Sheep next 2415 km

Day 1 : Christchurch

Exhausted or not, depending where do you arrive from… we have a good plan for you if you are not too excited to drive right away, I mean on the left, to your accommodation. Take our shuttle and get over gently from your jetlag.

Day 2 : Christchurch

Full day to enjoy the most British town of the country. Christchurch has a lively entertainment scene, strong cultural heritage, gorgeous parks and gardens, lots of sports facilities and good shopping. Among the 'must sees' are the weekend Arts Centre market, Christchurch Cathedral, Botanic Gardens and International Antarctic Centre.

Day 3 : Christchurch - Kaikoura (190km - 2h25)

Drive north to Kaikoura to organize your next day experience of whales and dolphins watching by boat or helicopter.

Day 4 : Kaikoura

Kaikoura township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the Mountains. In the waters off the peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds making it an ideal place for getting 'close to nature'.

Day 5 : Kaikoura - Abel Tasman National Park (290km - 3h40)

Time to go to Abel Tasman National Park, your first National Park. Have a lunch or maybe more in Nelson, it is such a nice little town. Then relax on the beach on the afternoon.

Day 6 : Abel Tasman National Park

A full day to enjoy the beach, walking along the coast in the park or kayaking in the sea.

Day 7 : Abel Tasman National Park - Punakaiki (300km - 3h45)

The Tasman Sea is getting a bit chilly while you discover the very unusual scenery of Pancakes Rocks. The famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are just a 20 minute loop walk from where you park your vehicle on the main highway. Looking like giant pancakes the curious limestone formations are especially spectacular at high tide in a westerly sea.

Day 8 : Punakaiki - Glaciers (240km - 3h)

Along the west coast, you go south to the glaciers country. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are cut through dramatic glacial valleys to flow into temperate rainforest. While many glaciers world-wide have been retreating, these glaciers still flow almost to sea level, making them unique relics of the last Ice Age.

Day 9 : Glaciers

Glacier Country is made up of the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier communities. The villages are about 25 minutes drive apart and both offer visitors their own unique West Coast flavour.  A full day to organize a guided walk on the glaciers, have a scenic flight over the ice area or take a walk in the rainforest.

Day 10 : Glaciers - Wanaka (260km - 3h30)

Through Haast Pass, drive to the Mount Aspiring National Park, the third largest park in New Zealand. It stretches from the dense rainforests of Fiordland, across braided river valleys and alpine meadows, to the heavily glaciated Southern Alps and Wanaka township provides some of the easiest access to the entire park. 

Day 11 : Wanaka

The name Wanaka translates from Maori as “renewal of the soul”. The town is set on the southern shore of the lake across from Mount Aspiring, the centerpiece of Mount Aspiring National Park. The park features a multitude of different landforms: hanging valleys, lake basins and some 100 glaciers of different shapes and sizes. It offers innumerable possibilities for nature lovers and pioneers.

Day 12 : Wanaka -Te Anau (230km - 3h00)

Drive to Fiordland renowned as the home of Mitre Peak, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and for the many Great Walks (the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks), within the Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. The extraordinary scenic beauty has earned this region a reputation as a significant sightseeing and walking destination, and a 'must see' for anyone traveling to New Zealand.

Day 13 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (230km - 3h30)

It is time for you to take The Milford Road and experience the cruise. One of the most incredible and frequently overlooked features of Milford Sound is the journey to get there. The Milford Road is a stunning alpine drive. Visitors need to allow plenty of time to stop at the numerous viewing points or short walking opportunities en route.

Day 14 : Te Anau - Queenstown (180km - 2h15)

Drive north to the city of thrills. From the mild to the wild you'll find your adventure threshold here. The expansive natural physical environment offers air, water and land based activities. Go walking, sailing, hiking, climbing, fishing, cycling, golfing, off-roading, skiing or mountain biking.

Day 15 : Queenstown - Christchurch (480km - 6h00)

Take it easy. Have a break and a deep breath in Mount Cook region. We suggest beautiful Tekapo, drive on top of Mount John Observatory for example and admire the scenery while breathing the purest air of New Zealand.

Day 16 : Christchurch

Christchurch's heritage trams are a great way to experience the heritage and charm that makes Christchurch special, with an informative and entertaining commentary. The tramway offers a quality inner city tour experience that combines the heritage of the trams, attractions and historic buildings with the culture of the Garden City. Depending on your international schedule flight, but the International Antarctic Centre is at the airport when you drop off your car.