Scenic New Zealand South Island Road Trip & Cycling Adventure - 13 Days

Highlights

• Take in the views as you punt the River Avon in New Zealand's Garden City
• See dolphins up close as you cruise the world-renowned Milford Sound / Piopiotahi 
• Cycle at your own pace along the shores of New Zealand's most beautiful lakes
• Wonder at natural marvels like Pancake Rocks and Franz Josef / Waiau Glacier
• Savor panoramic views of the Southern Alps from the TranzAlpine Scenic Train

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, Tour the Highlights

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and head to your accommodation in Christchurch. Get settled, then set off to explore the country's second-largest metropolis. Known as the "Garden City" for its bounty of green spaces, stretch your legs after your flight with a stroll through Hagley Park or the Botanic Gardens. If you're feeling a bit jet lagged after your flight, less strenuous options include a peaceful punt on the Avon River / Ōtākaro or a ride on one of the city's 19th-century trams past the main highlights.

Those with more time should delve deeper into Christchurch's vibrant cultural scene. Art lovers can tour the Art Gallery, the Centre of Contemporary Art, the Arts Centre (home to multiple museums and boutique galleries), or the city's street art scene, while foodies are spoiled for choice with numerous markets, cafés, and eateries. If you're interested in the city's recent history, stop by Quake City to learn about the 2010-2011 earthquakes, then join a Rebuild Tour to be inspired by the creativity and scale of Christchurch's reconstruction.

Day 2: Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Hike & Glacier Trip

Get on the road early this morning for the magnificent four-hour drive west to Aoraki / Mount Cook. You'll start by driving the pastoral Canterbury Plains, with the countryside becoming increasingly hilly as you leave Geraldine, which will make for some spectacular vistas. As you drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki, you'll be rewarded with extraordinary views of its turquoise waters and the mountainous national park. Be sure to stop at the lookout and take a few photos. You can often get great views of the 12,316-foot (3,754 m) Aoraki / Mount Cook from the Visitor Centre at the lake's southern tip. 

Once you arrive at the village, check into your accommodation and make the most of the hiking options. Although this is famous as the training ground of mountaineering legend Sir Edmund Hillary, you'll nevertheless find something for every fitness level or time frame here— from the 10-minute Bowen Bush Walk to the famous four-hour Hooker Valley round trip. Alternatively, take a guided cruise of the Tasman Lake onboard purpose-built boats: this exciting trip will get you up close to New Zealand's largest glacier and the icebergs that regularly calve from its base. 

Day 3: Drive to Twizel, Tekapo to Twizel Cycling Trip

Take a short drive (just under an hour) to Twizel this morning and check into your accommodation there before catching the shuttle to Tekapo Village, the starting point for a scenic 34-mile (55 km) bike ride back to Twizel. This busy little township on the shores of Lake Tekapo is home to two of the country's most frequently photographed icons, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheepdog Monument, a statue of a Border Collie erected to recognize the district's debt to its hardworking canine shepherds—they're easy to get to, so take a couple of snaps before you start your ride.

Pick up your bike, then follow the Tekapo Canal to Lake Pukaki. You'll pass the Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Farm, located in the canal itself, and then you'll reach the top of Tekapo B Power Station on the shore of Lake Pukaki. At an elevation of 427 feet (130 m), you'll have great views of the Southern Alps and Mackenzie Basin. Just a few more miles will see you to the lower section of Lake Pukaki before you divert to the "Twizel Flats" tussock plains, taking you through to Twizel township and a well-earned dinner and bed. 

Day 4: Drive to Queenstown, Explore Central Otago

Today, drive about 2.5 hours southwest to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure tourism capital. Take your time and plan for a few stops. Just south of Twizel, you'll find Ōmarama. As you arrive, look to the skies—this is a prime spot for keen gliders if the weather is suitable. Stop off for a quick coffee at Wrinkly Rams, a local café serving food and beverages with a side of live sheepshearing, a fun way to get to know New Zealand's agricultural side. Next, head over one of the country's highest roads, the tussock-lined Lindis Pass. 

