Russell, New Zealand’s first capital, and the Bay of Islands Walkway feature postcard views of subtropical bushland and turquoise waters.
TOBINKA
The Real-Life Middle Earth
New Zealand Itinerary
for an epic
North & South Island Road Trip (2-6 weeks)
Text | Anninka Kraus
Photography | Tobias Kraus
Yay, you’re planning a trip to New Zealand – I’m so jealous! And happy for you of course, because you’re going to have a wonderful time. Even without family and friends living in that part of the world, we’d be drawn there time and again – drawn by kind, hospitable people, magnificent untouched nature and wilderness, deserted beaches, and the promise of sun when it is winter in Europe.
Either one of these would be reason enough to go, but the full package has proven irresistible. I have yet to discover another country that packs so much natural beauty and kindness into two small islands.
That said, I strongly recommend you plan your trip well in advance and get clear on what exactly it is that you want to experience, see, and do. Unless you have a year to explore at your leisure and go with the flow.
Tobi and I did just that and spent almost a year travelling around this gorgeous country. I also lived in New Zealand for five years in my teens, and my family still calls New Zealand home, so we have plenty of insider know-how and local tips to share.
During our travels, we compiled a great number of hiking and travel guides on the country’s most spectacular trails, cycle guides, and road trips. We love the outdoors and the focus of our travels has always been on hiking and walking in the most beautiful scenery any country has to offer and exploring our destination independently.
If you’re a city person interested in indoor activities, cultural events, museums etc., please know that our New Zealand itineraries don’t cover much of that. But then, we strongly believe that the best way to discover this beautiful country is by exploring the outdoors on foot.
Explore Middle Earth
jump ahead.
North Island
1. Auckland
3. Coromandel
4. Rotorua
5. Hawke Bay
8. Mount Taranaki & New Plymouth
9. Wellington
South Island
10. Nelson-Tasman
11. Marlborough
12. Kaikoura
13. Christchurch & Banks Peninsula
14. Tranzalpine & Great Alpine Highway
15. West Coast
17. Milford Sound
18. Mount Cook
what to expect
what to expect
• Explore an untamed, pristine wilderness that is the Real-Life Middle Earth
• Marvel at the most sublime landscapes: golden beaches fringed by vibrant red-flowering pohutukawa, perfectly conical volcanoes and bubbling mud pools, glaciers, fjords, and crystal-clear blue lakes and wide, braided riverbeds set against the backdrop of soaring snow-capped mountains
• Gaze at some of the world’s darkest night skies studded with a dazzling display of brightly lit stars and galaxies
• Meet the friendliest, kindest, and most welcoming people in the world
• Explore an untamed, pristine wilderness that is the Real-Life Middle Earth
• Marvel at the most sublime landscapes: golden beaches fringed by vibrant red-flowering pohutukawa, perfectly conical volcanoes and bubbling mud pools, glaciers, fjords, and crystal-clear blue lakes and wide, braided riverbeds set against the backdrop of soaring snow-capped mountains
• Gaze at some of the world’s darkest night skies studded with a dazzling display of brightly lit stars and galaxies
• Meet the friendliest, kindest, and most welcoming people in the world
North Island Itinerary: 2-3 weeks
Time to spend in the North Island: 2-3 weeks
2 weeks: Visit all the places in the itinerary except those in brackets.
3 weeks: You’ll also have time to visit the destinations noted in brackets.
After each stop, one day is allocated for travel between destinations and noted in brackets (+ 1 day).
Often, the actual travel time is significantly shorter than a full day (the exact travel time between destinations is noted when you open a tab), allowing you to stop for breaks and sightseeing along the way.
Travel time to your next destination, Russell in the Bay of Islands: 3 hr 45 min (235 km) or Coromandel: 2 hr 15 min (170 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Coromandel: 5 hr 50 min (400 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Rotorua: 2 hr 50 min (210 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Napier: 2 hr 40 min (220 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park: 2 hr 45 min (230 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park: 2 hr 45 min (230 km) or Wellington: 4 hr (340 km)
Travel time between Whakapapa Village and your next destination, New Plymouth: 3 hr 30 min (275 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Wellington: 3 hr 55 min (430 km)
Wellington is your last stop in the North Island. To continue your journey in the South Island, you can either take a direct flight to most larger cities in the South Island or take the Interislander ferry to Picton.
