Is three weeks enough for New Zealand?

Three weeks is enough to see the highlights of both islands at a sensible pace. You will still skip places like Northland, Kaikōura and the Catlins, so pick the ones that matter most to you.

Should I start in the North or the South Island?

Starting in Auckland suits most international flights and ends the trip on the South Island's big scenery. Flights into Christchurch work just as well in reverse.

Do I need to book the Cook Strait ferry in advance?

Yes, especially with a vehicle in summer and school holidays. Check that your rental company allows its vehicles on the ferry, or swap vehicles at the terminals.

Campervan or car for three weeks?

A campervan saves on beds and suits this route, with holiday parks at every stop. A car and motels is easier on winding roads and in cities. Compare both for your dates.

How much does three weeks in New Zealand cost?

It depends hugely on season and vehicle. On Jucy quotes we took on 11 November 2026, its cheapest 2-berth campervan averaged $124.22 a day for a March 2027 pick-up but $35 a day in May. See the budget section for more.

3 Week New Zealand Itinerary: North and South Islands

Three weeks is the length of trip that lets New Zealand make sense. You can see both islands without spending every day in the car, walk a famous track or two, take the ferry across Cook Strait, and still have time to sit by a lake and do nothing. This itinerary is written for first-time visitors flying into Auckland and out of Christchurch.

Each card below covers one or more days, with the places explained, where to stay and what to book. For the detail on each section we link to our more focused guides. Prices were checked on official sites as at November 2026, and drive times are routing estimates without stops, so add time for photos and coffee.

Route overview

Start and finish: Auckland to Christchurch
Days: 21 days
Total driving: About 3,000 km plus the Cook Strait ferry
Longest day: Day 8, Taupō to Wellington, about 372 km
Best time: November to April

Full route in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

The days at a glance

Day 1 to 2Auckland to HaheiAbout 176 km
Day 3Hahei to WaitomoAbout 266 km
Day 4 to 5Waitomo to RotoruaAbout 141 km
Day 6 to 7Rotorua to TaupōAbout 84 km, plus the crossing shuttle
Day 8Taupō to WellingtonAbout 372 km
Day 9Wellington to NelsonFerry crossing, then about 108 km
Day 10 to 11Nelson to Mārahau or KaiteriteriAbout 67 km to Mārahau (DOC)
Day 12 to 13Nelson to HokitikaAbout 278 km to Punakaiki, then about 83 km
Day 14 to 15Hokitika to Franz Josef/WaiauAbout 134 km
Day 16 to 18Franz Josef/Waiau to QueenstownAbout 354 km over two driving days
Day 19 to 21Queenstown to ChristchurchAbout 201 km to Twizel, then about 65 km to Aoraki/Mount Cook, then about 330 km to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo

The route runs one way from Auckland to Christchurch. The North Island week heads south through the Coromandel, Waikato and the geothermal centre to Wellington. After the ferry, the South Island fortnight runs west from Nelson to the West Coast, south through the glaciers, over the Haast Pass to the lakes, and back north-east through the Mackenzie Country.

Week 1: the North Island

Days 1 to 8 cover the North Island’s big hitters in a sensible order: beaches first while you recover from the flight, then Hobbiton and the glowworms, two nights in Rotorua, two in Taupō for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and one long drive to Wellington. If you would rather spend longer here, our 10-day North Island road trip adds Napier.

Week 2: the top of the South and the West Coast

Days 9 to 15 cross Cook Strait to Picton and Nelson, give you two days in Abel Tasman National Park, then follow the West Coast south past the Pancake Rocks and Hokitika Gorge to two nights in Franz Josef. The West Coast can be wet, so the second glacier night is a deliberate weather buffer.

