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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.

21days
48stops
2040km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Arthur's Pass · Punakaiki · Franz Josef · Fox Glacier · Haast · Wanaka · Queenstown · Glenorchy · Queenstown · Bluff · Lake Tekapo · Methven · Kaikōura · Picton · Nelson · Clifton · Puponga — start in Christchurch, end in Nelson.

DAY01

Christchurch → Arthur's Pass

149 km · 2h 6m driving · Overnight in Arthur's Pass Village
  1. 09:00
    Christchurch City Center· start
  2. 95 km · 1h 21m
  3. 12:00
    Castle Hill Rocks
  4. 54 km · 45m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Arthur's Pass Village· overnight
DAY02

Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall → Punakaiki

6.5 km · 10m driving · Overnight in Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
  1. 09:0011:00
    Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall· start
  2. 0.6 km · 2m
  3. 12:00
    Otira Viaduct Lookout
  4. 6 km · 8m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Punakaiki Pancake Rocks· overnight
DAY03

Hokitika → Franz Josef

115 km · 1h 35m driving · Overnight in Franz Josef Glacier Village
  1. 09:00
    Hokitika Gorge· start
  2. 115 km · 1h 35m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Franz Josef Glacier Village· overnight
DAY04

Franz Josef → Fox Glacier

36 km · 45m driving · Overnight in Fox Glacier Lookout
  1. 09:0011:00
    Franz Josef Glacier Walk· start
  2. 4.7 km · 9m
  3. 12:00
    Lake Matheson
  4. 31 km · 36m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Fox Glacier Lookout· overnight
DAY05

Ship Creek → Haast

112 km · 1h 29m driving · Overnight in Haast Township
  1. 09:00
    Ship Creek· start
  2. 112 km · 1h 29m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Haast Township· overnight
DAY06

Thunder Creek Falls → Wanaka

69 km · 1h 1m driving · Overnight in Wanaka Lakefront
  1. 09:00
    Thunder Creek Falls· start
  2. 50 km · 42m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Pools
  4. 19 km · 19m
  5. 15:00
    Wanaka Lakefront· overnight
DAY07

Mt Aspiring National Park → Rob Roy Glacier Track

52 km · 1h 8m driving · Overnight in Rob Roy Glacier Track
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Mt Aspiring National Park· start
  2. 52 km · 1h 8m
  3. 12:0014:00
    Rob Roy Glacier Track· overnight
DAY08

Arrowtown → Queenstown

62 km · 1h 1m driving · Overnight in Queenstown Waterfront
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Arrowtown Historic District· start
  2. 62 km · 1h 1m
  3. 12:00
    Queenstown Waterfront· overnight
DAY09

Glenorchy → Paradise Valley

47 km · 49m driving · Overnight in Paradise Valley
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Glenorchy Jetty· start
  2. 47 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    Paradise Valley· overnight
DAY10

Skyline Queenstown → Shotover River

64 km · 1h 7m driving · Overnight in Shotover River
  1. 09:00
    Skyline Queenstown· start
  2. 64 km · 1h 7m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Shotover River· overnight
DAY11

Invercargill → Stewart Island (Oban)

214 km · 2h 47m driving · Overnight in Stewart Island (Oban)
  1. 09:00
    Invercargill City Center· start
  2. 186 km · 2h 23m
  3. 12:00
    Bluff Ferry Terminal
  4. 27 km · 24m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Stewart Island (Oban)· overnight
DAY12

Ulva Island Sanctuary → Observation Rock

Overnight in Observation Rock
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Ulva Island Sanctuary· start
  3. 12:00
    Observation Rock· overnight
DAY13

Bluff → Lake Tekapo

441 km · 5h 27m driving · long drive · Overnight in Lake Tekapo
  1. 09:00
    Bluff Signpost· start
  2. 91 km · 1h 12m
  3. 12:00
    Gore Township
  4. 350 km · 4h 15m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Lake Tekapo· overnight
DAY14

Rakaia Gorge → Methven

171 km · 2h 3m driving · Overnight in Methven Village
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Rakaia Gorge Walkway· start
  2. 171 km · 2h 3m
  3. 12:00
    Methven Village· overnight
DAY15

Christchurch → Kaikōura

95 km · 1h 13m driving · Overnight in Kaikōura Peninsula
  1. 09:00
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens· start
  2. 95 km · 1h 13m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Kaikōura Peninsula· overnight
DAY16

Kaikōura → Point Kean Seal Colony

3.5 km · 5m driving · Overnight in Point Kean Seal Colony
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Kaikōura Beach· start
  2. 3.5 km · 5m
  3. 12:00
    Point Kean Seal Colony· overnight
DAY17

Grovetown → Picton

138 km · 1h 53m driving · Overnight in Picton Foreshore
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Grovetown Lagoon· start
  2. 138 km · 1h 53m
  3. 12:00
    Picton Foreshore· overnight
DAY18

Queen Charlotte Drive → Nelson

29 km · 42m driving · Overnight in Nelson City Center
  1. 09:00
    Queen Charlotte Drive· start
  2. 29 km · 42m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Nelson City Center· overnight
DAY19

Takaka → The Grove Scenic Reserve

66 km · 1h 9m driving · Overnight in The Grove Scenic Reserve
  1. 09:00
    Takaka Hill Lookout· start
  2. 66 km · 1h 9m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ The Grove Scenic Reserve· overnight
DAY20

Te Waikoropupū Springs → Wharariki Beach

14 km · 16m driving · Overnight in Wharariki Beach
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Te Waikoropupū Springs· start
  2. 14 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    Wharariki Beach· overnight
DAY21

Nelson

156 km · 2h 38m driving
  1. 09:00
    Nelson Market· start
  2. 156 km · 2h 38m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Nelson Airport
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in Franz Josef & Haast · Nights 3-5
  2. Stay in Queenstown & Wanaka · Nights 7-10
  3. Stay in Nelson & Picton · Nights 17-20
Heads Up
  • Day 13: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops
  • 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.