Best places to stop on a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown, NZ


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary (3, 5, or 7 days)

Starting in the country's oldest city, Christchurch, passing through some of the most divine glacial lakes, seeing the nation's tallest mountain to ending in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. We've spent the last few weeks exploring New Zealand's south island, and our favourite part: the Christchurch to Queenstown drive.


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip The Best Places to Stop

Christchurch to Queenstown road trip This short road trip takes you through some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand's South Island, before finishing in spectacular Queenstown. Think deep, blue lakes, rolling countryside, and pretty towns, all with the majestic Southern Alps in the background.


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip (25) Polkadot Passport

A Christchurch to Queenstown road trip is a journey through some of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes. From dramatic mountains to the bluest lakes, charming towns, infinite fields and starry skies, this adventure has it all.


Best places to stop on a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown, NZ

The scenic drive from Queenstown to Christchurch is a whopping 493.5 kilometer-long trip (306.6 miles), filled to the brim with iconic spots like the Gatorade-blue waters of Lake Pukaki, the highest mountain in New Zealand (Mount Cook), and much, much more.


Queenstown to Christchurch 15 Best Stops My Queenstown Diary

55 kms (34 miles) 50 minutes. Arrowtown. Arrowtown to Queenstown. 20 kms (12 miles) 21 minutes. Queenstown. Estimates only; times will vary based on traffic and road conditions. If you were to do this drive non-stop, it would take about six hours to complete the journey.


The Christchurch to Queenstown Drive New Zealand's best road trip

The Queenstown to Christchurch drive is, without doubt, one of the most incredible quick-drive vacation offerings for visitors to New Zealand. With amazing scenery, adrenaline-inducing adventures, immersive nature and world-renowned Kiwi hospitality, a South Island road trip really is the pinnacle of any trip to Aotearoa.


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip (28) Polkadot Passport

Akaroa Take a 1 and a half hour drive out of Christchurch and visit Akaroa - a small town with charming colonial architecture remnant of the French and British settlers who founded the area. You can take a harbour nature cruise, go kayaking or swim with dolphins!


Christchurch to Queenstown road trip 1 week itinerary CK Travels

Distance: 483 kilometers (300 miles) Time: 6 hours minimum (5 days ideally) Recommended for: Those not visiting the Gibbston Valley while in Queenstown or if you're going to Wanaka after Queenstown. The route via Cromwell is the shortest route possible (not by much) and also drives through the Gibbston Valley (one of my stops).


Christchurch to Queenstown road trip 1 week itinerary CK Travels New zealand south island

Christchurch to Queenstown at a glance ⏰ 4 days 🚗 480 kilometres 🏠 Stay the night in Tekapo, Mount Cook Village, and Wanaka 🔝 Highlights: Lake Pukaki, Hooker Valley Track, Omarama Clay Cliffs Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary overview Day 1: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo Day 2: Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook Village Day 3: Mount Cook Village to Wanaka


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary 13 BEST Places to Stop

23 December 2022 New Zealand's South Island is a road tripper's paradise. The drive between Christchurch and Queenstown is one the most scenic and enjoyable drives in the country, and one of the most popular road trips among international visitors.


Queenstown to Christchurch 15 Best Stops My Queenstown Diary

This Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary takes in the absolute highlights of New Zealand's South Island, the turquoise lakes, towering snow-covered mountains and fields of vibrant purple lupin. These are views that New Zealand is famous for and the places that everyone, tourist or local, must visit in New Zealand.


Christchurch to Queenstown road trip 1 week itinerary CK Travels

A non-stop drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is 481.8km, and should take just under 6 hours to complete. Of course, driving for 6 hours straight is unsafe and with so many amazing places to stop along the way, there's no excuse not to turn this drive into a full-blown, 5-day road trip covering 647km of road.


How to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown South island, New zealand, Road trip

The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is easily one of New Zealand's most epic road trips. While driving between Christchurch and Queenstown, you'll encounter some of the South Island's finest scenery: towering snow-capped mountain ranges, bluer-than-blue glacial lakes, braided rivers, thick beech forests, and golden tussock fields.


Christchurch to Queenstown A 7 Day road trip Lake Pukaki, NZ

February 7, 2022 by Jen Lyons The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island can easily be completed in one day, just under six hours if you don't make any stops. But where's the fun in that!


Christchurch to Queenstown road trip 1 week itinerary CK Travels

8 Days 600 km Highlights Lake Tekapo stargazing Alpine adventure at Aoraki Mount Cook Queenstown View the route map below Discover the many sides of the South Island on this 8-day campervan itinerary from Christchurch to Queenstown. Explore vibrant Christchurch and experience the wonder of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve in Lake Tekapo.


Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip (30) Polkadot Passport

Table of Contents How long does it take to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown? Queenstown and Christchurch are about 300 miles (480km) apart. Driving, this should take 6 to 7 hours. However, there is lots to do on a drive between Christchurch and Queenstown.

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