The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is one of the last genuinely wild places left in the country. Rainforest that runs down to the sea, glaciers you can walk up to, a coastline battered by the Tasman Sea, and almost no people. This route — from Christchurch through Arthur Pass, down the West Coast, over Haast Pass, and into Queenstown via Milford Sound — is the great South Island loop. Allow 10-14 days to do it properly.
The Route at a Glance
Christchurch — Arthur Pass — Greymouth — Hokitika — Franz Josef — Fox Glacier — Haast — Wanaka — Queenstown — Te Anau — Milford Sound
Total distance: ~1,100 km | Recommended: 10-14 days | Difficulty: Easy driving, remote sections
Day 1-2: Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur Pass
Head west on SH73 through the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps. Arthur Pass (920m) is a proper mountain village — the last stop before the West Coast. Walk the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall track (1 hour return) or the Avalanche Peak route if you’re fit and the weather is good (5-6 hours, alpine).
The descent from Arthur Pass to the West Coast is dramatic — the road drops steeply through native bush as the landscape turns from dry and brown to intensely green. Greymouth is the West Coast’s main town. Practical base, supermarket, petrol. Not glamorous, but functional.
Freedom camping: Multiple DOC sites through Arthur Pass National Park. Check CamperMate.
Day 3: Greymouth to Hokitika
Hokitika is a small town with an outsized reputation for greenstone (pounamu) — the jade-like stone sacred to Maori. The town has a good craft market, and the beach sunsets with driftwood are some of the most photographed in NZ. Hokitika Gorge (30 min drive inland) has extraordinary turquoise water worth the detour.
Day 4-5: Hokitika to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
The drive south follows the coast — ocean on the right, rainforest on the left, Southern Alps rising behind. Franz Josef and Fox are two glaciers that descend from the Southern Alps almost to sea level — a phenomenon unique in the world at this latitude.
- Franz Josef Glacier: The valley walk gets you close to the terminal face. Helicopter flights land on the glacier itself (expensive but extraordinary).
- Fox Glacier: Similar experience, slightly less crowded. Lake Matheson nearby has perfect reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on calm mornings — arrive before 9am.
Note: Both glaciers have retreated significantly in recent decades. Access rules change frequently — check DOC’s website before visiting.
Freedom camping: DOC sites at both glacier valleys. Book ahead in summer.
Day 6-7: Fox Glacier to Wanaka via Haast Pass
The road from Fox to Haast (SH6) is one of the most remote stretches of highway in New Zealand. Fuel up before you leave — there’s nothing for 120 km. The scenery is relentless: river flats, rainforest, the occasional waterfall visible from the road.
Haast Pass (563m) marks the crossing back into drier Central Otago. The landscape transforms within 30 km — from dense green forest to open tussock. Wanaka appears at the end of the pass like a reward: a clear lake, mountain views, and a proper town.
Spend a full day in Wanaka. Sticky Forest MTB trails, Roy’s Peak hike, or just walk to the lake edge and eat lunch watching the mountains.
Day 8-9: Wanaka to Queenstown
Via the Crown Range (highest sealed road in NZ, 1,076m) or the longer SH6 route through Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge. The Crown Range is faster and more dramatic — tight switchbacks with views over the Cardrona Valley. Cromwell route passes the Kawarau Bridge (world’s first commercial bungy jump) if that’s on your list.
Queenstown needs at least 2 nights. Activities are expensive but the setting is free — walk the Queenstown Hill for views over the lake and the Remarkables range.
Day 10-11: Queenstown to Milford Sound via Te Anau
Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland — stay the night here and drive to Milford in the morning. The road through Fiordland National Park (SH94) is one of the great drives in New Zealand: beech forest, mountain reflections, the Homer Tunnel (one-lane through solid rock), and then the fiord itself.
Arrive at Milford Sound before 9am. The tour boats start around 10am and the carpark fills fast. With a van, you can leave Te Anau at 6am, have the road to yourself, and be at the fiord as the light hits the cliffs.
The fiord is 15 km long and up to 400m deep. Waterfalls cascade off sheer rock faces. Mitre Peak (1,692m) rises directly from the water. It’s one of those places that photographs can’t prepare you for.
Freedom camping: Very limited within Fiordland. Stay in Te Anau (holiday park or DOC sites nearby) and day-trip to Milford.
Freedom Camping on This Route
This route passes through some of the most DOC-rich areas in New Zealand — there are free and low-cost sites throughout. Key apps: CamperMate and Rankers. Self-containment is required at most sites. All our vans are certified.
Practical Tips
- Fuel: Fill up in Hokitika before heading south. Next reliable fuel is Fox Glacier, then Haast, then Wanaka. Don’t assume you can find petrol in between.
- Weather: The West Coast averages 3-4x more rain than Christchurch. Pack waterproofs. It can be sunny one hour and raining the next.
- Sandflies: The West Coast has sandflies — small biting insects that are genuinely irritating. Insect repellent is not optional.
- Offline maps: Coverage disappears between Franz Josef and Haast. Download before you leave.
One-Way or Return?
This route works perfectly as a one-way trip — start in Christchurch, finish in Queenstown (or vice versa). We offer one-way rentals between both cities. Ask us about availability and pricing.
See our full van fleet — all self-contained, all built for independent travel.
