RoadAtlas
Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand — Mountain
Australia & Pacific

Southern Alps Highway

New Zealand

Point-to-point
Queenstown Christchurch

In short: Southern Alps Highway is a About 735 km mountain road trip in New Zealand, typically driven over 4 days, best in Nov–Mar (NZ summer). Highlights: Queenstown, Wanaka and Haast Pass, Haast.

Distance
About 735 km
Duration
4 days
Best Season
Nov–Mar (NZ summer)
IconicModerateMountainEV-friendly

A four-day SH6 and SH73 crossing from Queenstown to Christchurch, staged through Haast, Fox Glacier and Arthurs Pass so the glacier and alpine walks each have a realistic weather margin.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
Begin after a Queenstown overnight. Check NZTA Journey Planner (https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/) for SH6 and SH73 immediately before departure and again after heavy rain, wind, snow or rockfall; closures can develop during the trip. Carry chains when required, keep fuel topped up, and make glacier and alpine walks conditional on operator/DOC weather and track advice. Christchurch gardens belong only after arrival, not inside the Arthur's Pass crossing day.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Queenstown to Haast

Lake Hayes · Thunder Creek Falls · Vudu Cafe and Larder

Day 2Haast to Fox Glacier / Weheka

Fox Glacier guided experience · Lake Matheson walk · Matheson Cafe

Day 3Fox Glacier to Arthurs Pass Village via Hokitika

Hokitika Gorge or town · Otira Viaduct Lookout · Hokitika Sandwich Company

Day 4Arthurs Pass to Christchurch

Devils Punchbowl Walking Track · Christchurch Botanic Gardens · Sheffield Pie Shop

Stops along the route

Queenstown — Departure — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Departure
Queenstown
Start after an overnight rather than scheduling city attractions.
Haast — City — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
City
Haast
End day 1 before the glacier coast.
Hokitika — City — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
City
Hokitika
Break the northbound West Coast transfer.
Christchurch — Arrival — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Arrival
Christchurch
Visit the gardens only after arrival.

Things to Do

Wanaka and Haast Pass — Nature — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Nature
Wanaka and Haast Pass
Cross SH6 with one or two short road stops.
Fox Glacier — Nature — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Nature
Fox Glacier
Use a dedicated weather-dependent glacier day.
Otira and Arthurs Pass — Nature — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Nature
Otira and Arthurs Pass
Make the pass the alpine anchor.
Lake Hayes — Optional pre-route walk — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Optional pre-route walk
Lake Hayes
Use only as a brief optional stop if already outside Queenstown early.
Thunder Creek Falls — Short waterfall walk — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Short waterfall walk
Thunder Creek Falls
Use the signed SH6 pull-off if open and daylight permits.
Fox Glacier guided experience — Booked glacier activity — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Booked glacier activity
Fox Glacier guided experience
Book a licensed operator and accept weather cancellation; do not approach closed glacier valleys independently.
Show 5 more
Lake Matheson walk — Lake and forest walk — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Lake and forest walk
Lake Matheson walk
Choose the full or shorter marked option according to weather and daylight.
Hokitika Gorge or town — Conditional West Coast stop — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Conditional West Coast stop
Hokitika Gorge or town
Choose one short open stop and preserve the Arthur's Pass arrival margin.
Otira Viaduct Lookout — Mountain viewpoint — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Mountain viewpoint
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Use the official west-side pull-off when safe.
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track — Conditional waterfall walk — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Conditional waterfall walk
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track
Make this the Arthur's Pass anchor only with a clear DOC alert and early start.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens — Arrival-only garden visit — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Arrival-only garden visit
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Add only after reaching Christchurch during opening hours; it is not part of the mountain crossing.

Where to Eat

Vudu Cafe and Larder — Cafe — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Cafe
Vudu Cafe and Larder
Use one optional early Queenstown breakfast, then depart; do not stack city attractions.
The Hard Antler Bar and Restaurant — New Zealand pub meals — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
New Zealand pub meals
The Hard Antler Bar and Restaurant
Confirm the Haast dinner and its closing time before leaving Wanaka.
Matheson Cafe — Cafe — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Cafe
Matheson Cafe
Use for lunch within published daytime hours near Lake Matheson.
Cook Saddle Cafe and Saloon — New Zealand — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
New Zealand
Cook Saddle Cafe and Saloon
Reserve where possible and reconfirm the early closing time; carry dinner if service is unavailable.
Hokitika Sandwich Company — Cafe and takeaway — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Cafe and takeaway
Hokitika Sandwich Company
Pick up lunch before the alpine service gap.
Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store — Cafe and store — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Cafe and store
Arthurs Pass Cafe and Store
Confirm hours and buy evening supplies before closing.
Show 1 more
Sheffield Pie Shop — Bakery — Southern Alps Highway — New Zealand
Bakery
Sheffield Pie Shop
A route-correct Canterbury lunch.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Southern Alps Highway drive?

The Southern Alps Highway covers About 735 km from start to finish.

How long does the Southern Alps Highway take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Southern Alps Highway, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Southern Alps Highway?

The recommended season for the Southern Alps Highway is Nov–Mar (NZ summer).

Where does the Southern Alps Highway start and end?

The Southern Alps Highway runs from Queenstown to Christchurch.

What are the main stops on the Southern Alps Highway?

The Southern Alps Highway passes through Queenstown, Wanaka and Haast Pass, Haast.

How difficult is the Southern Alps Highway to drive?

The Southern Alps Highway is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Southern Alps Highway in a regular car?

Yes — the Southern Alps Highway is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Southern Alps Highway?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Southern Alps Highway, based on its About 735 km length.

Is the Southern Alps Highway EV friendly?

Yes — the Southern Alps Highway has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Southern Alps Highway safe to drive?

Begin after a Queenstown overnight. Check NZTA Journey Planner (https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/) for SH6 and SH73 immediately before departure and again after heavy rain, wind, snow or rockfall; closures can develop during the trip. Carry chains when required, keep fuel topped up, and make glacier and alpine walks conditional on operator/DOC weather and track advice. Christchurch gardens belong only after arrival, not inside the Arthur's Pass crossing day.

What scenic tier is the Southern Alps Highway?

The Southern Alps Highway is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.