14-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary: Realistic Drives and Overnight Stops
A Christchurch loop over Arthur's Pass to the glaciers, Wanaka, Fiordland, Queenstown and Aoraki/Mount Cook, with planner-checked drive times and two weather buffers.
Overnight bases: Christchurch → Hokitika → Franz Josef / Waiau → Wānaka → Te Anau → Queenstown → Aoraki/Mount Cook Village → Lake Tekapo
- 14 days · 15 mapped places
- Self-drive · Best Dec–Mar
Get a private editable copy of this complete 14-day itinerary, with 15 places mapped in order. Change the dates, nights, stops and day order.
One-time payment · Private editable copy
See how editing worksTravel details can change. Check current schedules and entry requirements before booking.
From a route to your trip
What your $10.00 includes
The planning is already started. Make the rest your own.
A complete route, its day-by-day details and mapped places, organized in your private workspace. Spend your time adapting the trip instead of copying a guide into a new plan.
The real Rovefold workspace · Georgia example
- Make room for another night
- Change the pace and give a favorite place more time.
- Move a stop. Change your dates.
- Rearrange the route around the time you have.
- Keep the details with the route
- Add your own notes and accommodation details as you plan.
Three highlights worth planning around
Explore the 14-day itinerary
Arrive in Christchurch
Land at Christchurch, sleep in the city, stock up; collect the vehicle today or tomorrow morning.
Most long-haul arrivals reach Christchurch via Auckland (or on United's planned seasonal SFO nonstop) in the morning or…
One-time payment · Private editable copy
Getting around and pace
Self-drive rental car or campervan, Christchurch return; SH73 Arthur's Pass, SH6 West Coast and Haast Pass, Crown Range or SH6 to Queenstown, SH94 Milford Road, SH8 Lindis Pass, SH80 to…
- Walking
- Light–Active
- Longest transfer
- About 4 hr
Who this route may not suit3 things to consider
- Trips under 12 days
- Travellers who will not drive
- Kaikoura, Abel Tasman or Dunedin in the same trip
A few useful answers
Before you make it yours
The purchase, the planning, and what to expect from this route.
Your purchase
What does my purchase include?
A private editable copy of the complete itinerary, with its route, day-by-day details and mapped places organized in your trip workspace. You start with the route already in place, ready to adapt.
Is this a one-time payment or a subscription?
This itinerary is a one-time purchase, with no subscription. Review the final total at checkout.
What can I change in my itinerary?
Change your trip dates, add nights, move or remove stops, and rearrange days. Keep your own notes and accommodation details alongside the route.
How do I access my trip after purchasing?
After successful payment, sign in with the same account you used to purchase and open your trip from Home. If it is missing, contact support with your order code.
How can I get help or request a refund?
Contact support with your order code and a description of the issue. Refunds depend on the applicable purchase terms and your consumer rights; see the full policy for details.
This route
How will I get around on this route?
Self-drive rental car or campervan, Christchurch return; SH73 Arthur's Pass, SH6 West Coast and Haast Pass, Crown Range or SH6 to Queenstown, SH94 Milford Road, SH8 Lindis Pass, SH80 to Mount Cook, SH79/SH1 back to Christchurch
When is this route best suited for travel?
The itinerary recommends: December to March. Check conditions, opening times and transport schedules for your dates before booking.
Can I adapt this route if I have fewer than 14 days?
The route is planned for 14 days. You can change its length in your private copy. If you shorten it, remove stops and recheck transfer times; editing the plan does not mean the complete route will fit into fewer days.
Make the complete 14‑day route your own
The complete route, ready in your private workspace.
One-time payment · Private editable copy