Picton Trip Overview
Explore the entire South Island in a loop. From the wild and beautiful landscapes of the Far South to the sunny golden shores of the Abel Tasman National Park, you’ve got the South Island covered! You’ll see highlights like Milford Sound and Franz Josef glacier, as well as getting off the beaten track and seeing some untouched parts of NZ.
Additional Info
Duration: 14 days
Starts: Picton, New Zealand
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Picton Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand
Explore the entire South Island in a loop. From the wild and beautiful landscapes of the Far South to the sunny golden shores of the Abel Tasman National Park, you’ve got the South Island covered! You’ll see highlights like Milford Sound and Franz Josef glacier, as well as getting off the beaten track and seeing some untouched parts of NZ.
Itinerary
Day 1: Picton to Marahau (Abel Tasman)
Stop At: Marahau, Marahau, Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island
Today we head to Marahau, situated right on the edge of the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: The Barn, Marahau
Day 2: Free Day in Marahau
Stop At: Abel Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island
Count yourself lucky – you have a full day to explore New Zealand’s most popular national park. From our accommodation you can hike straight into the park (no water taxi required!). It’s a cool 12kms to Anchorage and you’ll see the park’s natural golden sand beaches and brilliant blue waters along the way. The walk is approx. 4 hours each way but there’s enough photo stops en-route to spend an entire day exploring. Enjoy a picnic on the beach before checking out Cleopatra’s Pools, moss lined fresh water pools with a natural water slide.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: The Barn, Marahau
Day 3: Marahau to Franz Josef
Stop At: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks And Blowholes, Punakaiki New Zealand
Buckle up for an awesome day driving down the incredibly scenic ‘wild’ West Coast, an area known for its untamed beaches and spectacular rainforest. Through Buller Gorge and down a stretch of road named one of the top drives in the world by Lonely Planet, there’s not much cell phone reception but you are NOT gonna need it – we dare you to peel your eyes away from the window for even just a second. We’ll stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blow holes to explore this unique part of coastline before continuing on to the quaint township of Franz Josef, set amongst the rainforest.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Franz Josef, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
Our final stop of the day
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat
Day 4: Free Day in Franz Josef
Stop At: Franz Josef, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
Ice, ice baby! Get ready to experience the Franz Josef Glacier, an iconic highlight of the West Coast. Take a short drive to the beginning of the track. Hike through native bush and across glacial streams to the terminal face of the glacier for spectacular photos or just hang out at the Retreat and relax in one of NZ’s largest spa pools.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Rainforest Retreat
Day 5: Franz Josef to Wanaka (via Fox Glacier)
Stop At: Lake Matheson Walk, Lake Matheson Road, Fox Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
It’s another scenic journey today with plenty of photo stops – your Mum isn’t gonna be the only one who thinks your travel photos are world-class! First up is the amazing mirror-like Lake Matheson for a short walk.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Wanaka, Wanaka, Otago Region, South Island
We travel inland through the mountainous Haast Pass and alongside beautiful Lake Hawea to arrive in Wanaka late-afternoon. It’s the perfect time to get your own photo of the famous Wanaka Tree set against a sunset backdrop. Dreamy!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: YHA Wanaka
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown
Stop At: Mount Iron Track, State Highway 84, Wanaka New Zealand
Kick start your day with a brisk walk up Mt Iron or have a sleep in (we know they’re necessary sometimes!)
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Mid-morning we’ll make our way to Queenstown, known in New Zealand as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ and the spiritual home of bungy jumping. We stop at Kawarau Bridge on our way into town a.k.a. the first commercial bungy jumping site in the world. If you’re feeling brave you can tick the bungy off your bucket list or if you’d prefer to just watch then you can cheer your mates on from the viewing platform!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown
Day 7: Free Day in Queenstown
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! You’ve got 3 full days in the adventure capital. With a buzzy night life, beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown
Day 8: Free Day in Queenstown
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! You’ve got 3 full days in the adventure capital. With a buzzy night life, beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Nomads Queenstown
Day 9: Free Day in Queenstown
Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Yaaaasssss Queen(stown)! You’ve got 3 full days in the adventure capital. With a buzzy night life, beautiful mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s easy to understand why so many backpackers refuse to leave this place.
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 10: Queenstown to Tekapo
Stop At: Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Depart Queenstown to drive over the Lindis Pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country and past the vivid blue waters of Lake Pukaki. Our final destination of the day is Lake Tekapo. The Lake is a stunning electric blue and is framed by the Southern Alps. See the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, a quaint stone church right on the edge of the lake or hike up to the Mount John Observatory to see the incredible views.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: YHA Tekapo
Day 11: Free Day in Tekapo
Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
This morning we’ll make our way to take in the stunning views of Aoraki Mount Cook. While you’re there you can hike the scenic Hooker Valley Track or head to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Lake Tekapo, Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
This evening, why not head to the Tekapo Hot Springs – they’re the perfect place to relax and soak up the scenery. If skies are clear tonight, be sure to head outside to experience one of the best stargazing spots in the country.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: YHA Tekapo
Day 12: Tekapo to Christchurch
Stop At: Christchurch, Christchurch, Canterbury Region, South Island
Our next stop is the Garden City of Christchurch, a city where old meets new, as the rebuild continues following the devastating 2011 earthquake. Spend your afternoon wandering the city streets and laneways to discover creative street art and hidden eateries. See how Christchurch earned its nickname as the Garden City by visiting the Botanic Gardens. Take a walk down Hereford St to see the ‘Cardboard’ Cathedral and the earthquake memorial of 185 White Chairs.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: All Stars Inn
Day 13: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Stop At: Kaikoura, Kaikoura, Canterbury Region, South Island
Wakey wakey! We’ve got an early morning start for a beautiful drive up the coast to Kaikoura. Arriving in Kaikoura around midday, you will have the afternoon free to explore. See the Kekeno (NZ fur seal) colony near Goose Bay and hike around the peninsula to check out the breathtaking views from the lookout. You’re likely to see sea birds, seals and maybe even whales or dolphins if you’re lucky!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Dusky Lodge
Day 14: Kaikoura to Picton
Stop At: Picton, Picton, Marlborough Region, South Island
This morning we’ll hop on the bus and wind our way up the coastal roads towards the top of the South Island back to Picton where your trip comes to an end. We hope you had an incredible adventure!
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