South Island Itinerary: 2-4 weeks
Time to spend in the South Island: 2-4 weeks
2 weeks: Visit all the places in the itinerary except those in brackets.
3 weeks: You’ll also have time to visit the destinations noted in brackets.
4 weeks: Go hiking or cycling – New Zealand’s Great Walks and Great Rides count among the best in the world
After each stop, one day is allocated for travel between destinations and noted in brackets (+ 1 day).
Travel time to your next destination, Blenheim in the Marlborough Region: 1 hr 40 min (125 km) or Christchurch: 5 hr 40 min (430 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Kaikoura: 1 hr 35 min (130 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Christchurch: 2 hr 15 min (180 km)
Travel time from Fox Glacier to your next destination, Wanaka: 3 hr 15 min (260 km)
Travel time from Queenstown to your next destination, Milford Sound: 3 hr 30 min (290 km)
Travel time to your next destination, Mount Cook: 6 hr 20 min (540 km)
Mount Cook is the last stop in the South Island if you follow our 2- or 3-week South Island itinerary. From Mount Cook, it’s a 4-hour drive back to Christchurch (330km).
Our favourite multiple day hikes in New Zealand include the Routeburn Track and Rees-Dart Track in Mt Aspiring National Park and the Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland, which will become New Zealand’s newest Great Walk by the end of 2022.
Also, for the first time, we decided to try out some longer bicycle rides in New Zealand, and we’re so glad we did. Every one of the country’s Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides that we did (there are 22 altogether) passed through stunning scenery and was very well maintained. Our favourites are the Alps 2 Ocean and Otago Central Rail trails.
Planning
How long should I spend in New Zealand?
Before you start piecing together your personal New Zealand itinerary, you’ll need to define the length of your trip.
I recommend staying at least three weeks to cover the top destinations in the country and experience the Kiwi way of life. It’s a small country, but it’s got so much to offer that I fear you might feel rushed if you try to squeeze in too much in too little time.
Also, I’d make your trip a road trip. New Zealand is famous for its stunning landscapes, and a road trip with plenty of hikes, walks, and cycle trips thrown in, is the best way to enjoy the marvellous scenery.
2-3 weeks
Generally speaking – if you have two or three weeks to spend in New Zealand, choose either the North Island or the South Island. Trying to cover both can be stressful – unless you fly between a few destinations and spend your time in the cities rather than rural areas.
4-6 weeks
Spending a month or longer in New Zealand will allow you to explore both islands. If you have four weeks, you’ll still be skipping some places, but even a road trip should not feel too rushed if you get your accommodation and activities sorted in advance.
Timing
When to travel to New Zealand
If you believe January and February are best spent in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand and Australia, for example, we’re of one mind. From experience, I think these are the best months to visit New Zealand, in summer, when the chance of rainfall is low and the days are long and sunny.
However, with fewer crowds and lower prices, travelling during the off-peak season, just when nature is at its most beautiful, also has its advantages. New Zealand has a temperate climate and the weather in spring and autumn tends to be mild. The picturesque wine regions around Blenheim and Central Otago, for example, are gorgeous in autumn when the leaves change colour.
Generally speaking, the north is warmer and more humid, whereas the south is cooler and drier. If you’re keen on snow, visit Queenstown in the lower South Island, which turns into a popular skiing resort in winter.
If you plan to go hiking, bear in mind that many trails lead through alpine areas where freezing conditions are possible throughout the year and snow can be expected at higher altitudes even in summer. In winter, backcountry hiking in alpine areas should only be attempted by hikers with avalanche safety training.
Getting around
How to travel when visiting New Zealand
By car or campervan.
InterCity operates the only long-distance bus network in the country with daily services nationwide, and large cities tend to have bus services connecting the inner city with the city outskirts, but anywhere slightly more rural will often be poorly accessible. Unless you join a private tour, you’ll see far more of the country in much less time with your own set of wheels.
Flying is another option to cover larger distances as all main cities have domestic airports. International flights operate to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin.
