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South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Epic 2-Week Road Trip

Home » Blog » New Zealand » South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Epic 2-Week Road Trip

We’ve done all the trip planning for you and put together the best 2-week itinerary for South Island New Zealand you’ll find! It’s packed full of incredible sights and heart-thumping adventures, plus insider tips and advice. 

With picturesque fjords, snow-capped mountains, temperate rainforests and black sand beaches, South Island New Zealand is a nature-lover’s paradise. 

Add to that a seemingly endless amount of activities —like bungy jumping, whale watching and some of the world’s best hiking—and you’ve got yourself one hell of an adventure! 

Planning a trip to New Zealand can be overwhelming because there is just SO. MUCH. TO. DO. But if you plan it right, it will surely end up being one of the most memorable vacations of your life .

While two weeks isn’t nearly enough to “do it all,” we think it’s a good amount of time to hit the highlights. We created this itinerary that packs in the major highlights, gets off the beaten path, and allows some time to just soak it all in.

This 2-week itinerary for South Island New Zealand is perfect for any traveler with a sense of adventure and appreciation for nature . And we have even included tips for altering it to fit a shorter trip, or what to see if you have more than two weeks to explore!

Article contents

• About this itinerary
• Best time to visit
• How many days – what to add or cut

Choosing your campervan or car rental

• Itinerary map
• Itinerary overview
• What to pack

About this South Island itinerary 

Countless hours were spent researching our route for New Zealand. We pored over article after article. We talked to Kiwis and asked for their local advice. And we finally came up with a plan.

All our research paid off: We had an incredible road trip! So, we’ve taken our road trip route and made it even better for you.  

We added some things we wish we would have made it to and we altered a couple things here and there that we wish we would’ve done differently.

This itinerary for South Island New Zealand is set up for a campervan trip. However, you can follow much of this route if you’re traveling with a rental car and staying at hotels along the way. 

We’re beginning this route in Christchurch, as this is where many people enter the country.

However, if you’re doing a tour of both the South and North Island (we would absolutely recommend this if you have the time!), we’d suggest following this two-week South Island itinerary and then head over to our two-week North Island itinerary for more details.

Important Note: One thing to know about traveling in New Zealand is you’ll need to be flexible. The weather in this country (especially in the South Island) is highly unpredictable, and a day of heavy rain or a surprise snowfall might derail your plans of hiking or bungy jumping.

We would highly recommend having some “flex days” so you can alter your plans if you encounter weather that is not ideal. Trust us on this one.

If you’re looking for an alternative…

We traveled in NZ for about 5 weeks and were able to visit most of the highlights of the country, including both the North and South islands.

We took our 5-week travels and condensed it down to 30 days because so many people wanted a 1-month route. We’ll send you our complete 1-month itinerary, filled with tips and advice. Just click below to get your 30-day New Zealand road trip itinerary today!

Best time to visit South Island New Zealand

This is sort of a loaded question as the answer will depend entirely on your personal travel style and reasons for visiting New Zealand. 

If hiking, warmer temperatures, and beach time are on your to-do list, you’ll want to visit the South Island during the summer months. Spring and fall are the best months to visit to avoid major crowds and still have decent weather for hiking. 

If you are looking to save some money, experience skiing, or just want to avoid the crowds completely, you’ll want to visit during the winter months. 

Keep in mind: New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are mirror opposite to those experienced in the north!

We put together an entire article that goes over what to expect in each season and how to decide which is best for you. Find out the best time to visit New Zealand for your personal travel needs. 

How many days do you need in South Island New Zealand?

We had the exact same question when we first started researching New Zealand. 

This South Island New Zealand itinerary is for 15 days exactly. Although it will be a bit fast, we feel like it is probably the best introduction to New Zealand you can get .

If you have a different timeline in New Zealand, here are our recommendations for your custom itinerary:

1 week on the South Island

Try to fly in and out of Queenstown if you can. Travel around Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Haast Pass and Franz Josef, then fly back out of Queenstown.

10 days on the South Island

Follow this itinerary, but cut out the section in the north (Abel Tasman & Nelson). To save time, you could skip a few activities in the West Coast (but we really recommend not to) and cut across the island via Arthur’s Pass or Hwy 7 back to Christchurch.

2 weeks on the South Island

Perfect! Follow this itinerary and you’ll be fine. If you want to stay overnight at a mountain hut, you might want to plan that into your trip.

3 weeks on the South Island

Follow this itinerary, but add on extra adventures like overnights at Mueller Hut and Brewster Hut. You could spend an extra day in Queenstown or Wanaka, a couple days in the Catlins, or tack on another day trip in Abel Tasman National Park. Arthur’s Pass is another great spot to explore (especially if you plan to return to Christchurch).

One of the best ways to travel around New Zealand is in a campervan. That’s how we traveled for 5 weeks, and how we set up this itinerary to be followed. 

If you’re wanting to do a campervan trip, we have a guide to the best campervan rentals in New Zealand . This walks you through your rental options, what to look out for, and we’ve even included an exclusive discount for our readers! 

We also put together a HUGE guide to planning your New Zealand campervan trip with tons of insider tips and advice. Make sure to give it a read before booking your trip!

Alternatively, you can still follow this itinerary using a car rental and staying in hotels and Airbnbs along the way. 

Renting a car in New Zealand is different from many other countries. Even if you’re a pro at car rentals you might be surprised by a few things. We put together a huge guide to New Zealand car rentals to share all of our insider information with you. 

Be sure to book your rental car and any rental gear before your trip begins . And don’t forget travel insurance ! Picking a policy that covers your rental car is often cheaper than buying a separate policy through the rental company.

South Island New Zealand itinerary overview

Day 1: fly into christchurch, day 2: lake tekapo & lake pukaki, day 3: hiking around mount cook, then drive to queenstown, day 4-5: queenstown, glenorchy, & adventure activities, day 6: te anau and milford road highway, day 7: milford sound and key summit hike, day 8: wanaka, day 9: hiking around wanaka – roys peak vs. isthmus peak, day 10: drive haast pass to franz josef.

• Day 11: Helicopter ride and drive to Hokitika

Day 12: Pancake Rocks, glow worm cave rafting and seals

Day 13: abel tasman, day 14: nelson, vineyards in marlborough, and drive to kaikoura, day 15: dolphin encounter and whale watching tours, south island itinerary map.

• At a glance: Welcome to New Zealand! Get your wheels, get connected, get stocked up, and get on the road!
• Distance: 7.6 km (4.3 miles)
• Driving time: 15 minutes

Unless you’ve got unlimited time in New Zealand, we’d recommend getting out of Christchurch as quickly as possible. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with this city, but it’s just that — another city. There are so many more epic places to explore in this country.

Get a SIM card

As soon as you land, get a SIM card at one of the booths at the airport. (We got Spark and had good service.) If you land at night and the booths are closed, don’t worry — we’ll share another place you can get a SIM card.

We purchased a month-long Spark plan with 4GB of data and some calls and texts for $54 NZD ($36 USD). (We did have to top off a few more GB’s after our two weeks in the South Island, but that’s only because we use our phones for work.)

Another alternative is using an eSIM. We like using Airalo to get eSIMs on our travels because it’s convenient and easy. And it’s actually quite affordable as well!

You can download an eSIM with 5GB, valid for 30 days in New Zealand, for just $16 USD! 

Pick up your campervan (or rental car)

From the airport, take the free shuttle to the rental lot where you will be given the keys to your home on wheels.

Good to know: Most reputable campervan companies will give you a little “orientation” where they explain how everything works and how to set up your bed (because it’s not always as simple as it sounds!). Our orientation took 30 minutes, and by the time we filled out paperwork and actually got on the road, an hour had passed. So budget your time accordingly.

If you land late at night and can’t pick up your campervan until the next morning, Commodore Airport Hotel is a good place to stay, as it’s close to the airport and the rental lots.

Run some essential errands

Now that you’re on the road, it’s time to stock up on a few essentials. 

We found Hornby to be a good place to stop, as it’s on the way out of town. It’s a pretty drab suburb, but it’s got a mall and just about every store you’ll need.

• Pak’nSave : Discount supermarket (if you want the lowest prices on groceries, this is where you’ll find them)
• Countdown : A nicer grocery store
• The Warehouse : Cheap “big box” store with toiletries and clothes (like Walmart). – $10 NZD for hoodie and flannel
• If you didn’t get a SIM card at the airport and don’t want to use an eSIM, all 3 of the major network providers (Spark, Vodafone & 2degrees) have branches in the Hornby mall. Here is a quick guide to the cell service options in New Zealand .

Want advice on things to stock up on? We wrote about our favorite campervan meals including ingredient lists to help you come up with a grocery list, and go over our campervan packing list to see if there are any essential items (like baby wipes!) you need to pick up.

Now that you’re stocked up on essentials and have your wheels, it’s time to find a place to camp. Depending on what time your flight arrived, you might be able to make it quite far — make it to Lake Tekapo if you can!

But if you’re like us and landed in the afternoon, the daylight will be fading and your stomach grumbling.

Camping options near Christchurch

Chamberlains Ford Recreation Reserve :

FREE, find it on the Rankers App. ( Don’t know about the Rankers App? Read about it in our guide to campervaning in New Zealand .)

This camp area is 15 minutes from Hornby. There is a clean toilet and not much else, but it’s free.

Recommended? Sure. It’s literally just an open area with a toilet, but is convenient if you want to get out of Christchurch but don’t have time to drive far.

• At a glance: Long day of driving, but totally worth it. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, drive by Lake Pukaki, and make it to Mount Cook village so you can do the Hooker Valley Track before sunset.
• Distance: 358 km (222 miles)
• Total driving time: 4 – 5 hours

Lake Tekapo

This postcard-perfect lake will be a sight for jetlagged eyes. 

After making the flat (and honestly quite boring) journey from Christchurch, the piercing aqua waters of Lake Tekapo basically say, “Welcome to New Zealand, mate!” And you’ll finally feel like you’ve arrived.

Things to do around Lake Tekapo

Have a picnic lunch: Park your car, grab a blanket and sit amongst the colorful lupines. You’ll want something to eat after the drive from Christchurch.

Church of the Good Shepherd: This tiny stone church is the main attraction of the area. Try your best to avoid people getting in your photos. The inside of the church is small and quiet with an epic view through the back window. A service is held there every Sunday at 4 p.m.

Photograph lupines: If you’re lucky and are visiting New Zealand during lupin season, Lake Tekapo is an excellent place to view these pretty purple and pink flowers.

They are only in bloom for a short 6 weeks, from mid-November through early January, and during this time you’ll find these beauties all over the South Island – near the lakes, in towns, and even on the side of the road. So get ready to snap away!

Interesting fact: Lupines are actually weeds that are not native to New Zealand. We learned from one Kiwi that any colored plant or flower is non-native. Almost all native plants native to New Zealand are green, so settlers began bringing in flowers of all colors to brighten up the landscape without understanding the toll non-native species can take on the environment. But there’s no harm in enjoying the beautiful pop of color lupines bring for a short time each year.

Stargaze: Due to the lack of light pollution in the surrounding areas, Lake Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. 

Enjoy the stars for free on any clear night, or take a stargazing tour to learn more about the constellations. There are even nighttime hot pools where you can look at the sky while soaking a picturesque hot tub.

Good to know: Being that Lake Tekapo is quite close to Christchurch, it is a popular stop for bus tours and pretty much every tourist coming through the country. Even though every picture you’ve seen of Church of the Good Shepherd looks peaceful and abandoned, expect a small crowd (unless you arrive at sunrise or stay past dusk).

Lake Pukaki

Just 30 minutes further is Lake Pukaki, another body of aqua water that, in our opinion, topped Lake Tekapo.

For one, it was less crowded than Tekapo. Plus, this narrow lake is flanked by Aoraki/Mount Cook, which you can see looming majestically at the far end. *cue jaw drop* 

Lastly, the water was a significantly brighter shade of blue than Tekapo (at least on the day we visited).

Why are some of the lakes (and rivers) in New Zealand so blue? *enter Ben’s nerd voice*

Because these lakes and rivers are fed from glacier ice melt, there are small particles of earth in the water called rock flour (or glacier flour). This rock flour gets suspended in the water, which scatters and absorbs the colors of sunlight, giving it a cloudy blue color.

Things to do around Lake Pukaki

When you first reach the lake, you’ll find a parking lot, but don’t stop there. Instead, continue to the right on a small road (Hayman Road) for a few hundred meters. You’ll find a hidden little picnic spot that’s stunning. 

Tip: We parked on the side of the road instead of turning in because the gravel road looked a bit rough.

Campground Recommendation: The Pines Freedom Camping (need to be self-contained)

Be prepared, because you are about to embark on a super epic drive. The 45 minutes it takes to go from the south end of Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village is dangerously beautiful. 

I say dangerous because you’ll no doubt want to stop your vehicle every couple hundred meters to take a photo! But be careful on this 2-lane road and only stop at the designated pullouts.

Insider tip: You’ll definitely want to stop at Peter’s Viewpoint , which is about ⅓ of the way up as you’re driving north along the lake.

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

This National Park is home to the tallest mountain in New Zealand: Mount Cook. It also offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.

With glaciers, rocky rivers, unparalleled mountain views, and a series of hikes suitable for all levels, Mount Cook National Park was easily one of our favorite places on the South Island. So it comes as no surprise that it is listed as a World Heritage area.

