Day 1: Christchurch
Distance: 0 km (approximately)
Travel time: 0 hours (approximately)

Christchurch, the Garden City, is the ideal holiday base to the best New Zealand has to offer. This vibrant, picturesque, boutique city offers easy access to surf, snow, the rest of the world and the richly diverse backyard of the surrounding Canterbury region.

If you have just arrived in Christchurch and collected your campervan, why not spend a day adjusting to your new surroundings by exploring the city. You will then be refreshed and ready to start your Christchurch to Auckland journey in the morning.

The 'Garden City' itself is lined with 19th century stone buildings, contemporary galleries and open-air markets. Experience the Cultural Precinct and banks of the Avon River by vintage tram, classic Edwardian punt or the comfort of a riverside restaurant. By foot, explore the growing network of urban laneways packed with bars, eateries and an eclectic mix of boutique shops.

From the peaceful tranquility of Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens to the bustle of the city centre, enjoy Christchurch at your leisure.

Overnight in Christchurch.

The settlement of Lake Tekapo, is famous for the Church of the Good Shepherd and located at the southern end of the lake. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do in the area.

The short drive to Twizel takes you past the southern end of beautiful Lake Pukaki. Enjoy the golden tussock and snow-capped mountain landscape.

Stay in Twizel tonight in your campervan.

Day 3: Twizel - Queenstown
Distance: 200 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.5 hours (approximately)

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It's also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. If you don't have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it – fresh or smoked.

The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges. You'll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by the active Osler fault line. You could also pause to cast a line into the Ahuriri River – famous for sizeable rainbow and brown trout.

You'll know you're in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area's unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres.

From Omarama you will make your way to Queenstown, often described as one of New Zealands best destinations both for New Zealands and tourists. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing.

Stay tonight in Queenstown.

The shortest route to Wanaka from Queenstown is over the Crown Range Road. It's a challenging drive (there are alternative routes), but the views are amazing.

The lakeside town of Wanaka can provide you with an appealing mix of fine living, family fun and adventure. It has a high concentration of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops. You'll also find unique attractions, like the 3D maze and the ‘Warbirds over Wanaka' air show, which is held every two years.

Lake Hawea is the first scenic highlight of your journey, followed closely by the northern end of Lake Wanaka. The famous ‘bra fence' is impossible to miss – it started as a joke, but it's become a local legend. At the wilderness town of Makarora you can fuel up and refresh before you take on the dramatic twists and turns of the Haast Pass. Enjoy waterfalls and river scenery as you arrive in rainforest country.

The settlement of Haast was once a construction camp for the Ministry of Works (the government department responsible for road and bridge building). It's a town with a touch of the wild west – helicopters fly deer hunters into the rugged ranges and local pubs make a feature of stuffed animal trophies.

Just north of Haast is Lake Moeraki, a peaceful forest lake with good fishing – a 40 minute walk takes you to the penguin colony at Monro Beach. Next is pretty Lake Paringa, where you can enjoy a delicious meal of salmon at the salmon farm. Just before Fox Glacier is the western end of the Copland track. In half a day you can walk to the hot springs at Welcome Flat.

The terminal face of Fox Glacier is just 5 kilometres from the township that serves it. The road to the walking track crosses ancient moraine from earlier advances and retreats.

Stay tonight in Fox Glacier.

The Fox Glacier is just 5 kilometres from the Fox Glacier township.

Further north is Franz Josef Glacier. This glacier has been moving forward at a rate of about 1 metre a day since 1985. You can walk to the terminal of the glacier in about 10 minutes. Franz Josef township has a good range of accommodation and eating establishments.

Further north up SH6 you will come to the town of Hokitika. Hokitika is an old mining town that was established on the West Coast after the discover of gold in the area. It still has the feel of a ‘frontier town', and there are some lovely old buildings to admire. Greenstone (NZ jade) is the town's treasure these days – watch it being carved. You might also want to investigate the museum and do the historical walk.

Head further north to Westport where you will spend the night.

Westport is known as a coal mining town, but it's also a base for outdoor adventures. Visit the local coal mining museum, then strap on your walking shoes to investigate the seal colony. Black water rafting, jet boating, horse trekking and surf rafting are other opportunities for some outdoor excitement.

The road to Nelson is scenic and interesting, beginning with the dark, forbidding Buller Gorge. At Hawks Crag you'll drive under a dramatic rock overhang. For those with time up your sleeve turn off her and loop past the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The city of Nelson is home to a fascinating community of beach, bush and art lovers. From here you can organise yourself an eco-adventure or become immersed in the local creative culture.

Overnight in Nelson tonight.

Nelson is a city that has lots to offer the traveller – with the beach, bush and art there is something for everyone. From here you can organise yourself an eco-adventure or become immersed in the local creative culture. Nelson is the home to the Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards, where art comes off the streets and onto the body as glamorous wearable creations. The event is now held in Wellington.

From Nelson travel onto Blenheim travelling through the Rai Valley. Blenheim is the heart of wine-growing in Marlborough. Here you will find many choices to wine and dine.

From Blenheim travel north to Picton. Picton is a picturesque seaside town and is used as a South Island base for many travellers as this is usually the point that many travellers either begin or end their South Island Adventures. The Interislander Ferry service that links the North and South Islands of New Zealand departs and arrives at the port of Picton daily.

The journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across the Cook Strait is one of the most beautiful trips in the world. The fast ferry makes the trip in just over 2 hours and the cruise-style ferry takes 3 hours. Both types of ferry can transport your Britz Campervan. Highlights along the way include the beautiful inlets and coves of the sounds, Cook's Lookout, Tory Channel and Red Rocks seal colony. Arrive into the Capital City, Wellington.

Overnight in Wellington.

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