If you’re planning a one-way overnight hike, you’ll usually need transport at each end. Most Great Walk trailheads are serviced by private shuttle companies providing scheduled and chartered transport between larger cities and well-known trails in the region. While it’s the most comfortable way to travel, it’s also expensive. For reference, the basic shuttle service to the Routeburn Track and back cost us almost $300.
Walking lesser-known point-to-point trails requires a fair bit of planning and is much easier if you join up with someone else and leave one car at the finish or start from opposite ends and swap car keys in the middle.
It's a tough call
North Island or South Island?
Having grown up in Nelson, I’m a little biased and will always tell you to visit the South Island. However, more than three times as many New Zealanders choose to live in the North Island than in the South Island.
Auckland being the country’s economic powerhouse certainly influences the decision of many to live there, but the North Island also abounds in the finest white-sand beaches, largest cities, rich Maori art and culture, active volcanoes, bubbling mud pools, and impressive geysers.
The South Island, on the other hand, is less populated and more remote, and one of the best places in the world to go hiking (or tramping as it’s called here).
The scenery of rolling green hills dotted with sheep, crystal clear lakes and braided riverbeds, and a rugged, untouched coastline to the backdrop of snowcapped mountains is arguably the most beautiful in the world.
Of New Zealand’s ten Great Walks (soon to become eleven with the addition of the Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland) – a selection of world-renowned multi-day hiking adventures – seven are located in the South Island.
1. Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to almost two million Kiwis. As one of the most culturally diverse cities worldwide with a very welcoming and friendly spirit, it is a warm and charming place for tourists to visit. And Auckland’s got the scenic beauty to match.
Located on the narrow stretch of land that forms the Auckland isthmus, between Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean and the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea, the ‘City of Sails’, as Auckland is known, boasts a picture-perfect coastline and brilliant ocean views from the city’s many volcanic hills.
Time to spend in Auckland: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Russell in the Bay of Islands: 3 hr 45 min (235 km) or Coromandel: 2 hr 15 min (170 km)
New Zealand Auckland
the highlights.
• Visit the city’s famous landmarks and well-preserved volcanic cones like Albert Park, Auckland Domain, Mount Eden, and Maungakiekie One Tree Hill
• Enjoy Auckland’s multicultural big city vibes and vibrant nightlife
• Have splendid coffee and food at Britomart and Viaduct Harbour
• Sunbath on one of the magnificent beaches framed by gorgeous red-flowering pohutukawa trees to the backdrop of Auckland’s iconic skyscraper skyline
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
2. Bay of Islands
Arguably New Zealand’s most divine island paradise, the Bay of Islands resembles a postcard collage of subtropical bushland, golden beaches, quaint seaside villages, and elegant waterfront promenades fringed by turquoise waters. The scenery is magnificent, and the area’s got historical significance to match.
Take the sleepy seaside village of Russell, for example: Since the early 19th century, Russell went from “hellhole of the Pacific” and whaling port where raucous sailors wreaked havoc on shore leave; to become the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand; to be made the first colonial capital of this nation after the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, was signed between Māori Chiefs and representatives of the Crown, within sight of Russell in 1840.
Time to spend in the Bay of Islands: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Coromandel: 5 hr 50 min (400 km)
New Zealand Northland
the highlights.
• Explore a subtropical island paradise of magnificent natural beauty a 3-hour drive north of Auckland with plenty of opportunity for water activities
• Walk the Bay of Islands Walkway, a 17-kilometre circuit through subtropical bushland and coastal terrain that link Okiato, Opua, Paihia, and Russell into a loop trail with two ferry rides
• Combine a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s main historic site, with a cultural performance at a marae to learn more about Māori culture and history
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
3. Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula sits across the Hauraki Gulf from Auckland and offers a quick escape from urban city life in New Zealand’s largest metropolis. Its hinterland mountains and valleys are thickly cloaked in native rainforest, its coastline is an endless sweep of white sandy beaches and sheltered bays and the Pacific Ocean adds a sparkling turquoise shade to the rich colour palette of golden and green hues.
In stark contrast to Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula is remote and unspoiled, and life in the small seaside communities is wonderfully quiet and laid-back.