Why are there two names? Aoraki is the Maori name, and Mount Cook is what the settlers called this peak.

Mount Cook Village

This tiny village consists of a few accommodation options, mountaineering tour offices, a couple cafes and the DOC Visitors Centre (which you should absolutely check out!).

Campgrounds in Mount Cook National Park: White Horse Hill Campground

• Cost: $13 per person ($6.50 for children)
• Type of campground: DOC (Department of Conservation)
• Would we recommend it? Yes, it’s definitely your best option in the area!

White Horse Hill is a DOC campsite and costs $13 per person per night ($6.50 for children). This campground is free if you have the DOC pass . You will need to self-register by filling out your information on an envelope and enclosing cash (exact change is needed).

This popular campground can get quite crowded as it is one of the only options in the area. The facilities are basic (drop toilets and a sheltered area). But the views are some of the best you’ll find at any campground in the country.

This campground is the starting point for Hooker Valley Track.

Hooker Valley Track

• Distance: 6.7 miles (10.7 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 666 ft (203 m)
• Difficulty rating: Moderate
• View the trail notes

The Hooker Valley Track is a very easy 3-hour return walk on a well maintained trail. It’s suitable for people of all abilities—we saw small children as well as elderly.

This incredible walk had changing landscapes, boardwalks, jaw dropping views of Mount Cook, and 3 suspension bridges. Be cautious if it’s windy!

Keep your eyes peeled for Mount Cook Lilies—the largest buttercup flowers in the world. There are small signs along the path that point them out along the way. Just be sure you don’t touch them, as it is harmful to these fragile (and rare!) flowers.

Looking for more hikes? With the help of our local friend, we rounded up the most epic New Zealand hikes into one detail-packed article to help you plan your hiking adventures.

• At a glance: Hike up to Sealy Tarns and/or to Tasman Glacier viewpoint, then drive to Queenstown .
• Distance: 264 km (164 miles)
• Total driving time: 3.5 to 4 hours

Aoraki Mount Cook Visitors Centre

This DOC visitor center is beautifully designed and has information on the local flora and fauna as well as some of the history of this region.

You can learn about Freda Du Faur, a badass Australian mountaineer who was the first woman to climb New Zealand’s highest peak (Mount Cook). The rangers also have up-to-date information on the condition of the nearby hiking trails.

There is a nice cafe across from the visitor center. It’s a bit pricey, but there is not much else around.

Mueller Hut

• Distance: 6 miles (10 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 3,454 ft (1,053m)
• Difficulty rating: Challenging

Overnighting at the Mueller Hut is one of the most popular things to do in Mount Cook Village. 

It’s a 4-hour hike one-way, requiring advanced hiking and climbing ability. At the top you’ll be rewarded with a 360 degree view of some of the tallest peaks in NZ, including Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Attempting this hike depends on your interest, experience level and the weather. 

There are 28 bunks in the hut. Booking ahead is required from mid-November to the end of April and costs $45 NZD per person per night.

Our Experience: We had 2 beds reserved and paid for, but when we went to the visitor center in the morning they strongly cautioned us against it. High winds, rain and icy conditions; and our experience with ice axes is minimal. 

Sealy Tarns 

• Distance: 3.2 miles (5.15 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 1,778 ft (542m)

The rangers told us we could do the 4-hour return trip up to the freshwater lakes of Sealy Tarns instead. It’s 2,200 steps on a walkway up and will get you about halfway to Mueller Hut, but it still offers great views of Hooker Valley.

You can rent crampons, ice axes and sleeping bags (and other gear) from Alpine Guides , located in Mount Cook Village. (Though they aren’t guaranteed to have everything you need in stock.) 

• Crampons = $15 per day
• Ice ax = $15 per day
• Sleeping bag and liner = $25 per day 

Note: If you plan to stay overnight at the Mueller Hut, you will add an extra day to this itinerary.

Tasman glacier walk

• Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 269 ft (82m)
• Difficulty rating: Easy

If you’re looking for something much easier than hiking up to a mountain hut, the Tasman Glacier walk is a nice viewpoint that only takes about 15 minutes to reach. 

The path is mostly stairs, but it’s not difficult — all abilities are able to make it to this viewpoint.

Midway through there is a platform and you can see the “blue lakes” that used to be bright blue from the glacial water that fed them. The glacier has receded and no longer feeds them, so they are fed with rainwater, making them a blue-green color.

Near the beginning of the trail you’ll see a path to the right to Tasman Lake. This is where you can get right up to the water and see icebergs up close.

Once you’re done exploring around Mount Cook, it’s time to head further south to Queenstown. It’s a 3-hour drive on Google Maps but it might take 4 hours. That’s just the way New Zealand’s roads work.

Along the drive you can take a rest at Lindis Pass Viewpoint and take in the view from two massive valleys. Continue on Hwy 6 south until you make your way into Queenstown.

You might be pretty exhausted after your drive in, so tonight you might just want to take it easy. Check into your holiday park (we liked Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde ), then maybe head down to the harbor to watch the sunset. 

If you’re feeling up for it, you could grab a Fergburger (more info below) or check out our list of nightlife in Queenstown.

This town of just over 15,000 residents is touristy, yes, but for good reason. Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and flanked by snowy peaks, there’s no denying the beauty that surrounds Queenstown.

It makes for the perfect hub for all types of adventure activities and day trips. Queenstown also has a pretty decent nightlife scene if that’s your thing (probably the best you’ll find on the South Island).

With all the things to do in Queenstown , we’d recommend staying at least 2 days. And if you have time to spare, you could add an extra day here.

Our advice: Come to Queenstown with a game plan. There are so many adventure activities in this area that it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you want to do. Also, being that it is a popular tourist hub, activities book out quite quickly, so it helps to plan a bit in advance.

For this South Island Itinerary, we’ve separated your time in Queenstown in two days laid out below:

Day 4 at a glance:

Drive to Glenorchy

• Stop at Bennett’s Bluff Viewpoint
• Visit the General Store and Wharf
• Lunch in Glenorchy
• Lakefront and Queenstown Garden

Total drive time: 2.5 hours | Distance: 106 km (66 miles)

Day 5 at a glance:

• Adrenaline activities: bungy jump/skydive/shotover boat ride
• Visit Arrowtown for ice cream or dinner
• Drinks at night in Queenstown

Total drive time: 40 minutes | Distance: 40 km (24 miles)

You can mix and match your days in Queenstown whichever way you like. 

Also, it’s a good idea to look at the weather forecast for Queenstown and Milford Sound and plan out which days are best spent outside. If you want to do more adventure activities, you can add a few extra days here as well.

Psst! Don’t miss our complete guide to Queenstown with plenty of things to do and see to fill your days.

About 45-minute drive from Queenstown along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu with views of the Tooth Peak mountains.

Bob’s Cove : About 14 km out from Queenstown, pull off to hike the 20-minute one-way track to get a great view of the cove and Lake Wakatipu.

Bennett’s Bluff Viewpoint: Along the road 30 minutes (24 km) from Queenstown. It’s not a big pull out area so be careful. 

Glenorchy General Store: Sells everything you can think of from milk to fruit to sweaters to books on Lord of the Rings filming locations. It is a cafe and bakery too, so grab a pastry and sit on the picnic tables outside.

Glenorchy Wharf: Walk inside the historic red barn and read about the history of the area. Walk out on the dock to get amazing views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Once you’ve had enough of Glenorchy, head back to Queenstown. When you get about 7 km away from town, turn uphill to the left. Follow the directions for about 20 minutes to through sheep-filled fields to the hidden Moke Lake and campground . Hike around for a bit, or if you want to camp there, we have instructions below.

Queenstown waterfront and garden

Take your burger down to the lakefront and devour it there. After you conquer your beast burger, walk it off in the Queenstown Garden. It’s a beautiful loop through the botanical garden and shoreline. Check out the lawn bowling in the center of the park.

Visit Arrowtown

Take a 20-minute drive to historic Arrowtown. Once a thriving mining town, today it is filled with fancy restaurants, wine bars and ice cream shops. Window shop while taking in the old time feel of the city, and treat yourself to an IPA or red wine at the charming The Fork and Tap .

Rainy day activities in Queenstown

Reading Cinema Theater:  Catch the newest movie at the local movie theater. It was a little rainy (and snowy!) when we first arrived to Queenstown and this was a nice way to spend the day.

Tim Wilson Gallery:  View beautiful works of art that we will never afford to own. Tim Wilson, a Kiwi himself, is extremely talented and has an amazing way of painting landscapes around New Zealand.

Adrenaline activities near Queenstown

Bungy Jumping: Jump off a bridge where bungy was invented or launch yourself out of a catapult. Either way, there are plenty of companies to go with. 

It’s one of our top things to do in New Zealand and we’ll tell you which company we chose and why in that article.

Skydiving: Have you ever wanted to jump out of a plane? New Zealand is one of the best places to do it in the world. 

Imagine free falling with views of the Southern Alps and being able to see both coasts of the South Island. Pretty incredible! 

There are a few different sky diving companies to choose from so be sure to pick the best one for you.

Shotover Jet Boat Ride: Strap in for a wet and wild ride up and down the Shotover River. The jet boat driver will whip past rock walls and 360 degree spins in the river gorge. It will get your heart pumping for the entire 90-minute experience. Book your tour here .

Where to eat and drink in Queenstown

• We recommend getting the Sweet Bambi or Mr. Big Stuff. Take a look at the menu and try not to drool. Burgers average around $15 NZD, but they are the size of your face. 
• Local tip: Call in your order so you don’t have to wait in line.
• Alternative to Fergburger: We didn’t get to try it, but our friend says Devil Burger is pretty comparable to the Ferg. Do a little taste test for us and report back.
• Erik’s Fish and Chips : A Kiwi staple, order your fish and chips and head down to the lakefront.
• Atlas Beer Cafe : Located down by the wharf, this tiny bar and restaurant has amazing beers on tap and their famous steaks are no joke! Cheapest and best steak you’ll get in Queenstown.
• The Cow Restaurant : Chow down on delicious artisan pizza or garlic bread paired with a local wine or brew.
• Nightlife: If you’re looking for a wild night, head to Cowboy’s bar. Here you can play shuffleboard or ride the mechanical bull.

Camping near Queenstown

There are no freedom camping areas close to town, and if you are just driving in for the day there are only a few spots you can park for free. 

There is free street parking during the day on Man Street or Hallenstein Street. From there you can walk to town, but try to get there before 9 or 10 a.m.

There are only 3 campgrounds within the city and they often book up ahead of time. Make reservations if you’re traveling in peak season.

Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde : This quirky holiday park was our choice for our time in Queenstown because it is eco-certified, has nice and warm common spaces with kitchens, hot water showers, and clean bathrooms.

Moke Lake Campground : About a 30 minute drive from Queenstown, this was perhaps our favorite campground in all of New Zealand. The facilities are basic (as it’s a DOC site). But the location is like something out of a fairytale. Beautiful views of a lake valley surrounded by sheep. You have to drive on gravel roads in the middle of nowhere to get there. 4-wheel drive is recommended and there is no cell service.

• Cost: Moke Lake Campground is not included in the DOC pass. $13 per person (self register, need exact cash). 

Psst! Both the Queenstown Holiday Park and Moke Lake made our list of best campsites in New Zealand . Be sure to check out the full list for other epic places to camp and plan your route around your favorites.

Alternative: 12-Mile Delta Campground : It has plenty of room, also $13 per person, and is about 15 minutes from town (or 12 miles “Oh I get it now…”).

• At a glance: Spectacular views as you drive along the highway, stopping for short walks to viewpoints of lakes and mountains.
• Distance: 289 km (179 miles)
• Total driving time: 4.5 hours, but depends on number of stops

The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau and onto the Milford Sound Highway is stunning. There are tours to Milford that leave from Queenstown (there are a few good tours here ), but we highly recommend you drive on your own because there are so many places to stop.

Lucky for you, it just so happens that we have a guide with everything you need to know to plan the perfect Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip , including can’t-miss stops, essential tips, and how much time you *actually* need (spoiler alert: it’s NOT what Google Maps says).

Tip: Before you leave the Queenstown area, make sure to stock up on food at the Frankton Countdown grocery store because there aren’t very good options for food in Te Anau and there are no services on the Milford Road Highway.

Remarkables Lookout Point

About halfway up the road to the Remarkables, Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu Lookout is a beautiful view over Queenstown. 

The Remarkables resort is supposed to have a nice view as well. However, when we drove up it was shrouded in clouds unfortunately.

Tip: Use 2nd gear if you have it going up, but be sure to switch when you’re parked, and low gear going down.

The drive along Hwy 6 on the shore of Lake Wakatipu is called the Devil’s Staircase and it is stunning. Be careful driving because many people will pull over on the side of the road for a picture, and so should you but make sure it is safe.

Stopping in the Te Anau Visitors Center is worthwhile because they are very informative of things to do around Te Anau and on the Milford Road Highway. 

This will be your last stop for groceries, petrol and cell service before you head onto the highway. You should plan on at least 2.5 hours from Te Anau to Milford Sound (forget what Google maps says) because of all the stops, time waiting at Homer tunnel, and other travelers.

