Settle in Christchurch before driving west. Keep the first day flexible for arrival, supplies and a relaxed walk in the city; the mountain crossing begins tomorrow.

1. 1ChristchurchplaceStart the South Island journey in Christchurch. Check the vehicle and pick up provisions before the westbound drive.

Drive from Christchurch across Canterbury to Arthur's Pass village. Allow time for safe stops at signed viewpoints, and check current highway conditions before crossing the Southern Alps.

1. 1Arthur's PassplacePause in Arthur's Pass village after the alpine crossing. Choose only open, marked walks and leave extra time for changing mountain weather.

Continue west to Hokitika for an easier driving day after the pass. Spend time around town and the coast, then prepare for the glacier towns farther south.

1. 1HokitikaplaceUse Hokitika as a practical West Coast stop. Enjoy the town and shoreline where access is open, and check tomorrow’s road conditions.

Follow the West Coast route to Franz Josef / Waiau. Check current Department of Conservation notices before choosing a glacier-area viewpoint or walk; glacier ice is not a self-guided excursion.

1. 1Franz Josef / WaiauplaceUse Franz Josef / Waiau as a base for glacier-area viewpoints. Follow signed public access and current safety advice.

Drive the short distance to Fox Glacier township and keep the rest of the day for a local trail or viewpoint that is currently open. Weather and access can change quickly in the glacier region.

1. 1Fox Glacier townshipplaceBase yourself in Fox Glacier township for a flexible day in the glacier region. Check official access updates before setting out on a trail.

Travel south along the West Coast to Haast. Take breaks along the way and check that State Highway 6 via Haast Pass is open before the mountain drive to Wānaka.

1. 1HaastplaceHaast is the overnight pause before the inland drive. Stock up as needed and allow for rain or road delays on the West Coast.

Drive inland via Haast Pass to Wānaka, with time for safe breaks en route. After the mountain roads, enjoy an unhurried afternoon by the lake.

1. 1WānakaplaceArrive in Wānaka on the southern shore of Lake Wānaka. Take a lakeside break before heading toward Fiordland.

Stay in Wānaka for a day by the lake or a walk on a trail that is currently open and suitable for the weather. The next long drive is tomorrow.

1. 1Lake Wānaka waterfrontplaceThe Lake Wānaka waterfront is close to town. Choose an open path and check local conditions before any longer walk.

Head south to Te Anau as the base for the Milford Road. This is one of the longer travel days, so leave time for fuel, breaks and checking tomorrow’s road and weather notices.

1. 1Te AnauplaceReach Te Anau before entering Fiordland. Confirm Milford Road conditions and any activity or accommodation bookings in advance.

Drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound with extra time for the mountain road and any booked cruise. Overnight options at Milford are limited; arrange a confirmed stay or plan a same-day return instead.

1. 1Milford SoundplaceThe Milford Sound stop is near the road-accessible visitor area. Check official road alerts; the mountain road can close in bad weather.

Return along the Milford Road to Te Anau and take an easy afternoon. If you returned on Day 10 because lodging in Milford was unavailable, make today a rest day.

1. 1Te AnauplaceRelax in Te Anau after the Milford Road. Check local conditions before any optional lakefront outing.

Drive from Te Anau to Queenstown and leave the rest of the day open for a lakeside walk or a pre-booked activity. Check seasonal availability before planning an adventure experience.

1. 1QueenstownplaceUse central Queenstown as a base for a lakeside stroll or a booked activity. Confirm availability before travelling.

Make a short scenic drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Spend the day in the village and along accessible lakeside paths; arrange lodging ahead if staying overnight.

1. 1GlenorchyplaceStop in Glenorchy village at the north end of Lake Wakatipu. Leave time to walk by the lake and check local access notices.

Drive back through the Queenstown area to Arrowtown. Use the shorter travel day for a walk around the historic town before continuing into Central Otago.

1. 1ArrowtownplaceArrowtown is a compact stop on the way east. Allow for traffic near Queenstown rather than treating the road estimate as a guaranteed journey time.

Continue to Cromwell in Central Otago for a slower day before the final drive to Dunedin. Local food and wine visits require checking opening hours and booking arrangements.

1. 1CromwellplaceSpend time in Cromwell and the surrounding Central Otago region. Book ahead and keep any wine tasting separate from driving.

Travel east from Cromwell to Dunedin. This longer transfer deserves a straightforward schedule, with time to settle in before visiting the Otago Peninsula on the last day.

1. 1DunedinplaceArrive in central Dunedin and settle in before visiting the Otago Peninsula on the final day.

Take the short drive onto the Otago Peninsula for a final day at Larnach Castle and the surrounding area. Confirm admission and opening information directly before travelling.

1. 1Larnach CastleplaceLarnach Castle is a road-accessible peninsula stop near Dunedin. Check opening hours, and do not enter restricted wildlife areas.