Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrival & Kaikōura
Sat · May 16
📍 Kaikōura
FlightAuckland → Christchurch2:25 PM flight
Pick-upCollect Car
DriveChristchurch → Kaikōura~2.5 hours
StaySudima Kaikoura, Kaikōura
2
Back to Christchurch
Sun · May 17
📍 Christchurch
MorningDolphin Encounter (beside hotel)4 hours · 135–245 NZD
AfternoonOhau Point Seal Colony
LunchNin's Bin — Crayfish on the road
DriveKaikōura → Christchurch~2.5 hours
VisitRiverside Market96 Oxford Terrace — food & artisan market
VisitC1 Espresso185 High St — pneumatic-tube café
StayHotel Give, Christchurch
3
The Dark Sky Window
Mon · May 18
📍 Lake Tekapo
DriveChristchurch → Lake Tekapo~3 hours
StopFairlie BakehouseFamous Salmon & Bacon Pie
VisitChurch of the Good ShepherdIconic lakeside photo spot
VisitDark Sky ProjectIndoor multimedia stargazing experience · 59 NZD
VisitAstro CaféMt John Summit — best daytime view in NZ
NightAurora hunting & Stargazing🌑 New Moon = maximum darkness
DinnerKohan RestaurantJapanese — popular pick
StayAlpine Lodge, Lake Tekapo
4
The Road to Aoraki
Tue · May 19
📍 Twizel
DriveTekapo → Mt Cook National Park~1.5 hours
HikeHooker Valley TrackMorning hike · trail reduced to ~1 hr due to broken bridge
StopPeter's Lookout & Lake Pukaki ViewpointReturn route stops
DinnerPoppies CafeDinner option
StayBen Ohau, Twizel
5
High Country to Wānaka
Wed · May 20
📍 Omarama → Wānaka
DriveTwizel → Omarama~50 minutes
StopLake RuataniwhaShort stop
StopHigh Country SalmonLunch & feed the fish
VisitOmarama Clay Cliffs
VisitHot Tubs Omarama
DriveOmarama → Wānaka via Lindis Pass~2 hours
StayHawea Hotel20 mins to Wānaka
6
Wānaka Gold
Thu · May 21
📍 Wānaka
MorningMount Iron Track1.5 hr loop · panoramic views
AfternoonRippon VineyardIconic cellar door on the lake
AfternoonWānaka Lavender Farm
LunchBig Fig · Federal DinerWānaka town favourites
Sunset#ThatWanakaTreeNZ's most photographed tree
StayHawea Hotel20 mins to Wānaka
7
Wānaka → Queenstown
Fri · May 22
📍 Queenstown
DriveWānaka → Arrowtown via Crown Range~1 hour · scenic mountain pass
ExploreArrowtown Chinese SettlementPeak autumn gold trees
LunchProvisions of Arrowtown · Dishery · The Fork And TapArrowtown lunch options
DriveArrowtown → Queenstown via Crown Range~20 minutes
ActivitySkyline Queenstown — Luge & GondolaGondola + 6 Luge Rides · 101 NZD
SunsetBob's PeakSunset ~5:20 PM · city lights view
StayDe La Mare Place, Queenstown
8
Queenstown Highlights
Sat · May 23
📍 Queenstown
MorningArrowtown → Gibbston Valley~15 km / 2 hrs · 145 NZD · 9:20am gather at 3 Seare Lane, Queenstown
LunchFergburgerOrder ahead — legendary queue
ActivityShotover Jet179 NZD
OptionalRoad to ParadiseScenic Glenorchy drive
SunsetQueenstown Garden
DinnerFlame Bar & Grill
StayDe La Mare Place, Queenstown
9
Gateway to Fiordland
Sun · May 24
📍 Te Anau
DriveQueenstown → Te Anau~2 hours
BrunchMiles Better Pies
VisitTe Anau Bird SanctuaryReach early — easy lakefront walk nearby
VisitLakefront walk
EveningTe Anau Glowworm CavesBoat trip into the glowing caverns
DinnerThe Fat Duck · Ditto · RedcliffRedcliff is the splurge option
StayTe Anau
10
The Eighth Wonder
Mon · May 25
📍 Milford Sound → Te Anau
DriveTe Anau → Milford Sound~2.25 hours one way · 4.5 hrs round trip
StopMirror Lakes & Homer Tunnel
CruiseMilford Sound Nature CruiseWaterfalls, dolphins & sheer cliffs
ReturnDrive back to Te AnauOpen Q: drive straight through to Queenstown instead?
StayTe Anau
11
Fly Out
Tue · May 26
📍 Queenstown → Auckland
DriveTe Anau → Queenstown~2 hours
StopKingston WharfHistoric lakeside stop
StopDevil's StaircaseDramatic lakeside hairpin road
FlightQueenstown → Auckland1:35 PM flight
12
Departure
Wed · May 27
📍 Auckland → Home
FlightAuckland → HomeSafe travels!