New Zealand South Island in 10 Days
Christchurch to Queenstown the long way round. Ten days covers the west coast glaciers, the fiords and the lakes if you accept real driving days.
10
Days
£120–£190 / $150–$240 per person per day including the car
Per day
December–March for summer; October–November for fewer people
Best time
11
Nights
Your day-by-day plan
Download CSVChristchurch
Morning · Land, collect the car
Afternoon · Botanic Gardens and the rebuilt centre
Evening · Stock up on groceries
Arthur's Pass to the west coast
Morning · Drive Arthur's Pass, Devils Punchbowl Falls
Afternoon · Continue to Hokitika
Evening · Hokitika Gorge, glow worm dell (4h driving)
Glacier country
Morning · Drive south to Franz Josef
Afternoon · Glacier valley walk or a heli-hike
Evening · Lake Matheson reflections at dusk (2.5h driving)
Haast to Wanaka
Morning · Long coastal drive through Haast Pass
Afternoon · Blue Pools stop
Evening · Wanaka lakefront (4.5h driving)
Wanaka
Morning · Roys Peak sunrise hike, or Diamond Lake for something shorter
Afternoon · Rest, swim in the lake
Evening · Wanaka town
Crown Range to Queenstown
Morning · Drive the Crown Range, stop in Arrowtown
Afternoon · Queenstown gondola and luge
Evening · Fergburger queue (1.5h driving)
Milford Sound
Morning · Very early start via Te Anau
Afternoon · Milford cruise, Mirror Lakes and The Chasm on the way back
Evening · Overnight Te Anau (long day, 8h total driving)
Back north
Morning · Drive to Cromwell, fruit stalls
Afternoon · Lindis Pass to Lake Tekapo
Evening · Church of the Good Shepherd, dark-sky stargazing (4h driving)
Mount Cook
Morning · Hooker Valley Track (3 hours, flat, spectacular)
Afternoon · Tasman Glacier lookout
Evening · Return towards Christchurch (3.5h driving)
Home
Morning · Drive into Christchurch
Afternoon · Return the car, fly
Evening · —