Week 3: the lakes and the Mackenzie Country

Days 16 to 21 cross the Haast Pass to Wānaka and Queenstown, include a day trip to Milford Sound, then cross the Lindis Pass to Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo before the final drive to Christchurch. Our 14-day South Island road trip covers much of this at a slower pace.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day1 to 2
Day 1 to 2: Auckland to the Coromandel
Auckland→Haheivia State Highway 2 and State Highway 25A
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 176 km
- Drive timeAbout 2 h 25 min (estimate)
- OvernightHahei or Hot Water Beach (2 nights)
Land, collect your wheels and head straight for the beach: Cathedral Cove and a hot pool you dig yourself.
Most international flights land at Auckland Airport, south of the city, so you can collect a rental car or campervan and head south-east without crossing the centre. The Coromandel Peninsula is a hilly, forested peninsula with white-sand beaches on its eastern side.
Base yourself in Hahei for two nights. Day 1 is a short drive to recover from the flight; day 2 is for Cathedral Cove/Mautohe and Hot Water Beach, where hot water bubbles up through the sand around low tide.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 1: collect your vehicle near the airport and buy supplies.
2. Afternoon
  Day 1: drive to Hahei. Day 2: walk to Cathedral Cove in the morning.
3. Evening
  Hot Water Beach at low tide on whichever day the tide suits.
Stops and highlights2
- Cathedral Cove/Mautohe. A rock arch joining two coves. Park at the free Hahei Visitor Car Park and take the shuttle or walk to the track (DOC).
  Time: About 1.5 h return walk
  Cost: Free (shuttle extra)
- Hot Water Beach. Dig a hot pool in the sand within two hours either side of low tide (Destination Coromandel). Do not swim: it is a dangerous surf beach.
  Cost: Free, plus parking and spade hire
  Parking: Main car park $6 an hour or $35 a day (Thames-Coromandel District Council, 2026/27)
Where to stay tonightHahei or Hot Water Beach (2 nights)
- Holiday park: Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park has cabins and sites near the beach.
- Freedom camping: Self-contained only, where allowed. See our freedom camping guide.
Tip: Check the Hot Water Beach tide times before you book your Coromandel nights. A late afternoon low tide makes the first two days easy.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Fill up before leaving Auckland.
Book ahead
Your vehicle, Coromandel beds and the low tide times for Hot Water Beach.
Watch out for
Coromandel roads are narrow and winding. Take it slowly on your first day of driving on the left.
What today costs
Hot Water Beach parking and spade hire; the cove is free.
All days NextDay 3
Day3
Day 3: Hobbiton and on to Waitomo
Hahei→Waitomovia Matamata
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 266 km
- Drive timeAbout 4 h (estimate), plus a 2.5 h tour
- OvernightWaitomo
Cross the Waikato farmland to the Shire, then on to the limestone country of Waitomo and its glowworms.
The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata is where the Shire was filmed for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The Signature Tour takes about 2.5 hours and often sells out, so book a late-morning slot before you leave home.
Then drive on to Waitomo, famous for limestone caves lit by glowworms. Our routing estimate for the whole day, Hahei to Waitomo via Hobbiton, is about 266 km and 4 hours without stops.
How the day runs
1. Morning8 am
  Leave Hahei with a full tank.
2. Midday11 am
  Hobbiton Signature Tour, then lunch at The Shire's Rest.
3. Afternoon
  Drive to Waitomo and check in.
4. Evening
  Walk the free Ruakuri Walk after dark to see glowworms (DOC).
Stops and highlights2
- Hobbiton Movie Set. A guided walk through hobbit holes and gardens on a working farm. Our Hobbiton tour guide compares the options.
  Time: About 2.5 h
  Cost: $130 adult
- Ruakuri Walk. A 1 km loop past limestone bluffs, with glowworms beside the main bridge after dark (DOC).
  Time: 45 min
  Cost: Free
Where to stay tonightWaitomo
- Holiday park: Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park is in Waitomo Caves village.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Matamata after Hobbiton.
Book ahead
Hobbiton (essential in summer) and tomorrow's cave tour.
Watch out for
Take a torch for the Ruakuri Walk at night.
What today costs
Hobbiton $130 per adult (as at November 2026).
Skip if
Not a Tolkien fan? Skip Hobbiton and spend longer on Waitomo's walks.
PreviousDay 1 to 2 All days NextDay 4 to 5
Day4 to 5
Day 4 to 5: Glowworm caves and two days in Rotorua
Waitomo→Rotorua
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 141 km
- Drive timeAbout 2 h (estimate)
- OvernightRotorua (2 nights)
A boat ride under thousands of glowworms, then geysers, a living Māori village and giant redwoods in Rotorua.
Start day 4 with the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour: a 45-minute guided walk ending with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto, from $85 per adult. Our Waitomo guide compares the caves. Then drive to Rotorua, about 141 km and 2 hours by our routing estimate.
Rotorua sits on an active geothermal field and is a centre of Māori culture. Day 5 is for one geothermal valley, either Whakarewarewa The Living Māori Village ($58) or Te Puia ($105), and the free Redwoods forest.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 4: cave tour. Day 5: Whakarewarewa or Te Puia.
2. Afternoon
  Day 4: drive to Rotorua. Day 5: the Redwoods.
3. Evening
  Kuirau Park's free foot pools, a hāngī, or the Skyline gondola and luge.
Stops and highlights3
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves. A guided cave walk and a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto.
  Time: 45 min
  Cost: From $85 adult
- Whakarewarewa The Living Māori Village. A one-hour guided tour of a village where families still cook and bathe with geothermal heat.
  Cost: $58 adult (from 1 October 2026)
- The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest. Free walking and mountain bike tracks among giant redwoods (Rotorua Lakes Council).
  Cost: Free
Where to stay tonightRotorua (2 nights)
- Holiday park: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park, a few minutes from the city centre.
- Motels: Rotorua has a big choice of motels and hotels.
Tip: Pick one paid geothermal attraction in Rotorua. Tomorrow you pass Wai-O-Tapu on the way south.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Book ahead
A cave tour, and a village or Te Puia tour.
Watch out for
Stay on marked paths in geothermal areas, and keep your head above the water in natural hot pools (Health New Zealand).
What today costs
Caves from $85, village $58 or Te Puia $105 per adult (as at November 2026).
PreviousDay 3 All days NextDay 6 to 7
Day6 to 7
Day 6 to 7: Taupō and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Rotorua→Taupōvia Wai-O-Tapu and Huka Falls
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 84 km, plus the crossing shuttle
- Drive timeAbout 1 h 15 min (estimate)
- OvernightTaupō (2 nights)
A geyser at 10.15 am, a thundering blue waterfall, then New Zealand's most famous day walk across a volcanic landscape.
Day 6 is a short drive with big stops: Wai-O-Tapu, where the Lady Knox Geyser presentation is at 10.15 am, and Huka Falls, five minutes north of Taupō (DOC). Rotorua to Taupō via both is about 84 km and 1 hour 15 minutes by our routing estimate.
Day 7 is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: 19.4 km one way past Red Crater and the Emerald Lakes, which DOC says takes 7 to 8 hours from November to April. Book a free DOC track booking and a shuttle. Our Tongariro Alpine Crossing guide covers it in detail.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 6: arrive at Wai-O-Tapu by 9.45 am. Day 7: early shuttle to Mangatepōpō.
2. Afternoon
  Day 6: Huka Falls. Day 7: descend to Ketetahi and shuttle back.
3. Evening
  A soak in the free Otumuheke Stream at Spa Thermal Park.
Stops and highlights3
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Colourful pools, mud and the Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15 am. Open 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, last entry 3 pm.
  Time: 1.5 to 2.5 h
- Huka Falls. The Waikato River forced through a narrow channel. The car park is locked 5.30 pm to 8.30 am (DOC).
  Cost: Free
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A serious alpine walk. Check DOC's advisory and the NIWA forecast before you go.
  Time: 7 to 8 h (DOC)
  Cost: Free DOC booking, plus shuttle
Where to stay tonightTaupō (2 nights)
- Holiday park and hot pools: DeBretts Spa Resort has motel units, cabins and campsites.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Book ahead
The DOC track booking and a crossing shuttle, as early as possible in summer.
Watch out for
Do not go if DOC issues a Not Recommended Today advisory. Carry food, water and warm layers.
What today costs
Wai-O-Tapu entry and the shuttle. Huka Falls and the DOC booking are free.
Skip if
Bad weather or not a hiker? Swap the crossing for a lake cruise or the Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls walk.
PreviousDay 4 to 5 All days NextDay 8
Day8
