South Island by the back roads

Route

Distance (KM)

Time

Day 1

Auckland to Taupo
282
4H 5 M

Day 2

Taupo to Wellington
370
5H 10M

Day 3

Wellington to Blenheim, via Picton on interisland Ferry. Suggest a quick look around Wellington in the morning and take an early afternoon Ferry to Picton and short ride to Blenheim
27
3H 20M (Ferry) + 30M

Day 4

Picton to Hanmer Springs via Molesworth Station
195
5H

Day 5

Hanmer Springs to Fairlie via SH 7, SH1, SH73 to lake Lyndon/ Coleridge to Mt Hutt and SH 72 to Fairlie
360
5H 20M

Day 6

Fairlie to  Alexandra  Via Lake Tekapo and Hakataramea to Kurow, Duntroon and Danseys Pass to Naseby, back road to Wedderburn and SH85 to Alexandra. If time divert to St Bathans
311
5H+

Day 7

Alexandra to Queenstown   Via Omakau, Thompson Gorge Road to Bendigo, Wanaka and Crown Range Road
200
3H

Day 8

Queenstown to Queenstown via Coronet Peak and Glenorchy /Kinloch
240
3H

Day 9

Queenstown to Te Anau via  If lake levels are high enough, take the early sailing on the Earnslaw Ship to Walter Peak High Country Farm and continue South on Von Road to SH 94 then continue to Milford Sound (take a boat cruise through the Sounds if time allows and return to Te Anau.
355
6H+

Day 10

Te Anau to Haast  Via Garston, Nevis, Cromwell
378
5H+

Day 11

Haast to Hanmer Springs SH 6 and SH 7
530
7H

Day 12

Hanmer Springs to Picton via Rainbow Station/ St Arnaud 
245
4H+

Day 13

Picton to Whanganui Via Wellington on Interislander Ferry SH1 and SH 3
3H 20M Ferry plus 3H 21 Riding 

Day 14

Whanganui to Auckland via SH4
445
5H 40M

Total KMs

3938