Photo 1: Mt. Cook National Park

New Zealand is a touring country.  Any trip to this incredible island requires time on the road to fully appreciate its beauty, open spaces and natural wonders.  Transport options can be overwhelming upon arrival with an intimidating amount of information on coach passes, hire cars, RVs and campervan companies littering the travel agency and tourist office walls.

The route detailed below was tried and tested at the beginning of 2008 and requires driving an average of 200km each day. It’s not necessary to spend every night in a campground or holiday park if you don’t mind skipping a shower now and again but all the parks listed below offer a site with decent facilities for NZ$24-30/night.

Day 1:

Photo 2: Lake Tekapo Holiday Park

Arrive Christchurch

• Stay at Stonehurst and explore Christchurch on foot.

Day 2:

Rent a Spaceship & drive south to Lake Tekapo Holiday Park.

• A stunning turquoise glacial lake with spacious campsites amongst the trees, and a newly opened Spa & Winter Park within walking distance on the shore of the lake. The picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd is popular for a visit.

Day 3:

The Olive Grove, Waianakarua

• Drive via Mt. Cook Salmon Farm where fish are farmed in glacial meltwater canals built to feed the nearby hydroelectric power station.  Mt. Cook National Park is a sidetrip well worth making, even if it is just to marvel at the snowy peaks from the road.  Mount Cook to Oamaru, and onto Waianakarua is a reasonable drive but well worth it to reach the Olive Grove – a family run, fully certified organic farm.

Day 4:

Photo 3: Purakaunui Bay campsite

Dunedin Holiday Park

• A short drive south from Waianakarua are the impressive Moeraki Boulders and big city of Dunedin.

Day 5:

Purakaunui Bay campsite in the Catlins.

• Exploring the endless deserted bays that extend through the Catlins is a trip in itself but this Department of Conservation Campsite is fantastic place to spend the night and experience the peace and tranquility of the south coast.

Day 6:

Photo 4: Slope Point

Great Lakes Holiday Park, Te Anau

• Drive via Slope Point and Curio Bay before heading on through Invercargill to Te Anau. There’s a campsite at the beautiful Porpoise Bay if you have a night to spare and can’t bear to leave the Catlins.

Day 7:

Milford Lodge, Milford Sound

• Take a leisurely drive along to Milford Sound and an evening boat trip with Mitre Peak. If you pre-book a morning cruise in Te Anau and arrive at Milford Sound the night before you may be able to get onto an evening cruise for free, subject to space.

Day 8:

Lakeview Holiday Park, Queenstown.

• A considerable drive from Milford Sound but as always scenery is plentiful.  Queenstown is an expensive place to explore relative to the rest of New Zealand and with endless ways to spend your money enjoying yourself, Queenstown can really burn a hole in your pocket if you’re not careful.

Day 9:

Lakeview Holiday Park, Wanaka

• Bungee Jump from Kawarau Bridge before leaving town – The original commercial Bungee site.  Wanaka is in a beautiful location and a welcome respite from the commercial pressures of Queenstown.

Photo 5: Franz Josef glacier

Day 10:

Rainforest Lodge, Franz Josef.

• A stunning drive down through Haast and along the southern end of the west coast.  Fox Glacier is worth a stop en route to Franz Josef before spending a night amongst the trees and signing-up for a glacier walk in the morning. Try not to arrive the same day as one of the big bus operators else you might find it difficult to get onto a walk.

Day 11:

Rainforest Lodge, Franz Josef

• A full-day glacier hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides will be one of the highlights of your time in New Zealand.  Where else can you climb out of the rainforest and onto a glacier?

Day 12:

Photo 6: Pancake rocks

Murchison Kiwi Park, Murchison

• Drive north along the rugged, windswept west coast via Pancake Rocks and Greenstone capital Hokitika to Murchison.

Day 13:

The Barn, Marahau

• Take a Jet boat trip through Buller Gorge where it’s cheaper and far quieter than Queenstown then continue north to Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 14:

Photo 7: Abel Tasman National Park

Havelock Motor Camp

• Abel Tasman National Park is a destination in itself and well worth exploring whether it’s on foot, by kayak or by water taxi. Head east in the afternoon stopping in Havelock for some green lipped mussels at The Mussel Pot.

Day 15:

Alpine Pacific Holiday Park, Kaikoura

• A beautiful drive winds along Queen Charlotte Sound into Picton where the ferry arrives from North Island. Head south through the wine country around Blenheim and onto the picturesque stretch of road along the coast down to Kaikoura.  Stop at the seal colonies and a roadside crayfish stall on the way.

Day 16:

Alpine Adventure Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs

• Catch an early morning boat trip out with Whale Watch to spot the whales and dolphins that frequent the deep waters off Kaikoura (book the night before).  Head inland in the afternoon and relax in Hot Pools at Hanmer Springs.

Day 17 & 18:

Christchurch

• Rest and visit the International Antarctic Centre near Christchurch airport.