This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
New Zealand’s south island has so much to offer with majestic mountains, turquoise lakes, alpine scenery and great outdoor sports and walks. If you are short on time and only have a week to explore then we have created a perfect Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary that covers many of the south island’s highlights.
The road trip starts and ends in two large towns that both have airports – Christchurch and Queenstown.
Here is our suggested Christchurch to Queenstown 7 day / 1 week road trip itinerary:
Table of Contents
Christchurch to Queenstown road trip route
Notes about this Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary
If you are doing this Christchurch to Queenstown road trip during peak season (December to March), then make sure you book your hotel/hostel well in advance – especially in Mount Cook Village and Lake Tekapo where accommodation options are limited.
You can also join this itinerary with our Christchurch to Nelson round trip drive itinerary to cover more of the south island.
Car hire for Christchurch to Queenstown road trip
Public transport is pretty poor between cities in New Zealand, and many attractions are usually a drive out of town, so for that reason we would recommend hiring a car or campervan for your road trip.
You can pick up your hire car / campervan as soon as you arrive at Christchurch airport. We personally recommend JUCY rentals or Apex rentals for excellent service and decent rates. Or use rentalcars.com to compare different prices from all the rental car companies.
From our own personal experience we would not recommend Omega Rental Cars for car hire at all (dirty car, poor customer service and unauthorised payments coming out of our account 9 months after our trip) – avoid these guys!
YOU MIGHT LIKE: New Zealand travel tips for first-time visitors >
Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary – one week road trip
Day 1: Christchurch
Christchurch is the south island’s biggest urban city known for its English heritage and some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand.
In 2011 a huge earthquake destroyed many of the historic buildings in the city centre – the damage is still visible today but the city has slowly been re-inventing itself.
Christchurch has the south island’s biggest international airport and it is a great place to start your 1 week road trip / Christchurch to Queenstown south island itinerary.
Day 1 will be your first full day in Christchurch after arriving in the city the day before (so you will need to book 2 nights accommodation).
Things to do in Christchurch
Akaroa
Take a 1 and a half hour drive out of Christchurch and visit Akaroa – a small town with charming colonial architecture remnant of the French and British settlers who founded the area.
You can take a harbour nature cruise, go kayaking or swim with dolphins! If you haven’t picked up your hire car yet then there are shuttle buses available to take you there from Christchurch.
Christchurch Gondola
Take a gondola to the top of Port Hills for amazing 360-degree views of Christchurch and the surrounding mountains. At the top is a souvenir shop, cafe and ‘Time Tunnel experience’. Book a Christchurch Gondola ride >
Cardboard Cathedral
This cardboard cathedral replaced the original cathedral which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It is the only cathedral in the world made substantially of cardboard and was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.
Punting
Enjoy a boat ride along the River Avon on a 30-minute Edwardian-style punting tour. Book a punting tour >
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
This huge 21 hectare park is located in the city centre and has more than 10 different gardens, conservatory complex, gift shop and visitor centre.
Vintage trams
Explore the sights of Christchurch with a full-day hop-on and hop-off vintage tram ticket. You can also enjoy a 4-course fine dining meal onboard. Book a vintage tram tour.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Christchurch Sightseeing Pass >
Stay 2 nights in Christchurch:
BUDGET – JUCY Snooze Christchurch
Highly rated hostel located right by the airport so perfect for late night flight arrivals. They have a 24 hour check in with communal kitchen and outdoor terrace.
MID RANGE – Colombo in the City
Modern motel located just 6 minutes’ walk from Christchurch’s city centre with cooking facilities, and balcony.
LUXURY – Hotel Montreal
Elegant hotel located in the heart of Christchurch with suites featuring a kitchenette and balcony.
CAMPERVAN SITE – Christchurch Tasman Holiday Park
Holiday Park located on the outskirts of central Christchurch with indoor heated swimming pool, private spa, BBQ and games/TV rooms.
Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Drive time
Christchurch > Lake Tekapo: 3 and a half hours
Check out of your Christchurch accommodation as early as possible and then pick up your hire car / campervan if you haven’t already. It’s time for the Christchurch to Queenstown road trip to begin and the first stop is Lake Tekapo!
On the drive to Lake Tekapo we recommend you take the scenic route via State Highway 77 west of Christchurch, as there are more photo opportunities than taking Highway 1. Make a stop at Rakaia Gorge for stunning views of the crystal clear blue river.
If you are planning to self cater for most of the trip then take advantage of the large Fresh Choice Supermarket in Geraldine as you will only find smaller grocery stores until you reach Wanaka.
