Canterbury West Coast
3
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Three days in Canterbury and the West Coast take you from the extraordinary rebuilt city of Christchurch and the remarkable French-inspired Akaroa harbour through the most extraordinary alpine scenery in New Zealand. The turquoise Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook rising 3,724 metres above the Hooker Valley, and the extraordinary Fox and Franz Josef glaciers descending into temperate rainforest on the West Coast give the finest combination of high alpine and coastal landscapes in the country. This route covers the essential Canterbury and West Coast. Christchurch's extraordinary rebuilt city with its remarkable street art and the Canterbury Museum, the Akaroa harbour with its rare Hector's dolphins, the extraordinary Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd at dusk, the Hooker Valley Track under Aoraki Mount Cook, and the spectacular Franz Josef glacier ice walk.
Best Time To Visit
Oct to Apr. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier open year-round.
Getting There
Fly into Christchurch International from most major cities.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Christchurch to Franz Josef 4.5 hours.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$420 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Hooker Valley Track flat. Glacier walks guided.
DAY 1
CHRISTCHURCH AND AKAROA
MORNING
CHRISTCHURCH REBUILD AND STREET ART
Christchurch after the 2010 to 2011 earthquakes has become the most extraordinary rebuilt city in the world, its remarkable transition from a Victorian city to a vibrant new urban landscape giving the finest street art collection in New Zealand. The extraordinary Cardboard Cathedral designed by Shigeru Ban, the remarkable Re:START container mall and the fine Transitional Cathedral give the most interesting architecture in the South Island. The Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Avenue is entirely free. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
AKAROA HARBOUR AND HECTOR'S DOLPHINS
Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula is the most extraordinary harbour town in Canterbury, its remarkable French colonial heritage from the 1840 settlement giving it a unique character in New Zealand. The extraordinary harbour is home to the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's dolphin, visible on boat tours year-round. The remarkable swim with dolphins experience from December to March is outstanding. The extraordinary crater harbour and the coloured cottages are outstanding. Travel: 1 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
BANKS PENINSULA AND THE SUMMIT ROAD
The Banks Peninsula Summit Road above Akaroa gives the most extraordinary panorama over the volcanic peninsula, the remarkable view of the harbour crater from above and the extraordinary patchwork of headlands and bays stretching to the sea outstanding. The remarkable Hilltop Tavern at the summit has the finest view in Canterbury. The drive back to Christchurch via the Summit Road is the finest approach to the city from the south.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens beside the Avon River are the most extraordinary free gardens in the South Island, their remarkable collection of native and exotic plants and the extraordinary punting on the Avon giving the finest peaceful experience in post-earthquake Christchurch. Gardens free. Punting approx NZ$35 per person.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Christchurch Outstanding Christchurch coffee culture. The rebuilt city has extraordinary cafes. | Lunch: Akaroa Fish and Chip Shop Outstanding harbour fish and chips. Fresh blue cod on the Akaroa waterfront. | Dinner: Restaurant in Christchurch Outstanding Canterbury restaurant. Local Canterbury lamb and Central Otago Pinot Noir.
