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Day 1: Christchurch - Greymouth
Distance 258km, approximate drive time 3 hours 10 minutes

Depart Christchurch travelling east on State Highway 73 through Arthur's Pass National Park, a spectacular trip. The Park has a diverse landscape, with forests, waterfalls, snowy peaks, walkways and trails, and rare wildlife including the endangered and reclusive kiwi and the kea, the cheeky mountain parrot. Travellers may wish to stop and stretch their legs in the Park and choose from a variety of short walks that leave from the vicinity of Arthur's Pass village. Alternatively, take the TranzAlpine scenic train from Christchurch to Greymouth. The train arrives early afternoon and rental cars are available for pick-up in Greymouth. (Suggested Greymouth accommodation)

Day 2: Greymouth - Franz Josef
Distance 179km, approximate drive time 3 hours 10minutes
OR Greymouth - Fox Glacier
Distance 204km, approximate drive time 3 hours 55minutes

Depart Greymouth for Franz Josef Glacier. Enroute stop in Hokitika, the third largest centre on the West Coast. Shop at one of the many craft galleries for jade, hand-blown glass, gold nugget jewellery, woodcrafts, and wool products, or visit the glowworm grotto. Continue south to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Stop in Ross, a town that still has working goldmines, including one of the deepest operations in the Southern Hemisphere. Arrive at one of the two Glaciers by early afternoon. Fox and Franz Josef are approximately 45 minutes' drive apart. Either walk to the base of the Glaciers or join one of the guided glacier walks, which accommodate every level of fitness and experience. There are also scenic flights and helicopter excursions(helicopter line feature pge) for those who wish to view the Glaciers from the air. There are nature walks and other attraction options available to enjoy the area - visit the Franz Josef Glacier Visitor Centre for more information. Overnight at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier village. (Suggested Glacier accommodation)

Day 3: Franz Josef - Wanaka
Distance 287km, approximate drive time 4 hours 30 minutes

Depart the Glaciers and continue south through Haast Pass to Wanaka. On the drive south to Haast, don't miss Lake Matheson's reflection of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. Call in to the Visitor Centre at Haast Junction for information on other activities and attractions the area offers. The trip through Haast Pass is very rugged and scenic, so take the time to enjoy the scenery and stop along the way. The journey winds around the lakes of Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in Wanaka township mid-afternoon. Visit the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum where you can see a collection of flyable World War II fighter aircrafts, or Puzzling World where you can get lost in a world of jigsaw puzzles and a maze! Overnight in Wanaka. (Suggested Wanaka accommodation)

Day 4: Wanaka - Mt Cook
Distance 211km, approximate drive dime 3 hours 5 minutes

Spend the morning in Wanaka and then drive State Highway 8 through the scenic Lindis Pass to Mt Cook. At 3754 metres/12,308 feet, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 30 km/18 mile giant and one of the longest outside the Himalayas. Visitors can base themselves in Twizel (50 minutes from Mt Cook) where there is ample accommodation available, or stay at the base of Mt Cook in Mt Cook village. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the area. (Suggested Mt Cook accommodation)

Day 5: Mt Cook - Christchurch
Distance 331km, approximate drive time 4 hours 55 minutes

Depart Mt Cook for the drive back to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo. Stop on the shores of Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd - an historic church dedicated to the early pioneers of this area, and the sheepdog - a statue that is a tribute to high country farmers' best friend. Continue to Christchurch via State Highway 1 through Ashburton, the commercial centre of one of New Zealand's richest agricultural and pastoral districts, or via the Inland Scenic Route 72. (Suggested Christchurch accommodation)