While in Te Anau, one of the attractions we found fascinating was the Ata Whenua – Shadowland film at the Fiordland Cinema . For $12 NZD, it’s a 32-minute video mostly taken in a helicopter around the fiordlands.

We couldn’t peel our eyes away from the screen as the video panned over icy mountain passes and dropped down massive waterfalls. It was like watching Planet Earth, and if you’re into that, we would recommend the video before you head up the highway. 

The film is shown hourly. There is a bar and sitting area outside the cinema that you can wait for the next showing.

As you work your way north on the Milford Sound Highway, there are many nice stops like Te Anau Downs, Lake Mistletoe Walking Track, and Mirror Lakes.

Where to Stay

Cascade Creek campsite : The closest campsite to Milford Sound. It is $13 NZD per person to camp, but it is free with the DOC Pass.

At the campsite there is the Lake Gunn Nature Walk, a flat 20-30 minute loop through giant mossy trees. We swore we could hear elves signing from the Lord of the Rings, but maybe it was just a long day of driving.

• At a glance: Milford Sound boat cruise or kayak tour in the morning and then 360 degree views of the mountain ranges from Key Summit.
• Distance: 235 km (146 miles)
• Total Drive Time: 4.5 hours

From Cascade Creek Campsite you should plan on at least an hour drive (maybe even 1.5 hours) to get to your Milford Sound cruise or tour. 

The Homer Tunnel is only 1-way and has traffic lights, which means delays can be up to 20 minutes during peak hours. In the early morning, we had to wait about 6 minutes so it wasn’t too bad.

Note: the Milford Sound parking lot is still a 10-minute walk (300 meters) down to the port. Factor that into your time before your tour.

Milford Sound is one of those bucket list places that totally lives up to the hype. The straight up rock walls, the massive waterfalls, and the timid wildlife… It all makes the 2-hour journey down and back the fjord seem to fly by quickly.

We put together a detailed Milford Sound guide with tons of tips for visiting this legendary natural attraction.

Milford Sound tours

Make sure to book your Milford Sound tour a day or two in advance. It will most likely be sold out if you try to book at the port and there is no cell service along Milford Road to book along the way. 

We went with Go Orange Cruises who then transferred us to Real Journeys, but you can compare prices of all tours here .

The cruise ship we took had an inside sitting room with free coffee and hot chocolate, but most people hung out on the open air top deck. The captain was on the intercom telling us facts about the area, history and spotting wildlife.

If you want a more intimate tour, book the Milford Sound Encounter Nature Tour . It’s a bit longer than the regular cruises and you get to be on a smaller boat. You’ll get up closer to wildlife and waterfalls (enough to get wet).

For the active and adventurous travelers, try a kayaking tour of Milford Sound. We really wanted to do this tour as well, but just did not have enough time.

We have a whole guide to booking the best Milford Sound cruise that will help you decide which tour is right for you.

Milford Sound viewpoints

Once your cruise is over, we recommend walking to the end of the port and on to the jetty or breakwater path that protects the port. You’ll be able to get some pretty incredible shots of Mitre Peak from here.

Next head to the lookout behind the parking lot near the information center. It’s a 10-minute return to the viewpoint with a pretty nice view of the fiord.

Once you are done gawking at the beauty of Milford Sound, it’s time to head back down the Milford Road and stop at any of the locations you passed on the way up.

About 10 minutes south from Milford, The Chasm is worth a stop. Just as it sounds, it’s a deep crack in the earth with the raging Claddau River flowing through. It’s about a 10-15 minute loop trail.

Note: As of December 2022, this trail has been closed due to storm damage. Check back on Alltrails to see when it opens back up. 

Lake Marian Falls

About 12.7 km south from the Homer Tunnel, turn left on to the Hollyford Track Road and continue for about 1 km until the car park. Hike over a suspension bridge and up about 10 minutes to a series of beautiful waterfalls. 

After the falls, you could continue up the steep advanced track 1.5 hours one-way to Lake Marian. But if you don’t have a lot of time, we recommend the Key Summit Hike.

Key Summit Hike

• Distance: 4.8 miles (7.72km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 1,374 ft (419m)

This 3-hour return hike is a relatively easy trail for all abilities. You go through a series of switchbacks amongst the forest and then the last 30 minutes is mostly a flat “nature loop” on boardwalks. 

From the top, you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains that create the fjordlands. You can even see Lake Marian and the hanging valley it sits in.

Today becomes a long day after all the excitement of Milford Sound and the Key Summit. We recommend getting as far back towards Queenstown as you can. 

A good place to stop and spend the night in the middle is at Lumsden Freedom Camping . It’s a free place to camp/park overnight with a kitchen station and flush toilets. Make sure to read the instructions on where you can park on the Rankers App.

It’s more or less a parking lot near a historic train track, but clean bathrooms and it’s free. Would we recommend it? Yes, if you’re looking for a free place to camp on your way back from Milford Sound.

• At a glance: Arrive in Wanaka and explore around this cute lakeside town
• Distance: 161 km (100 miles)
• Total driving time: Lumsden to Wanaka – 2.5 hours 

Make your way back from the southern fiords through Queenstown and up the scenic Crown Range Rd. 

If it’s wintertime, you could hit the slopes of Cardrona Alpine Resort, or if it’s summer drive up there for the viewpoint, otherwise continue on to Wanaka.

This charming lakeside town quickly draws visitors in and begs them to stay longer than they’d planned. With epic nature to be explored just steps from the center and an inviting small town feel, it’s hard not to fall for Wanaka.

Things to Do in Wanaka

#ThatWanakaTree: Probably the most iconic image of Wanaka is now a viral sensation. The lakefront viewpoint is just west of the city so you could easily walk the 1.5 km from the town center or park at the Wanaka Rotary Playground. It’s a short walk from there, just follow everyone else.

Ethical Travel Note: This famous tree is very fragile. In fact, some tourists have broken off branches while posing in the tree. Please don’t ruin it for everyone and stay on shore.

Wanaka lavender farm : Just a short drive from town you’ll find the beautiful fields of the Wanaka Lavender Farm. The peak season is mid-December through February, but honey tasting, lavender products, alpacas, lawn games, and the lavender garden are open all year round ($2 for adults, free for children under 15).

Hike up Mount Iron Track: This 1.5 hour loop hike overlooks town, the lake and Wanaka valley.

Go kayaking, SUPing or swimming in the lake: Rent a kayak or SUP, or take a kayak tour on Lake Wanaka . There are a few places around Wanaka where you can go swimming, check out this list of swimming holes .

Rippon Vineyard : No better way to end a day of exploring than a wine tasting. Rippon Cellar Door is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they don’t have a set price for wine tastings. They simply ask if you want you can contribute to their Habitat Restoration program. Groups of 7 or more need to make a reservation.

Cinema Paradiso : Great rainy day activity (or in my opinion, any day activity). This local movie theater has couches and regular movie seats, and even the front half a car for your own drive-in experience. They have an intermission for each movie, in which you must get the freshly baked cookies. Be sure to get tickets in advance.

Related Reading: 75+ Best Travel Movies to Inspire Your Wanderlust

Where to eat and drink in Wanaka

• The Doughbin Bakery : Best meat pie in New Zealand (and we sampled a lot!) Try the lamb and mint or the curry chicken. Eat in the cafe or take it to go and stroll the waterfront.
• Kai Whakapai Eatery : Meaning “food made good”, this popular taproom/restaurant sits right on the corner of the main street in town and close to the wharf. Typical New Zealand bar food and light bites served with tasty craft and local beers.
• Cork : This charming bar has over 100 different wines, craft brews, and signature cocktails to choose from. Try to swing by when they have live music.

Where to Stay in Wanaka

• Cost: $21 NZD per person per night.
• Cost: $7 NZD per person per night.

• At a glance: Long day hike around Wanaka
• Distance: 73 km (45 miles)
• Total driving time: At most 1 hour

In Wanaka, there are so many different hikes to choose from, but the most popular hike is Roys Peak. 

After hearing it was infamous for being crowded, we wanted to get a second opinion. We went to the Wanaka iSite (Visitors Center) and asked the woman behind the desk her opinion between Roys or Isthmus Peak. 

She said, “ Well, both hikes have beautiful views. Both are steep and take around the same amount of time. Roys is busier. Much busier. ”

When we asked her which she would recommend she just answered, “ It depends on whether you want to hike with dozens of other people or have the trail more to yourself. ” So she didn’t want to commit to choosing one, but the way she said it kind of let us know her pick!

If you want to do Roys, the trailhead is much closer to Wanaka. The Isthmus trailhead is about 30 minutes drive away. Each hike takes about the same amount of time, 5-6 hours return.

We’re not saying Roys Peak is a bad choice, but when we are in nature, we want to be surrounded by (surprise!) nature, and not selfie sticks. 

We had a great time hiking Isthmus Peak and the views are stunning . Not only do you get to see Lake Wanaka at the top, but you’re staring at the beautiful blue-green Lake Hawea the entire hike up.

We would also recommend doing Isthmus Peak if you’re following this itinerary since you will be heading to the Haast Pass next, cutting down your gas and driving time.

How to Hike Isthmus Peak

• Distance: 9.7 miles (15.6 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 3,677 ft (1118 m)

Drive north on Hwy 6 along Lake Hawea. Just before the road turns west toward the isthmus of the two lakes, there is a small lot to park in. (It’s easy to miss, so watch for it! It’s also not the pin on Google Maps). 

In the lot there is an outhouse and signs to the path. If you don’t want to use the outhouse, there are public toilets at Craigburn Beach on Lake Hawea.

At the beginning, there are a few gates you have to cross through (meant to keep livestock out).

The hike is incredible! Seriously the views don’t stop the whole way up! 

I told Ben I was going to try to not take too many photos at the beginning of the hike… Five minutes in I had the camera out and was already snapping away. It kept getting better every 100 meters. 

It’s a steep hike, especially at the start and takes a good chunk of your day but it is so worthwhile. Bring enough water (at least 2 liters/person) & snacks. 

Hiking time: For us it was 2.5 hours ascend, 30 minute lunch break, 1.45 descent – plan for 5-6 hours.

Where to stay

After the hike, continue the scenic drive up north on Hwy 6, through “the Neck” and camp at Boundary Creek Campsite . Toilet and sinks available. $8 per person per night or free with the DOC Campsite Pass.

Option to stay overnight at Brewster Hut 

• At a glance: Big day of driving over Haast Pass, stopping at waterfalls, rivers and lakes.
• Distance: 237 km (147 miles)
• Total driving time: 4 hours + 1 hour of stopping at sights

Haast Pass is a playground for roaring rivers and massive waterfalls. Today might seem like a sightseeing frenzy but each stop gets better than the last.

Over the pass, you are entering the West Coast of New Zealand , one of the sparsely populated and rough areas in all of NZ. Be prepared for drive times to be longer than you think and be cautious because emergency crews take longer to arrive in this area.

Blue Pools Walk

• Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 282 ft (86 m)

One of the best short walks in the South Island of New Zealand! This relatively flat walk brings you through the forest and opens up at a suspension bridge crossing the Makarora River. 

The second swing bridge is the viewing platform for the Blue Pools. If you’re feeling brave, dip your toes in by the river, the water is ice cold! The hike takes a total time of around 1 hour.

Fantail Falls

Short drive from the Blue Pools is the 23-meter Fantail Falls. View this waterfall from a short distance, because the Haast River crosses in front of it. 

Plenty of smooth rock and river cairns people have created. This is also the trailhead for the 6-hour return hike up the Brewsters Hut.

Brewster Hut (adds an extra day)

• Distance: 3.3 miles (5.3 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 3,156 ft (962 m)

Sitting below the giant mountains and glaciers of the Mount Aspiring National Park is the 12-bunk Brewster Hut. We’ve written about our experience hiking to the hut in our West Coast article (scroll to #3!), including a description of the trail and what to pack. 

Note: If you have time to overnight here, we recommend it, however it would add a day to this itinerary.

Gates of Haast

A powerful river flowing through monstrous boulders spanned by a steel bridge. It’s beautiful to drive over, but there is not really a good spot to pull over and get out. Unless you walk from the Thunder Creek Falls pull out.

Thunder Creek Falls

Literally a 2-minute walk to an impressive 92-meter waterfall. That’s it, short and sweet.

Roaring Billy Falls

Yet another loud waterfall that seems to appear out of the woods. The parking lot here is small and therefore you might be forced to skip it.

Matheson Lake

Turn left out of Fox Glacier and head straight for Lake Matheson. This reflective lake is a postcard waiting to happen. 

Capture the lake and the snow-capped mountains in the distance as you make the 2.6 km loop around the lake. The easy walk would take you 1.5 hours.

Franz Josef Glacier

Make sure you plan on saving time for this 5.4 km (1.5 hour) return flat hike to Franz Josef Glacier. You can do it on your own or we would recommend doing the afternoon tour with Glacier Valley Eco Tours .

Glacier Hot Pools

Wow, what a day! The best way to cap off this epic day on the South Island of New Zealand it so soak in the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools . Be sure to book ahead of time.

Tatare Tunnels Walk

If you want an off the beaten path adventure, this 80-minute walk through old tunnels is a decent place to see glow worms for free! These tunnels were used by miners to transport water, but are now abandoned (though it is possible that your feet will get wet!). Be sure to bring a headlamp, and check out the DOC website for more information!

