Christchurch to Queenstown via the Glaciers: A 7-Day Campervan Itinerary

Quick summary: This one-way campervan trip crosses the Southern Alps from Christchurch to the West Coast, spends three nights at the glaciers with time for flights and heli-hikes, then crosses the Haast Pass to Wānaka and Queenstown. It’s around 770 km over seven days, taking in Arthur’s Pass, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson, with a spare morning built in for the weather. It’s one of the best one-way campervan or motorhome routes in New Zealand.

At a glance
Length	7 days, one-way
Start and finish	Christchurch to Queenstown
Total driving	Around 770 km
Nights at the glaciers	Three, at Franz Josef and Fox
Longest day	Around 260 km, Fox Glacier to Wānaka
Highlights	Arthur’s Pass, Hokitika Gorge, a heli-hike or flight, Lake Matheson, the Haast Pass

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Day 1: Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass (around 150 km)

Collect the campervan and drive west across the Canterbury Plains, climbing past Porters Pass and Castle Hill into the mountains. Stay at Arthur’s Pass village and walk to Devils Punchbowl Falls in the afternoon. See Christchurch to the glaciers.

Day 2: Arthur’s Pass to Hokitika (around 100 km)

Descend past the Ōtira Viaduct to the West Coast. In the afternoon, take the detour to Hokitika Gorge’s turquoise water and swing bridge, then watch the sunset on Hokitika’s driftwood beach. Visit the glow-worm dell after dark.

Day 3: Hokitika to Franz Josef (around 135 km)

Drive south through Ross and past Lake Ianthe, with a stop at Whataroa or Lake Mapourika. Arrive at Franz Josef in the afternoon, walk the glacier valley, and soak in the rainforest hot pools. See Franz Josef by campervan.

Day 4: Franz Josef glacier day (no long driving)

Take your heli-hike, scenic flight or twin glacier flight in the morning. In the afternoon, kayak on Lake Mapourika or visit the wildlife centre. See heli-hiking and twin glacier flights.

Day 5: Franz Josef to Fox Glacier (around 25 km)

Your spare morning: if yesterday’s flight was cancelled, try again. Then drive the short distance to Fox Glacier, walk around Lake Matheson in the evening light, and stay the night. See Fox Glacier by campervan.

Day 6: Fox Glacier to Wānaka (around 260 km)

Return to Lake Matheson at dawn for the reflections, then drive south along the coast past Knights Point and Ship Creek to Haast, and over the Haast Pass, stopping at Thunder Creek Falls and the Blue Pools. Arrive in Wānaka for the night. See Haast by campervan.

Day 7: Wānaka to Queenstown (around 70–115 km)

Drive over the Crown Range, or via Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge, to Queenstown, and return the vehicle. See Queenstown to the glaciers for the route in reverse.

How flexible is this RV itinerary if the weather turns?

Days 4 and 5 give you two mornings at the glaciers, so a single cancellation still leaves a second chance. If both mornings are cloudy, consider staying a further night in Fox Glacier and shortening your time in Wānaka. Heavy rain can occasionally close the Haast Pass, so check road conditions on Day 6. See weather and spare days.

How can you change the trip?

• Start in Greymouth by riding the TranzAlpine from Christchurch. See our Greymouth to Queenstown itinerary.
• Add Mount Cook with a detour from Wānaka over the Lindis Pass, around 210 km each way.
• Add a night in Haast to break Day 6 in two.

A one-way hire is needed for this route, and these sometimes come with a relocation fee or a longer minimum rental, so it pays to compare.

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Frequently Asked Questions