Aim to arrive in Lake Tekapo for around midday so you have the whole afternoon to enjoy a scenic walk or soak in the hot pools in the afternoon.
Things to do in Lake Tekapo
Tekapo Springs
Relax in the thermal hot pools located on the edge of pine forest, with beautiful views of Lake Tekapo. Book a single day pass for the hot pools >
Lake Tekapo Walks
There are a range of short walks in the area with views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The walks last from 1 hour to 4 hours long – check out the list of walking tracks on the Mackenzie website >
Night Stargazing
Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Take a trip to the top of Mt John and visit the observatory, or view the stars whilst enjoying a soak in Tekapo hot springs in a floating hammock.
Read our things to do in Lake Tekapo blog post for more information >
Stay overnight in Lake Tekapo:
BUDGET – Lake Tekapo YHA
Brand new hostel located on the lakefront with spacious, modern communal areas, private rooms and dorms, and an on-site burger bar.
MID RANGE – Lake Tekapo Village Motel
Situated in the centre of the village with rooms with lake views, free private parking and within walking distance of the local shops, restaurants and the lakes edge.
LUXURY – Lakeview Tekapo
Self-contained adults-only luxury apartments with well equipped kitchen facilities, sky window for stargazing from your bed and views of Lake Tekapo.
CAMPERVAN SITE – Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
Holiday Park with views of Lake Tekapo with communal lounge, BBQ area and kitchens.
Day 3: Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook Village
Drive time
Lake Tekapo > Mount Cook Village: 1 hour 15 minutes
Check out of your Lake Tekapo accommodation and take the short drive to Mount Cook Village. Make a stop at the Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre on State Highway 8 and purchase some delicious and fresh salmon sushimi from the gourmet food shop.
Just after the visitor centre you will take a right turning off Highway 8 onto State Highway 8 – a road with extremely scenic views of the dazzling bright blue Lake Pukaki. Make a stop at Peter’s Lookout for one of the best views of Mount Cook.
Mount Cook Village is the main base for which to explore the National Park. There are only a handful of hotels/hostels here so if you are visiting in peak season between December to March, then make sure you reserve your accommodation well in advance as they all get booked up quickly!
There are no supermarkets or convenience stores here so you will need to make sure you stock up before you arrive. There are a few cafes, plus two restaurants – Chamois Bar and Grill and the Alpine Restaurant at The Hermitage Hotel (latter requires advance booking).
After you have checked into your accommodation then enjoy some of the following activities:
Things to do in Mount Cook
Walk the Hooker Valley Track
This is the most popular short walking track within the National Park and has amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day. The hike is 3 hours return and only requires a low level of fitness.
Along the way you’ll cross over three swing bridges and encounter the iceberg-speckled Hooker Lake. Read more in our Hooker Valley Track guide >
Glacier Explorers boat trip
Take a boat trip along the Tasman Glacier terminal lake and view the ice face and icebergs up close. Tours operate between mid September and late May. Book a Glacier Lake Cruise >
Walk the Blue Lakes Track
Starting from the Blue Lakes car park, this 40 minute return easy uphill walk takes you to an amazing viewpoint of the lower Tasman Glacier and lake, icebergs and the mountains at the head of the valley.
Read more in our Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View walks guide >
Go on a Glacier heli-hike
Hop on a helicopter and soar to the top of the Tasman Glacier for a scenic guided hike on the ice with wonderful views of Mount Cook. Book a Tasman Glacier Hiking Experience in Mount Cook with Helicopter Ride >
Take a scenic flight
If you have cash to splash then take a scenic flight in a ski plane and helicopter over the Tasman Glacier – tour includes a glacier landing as well. Book a ski plane and helicopter alpine combo flight or a Mount Cook and The Glaciers Helicopter Flight
Read more about Mount Cook in our Mount Cook guide >
Stay overnight in Mount Cook Village:
Tip: Make sure you book cancellable accommodation just incase the weather gets really bad and you decide to skip the night in Mount Cook altogether and head straight to Wanaka (make sure you check the final date that you can cancel the booking).
BUDGET – YHA Aoraki Mt Cook
Highly rated alpine lodge with private rooms/dorms, large shared kitchen and picnic area.
MID RANGE – Aoraki Court Aoraki
Modern units featuring great views of mountains with kitchenette and patio.
LUXURY – The Hermitage Hotel
Hotel featuring a range of on-site dining and bars and rooms /suites all offering mountain views.
CAMPERVAN SITE – Glentanner Holiday Park Mount Cook
Fully-equipped campground with 60 Powered Campervan Sites and hot showers, Wifi, BBQ Pavilion and Shared Kitchen, Dining and Lounge.
