5 days trip in South Island
 

Hello,
I want your feedback on my plan please. I live in NZ for a few months until September. I will make several trips to visit places as there is work commitment; hence I can't take weeks to travel.
The next trip I plan is for mid-August though I am a bit worried about the weather.
Note: I will make separate trips to southernmost of the South Island (Queenstown, Dunedin, etc.) and to the northernmost of the Island (Nelson and around).

Day 1: Flight from Auckland
Arrive in Christchurch at 10am
Drive through Arthur's Pass to Greymouth
Stay overnight at Greymouth

Day 2 AM: Explore Greymouth
Stop at Hokitika Gorge
PM: Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier + 2 hour Glacier Walk
Stay overnight at Franz Josef

Day 3 Quick stop at Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson
Drive through Haast Pass
Stop for a walk at Blue Pools Walk (1.5 hours)
Stay overnight @ Wanaka

Day 4 Drive to Mount Cook Village
Spend the day here
Star Glazing at night

Day 5 Drive to Christchurch
Stop for photos at Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo
Flight at 7pm back to Auckland

Does this sound sensible in August? Thank you.

It sounds like a lot of driving to me. August is not the best weather in NZ. Can you add another day or 2 for the trip?
Use aamaps.co.nz for a realistic drive time. Google maps way underestimate the time needed for NZ roads. All their figures are based on zipping down a long straight American freeway!

It's not an itinerary I'd choose - a lot of moving around, not much time seeing the places you're spending so much time getting to. Days in August are short - you have very little daylight to work with, and if weather is bad...well, there goes your itinerary.

Having said that, it's probably doable, assuming you get a very early start (keep in mind roads can be frosty until 9-10 - that means black ice) and assuming the weather gods cooperate (unlikely).

Fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown. Pick either the West Coast or inland route via Mt Cook. Then do the other route on a future trip.

As you have it, there is too much time in the car and the season is not in your favor. Daylight hours are short and roads could be closed.

Thank you all. I think I might change to what deSchenke suggested.