CHRISTCHURCH - BLENHEIM
(308km, 4hours 30mins)
Drive north on State Highway 1 to Kaikoura (approximately 2.5 hours) - a town renowned for whale watching and one of the few places in the world where these magnificent creatures can be seen all year round.
Kaikoura is overlooked by mountains and the township is located on a rocky peninsula, protruding from lush farmland beneath the mountains.
In the waters surrounding this peninsula, a complex marine system provides an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds, making it an ideal place for getting 'close to nature'.  Whale watching, swimming with dolphins and seals, bird watching, fishing, diving and a large number of other land and water-based activities are available to visitors.
Bookings for whale watching or other activities out at sea should be made prior to leaving Christchurch.
For more information on Kaikoura visit www.kaikoura.co.nz or www.alpinepacifictourism.co.nz
You may wish to overnight in Kaikoura or continue driving north to Blenheim - the main centre in the Marlborough region.

MARLBOROUGH
Savour the flavours of this region during a vineyard lunch. Touring the wineries and breweries, private gardens and craft studios is a great thing to do in Marlborough.
The majority of the wineries are boutique operations with cellar doors, and many have restaurant/cafe facilities on site - an ideal opportunity to experience alfresco dining among the vines.
With a patchwork of vineyards nestled between garlic and cherry orchards, the Marlborough region offers something quite special.
Other activities and attractions in and around Marlborough include:

• Vineyard tours: take a guided or self-guided tour of the nearby vineyards, some of which have their own restaurants and fresh vegetables to match
• Tippling: visit a distillery or the local boutique breweries to taste locally produced fruit brandies, liqueurs and beers
• Private gardens: many are open for viewing
• Museums: learn about the settlement of the region
• Orchard visits: taste the seasonal fruit, in particular Marlborough cherries (December to January)
• Art galleries: enjoy ever-changing exhibitions of local and national artists
• Queen Charlotte Sound: cruise the waters of the Sound to view the marine and bird life of the area, and walk parts of the Queen Charlotte Track. Boats depart from Picton, with day trips through to week trips available. www.doc.govt.nz
• Sea kayaking: take a guided or independent trip from Picton
• Queen Charlotte Track (three to four days): follow this popular walkway (71 km/44 miles) with many entry and exit points and numerous accommodation providers along its length. Several companies offer water transport and pack transfer to and from several points or by mini-van to Anakiwa
• Molesworth Station: take a guided tour of this high country farm, hear about the history and old stories and view the grandeur and beauty of the mountainous high country
• Fly fishing and hunting tours
• High country horse trekking: enjoy trips in a back country setting

For more information on the Marlborough region visit www.destinationmarlborough.com 

PICTON - NELSON
(110km, 1hour 35mins)
From Picton, drive west along the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock while meandering around the edges of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. Highlights include lookout points over beautiful Sounds, easy walking tracks and safe swimming beaches. In Havelock, stop and taste the locally grown mussels or browse the art galleries. Another good spot to park up is Pelorus Bridge. Here, you can take a short, unguided bush walk through native forest in the Mt Richmond Forest Park.
Arrive in Nelson late afternoon. Nelson is a compact city of 41,500 people which, is known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, and accessibility to three national parks. Nelson boasts 300-plus working artists and craftspeople, boutique wineries, fresh local produce and seafood, historical streetscapes, waterfront cafes and restaurants, and a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle.
Suggested afternoon activities include:

• Harbour cruises: appreciate the city's seaside setting
• Walks: to the centre of New Zealand and view the city in its entirety, or try one of the many other short walks in and around Nelson city
• Yacht charter: hire a yacht for an afternoon or for several days
• Art and historic trails: pick up a map or brochure from the visitor information centre
• Adventure activities: skydiving, 4WD motorbike rides, horse treks, white water river sports, water skiing, sea kayaking and mountain biking
• Visiting local beaches: Tahunanui Beach, Rabbit Island and Cable Bay are all safe beaches within a short distance of Nelson city
• World of Wearable art and Collectable Cars Museum: houses costumes from the World of Wearable art show - a phenomenon initiated in Nelson. The show now held in Wellington is a changing spectacle fully choreographed with models, dancers and performers, dramatic stage sets, scripted lighting and music. Winning entries from the shows live exclusively in Nelson at the World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars Museum. www.wowcars.co.nz

For those able to stay in the Nelson region longer, there are three National Parks:
Abel Tasman National Park
The smallest of New Zealand's National Parks, Abel Tasman is a compact treasure house of nature with glittering beaches, turquoise water and spectacular ocean views. A range of wildlife inhabits the area, including penguins and a seal colony in the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.
Visitors can experience the Park in the following ways:

• The Abel Tasman Coastal Track: a 51km track that takes an average of three to five days to complete. There are tidal crossings which, can be crossed within a few hours either side of low tide. Along the track there is a mixture of accommodation facilities ranging from basic Department of Conservation (DOC) huts and campsites to independently owned lodges with excellent facilities. DOC requires visitors to book campsites and huts in advance.

Read more about Abel National Park on the Department of Conservation website www.doc.govt.nz. 

• Sea kayaking (one-day to multi-day trips): explore the coast from the water, rest on beaches with no foot access and observe the marine wildlife. Kayaking operators are mainly based at Marahau, Kaiteriteri and Moteuka. They offer guided trips or rental kayaks (providing equipment, instruction and full safety briefings).

• Day trips or overnight stays: water taxis can drop visitors into the Park to walk sections of the Track. Visitors also have the option of staying a night in accommodation if they wish.

Kahurangi National Park
This Park of 451,000 hectares/1.1 million acres of glaciated mountain ranges and rich forest is home to an exceptional variety of native plants and wildlife. The best known hiking trail is the Heaphy Track, a walk that takes four or five days from the Aorere Valley across to the northern West Coast and Karamea.
Other activities in the area include:

• Walking and tramping: there are more than 570 km/354 miles of tracks in the Park. Longer walks include the Heaphy Track (one of New Zealand's Great Walks) and the Wangapeka Track. Short walks are available at most road ends
• Kayaking: remote, wild rivers are a feature of Kahurangi. Most are only suitable for experienced kayakers but, commercial rafting tours are available
• Fishing: the Karamea River is prized internationally for its trout fishing. You will need to get a license to fish for trout.

Nelson Lakes National Park.
This Park protects 102,000 hectares/251,851 acres of the northernmost Southern Alps, with tranquil beech forest, craggy mountains, clear streams and beautiful lakes.
The gateway to the Park is St Arnaud, a picturesque village just 1.5 hours' drive from Nelson or Blenheim. St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti are accessed by State Highway 63 from Blenheim. A side road, about halfway between St Arnaud and Murchison, leads to Lake Rotoroa. Water taxis operate on both lakes.
Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more information on New Zealand National Parks.
Other activities in the Nelson region include:

• Guided tours to Farewell Spit: enjoy this nature reserve on a sand spit jutting into the Tasman Sea. There are excellent 4WD safaris along the Spit to the lighthouse and bird habitats - these are based in Collingwood and should be pre-booked
• Rainbow ski area: in winter months spend a day at the Rainbow ski area, off State Highway 63, 24 km/15 miles from St Arnaud. Access on the last 8 km is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. A shuttle bus is available in season
• Wharariki Beach: experience a wild and beautiful coastal landscape, where the wind and waves have created massive rock and sand dune formations. Easy half-day or full-day walks.

Visit www.nelsonnz.com for more information on Nelson.

NELSON - GREYMOUTH
(290km, 4hour 10mins)
The road to Greymouth on State Highway 6 follows a series of narrow valleys and saddles, with the highlight being the scenic Buller Gorge. From Westport to Greymouth there is magnificent coastal scenery, including the well known Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Here you will find unusual limestone rock formations with seawater forced skyward through blowholes.
Stay overnight in the Greymouth area. Greymouth is the largest township and the commercial heart of the West Coast. Along with its surrounding rural townships, the town provides a selection of guided tours and walks, adventure, galleries, craft outlets and cafes. This is the home of Shantytown and the daily destination for the TranzAlpine train which, is an amazing journey if you have a spare day up your sleeve.
Visit www.west-coast.co.nz for more information on the area.

GREYMOUTH - FRANZ JOSEF OR FOX GLACIER
GREYMOUTH - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER (177km, 2hour 30min)
FRANZ JOSEF - FOX GLACIER (23km, 20mins)
Depart Greymouth for the incredible Franz Josef Glacier. While you are travelling, check out the rugged coast with Pounamu boulders nestled among seals and stop off at Hokitika, the third largest centre on the West Coast.
Some activities in Hokitika are:

• Visit Westland's Water World to see the indigenous kokopu (a prehistoric fish), other local fish species and freshwater eels
• Wander around Hokitika Historical Museum, where displays include an audio-visual about the area's history
• Shop at one of the many craft galleries for jade, hand-blown glass, gold nugget jewellery, woodcrafts and wool products

Continue south to Fox Glacier - New Zealand's largest commercially guided glacier. You can either walk it or, a number of companies offer a range of flight options, some with snow landings, all with spectacular aerial views of the Glaciers and the surrounding alpine scenery.
On your way to Fox glacier, stop in Ross, a town that still has working goldmines, including one of the deepest operations in the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors can take a tour from the Ross Goldfields information centre. Another option is to stop by Whataroa to visit the kotuku (white heron) sanctuary.
Visit www.west-coast.co.nz for more information on the Glaciers.

FOX GLACIER - WANAKA
(264km, 3hour 45mins)
Depart the Glaciers and continue the journey through Haast to Wanaka. Visit the Haast Information Centre for excellent displays on the local environment and for information on walks available within the area.  Another option in Haast is to go on a jetboat ride on the Haast River - a journey into the heart of South West World Heritage area.  www.haastriver.co.nz
The drive from Haast Junction to Wanaka takes approximately two hours. The drive through Haast Pass is very rugged and scenic, so it is recommended visitors stop along the way. The journey winds around Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in the Wanaka township mid-afternoon. Department of Conservation have set up various short walkways along this route that offer visitors an opportunity to get away from the road and visit the beautiful scenery of New Zealand's Southern Alps and river valleys.
A wide range of attractions and adventure sports are within reach of Wanaka. Take a scenic cruise on Lake Wanaka, sample locally made, exquisite wines, or fish at one of the easily accessible spots. Alternatively, venture into the hills and mountains surrounding Wanaka. Skiing, heli-skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, tramping and climbing are all available in this area.
Activities and attractions include:

• The New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum: see a collection of flyable World War II fighter aircraft
• Puzzling World: get lost in a world of jigsaw puzzles and epic mazes
• Wanaka Beerworks: take a tour of this boutique brewery, located next to Wanaka airport - Brewski is a favourite
• Wanaka Transport Museum: view a unique private collection representing many facets of transport, from cars to fire engines, bicycles to army tanks, model cars to aircraft
• Flight seeing: scenic flights operate throughout the South Island's alpine region: Milford Sound, Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring. Remote area landings are available in Mt Aspiring National Park for trampers, climbers and hunters
• Skydiving: enjoy incredible views of the Southern Alps and Clutha River from 15, 000ft up
• Trout fishing: go guided fishing on the lakes, rivers and streams in the area. The region offers superb brown and rainbow trout fishing
• Guided photographic and nature tours
• Canyoning: join a guided descent of canyons in the Wanaka region
• Activities on Lake Wanaka: yachties, water skiers, kayakers and wind surfers can take to the waters of the Lake
• Horse trekking: venture into the wilderness of the region
• Walking: numerous walks are available in the area, from one hour to four days
• Mountaineering: go guided mountaineering and trekking in the National Park
• White water kayaking or eco-rafting: enjoy the rivers in the Wanaka region
• Alpine and heli mountain biking: take to the highest mountain bike tracks in New Zealand
• Rock climbing: join a rock climbing trip with instruction, courses and ascents
• White water sledging: sledge the rapids on a purpose-designed board

Winter activities

• Harris Mountain Heli-skiing: experience heli-skiing and heli-boarding
• Enjoy the ski fields of Cardrona and Treble Cone, and the Waiorau Nordic ski area
• Cardrona Alpine Resort

Accessible from Queenstown or Lake Wanaka, this international resort offers a glorious alpine atmosphere with extensive facilities. Renowned for its natural snow, long season and wide open basins, there's a wonderful mix of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.  www.cardrona.com 

• Treble Cone Ski Area

Treble Cone is the New Zealand skifield that's bigger on terrain, higher in altitude, bigger in size, wider in scope and offers more vertical than any other ski area in the area. www.treblecone.co.nz 

• Snow Farm

Located 200 metres/ 656 feet south of Cardrona Alpine resort entrance.
This is New Zealand's only commercial cross-country ski resort, with trails for all ages and all abilities. The resort can be enjoyed in both summer and winter - accommodation is available in huts on the mountain, and a restaurant offers a unique alpine atmosphere. www.snowfarmnz.com 

• Snow Park

An all-mountain terrain park featuring half pipes, terrain and rail parks and a skier/boarder cross course. www.snowparknz.com
Visit www.lakewanaka.co.nz for more information on activities.

