A South Island Itinerary Through Seven Quieter Places

Go north to south: Abel Tasman, down the West Coast to the glaciers, across Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch and Akaroa, then south to Queenstown for Glenorchy, Te Anau for Doubtful Sound, and Bluff for Stewart Island. It is a long loop, so treat this as a menu, not a schedule.

The stops

1. Abel Tasman: DOC puts the southern gateway, Marahau, 67 km from Nelson. A day on the water taxis or a sailing boat, walking a section of the Coast Track.
2. The West Coast glaciers: DOC says State Highway 6 is the only road in, about 1.5 hours from Hokitika. A heli-hike, a scenic flight or a valley walk to a lookout.
3. Arthur’s Pass: on State Highway 73 between the West Coast and Christchurch, about 95 km from Greymouth and 140 km from Christchurch (DOC). The TranzAlpine train runs this way too.
4. Akaroa: 86 km from Christchurch (Christchurch NZ), for the harbour’s dolphins and the penguins at Pōhatu.
5. Glenorchy: 45 km from Queenstown (Queenstown NZ), at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
6. Doubtful Sound: from Manapouri, near Te Anau, by boat and over Wilmot Pass.
7. Stewart Island: DOC gives a one-hour ferry from Bluff or a 20-minute flight from Invercargill.

How long

The day tours themselves run from about 2 hours (an Akaroa cruise) to about 13 (Doubtful Sound from Queenstown). The driving between the stops is the bigger cost: allow at least two weeks to do all seven without rushing, or pick the three or four nearest your route.

Before you plan

Check road conditions as you go: DOC warns that snow can close State Highway 73 and that tracks close for rockfall or flooding. See quieter alternatives to Queenstown and Milford Sound if you only have a few days.