Day 1: Picton Explore the charming town of Picton, surrounded by the Marlborough Sounds.

Day 2-3: Kaikoura Visit the whale watching capital and take a dolphin swimming tour.

Day 4-5: Hanmer Springs Relax in the natural hot springs and enjoy hiking trails.

Day 6-7: Franz Josef Take a scenic flight over the glaciers, hike to the terminal face, or soak in the hot pools.

Day 8: Wanaka Enjoy water sports on Lake Wānaka or take a wine tour.

Day 9-10: Milford Sound Cruise through the stunning fjords and admire the breathtaking scenery.

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Many of the travelers who come to New Zealand do so with the dream of living an epic roadtrip. We’re making it happen and today we’re sharing the updated information about our journey along the rugged West Coast of South Island.

The backbone of the journey is the mythical Route 6, but we took a detour on the recommendation of a local musician and added the magical Golden Bay peninsula through State Highway 60 (SH60). In this article, you’ll find an optimized 12-day route that takes you through golden beaches, prehistoric forests in Abel Tasman National Park, mountain passes with incredible views and glaciers, all the way to Milford Sound, the deepest fiords on the planet.

TECHNICAL FILE FOR ROADTRIP (SUMMARY) *

• Total duration: 12 days recommended.
• Estimated distance: ~1,200 km (Net driving time: 20-22 hours divided).
• Starting and ending points: Picton to Milford Sound (South Island).
• Main routes: State Highway 6 (Route 6) and State Highway 60 (SH60).
• Recommended vehicle: Campervan or self-contained vehicle for free camping. Rent your campervan here or or a car with an appropriate engine (minimum 1.8L - 2.0L) for a comfortable drive, especially if you choose to do the route with hotel comfort.
• Best time: November to April (summer/autumn).

This quick guide gives you an overview from north to south with iconic points, time management references, safety alerts based on our experience, and practical tips so you can enjoy the route without stress.

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1. Day 1: From Picton to Nelson via the Queen Charlotte Drive (Route 6)

If you’re coming from the North Island like us, the ferry drops you off in Picton. After a coastal drive, you can head straight to Nelson via the stunning Queen Charlotte Drive.

• Key Segments: 140 km (approximately 2 hours of driving time net).

• Must-Sees on the Route:

• Pelorus Bridge: A short 15-minute path between giant trees over the Rai river. Perfect for stretching your legs.

  • Cable Bay: A beautiful detour where the mountain meets a precious stone beach.

• Where to sleep: Nelson has excellent holiday parks that you can find on CamperMate app for self-contained vehicles. If you take the overnight ferry, like we did, there are also several free camping spots near Picton with mountain views.

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2. Days 2-4: The Detour from SH60 to Golden Bay and Abel Tasman

We took the recommendation of local musician Fat Eddie’s[1] into account and veered northeast to the Golden Bay Peninsula. To do this, we temporarily left Route 6 behind and took State Highway 60 (SH60).

📍 Index of Route SH60 (Nelson to Collingwood)

• Section 1 (Nelson to Motueka): 50 km of flat route crossing fruit fields.
• Section 2 (Motueka to Kaiteriteri): 13 km coastal detour to the region’s most golden beach. Highly recommended.
• Section 3 (Motueka to Takaka): 48 km crossing the Takaka Hill pass (SH60 reaches 791 meters in height).
• Section 4 (Takaka to Collingwood): 28 km of tranquil handling through the bay valley between green hills and deserted beaches.

🌟 Must-see attractions on this stretch

• Kaiteriteri Beach: Golden sand and turquoise water before climbing the mountain.
• Parque Nacional Abel Tasman: Trails among giant ferns and incredible views towards the sea. You can camp by reserving beforehand on the DOC website. You can go by land or from Kaiteriteri Beach on a kayaking excursion
• Te Waikoropupū Springs: The country’s most sacred and crystal-clear freshwater springs.
• Collingwood: Infinite green landscapes that seem to be straight out of a Windows desktop background.
• Wharariki Beach: A wild and windy coast guarded by iconic giant rock arches emerging from the sea.

⚠️ SAFETY ALERT ON SH60 The climb and descent of Takaka Hill has banked curves. Update 2026: Roadworks have finished and the entire route is open in excellent condition. Similarly, if you’re driving a large campervan, it’s important to note that you’ll need to climb in low gear and use the passing bays kindly to let locals pass through.

Fact: The SH60 is a dead end, meaning that to get back on Route 6 and head south, you have to retrace your steps and cross the mountain again. We recommend dedicating at least 3 full days to enjoying it without rushing or opting to follow only Route 6 and go straight to point 5. Another option is taking a 1-day tour of Golden Bay from Nelson visiting the iconic points in the area.

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3. Day 5: From Golden Bay to Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) via Route 6

We crossed Takaka Hill again on the SH60, reconnected with Route 6 heading south and passed through the town of Murchison (ideal for refueling and resting) until we reached the wild Tasman Sea. We opted to spend the afternoon and sleep there, in my opinion a place of calm and natural beauty, a true hidden gem.

• Key Stages: 165 km (approximately 3.5 hours of driving time).

• Must-Sees on the Route:

• Buller Gorge: The longest suspension bridge in New Zealand.

  • Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks): Limestone formations that resemble giant stacks of pancakes. If you go with high tide, you’ll see how the blowholes spout sea water at meters of height.

