The South Island Glacier Highway: Christchurch to Queenstown

Arrive Christchurch and pick up your rental car.

Start in the city. Christchurch has changed a lot in the past decade and you’ll feel its new, fresh and positive vibe. It’s now New Zealand’s street art capital with multi-storey murals, hidden laneways and quirky corners to explore.

The Arts Centre is filled with plenty of interesting retailers and eateries, and is just a super beautiful place to snoop around. Delight your senses and develop your own signature scent at Christchurch’s new artisan perfumery Fragranzi Artisan Perfume Studio or sip your way to a one-of-a-kind masterpiece at Paint & Sip Studio.

Grab an e-bike or e-scooter and get lost as you roam. Don’t miss Riverside Market. You’ll find an abundance of local merchants selling some of the best treats the South Island has to offer, don’t look past a cookie pie from Moustache Cookie Bar or if savoury’s more your jam The Butchers Pie Shop is the one for you.

Meander through Riverside’s laneway boutiques. Grab a kiwi-made treasure from Beehive Collective or Shopology. Keep wandering along the tram tracks to for the best international and local retail.

To kill two birds with one stone, fun activities and good food, book into one of Ōtautahi’s spectacular cooking classes. Asian Garden Cooking School transports you on an Asian adventure where you admire and learn the techniques of Asian Cuisine. At Riverside Kitchen, the cuisine is up to you.

BreakFree on Cashel

Stretch your legs around the Botanic Gardens to get the day started. Take in the sights of some of New Zealand’s best flora and fauna with a coffee in hand from the Ilex Café.

The fantastic breakfasts are in an abundance in Ōtautahi, award-winning eggs benny from Little Poms, a pork belly croffle (croissant waffle!) from Doubles or Miro’s breakfast board.

Once you’re fuelled, whip up to Christchurch Adventure Park for views over the city. The longest zipline in New Zealand, mountain biking, walks (for both the fearless and the faint-hearted) and a whole lot of pure South Island air–it doesn’t get much better than that.

For the kids, hit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and get up close and personal with native and exotic animals. Their award-winning Kiwihouse can have you less than a metre away from the iconic flightless bird.

For dinner, The Terrace offers everything from teppanyaki to modern Mexican fare and if you fancy something sweet to finish your day, visit the delightful patisserie Sweet Soul (the brainchild of two Brazilian sisters) or another local favourite Rollickin’ Gelato.

Maybe a tipple after dinner is what you need, The Pink Lady Rooftop Bar will offer a unique view of the city and late night cocktail bar Austin Club has an intimate atmosphere and live music (don’t forget to look up the secret password on their website).

BreakFree on Cashel

Wake up early and experience some morning magic, book a hot air balloon with Ballooning Canterbury. Just 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport, watch the world wake up and soak in the 360-degree uninterrupted view of the stunning Canterbury plains, an unforgettable experience.

Make your way toward Hokitika, but don’t forget to stop at Porters Alpine Resort where a world of adventure is waiting (and some really good food!).

Experience the great outdoors at Porters Alpine Resort. Summer at Porter's is a mountain biker's dream with trails for both novices and experienced bikers. In the colder months, it’s a winter wonderland with snow activities galore. With the best craft beer selection in Castle Hill, Porters is the place to park up and enjoy the beautiful alpine vista.

Hokitika is the coolest little town on the West Coast, they even have their own iconic sign made out of driftwood – the perfect snap to send to the whānau (family) back home.

The Pioneer Hotel boasts a classic kiwi pub feed or if you are looking for views of Hokitika, look no further than Ocean View Restaurant & Bar.

A natural marvel you can’t miss is the Glow Worm Dell just a short wander from Hokitika town. Bring a flashlight but turn it off once you get to the glow worm colonies so you can see the bugs at their brightest.

Beachfront Hotel

Start the morning with a glorious sandwich from the Hokitika Sandwich Company. Regarded as some of the best grub in Aotearoa, we promise these are worth the wait.

Head 30 minutes out of town to Hokitika Gorge and take the an easy one-hour walk through lush native bush to a rocky gorge with iridescent turquoise blue water. It’s a real sight.

It’s onwards towards the glaciers through native forests and stunning mountain views. If you feel like it, take a short detour to Ōkārito … it’s a coastal hideaway and hidden gem.

Half an hour south and you arrive in Glacier Country.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the only glaciers in the world to span all the way to sea level, with Fox Glacier stretching 13 kilometres in length.

There are so many ways to see the glaciers in all their glory, from simple walks to Glacier Heli Hiking. Whatever way you choose to see the glaciers doesn’t matter, it’s only important that you do.

Warm up with a hearty meal at Alice May or perhaps you fancy a bit of pool and pizza at the Blue Ice Restaurant down the road.

The Terrace

With a long day of travel ahead, fuel up at SnakeBite Brewery. On offer is a mix of kiwi classics and Asian-inspired breakfast, the big brekky is not one to look past.

The drive further south is up to you. If you don’t mind a few stops along the way, Fantail Falls and the Blue Pools are known to be one of the best sights of the south – if it’s hot enough to swim, bring your togs and take a refreshing dip in the ice-cold water.

Make your next pit stop beautiful Wānaka, there is plenty to do in this adventure-packed town depending on how big of a stop you’d like to make it. We are talking sky diving, the world’s highest waterfall climb and if you are making the trip in winter, skiing and snowboarding galore. 

If a bite to eat is all you’re after, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen will have you drooling with their beef cheek gnocchi or try Wānaka’s bustling food truck scene. Don’t forget a stop for a bevvy at the iconic Cardrona Hotel.

Continue on to your final destination, Queenstown! A pocket rocket of a little city, you have adventure, entertainment and world-class dining at your fingertips.

One of the best ways to see the surrounding landscape is a cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.

No matter what night of the week it is In Queenstown, the town will be abuzz. For drinks, all you need to know is the three B’s - Bardeaux, The Bunker and Barmuda.

Dinner is the dealer's choice, brave the lines of the infamous Fergburger (it’s absolutely worth it), maybe an upmarket experience at Rātā or perhaps Asian fusion with a whole lot of flare at Paddy Gaddy.

Come desert, head to Patagonia Ice Cream – you can’t go wrong with their award-winning banana split.

4-star Peppers Beacon Queenstown