New Zealand 2025

New Zealand South Island Epic Adventure – Nov 18-22, 2025

🗺️ New Zealand South Island Epic Adventure

November 18-22, 2025

1,050
Kilometers
20+
Photo Stops
1
Fossil Site
Relaxed
Final Day!

Interactive Route Map – Your Actual Trip

Click any marker for details. This shows ONLY the places you’re actually visiting Nov 18-22, 2025.

Map Legend – Your Trip

🔴 Overnight Accommodations
🟣 MUST SEE Attractions
🔵 Photo Stops
🟢 Quick Stops
🟠 Food/Fuel/Coffee

📱 Open in Google Maps

Click buttons below to open routes in Google Maps on your phone:

Routes open directly in Google Maps app with turn-by-turn navigation ready to go!

🗺️ Future Trip Ideas

Want to see the West Coast attractions (Franz Josef Glacier, Hokitika Gorge, Blue Pools, greenstone shops) you removed from this trip?

Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Monday, November 18

Christchurch → Fairlie → Lake Tekapo | 240km

01:00 – Land at Christchurch Airport, collect rental car
01:30 – Drive to Coes Ford Recreation Reserve (30 min)
02:00-07:00 – Sleep at Coes Ford (FREE camping with toilets)
07:30 – Depart for Fairlie (2 hours drive)
09:30 – Check into Fairlie Gladstone Hotel ($45 USD)
11:00 – Drive to Lake Tekapo (30 min)
11:30-18:00 – Lake Tekapo: Church of Good Shepherd, lake walks, hot pools (optional NZ$32-48)
18:00 – Return to Fairlie, dinner at Gladstone Hotel pub
21:30-00:00 – DIY Stargazing from Fairlie (Gold-tier Dark Sky Reserve nearby!)
24:00 – Early bed! (3am wake-up tomorrow!)
Day 2 – Tuesday, November 19 🌅

Fairlie → Moeraki Boulders → Queenstown | 490km | SUNRISE MISSION!

03:00 – Wake up! (Set multiple alarms!)
03:30 – Depart Fairlie (pre-dawn darkness)
06:15 – Oamaru (optional coffee stop)
06:30-07:00 – Oamaru Foreshore Beach – FREE FOSSIL HUNTING! Brachiopods, shells, molluscs in rocks (30 min)
06:45 – Arrive MOERAKI BOULDERS for golden hour photography!
06:45-09:00 – Photography session (sunrise ~5:45am, golden light until 9am)
09:00 – Visit Katiki Point Lighthouse (fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins, NZ$5-10 donation)
09:15 – Brunch at Fleur’s Place (MUST BOOK AHEAD!)
10:30 – Depart for Queenstown (4.5 hours)
15:30 – Arrive Queenstown, check into Reavers Lodge
18:00 – Dinner (Fergburger or Botswana Butchery), early bed (6am wake-up!)
⚠️ CRITICAL: Check Moeraki tide times the night before at www.metservice.com/marine/tides/moeraki
Day 3 – Wednesday, November 20

Milford Sound Full Day Tour

05:30-06:00 – Coach pickup from Reavers Lodge
All Day – Milford Sound Tour includes: scenic drive through Fiordland, Homer Tunnel, 2-hour cruise, waterfalls, marine wildlife, lunch
19:00-19:30 – Return to Reavers Lodge
20:00 – Pack for tomorrow’s epic West Coast day, early bed
Day 4 – Thursday, November 21 – Lake Ohau Visit!

Queenstown → Lake Ohau Lodge → Christchurch | 525km | RELAXED DAY!

✨ Much Better! This is WAY more relaxed than the 737km West Coast route. Quality time with your friend in a stunning location!
07:00 – Wake up
07:30 – Checkout Reavers Lodge, depart Queenstown
08:30 – Cromwell (quick stop for coffee/fuel)
09:30 – Lindis Pass Lookout (10 min) – stunning tussock mountains!
10:00 – Omarama (quick pass through)
10:30 – ARRIVE LAKE OHAU LODGE!
10:30am-3:00pm+ – Lake Ohau time with your friend:
  • Lunch at the lodge (fabulous food!)
  • Lake shore walks with Mount Cook views
  • Stunning turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains
  • Catch up and relax!
  • Take photos of spectacular scenery
3:00-4:00pm – Depart Lake Ohau for Christchurch (flexible timing!)
En route options: Can stop at Lake Tekapo, Fairlie (those famous pies!), or drive direct
7:00-8:00pm – Arrive Christchurch (plenty of time!)
8:00pm – Dinner at Riverside Market or local restaurant
10:00-11:00pm – Return rental car at airport
11:00pm – Check into airport hotel, bed
📍 Distances:
Queenstown → Lake Ohau: 212km (3 hours)
Lake Ohau → Christchurch: 310km (4 hours)
Total: 525km (vs 737km West Coast route – much easier!)
⏰ Flexible Timing: You can stay at Lake Ohau as long as you want! Even if you leave at 7pm, you’ll arrive Christchurch by 11pm with plenty of time to return the car by 11:59pm. But leaving 3-4pm gives you a relaxed evening.
Day 5 – Friday, November 22

Departure Day

03:00 – Wake up
03:30 – Walk to terminal (5 min from airport hotels)
04:00 – Check-in
06:00 – Flight departure ✈️

All Photo Stops & Attractions

⭐⭐⭐ MUST SEE (Don’t Miss These!)