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4. Day 6: From Punakaiki to Franz Josef (Glacier Region)

Exploring the Path to the South

Traversing the path towards the south, we arrived at the humid zone of glaciers, where vegetation and landscapes change completely (and so does the cold, especially in the early morning).

• Key Stages: 132 miles (around 3 hours of driving time).

• Must-Sees on the Route:

• Hokitika Gorge: A short trail that takes you to a suspension bridge over a turquoise river with no shortage of scenic views. The hike is quick and in season it’s a very touristy area.

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5. Days 7 and 8: Glaciers, Mirror Lakes, and the Haast Pass to Wanaka

Days of transition between the humid tropical jungle and the imposing South Alps.

• Key Segments: 285 km divided into two days to enjoy the Alpine landscape.

• Points of interest on this route:

• Lake Matheson: Morning walk to see the Mount Cook peaks reflected in the water.

• Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Free viewpoints to see the glacier tongues or you can take a helicopter tour to ascend the glacier.

• Blue Pools: Natural turquoise and crystal-clear thawing water pools in Makarora.

💡 Planning: Glacier hiking excursions in Franz Josef sell out months in advance during the summer. If you’re set on including this in your trip to New Zealand, you can compare prices and book your spot by clicking here.

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6. Day 9: From Wanaka to Queenstown via Crown Range Road

We crossed from one lake city to the world capital of adventure sports.

• Key Stages: 70km along the Crown Range Road route (the country’s highest paved road, with spectacular views) or 110km through the Cromwell Valley.

• Must-see stops:

• That Wanaka Tree: The famous solitary tree that stands tall within Lake Wanaka. The town is also beautiful; we had the luck of coinciding on December 31st and the atmosphere was unique: food festival, live music, and fireworks. Beautiful experience to spend New Year’s Eve away from home but accompanied

💡 ADVICE FOR SLEEPING IN WANAKA: As it is a very touristy area during peak season, you need to go very early to the free campings or book in advance at Holiday Parks. If you park on the street in unauthorized zones, the fine is considerable. You can also find Wanaka hotels to spend the night.

Wanaka tree 2026

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7. Days 10-12: From Queenstown to Milford Sound

The golden brooch. The scenic route that takes you from Te Anau to Milford Sound is a beautiful and enjoyable drive at all times.

Day 10 - Queenstown: A vibrant city. Restaurants, shops, street artists and incredible lake and mountain views. A walk around the center in the evening, having a nice meal and resting is totally recommended. That said, we didn’t find many Holiday Parks really close by, so you either have to head out of town or stay at a hotel in Queenstown and rest up for the next day’s adventure in Milford Sound.

• Key Segments: 290 km (calculate at least 4 hours of return due to the terrain difficulty and photographic stops).

• Must-see on Route:

• Lake Te Anau: A massive lake surrounded by fjords, an easy flat walk and breathtaking views.

  • Homer Tunnel: An impressive engineering feat carved by hand into the live rock of the mountain. Scenic lookout at exit: spectacular view.
  • Lake Marian Track: A trail we loved. It’s super rugged, takes about 3 hours (round trip) and starts crossing a suspension bridge over the Marian River. The first 10-15 minutes are flat until the waterfalls, but then the path becomes a real adventure. The terrain is irregular, you have to navigate around giant tree roots, rocks, and muddy areas. It’s a very entertaining technical trek that forces you to be present and reaches an alpine lake.
  • Milford Sound: Definitely one of my favorites and must-sees in New Zealand (and probably for many people). Waterfalls melting off the rock faces into the dark and deep waters. You can walk nearby trails, navigate its fjords, or even visit it by helicopter. The route passes under a tunnel and feels like being teleported to a movie with unbeatable lookout points every kilometer.

Cruising the fiords: One of the best ways to experience Milford Sound is by cruising its waters. Morning cruise departures tend to be cheaper and have fewer people. Ensure your ticket by booking your Milford Sound scenic cruise here.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions about Route 6 and SH60 (FAQ)

Can you do the West Coast of New Zealand without a self-contained campervan?

Yes, it’s totally possible. You can rent a conventional car or an uncertified campervan and spend the night in hostels, cabins, or camping at sites with facilities by booking in advance. Another excellent option is to stop over in hotels along the route:

• Hotels in Nelson
• Hotels near Kaiteriteri Beach
• Accommodation near Collingwood
• Accommodation near Pancake Rocks (Punakaiki Beach)
• Accommodation in Wanaka
• Hotels in Queenstown

What are the rules of freedom camping in New Zealand?

They are strict. If you camp in unauthorized zones without the official self-contained stamp (which certifies your own bathroom and toilet in the camper), you expose yourself to immediate fines of more than $400 NZD. We recommend checking alerts on the CamperMate app or at DOC centers.

Where can I verify the official status of routes?

The climate in the West Coast is unpredictable and often features rockfall. Before tackling mountain stretches like Takaka Hill or Milford Sound passes, check out the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website or review our regular updates at https://blogcito.com/diario/.

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9. Practical Details for Your Road Trip

• Minimum recommended duration: 12 whole days if you want to include the SH60 detour..
• Official information about Abel Tasman National Park and campsite reservations here.
• Travel Insurance: Don’t forget to travel with a good insurance policy that covers adventure sports, especially if you’re going to do technical trekkings like Lake Marian or adrenaline activities in Queenstown.
• Search for campervan rentals in New Zealand here