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New Zealand
2 Days, 1 Night
Photo: russellstreet · CC BY-SA 2.0
Campervan road trip · 12–18 days
Christchurch → QueenstownOne-way campervan hire
Whales, golden-sand bays, rainforest glaciers and the big alpine lakes.
GlaciersHikingWildlifeLakes & mountainsStargazing
- Trip length
- 12–18 days
- Distance
- ≈ 1,750 km
- Pick up
- Christchurch
- Drop off
- Queenstown
- Best time
- November–April; winter is beautiful but alpine passes may need chains
Live prices from the big campervan companies · book online in minutes · one-way fee included in the price.
The route
15 days, 9 stops
This is the South Island in one sweep. Head north to Kaikōura's whales and Abel Tasman's beaches, then drive the wild West Coast past pancake rocks, rainforest and two glaciers that run almost down to the sea. Cross Haast Pass into the lakes country, detour to Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo's dark skies, and finish in Queenstown with a day trip into Milford Sound.
Vans that suit this trip
Day by day
The plan, stop by stop
Paced for 15 days. Got less time? Merge two stops. Got more? Stay longer wherever you like it; it's your van. Drive times and distances are approximate, from road-routing data, without stops.
- 1
Day 1
Christchurch
Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 Pick up the van, then take a lap of the botanic gardens and the rebuilt city centre. Have dinner over the harbour at Lyttelton.
- 2
Day 2
Kaikōura
2.5 hrs · 180 km
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0 Sperm whales feed in a deep-sea canyon just offshore, so whale-watching boats and flights see them year-round. There's a fur seal colony at the end of the peninsula walk.
- 3
Day 3–4
Abel Tasman
4.5 hrs · 310 km
Photo: arbyte · CC BY-SA 3.0 Kayak the golden bays from Marahau, then walk part of the Coast Track back, with water-taxi drop-offs to stitch it together.
- 4
Day 5
Punakaiki
4 hrs · 280 km via the Buller Gorge
Photo: Anagoria · CC BY 3.0 Visit the Pancake Rocks and blowholes at high tide, when the sea booms up through the limestone.
- 5
Day 6
Hokitika
1 hr · 85 km
Photo: Seth Mazow · CC BY-SA 2.0 Hokitika Gorge is milky turquoise from glacial flour. Pick up some local pounamu (greenstone) and catch sunset on the driftwood beach.
- 6
Day 7–8
Franz Josef & Fox
2 hrs · 140 km
Photo: edwin.11 · CC BY 2.0 Take a heli-hike onto the ice, walk to the glacier viewpoints, and catch Lake Matheson's mirror reflection of Aoraki at dawn.
- 7
Day 9–10
Wānaka (via Haast Pass)
4 hrs · 280 km
Photo: Jason Pratt · CC BY 2.0 Stop for the Blue Pools and Thunder Creek Falls on the pass. In Wānaka, climb Roys Peak before sunrise and visit the lone willow in the lake.
- 8
Day 11–12
Aoraki/Mt Cook & Tekapo
2.5 hrs · 210 km
Photo: Christian Michel · CC BY 2.0 The Hooker Valley Track takes you to an iceberg lake under the country's highest peak. At Lake Tekapo, stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
- 9
Day 13–15
Queenstown & Milford Sound
3.5 hrs · 260 km
Photo: rheins · CC BY 3.0 A jet boat through the Shotover canyon, the Skyline luge and the drive to Glenorchy. Give Milford Sound a full day by coach, cruise and flight so nobody has to drive the long road back. Return the van in Queenstown.
Good to know
- Where to sleep
- Holiday parks, Department of Conservation campsites, and freedom camping on council land if your van is certified self-contained.
- One-way fee
- Christchurch → Queenstown is one-way, so operators add a fee that varies by season. We build it into your quote upfront.
- Driver age
- Most operators need drivers aged 21+. A few take 18–20 year olds with a young-driver surcharge; tell us the youngest driver's age and we'll quote what fits.
- Recommended vans
- Best fits: the hi-top campervan and the motorhome. Tell us how many of you are travelling and we'll match the size.
Free and low-cost places to park up on this route, with the local rules: free camping in New Zealand.
- Fuel and phone signal are sparse on the West Coast and over Haast Pass. Fill up in Hokitika or Franz Josef.
- Sandflies love the West Coast. Pack repellent and keep the van doors shut at dusk.
- To freedom camp on council land, your van must be certified self-contained. DOC campsites and holiday parks are the easy alternative.
- Christchurch → Queenstown is one-way. Some operators waive the fee on this route at certain times of year; we'll find the cheapest option.
Tours worth adding
Boats, reefs, islands and 4WD tracks. Add them to your quote and we'll fit them around your drive.
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Christchurch to Queenstown campervan FAQs
How many days do you need for Christchurch to Queenstown in a campervan? +
Allow 12–18 days. This plan is paced for 15 days with 9 overnight bases. Short on time? Merge two stops. Got longer? Stay on wherever you like it.
Is there a one-way fee for Christchurch to Queenstown? +
Yes. Christchurch to Queenstown is a one-way hire, and operators add a one-way fee that varies by season. We include it in your quote upfront.
How old do I need to be to hire a campervan? +
Most operators require drivers to be 21 or older. A few accept 18 to 20 year olds with a young-driver surcharge. Tell us the youngest driver's age in the quote form and we'll only quote vans you can drive.
Which campervan suits Christchurch to Queenstown? +
The best fits are the hi-top campervan and the motorhome. Tell us how many of you are travelling and we'll quote the right size.
Ready to drive Christchurch to Queenstown?
Pop in your dates and see live prices from the big campervan companies for this route, then book online in minutes.
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