🌅
Moeraki Boulders
Day 2, 6:45am. Spherical boulders on beach. Arrive for golden hour photography. FREE. Check tide times!
⛵
Milford Sound
Day 3, all day. UNESCO World Heritage. Fiordland scenery, waterfalls, dolphins, seals. NZ$250-400 tour.
💙
Blue Pools
Day 4, 7:15am. Electric blue glacial pools, swing bridges. 30-40 min walk. Best on sunny days!
💎
Hokitika Gorge
Day 4, 3:15pm. INCREDIBLE turquoise water! Swing bridge, 30-45 min. THE highlight of West Coast!
🧊
Franz Josef Glacier
Day 4, 11:15am. Glacier viewpoint or walk to terminal lake. 30-40 min. Lunch in village.
💧
Thunder Creek Falls
Day 4, 8:15am. 28m waterfall through rainforest. 15 min walk. Very photogenic!

⭐⭐ Great Photo Stops

⛪
Lake Tekapo Church
Day 1. Church of Good Shepherd, iconic photo spot, turquoise lake. FREE.
🦴
Oamaru Foreshore – Fossils
Day 2, 6:30am. FREE fossil hunting on beach! Brachiopods, shells, molluscs. Low tide best. 30 min.
🦭
Katiki Point Lighthouse
Day 2, 9am. Fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins, 1878 lighthouse. Donation NZ$5-10.
📷
Lindis Pass
Day 4, 9:30am. Stunning tussock-covered mountains, golden landscapes. 10 min stop.
🏔️
Lake Ohau Lodge
Day 4, 10:30am-3pm. Visit friend! Stunning turquoise lake with Mount Cook views. Lunch, walks.

⭐ Quick Viewpoints

🍎
Cromwell
Day 4, 8:30am. Fruit town, coffee stop. Quick fuel/bathroom.
🥧
Fairlie Bakehouse (Optional)
Day 4 return route. Famous NZ pies! Quick stop if driving via Fairlie.

🌊 Future Trip Ideas – West Coast & Rockhounding

What You Skipped This Time

When you changed from the West Coast route to Lake Ohau, you missed some INCREDIBLE attractions. Save this for your next New Zealand adventure! The West Coast is worth a dedicated trip.

West Coast Route Map

This shows the route you DIDN’T take this time – save it for next trip!

The Epic West Coast Route (For Next Time!)

Queenstown → Haast Pass → Franz Josef → Hokitika → Arthur’s Pass → Christchurch

Distance: 737km | Duration: 12-14 hours with stops | Best done over 2-3 days

⭐⭐⭐ MUST SEE West Coast Attractions

💙
Blue Pools
Electric blue glacial pools with swing bridges over Makarora River. 30-40 min walk. Best on sunny days when water looks most vibrant. Absolutely stunning!
💧
Thunder Creek Falls
28m waterfall through rainforest. 15 min walk. One of NZ’s most photogenic waterfalls. Easy access from Haast Pass.
🧊
Franz Josef Glacier
Walk to glacier terminal lake or book a heli-hike (NZ$400-500). The glacier descends into rainforest – unique in the world! Village has great cafes and lunch options.
💎
Hokitika Gorge
INCREDIBLE turquoise water! Swing bridge over gorge. 30-45 min total. This was going to be THE highlight of the West Coast day. Don’t miss it next time!
🪨
Castle Hill
Dramatic limestone rock formations used in Narnia films. 15-20 min to explore. Popular bouldering spot. Very otherworldly landscape.
⛰️
Arthur’s Pass
Alpine village with stunning mountain scenery. Look for KEA PARROTS – cheeky alpine parrots that are super friendly (but don’t feed them!). Multiple walking tracks.
🪨 West Coast Rockhounding & Greenstone

💚 Hokitika – New Zealand’s Greenstone Capital

Hokitika is THE place for authentic NZ pounamu (jade/greenstone). This is what you missed:

💚
Bonz ‘n’ Stonz
⭐ HANDS-ON! Carve your own jade pendant in workshops. Create custom pounamu jewellery with master carvers. 1-3 hours, NZ$80-150.
www.bonznstonz.co.nz
💎
Waewae Pounamu
Live jade carving demonstrations! Watch master carvers and learn about the process. Each pendant has traceability code to the boulder and artist.
www.waewaepounamu.co.nz
🏖️
Hokitika Beach Fossicking
FREE! Look for small pounamu pebbles on West Coast beaches. Arahura River mouth is the most famous pounamu source in NZ. Legal to collect small amounts for personal use.