Glow Worms Nightwalk

The Terrace Walk, on the south side of Franz Josef, is a dark forest covered path that at night you’ll be able to spot the blue hues of glow worms. 30-minute return walk or just go in and turn around when you’ve seen enough glow worms. 

Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park , trust us, you won’t regret staying here.

Day 11: Helicopter Ride and then drive to Hokitika

• At a glance: Fly over the glaciers in the morning, visit the kiwi center and then drive up to artsy Hokitika.
• Distance: 200 km (124 miles)
• Total driving time: 3 hours

This will be one of the most diverse days in the whole South Island Itinerary. So get ready for a wild ride.

Helicopter Ride over Franz Josef Glacier

Since you walked up to the glacier yesterday, you might as well fly over it today. Schedule your flight for early in the morning just in case the weather is not cooperating and gets delayed. 

We flew with Helicopter Line , but many of the companies have similar services. Read about our experience in our West Coast article.

White Heron Sanctuary Tour

If you like to keep your feet on the ground (for the most part) and are into rare birds, we recommend the White Heron Sanctuary Tour . The tour will take you to the only breeding area for the White Heron in all of New Zealand. 

Note: Before you head to Whataroa, be sure to visit the Wildlife Centre to see the kiwi bird.

West Coast Wildlife Centre

Kiwi birds are very rare to find in the wild. Especially since their population numbers have decreased due to invasive mammals. 

Head to the West Coast Wildlife Centre to learn about the program that is rebuilding the population and see two of the famous kiwis in a nocturnal housing. Check out the backstage pass tour for a look into how the rangers are hatching these rare birds.

Ross Gold mines

The West Coast of New Zealand has a gold rush similar to what happened in the west coast of the U.S.A. and the tiny town of Ross was a hot spot for gold. Try your hand at panning for gold or take a short hike to spot gold rush artifacts.

If you want a great spot to stop for the night, the new Ross Top 10 Holiday Park is awesome. Right up on the beach, this modern holiday park has a kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as container home (tiny home) style hotel rooms you can rent.

But if you have more time in the day we recommend continuing on to Hokitika, and if you want you can backtrack 20 minutes to Ross Top 10 Holiday Park.

Jade Carving at Bonz N Stonz Studio

Take home a very special souvenir from your time in the South Island New Zealand by carving a jade necklace. Design, cut and sculpt a jade necklace with the help of a local teacher. 

Be sure to come with an idea in mind to speed up the process a bit because it took us over 4 hours from start to finish. Check out Bonz N Stonz for some inspiration and to book your carving.

Hokitika Gorge

End the day by driving 30 minutes inland from the city to Hokitika Gorge. The Hokitika River is fed by glaciers and has a baby blue hue to it because of the rock flour. 

The 15-minute round trip walk is stunning, but watch out for the sandflies. A little bit of baby oil helps keep the sandflies from biting.

Do you have less than 2 weeks in New Zealand?

Head back to Christchurch through Arthur’s Pass (Hwy 73)!

We didn’t take that route, but I have some places in mind for our next visit! My parents and brother crossed that way and really enjoyed it.

Arthur’s Pass is supposed to be beautiful and here are a few things to see along the route:

• Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall: Hike 1 km from the highway and reach a massive 131-meter waterfall. Hike: Roundtrip 2 km, 90 meter elevation change
• Castle Hill: Huge boulders scattered throughout the hill. This area is also called Kura Tawhiti, and is a sacred area, so be respectful and stay on the track.
• My brother recommended the Cave Stream Hike , but make sure the weather is okay before doing it because I think the water levels can rise a lot (and you walk through the water). Prepare for the hike with more information here .
• At a glance: Last day on the West Coast. Our favorite tour in the South Island Itinerary and a bit of driving to get to Abel Tasman.
• Distance: 386 km (240 miles)
• Total driving time: 5.5 hours

Make sure to start your day early because there is a lot packed into it. 

Double check on the weather in Abel Tasman. If it looks to be rainy, we would say it is not worth the drive and stay in Nelson. However, if you have extra days in your itinerary, we would recommend doing some hikes around Abel Tasman. More on that on Day 13.

Punakaiki “Pancake Rocks” and BlowHoles

About an hour and half north of Hokitika is one of the most famous landmarks on the West Coast, Punakaiki or “Pancake Rocks”. 

It’s a 20-minute loop walk around these limestone formations. And at certain times of the day, the tides splash up water through blowholes.

Truman Track

• Elevation gain: 118 ft (36 m)

Just a 10-minute drive north of the Pancake Rocks is the 1.3 km return track (30 minutes) through a subtropical forest emerging onto a white sand beach. The Truman Track is a nice walk and worth the stop, but make sure you have enough time to get to the glow worm cave tour next!

Underworld Caving and Glow Worm Rafting Tour

The Underworld Rafting tour was our favorite tour we did in this South Island itinerary!  

A 4-hour tour may seem long, but you’re doing so many different things. From exploring huge cave rooms to floating on your back and looking up at millions of glow worms to tubing down rapids of river, time seems to fly by.

Read more about our experience in our West Coast article (#1 on the list!) and be sure to book your tour in advance.

Tauranga Bay Seal Colony

Next, make your way up Hwy 6 and head to the seal colony at Tauranga Bay. It’s a short walk (500 m, 15 min) to the view platform to watch the seal breeding colony. 

If you have more time, continue walking another 2.5 km to the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse (to be honest, the views of the beach are more impressive than the lighthouse).

If you had enough excitement for the day, we would recommend the Carters Beach Top 10 Holiday Park in Westport. It’s a very large campground, has a huge kitchen and clean facilities. And it’s steps away from Carters Beach.

Lake Rotoroa

Say goodbye to the West Coast and start heading inland on Hwy 6 toward Nelson and onward to Abel Tasman. A good stopping point along the journey is at Lake Rotoroa. 

Enjoy the view of the glossy lake sitting still below the colossal mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park. There are many hikes starting from the lakeshore if you’re keen to go adventuring.

Sometimes you’ll find campgrounds that seem like hidden gems, Kina Beach Reserve Camping is one of them. 

Situated right on the shore of Tasman Bay, this campground is only $5 NZD per person. The drop toilets are okay, but the owners are very kind. Find it on the Rankers App.

• At a glance: Explore around Abel Tasman National Park
• Distance: Up to 75 km (46 miles)
• Total driving time: Up to 1.5 hours

When researching what to do around Abel Tasman, it can get confusing. Basically, it’s a national park where all the hiking is along the eastern shore, in and out of bays. 

There are two ways to enter Abel Tasman: From Takaka or from Marahau. Think of access to Abel Tasman as the letter “C”, with Takaka as the top of the “C” and Marahau as the bottom of the “C”.

Here is our recommendation:

• If you’re wanting to do a full-day kayak and hiking tour on the Abel Tasman track, you have nice weather, and are able to spend $165-$200 NZD per person, start from Marahau.
• We choose Takaka because of those reasons, but it is really up to you.

Drive early up over the windy Takaka Hill and into Takaka. Be sure to stop off at Hawkes Lookout for a great view of the valley. There are plenty of things to do around Takaka, near Abel Tasman and we’ve outlined a few of the highlights below. 

Kayak and hike Abel Tasman from Marahau

Book your tour in advance to make sure they are running trips. There are many kayak companies, like Kahu Kayaks and Abel Tasman Kayaks. Each of them offer different types of trips like half-day to full-day. If we were to go to Abel Tasman again, we would do a full-day trip.

Most trips are a combination of kayaking for a few hours out into the park (or possibly ride in a water taxi), have lunch in the jungle or on the beach, and hike a few hours back to Marahau. We heard from other travelers that the tour is pretty epic and we’ll be doing one next time we come to New Zealand.

Ngarua Caves

This large and built-up cave has guided tours hourly during summer months from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the winter you must make a booking ahead of time. 

It costs $20 NZD for adults and $8 NZD for children ages 5-15 years old.

Te Waikoropupū Springs

Known to be the clearest freshwater springs in the world and the largest cold water spring in the southern hemisphere, this is a sacred spot for the Māori people. Take the short 20 walk around the springs and be respectful and do not touch the water.

The Grove Scenic Reserve

This 40-minute return easy hike will bring you though carved limestone rocks that have been taken over by large northern rātā trees and palm trees. The turn around point is a viewing platform that looks out over the open fields and bay.

Drive to Tata Beach and Wainui Falls Hike

• Distance: 2.1 miles (3.4 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 344 ft (105 m)

Walk along the beach of this sleepy beach town. You can rent kayaks from Golden Bay Kayaks or take a guided tour.

If you continue driving along Abel Tasman Drive, the windy road will lead you to Wainui Bay. To your right you can turn off toward Wainui Falls and make the 3.4 km, 1 hour and 20 minute return easy hike if you have time.

Anatoki Salmon Fishing

Catch your own Chinook Salmon! Okay, so you’re not fishing out in the wild on a river. It’s from a farm fed lake that is stocked, so it’s pretty easy. 

Well, kind of. You still have to catch and reel in your own fish, which took us about 15 minutes.

After catching your meal, you bring your fish to the cook. It’s $26 NZD per kg and they have various ways they can prepare it, like smoked or raw sashimi.

We caught a 1.2 kilo fish (which the cook said was average) and you can check the average fish sizes on their helpful website . The fish and a side of garlic break was enough to feed three of us for lunch.

Harwoods Hole Track 

• Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km), out and back
• Elevation gain: 249 ft (76 m)

If you’re up for an adventure, take the 45-minute one-way tramping track to Hardwoods Hole, New Zealand’s deepest vertical shaft. Basically it’s a giant hole in the ground! 

We didn’t get a chance to go, but a local said it’s a pretty cool sight. Be careful though, read all the directions and warnings on the DOC website . Don’t get too close to the hole’s edge! This hike is not recommended for children.

Where to Stay 

Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park : Right up on the beach, equipped with a kitchen and clean facilities. There are plenty of little cabins if you want a break from your campervan.

If you want a free campervan site, check out the Waitapu River Campervan Park, you can find it on Rankers App. Only one drop toilet and a big muddy lot, but it’s free. Don’t park too close to the river as it can rise in the night.

• At a glance: Walk around Nelson and sample wines from New Zealand’s famous vineyards
• Distance: 352 km (218 miles)

Head out of Abel Tasman and drive along the coast to Nelson. Park along the Queen’s Garden for cheap street parking. Stretch your legs and walk around the beautiful Queen’s Garden botanical park.

Walk south on Trafalgar Street heading toward the Christ Church, walking by many restaurants and cafes. 

On Saturdays there is a farmer’s market in Montgomery Square from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. And on Sundays there is a recycled treasures and vintage collectables market in the same spot and time.

Marlborough Wine

When traveling in New Zealand, we really got into New Zealand wines. We’re not always big wine drinkers (okay we do drink wine, but we’re not picky) and we tend to go in wine phases. 

Plus, since it’s hard to keep beers cold in a campervan, red wine is a great alternative because it doesn’t have to be cooled down.

We typically only drink red wine, but when our friend back home turned us on to the Sauvignon Blanc white wines of Marlborough region, we have been itching to try them out from the source.

Saint Clair Family Estate Winery

There are loads of wineries to choose from when driving from Nelson to Kaikoura and I’m sure they are all good. There are even wine (and beer) tours that will shuttle you around from one tasting to the next. 

We settled on the Saint Clair Family Estate Winery just outside of Blenheim, and we were pleasantly surprised.

They had various tasting amounts: a tasting of 3 wines for $5, 6 wines for $8, 8 wines for $10 (one complimentary tasting if you purchase a bottle of wine). We split a tasting of 8 wines and bought a bottle. If you want to enjoy it in their lovely outdoor seating area (you should if the weather is nice!), there is a fee.

Our bottle was about $25 NZD and the fee to open it on-site was about $6 (varies depending on the wine you choose). So it ended up being about $20 USD for 8 tastings and a bottle of one of the best white wines I’ve ever tasted, in a beautiful vineyard setting. Not bad at all!

Note: With this South Island Itinerary, you still have about a 2-hour drive to get to Kaikoura, so please drink responsibly. For us, we went to Kaikoura first, then on our way back up to catch the ferry in Picton to the North Island, we visited the vineyard and stayed in Blenheim.

But if you do spend the night near Blenheim or Picton, we heard great things about the Queen Charlotte Track , even if you do a little bit of it. We will be visiting this hiking trail the next time we’re in NZ.

Bonus stop: Ohau Point on Hwy 1 there is a lookout point to spot a seal colony. It’s easy to miss the small parking lot on the ocean side, but it’s worth a 5-minute stop.

Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park – Big kitchen, clean bathrooms and showers, game room and movie room. And a hot tub!

• At a glance: Swim with dusky dolphins in the ocean at sunrise and take a whale watching tour before heading back to Christchurch
• Distance: 181 km (112 miles)
• Total driving time: 2.5 hours

Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter

It’s an early wake up call, but totally worth it because you get to swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat. We loved this tour and highly recommend it to all travelers to the South Island.

Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter will get you all suited up with 7mm wetsuits to endure the cold oceanic waters. They have special techniques for how to attract the dolphins once you are in the water, and it’s pretty hilarious. 

We share our experience and our tips in the Dolphin Encounter article here !