YOU MIGHT LIKE – Ultimate New Zealand bucket list – top 50 things to do
Day 4: Mount Cook Village to Wanaka
Drive time
Mount Cook Village > Wanaka: 2 hours 30 minutes
Wake up early and enjoy some more activities in Mount Cook, or if you have done everything you wanted to do, have a lie in. Continue on with your Christchurch to Queenstown road trip to the next stop which is Wanaka!
The journey from Mount Cook Village to Wanaka is lovely – you’ll drive through the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin, before passing through the small towns of Omarama and Twizel. In Omarama you can enjoy a private hot tub experience with views of the mountains, or visit one of the nice gift shops.
You should arrive in the lively lakeside town of Wanaka around early afternoon. Wanaka is a great base for adventure lovers, and also for relaxation-minded travellers.
If you are visiting during the winter months then Wanaka is just a short drive from 4 ski resorts including Cardrona and Treble Cone.
Things to do in Wanaka:
Skydive
Something to tick off your bucket list! Jump out of a plane on a tandem skydive with stunning scenery of the Southern Alps below. Book a Tandem Skydive Experience >
Paragliding
Enjoy a 10 minute paraglide with aerial views of Lake Wanaka and its surrounding mountains. Book a Paragliding Experience >
Puzzling World
This tacky but iconic attraction has been around since 1973 and is a wonderful world of weirdness, including the Great Maze and the Illusion Rooms. Book your ticket to Puzzling World >
Happy hour cruise
Take a scenic 1 hour luxury catamaran cruise along Lake Wanaka with cheese, wine and beer! Book a Lake Wanaka Happy Hour Cruise >
Wanaka tree
This lone willow tree in Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s most famous and photographed tree, and even has its own dedicated Facebook page! Use the hashtag #ThatWanakaTree is sharing on social media.
Roys Peak
There are plenty of scenic hikes around Wanaka but Roys Peak is the most famous due to its absolutely stunning views. Note: The walk is 16km long with an elevation of 1,228m and will take around 5 to 7 hours to complete.
It is also best to walk it during the summer months when the track conditions are better and there are longer daylight hours. The track is closed 1st October – 10th November for lambing season.
Stay overnight in Wanaka:
BUDGET – YHA Wanaka
Popular hostel with open plan living/dining area, log fire, pool table, reading area, balcony, and movie room.
MID RANGE – Clearbrook Motel Wanaka
Studios and apartments just a short walk from the lake, shops and restaurants. All apartments have a fully equipped kitchen and private balcony or patio with mountain views.
LUXURY – Lakeside Apartments
Luxury apartments with full kitchen and private balcony overlooking Lake Wanaka. Property features an outdoor pool and a hot tub.
CAMPERVAN SITE – Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park
Large holiday park very close to the centre of town with hot showers, laundry room and fully equipped kitchen.
Day 5: Wanaka to Queenstown via Cromwell and Arrowtown
Drive times
Wanaka > Cromwell: 40 minutes
Cromwell > Arrowtown: 35 minutes
Arrowtown > Queenstown: 20 minutes
The final stop of the Christchurch to Queenstown road trip is Queenstown and there are two lovely places to stop on the way. If you want to hike Roy’s Peak then you can skip these following stops and head straight to Queenstown after your walk is finished.
Cromwell
The first stop on the drive to Queenstown is Cromwell – a small lakeside town that was established by gold miners. Head to Old Cromwell Town historic precinct and wander through the cobbled streets and stop off at some of the cafes and galleries.
Cromwell is known as the “Fruit Bowl of the South” and the town has a giant fruit scuplture and a very popular grocers called Jones Family Fruit Stall where you can pick up big bags of cheap and delicious fresh fruit.
Arrowtown
Next up is the picturesque Arrowtown – another historic gold-mining town which dates back to 1862 when gold was first found in the Arrow River.
Take a stroll through the charming high street with restaurants, gift shops and an amazing pie cafe. April and May are fantastic months to visit as the trees are full of bright autumnal colours.
Read our full Arrowtown blog post here>
Arrive in Queenstown late afternoon, check into your accommodation and enjoy dinner and drinks in town. Try Fergburger – New Zealand’s most famous fast food restaurant (prepare to queue though!)
Stay for 2 nights in Queenstown:
BUDGET – Absoloot Hostel
Highly rated hostel with stunning views of the lake, private and dorm rooms, 24hr lounge room and fully-equipped kitchen.
MID RANGE – Ramada Suites
Modern, self-contained accommodation with views of the Remarkables Mountains and Coronet Peak.
