy Glacier Track, Wanaka, Otago, NZ
Gold Rush History and Lakes
Arrowtown Historic District
Arrowtown Historic District, Arrowtown, Otago, NZ
Queenstown Waterfront
Queenstown Waterfront, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
The Gateway to Paradise
Glenorchy Jetty
Glenorchy Jetty, Glenorchy, Otago, NZ
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley, Glenorchy, Otago, NZ
Queenstown Leisure
Skyline Queenstown
Skyline Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
Shotover River
Shotover River, Queenstown, Otago, NZ
Heading to the Deep South
Invercargill City Center
Invercargill City Center, Invercargill, Southland, NZ
Bluff Ferry Terminal
Bluff Ferry Terminal, Bluff, Southland, NZ
Stewart Island (Oban)
Stewart Island (Oban), Oban, Stewart Island, NZ
Wildlife of Stewart Island
Ulva Island Sanctuary
Ulva Island Sanctuary, Stewart Island, Southland, NZ
Observation Rock
Observation Rock, Oban, Southland, NZ
Return to the Mainland
Bluff Signpost
Bluff Signpost, Bluff, Southland, NZ
Gore Township
Gore Township, Gore, Southland, NZ
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, NZ
Canterbury Foothills
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
Rakaia Gorge Walkway, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, NZ
Methven Village
Methven Village, Methven, Canterbury, NZ
Pacific Coast North
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ
Kaikōura Peninsula
Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura, Canterbury, NZ
Marine Life of Kaikōura
Kaikōura Beach
Kaikōura Beach, Kaikōura, Canterbury, NZ
Point Kean Seal Colony
Point Kean Seal Colony, Kaikōura, Canterbury, NZ
Vineyards and Marlborough Lagoons
Grovetown Lagoon
Grovetown Lagoon, Grovetown, Marlborough, NZ
Picton Foreshore
Picton Foreshore, Picton, Marlborough, NZ
Nelson and the Top of the South
Queen Charlotte Drive
Queen Charlotte Drive, Havelock, Marlborough, NZ
Nelson City Center
Nelson City Center, Nelson, Nelson, NZ
Golden Bay Adventures
Takaka Hill Lookout
Takaka Hill Lookout, Takaka, Tasman, NZ
The Grove Scenic Reserve
The Grove Scenic Reserve, Clifton, Tasman, NZ
Pristine Waters of Golden Bay
Te Waikoropupū Springs
Te Waikoropupū Springs, Takaka, Tasman, NZ
Wharariki Beach
Wharariki Beach, Puponga, Tasman, NZ
Nelson Farewell
Nelson Market
Nelson Market, Nelson, Nelson, NZ
Nelson Airport
Nelson Airport, Nelson, Nelson, NZ
- Book the Stewart Island ferry and Franz Josef glacier heli-hikes well in advance.
- West Coast weather is unpredictable; carry waterproof gear and insect repellent for sandflies.
- Check road conditions for Arthur's Pass and Haast Pass during shoulder seasons.
- Ensure your rental car agreement allows for one-way drops if finishing in Nelson.
- Day 13: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops