Trip highlights
- 1Milford Sound cruise — definitive New Zealand beauty
- 2Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike
- 3Queenstown bungee and Skyline
- 4Aoraki/Mount Cook stargazing
- 5Abel Tasman sea kayaking
Daily spend
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Day-by-day plan
Arrive Christchurch
Tuesday, January 5
Est. spend
$130
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive Christchurch (CHC) — rent a car
Christchurch Airport, Harewood, Christchurch
Christchurch is the South Island gateway. Rent a car at the airport (from NZ$50/$30 per day) — the South Island requires a car. Most visitors do a loop: Christchurch → Tekapo/Queenstown → Milford → Franz Josef → Nelson → Christchurch.
Book the rental car 3+ months ahead in summer — they sell out. All-wheel-drive is recommended for unpaved roads to Milford Sound.
☀️ Afternoon
Christchurch — Botanic Gardens and Earthquake memorial
Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Ave, Christchurch
Christchurch is a city rebuilding from the 2011 earthquake — the Re:START mall, the transitional cathedral, and the remarkable experimental architecture that's emerged from the ruins. The Botanic Gardens (free) and the Avon River punting are the traditional attractions.
The Canterbury Museum (free) has the best Antarctic exhibition in the world — Christchurch is the gateway to Scott Base and the US McMurdo Station.
🍽️ Meals
Gatherings, Christchurch
New Zealand · $45 · The best restaurant in post-earthquake Christchurch. The lamb and the South Island salmon are consistently excellent.
Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
Wednesday, January 6
Est. spend
$160
per person
🌅 Morning
Lake Tekapo — Church of the Good Shepherd and stargazing
Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District
Lake Tekapo is 3.5 hours from Christchurch. The turquoise glacial lake, the iconic stone church (1935) photographed against the mountains, and the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve (the best stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere) — stay overnight if possible. Mt John Observatory tours: NZ$135 ($80).
The Tekapo Springs (NZ$35/$21) hot pools are perfect after the drive — outdoor pools with lake and mountain views. The lupins flowering around the lake (October–November) are extraordinary.
☀️ Afternoon
Drive to Queenstown via Mount Cook village
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury
The Aoraki/Mount Cook detour (30km each way from the main route) adds 2 hours but gives close-up views of New Zealand's highest mountain (3,724m) and the Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return, flat, past glacial lakes to the Hooker Glacier terminus). Worth every minute.
The Hooker Valley Track has glacier-melt swing bridges and ends at a floating iceberg lake at the glacier terminus. One of New Zealand's most scenic short walks — free and well-maintained.
🍽️ Meals
Old Winery, Queenstown
New Zealand · $50 · The best Central Otago Pinot Noir in Queenstown (the lake-facing wine district). The venison and the braised lamb shank are the dishes.
Queenstown Adventure Day
Thursday, January 7
Est. spend
$260
per person
🌅 Morning
AJ Hackett bungee — Kawarau Bridge (original bungee)
Kawarau Bridge, 22km from Queenstown
The Kawarau Bridge in 1988 was the world's first commercial bungee jump. The 43m drop into the gorge is still one of the best bungee setups in the world — the water touch option makes it unique. NZ$210 ($125) for the jump.
Book online at bungy.co.nz for a guaranteed time slot. The bridge has a viewing deck — arriving companions can watch from the bridge rail.
☀️ Afternoon
Skyline Gondola and Luge
Brecon Street, Queenstown
The gondola ascent to Bob's Peak (450m above Queenstown) gives the definitive Queenstown view — the lake, the Remarkables mountain range, and Coronet Peak. The luge (wheeled sled track on the hillside) is the most popular activity at the top — 3 rides cost NZ$39 ($23).
The gondola ride is NZ$38 ($22) round trip — the luge, paragliding, and restaurants are all at the top. The evening gondola gives the best sunset view over the lake.
🍽️ Meals
Ferg Burger, Queenstown
New Zealand burger · $15 · The most famous burger in New Zealand — Fergburger has been a Queenstown institution since 2001. The Big Al (double beef) queue is always 15–30 minutes. Worth it.
Milford Sound
Friday, January 8
Est. spend
$220
per person
🌅 Morning
Drive to Milford Sound — Milford Road
Milford Road, Fiordland National Park
The 120km Milford Road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is itself one of the great drives — the Homer Tunnel (hand-dug through the mountain, 1954), the Chasm waterfalls, the avalanche corridors, and Mirror Lakes.
Stop at Mirror Lakes (flat reflection of the Earl Mountains in the road-side lake — reversed perfectly), the Chasm walk (15 minutes, carved rock gorge), and the Homer Tunnel portal (1.2km hand-dug tunnel, no lights inside).
☀️ Afternoon
Milford Sound 2-hour cruise
Milford Sound Cruise Pier, Milford Sound
Milford Sound is Rudyard Kipling's 'eighth wonder of the world.' The 2-hour cruise passes Mitre Peak (1,692m rising vertically from the sea), the Bowen Falls (160m), and passes under the waterfall spray. Dolphins, seals, and penguins are regular companions.