WANAKA - QUEENSTOWN
(117km, 1hour 40mins)
Drive the short distance on State Highway 6 detouring to the old gold mining village of Arrowtown. Stop for morning tea and have a look through the cobblestone shopping area. There is also a good fudge shop here if that's your thing! In autumn, Arrowtown throws its annual Autumn Festival which is worth a look if it fits in with your travel date.
Spend the rest of the day and evening in Queenstown. There is always something to do in Queenstown, no matter what the season. In the summer as the temperatures rise, Queenstown's numerous waterways will make you smile and in the winter, snow-capped mountains and vibrant colours will do the same. In the winter, Queenstown and the surrounding region turn into an alpine playground with skiing and snowboarding opportunities everywhere as well as the annual Winter Festival.
In spring, skiers can enjoy spring snow conditions, the sailing is exciting and the Queenstown gardens are in full bloom. To fully appreciate the spring scenery, it may be a good idea to book a fixed wing or helicopter flight.
Attractions and activities in Queenstown include:

• Skippers Canyon: enjoy a mix of history and high adventure including bungy jumping, rafting, a flying fox and jet boating. It is recommended that visitors take a guided excursion in Skippers Canyon as the road is extremely dangerous
• Jet boating: experience the Shotover, Kawarau or Dart River Jets
• White water rafting: carve though the rapids on the Shotover or Kawarau River
• Gondola ride: rise 450 metres/1475 feet above Queenstown to Bob's Peak to enjoy views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, from every vantage point. Enjoy a luge ride (a luge is a short, raised toboggan for one person seated) down a slope from the top of the gondola ride
• TSS Earnslaw: cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard this vintage steamboat
• Arts and wine: follow a wine trail or the Wakatipu Arts Trail
• Trout and salmon fishing: test the waters all year round
• Country life experiences: try horse trekking or see sheep shearing and working sheepdogs
• Bungy jumping: New Zealand is the home of the first commercial Bungy, and in Queenstown there are lots of opportunities to try it.

Winter activities include:

• Skiing: venture onto one of the four fields in close proximity to Queenstown - the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone
• Night skiing: twilight skiing takes place at Coronet Peak ski area
• Heli-skiing and heli-boarding
• Snowmobile: take an icy adventure aboard a snowmobile

Visit www.queenstownnz.co.nz for more information on Queenstown.

QUEENSTOWN - FIORDLAND
QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND (291km, 4hour 10mins)
Leave Queenstown as early as possible - 7am is recommended as the day's journey, although scenic, is long. Travel to Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area and the largest national park in New Zealand. The Park covers 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) and has natural wilderness on a grand scale, where waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into pristine, forested valleys, and glacier-carved fiords indent its coastal boundaries.
Milford and Doubtful Sounds provide visitors with unequalled experiences of the natural beauty and wilderness of New Zealand.
Milford Sound
The road to Milford is a wonderful alpine drive. From Te Anau the road winds down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel before being greeted by Mitre Peak towering from the glassy waters of Milford Sound (approximate driving time from Queenstown - five hours five minutes). Arrive around midday or early afternoon.
One of the main activities at Milford Sound is a boat cruise which, extends the full length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea, stopping at various points of interest along the way to view waterfalls and marine life. Cruises leave from the main wharf at Milford Sound.
Other activities include:

• A visit to the Underwater Observatory, a facility designed to educate visitors about the recently discovered life under Milford Sound.
• Scenic flights over Fiordland National Park.

Overnight in Te Anau - the drive from Milford Sound to Te Anau is approximately two to 2.5 hours long or, if you don't want to drive far, you can overnight at Milford Sound.
For those visitors able to stay additional days in the Milford Sound area, activities could include:

• Guided nature hiking: venture into the wilderness
• Kayaking: paddle among towering cliffs and waterfalls and encounter seals and dolphins
• Guided diving trips: see black and red corals living at depths of less than 20 metres/65.6 feet

Doubtful Sound
Trips to Doubtful Sound start at the Manapouri Visitor Centre, where you transfer onto a launch or yacht to cruise across Lake Manapouri. You visit the underground hydroelectric generating station before taking a coach ride over Wilmot Pass, with its luxuriant vegetation and great views. On arrival at the Sound, enjoy a spectacular cruise to the Tasman Sea, encountering wildlife such as dusky dolphins, fur seals and crested penguins.
After a scenic journey alongside proud mountains and lakes, you arrive back in Te Anau for an overnight stay. Te Anau is an attractive town nestled on the shores of the South Island's largest lake, Lake Te Anau.
Activities in the Doubtful Sound area are:

• Diving/fishing charters
• Activity combinations: combine aerial sightseeing or a cruise trip into the Doubtful Sound region with activities such as bush walks, historic site visits and sea fishing
• Ecology tours: these multi-day tours include working alongside scientists
• Full- and half-day excursions: combine a coach journey, launch cruise and kayaking in the Manapouri/ Doubtful Sound area
• Kayaking: visitors can rent fully equipped kayaks by the day or overnight, or take a guided kayaking excursion on Lake Manapouri and/or Doubtful Sound.
• Te Ana-au Caves: join a 2.5-hour tour departing daily from Te Anau to visit the Caves, including a glowworm grotto

