Southern Alps road trip

Head west towards the Southern Alps on SH73 to join Inland Scenic Route 72 towards Methven to make the most of mid-Canterbury’s rural, riverside and gently rolling scenery. Geraldine – the Cheese & Pickle Capital of NZ – is a pleasant overnighter, with unpretentious shops, nice cafes, a friendly pub and leafy holiday park.

SIDE TRIP: Peel Forest

If you’re feeling impatient to explore the foothills of the Southern Alps, take the detour off SH72 to Peel Forest Park, 22km north of Geraldine. This precious native forest remnant features a peachy campsite, and walks ranging from easy strolls to a hike up Little Mount Peel summit (1311m). Nearby is one of NZ’s best rafting rivers, the Rangitata, with family-friendly trips through to freaky grade five escapades. If that doesn’t float your boat, check out the equine excursions for all-comers offered by Peel Forest Horse Trekking.  

SH79 winds through increasingly hilly terrain as it heads to rural Fairlie, a welcoming introduction to the legendary Mackenzie Country. SH8 leads over Burkes Pass to a basin of golden tussock and surreal turquoise lakes, the star of which is Tekapo with its famously photogenic lakeside church. Don’t miss Mt John summit (drive or walk) for one of NZ’s best lookouts. After dark, Mt John Observatory offers mind-boggling tours of the night sky.

Continuing on SH8, Aoraki/Mount Cook will loom ever larger (weather permitting) as you sidle around pretty Lake Pukaki. Get even closer to NZ’s highest mountain on day hikes from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre, or swoop around its slopes on a scenic flight. White Horse Hill campground, in a splendid alpine setting, welcomes campervans.

There’s no let-up in scenic splendour as SH8 cuts through the flats and climbs over Lindis Pass. After Tarras, take SH8A and SH6 to Wanaka, an energetic town with an insatiable appetite for the great outdoors. Explore Mount Aspiring National Park on day hikes to Rob Roy Glacier or Aspiring Hut. Mt Iron is a shorter option closer to town, and handy to Puzzling World, a fun place to exercise your brain.

Drive via the State Highway 6, stopping at Cromwell which is home to some of the worlds finest Central Otago Pinot Noir and a host of award-winning wineries. Please note our campervans are not permitted to travel via the Crown Range, so the scenic drive through Cromwell is your best bet! Rugged mountains and the crystal clear waters of Lake Dunstan will offer you equally incredible views along this route. Once you arrive in Arrowtown be prepared to catch a serious case of gold-rush fever, a total charmer with visitor attractions in spades. Compared to neighbouring Queenstown, its a quiet base for adventures around the Wakatipu area, such as cycling, bungy jumping and winery tours. Arrowtown Holiday Park is a spruce, modern affair.

Frequently lauded as one of the world’s best mountain resorts, Queenstown lives up to the hype with a buzzy centre and beautiful lakeside setting. It also offers a bamboozling array of activities within easy reach including hiking and cycling trails, golf courses, wineries, and iconic must-do’s such as the TSS Earnslaw lake cruise and Skyline Gondola. It’s also campervan heaven, with plenty of campsites and reserves near the town centre.

SIDE TRIP:  Central Otago

Venture through the wine-soaked Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra, an appealing trio of towns in Central Otago. This region is steeped in yet more fascinating pioneer history, sweetened with luscious stonefruit and spiced with world-class pinot noir. Savour it on a walk such as Flat Top Hill, or a cycle ride along Roxburgh Gorge or the Otago Central Rail Trail. There are numerous free campervan sites in the region, too.  

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

To return to Christchurch without retracing your steps, take SH6 and SH8 to Cromwell and Alexandra, then SH85 through the beautiful Manuherikia Valley to the Maniatoto Plain. Oamaru and Timaru on the east coast are both pleasant pit stops en route north via SH1 to Christchurch. The total journey from Queenstown is 564km/8 hours.