Fiordland, Catlins and Otago or Franz Josef to Haast?
Fiordland, Catlins and Otago or Franz Josef to Haast? Both routes compared: length, driving time, best season, tolls and road limits, with our recommendation.
| Fiordland, Catlins and Otago | Franz Josef to Haast | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Queenstown → Aoraki/Mount Cook | Franz Josef → Haast Pass (Tioripatea) |
| Suggested days | 8 | 3 |
| Distance | 1,071 km (665 mi) | 306 km (190 mi) |
| Driving | 11 h 40 min | 3 h 20 min |
| Stops | 14 | 11 |
| Best time to go | March–April and November | February–April and November–December |
| Tolls and vignettes | – | – |
| Good to know | – | – |
Our recommendation
Choose Fiordland, the Catlins and Otago if you have eight days: about 1,071 km from Queenstown via the Milford Road, Catlins penguins and the Moeraki boulders to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Best in March–April and November; snow chains may be compulsory on the Milford Road from June to November. Pick Franz Josef to Haast for a compact three days: about 310 km on SH6 past the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, Lake Matheson and Knights Point, then over Haast Pass. Expect wet weather, rare fuel and poor coverage. Its best months are February–April and November–December.
Both routes in detail
© Blake Richard Verdoorn blakeverdoorn · CC0In-depth road trip guides
Fiords, penguins and glacial lakes – by camper through Fiordland, the Catlins and Otago to Aoraki
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