DAY 2
MOUNT COOK AND TEKAPO
MORNING
LAKE TEKAPO AND THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Lake Tekapo is the most extraordinary glacial lake in New Zealand, its remarkable turquoise colour from glacial flour and the extraordinary Church of the Good Shepherd on the shore, built in 1935 and framing the lake and the Southern Alps through its altar window, giving the finest single viewpoint in Canterbury. The extraordinary Tekapo Springs geothermal pools beside the lake and the remarkable Cowan's Hill lupins in summer are outstanding. Church free. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
AORAKI MOUNT COOK VILLAGE AND HOOKER VALLEY
The Hooker Valley Track from the Mount Cook village to the Hooker Lake is the most extraordinary flat alpine walk in New Zealand, its remarkable three swing bridges and the extraordinary terminal lake with floating icebergs directly below the 3,724-metre summit of Aoraki Mount Cook giving the finest mountain approach walk in the country. The remarkable Kea birds at the car park are outstanding. Walk 3 hours return. Entirely free. Travel: 3 hour drive to West Coast
AFTERNOON
HAAST PASS AND THE WEST COAST ARRIVAL
The drive from Mount Cook to the West Coast via Burke Pass and the MacKenzie Country gives the most extraordinary alpine to coastal transition in New Zealand, the remarkable tussock high country of the MacKenzie Basin giving way to the extraordinary beech forests of Haast Pass and the dramatic West Coast rainforest. The extraordinary Lake Paringa and the remarkable Knight's Point coastal viewpoint on the West Coast road are outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve is the most extraordinary stargazing destination in New Zealand, the MacKenzie Basin certified as one of the finest dark sky reserves in the world. Mt John Observatory tours give the finest southern sky stargazing in the country. Tour approx NZ$45. Tekapo without light pollution is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Tekapo Coffee with the extraordinary lake view. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Mount Cook Pack provisions. No facilities on the Hooker Valley Track. | Dinner: Restaurant in Franz Josef Outstanding West Coast glacier village restaurant. Local venison and West Coast whitebait.
DAY 3
FOX AND FRANZ JOSEF
MORNING
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER ICE WALK
The Franz Josef Glacier is the most extraordinary accessible glacier in the world, descending from 3,000 metres to just 300 metres above sea level in a temperate rainforest. The helicopter landing on the glacier and the guided ice walk through the extraordinary blue seracs, crevasses and ice caves give the finest single glacier experience in New Zealand. The heli-hike takes approximately 3 hours including the flight. Book in advance. Approx NZ$280 to NZ$350. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
FOX GLACIER WALK AND LAKE MATHESON
Fox Glacier 20 minutes south of Franz Josef gives the finest ground-level glacier approach in the West Coast, the remarkable Valley Floor Walk to the glacier viewpoint giving extraordinary views of the ice face. Lake Matheson, the most photographed lake in New Zealand, gives the extraordinary reflection of Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in its extraordinary mirror-calm surface in early morning or evening. Lake walk 1 hour. Free. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
WEST COAST BEACHES AND THE TASMAN SEA
The West Coast beaches south of Fox Glacier give the most extraordinary wild beach experience in the South Island, the remarkable black sand beaches of Gillespies Beach and the extraordinary driftwood-strewn Okarito Lagoon with its remarkable white heron breeding colony giving the finest coastal afternoon on the West Coast. The extraordinary meeting of temperate rainforest and wild Tasman Sea beach is unique in New Zealand.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Okarito Lagoon north of Franz Josef is the most extraordinary coastal lagoon on the West Coast, the remarkable largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand and the only breeding site of the kotuku white heron in the country. Kayak tours approx NZ$80. The most extraordinary wildlife experience on the West Coast.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Franz Josef Coffee before the glacier heli-hike. | Lunch: Cafe at Fox Glacier or Lake Matheson Outstanding West Coast cafe. Local whitebait fritters. | Dinner: Cafe 1847, Franz Josef Outstanding glacier village restaurant. Local whitebait, venison and West Coast crayfish.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Christchurch, Night 1 The George Hotel or Sudima Christchurch City. Central. Approx NZ$180 to NZ$380. Franz Josef, Night 2 Te Waonui Forest Retreat or Rainforest Retreat. Glacier village. Approx NZ$180 to NZ$450.
Top Tips
1. Book Franz Josef glacier tours months ahead in summer. Heli-hike trips are weather dependent.
2. Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd is most extraordinary at sunset or sunrise. Arrive early.
3. The Hooker Valley Track is flat and easy. Allow 3 hours return. The swing bridges are extraordinary.
4. Akaroa Hector's dolphins are only visible on boat tours. Swim with dolphins from Dec to Mar. Book ahead.
5. Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral and the Street Art Trail are the finest expressions of the rebuild.
6. Franz Josef and Fox glacier tours can be cancelled by weather. Have a flexible schedule on glacier days.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$420 per person per day