At a glance
- Check SH6 conditions daily, then reassess in the morning whether you can reach your next accommodation.
- Glacier viewpoints and scenic flights depend heavily on the weather, so don’t book them only for your arrival day.
- Where fuel and dining options are limited, refuel before your tank drops below half.
- If prolonged rain closes the road, don’t guess when it will reopen. First, look into extending your stay where you are.
- Under normal open-road conditions, Tourism New Zealand lists Greymouth–Punakaiki at about 40 minutes. West Coast Tourism lists Greymouth–Hokitika at about 35 minutes, Hokitika–Franz Josef at about 2 hours, and Franz Josef–Haast at about 2 hours. On Day 1, Punakaiki → Greymouth → Hokitika is about 1 hour 15 minutes of driving in total, but Pancake Rocks, fuel, and meals take additional time. These are estimates that assume no closures or congestion; follow current NZTA conditions and navigation estimates first.
- If you stay in Franz Josef on Day 2, the drive from Hokitika is about 2 hours. If you choose Fox Glacier, add the drive beyond Franz Josef; don’t list it as the same 2 hours. The Day 4 estimate of about 2 hours to Haast is also from Franz Josef. Recalculate the route if you’re staying in Fox. The drive beyond Haast Pass to Wanaka is not included in the arrival time for Haast in this guide.
Day by day
Suggested itinerary
See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.
Punakaiki → Greymouth → overnight in Hokitika. If you’re already starting in Hokitika, skip Punakaiki or make it a separate round-trip day.
Hokitika → stay in the Franz Josef or Fox area. Walk a short open track only if the road is open and you arrive early.
Check the weather, tracks, and booked activities again while staying at the same accommodation. If plans are canceled, switch to a short open track or a rest day, and spend a second night in the glacier area.
Check NZTA’s SH6 conditions to the south, then drive to Haast during daylight. If the road is closed, first extend your stay in the current town and change your next booking. If you plan to drive farther to Wanaka that day, calculate the drive beyond Haast separately.
How to fit it in
Don’t treat the West Coast as just a stretch to drive through; plan at least one base with a two-night stay. Choose changeable booking terms for your next town.
Reality check
This is an example one-way route heading south from Punakaiki in the north, through Hokitika and the glacier area, to Haast. If you add Punakaiki after arriving in Greymouth or Hokitika, you’ll be making a northbound round trip, so add that section separately to your map’s estimated travel time.
This is an example 3-night, 4-day itinerary with one night in Hokitika and two nights in Franz Josef or Fox. Add stops, meals, and possible roadwork delays to the driving times listed for each stretch when SH6 is open, and plan to reach each accommodation before dark. Day 3 is a backup day at the same glacier area accommodation.
Factor in one-way car rental, fuel, remote-area lodging, meals, weather-dependent activities, and the price difference for changeable bookings.
Follow road closures and on-site instructions; never drive through floodwater. Save accommodation and fuel stops in advance in case you lose cell service.
If plans change
Don’t cross closure barriers or look for an unpaved detour. Extend your stay in the current town and wait for NZTA’s next update.
After arranging a refund or change, switch to lowland forest or lake walks and visitor facilities that DOC has confirmed are open.
Small tip
Navigation arrival times don’t account for closures or photo stops. Choose daily driving distances that let you arrive before dark.
Final check before departure
- Check NZTA SH6 conditions and DOC track alerts daily.
- Keep your fuel above half a tank and save the next fuel stop.
- Prepare to extend your stay or change bookings, and plan for gaps in cell service.
SH6, tracks, and glacier activities can change because of heavy rain, rockfalls, roadworks, or poor visibility. Check the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), Department of Conservation (DOC), and your activity operator’s updates every day.
Information checked: 2026-10-03