Day 8: Taupō to Wellington over the Desert Road
Taupō→Wellingtonvia State Highway 1
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 372 km
- Drive timeAbout 5 h 5 min (estimate)
- OvernightWellington
The longest drive of the trip: past three volcanoes on the Desert Road and down to the capital.
Today you cross the Desert Road, the high, open stretch of SH1 between Rangipo and Waiouru, then run south through Taihape to Wellington. Our routing estimate is about 372 km and 5 hours without stops. Our Auckland to Wellington drive guide has the stops.
NZTA warns that snow can affect the Desert Road, even in spring, so check the NZTA Journey Planner before you leave.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Leave Taupō early. Lunch at Waiouru, where the National Army Museum has a café.
2. Afternoon
  Taihape, then the long run south to Wellington.
3. Evening
  Sunset from Mount Victoria Lookout.
Stops and highlights2
- National Army Museum, Waiouru. Open daily 9 am to 4.30 pm except Christmas Day.
  Cost: $15 adult
- Mount Victoria Lookout. 360 degree views of the city and harbour (Wellington City Council).
  Cost: Free
Where to stay tonightWellington
- Wellington: Stay central or near your ferry terminal for an easy morning.
Tip: Book a late-morning ferry for tomorrow, so you are not rushing out of Wellington at dawn after today's long drive.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Fill up in Taupō or Tūrangi before the Desert Road.
Book ahead
Your Cook Strait ferry for tomorrow, with your vehicle.
Watch out for
Fatigue: share the driving.
What today costs
Mostly fuel.
PreviousDay 6 to 7 All days NextDay 9
Day9
Day 9: The Cook Strait ferry to Picton and Nelson
Wellington→Nelsonvia Interislander or Bluebridge ferry, then State Highway 6
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceFerry crossing, then about 108 km
- Drive timeAbout 3 h 30 min ferry, then about 1 h 55 min (estimate)
- OvernightNelson
Sail across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds, then drive the winding road to sunny Nelson.
Both ferry operators sail Wellington to Picton in about three and a half hours, through Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. Our Interislander vs Bluebridge guide compares the terminals, ships and check-in times.
From Picton it is about 108 km and 1 hour 55 minutes to Nelson by our routing estimate, on a winding road through the hills.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Check in at the ferry terminal and sail.
2. Afternoon
  Arrive in Picton and drive to Nelson.
3. Evening
  Dinner in Nelson.
Stops and highlights2
- Marlborough Sounds. The last part of the crossing runs through sheltered, forested sounds. Head out on deck.
- Nelson. A sunny small city at the top of the South Island. Our things to do in Nelson guide has ideas.
Where to stay tonightNelson
- Nelson: Motels, holiday parks and hotels in and around the city.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Book ahead
The ferry with your vehicle, especially in summer and school holidays. Check your rental company allows its vehicles on the ferry.
Watch out for
Interislander check-in closes 60 minutes before departure.
What today costs
The ferry fare, which varies with the date, vehicle and sailing.
PreviousDay 8 All days NextDay 10 to 11
Day10 to 11
Day 10 to 11: Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson→Mārahau or Kaiteriteri
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 67 km to Mārahau (DOC)
- Drive timeAbout 1 h
- OvernightNelson, Motueka or Kaiteriteri (2 nights)
Golden beaches, clear water and coastal bush: take a water taxi to a beach and walk back, or paddle a kayak.
Abel Tasman National Park is a coastline of golden beaches and bush about an hour from Nelson. Mārahau, at the southern end, is 67 km from Nelson on sealed roads (DOC).
The easy way in is a water taxi to a beach, then walk back along the Coast Track. Kayaking is best on a guided trip if you are new to it. Our Abel Tasman guide compares the options.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Water taxi from Mārahau or Kaiteriteri to a beach such as Anchorage or Bark Bay.
2. Afternoon
  Walk back along the Coast Track, with swims on the way.
3. Evening
  Second day: a guided kayak trip, or a lazy beach day.
Stops and highlights2
- Abel Tasman Coast Track. 60 km in full, but easy to walk in sections with a water taxi (DOC).
  Cost: Free to walk day sections
- Guided kayaking. Guided trips are the best option if you are new to sea kayaking. Our Abel Tasman guide compares operators.
  Cost: From $88 (Wilsons, Kaiteriteri)
Where to stay tonightNelson, Motueka or Kaiteriteri (2 nights)