Time to spend in the Coromandel Peninsula: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Rotorua: 2 hr 50 min (210 km)
New Zealand Waikato
the highlights.
• Walk the fabulous Coromandel Coastal Walkway and Kauaeranga Kauri Trail and admire the Coromandel Pinnacles – massive peaks that form an impressive silhouette like a serrated blade against the night sky
• Spend a few hours at Cathedral Cove, a triangle-shaped rock archway with a fabulous beach to either side that was used as a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Soak in your very own warm water spa pool at Hot Water Beach south of Hahei
• Cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail and discover The Coromandel’s gold mining history
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
4. Rotorua
Rotorua sits on the shores of its namesake lake on the North Island in a highly active volcanic zone and attracts millions of domestic and international visitors annually. Its colourful geothermal landscapes with bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and spouting geysers are a stunningly beautiful surreal world, enveloped sulphurous gases with a pervasive rotten eggs smell.
Time to spend in Rotorua: 1 day
Travel time to your next destination, Napier: 2 hr 40 min (220 km)
New Zealand Bay of Plenty
the highlights.
• Soak and unwind in Rotorua’s thermal waters – there are plenty of natural hot pools and spas located in the city
• Visit one of the geothermal parks to experience the volcanic activity closeup
• Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand to experience Maori culture
• Don’t miss the Night Market on Thursdays, with a great selection of different international foods and local produce
• Walk among 75-metre-tall redwoods on the Redwoods Treewalk, a series of bridges and platforms suspended high above the forest floor
5. Hawke Bay
Often referred to as New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country, Hawke Bay and its cities of Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North on the Heretaunga Plains, is one of the leading wine, fruit, and veggie growing areas in the country and a particularly idyllic and generally sunny one at that.
The region hugs the Pacific Ocean along the long crescent of Hawke Bay on the east coast of the North Island, and its mild Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions to grow fresh, local produce and spend time outside. The effortless combination of leisurely outdoor activities with a visit to Hawke’s Bay’s famous wineries and cellar doors, restaurants and cafes is one of the region’s most endearing features.
Especially in autumn, when the vineyards, orchards, and rolling hills turn glorious shades of golden yellows and burnt reds, and the stalls at the Farmers’ Market in Hastings on Saturday are packed full of fresh produce, Hawke Bay is one of the most scenic places to visit on the North Island.
Time to spend in Hawke Bay: 1 day
Travel time to your next destination, Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park: 2 hr 45 min (230 km)
New Zealand Hawke’s Bay
the highlights.
• Rising to 399 metres above sea level, Te Mata Peak overlooks the Heretaunga Plains, Hawke Bay, Cape Kidnappers, and the Tukituki River snaking through jagged limestone outcrops in the Tukituki Valley.
• Each of the three themed bicycle rides is dedicated to one of the region’s most endearing features: Wineries, Water, and Landscape.
• Well-preserved art deco architecture, trendy eateries, and hipster coffee shops await visitors in in Napier, New Zealand’s art deco capital
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
6. Tongariro National Park
This is Tolkien’s land of Mordor. An inhospitable, other-worldly place of black desert plains sculpted by ancient lava flows from which rise three grand volcanic mountains: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. Dotted with volcanic craters, perfectly shaped cones, and emerald lakes, this is a moonscape so dark and barren and yet bathed in a bountiful palette of crimson reds, vivid orange hues, and dark browns.
Time to spend in Tongariro National Park: 1 day
Embark on one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives, the Forgotten World Highway, or continue straight towards Wellington – the travel time will be: 4 hr (340 km)
New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui
the highlights.
• Hike through famous Lord of the Rings terrain on the spectacular Tongariro Crossing or 4-day Tongariro Circuit Great Walk
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
7. Forgotten World Highway
The 150-kilometre Forgotten World Highway is one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique scenic drives. Winding between Stratford and Taumarunui across crumpled green hills dotted with sheep, the road climbs mountain saddles, passes by the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro, runs through gorges and forest, and even transitions into a gravel road for a few kilometres through the Tangarakau Gorge.