Rain makes Milford more impressive (waterfalls multiply from 2 to dozens in wet weather). The underwater observatory (NZ$35 extra) shows the black coral and sea life unique to the fiord's layered fresh/saltwater system.
🍽️ Meals
Te Anau lakefront restaurant
New Zealand · $40 · Return to Te Anau for dinner — the lakefront strip has good restaurants and cheaper accommodation than Queenstown.
Franz Josef Glacier
Saturday, January 9
Est. spend
$380
per person
🌅 Morning
Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike
Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park
The helicopter flight (10 minutes) to the upper glacier then a 2-hour guided walk on the ice — crampons provided, guides shape the ice steps on the way. The blue ice crevasses, seracs (ice towers), and the view down to the rainforest from the glacier surface are extraordinary. NZ$350 ($207).
The heli-hike is weather-dependent — cloudy days are automatically rescheduled. Book the first departure of the day for the highest success rate. The glacier walks from the valley floor were suspended due to ice fall risk — helicopter access only for ice surface walking.
☀️ Afternoon
Hokitika Gorge and West Coast drive
Hokitika Gorge, Westland District
80km north of Franz Josef — the Hokitika Gorge has impossibly turquoise water from glacial rock flour suspended in the water. The 20-minute walk to the swingbridge viewpoint is free. Hokitika town has the best pounamu (New Zealand jade/greenstone) shops.
The greenstone (pounamu) carving workshops in Hokitika are the most authentic place to buy New Zealand jade. Certified by the Māori-owned Ngāi Tahu carvers — avoid tourist shops.
🍽️ Meals
Kodak Café, Hokitika
New Zealand · $25 · West Coast whitebait fritter — the seasonal West Coast whitebait (small fish, fried in egg batter) is the region's signature food. Only available in spring (September–November) but worth the detour.
Nelson and Abel Tasman
Sunday, January 10
Est. spend
$230
per person
🌅 Morning
Abel Tasman National Park sea kayaking
Kaiteriteri Beach, Tasman, New Zealand
The Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest and most beautiful national park — golden sand beaches, clear green sea, and fur seals on the rocks. Full-day kayaking from Kaiteriteri beach with a water taxi return: NZ$140 ($83).
The Wainui Inlet (afternoon ebb tide) is the best kayaking section — the tidal estuary and the coastal forest create an extraordinary landscape. The Tonga Island Marine Reserve has the highest fur seal density in the park.
🍽️ Meals
Jester House Café, Motueka
New Zealand · $25 · The tame eels fed at lunchtime make this the most unusual café experience in the South Island. Good food too.
Marlborough Wine & Departure
Monday, January 11
Est. spend
$190
per person
🌅 Morning
Marlborough wine region — Cloudy Bay
Marlborough, South Island
The Marlborough Sounds and wine region is 2.5 hours from Nelson. Marlborough produces 75% of New Zealand's wine — the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc launched the region's international reputation in 1985. Wither Hills, Seresin, and Brancott Estate all offer excellent tastings.
The Wairau Valley cycling trail between wineries (20km, flat, free) is the best way to taste without driving.
☀️ Afternoon
Picton ferry or drive to Christchurch Airport
Blenheim Airport or Picton Ferry Terminal
Either fly from Blenheim Airport to Christchurch (30 min, NZ$80/$47) and connect to international, or ferry from Picton to Wellington (3.5 hours, NZ$65/$38) for North Island connections.
🍽️ Meals
Cloudy Bay Vineyards restaurant
New Zealand · $40 · The best winery lunch in New Zealand. The Nelson Bay oysters with Cloudy Bay Te Koko (Sauvignon Blanc) is a perfect farewell.
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
December–February (summer) for the best weather, accessible roads, and outdoor activities. June–August for skiing at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Milford Road can close in winter storms — always check conditions.
🛂 Visas
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) required for most visa-waiver nationalities (UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia) — apply at immigration.govt.nz (NZ$12-$17). Approved in minutes to days.
💱 Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD). 1.66 NZD per USD. New Zealand is more expensive than Australia for some activities (fuel, helicopter). Hire car fuel budget: NZ$200–300 for a full week loop.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 111
ambulance: 111
mountain rescue: *500 from mobile
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Drive on the left. New Zealand's one-lane bridges require one direction to give way — the give-way sign is on your side if you must wait. A common source of confusion for overseas drivers.
- Sandflies (black flies, minute and voracious) are present at all the wet West Coast areas — Milford Sound and Franz Josef in particular. Insect repellent with DEET is essential.
One thing worth not skipping
A 7-day trip to South Island, New Zealand without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
Subscription-based travel medical insurance. Best for longer trips, digital nomads, or frequent travellers. Renews weekly or monthly.
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