- Base: Motueka, Kaiteriteri or Mārahau put you closest to the park.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Book ahead
Water taxis and kayak trips in summer.
Watch out for
Check tide times if your walk includes an inlet crossing (DOC).
What today costs
Water taxi and kayaking are the main spends.
Skip if
Short on time? Do one day in the park and add a spare day later in the trip.
PreviousDay 9 All days NextDay 12 to 13
Day12 to 13
Day 12 to 13: Down the West Coast to Punakaiki and Hokitika
Nelson→Hokitikavia Murchison, the Buller Gorge and Westport
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 278 km to Punakaiki, then about 83 km
- Drive timeAbout 3 h 55 min, then about 1 h 10 min (estimate)
- OvernightPunakaiki, then Hokitika
Through the Buller Gorge to the wild West Coast, the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and a driftwood sunset in Hokitika.
Day 12 follows the Buller River down to the coast at Westport, then south to Punakaiki, home of the Pancake Rocks. Our routing estimate from Nelson is about 278 km and 3 hours 55 minutes.
Day 13 is a short hop to Hokitika, about 83 km and 1 hour 10 minutes, with time for Hokitika Gorge. Our West Coast road trip covers this coast day by day.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 12: leave Nelson early. Day 13: Pancake Rocks at high tide if you can.
2. Afternoon
  Day 12: Westport and the coast road. Day 13: Hokitika and the gorge.
3. Evening
  Sunset on Hokitika beach and the Glow Worm Dell after dark.
Stops and highlights2
- Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk. A 1.1 km loop at Dolomite Point; blowholes are best around high tide with a south-westerly swell (DOC).
  Time: 20 min
  Cost: Free
  Parking: DOC paid car park, $2.50 per half hour or $20 a day
- Hokitika Gorge. Turquoise water, a viewing platform and swing bridges (DOC).
  Time: 1.6 km loop, about 1 h
  Cost: Free
Where to stay tonightPunakaiki, then Hokitika
- Punakaiki: Punakaiki Beach Camp has cabins and cliff-view campsites near the rocks.
- Hokitika: Holiday parks, motels and beachfront hotels.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
There is no petrol in Punakaiki (DOC). Fill up in Westport or Greymouth.
Watch out for
Do not swim at Hokitika Gorge or the Truman Track beach (DOC). Sandflies love dusk.
What today costs
Punakaiki parking; the rest is free.
PreviousDay 10 to 11 All days NextDay 14 to 15
Day14 to 15
Day 14 to 15: Franz Josef glacier country
Hokitika→Franz Josef/Waiauvia State Highway 6
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 134 km
- Drive timeAbout 1 h 45 min (estimate)
- OvernightFranz Josef/Waiau (2 nights)
A glacier valley walk, an optional heli-hike onto the ice, and mirror reflections at Lake Matheson.
Franz Josef/Waiau is a small town on the edge of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, about 134 km and 1 hour 45 minutes south of Hokitika by our routing estimate. DOC says helicopters are the only safe way onto the glaciers for guided walks.
Two nights give you a backup morning if low cloud cancels a flight. Our Franz Josef Glacier guide compares heli-hikes and the free walks.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 15: heli-hike or scenic flight if booked, or the glacier valley walk.
2. Afternoon
  Day 14: arrive and walk to Peters Pool. Day 15: rest or the Tatare Tunnels.
3. Evening
  Lake Matheson at dusk, about 30 minutes south (DOC).
Stops and highlights2
- Franz Josef Glacier Walk. Up the river valley to the glacier viewpoint (DOC).
  Time: 1.7 km return, about 30 min
  Cost: Free
  Parking: DOC paid car park, up to $20 a day
- Lake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati. Reflections of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on calm days (DOC).
  Time: 45 min to 1 h 30 min
  Cost: Free
Where to stay tonightFranz Josef/Waiau (2 nights)
- Franz Josef/Waiau: Holiday parks, motels and hotels near the main street.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Fill up in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier before the Haast Pass day.
Book ahead
Heli-hikes ahead in summer, with weather cancellation terms you can live with.
Watch out for
Stay behind the barriers in the glacier valley (DOC). Sandflies everywhere.
What today costs
Glacier car park up to $20 a day; a heli-hike is the big optional spend.
PreviousDay 12 to 13 All days NextDay 16 to 18
Day16 to 18
Day 16 to 18: Over the Haast Pass to Wānaka and Queenstown
Franz Josef/Waiau→Queenstownvia Haast Pass, Wānaka and the Crown Range
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 354 km over two driving days