Roughly 45 minutes later, turn off the main highway to Bendigo. This was one of Otago's original gold mining settlements, and you'll see the remains of stone cottages and other buildings. Continue to Cromwell, at the head of the Kawarau Gorge. Old Cromwell was flooded to create Lake Dunstan, but you'll find restored buildings in the modern township.

Following the gorge will lead you to Queenstown. Adrenaline junkies should stop at the Kawarau Bridge, home of the original bungee jump. Join in the fun if you dare, then hop back on the road toward the impressive Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown itself.     

Day 5: Day Trip to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Rise bright and early for a full day discovering Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. The road from Queenstown to Milford is famed for its scenery, so it's worth trading your independence for a small group tour so you can sit back and take it all in. As well as the usual highlights, your driver will make additional stops at off-the-beaten-path locations away from the tour bus crowds. You'll see Fiordland's golden tussock valleys, Mirror Lakes, and plenty of alpine views along the way. 

On arrival, switch to a small boat nature cruise and get up close to the rainforests and waterfalls of the fjord itself and the iconic Mitre Peak. As you glide through the fjord's pristine waters, keep your eyes peeled for seals, penguins, birds, and dolphins. Round off the day with a scenic 45-minute fixed-wing flight back to Queenstown, providing you with a birds-eye view of the fjord and its surrounding peaks. Take some time at your accommodation to rest and freshen up, then head into town—this busy resort has many restaurants and bars to suit every preference.

Day 6: Lake Dunstan Cycling Trail Day Trip

Swap four wheels for two and head out for a one-day cycling trip along the Lake Dunstan trail. A driver will meet you at reception and take you to Cromwell, where the 24-mile (38 km) route begins. Pass by glistening lakes, vineyards, and gorges on a leisurely ride to the historic gold-mining town of Clyde.

The trail is graded moderate and mixes wooden boardwalks and well-maintained dirt and gravel paths. Go at your own pace and savor beautiful lake views, local history, and the fine local cafés and restaurants along the way near the beginning and end of the route. Your driver will meet you at the trail's end and transport you back to Queenstown.

Day 7: Drive to Wānaka, Hawea to Wānaka Cycling Trip

After breakfast, drive to Wānaka over New Zealand's highest sealed (paved) road, the Crown Range. Take a quick break in the Cardrona Valley for refreshments at the rustic hotel, or taste a sip of whisky or gin at the nearby distillery. Once you reach Wānaka, check into your hotel, then head out midmorning to catch your shuttle to Lake Hawea for another glorious day of biking.

The 19-mile (30 km) grade 2 scenic trail follows the Hawea and Clutha rivers, providing gorgeous scenery— and some outstanding local cafés. Stop off at Hook, a lake-to-plate restaurant where you can catch your lunch and relax while the chef prepares it. Your ride finishes on Wānaka's beautiful lakefront. 

Day 8: Drive to Franz Josef / Waiau Glacier, Hike the Glacier Trails

This morning, drive four hours northeast to the small town of Franz Josef / Waiau. The road hugs the shores of lakes Wānaka and Hawea, then passes through Makarora, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Just out of town, you'll find the vivid Blue Pools, visible after a 30-minute walk through pristine native beech forest. Continue your drive toward the Haast Pass through spectacular scenery. Crossing the Haast River, you'll enter the West Coast's 373-mile (600 km) stretch of bush, rainforest, and podocarp forest. 

Another 1.5 hours from Haast, you'll enter Fox Glacier township, and 45 minutes later, you'll reach Franz Josef / Waiau. It's well worth booking a scenic flight or glacier hike to explore one or both glaciers. Alternatively, check into your accommodation and then explore the trails around Franz Josef / Waiau on foot. Walking to the glacier viewpoints takes as little as 30 minutes, so head to the Visitor's Centre and pick a trail suited to your time and fitness level. After a full afternoon's hiking, drive back to town and enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the local restaurants. 

Day 9: Drive to Hokitika, Explore the Gorge & Township

After breakfast, hop in the car and drive just under two hours north through the gold mining region of Ross to Hokitika. Once a busy port during the West Coast gold rush, it's now known for its bespoke jewelers and traditional Māori carvers. Stroll through town and browse the boutiques—you'll find an array of clothing, pottery, and crafts stores. The selection of pounamu/greenstone (jade) on offer makes Hokitika a prime destination for visitors looking for authentic souvenirs—there are even opportunities to carve your own piece.