LUXURY – The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Lakefront accommodation with private balconies, with some featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
CAMPERVAN SITE – Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
Holiday Park a short walk from Queenstown town centre with modern and spacious communal kitchen, showers and toilets and laundry.
Day 6: Milford Sound day trip (optional)
Today you can take a trip to Milford Sound, or if you would rather skip this then there is plenty to do in Queenstown and the surrounding area.
Milford sound is a stunning area of natural beauty with majestic fjords, rainforest and waterfalls. It was described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and is a New Zealand must do.
The drive to Milford Sound is also spectacular but very long so you will need to leave very early. You can drive there yourself, or there are many inexpensive tour operators that organise coach and cruise day trips.
If you have extra days in your itinerary then you could break up the drive by staying overnight at one of the many hotels in the lakeside town of Te Anau, located approximately halfway between Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Read our day trip to Milford Sound blog post >
Final day of the Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary…
Day 7: Queenstown
Today is the last day of the Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary and is a full day in Queenstown.
There is so much to do in Queenstown. It is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand and has a huge range of outdoor sports to enjoy, including jet boating, paragliding or bungy jumping.
If you prefer something a bit more relaxed then Queenstown has also got that covered for you with spas, scenic tours and wine tasting.
Things to do in Queenstown:
Shotover Jet
This iconic jet boat ride speeds down the Shotover River with thrilling 360-degree spins through dramatic and narrow canyons. Book a Shotover Jet experience with transfers >
Skyline Gondola
Ride the Skyline gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for the most amazing view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
At the top you can enjoy luge rides, bungy jumping, paragliding and an awesome buffet at Stratosphere restaurant. Book a Skyline Queenstown Gondola ticket >
Bungy jump
Free fall off the edge of the Kawarau Bridge – New Zealand’s original bungy jumping location. If you do not fancy doing a bungy then you can watch others jump from the public viewing platform. Book a Kawarau Bridge bungy jump >
Hike Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill is one of the most popular short hikes with incredible views at the top of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. The hike takes around 2 hours return and is a 500-metre climb through pine forest.
Onsen Hot Pools
Enjoy a boutique 1 hour private hot tub experience at Onsen Hot Pools Queenstown with amazing views of the Shotover River (and the Shotover jet!).
This is a popular attraction so book well in advance – the hot tubs can accommodate up to 4 adults. Click here for more details and to book your onsen experience >
Drive to Glenorchy
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is 45 minutes long, and this small lakeside town is the backdrop for many films including The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
This route is also one of the most beautiful and scenic road trips in New Zealand. Book a Glenorchy half day tour >
Queenstown Lake cruise
There are many scenic Lake Wakatipu cruises available in Queenstown – however we like the sound of this Spirit of Queenstown cruise which includes wine and a cheese board! Book a Spirit of Queenstown Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise >
Queenstown Wine tasting
Located a 20 minute drive out of Queenstown, Gibbston Valley Winery offer wine tasting tours including a visit to their cave cellar.
They also run shuttle buses to and from Queenstown town centre if you do not want to drink and drive! Book a Gibbston Valley Wine tasting tour and read our afternoon at Gibbston Valley blog post >
For more ideas check out our ultimate guide to Queenstown blog post. If you wish to stay in Queenstown longer then check out our Queenstown 5 day itinerary.
Where to go next after this Christchurch to Queenstown road trip?
The evening marks the end of your 1 week Christchurch to Queenstown road trip in New Zealand’s south island.
If you have more time you can continue your road trip and head to the west coast visiting Franz Josef Glacier, before driving up to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, and then taking a flight out from Nelson airport.
Alternatively you could head up the west coast, drop off your rental car in Greymouth and take the TranzAlpine scenic train back to Christchurch.
If you want to visit the north island you could fly from Queenstown to Auckland and start this 7 day North Island road trip itinerary >
Check out our other New Zealand blog posts:
- How to spend a day in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
- Ultimate New Zealand bucket list – top 50 things to do
- Things to do on Waiheke Island: the ultimate guide
- Christchurch to Dunedin road trip – a 5 day itinerary
- The 10 best day trips from Auckland, New Zealand
- Things to do in Kaikoura, New Zealand
- The best day trips from Queenstown, New Zealand
- 20 New Zealand food and drinks items you need to try
- Delivering post on the Picton Mail Boat Cruise
- Visiting the Monteith’s brewery in Greymouth
Watch our New Zealand South Island video
Did you enjoy our Christchurch to Queenstown 1 week road trip itinerary blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!
Christchurch to Queenstown 1 week road trip itinerary – add to Pinterest!
No Comments