Time to spend on the Forgotten World Highway: 1 day
Travel time between Whakapapa Village and your next destination, New Plymouth: 3 hr 30 min (275 km)
New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui_2
the scenery.
New Zealand Manawatu-Wanganui_2
8. New Plymouth & Mount Taranaki
New Plymouth on the west coast of the North Island spreads along the ocean to the backdrop of nearby Mount Taranaki, a perfectly symmetrical freestanding volcano in the shape of a triangle that lures plenty of visitors to Mt Egmont National Park.
You can scale the summit, hike the famous Pouakai Circuit, take a photo of Mount Taranaki reflected in the Pouakai Tarns, or marvel at the twisted kamahi trunks in the enchanting ‘Goblin Forest’.
Time to spend at Mount Taranaki: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Wellington: 3 hr 55 min (430 km)
New Zealand Taranaki
the highlights.
• Spend sunset at the Pouakai Tarns where all the famous reflection shots of Mount Taranaki are taken
• Walk, run, skate, or cycle along New Plymouth’s award-winning 13.2-kilometre seaside promenade
• Explore the magical ‘Goblin Forest’ with its grotesquely shaped, lichen-covered trees on the Kamahi Loop Track
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
9. Wellington
New Zealand’s capital is a small seaside city of 450.000, dubbed ‘The Coolest Little Capital in the World’ by Lonely Planet in 2011. Wellington is well-known for its award-winning eateries and coffee shops, museums and art galleries, the bright red Wellington Cable Car zipping up into the hills of Kelburn, and the notorious Roaring 40s frequently hit the hilltops (aka notoriously bad weather).
Time to spend in Wellington: 2 days
New Zealand Wellington
the highlights.
• Find delicious food, fresh local produce, and brilliant coffee at the Harbourside Market on Saturdays
• Explore the network of well-maintained, marked walkways with wonderful clifftop, city, harbour, and ocean views crisscrosses Wellington’s inner and outer Town Belts
• Visit Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington’s most popular vantage point perched on a hill above the city and harbour.
• The wild coast of The Wairarapa, at the southernmost point of the North Island, with its gorgeous candy-striped cast-iron lighthouse and the Putangiura Pinnacles makes for a great day trip from the capital
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
10. Nelson Tasman
Nelson, the country’s art and sunshine capital at ‘The top of the South’, is one of the most popular places to live in New Zealand and a great place to visit.
With its proximity to three national parks, Nelson has an abundance of outdoor adventures right on its doorstep, including many terrific hikes of various lengths and difficulties.
The food on offer in the many excellent restaurants and cafes in the city is just as fabulous and New Zealand’s largest wine-growing region, producing world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc, is also just a stone’s throw away.
Time to spend in Nelson Tasman: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Blenheim in the Marlborough Region: 1 hr 40 min (125 km) or Christchurch: 5 hr 40 min (430 km)
New Zealand Tasman
the highlights.
• Nelson has lovely beaches all around, and one of New Zealand’s most beautiful sweeps of sand – Kaiteriteri Beach – is just an hour’s drive away
• The Mt Arthur Summit Track in Kahurangi National Park near Nelson climbs to 1795m and is one of my favourite day hikes in New Zealand
• Of the many great restaurants and cafes in Nelson, the ones not to miss include Hopgoods Restaurant, Melrose House, Mapua Wharf, the Swedish Bakery & Cafe, Hawker House, and Forsters Moutere Hills
• Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its 3-5-day Great Walk but also makes for a magnificent day trip from Nelson
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
11. The Marlborough Region
The Marlborough Region is located in the northeast of the South Island and spoiled with more sunshine hours than almost anywhere else in New Zealand.
The mild climate provides ideal conditions to produce the world-famous, award-winning Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyards in New Zealand’s largest wine region are a beautiful setting to enjoy the many cellar room wine tastings, unique accommodation, fine dining, and casual vineyard lunches offered to visitors.
Whilst the vineyards appear lush, much of the countryside during summer is a semi-arid landscape of just two desaturated tones: the watery blue of the cloudless sky and roll upon roll of waving wheaten tussock grass. Along the coast, in the Marlborough Sounds, the landscape is vastly different again, and sparkling turquoise waters and white sandy bays shimmer vibrantly through the dark green foliage.
