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Christchurch to Queenstown Campervan Itinerary
Last updated:
14 Days New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary | South Island | Great Southern Tiki Tour
Head north from Christchurch to Marlborough and Nelson. Turn south and follow the West Coast to the glaciers then Wanaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound. Return to Christchurch via Mt Cook.
Itinerary highlights:
- Marlborough wineries
- Hiking in the Queen Charlotte Sound
- The Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki
- Exploring glaciers
- Panning for gold in historic Arrowtown
- The splendour of Milford Sound
- A scenic flight over New Zealand's tallest peak
Pick up and drop off location: Christchurch
Table of Contents
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1
CHRISTCHURCH - BLENHEIM
Drive north on State Highway 1 to Kaikoura (approximately 2.5 hours). Overnight in Kaikoura or you may wish to continue driving north to Blenheim - the main centre in the Marlborough region.
308 km
4 hours, 30 minutes
Overnight Stay
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2
BLENHEIM
Spend today exploring Marlborough. With a patchwork of vineyards and orchards, the Marlborough region offers something quite special. Overnight in Marlborough.
Overnight Stay
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3
BLENHEIM - PICTON - NELSON
This morning take the short drive north from Blenheim to Picton, where the interisland ferry departs for its journey to the North Island. From Picton, drive west along the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock while meandering around the edges of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. Arrive in Nelson late afternoon. Overnight in Nelson.
Things to do between Picton and Nelson.
135 km
2 hours, 10 minutes
Overnight Stay
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4
NELSON
Spend today exploring in and around beautiful Nelson. Overnight in Nelson.
Things to do in and around Nelson.
Overnight Stay
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5
NELSON - GREYMOUTH
Today take the road to Greymouth, following a series of narrow valleys and saddles, with the highlight being the scenic Buller Gorge. From Westport to Greymouth there is magnificent coastal scenery, including the well-known Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Overnight in the Greymouth area.
290 km
4 hours, 10 minutes
Overnight Stay
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6
GREYMOUTH - GLACIER COUNTRY
Depart Greymouth for the incredible Franz Josef Glacier. You’ll travel along the rugged coast with pounamu boulders nestled among seals and stop off at some or all of the small towns along the coast including Hokitika, Ross and Whataroa. Continue south to Fox Glacier, New Zealand’s largest commercially guided glacier, and spend the afternoon exploring. Overnight Fox Glacier.
Things to do in Glacier Country.
177 km
2 hours, 30 minutes
Overnight Stay
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7
GLACIER COUNTRY - WANAKA
Depart the glaciers this morning for the journey to Haast. The drive from Fox Glacier to Haast Junction takes approximately one hour 45 minutes. The journey through Haast Pass is very rugged and scenic, so it is recommended visitors stop along the way.
The journey to Wanaka winds around Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Lake Hawea is worth stopping for a coffee lakeside if you have a spare 30 minutes or so. The Department of Conservation has set up various short walkways along this route that offer visitors an opportunity to get away from the road and visit the beautiful scenery of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and river valleys. We encourage you to get out and about and enjoy every minute of it.
Spend the rest of the day and evening in beautiful Wanaka. There is always something to do in Wanaka, no matter what the season. Overnight in Wanaka.
Things to see and do in Wanaka.
264 km
3 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
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8
WANAKA - QUEENSTOWN
Drive the short distance on State Highway 6 detouring to the old gold mining village of Arrowtown. Spend the rest of the day and evening in the wonderful resort town of Queenstown. Overnight in Queenstown.
117 km
1 hours, 40 minutes
Overnight Stay
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9
QUEENSTOWN
Spend today in Queenstown. There’s so much to see and do here! Overnight in Queenstown.
Overnight Stay
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10
QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND
Leave Queenstown as early as possible - 7am is recommended as the day’s journey, although scenic, is long. The drive to Te Anau takes around 2 hours 45 minutes. Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area and the largest national park in New Zealand. The Park covers 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) and has natural wilderness on a grand scale, where waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into pristine, forested valleys, and glacier-carved fiords indent its coastal boundaries.
About the Fiordland National Park.
From Te Anau, commence the spectacular drive to Milford Sound. The road to Milford is a wonderful alpine drive. From Te Anau the road winds down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel before being greeted by Mitre Peak towering from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. Arrive around midday or early afternoon. Overnight in Milford Sound.
Things to see and do at Milford Sound.
291 km
4 hours, 10 minutes
Overnight Stay
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11
MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
Take your time travelling through mountains and alongside lakes on State Highways 94 and 6, arriving in Queenstown late morning. Spend the afternoon in Queenstown enjoying the many activities and attractions in the area. Overnight in Queenstown.
What to see and do in Queenstown.
291 km
4 hours, 10 minutes
Overnight Stay
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12
QUEENSTOWN - MT. COOK
Leave Queenstown in the morning and head along State Highway 6, all the way to Cromwell in Central Otago. Based on the edge of Lake Dunstan, this area of Central Otago is known for its fruit orchards and a growing wine centre. The settlement of Clyde provides an insight into the gold mining heritage of this region. From Cromwell, join State Highway 8 for the journey through Lindis Pass to the Mt Cook area. Overnight in the Mt Cook area.
Things to see and do in the Mt Cook area.
263 km
3 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
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13
MT. COOK - CHRISTCHURCH
Make your way from Mt Cook to Christchurch while stopping for lunch in Geraldine, a farming township. Continue to Christchurch via State Highway 1 through Ashburton, the commercial centre of one of New Zealand’s richest agricultural and pastoral regions. If you are looking for an alternative route and you are in New Zealand during the winter months, you could drive back to Christchurch via Methven, a base for Mt Hutt’s ski field and other ski areas (a short detour off the Inland Scenic Route 72). Overnight in Christchurch.
331 km
4 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
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14
DEPART
If time permits, spend the day enjoying Christchurch before heading to the airport for your departure.
