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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
Day 1: Christchurch City Center → Castle Hill Rocks → Arthur's Pass Village
2h 6min · 149km3 stops
Christchurch City Center
09:00 – 11:00
1h 21min · 95km
Castle Hill Rocks
12:00 – 14:00
45min · 54km
Arthur's Pass Village
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall → Otira Viaduct Lookout → Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
10min · 6.5km3 stops
Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall
09:00 – 11:00
2min · 0.6km
Otira Viaduct Lookout
12:00 – 14:00
8min · 6.0km
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Hokitika Gorge → Franz Josef Glacier Village
1h 35min · 115km2 stops
Hokitika Gorge
09:00 – 11:00
1h 35min · 115km
Franz Josef Glacier Village
12:00 – 14:00
Day 4: Franz Josef Glacier Walk → Lake Matheson → Fox Glacier Lookout
45min · 36km3 stops
Franz Josef Glacier Walk
09:00 – 11:00
9min · 4.7km
Lake Matheson
12:00 – 14:00
36min · 31km
Fox Glacier Lookout
15:00 – 17:00
Day 5: Ship Creek → Haast Township
1h 29min · 112km2 stops
Ship Creek
09:00 – 11:00
1h 29min · 112km
Haast Township
12:00 – 14:00
Day 6: Thunder Creek Falls → Blue Pools → Wanaka Lakefront
1h 1min · 69km3 stops
Thunder Creek Falls
09:00 – 11:00
42min · 50km
Blue Pools
12:00 – 14:00
19min · 19km
Wanaka Lakefront
15:00 – 17:00
Day 7: Mt Aspiring National Park → Rob Roy Glacier Track
1h 8min · 52km2 stops
Mt Aspiring National Park
09:00 – 11:00
1h 8min · 52km
Rob Roy Glacier Track
12:00 – 14:00
Day 8: Arrowtown Historic District → Queenstown Waterfront
1h 1min · 62km2 stops
Arrowtown Historic District
09:00 – 11:00
1h 1min · 62km
Queenstown Waterfront
12:00 – 14:00
Day 9: Glenorchy Jetty → Paradise Valley
49min · 47km2 stops
Glenorchy Jetty
09:00 – 11:00
49min · 47km
Paradise Valley
12:00 – 14:00
Day 10: Skyline Queenstown → Shotover River
1h 7min · 64km2 stops
Skyline Queenstown
09:00 – 11:00
1h 7min · 64km
Shotover River
12:00 – 14:00
Day 11: Invercargill City Center → Bluff Ferry Terminal → Stewart Island (Oban)
2h 47min · 214km3 stops
Invercargill City Center
09:00 – 11:00
2h 23min · 186km
Bluff Ferry Terminal
12:00 – 14:00
24min · 27km
Stewart Island (Oban)
15:00 – 17:00
Day 12: Ulva Island Sanctuary → Observation Rock
2 stops
Ulva Island Sanctuary
09:00 – 11:00
Observation Rock
12:00 – 14:00
Day 13: Bluff Signpost → Gore Township → Lake Tekapo
5h 27min · 441km3 stops
Bluff Signpost
09:00 – 11:00
1h 12min · 91km
Gore Township
12:00 – 14:00
4h 15min · 350km
Lake Tekapo
15:00 – 17:00
Day 14: Rakaia Gorge Walkway → Methven Village
2h 3min · 171km2 stops
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
09:00 – 11:00
2h 3min · 171km
Methven Village
12:00 – 14:00
Day 15: Christchurch Botanic Gardens → Kaikōura Peninsula
1h 13min · 95km2 stops
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
09:00 – 11:00
1h 13min · 95km
Kaikōura Peninsula
12:00 – 14:00
Day 16: Kaikōura Beach → Point Kean Seal Colony
5min · 3.5km2 stops
Kaikōura Beach
09:00 – 11:00
5min · 3.5km
Point Kean Seal Colony
12:00 – 14:00
Day 17: Grovetown Lagoon → Picton Foreshore
1h 53min · 138km2 stops
Grovetown Lagoon
09:00 – 11:00
1h 53min · 138km
Picton Foreshore
12:00 – 14:00
Day 18: Queen Charlotte Drive → Nelson City Center
42min · 29km2 stops
Queen Charlotte Drive
09:00 – 11:00
42min · 29km
Nelson City Center
12:00 – 14:00
Day 19: Takaka Hill Lookout → The Grove Scenic Reserve
1h 9min · 66km2 stops
Takaka Hill Lookout
09:00 – 11:00
1h 9min · 66km
The Grove Scenic Reserve
12:00 – 14:00
Day 20: Te Waikoropupū Springs → Wharariki Beach
16min · 14km2 stops
Te Waikoropupū Springs
09:00 – 11:00
16min · 14km
Wharariki Beach
12:00 – 14:00
Day 21: Nelson Market → Nelson Airport
2h 38min · 156km2 stops
Nelson Market
09:00 – 11:00
2h 38min · 156km
Nelson Airport
12:00 – 14:00
Heads Up
- 1. Book the Stewart Island ferry and Franz Josef glacier heli-hikes well in advance.
- 2. West Coast weather is unpredictable; carry waterproof gear and insect repellent for sandflies.
- 3. Check road conditions for Arthur's Pass and Haast Pass during shoulder seasons.
- 4. Ensure your rental car agreement allows for one-way drops if finishing in Nelson.
- 5. Day 13: 5h 26m driving — plan rest stops