For more information on Fiordland visit www.fiordland.org.nz

FIORDLAND - QUEENSTOWN
MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (291km, 4hour 10mins)
Take your time travelling through mountains and past the southern lakes on State Highways 94 and 6. You should aim to arrive in Queenstown late-morning so you can enjoy all the activities and attractions which you didn't experience last time.
For more information visit www.queenstownnz.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN - MT COOK
(263km, 3hour 45mins)
Leave Queenstown in the morning and head along State Highway 6, all the way to Cromwell in Central Otago. Based on the edge of Lake Dunstan, this area of Central Otago is known for its fruit orchards and a growing wine centre. The settlement of Clyde provides an insight into the gold mining heritage of this region.
From Cromwell, join State Highway 8 for the journey through Lindis Pass to the Mt Cook area. Take time to enjoy the sheer beauty of the scenery and landscapes. Small rock sculptures line both sides of the roads and the opportunity to add to the long line of rock piles is all yours.
At 3754 metres/12,308 feet, Aoraki (Mt Cook) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up the Aoraki National Park. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 30 km/18 mile giant and one of the longest (and dirtiest) outside the Himalayas.

Activities in the National Park include:

• Walking: there are short or day walks around Mt Cook village and into the main valleys. The most popular are to Kea Point and Hooker Valley. For more experienced trampers there are three alpine routes over the Mueller, Copland and Ball Passes
• Skiing: guided ski trips, suitable for intermediate skiers, can be taken down the Tasman Glacier. Helicopters can take experienced skiers to a number of locations in the Park for some wilderness experiences. Ski touring is possible around the Tasman and Kelman huts but alpine experience is required
• Glacier Explorer boat trip: a unique experience, this boat tour explores the melting ice face of Tasman Glacier and icebergs carved off into the lake
• Scenic flights and glacier landings, fixed wing airplane or helicopter flights: regular scenic flights leave from Mt Cook, and Lake Tekapo airports

For more information on the Mt Cook area visit www.mtcook.org.nz

MT COOK - CHRISTCHURCH
(331km, 4hour 45mins)
Make your way from Mt Cook to Christchurch while stopping for lunch in Geraldine, a farming township. You may wish to take a walk around town following the Historic Town Trail or, head to Verde for lunch.
Continue to Christchurch via State Highway 1 through Ashburton, the commercial centre of one of New Zealand's richest agricultural and pastoral regions.
If you are looking for an alternative route and you are in New Zealand during the winter months, you could drive back to Christchurch via Methven, a base for Mt Hutt's ski field and other ski areas (a short detour off the Inland Scenic Route 72). The Methven Visitor Centre makes bookings for accommodation, skiing packages, and transport to and from ski areas. There are also other outdoor adventure activities in this area including tandem skydiving, balloon flights and jet boating.

CHRISTCHURCH
If time permits before you leave Christchurch you could check out the following activities:

• Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens
• Mona Vale Homestead: wander through 5 hectares/12 acres of gardens and take in views of the Avon River
• Christchurch Tramway: take an historic tram ride around the city centre. Trundle through the tree-lined streets and wander past buzzing cafes. A great way to experience the inner city of Christchurch
• Christchurch Gondola: unique views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton Harbour unfold as passengers rise to the summit complex, located on the crater rim of an extinct volcano
• Punting on the Avon River: sit back and relax in a guided punt past the sights of the central city
• 'Up, Up and Away': take a dawn balloon flight over Christchurch city
• Guided walks: see Christchurch city and its heritage buildings
• Canterbury Museum, including the Hall of Antarctic Discovery: housed in one of Christchurch's finest historic buildings are stunning displays such as Nga Taonga Tukuiho O Nga Tupuna 'Treasures handed down by our ancestors', which features the classic Maori period
• The International Antarctic Centre: the Centre features a real 'Snow and Ice Experience' and a 45-minute 'Behind the Scenes' tour of the Antarctic Campus
• Arts Centre of Christchurch: situated in the historic buildings of the original University of Canterbury, the Arts Centre is one of New Zealand's most significant cultural attractions and is today a dynamic venue for arts, shopping and entertainment. www.artscentre.co.nz
• Christchurch Art Gallery: an eclectic mix of local and overseas artists exhibiting both traditional and contemporary work www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz
• Southern Encounter Aquarium: enjoy an interactive aquarium in the city centre
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve: learn about a kiwi breeding programme and see native New Zealand bird life
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