New Zealand South Island
Christchurch β Queenstown β Milford Sound β Franz Josef
Lake TekapoβQueenstownβMilford SoundβFranz Josef
10 daysAutumnModerateMid-range4 segments9 stops
The ultimate New Zealand road trip β from the English gardens of Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains to the adrenaline capital Queenstown, the fiords of Milford Sound, and the glacier country of the West Coast.
π AutumnModerateMid-Range10 days
4 segments 9 landmarks 16h 15mπ 1220 km
Day-by-Day Plan
1 / 10
Christchurch Reimagined
Day 1StayThe George
MealsBreakfast: C1 Espresso, Lunch: Riverside Market, Dinner: Twenty Seven Steps
β swipe between days β
Route Segments
1
Christchurch β Lake Tekapo
π 3hπ 230 km
2
Lake Tekapo β Queenstown
π 3h 15mπ 250 km
3
Queenstown β Milford Sound
π 4hπ 290 km
4
Milford Sound β Franz Josef
π 6hπ 450 km
landmarks
πΊοΈ
Plan This Trip
Affiliate links β we may earn a commissionπ Christchurch
π Lake Tekapo
π Aoraki / Mt Cook
π Queenstown
π Milford Sound
π Wanaka
π§‘
Recommended Tours
Affiliate links β we may earn a commission
Gondola ride along the Grand Canal
Β· 1h
Book Gondola ride along the Grand Canal in Venice
Yellowstone Wildlife & Geyser Day Tour
$350.00Β· 1 day
4.7(180)
Spot wildlife and explore Yellowstone's iconic geysers on this full-day guided tour.
Kyoto: Nishiki Market & Street Food Tour
$75.00Β· 3 hours
4.5(165)
Taste your way through Kyoto's famous Nishiki Market with a foodie guide.
Walk across Rialto Bridge
Β· 30m
Book Walk across Rialto Bridge in Venice
Trip Reports (0)
No trip reports yet.
New Zealand South Island
Christchurch β Queenstown β Milford Sound β Franz Josef
Segments4
Landmarks9
Distance1220 km
Duration16h 15m
Day-by-Day Plan
1
Christchurch Reimagined
- Botanic Gardens
- Cardboard Cathedral
- Riverside Market
- Christchurch Gondola
Stay
The George
Meals
Breakfast: C1 Espresso, Lunch: Riverside Market, Dinner: Twenty Seven Steps
2
Canterbury to Lake Tekapo
- Canterbury Plains drive
- Lake Tekapo turquoise water
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Tekapo Springs stargazing
Stay
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Meals
Breakfast: Christchurch, Lunch: Fairlie Bakehouse pies, Dinner: Kohan Japanese
3
Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Hooker Valley Track (3h)
- Tasman Glacier Lake
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Kea bird spotting
Stay
The Hermitage Hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Tekapo, Lunch: Old Mountaineers' CafΓ©, Dinner: Panorama Room
4
Lindis Pass to Queenstown
- Lindis Pass golden tussocks
- Kawarau Gorge bungee viewing
- Queenstown lakefront
- Skyline Gondola + luge
Stay
Eichardt's Private Hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Mt Cook, Lunch: Cromwell fruit stand, Dinner: RΔtΔ
5
Queenstown Adventure
- Shotover Jet boat
- Glenorchy Paradise road
- Arrowtown gold mining village
- Fergburger pilgrimage
Stay
Eichardt's Private Hotel
Meals
Breakfast: Bespoke Kitchen, Lunch: Fergburger, Dinner: Botswana Butchery
6
Milford Sound
- Milford Road scenic stops
- Homer Tunnel
- Milford Sound cruise
- Mitre Peak reflections
Stay
Milford Sound Lodge
Meals
Breakfast: Queenstown, Lunch: cruise buffet, Dinner: Pio Pio CafΓ©
7
Milford β Wanaka
- Key Summit alpine walk
- Lake Marian track
- Wanaka tree photo
- Rippon Vineyard tasting
Stay
Edgewater Resort
Meals
Breakfast: Milford, Lunch: Te Anau pie shop, Dinner: Kika
8
West Coast Wilderness
- Haast Pass waterfalls
- Ship Creek beach
- Fox Glacier lookout
- Lake Matheson mirror reflection
Stay
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Meals
Breakfast: Wanaka, Lunch: Hard Antler Haast, Dinner: The Canopy Restaurant
9
Franz Josef Glacier
- Franz Josef heli-hike
- Glacier Hot Pools
- West Coast Wildlife Centre (kiwi)
- Okarito Lagoon kayak
Stay
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Meals
Breakfast: Franz Josef, Lunch: Alice May, Dinner: SnakeBite Brewery
10
TranzAlpine to Christchurch
- Scenic drive to Greymouth
- TranzAlpine train
- Arthur's Pass National Park
- Christchurch farewell dinner
Stay
The George
Meals
Breakfast: Franz Josef, Lunch: TranzAlpine cafΓ© car, Dinner: Inati
Route Segments
| # | From | To | Transport | Duration | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christchurch | Lake Tekapo | car | 3h | 230 km |
| 2 | Lake Tekapo | Queenstown | car | 3h 15m | 250 km |
| 3 | Queenstown | Milford Sound | car | 4h | 290 km |
| 4 | Milford Sound | Franz Josef | car | 6h | 450 km |