Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau & Franz Josef / Waiau: Best Itinerary Ideas
How many days do you need in Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau & Franz Josef / Waiau?
- Most travelers spend 10-11 days in Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau, and Franz Josef / Waiau combined
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Dunedin, Wānaka, and Hokitika
How Many Days to Spend in New Zealand
Recommended Itineraries for Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau, and Franz Josef / Waiau
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Christchurch & Hop On Hop Off City Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 2 | Explore Christchurch & Optional Activities | Christchurch |
| Day 3 | Mount Cook National Park Glacier & Valley Tours | Aoraki / Mount Cook |
| Day 4 | Drive to Te Anau, Te Anau Glowworm Caves | Te Anau |
| Day 5 | Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Nature Cruise Day Trip | Te Anau |
| Day 6 | Drive to Queenstown & Walter Peak Dinner Cruise | Queenstown |
| Day 7 | Explore Queenstown | Queenstown |
| Day 8 | Visit Wānaka & Tour Franz Joseph Glacier | Franz Josef Glacier |
| Day 9 | Return to Christchurch via the TranzAlpine Scenic Train | Christchurch |
| Day 10 | Depart Christchurch |
This 10-day road trip through New Zealand takes you through fjords, glaciers, and mountains abound. Begin in Christchurch on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, then take the beautiful drive to Mount Cook National Park to embark on two excursions to discover Tasman Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Next is another eventful drive—with stops along the way—to Te Anau, including a visit to a glowworm cave and a day cruise through stunning Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Explore Queenstown and board a dinner cruise, visit Wānaka and Franz Joseph Glacier, and drop off your car before riding the exhilarating TranzAlpine Scenic Train back to Christchurch. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
13-Day Itinerary Including Dunedin
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Christchurch, Explore | Christchurch |
| Day 2 | Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Gondola & Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 3 | Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Cruise Haupapa / Tasman Glacier & Stargazing | Aoraki / Mount Cook |
| Day 4 | Drive to Dunedin, Explore Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula | Dunedin |
| Day 5 | Half-Day Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour | Dunedin |
| Day 6 | Drive to Te Anau, Te Anau Glowworm Caves | Te Anau |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi & Cruise | Te Anau |
| Day 8 | Drive to Queenstown, Discover Queenstown | Queenstown |
| Day 9 | Dart River Jet Boat Safari | Queenstown |
| Day 10 | Drive to Franz Josef / Waiau | Franz Josef / Waiau |
| Day 11 | Discover Franz Josef Glacier, Take Glacier Heli-Hike | Franz Josef / Waiau |
| Day 12 | Return to Christchurch via the TranzAlpine Scenic Trai | Christchurch |
| Day 13 | Depart Christchurch |
Discover New Zealand's South Island on this 13-day road trip, suited for the intrepid traveler. Starting and ending in Christchurch, you'll soar over the city in a hot-air balloon, then drive the open road to Aoraki / Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier. Visit Dunedin, the Edinburgh of South Island, cruise along the Otago Peninsula to see giant Albatrosses, and take to Dart River's glacier-fed rapids in a jet boat. The tour wraps up with a heli-hike to Franz Josef Glacier and a trip riding the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Read more
15-Day Itinerary Including Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Napier & Blenheim
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Auckland, Explore | Auckland |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Rotorua via Waitomo, Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance | Rotorua |
| Day 3 | Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Boat Cruise & Polynesian Spa Day | Rotorua |
| Day 4 | Drive to Napier & Explore, Wine Tasting & Evening Walking Tour | Napier |
| Day 5 | Drive to Wellington, City Highlights & Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary Tour | Wellington |
| Day 6 | Wētā Workshop, Drive to Blenheim via Picton Ferry & Wine Tasting | Blenheim |
| Day 7 | Drive to Christchurch via Kaikōura Whale Watching Tour | Christchurch |
| Day 8 | Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook, Cruise Tasman Lake & Stargaze | Mount Cook |
| Day 9 | Drive to Te Anau, Visit Te Anau Glowworm Caves | Te Anau |
| Day 10 | Day Trip to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Take a Nature Cruise | Te Anau |
| Day 11 | Drive to Queenstown, Jet Safari & Skyline Gondola | Queenstown |
| Day 12 | Full-Day Routeburn Trail Hike | Queenstown |
| Day 13 | Drive to Franz Josef Glacier, Explore & Optional Heli-Hike | Franz Josef / Waiau |
| Day 14 | Transfer to Christchurch via TranzAlpine Train, Historic Tram Dinner | Christchurch |
| Day 15 | Depart Christchurch |
Cover New Zealand's North and South Islands' highlights, starting in Auckland before discovering the geothermal activity of Rotorua. Next, you'll reach Napier and wine taste at Hawke Bay, followed by a Wellington city tour and meeting native kiwis. Cross the Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island, see whales in Kaikōura, and hike Aoraki / Mount Cook. Then, cruise Milford Sound / Piopiotahi before ending your trip with a scenic ride aboard the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Read more
15-Day Itinerary Including Dunedin, Lake Moeraki & Doubtful Sound
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Christchurch, Explore | Christchurch |
| Day 2 | Drive Across the Canterbury Plains to Mount Cook | Aoraki / Mount Cook Village |
| Day 3 | Drive Across the Canterbury Plains to Mount Cook | Aoraki / Mount Cook Village |
| Day 4 | Visit the Moeraki Boulders / Kaihinaki & Drive to Dunedin | Dunedin |
| Day 5 | Discover the Wonderful Wildlife of the Otago Peninsula | Dunedin |
| Day 6 | Drive to Te Anau, Gateway to Fiordland National Park | Te Anau |
| Day 7 | Cruise through Doubtful Sound | Doubtful Sound |
| Day 8 | Drive North to Queenstown, New Zealand's Adventure Capital | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 9 | Explore Queenstown & Optional Activities | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 10 | Drive Across the Crown Range to Lake Moeraki | Lake Moeraki |
| Day 11 | Explore the Flora & Fauna of Lake Moeraki | Lake Moeraki |
| Day 12 | Drive to the West Coast Glaciers | Franz Josef Glacier |
| Day 13 | Scenic Flight & Hike to Franz Josef Glacier | Franz Josef Glacier |
| Day 14 | Catch the Scenic TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch | Christchurch |
| Day 15 | Depart Christchurch |
Experience the wilderness and wildlife of New Zealand's South Island on this 15-day self-drive itinerary. By day you'll drive through breathtaking landscapes and embark on outdoor adventures, while nights are spent in a series of secluded luxury lodges. Setting off from Christchurch, enjoy alpine walks in Mount Cook National Park, discover rich marine life on the Otago Peninsula, and cruise through the remote Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park. After adrenaline sports in Queenstown and an unforgettable trek across the Franz Josef Glacier, the scenic TranzAlpine train whisks you back to Christchurch. Read more
How to travel between Christchurch, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau & Franz Josef / Waiau
How to get to Franz Josef Glacier
Located about halfway down the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, the Franz Josef Glacier is in the small village of Franz Josef. Due to the remoteness of this part of the country, the overland journey can take quite a long time, but there are many beautiful points of interest along the way, no matter which direction you're coming from. Read more
How to get from Queenstown to Te Anau
Queenstown and Te Anau are two of the most popular travel destinations in the southwest of New Zealand, and it's easy to get between them by car or bus. Here's how to get from Queenstown to Te Anau. Read more
How to get from Christchurch to Queenstown
Christchurch is about halfway down the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, while Queenstown is in the southwest. About 300 miles (480 km) and some rather big mountains separate Christchurch and Queenstown, but it's easy to travel between them by air or road. Read more
How to get from Christchurch to Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook is in the central South Island, quite close to the West Coast but separated by mountains. It's a 200-mile (330 km) journey from Christchurch by road. Read more
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