A scenic drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier on the West Coast. Five to seven days gives time for Wanaka, the Haast Pass and the glaciers.
Day 1
Queenstown to Wanaka
🚐 About 1 hour via the Crown Range (around 70 km)
Drive the Crown Range Road to Wanaka. Photograph That Wanaka Tree. The Crown Range is high. Wanaka has a lake.
Optional things to do
That Wanaka Tree
Roys Peak walk
Puzzling World
Where to stay
Holiday parkWanaka Lakeview Holiday Park
Close to the lake.
DOC campAlbert Town Campground
A basic site by the river.
Day 2
Wanaka to Haast
🚐 About 2.5 hours (around 140 km)
Drive over the Haast Pass. Stop at the Blue Pools and Thunder Creek Falls. The Haast Pass has waterfalls. Blue Pools is a short walk.
Optional things to do
Blue Pools walk
Thunder Creek Falls
Fantail Falls
Where to stay
Holiday parkHaast Beach Holiday Park
A park near the beach.
CampHaast Camp
A basic site.
Day 3
Haast to Fox Glacier
🚐 About 2.5 hours (around 120 km)
Drive north along the coast to Fox Glacier. Walk to the glacier viewpoint. The coast has beaches. Fox Glacier has a walk.
Optional things to do
Fox Glacier walk
Lake Matheson reflections
Glacier helicopter flight
Where to stay
Holiday parkFox Glacier Holiday Park
A park near the village.
Holiday parkFox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park
A park near the glacier.
Day 4
Fox Glacier to Franz Josef
🚐 About 30 minutes (around 25 km)
Drive to Franz Josef Glacier. Walk to the viewpoint. Franz Josef has a glacier. Hot pools are in town.
Optional things to do
Franz Josef Glacier walk
Glacier hot pools
Alex Knob track
Where to stay
Holiday parkFranz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park
A park near the village.
Holiday parkRainforest Retreat
A park in the forest.
Day 5
Franz Josef to Queenstown
🚐 About 5.5 hours (around 360 km)
Return via Haast and Wanaka. Return via Haast Pass. Wanaka has a lake.
Optional things to do
Haast Pass
Lake Hawea
Wanaka lakefront
Where to stay
Holiday parkQueenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
Near the town.
Holiday parkQueenstown Top 10 Holiday Park
Close to the lake.
Plan ahead
Roads are winding, so allow extra time.
Weather can be wet on the West Coast.
Fuel up at Wanaka and Haast.
Campsite rules, fees and availability change. Check the park or operator website before you go.