Time to spend in the Marlborough Region: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Kaikoura: 1 hr 35 min (130 km)
New Zealand Marlborough
the highlights.
• The Queen Charlotte Track meanders along the sea-drowned valleys of the Marlborough Sounds and is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful coastal hikes
• Visit New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine-growing region in the Wairau, Southern, and Awatere valleys near Blenheim
• Stroll through the picturesque port town of Picton in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
12. Kaikoura
The coastal town of Kaikoura is located in North Canterbury on the upper east coast of the South Island. The name ‘Kaikoura’ is of Maori origin and translates to ‘eat crayfish’, but most people know the town as New Zealand’s famous ‘whale watching capital’.
The rugged Kaikoura coastline is hemmed in by the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean and impresses with its delightful mix of rugged and tranquil, mountainous and beachy.
Time to spend in Kaikoura: 1 day
Travel time to your next destination, Christchurch: 2 hr 15 min (180 km)
New Zealand Canterbury
the highlights.
• One of my favourite short walks in New Zealand, the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, is a gentle, family-friendly round trip across the peninsula’s clifftop with spectacular ocean views
• The 48-kilometre Kaikoura Cycle Trail meanders along the coastline to the backdrop of the snow-capped Seaward Kaikoura Range then swings back across the Kaikoura Plains towards the Kaikoura Peninsula.
• Hanmer Springs, a 2-hour drive southwest of Kaikoura, is a lovely little resort town renowned for its thermal hot pools
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
13. Christchurch & Banks Peninsula
Christchurch is New Zealand’s oldest and third-largest city with a rich English heritage still visible today despite the destruction of most listed heritage buildings and historic landmarks in the 2011 earthquake.
Christchurch has been one of my favourite places in New Zealand for 25 years and I greatly admire the incredible strength and compassion that the people here have shown in dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake and the racially motivated terror attack on two mosques in the city in 2019.
Time to spend in Christchurch: 2 days
New Zealand Christchurch_2
the highlights.
• Stroll through Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens – a punting tour on the Avon River through the park is a wonderful, albeit touristy way to soak up Christchurch’s English heritage
• Eat and shop at the lovely Art Centre, which houses galleries and arts and crafts stores, and don’t miss the Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the historic Riccarton House on Saturdays
• Akaroa, Canterbury’s oldest town set on the eastern side of Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula, celebrates its French heritage and makes for a great day trip from Christchurch
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
14. TranzAlpine & Great Alpine Highway
One of the world’s greatest scenic train journeys is the TranzAlpine railway that connects Greymouth and Christchurch by traversing the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass and covers 223 kilometres in just under 5 hours.
Alternatively, self-drive the Great Alpine Highway, which follows much the same route as the train and is just as scenic but allows you to factor in more stops along the way. Arthur’s Pass is one of the most remote, untouched places this far up the South Island and doesn’t offer much except mind-blowing scenery and some terrific, challenging hikes.
Time to spend on the Great Alpine Highway or TranzAlpine between Christchurch and Greymouth: 1 day
New Zealand Canterbury_3
the highlights.
• Explore the hundreds of smooth, sculpted limestone formations scattered across parched grassland at Castle Hill Conservation Area, where battle scenes of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were filmed.
• Hike the Avalanche Peak Track, one of New Zealand’s most rewarding day hikes with 360-degree panoramic views over the jagged skyline of the Southern Alps
• Admire the braided Waimakariri River as it makes its way through a wide river bed of smooth white pebbles
• Visit the 131m-high Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall, where torrents of water plunge noisily down the dark rock face into the rock pool below
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
15. West Coast
The West Coast of the South Island is New Zealand’s wild, ruggedly beautiful, and notoriously wet coast. Hemmed in by the snow-capped Southern Alps rising steeply in the east and a rocky shoreline pounded by hungry surf in the west, this narrow strip of land where impenetrable rainforest faces the moody Tasman Sea is different from any other in the country.
Time to spend on the West Coast: 1 day
Travel time from Fox Glacier to your next destination, Wanaka: 3 hr 15 min (260 km)
New Zealand West Coast
the highlights.
• The West Coast Wilderness Trail, one of New Zealand’s 22 Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides, joins the trails that remain of the gold rush era into a spectacular 132km cycle journey between Ross and Greymouth
• The Great Coast Road, the 100km highway between Westport and Greymouth, hugs the shoreline closely as it runs past 9 Mile and 17 Mile beaches and the Pancake Rocks (pancake-shaped limestone formations) and Blowholes and was named one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world by Lonely Planet.
• Alex Knob and Roberts Point tracks lead through the beautiful lush West Coast rainforest to lookouts with magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier.
• Lake Matheson is one of New Zealand’s most photographed lakes for the beautiful mirror images of snowcapped Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflected on the still, murky water surface
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
16. Wanaka & Queenstown
Otago’s well-loved Queenstown-Lakes District is probably the best place to go in New Zealand if you’re a keen hiker or adrenaline-junkie. Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, boasts the country’s most spectacular lake and mountain scenery and has several famous long-distance hiking trails right on its doorstep.
An hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka and Lake Hawea, set on the shores of their respective namesake lakes, share the same close proximity to crystal-clear water and soaring snow-capped peaks. They’re far more laid-back and less commercialised than Queenstown but at least as outdoorsy and boast New Zealand’s best day hikes.
Time to spend in Wanaka and Queenstown: 2 days
Travel time from Queenstown to your next destination, Milford Sounds: 3 hr 30 min (290 km)
New Zealand Otago
the highlights.
• Wanaka offers plenty of walking and hiking trails to suit all skill levels, like the Roys Peak Track (famous on Instagram for its otherworldly views across Lake Wanaka to the snow-clad Southern Alps), Isthmus Peak Track, Rob Roy Track, and Grandview Mountain Track
• If you’re after a rough backcountry wilderness adventure, Wanaka and Queenstown act as gateways to Mt Aspiring National Track and some famous multiple-day hikes like the Rees-Dart Track, Cascade Saddle Route, or Gillespie Pass Circuit
• Choose from more than 200 adrenaline-fueled adventures in Queenstown, the home of bungee jumping
• Ride the Queenstown Trail, the most popular of New Zealand’s 22 Great Rides linking Queenstown, the Gibbston Valley, Jacks Point, and historic Arrowtown
Our favourite hikes and other outdoor adventures
17. Milford Sound
This magical Fiordland landscape of soaring snow-capped mountains rising from the ocean with thunderous waterfalls cascading down hundreds of metres is arguably one the most scenic and pristine in New Zealand and the world.
Join a boat cruise, scenic flight, or sea kayaking trip to experience the Sound – or better still, hike the world-renowned Milford Track, a 4-day 53-kilometre Great Walk.
Time to spend in Milford Sound: 2 days
Travel time to your next destination, Mount Cook: 6 hr 20 min (540 km)
New Zealand Southland
the scenery.
18. Mount Cook
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a majestic alpine landscape of superlatives boasting the country’s highest mountains, longest glaciers, and darkest night skies studded with a dazzling display of brightly lit stars and galaxies.
The park spans 60 kilometres along the south-eastern side of the Southern Alps in Canterbury’s Mackenzie Country and is a 4-hour drive from Christchurch on State Highway 8.
That drive via Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, and Twizel is as much a part of the journey as the destination itself and regularly ranks among New Zealand’s best road trips.
Time to spend in Mount Cook National Park: 2 days
Travel time back to Christchurch: 3 hr 55 min (330 km)
New Zealand Canterbury_4
the highlights.
• Mount Cook Road as it swoops along the startling milky blue waters of Lake Pukaki easily qualifies for a scenic drive with lookouts along the road offering great views of the valley against the backdrop of the Southern Alps
• The Mueller Hut Track, the Hooker Valley Track and the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks are extremely popular, but if you’re prepared for an early start or late-night adventure, you’ll find solitude here even in peak season
• At dawn and dusk, not only will you forgo the crowds, but the mountains are often doused in golden-orange alpenglow, and soft fleecy clouds in vibrant pinks and purples are brushed across the sky
• At night, the UNESCO Aoraki MacKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, in which Mt Cook is located, offers some of the best conditions in the world for stargazing