About a 45-minute drive out of town, you'll find the magnificent bush-lined Hokitika Gorge. Its turquoise water and white limestone cliffs are best appreciated from the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) wooden walkway, which will guide you to several viewpoints, a swing bridge, and a small beach. Alternatively, stay closer to home and check out the beach, a prime place for searching for interesting pieces of driftwood and pebbles, including tiny pieces of pounamu. 

Day 10: West Coast Wilderness Trail Cycling Adventure

Rise with the early birds and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Today, you'll explore some of the West Coast's most spectacular landscapes on a 33-mile (53 km) all-day bike tour. A driver will take you to the starting point at Kawhaka Canal. Then, you'll ride through ever-changing vistas of native forest, alpine and valley country, and clear river waters until you reach one of New Zealand's most beautiful lakes, Kaniere. Hang out here for a while—there are plenty of picnic spots and short walks, or take a quick dip to cool off.

Hop back on your bike and enjoy an exhilarating downhill ride through a historic water race and the tree-lined Pipeline path. Savor the scenery along the peaceful Kaniere Road, then ride along the landmark tramway and Hokitika River on your way back to town. Once you're back, take some time to relax at your accommodation, then head out to enjoy dinner at one of Hokitika's great eateries. 

Day 11: Drive to Punakaiki, Visit Pancake Rocks & Paparoa National Park

It's onward to a new destination today, with a one-hour drive along the bush-clad coast north to Punakaiki. This is a popular destination due to the distinctive layered limestone Pancake Rock formations and blowholes. Once you've settled into your accommodation, check the tide times and decide when to visit—it's best to be there at high tide when the incoming ocean waves create impressive plumes spouting from the blowholes. This is a short (0.7 mi/ 1.1 km) walk, leaving plenty of time to explore the surrounding area.

Punakaiki is the best base for exploring Paparoa National Park. The area is a dream destination for adventurers with pristine beaches and forests, mountain hiking, canoeing, horse trekking, and caving. Guided walks and cave tours are available, but plenty of short trips are appropriate for beginners—the Fox River Cave Walk will take you through a network of underground caves, or try the Punakaiki Cavern just off State Highway 6. When you're ready to take a break, you'll find that Punakaiki township offers excellent pubs, cafés, and restaurants.

Day 12: Drive to Greymouth, Scenic Train to Christchurch

Head out for a stroll through town this morning and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at one of the cafés before driving 40 minutes back along the coast to Greymouth. Just to its south, you'll find Shantytown, a replica gold rush town. With a museum, thirty historic shops and buildings, and a couple of steam engines, there's plenty to keep you busy. Drive back to Greymouth Railway Station to drop off your rental car in good time to check in for the TranzAlpine Scenic Train to Christchurch, which leaves early in the afternoon. 

Considered one of the world's most incredible train journeys, the TranzAlpine will sweep you through the spectacular scenery of Arthur's Pass National Park and the Southern Alps. You'll see beech forest, river valleys, and soaring peaks from your comfortable carriage before descending to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch. A private driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your accommodation. Get settled, then head out for dinner—Christchurch's lively inner city is home to restaurants of every budget and cuisine and plenty of bars with live music if you're keen to explore the local nightlife. 

Day 13: Depart Christchurch

You've reached the last day of your trip. Head out into the city and take your pick of trendy cafés to enjoy a relaxed breakfast while you watch the city wake up. Browse a few boutiques, pick up some souvenirs, or take a stroll and soak in the atmosphere before making your way to the airport.

If you have spare time, you'll find the International Antarctic Centre just across the road from the airport terminal. Christchurch is one of the world's five "gateway" cities to the Antarctic, and this facility is one of the best places to get a sense of the icy continent. With many interactive exhibitions, including the chance to experience an Antarctic storm, you'll come away marveling at its beauty and the history of its exploration. Be sure to return to the airport in time for your onward flight. Safe travels!

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