Road trip · itinerary

South Island Alpine and Fiord Adventure

Experience the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's South Island on this 12-day road trip starting and ending in Christchurch. You will traverse alpine passes, mirror-like lakes, and dramatic fiords at a relaxed, family-friendly pace designed for adults and an infant. Traveling by two rental cars gives you the flexibility to stop at scenic lookouts whenever needed.

Written by MooTrip from: “12 day South Island road trip from Christchurch in late April, 7 adults and a baby”

7 adults, 1 infant · Crisp autumn days with clear mountain skies., 4–17°C · prices in NZD

Dates are set for late April 2027.
Two rental cars are booked to fit 7 adults and a baby with luggage.
Flights are from Singapore to Christchurch.
Accommodations are booked with family rooms or multi-room setups.

Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch

Stay: Sudima Christchurch Airport (convenient for late arrival and family-friendly)

15:00Flight in to Christchurch International Airport (chc)
15:30Pick up the rental cars at Christchurch International Airport
16:25Check in at Sudima Christchurch Airport, unload luggage
17:35Dinner at Propeller Restaurant & Bar

Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort (stunning lake views and spacious villas)

08:00Breakfast and check out of Sudima Christchurch Airport, luggage into the cars
08:30Christchurch to Geraldine (drive about 2h 30m, 140 km)
11:00Lunch at Barker's Foodstore & Eatery
11:45Geraldine to Lake Tekapo (drive about 1h 30m, 105 km)
13:15Visit Church of the Good Shepherd
14:05Check in at Peppers Bluewater Resort
16:00Soak at Tekapo Springs
17:40Dinner at Kohan Restaurant

Day 3: Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

Stay: St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery (luxurious lakeside stay)

08:00Breakfast and check out of Peppers Bluewater Resort
08:30Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki (drive about 1h, 50 km)
09:30Stop at Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
10:00Lake Pukaki to Omarama (drive about 2h, 110 km)
12:00Lunch at Wrinkly Rams Cafe
13:00Omarama to Queenstown via Cromwell (drive about 2h 30m, 195 km)
15:30Check in at St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery
16:10Early Dinner at Fergburger

Day 4: Queenstown Exploration

Stay: St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery

08:30Breakfast at St Moritz Queenstown
09:10Ride Skyline Gondola and enjoy Bob's Peak
11:20Lunch at Patagonia Chocolates
12:30TSS Earnslaw Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
14:10Stroll through Queenstown Gardens
15:20Rest at hotel
17:00Dinner at Flame Bar & Grill

Day 5: Day Trip to Glenorchy

Stay: St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery

08:30Breakfast at St Moritz Queenstown
09:00Queenstown to Glenorchy (drive about 50m, 45 km)
09:50Visit Glenorchy Wharf and Lagoon
10:40Lunch at Mrs. Woolly's General Store
11:40Glenorchy back to Queenstown (drive about 50m, 45 km)
12:30Stroll through Queenstown Mall
13:00Snack at Mrs. Ferg Gelateria
13:40Afternoon rest at hotel
15:50Dinner at Public Kitchen

Day 6: Queenstown to Te Anau

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (comfortable base in Te Anau)

08:00Breakfast and check out of St Moritz Queenstown, luggage into cars
08:30Queenstown to Te Anau (drive about 2h, 170 km)
10:30Check in at Distinction Luxmore Hotel
11:05Lunch at Redcliff Cafe
12:15Stroll along Te Anau Lakefront
13:25Afternoon rest at hotel
17:05Dinner at The Moose Bar & Restaurant

Day 7: Milford Sound Day Trip

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

07:00Early breakfast at Distinction Luxmore Hotel
07:30Te Anau to Mirror Lakes (drive about 45m, 55 km)
08:15Stop at Mirror Lakes
08:45Mirror Lakes to Milford Sound Visitor Terminal (drive about 1h 15m, 60 km)
10:00Milford Sound Nature Cruise
12:00Picnic Lunch at Milford Sound
12:45Milford Sound to Eglinton Valley (drive about 2h, 110 km)
14:45Stop at Eglinton Valley
15:15Eglinton Valley to Te Anau (drive about 1h, 60 km)
16:15Rest at hotel
17:35Dinner at Miles Better Pies

Day 8: Te Anau to Wanaka

Stay: Distinction Wanaka Serviced Apartments (spacious family apartments)

08:00Breakfast and check out of Distinction Luxmore Hotel
08:30Te Anau to Queenstown via Garston (drive about 3h, 175 km)
11:30Lunch at Akarua Arrowtown Kitchen
12:30Arrowtown to Wanaka via Crown Range Road (drive about 1h, 55 km)
13:30Stop at Cardrona Bra Fence
13:50Cardrona to Wanaka (drive about 30m, 25 km)
14:20Check in at Distinction Wanaka Serviced Apartments
15:00Visit Wanaka Lavender Farm
16:20Dinner at Francesca's Italian Kitchen

Day 9: Wanaka Exploration

Stay: Distinction Wanaka Serviced Apartments

08:30Breakfast at Distinction Wanaka
09:15Photograph That Wanaka Tree
10:15Brunch at Big Fig
11:25Explore Puzzling World
13:35Afternoon rest at apartments
15:45Visit Rippon Vineyard viewpoint
17:00Dinner at Speight's Ale House Wanaka

Day 10: Wanaka to Franz Josef

Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (comfortable alpine lodge)

08:00Breakfast and check out of Distinction Wanaka
08:30Wanaka to Makarora via Haast Pass (drive about 1h, 80 km)
09:30Walk to Blue Pools
10:15Makarora to Haast (drive about 1h 45m, 80 km)
12:00Lunch at Hard Antler Bar & Cafe
13:00Haast to Franz Josef Glacier (drive about 2h 15m, 140 km)
15:15Check in at Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
16:05Franz Josef Glacier Valley Lookout Walk
17:10Dinner at Alice May Restaurant

Day 11: Franz Josef to Christchurch

Stay: Sudima Christchurch Airport

08:00Breakfast and check out of Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
08:30Franz Josef to Hokitika (drive about 2h 15m, 130 km)
10:45Walk at Hokitika Gorge
11:30Hokitika Gorge to Hokitika town (drive about 25m, 33 km)
11:55Lunch in Hokitika at Porky's Cafe
12:55Hokitika to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass (drive about 3h, 250 km)
15:55Check in at Sudima Christchurch Airport
17:05Farewell Dinner at Propeller Restaurant & Bar

Day 12: Departure from Christchurch

07:30Breakfast and check out of Sudima Christchurch Airport
08:15Drop off rental cars at Christchurch International Airport
10:00Flight out from Christchurch International Airport (chc) to Singapore

Prices are estimates and place information may be out of date. Check before you book.

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