Ethical Travel Tip: It is always good to question animal tourism activities. We did a lot of research on this company and we support what they are doing. They are the only company in the area that does these dolphin tours and they do not bait the animals. We had to boat out far to find the pod of dolphins. Dolphin Encounter has a foundation that supports marine and environmental programs.

After the swim, grab lunch at Coopers Catch . They have a huge serving of fish and chips for $8 NZD. Then hop across the street and get a cone at Poppy’s Parlour for homemade ice cream.

Whale watching

Join an afternoon tour to go spot the giant sperm whales. This is the only company in the region that goes searching for the whales and they do a great job. 

The captain of the boat describes the history and biology of the sperm whales, while describing the process they use to follow the clicks these massive creatures make to communicate.

Check-in times for the tours are 7:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. (Nov-Mar only).  Plan on 3.5 hours for the tours starting at check-in. 

They have a 95% success rate of seeing whales, and on the unfortunate event you don’t get to see one, they will refund you 80% of your ticket.

Adult tickets are $150 NZD and children (3-15 year old) are $60 NZD. Be sure to book your tour in advance on the Whale Watch website .

Flying out of Christchurch?

After your last tour of the day, head down to Christchurch for your flight out. If you’re continuing your New Zealand journey to the North Island , head back up Hwy 1 to Picton to catch the ferry. 

If you plan on staying the night in Picton, there is a free campsite called Collins Memorial Reserve, but try to get there early because there are only 12 spots and it is monitored regularly.

Taking the Ferry to the North Island?

The Cook Strait Ferry operates between the North and South Islands in New Zealand, connecting the cities of Wellington and Picton. The ferry service provides both passenger and vehicle transportation, making it a vital link for travelers exploring both islands.

Not only is it an efficient way to get from one island to the other (especially if you are traveling by campervan or car), the ferry is an iconic journey across the Cook Strait with incredible views. Many people believe it’s the most scenic ferry crossing in the world! 

There are two companies that run ferries (Interislander and Blue Bridge) and they are quite similar, both in price and ride. Both ferries leave from Picton and take about 3 hours to reach Wellington.

Interislander Cook Strait Ferry

Port address/Vehicle Check-in: 3 Auckland St, Picton 7220, New Zealand

Ferries tend to fill up fast. Make sure to book a few days in advance and at least 1 week ahead of time during peak season (Dec-Feb).

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry

Equally as good as the Interislander.

Port address/Vehicle Check-in: 1 Lagoon Rd, Picton 7250, New Zealand

What to pack to for this South Island New Zealand itinerary

We created an entire campervan packing list that is packed full of tips! Our packing list details everything we packed for New Zealand (plus those things we wished we would have brought!).

You can download this 7-page PDF totally FREE! No catch. Just give us the best email to send it to.

New Zealand packing tips

• Less is more: Overpacking is always something we try to avoid. But it is especially important to pack light for a campervan trip, as you will be living in a tiny space. Every square inch counts, and you will be living in clutter if you don’t pack light. 
• Keep it casual: New Zealand isn’t really the place to bring your fancy clothes. (Unless you’re an Instagram model. In which case, teach me how to pose, pretty please!)
• Bring layers: Weather in New Zealand is highly unpredictable and can change on a dime. You may encounter snow, rain and humid sunshine all in the same day. Pack layers and a rain jacket to be prepared for it all!
• Packing cubes are your friend: Having a place for everything in a campervan will make your life exponentially easier. We use packing cubes no matter what type of trip we’re on (umm, they compress AND organize!). But they are especially helpful for organizing clothes and toiletries in a campervan.
• Baby wipes & dry shampoo : These items work wonders between showers when living out of a campervan. Your travel partner will thank you!
• Don’t worry if you forget something: Most toiletries and clothing items are easy to pick up in New Zealand. For the cheapest prices and biggest selection, we’d recommend going to The Warehouse.

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand?

We have TONS of resources on travel in New Zealand and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide  for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• Adventurous Things to Do in Queenstown
• Best Time to Visit New Zealand: When to Go & When to Avoid!
• North Island New Zealand Road Trip: Perfect 2-Week Itinerary
• The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Campervan Trip in New Zealand

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We want to hear from you!

What do you think of our South Island Itinerary? What do you love, what would you change, what would you add? We want to hear it all in the comments below.

Comments (23) on “ South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Epic 2-Week Road Trip ”

Thanks for this Itinerary. We followed your itinerary with a few changes and had an amazing trip of the south Island.

Love your itineraries. We are also planning a trip to Iceland. Would you recommend spending time in Franz or Fox glacier and/or Vatnajökull Glacier hike? Also if you have been to Yellowstone, is Rototuna worth it?

Hi, Its a wounderful post.Thanks for your nice post. Do you know? There is a lot to love in New Zealand, and after years of being locked in (and locked out), locals have been embracing domestic tourism.

We are coming from Oz next week and love the sound of your south island itinerary – can I please get the PDF mentioned below email; [email protected]

Many thanks

Hi Vicki, We actually have a condensed version of our North and South Island itineraries combined in a printable PDF. If you enter your email in the link below, we send it straight to you: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j0o7b1 (due to email regulations, you have to enter your email and opt-in to receive it. We can’t just send it along, sorry) Hope this helps! Cheers!

Hello! I entered my email at the above link, but never received the printable PDF of the condensed version of the North and South Island itineraries. Is there a different way/link for me to get it? Thank you!

Hey there just stumbled across this gem and even as a kiwi myself this is an amazing guide! Cheers

Hi there! Do you have a printable version of the 2 week South island trip? Would love to be able to have it all slightly condensed :] Thanks!

Hey Jenessa! We actually have a condensed version of our North and South Island itineraries combined in a printable PDF. If you enter your email in the link below, we send it straight to you: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j0o7b1 Hope this helps! Cheers!

Love your guide and marking every POI on google maps for myself. I find it awkward that you have Roaring Billy Falls next to Matheson Lake as if those places are nearby. They are at least 1 day driving apart, it seems. Or your text is truncated and missing some paragraphs. How do you explain that?

Hey Slawa, Thanks for your comment. I agree Day 10 is a big day! In fact, we broke it up in two days because we hiked to Brewsters Hut (which I highly recommend if you have the time and are into hiking). As with most itineraries, they are simply suggestions on things to do for each day and you’ll get to pick what you are interested in. However, we did all the things on Day 10 except for the short trip to Lake Matheson because we had a tour in Franz Josef. From Wanaka to Franz Josef, it is about 4.5-6 hours plus stops along the day for viewpoints. Totally do-able in a LONG day. I hope this helps.

Hi! My husband and I are leaving for NZ for our honeymoon on Christmas Day. Would you recommend staying 2 nights in Franz Josef or in Milford Sound?

First off, Congratulations! What a great place to spend your honeymoon. I would say this depends on weather in both areas. In Milford Sound, the boat cruise is wonderful, but the throughout the Milford Sound Highway there are tons of hikes, viewpoints, and turns outs to explore. We spent two days exploring that region. I would save your boat cruise for the nicer of the two days. If it’s bad weather in Franz Josef, it’s tough to do anything besides go to the thermal pools. But if it’s nice weather, the hike up to the glacier is pretty great! We spent one night in Franz Josef and it was really nice. I hope this help your choice!

Hi love the article — we are thinking of doing the campervan route — and your itinerary is great. One question is around the bathroom/showers — how did that work??

You should check out our NZ campervan articles because we have tons of info on bathrooms and showers. In short, bathrooms are everywhere in NZ and you can find coin showers (sometimes free) in most cities and major campgrounds/holiday parks.

Love the article. Great tips on hikes. What do you recommend for a 16 day trip to both islands? Do you have a combined itinerary? In the South Island, if you had to choose, would you go to Mt Cook or the Franz Josef glacier?

I would recommend sticking to just one island if you only have 16 days (and by one I mean the south island!) Mt. Cook or Franz Josef, ekk! That’s a tough choice! Mt. Cook village is pretty amazing and the Hooker Valley track is incredible. But Franz Josef is a neat little town and the hike to the glacier is pretty remarkable. If I had to choose I would say, do both! Haha. But if I had to, had to choose, I’d say Mt. Cook. But with 16 days in the south island you could easily do both. I hope this helps.

At what time of the year you’ve made your trip?

Would like to know this as well.

We traveled to New Zealand from mid-November 2018 to mid-December. When are you planning on going?

The whole month of November 2020!

The most impressive guide I’ve seen around PERIOD. Thank you for sharing this itinerary. Really informative and useful.

Hey Thanks, JR! Glad you like the article!

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, new zealand south island itinerary: 10-day road trip guide.

So, you’re planning to visit New Zealand ? Lucky you, because you’re about to experience one of the world’s most beautiful places.

In this post, I’ll be taking you through my New Zealand South Island itinerary, which shows off some of the best sights New Zealand has to offer.

New Zealand South Island had long been on my to-visit list, but New Zealand is located out of the way from most places. It requires proper planning and setting aside precious vacation days, and I just kept getting distracted by other destinations to ever consider visiting New Zealand properly. So when an opportunity came up to check out the country, you bet I jumped on it! In total spent 2 weeks in New Zealand.

Anyway, enough fluff. let’s talk more about the big New Zealand trip!

New Zealand South Island Overview

How long should i set aside for the south island in new zealand, when is the best time to visit the south island, new zealand south island travel tips, packing list for hiking in new zealand, weather in the south island of new zealand, accommodations in the south island, the 10-day new zealand south island itinerary.

• Example Cost Breakdown of 10 days in New Zealand

New Zealand is made up of about 600 islands, but there are only two major islands: North Island and South Island. The majority of beautiful New Zealand landscapes and photos you see in travel magazines are located on the South Island.

And I swear, there are a lot of things to see here . 10 days was barely enough to scratch the surface of South Island. This is because every point of interest is so spread apart with a lot of ground to cover. After all, at around 150,000km², it’s not exactly a tiny island.

Despite this, I was surprised to learn that there are fewer people in the entirety of the South Island than there are people living in Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand on the North Island.

So to put things into perspective for myself, I looked up the comparison of South Island to Singapore (where I live) in terms of population density. It turns out that there are nearly 6x more people on the tiny island of Singapore than on the South Island, even though the size of Singapore is only 0.5% the size of the South Island.

Crazy stuff, hey? Either Singapore is way too tiny or New Zealand is just that sparsely populated (I think it’s both).

OK, now that I’m done feeling small about my home country – back to the travel tips.

You’ll need at least 10 days to properly see the South Island, and that’s why this blog post has been written as a 10-day itinerary.

However, there is so much to see on the South Island that you can stay here as long as you have the time for. If time is not a constraint, I would stay at least 14 days so I have more time for all the hikes I didn’t get to do.

Remember that New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, so its seasons are the opposite of what one might believe are the conventional seasons.

Here are the seasons in New Zealand:

With this in mind, I think the best time to visit the South Island is at the tail end of Spring and towards Summer, in November or December . Summer is a very popular time to go to New Zealand due to all the natural activities that can be done in the Summer.

That said, we went at the tail end of Winter in September, and we still had a great time. It’s a different kind of beauty to see the beautiful landscape in crisp winter air.

I find that New Zealand is very similar to Australia , so a lot of the tips below are going to overlap with my previous posts:

1. Renting a car – You MUST rent a car when visiting the South Island in New Zealand. Driving is pretty much a requirement to see most of the South Island, especially if you want to do it in 10 days. One way to further optimize this is to arrange to pick up the car straight from the airport you’re flying into, then arrange to drop it off from the other airport you will be flying out of. This saves you tons of time! For example, we picked up our car at Queenstown Airport but will be dropping it off at Christchurch Airport. Which, brings me to my next point…

2. Open-jaw your flight ticket – We have a lot of ground to cover in the South Island, so we decided to open-jaw our trip for the sake of time optimization – we flew into Queenstown and flew out of Christchurch. That way, we won’t have to drive back to Queenstown at the end of the trip. I highly recommend doing this too if you are pressed for time! You can do this in reverse too, of course. Meaning, that you can choose to fly to Christchurch and fly out of Queenstown, it makes no difference!

3. Driver’s License – Make sure you have your valid Driver’s License with you. If your license is not in English, you’ll need to have it translated by an authorized department or have an International Driver’s License with at least a month’s validity left.

4. Speed Limit – Like Australia, the New Zealand traffic police are strict on speed limits! We got pulled over once for driving a little over the limit at Fiordland National Park , but they let us off with a warning.

5. Fill up the fuel tank before returning your rental car – or it’s going to cost you later. The rental car will fill it up for you and charge you a premium for it!

6. Get a local SIM Card for data – you can pre-purchase a SIM card here and pick it up once you’re in NZ. 4G connection is widely available in most of the towns I went to. You do lose connection when you’re out in remote areas, but the cities remain well connected.

7. Things are closed early – In smaller towns, most amenities are closed by 6 pm. Yes, even grocery stores, so plan if you need to replenish resources. In bigger cities like Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown you might still have a chance to shop a bit later than 6 pm.

8. The sun was super strong in NZ  – always wear sunscreen and layer up with extra light clothing and a hat to shield yourself, even when you plan to be in the car all day.

9. Download Google Maps offline – I downloaded offline maps on my Google Maps app just in case we go off the grid. I experienced low connectivity when deep inside the National Parks, and having the map offline was massively helpful.