🌊 More West Coast Stops

🌊
Knights Point
Stunning coastal viewpoint with sweeping Tasman Sea views and rugged cliffs. 10-15 min stop.
🐬
Ship Creek
Driftwood beach surrounded by NZ’s tallest trees. Spot Hector’s dolphins (world’s smallest!). Two boardwalk trails. 20-30 min.
💧
Fantail Falls
23m waterfall with viewing platform over turquoise river. 10 min walk.
🌊
Gates of Haast
River tumbles 60m through narrow gorge. One-lane bridge. Watch racing glacier waters. 5-10 min.
💧
Roaring Billy Falls
30m wishbone-shaped falls through rainforest. 500m walk through ferns. 20-30 min.
📷
The Neck Lookout
Narrow land between Lake Hawea & Wanaka. Gorgeous views with wide-open skies. 5 min stop.
🦴 Oamaru Fossils (You’re Still Doing This!)
✅ Good news! You’re still doing the Oamaru fossil beach on Day 2! This section is for reference.

🦴 Oamaru Foreshore Fossil Beach

Location: Oamaru beach, south of town center

Cost: FREE

What to find: Brachiopods, molluscan fossils, shells in rocks. Cliffs have strata jammed with fossils.

Best time: Low tide

Legal: ✅ Yes! Public beach, collect small amounts for personal use

🦕 Vanished World Centre (Optional Detour)

Location: Duntroon, SH83 (30 min detour)

Cost: ~NZ$10-15

What: Fossil museum, kids can dig their own fossils! See whale, dolphin, and penguin fossils from 25 million years ago.

Nearby: Elephant Rocks (Narnia filming location!)

www.vanishedworld.co.nz

💡 Planning Your Next West Coast Trip

Recommended: 2-3 Day West Coast Loop

  • Day 1: Queenstown → Haast Pass (Blue Pools, waterfalls) → Franz Josef (overnight)
  • Day 2: Franz Josef → Hokitika (Hokitika Gorge, greenstone shops, beach fossicking) → overnight Hokitika or Greymouth
  • Day 3: Hokitika → Arthur’s Pass → Castle Hill → Christchurch

OR do it as a one-way rental: Pick up car in Queenstown, drop off in Christchurch. No backtracking!

⚖️ Legal & Ethical Collecting Reminder

✅ Legal:

  • Beach stones and pebbles from public beaches
  • Small amounts of pounamu from West Coast beaches (personal use, what you can carry)
  • Fossils from public beaches (take only a few)

❌ Illegal:

  • Private property without permission
  • National Parks
  • Commercial quantities
  • Damaging formations

Ngāi Tahu are kaitiaki (guardians) of all South Island greenstone. Respect cultural significance!

Bookings & Important Information

🎫 CRITICAL – MUST BOOK NOW!

Milford Sound Tour

Date: Wednesday, November 20

Pickup: ~6:00am from Reavers Lodge

Cost: NZ$250-400

Duration: 12-13 hours

Book Cheeky Kiwi Book Luxe Tours

Fleur’s Place Restaurant

Date: Tuesday, November 19

Time: 9:15am brunch

Location: Moeraki

Phone: +64 3-439 4480

Cost: ~NZ$30-50/person

Visit Website

Christchurch Airport Hotel

Date: Thursday, November 21

Check-in: ~10-11pm

Walking distance to terminal

Options:

  • Sudima (NZ$150-180)
  • Jucy Snooze (NZ$80-120)
  • Airport Gateway (NZ$130-160)
Book on Booking.com

✅ Accommodations Already Booked

✅ Fairlie Gladstone Hotel

Date: Monday, November 18

Cost: $45 USD

Location: Main Street, Fairlie

Historic pub hotel, 30 min from Lake Tekapo

✅ Reavers Lodge, Queenstown

Dates: Nov 19-20 (2 nights)

Check-in: Tuesday, November 19

Check-out: Thursday, November 21

Your booking confirmed!

🔗 Essential Resources & Links

🌊 Moeraki Tide Times 🌤️ NZ Weather Forecast 🚗 Road Conditions 🏞️ DOC Walking Tracks 🗺️ Google Maps 📱 Maps.me Offline

📞 Important Contacts

Emergency Services (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 111

Roadside Assistance: AA – 0800 500 222

Non-emergency Police: 105

Weather Info: 0900 999 (charges apply)

Christchurch Airport: +64 3-358 5029

💰 Budget Estimate

Item Cost (NZD)
Fairlie Gladstone Hotel (1 night) $75 (paid)
Reavers Lodge (2 nights) Your booking
CHC Airport Hotel (1 night) $120-180
Milford Sound Tour $250-400
Food (4 days @ $80/day) $320
Petrol (~1575km @ $0.20/km) $315
Activities & Entrance Fees $50-100
TOTAL ESTIMATE $1,130-1,390 NZD

Complete Pre-Trip Checklist

🎫 Bookings (Do These NOW!)

📱 Apps & Downloads (Before You Leave)

📸 Camera Gear

🎒 Clothing & Essentials

🪨 Rockhounding Gear (Optional)

🚗 Car & Travel Items

📋 Night Before Tasks

✅ Final Checks