The popular drive from Christchurch to Queenstown brings you past one of New Zealand’s most stunning sights. Our tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. After seeing the mesmerizing blue color of Lake Tekapo, you will shortly see the equally impressive Lake Pukaki and have the option to turn up towards Mount Cook for the short drive up to the village and possible New Zealand’s best short walk the Hooker Valley Track.

Departing from Christchurch heading south, you have the option of the inland scenic route or following the main road – which is faster albeit slightly less picturesque. We learn about farming and the history of the land in this area that has made it such a fertile area for agriculture. As we continue South, we have our first encounter with braided rivers – unique to New Zealand and North America. Starting with the impressive Rakaia River. There are a series of small farming towns including Geraldine, known for its cheese and fruit preserves and Fairlie known for hand held meat pies a New Zealand delicacy.

Fairlie also marks the start of the starlight highway as you enter the dark sky reserve. The mountains get bigger and the night skies are darker thanks to very little light pollution. The bright colors of the (unwanted) lupin flowers mark the arrival into Lake Tekapo, where the Church of the Good Shepherd and statue to the working dog are a must see. Hot Pools and star gazing are great reasons to spend the night here, or in nearby Twizel or Omarama. As is a night in the Mount Cook National Park. You won’t regret giving yourself the option of 2 different days for exploring Mount Cook area if the weather is proving challenging.

Mount Cook Village is home to some incredibly unique species, found almost only in this area. On the way we will learn about the plight of some of these delicate birds including black stilt, wry bill, kea, and rock wren. There are several walks worth doing in the area including the Hooker Valley Track and Tasman Moraine. If your legs and the weather are up to it, Sealy Tarns, Red Tarn and even Mueller Hut might be an option for you. It is always worth popping in to the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre in Mt Cook before any hikes to get weather updates and also to see their incredible displays covering the biodiversity, history and geology of the region.

When you leave Mount Cook and continue your journey to Queenstown take the opportunity to stop and see the scale of construction of the many hydro dams in this area, there are lakes and canals in abundance for you to stop at. As well as Salmon farms for a fresh snack or perhaps something for later. Passing Omarama we will learn about why people come from all over the world to go gliding in the area and you have the opportunity to see our little Cappadocia – the Clay Cliffs of Omarama.

Lindis Pass is another high point, at just under 1,000 meters where views back towards the McKenzie basin are well worth stopping for. On the other side, Lake Dunstan offers camping and photo opportunities before a recommended stop in Cromwell to see the heritage precinct, grab some fresh fruit then head through the Kawarau Gorge to Gibbston Valley, where some of the best Pinot Noir in the world is grown and in to Queenstown itself.

It is possible to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown in about 6 hours. Hopefully it will take you 2 or 3 days as you soak up some of the wonderful landscape the South Island has to offer.