10. Check road conditions – If you are visiting during Winter or the beginning of Spring, make sure you check road conditions ahead of time. A change of weather might render certain routes impassable – for example, a few days after we left, the South Island was hit with a huge snowstorm which knocked over some trees, and the road to Glenorchy was cut off from Queenstown for some time.

11. Take the DOC’s grading of hiking tracks with a grain of salt – Even if it says “easy” it might not be a walk in the park either (see my Ben Lomond summit blog for example). I feel like the DOC – short for Department of Conservation, the Nature Park Service of New Zealand – is catering to a very fit audience.

The main reason why many people come to visit New Zealand is to enjoy the beautiful nature. And you can only get the most of that by hiking! If you are planning to hike, here are some things that might come in handy:

• As with any trip, bring a Portable Charger . My favorite charger is the Xiaomi 10,000 mAh. This stuff is super powerful. It can charge an iPhone 7/8+ twice.
• Bring a good yet light  windbreaker . It gets very windy and cold on some days. I used Uniqlo Blocktech Parka which was sufficient.
• Sunscreen – can’t stress this enough! Protect your skin!
• Sunglasses – for the same reason as above. Also, if you plan to go somewhere with snow on a sunny day, it will protect you against snow blindness . Something I only learned during the hike to Ben Lomond .
• Snow gloves – if you visit at the tail end of Winter or the beginning of Spring, there might still be some snow in the mountainous area. So you’ll want something waterproof and insulated to crawl on snow if necessary. This was yet another thing I learned during the hike to Ben Lomond .
• Hiking shoes – yes you need to wear proper hiking shoes with enough treads! My hiking boots are Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II in Mud/Sanguine which served me really well during this trip and many other hiking trips. I wanted a pop of color so I changed the laces to the  3M Rope Laces in Red  from Slickies.

I was in New Zealand in the first two weeks of September (September 1 to 17) and the weather gets very cold once you hit South Island.

On average, the daily temperatures were 9-12 C but some nights could go below 0 C. There was even a snowstorm that hit Queenstown and Wanaka (thankfully a few days after we left) even though it was already mid-September.

The temperature day-to-day varies greatly. One day it would be sunny and warm with blue skies, the next day it would be rainy and cold. Make sure to plan if you’re planning to do a long hike!

Since we were a group of 5 people, we booked 3 bedroom houses with a full kitchen and amenities, and they ended up costing us about $30-40 / night per person through Airbnb.

Of course, if you are traveling in a smaller group, it will cost more. If I was traveling by myself I would look at backpacker hostels instead.

The area you’d want to visit in South Island falls under  Te Wahipounamu , which is Maori for “the greenstone waters”. It’s the South West New Zealand World Heritage, which in turn is internationally recognized by UNESCO World Heritage. This list encompasses Fiordland, Mount Aspiring, Mount Cook, and Westland Tai Poutini.

If you are only in South Island for 10 days, you can probably only cover 3 out of 4 unless you really pack in the days.

Here’s our 10-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary:

• Day 1-3: Get to Queenstown and Fiordland National Park
• Day 4-5: Queenstown and surrounding areas
• Day 6-7: Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National park
• Day 8-9: Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
• Day 10: Drive to Christchurch and Fly out
• Cost Breakdown of the trip

You can check the map below to visualize my itinerary. I’ve also marked up things to see and restaurants to eat at.

🗺 Save this map to your phone!  If you are a Google user, click on the image of the map above. The map will then be saved to your “Recent” maps viewed.  Click here for instructions on how to view the map later . It will work from your phone too.

Alright, now let’s cover the details of the 10-Day New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary:

Day 1-3: Get to Queenstown and explore Fiordland National Park (Stay overnight at Te Anau)

As mentioned before, we decided to open-jaw our flight tickets. Meaning that we would fly to Queenstown first and then fly out of Christchurch at the end of our trip. We do this to save time since there is a lot to see and do on the South Island!

Our first stop, Queenstown , is the most beautiful town I’ve ever flown into. We flew to Queenstown from Auckland, and I paid an extra $5 to get a window seat since I had a feeling the view would be epic. And I was right!

I was lucky enough to have picked the side of the plane that’s facing West , which is where all the scenic Southern Alps are. I highly recommend sitting on this side if you ever fly in or out of Queenstown. The last hour of the flight before descending to Queenstown was just pure scenic – worth the measly $5 I paid to sit in a window seat.

As soon as we landed in Queenstown, we picked up our rental car and drove down to Te Anau , which took 2.5 hours. Te Anau is the closest civilization to Fiordland National Park, and where most people would stay overnight.

Once we got to Te Anau, there wasn’t much else we could do since it was already late. So we settled in our Airbnb and watched the sunset from Lake Te Anau, which was very picturesque that night.

The next day, we drove up to Fiordland National Park . This national park is located in the southwest of the South Island and houses some of the most famous sights of New Zealand. Fiordland National Park is part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Fiordland National Park:

1. Lake Marian Hike – My favorite hike in the Fiordland. It was a sufficiently challenging yet short hike, and the reward at the end of it was a beautiful alpine lake. What more could you ask for?

Dive Deeper: I wrote a separate post about our experience hiking to Lake Marian . You can read the post for more information!

2. Gertrude Saddle – This track is highly technical. It is described as an expert and unmarked track. However, I’ve heard the reward at the end is massive – you get to overlook Milford Sound from the top of the saddle. We went at the tail end of winter, and unless you have experience with ice climbing and the right equipment, I don’t recommend going up to the summit. So we just stayed around in the valley which was still quite scenic.

3. Key Summit Track – This is another popular track, though we did not have a chance to visit. I think the Key Summit track would be an excellent choice for a day hike – it’s a 3 hours return journey.

4. Milford Sound – Probably the most famous attraction in the park! I’ve got to be honest, I found it a little underwhelming and very touristy compared to everything else we saw, but it’s still a must-visit.

Our Itinerary at Fiordland National Park

• Day 1/10: Get to Queenstown and drive to Te Anau
• Day 2/10: Milford Sounds and Gertrude Saddle at Fiordland National Park (or Key Summit Track)
• Day 3/10: Lake Marian Hike at Fiordland National Park

In retrospect, I think I would have swapped Day 2 with the Key Summit track since we love hiking. I personally felt Milford Sound was a little underwhelming even though it’s a popular site.

Where to stay in Te Anau

Airbnb – We stayed at an Airbnb in Te Anau, however it is no longer listed. At that time, it was a brand new 3-bedroom house with very modern amenities. Very close (1-2 minute walk) to the lake.

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget accommodation, I recommend the following hostels:

• YHA Te Anau
• Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers
• Barnyard Backpackers – this one is out of the Te Anau, but closer to Fiordland National Park than Te Anau

Day 4-5: Queenstown

Queenstown is the most beautiful town I’ve ever visited. Everywhere you look, you are greeted with a beautiful view of the dramatic Southern Alps mountain range over Lake Wakatipu.

I know we aren’t supposed to play favorites, but Queenstown was my favorite stop in this itinerary. Could you blame me though, when the beautiful lake and snow-capped mountains can be seen right outside the windows of our Airbnb? I did not want to leave!

What to do at Queenstown

1. Hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond – My most memorable moment in Queenstown is hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond. The track is NOT an easy hike despite being graded as “Easy” by the DOC, but it’s worth it.

Dive Deeper: I wrote a very detailed post about hiking up Ben Lomond. More info on hiking Ben Lomond in this blog post!

2. Take a short drive to Glenorchy , a cute little town just north of Queenstown. There are a few cool tracks you can do (Lake Sylvan track for example) near Glenorchy. Otherwise, the drive up from Queenstown to Glenorchy was just beautiful. This trip is doable on your own, or you can opt to take this Glenorchy Tour which will also show you the shooting locations of a famous movie *cough cough* Lord of the Rings.

3. Do Adventure Sports – Queenstown is known for high-adrenaline sports activities. So if you’re up for it, here are some activities you can do. I suggest you pick one:

• Skydiving in Queenstown – New Zealand is known as one of the best skydiving spots in the world. If you want to skydive in New Zealand, Queenstown is THE place to do it!
• Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump – If Skydiving is not your thing, then perhaps you can try the bungee jump instead! It’s a 43m jump over the Kawarau River.
• The Nevis Swing – The swing is also a great option for that adrenaline rush, you’ll be swinging across a canyon 160m over the Nevis River.
• Shotover Jet – If you prefer to do water sports instead but still want the excitement, then you might be interested in this 30-minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River.
• Skyline Gondola (with optional Luge Ride) – You can take this gondola to see Queenstown from above, or as a shortcut to the Ben Lomond summit. I highly recommend reading my blog on Ben Lomond first if you are thinking of hiking up. It may not be as easy as you expected.
• If you decided to take the Gondola, then you might be interested in The Ledge Swing as well. It will send you 400m flying over Queenstown!

Our Itinerary at Queenstown

• Day 4/10: Drive to Queenstown from Te Anau (2.5 Hours) in the morning, visit Glenorchy, or do one of the activities I mentioned above!
• Day 5/10: Hike up to Ben Lomond in Queenstown (approx 6-8 hours)

Where to stay in Queenstown

We stayed at an Airbnb in Queenstown – (update: Unfortunately this Airbnb is no longer available for booking, but I’ll list some similar options below) It is just an average 3-bedroom apartment, but that view was the best out of all the accommodations we had. Check this out:

Hotels – As mentioned above, the Airbnb I booked is no longer active but here are some similar options in the same area. You’d want to stay near Frankton Road for the view I posted above ( click here for the general area ).

These accommodations are 5-10 minutes’ drive to town so I would only recommend it if you are driving.

• Panorama House
• Mountain & Lake Views Holiday Home
• Highview Terrace

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget options, you can look at the following hostels. It might not have a spectacular view like the one I posted, but it will be right in the middle of town and close to amenities.

• Absoloot Value Accommodation Hostel
• JUCY Snooze Queenstown
• The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
• Base Queenstown
• Nomads Queenstown Backpackers
• YHA Queenstown Central
• YHA Queenstown Lakefront

PS: YHA, Base, and Nomads are all well-known chains for backpacker hostels across Australia and NZ, while Absoloot and JUCY are local NZ businesses.

Day 6-7: Mount Aspiring National Park (Stay overnight at Wanaka)

Mount Aspiring National Park is part of the Southern Alps that I saw on my flight down to Queenstown. Like Fiordland, Mount Aspiring National Park is also part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Mount Aspiring and Wanaka:

1. Rob Roy Glacier Track – A beautiful AND easy hike just an hour away from Wanaka. Part of the road leading to the start of the track is private farmland, so if you’re a city girl like me this would be a very amusing drive.

Dive Deeper: You can read all about my experience on the Rob Roy Glacier track here . Hint: So many cows. So many sheep. So much everything.

2. Roys Peak – Probably the most Instagrammed hike in New Zealand. It’s very popular so you’d be hiking with a lot of people. The hike is also very dull since it just zigzags up the hill, but I heard the view above is worth it! You just probably have to queue for it since this is such a popular hike. We chose not to do this since we had just hiked up Ben Lomond a few days prior.

3. Isthmus Peak – similar to Roy’s Peak, but lesser known. You can try this hike if you don’t feel like dealing with the crowd at Roy’s Peak.

4. Lake Wanaka and That Wanaka Tree – This lake is right in the middle of Wanaka town so you have no excuse not to check it out! There is also a pretty cool tree that is partly inside the lake and is a popular subject for photography.

5. Skydive Wanaka – If you missed out on skydiving in Queenstown, you can still do it here in Wanaka. You’ll see the Mount Aspiring range from the sky.

Our Itinerary at Wanaka

• Day 6/10: Drive to Wanaka (1 Hour) in the morning, visit Lake Wanaka, and see That Wanaka Tree
• Day 7/10: Rob Roy Glacier Track at Mount Aspiring, followed by Skydiving

Where to stay in Wanaka

• The White Room – This is a studio apartment that can accommodate up to 4 people.

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget options in the town, you can take a look at the following hostel:

• Holly’s Backpacker
• Base Wanaka

PS: YHA and Base are well-known chains for backpacker hostels across Australia and NZ

Day 8-9: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park (Stay overnight at Twizel)

This area had been long known to Maori as Aoraki, which means “Cloud Piercer”. It was then renamed Mount Cook after James Cook in 1851, but the name Aoraki was reincorporated back in 1998 out of respect for Maori history.

And yep, you guessed it. Like the other two national parks I’ve mentioned above, Aoraki is also part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Aoraki / Mount Cook:

1. Hooker Valley Track – This is a very easy and very scenic 10km return route. The track is mostly flat and can be done by children and adults alike. I saw many families picnic-ing on the trail. The trail ends at Hooker Lake, with a great view of the famous Mount Cook.

Dive Deeper: You can read about my Hooker Valley Track experience here .

2. Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier – another easy track, shorter than Hooker Valley that ends up with a glacier view.

3. Lake Pukaki – This is the lesser-known twin of Lake Tekapo. I preferred Lake Pukaki better than Tekapo because it’s quieter! If you are here in the Spring, it’s also known for the Lupin flowers.

4. Lake Tekapo – probably the most famous Alpine lake in New Zealand. Unlike Lake Pukaki, you can find restaurants and a tourist center at the base of the lake closest to the main road.

5. Church of Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo – Lake Tekapo is also where the famous church is located. This tiny yet picturesque stone church is an iconic landmark of Lake Tekapo and has been a popular subject of night photography. Don’t expect to be the only photographer here!

Recommended itinerary at Aoraki / Mount Cook

• Day 8/10: Drive to Twizel (1 Hour) in the morning, visit Hooker Valley Track at Aoraki and Lake Pukaki along the way
• Day 9/10: Visit the Lake Tekapo area and the Church of Good Shepherd

Where to stay in Twizel / Aoraki

• Our Airbnb in Twizel – A cozy little 3-bedroom house. It is very convenient as a base for Aoraki and Lake Tekapo.

Other economic options you can consider:

• YHA Aoraki / Mt Cook – This one is not in Twizel, it’s located in Mount Cook village which is right where the Hooker Valley Track is. It’s a bit more on the pricier side even though it’s a backpacker hostel, but you cannot beat this location.
• High Country Lodge and Backpacker
• Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
• Lakefront Lodge Backpackers – This one is by Lake Tekapo, also a bit pricy for a backpacker hostel.

Day 10: Drive to Christchurch and fly out

We spent some time in Christchurch after leaving Twizel, but this was only because we were flying out of Christchurch Airport. It’s not that Christchurch is not worth visiting – I think it’s a very cool city. But if you are optimizing time to see nature in New Zealand, then Christchurch won’t be at the top of your list.

Keep in mind the drive from Twizel to Christchurch is 3 hours , so if you’re flying out early you might want to stay in Christchurch the night before to make sure you won’t be missing the flight.

Where to stay in Christchurch

For backpacker options:

• YMCA Christchurch
• Jailhouse Accommodation
• JUCY Snooze Christchurch
• YHA Christchurch Rolleston

Example Cost Breakdown of 10 days stay in New Zealand

Since a lot of people emailed me about this, here are the total cost expenditures for 10 days in South Island for 5 people. I was able to get a detailed number since we were using Splitwise to track group spending!

My airfare to NZ costs S$1260 (or roughly US$920) . I did not include it in the cost calculation, because airfare cost varies depending on where you’re coming from.

Obviously, If you are traveling with fewer people, the cost could go up since sharing a car and hotel with fewer people means more total per person.

But as you can see, the majority of the cost comes from accommodation . We stayed mainly in Airbnb, but if you are willing to go budget, then the cost can go down quite a bit. I also would budget a few hundred dollars more for any emergencies and activities you might want to do (skydiving and tours).

Do you still have more time to spend on the South Island?

If you are staying longer than 10 days in the South Island (oh lucky you!!!) – you can consider hitting up the following places:

• Kahurangi National Park to the northwest of Christchurch. I had heard great things about Arthur’s Pass.
• Westland Tai Poutini National Park . This is where the highly photographed Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are! I would definitely go visit if I had the chance to go back.

And… that’s all from me for New Zealand! I can safely say New Zealand was the most beautiful country I’ve ever visited, in terms of nature and scenic routes. It could be because I haven’t traveled to the mountains during winter, so seeing snow almost every day was a brand-new experience for me.

And of course, what’s a road trip without friends? I did this trip with my teammates who are also my good friends. This was a remote work trip for us. We would go hiking in the morning and work in the afternoon and into the night to sync up with the team in Singapore.

Thank you, Lucas for organizing the trip, Shekhar for driving (a LOT), and Ezra and Nishant for being great travel buddies! This is one of the most memorable trips that I keep thinking back about.

PS: Want to reference this post later?

Click on any of the images below to pin to your Pinterest board!

67 Comments

• January 5, 2024

Great piece of content Melissa, cheers.

• November 15, 2023

Thanks for the detailed write up! I was wondering if you think its’s possible to do solo female road trip in south island following your route? Anything to watch out for?

• November 16, 2023

Hi Dan, NZ is fairly safe, so I think should be ok. Still I would exercise caution when going to remote areas (basically anything outside of Queenstown) as there will not be many people. Make sure you know what to do when alone in wilderness and careful not to get lost. Always tell someone where you will be for the day.

• December 21, 2023

Hi Dan, I just completed my solo trip in NZ. I did this itinerary but backwards from Christchurch to Queenstown and I met another solo girl traveller who had done both islands in 3 weeks and had also hired a car. It’s very safe for girls on their own. Queenstown is especially welcoming and when I was solo cycling around in the wilderness it was safe to do so. It’s sooo under populated but the tracks are well maintained and it’s a small country so I was never completely isolated or without mobile phone reception. I wouldn’t stay at Te Anau, this town was pretty depressing!

• July 31, 2023

Hi Melissa! Was it easy to find places to eat for breakfast lunch and dinner? Or most of the time you kinda need to prepare meals?

Which areas would you say is the hardest to find food and hence need to be prepared for?

Hey Amelia, in the towns there would be 2-3 restaurants depending on how big the town is. Lesser variety on smaller towns and things close early. We did not have difficulty with finding food. I did find the food to be pricey though so we cooked some meals.

• April 2, 2023

Hello Melissa! May I ask what camera gear are you using? Thank you 🙂

i’m just using an iPhone 🙂

• October 29, 2022

Hi, just wondering if the hikes are doable in June. Will it be too cold? Thanks.

• September 16, 2022

Any recommendation for Car rental company . Your group rent car from which company ? I am looking for 7-8 seater since we are 5 so get better space with luggage .

• August 30, 2022

Thanks Melissa for you suggestions.

• August 29, 2022

Lot of useful information you provide here in your blog for South NZ . See if you can help in our NZ trip plan We are group of 5 pax , 4 of age ( 50-60 ) and 1 below 20 . Our plan to visit NewZealand in 2nd week .

here is our plan need some advice Day1 – Arrive Queenstown airport at 12.30 pm after overnight flight from Singapore , pickup car from Airport . On that day where we can go after hotel check in ? Question 1:Day-1 , any suggestion of some near by sight seen destination .

Day-2 – Package tour to Milford Sound

Day-3 Queenstown to Wanaka Question 2: Day-3 Any recommendation on the way (QT to Wanaka ) should we stop any place for sight seen?

Day-4 Spend at Wanaka

Day-5 Wanaka to Mount cook Question 3 : Day-5 Any recommendation on the way should we stop any place ?

Day-6 Spend at Mount Cook

Day-7 Mount cook to Christchurch ( Stop over at Lake Takapao )

Day-8 Christchurch to Greymouth (via Train TranzAlpine ) Question 4 : Ovenight stay at Greymouth , Punakaki or Hokiata ?

Day-9 Greymouth to Christchurch ( via Train ) Day-10 Christchurch sight seen Question 5 – Any 1/2 day sight seen recommendation ?

Hey Pavlesh!

Here is what I know:

Day 1 – I suggest going to the water front and walking around the downtown area for your first day. Would be nice chill day after an overnight Day 3 – This drive is quite scenic! Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout is a great place to stop by Day 5 – You can stop by Lake Pukaki on the way Day 10 – Christchurch Botanic Gardens was a nice place to visit. There is also Christchurch Gondola if you want to see the area from above

• August 26, 2022

U mentioned u travelled in 5 but d accommodation suggested had o ly 4 beds. Where did the fifth person sleeps?

Hey Tina, which one are you looking at? We def had at least 5 beds in all of our accommodations 🤔

• June 26, 2022

Thanks Melissa. We are planning a family holiday this summer, featuring lots of hiking, and you have really helped shape our travel planning. What a great trip you had and thanks for helping others. Stu

Hey Stu, I hope you’ll have fun in New Zealand with your family! Thanks for the kind comment

• May 4, 2022

Hi, is it possible to share which car rental company that you used? Thank you

• May 5, 2022

Hi Mel, I suggest looking into Klook for car rentals

• April 28, 2022

Hi, Like your blog! You seem very keen on the fly in one city and out the other but if you had flown in and out of Queenstown you would have saved nearly 100km of driving. Were there any reasons why you flew out of Christchurch? Spots to see between Twizel and Christchurch?

Thanks Damien

Thanks Damien! Tbh i forgot the reasoning, but I think we just wanted to drive and see as many different places as possible. We’re coming from Singapore where a road trip isn’t really a thing! the drive from Twizel to Christchurch was nice too, though I wouldn’t go out of my way as you can find beautiful drives everywhere in the south island. So if you’re not keen to drive, and if there are good flight time options to go back to your destination, then going back to Queenstown is the right choice.

• April 4, 2022

Hi Melissa, My wife & I are thinking of a 2-week free&easy trip to NZ South Island and 1 1-week North Island. Thank you for your tips!

• April 6, 2022

Hope my blog helps! let me know if you have specific questions

• September 23, 2020

This is wonderful information about new Zealand south island itinerary, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

• August 29, 2020

Your article is quite helpful! I have so many questions, and you have answered many. Thank you! Such a nice and superb article, we have been looking for this information about a great itinerary for south island of New Zealand!

• May 30, 2020

You see, I do have an interest to go to New Zealand but never thought of going to the South Island and what I could do. Thanks for this Melissa!

• February 2, 2020

What a beautiful country! The view of Queenstown from the flight and the Te Anau lake look gorgeous! I was planning a trip to New Zealand sometime this year and I can’t wait now. 🙂 The travel tips are really useful.

• January 29, 2020

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for this very informative blog. Planning to visit NZ this June during the school holiday. Can you share the car rental company you used during your trip? Does the price S$809.83 includes insurance or GPS? or any inclusions in that price?

• January 10, 2020

I also spent a really good time there during my last journey and we came back with stunning memories.

• December 26, 2019

Hi Melissa!

Thanks for the detailed write-up! May I know which website did you rent your car from?

• November 23, 2019

I wish I read this post before going to New Zealand, especially your advice on car rentals. I decided to take a group tour of the south island, although I met a lot of good people I didn’t get the freedom to explore on my own! Great post!!

• November 6, 2019

Great Blog!! Thank you for sharing this. This is really informative and useful for the one who is looking to have a trip to South Island NZ!

• November 4, 2019

Good read and thanks for all the information. Did you manage to catch any aurora australis during your trip? Also I assume you are flying from SG. Which airline did you take and how long was the layover / which city was it?

Hey CL, I took Air NZ and it was a direct flight to Auckland. I stayed in Auckland for 5 days before going down to Queenstown. Otw back I had a 2 hour layover in Auckland.

I didn’t manage to catch Aurora Australis during my trip, but I wasn’t specifically looking out for it either. I don’t think it was the season at that time.

• October 20, 2019

Hello Melisa For Singaporeans, it is not necessary for international driving license, contrary to what you have indicated

• October 21, 2019

you are right! Thanks Raymond. It looks like you only need international driver license if the license is not in english.

• September 26, 2019

I seriously hate your itinerary. We’ve tried following it and IIt’s bloody unrealistic and damn boring with so many missed out landmarks. Didn’t even get to go to franz Josef, and missed out so many places!!! Zzz

Sorry you feel that way. Can you elaborate more on your comment? which part is unrealistic? which landmarks were missed (aside of Franz Josef, which would have taken an extra day)? and how we can fit them all to 10 days?

• August 9, 2019

Hi melissa,

Thank you so much for posted this. It s so helpfull for me! Unfortunately i booked my flights , to christchurch and will fly out again from christchurch. Any advice where i need to start tge journey?

Thankss! Michelle

• August 10, 2019

Hey Michelle, you can still follow the same itinerary but backward. It takes 6 hours to drive back to Christchurch though, so probably something like this:

Day 1-2: Get to Christchurch, go to Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo Day 3-4: Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National park Day 5-6: Queenstown and surrounding areas Day 7-9: Fiordland National Park Day 10: Drive back to Christchutch (6 hours)

• June 30, 2019

thanks for sharing, I have taken a note of these for my next trip to nz

I really liked the information and its very useful

Keep writing and inspiring, looking forward to reading your next post…

• June 11, 2019

During which month you made this trip?

Hey there. I went in August!

• June 12, 2019

Sorry was abit confused. in the blog you mentioned that you went this trip during the the first two weeks of September (September 1 to 17). So is it in Sep or in Aug?

ah sorry, yes it was September. I was a bit confused bc it’s been a while! However, I was working in Auckland for the first 7 days before heading down to South Island for the last 10 days. I’ve shared my itinerary here for the South Island part only

Sorry scratch that, It was mid September, not August!

• May 28, 2019

It’s been 17 days since I came back from New Zealand and I have to admit that it was the best trip of my life. I was there for 3 weeks, traveling the island from one point to another without stopping.

It is a country that everyone should consider as a holiday destination, really advisable!

Do you mind to share your 17days itinerary for NZ?

• May 23, 2019

Hi Melissa, this long-read was really helpful for our planning of the 10-day journey across the island. The only thing bothering me is that we are flying into Christchurch and departing from Queenstown. Shall we simply do our road trip in the reverse direction? Thanks

yes you can definitely do it in reverse direction by just reversing the itinerary. it’s all pretty linear. we just happened to choose the queenstown to christchurch direction on random.

• May 8, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thanks for the super helpful and detailed blog. Amazing detail. Can you let us know which AirBnB you stayed at while at Te Anau? Those sunset views by the lake are awesome!

• May 9, 2019

Hey Luke, I have a link to it above in my post!

• April 22, 2019

I enjoyed reading your blog & taking in some tips for our family trip this coming May! However, we booked our tickets before reading it & hence we are arriving & departing at Queenstown unlike your blog (which i think was a better opion, too bad:( ). Not use if you could then suggest how we can “U- turn” our itinerary such that we are able to cover some of these lovely places & yet depart from Queenstown. We are skipping Christchurch, anyway.

