Christchurch to the Glaciers by Campervan: Arthur’s Pass or Mount Cook

Quick summary: From Christchurch, two campervan routes lead to New Zealand’s glaciers. The first crosses the Southern Alps over Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast, then heads south to Franz Josef, around 390 km. The second crosses the Canterbury Plains and the Mackenzie Basin to Aoraki/Mount Cook, around 330 km. Many campervan and motorhome travellers do both, crossing to the West Coast first and returning via Wānaka and the Mackenzie on a loop.

At a glance
To Franz Josef	Around 390 km via Arthur’s Pass and Hokitika
To Mount Cook Village	Around 330 km via Lake Tekapo
Best overnight stops	Arthur’s Pass village, Hokitika, Lake Tekapo
Steepest section	The western side of Arthur’s Pass
Not driving?	Transfers and tours from Christchurch
Tours	Christchurch transfers

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How do you drive from Christchurch to Franz Josef?

Stage	Distance	What’s there
Christchurch to Springfield	Around 65 km	Flat plains, the last town before the mountains
Springfield to Arthur’s Pass village	Around 85 km	Porters Pass, Castle Hill, the Waimakariri valley
Arthur’s Pass to Hokitika	Around 100 km	The Ōtira Viaduct, rainforest, the West Coast
Hokitika to Franz Josef	Around 135 km	Ross, Lake Ianthe, Whataroa, Lake Mapourika

The drive takes around 5 hours without stops, so most travellers split it with a night at Arthur’s Pass village or Hokitika.

What is Arthur’s Pass like in an RV?

The road over Arthur’s Pass is sealed but steep, especially on the western side, where it descends past the Ōtira Viaduct and through the gorge. Use a low gear on the descent to save your brakes, and watch for kea, the alpine parrots that gather at car parks and lookouts. Snow and ice can affect the pass in winter, so check road conditions before setting out. For the full route, see our sister site’s Arthur’s Pass route.

How do you drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook?

Head south-west across the Canterbury Plains via Geraldine and Fairlie, over Burkes Pass into the Mackenzie Basin, past Lake Tekapo and along Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village, around 330 km. It’s an easy drive, best split with a night at Lake Tekapo. See Aoraki/Mount Cook Village by campervan.

Which route should you take?

If you want	Take
Franz Josef and Fox	Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast
Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier	The Mackenzie route
Both	A loop: Arthur’s Pass west, then south via Haast and Wānaka, and back through the Mackenzie

See our South Island glacier loop.

What if you’d rather not drive over the Alps yourself?

Ride the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth and pick up a campervan there, at the closest depot to the glaciers. See Greymouth pickup. Transfers and day tours from Christchurch are also available if you’d prefer to leave the driving to someone else. See Christchurch transfers.

Where can you stay on the way?

• Arthur’s Pass village, with a DOC campsite and small accommodation in the national park.
• Hokitika, with holiday parks, the beach and the town’s pounamu galleries.
• Lake Tekapo, on the Mackenzie route, with holiday parks beside the lake.

For local guides to the start of the trip, see christchurchtours.co.nz, including its Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions