Alpine Wonderland

8 day New Zealand Trip » Picton to Christchurch

Day 1 – Picton to Christchurch [approximately 330 km]

After picking up your rental vehicle at either Picton Ferry Terminal (if you have travelled across from Wellington on the Interislander ferry service) or Picton downtown, you will start your ‘alpine discovery’ of New Zealand’s south island. Head straight south and reach Blenheim, one of the sunniest towns in the country. The town is situated on the halfmoon-shaped Cloudy Bay, the name that has been given to one of the wines grown in the area. Blenheim is famous for its wine industry and you may wish to drop in at the one or the other “Cellar Door”. Next stop will be Kaikoura on the far East Coast, the town at the foothills of the Seaward Kaikoura mountain range is a major gateway for a booming whale watch industry in New Zealand. Off the coast and the point where the continental shelf drops to about 1,500 m depth are some of the cleanest waters in the area, and very often large pods of Southern Right and Sperm Whales can be viewed in their natural playgrounds. Day and halfday cruises leave Kaikoura regularly. The final drive today is a pleasant and easy one which will eventually take you into Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city.

Day 2 – Christchurch to Fox Glacier [approximately 420 km]

It is recommended to leave Christchurch early today as the drive to the remote West Coast is a relatively long, but most scenic and enjoyable one. First you will cross the coastal plain and travel via Springfield to Arthur’s Pass, a stunningly beautiful alpine passage through Arthur’s Pass National Park. Follow the banks of the Otira and Taramakau Rivers to reach Hokitika, a small settlement on the West Coast. The town has an interesting Historical Museum that is worth visiting before travelling on in a southward direction via Ross and Harihari, where the scenic beauty and diversity of the West Coast Highway really starts. On your left, you will have the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps whilst on your right and towards the Tasman Sea, there is dense undergrowth, forests and thousands of the typical New Zealand ferntrees. Travel past the township of Franz Josef, which is one of the gateways to the Westland and Aoraki /Mount Cook National Parks before you finally reach Fox Glacier, at the foothills of the glacier of the same name.

Day 3 – Fox Glacier

Today is at your leisure to explore the wonders of Fox Glacier and its surroundings. Maybe you wish to take a guided glacier walk or you may even consider a scenic helicopter flight [excursions to be booked locally]. The area is a paradise for walkers; from a half hour stroll to a full day’s strenuous walking towards the glacier – the choice will be yours!

Day 4 - Fox Glacier to Queenstown [approximately 380 km]

This morning continue south west and follow the beautifully rugged and wild West Coast to the township of Haast, where the road will turn inland and follow Haast River for a while. The craggy gorge is one of the more scenic canyons in the Southern Alps, and it is easily accessible by all vehicle types. Continue and travel past Gates of Haast Bridge, Thunder and Fantail Falls along the way. Soon you will reach the shores of Lake Wanaka, a long stretched lake that is fed by cold mountain streams. Travel via Wanaka to Cromwell, where the road will once again take a turn and take you through the majestic Kawarau Gorge to glorious Lake Wakatipu and the resort town of Queenstown. Situated on the shores of the lake, Queenstown is home to some of New Zealand’s greatest adrenalin-pumping sports. Some of these include whitewater rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping, heli-bungy, skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, mountain and downhill biking and many more!

Day 5 - Queenstown

The day is at your leisure, but there are so many activities to choose from, that it will be hard to decide. Highly recommended is a Milford Sound day trip which includes a cruise on the world-famous fjord; alternatively you could take a drive to Te Anau or, if you have had enough driving for a while, there are also coach tours available to choose from. No matter what your choice will be, this day in Queenstown, surrounded by a majestic backdrop of some of New Zealand’s most stunning mountain ranges, will be an unforgettable experience.

Day 6 – Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park [approximately 265 km]

It’s time to head north again, this time via Cromwell and Omarama, today’s drive will take you to the small mountain village of and from there it is only a short drive to Lake Pukaki. This beautiful high-alpine lake changes its colour numerous times over the course of a year; rivers fed by melting snow and ice often give it a turquoise-icy colour. The final drive is a 55 km journey along the Western shores of the lake and into the wide Tasman River Valley. On a clear day, one can see Tasman Glacier in the backdrop and the country’s highest peak, Mount Cook, or Aoraki. The national park is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list; there are various easy valley walks taking in the main attractions of the area.

Day 7 – Mount Cook National Park

Spend a day at leisure in this glorious alpine paradise; take a walk, join a scenic flight or just enjoy the tranquil mountain village. From Aoraki township, a gravel road (Tasman Valley Road) takes you to nearby Blue Lake; accessible by 4WD vehicles only. Excellent walking opportunities await the keen explorer.

Day 8 - Mount Cook National Park to Christchurch [approximately 330 km]

Today it is time to bid farewell to the grand alpine wonderland of the South Island; travel back along Lake Pukaki and towards Twizel, but take the turnoff to the East and follow the road to Lake Tekapo which was gouged out by a glacier thousands of years ago, and the world-famous “Church of the Good Shepherd” on the shores of the scenic lake. Continue your journey towards the fertile coastal plain and the town of Geraldine on the banks of Rangitata River, travel on to Ashburton and eventually reach Christchurch later in the afternoon. Christchurch is the centre of commerce and transport for the entire South Island, it is home to approximately 300,000 people and is blessed by its location on Pegasus Bay and the tranquil East Coast (Pacific Coast). Return your rental vehicle in Christchurch late in the afternoon and stay on for another day or two, or continue your discovery of New Zealand from here.