- Drive timeAbout 5 h in total (estimate)
- OvernightWānaka (1 night), then Queenstown (2 nights)
One of New Zealand's great drives to the lakes, a night in Wānaka, then Queenstown and a day trip to Milford Sound.
Day 16 follows the coast to Haast, then climbs over the Haast Pass past waterfalls and the Blue Pools to Wānaka. Our Queenstown to Franz Josef guide covers this road stop by stop, in the other direction.
Day 17 is a short hop from Wānaka to Queenstown, about 68 km and 1 hour 15 minutes over the Crown Range by our routing estimate. Day 18 is for Milford Sound: from Queenstown, a coach and cruise day trip starts from $319 with RealNZ and takes about 12 hours. Our Milford Sound day trip guide compares coach, self-drive and flights.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 16: leave Franz Josef early. Day 17: Wānaka lakefront, then the Crown Range.
2. Afternoon
  Day 16: Blue Pools and Wānaka. Day 17: Arrowtown or Queenstown activities.
3. Evening
  Day 18: back from Milford Sound.
Stops and highlights2
- Blue Pools. A forest walk to a swing bridge over clear glacier-fed pools, 10 km north of Makarora (DOC).
  Time: 3.2 km return, 1 h 30 min
  Cost: Free
- Milford Sound coach and cruise. A full-day trip from Queenstown with a cruise on the fiord.
  Cost: From $319 (RealNZ)
Where to stay tonightWānaka (1 night), then Queenstown (2 nights)
- Wānaka and Queenstown: Book both early for summer. Our where to stay in Queenstown guide compares the areas.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Haast Junction is the must-fill stop before the pass.
Book ahead
Milford Sound trip, Queenstown activities and beds.
Watch out for
Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the Haast Pass after heavy rain.
What today costs
Free walks on day 16. Milford Sound from $319 by coach (as at November 2026).
PreviousDay 14 to 15 All days NextDay 19 to 21
Day19 to 21
Day 19 to 21: Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Christchurch
Queenstown→Christchurchvia Lindis Pass, Twizel and Lake Tekapo
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
- DistanceAbout 201 km to Twizel, then about 65 km to Aoraki/Mount Cook, then about 330 km to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
- Drive timeAbout 2 h 40 min, then 50 min, then about 4 h 35 min (estimate)
- OvernightTwizel or Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, then Lake Tekapo
Over the Lindis Pass to the Mackenzie Country, the Hooker Valley Track beneath New Zealand's highest mountain, a stargazing night at Tekapo and the drive back to Christchurch.
Day 19 crosses the Lindis Pass (971 m, Te Ara) to Twizel, about 201 km and 2 hours 40 minutes by our routing estimate, then continues 65 km to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. Day 20 is for the Hooker Valley Track, then on to Lake Tekapo. Day 21 is the drive back to Christchurch, about 226 km and 3 hours from Tekapo.
Our Christchurch to Queenstown drive guide covers this road in the other direction.
How the day runs
1. Morning
  Day 20: start the Hooker Valley Track early, before the car park fills.
2. Afternoon
  Day 20: drive to Lake Tekapo. Day 21: Fairlie and Geraldine on the way to Christchurch.
3. Evening
  Day 20: stargazing at Lake Tekapo.
Stops and highlights2
- Hooker Valley Track. Swing bridges to Hooker Lake at the foot of Aoraki/Mount Cook (DOC).
  Time: 10 km return, 3 h
  Cost: Free
  Parking: White Horse Hill car park, $2.50 per half hour or $25 a day
- Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo. A small stone church on the lakeshore.
  Cost: $5 donation suggested
Where to stay tonightTwizel or Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, then Lake Tekapo
- DOC campground: White Horse Hill Campground at the start of the Hooker Valley Track, $20 per adult, bookings required (DOC).
- Lake Tekapo: Holiday park, motels and hotels; book early for summer.
Tip: If the mountain is hidden on day 20, swap the order: Tekapo first, and try the Hooker Valley on the morning of day 21 before driving to Christchurch.
Practical infoFuel, food, toilets, bookings, costs
Fuel
Cromwell (24/7) before the Lindis Pass, and Twizel.
Book ahead
White Horse Hill or Twizel beds, Tekapo beds and a stargazing tour.
Watch out for
Snow can close the road to Aoraki/Mount Cook outside summer.
What today costs
Hooker Valley parking up to $25 a day (DOC, as at November 2026).
PreviousDay 16 to 18 All days
Trip complete
That's the loop. You legend.
21 days and about 3,000 km plus the Cook Strait ferry of driving, finishing in Christchurch.
Full route in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Back to the top of the itinerary

The Cook Strait ferry crossing

The ferry is the hinge of the trip. Both Interislander and Bluebridge sail between Wellington and Picton in about three and a half hours, through Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. A few things to sort early:

Book ahead with your vehicle, especially in summer and school holidays.
Check your rental terms. Some companies want you to drop the vehicle in Wellington and collect another in Picton. Others let you take it across.
Know your terminal. Bluebridge leaves from 50 Waterloo Quay in central Wellington; Interislander’s terminal is north of the city, with a shuttle from the railway station.
Arrive in time. Interislander check-in closes 60 minutes before departure.

Insider tip: book a late-morning sailing on day 9. You get a relaxed start after the long Desert Road drive, a daylight crossing through the Marlborough Sounds, and still reach Nelson for dinner.

Budget

We do not invent a daily total, because it depends so much on the season and your vehicle. Here are real numbers to plan with.

Campervan hire swings with the season. We could not get a one-way Auckland to Christchurch quote online, so as a guide, here is what Jucy quoted us on 11 November 2026 for 14 to 15 day Christchurch return hires of its cheapest 2-berth van, the Crib (not self-contained), averaged per day:

Pick-up date	Jucy Crib, average per day
11 January 2027	$179.62
February 2027	$145
8 March 2027	$124.22
19 April 2027	$49.00
May 2027	$35
4 October 2027	$38.90

One-way hires across both islands usually cost more, so get quotes for your exact route. Our campervan cost guide explains the extras.

Verified activity prices on this route (per adult, as at November 2026):

Item	Cost
Hobbiton Signature Tour	$130
Waitomo Glowworm Caves	From $85
Whakarewarewa village tour	$58
Tongariro Alpine Crossing DOC booking	Free (shuttle extra)
National Army Museum, Waiouru	$15
Milford Sound coach and cruise from Queenstown	From $319
Franz Josef and Punakaiki DOC car parks	Up to $20 a day
White Horse Hill car park, Aoraki/Mount Cook	Up to $25 a day
White Horse Hill Campground	$20 per adult a night

Add fuel for about 3,000 km, the ferry, beds and food. Our New Zealand travel budget guide breaks those down.

Where to stay

Days	Base
1 to 2	Hahei or Hot Water Beach
3	Waitomo
4 to 5	Rotorua
6 to 7	Taupō
8	Wellington
9	Nelson
10 to 11	Motueka, Kaiteriteri or Mārahau
12	Punakaiki
13	Hokitika
14 to 15	Franz Josef/Waiau
16	Wānaka
17 to 18	Queenstown
19	Twizel or Aoraki/Mount Cook Village
20	Lake Tekapo
21	Christchurch

In a campervan, freedom camping is self-contained only and only where councils or DOC allow it; our freedom camping rules explain the details.

Three weeks in New Zealand: the both-islands itinerary

Key facts

Route overview

The days at a glance

Week 1: the North Island

Week 2: the top of the South and the West Coast

Week 3: the lakes and the Mackenzie Country

Day-by-day itinerary

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightHahei or Hot Water Beach (2 nights)

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightWaitomo

Skip if

How the day runs

Stops and highlights3

Where to stay tonightRotorua (2 nights)

How the day runs

Stops and highlights3

Where to stay tonightTaupō (2 nights)

Skip if

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightWellington

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightNelson

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightNelson, Motueka or Kaiteriteri (2 nights)

Skip if

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightPunakaiki, then Hokitika

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightFranz Josef/Waiau (2 nights)

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightWānaka (1 night), then Queenstown (2 nights)

How the day runs

Stops and highlights2

Where to stay tonightTwizel or Aoraki/Mount Cook Village, then Lake Tekapo

That's the loop. You legend.

The Cook Strait ferry crossing

Budget

Where to stay

FAQ

Sources

Keep planningMore Road Trips guides

Auckland to Wellington drive: the best stops and overnight options

Christchurch to Dunedin drive: Ōamaru, Moeraki Boulders and the coast road

Christchurch to Queenstown: the best route, stops and how long it takes