Thank you in advance for sharing.

• April 23, 2019

Hey Elaine! I think it’s still very possible to use my itinerary, as the drive from Twizel to Queenstown is only 2.5-3 hours, which is the same journey as to Christchurch. I just recommended Christchurch since the drive from Twizel to Christchurch was quite beautiful and most people don’t like to U-turn, but it wasn’t a requirement if you don’t have the time.

• April 24, 2019

Thank you for your reply. If we are starting from Queenstown towards north-west route, at which part/town you would suggest to take the u-turn route back to Queenstown for departure? I was a bit confused & lost as to which way to take.

Thank you in advance for taking time to reply .

Hey Elaine, it really depends what you want to see, but I would U-turn around Lake Tekapo. or if you want to go further, you can go to Fox Glacier and then u-turn, but obviously, this would be longer drive back to Queenstown.

• March 31, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thank you for sharing this itinerary, it is really informative and useful for my upcoming 10-day South Island NZ trip! I would like to ask if there’s any reason why you have chosen to drive to Te Anau the first day you arrived, other than staying at Queensland first, followed by Te Anau then head off to Wanaka?

Thank you for taking the time to answer this!

Hey Zoey, I am glad you find this post useful! You can do it that way too, but the drive from Te Anau to Wanaka might be a little long. That’s why we broke it up and stayed in Queenstown on the way back.

• April 1, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thank you for the reply! Helps me better in my planning. Thank you for taking the time to reply! Really appreciate it!

• August 24, 2019

Your full detailed write up is so useful. Too bad I found your page a little late cos we have booked most of our accommodations.

Just wondering what car did you rent and was it good cos we also have 6 pax? Also, driving to Te Anau and Milford Sound is easy or a rough route?

• August 26, 2019

Hey Anne, we were a group of 4 so we didn’t rent a big car. The drive from Te Anau and Milford Sound was super easy – it was all paved route. Just becareful about speeding since it’s easy to gorget about speed limit since the road are mostly straight and empty. We got stopped by a police officer on the way back.

• August 27, 2019

Thank you so much for your valuable advise, Melissa.

• February 24, 2019

Hi Melissa, was wondering how much you spent in total for the whole trip? Thanks!

Hey Sera, Great question! Thankfully I have them tracked. I spent total about SGD1130 (US$836) for the expenses in NZ (Airbnb, food, groceries, car rental and gas). For the flight, I paid SGD1260 (US$930). So the overall total expense is SGD2390 (US$1768.92). I’ll add this information to the blog 🙂

• December 28, 2018

Hi, I am thinking of booking the same accommodation as u for Christchurch! How was the airbnb? Want to hear from a fellow Singaporean 🙂

hello Jan! you are talking about this one right? https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/25599527 I really loved it! It’s small in relative to other airbnb I booked in NZ, but for us Singaporean it’s fine 😛 it’s 2 stories, very cute and clean, comes with its own parking (but we parked outside since the garage is a bit tight to get in for daily use) and you don’t have to meet with the owner since they’ve left us with the code combination to get in. it’s walking distance to the park and some restaurant too! hope you enjoy the place

• October 2, 2018

Great trips <3 Thanks you so much !

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New Zealand Itinerary Part 1 — 10-Day South Island Road Trip Under S$2.2k

This is part one of a two-part New Zealand itinerary covering both the North and South Islands. Read part 2 ( 5 days North Island New Zealand Itinerary )

Snowcapped mountains, and endless roads flanked by rolling green hills are just some of my favourite things about a road trip on the South Island.

Not to forget, New Zealand is also one of the best places to check off bucket list experiences. Imagine: bungy jumping over a bridge, heli-hiking along glaciers or jumping out of a plane at 10,000ft high. While your brain is scrambling to process the drop-dead gorgeous views, you’ll have the best photos and videos to return home with.

Hitting as many hikes and scenic drives as we could, here’s our South Island route. For the North Island, check out our 5-day North Island New Zealand itinerary exploring glow worm caves and geothermal terrains.

Read more:  2 Weeks New Zealand Itinerary Under S$2,500 — North & South Island Trip Planning Guide

Pre-Trip Essentials

– Pre-departure Supervised ART test — taken no more than 24 hours before departure ( Pre-departure PCR test is accepted too) – On arrival self ART on day 0/1 and on day 5/6 — COVID Antigen Test kits given out at the airport – New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) — applied at least 72 hours before departure

Staying Connected: Pre-book a local SIM card and collect it at Queenstown International Airport upon arrival.

Car rental: Pre-book via Klook

South Island New Zealand Itinerary Route

Most South Island New Zealand itineraries begin from Christchurch but we flew into Queenstown for three reasons: (1) Flights from Singapore to Queenstown (stopover in Sydney or Melbourne) were much cheaper (2) Queenstown is the hub for all the adrenaline experiences that New Zealand is famous for (3) From Tekapo, we saved an hour driving straight to Castle Hill instead of making a stop at Christchurch.

This circuit route covers famous tourist stops like Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the Franz Joseph/Fox Glacier townships.

But because we’re such suckers for great views, we designed this route to cover scenic hikes like Lake Marian (on the way to Milford Sound), Hooker Valley (Mount Cook), Cave Stream (Castle Hill), Lake Metheson (Fox Glacier) and even a glacier hike that’s only accessible by a helicopter!

New Zealand Itinerary Budget Breakdown

Accommodation: S$457.66 Transport: S$372.01 Activities: S$1,088.99 Miscellaneous: S$253.62

TOTAL: S$2,172.29 ( excl. flights )

(detailed New Zealand Itinerary breakdown for one pax here)

Day 1-2: Queenstown

Surrounded by dramatic landscapes, Queenstown is THE adventure capital of New Zealand. Stay at least two nights or even four to get your fill of adrenaline, drool-inducing burgers and gorgeous views from just about any corner. It’s also a great base for day trips to Cardrona (for snowboarding in winter), Glenorchy (gorgeous landscape featured on LOTR), and Milford Sound (although we recommend spending a night here).

Transport in Queenstown:  Everything you need is within walking distance so there’s no need for a car on the nights you’ll be staying in Queenstown. From the airport, book the Super Shuttle which will bring you to the doorstep of your accommodation in Queenstown CBD for less than NZ$10/pax.

Bungy, Canyon Swing, Catapult or All?!

There are three bungy jump zones in Queenstown: Kawarau Bridge (the first bungy jump in the world), The Ledge (probably the most scenic because of the view of Queenstown in the background — temporarily closed!) and   Nevis Bungy (the highest one in New Zealand at 134m over the Nevis River)! So it really depends on whether you love the classic, views or thrills.

Update (6 May 2022): The Ledge bungy jump is still temporarily closed.

If you’re headed for the Nevis Bungy , there’s also the Nevis Swing and the Nevis Catapult (newest to the AJ Hackett fam) in the same area. The Nevis River is gorgeous and one of the best ways to experience this is perhaps swinging upside down or getting shot across the canyon at over 100kph.

Onsen Hot Pools 

Photo credit: Onsen

Overlooking New Zealand’s signature alpine scenery, the  Queenstown Onsen Hot Pools is perfect for calming your nerves amidst scenic views. Each of the 14 cedar-lined hot pools is heated to around 38.5°C and refreshed daily with pure water from the surrounding mountains.

Cost:  ~S$78 (incl. complimentary drink and snack) Opening Hours:  9AM – 10PM Address:  160 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown, New Zealand

Fergburger, Fergbaker & Mrs Ferg

Every burger we had here was  epic . It’s not hard to understand why they’ve earned the reputation of serving the best burgers in New Zealand (and some claim, the world!). We’re talking perfectly grilled patties, generous layers of cheese, the freshest vegetables and fragrant toasted buns. There are even two vegetarian burgers on the menu. ‘Nuff said, everyone, just try Fergburger for yourself.

For breakfast, Fergbaker (right next to Fergburger) bakes some mean bread and pastries. They’re famous for their meat pies but my personal favourite is the Pesto Tomato Focaccia (NZ$3.90, comes in a giant version too at NZ$5.90) which just about sent us to bread heaven.

And if you thought that was over, there’s also gelato next door at Mrs Ferg  — Hokey Pokey was a unanimous favourite.

*Pro-tip:  Save your receipt from Fergburger for a 10% discount at Mrs Ferg.

Cost: Burgers from NZ$12.50 Opening Hours: 8AM – 5AM (Great for supper!) Address:  42 Shotover St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Best View Of Queenstown

For the best vantage point of Queenstown, take a 40-minute hike to Bobs Peak or take a scenic gondola ride to Skyline Queenstown (NZ$64 with 2 luge rides). Head up early and have a go at the luge rides (closes at 5PM).

There are two lanes — scenic and advanced — but the latter is only for repeat riders so you’ll have to get a package with more than one Luge ride to attempt it.

If you’re planning to splurge on a meal this trip, the dinner at the Stratosfare Skyline Restaurant (NZ$85) is it. Not only do you get a gorgeous view, the spread consists of fresh seafood (including sashimi) and a good mix of Kiwi and international favourites. Plenty of vegetarian options too.

*Pro-tip: Book the  Gondola + Lunch/Dinner + Luge rides package together for bundled savings.

Accommodation in Queenstown: Melbourne Lodge — From S$61.82/night in a 4-star bed and breakfast. The location is great — only a fifteen-minute walk to Lake Wakatipu and Skyline Gondola. We then took an Uber back to Queenstown Airport to collect our rental car.

Day 3: Queenstown – Milford Sound

After an early morning skydiving session  (~S$266), we took an Uber back to Queenstown Airport to collect our rental car and headed for Milford Sound. From Queenstown, it’s a four-hour drive (Google Maps says three but trust us, it’s closer to four) to Milford Sound. If you’re a passenger, you might want to stay awake because the view on this drive is spectacular.

This is the last town before Milford Sound so stock up on groceries and petrol. This is also probably the last point before your Instagram stories stop uploading. Update the world about your temporary disappearance before leaving Te Anau.

After Te Anau , look out for scenic stops at Mirror Lake, Knobs Flat and Monkey Creek.

Lake Marian Hike

Lake Marian is an alpine lake with a clear reflection of the surrounding mountains. For a three-hour round trip hike, the views were definitely worth it.

The first 10 minutes of the path up to the waterfall involves a swing bridge and a sturdy wooden walkway (also wheelchair accessible). Beyond that, the ascent is steep and on an uneven rocky path which can get quite slippery when it rains. Plan for sufficient daylight and follow the orange arrows, especially on the return — we ended up going the wrong way as the track has a couple of splits when heading back to the carpark.

If the weather on this day isn’t ideal (the view will probably be covered by fog or the reflection will be disturbed by rain), head to Milford Sound early and save this hike for day four instead.

Hike Time: 3-hour roundtrip (but allocate 4 as the fog might take a while to clear up) Parking:  From Te Anau, look out for the Marian Corner Turn on the right to get on the Hollyford Track. From Milford Sound, the sign is a lot more obvious.

Accommodation:  Milford Sound Lodge — NZ$40/pax in a six-bed dorm. The toilets and common area are separate from the backpackers’ dorms so bring along a raincoat in case it rains (which apparently does 200 days a year around here).

Day 4: Milford Sound – Queenstown

Get up early and explore the area around the pier. Take the easy 400m loop on the Milford Foreshore Walk for views of Mitre Peak.

Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

The Milford Sound Scenic Cruise is probably the main reason why people travel on eight-hour return trips from Queenstown to get here — it’s arguably the most beautiful place on earth! It’s pretty touristy but for good reason.

The two-and-a-half-hour scenic cruise explores the 16km long fjord flanked by sheer rock faces and waterfalls. It rains most of the year, so many of the waterfalls appear and disappear every day. Three permanent residents to look out for: Bowen Falls (visible from the pier), Fairy Falls and Stirling Falls (the famous fall where boats take turns to get up close).

Cost: From S$66.85  (varies depending on departure time) Meeting Point:  Milford Sound Visitor Centre (Free parking is available a 10-min walk away)

Accommodation: The Flaming Kiwi Backpacker — NZ$62.35/night in a Budget Twin. A walking distance to attractions around town, it’s a simple room with free wifi, free parking and a gorgeous view of the town.

Day 5: Queenstown – Aoraki Mount Cook

The drive between Queenstown up to Aoraki Mount Cook was one of my favourites in the entire South Island of New Zealand! The three-and-a-half-hour drive passes quickly with many scenic roads like Lindis Pass and Mount Cook Road which rides on the edge of Lake Pukaki.

Lindis Pass

This isn’t exactly a stop but the roads are so beautiful I thought it deserved a header of its own.

*Pro-tip: Along the way, you’ll drive by a small town named Twizel — if you’re running low on petrol or groceries, stock up here before driving down Mount Cook Road towards Mount Cook.

Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki has two great lookout points. The first is a slight detour, but it’s where you’ll find a small salmon store on the southern edge of Lake Pukaki —  Mount Cook Alpine Salmon . They sell the freshest catch of the day at reasonable prices, but of course the sashimi is what most people come for.

There was a one-for-one sale when we were there (but we heard they’re always selling at one-for-one) so 500g+500g of sashimi only cost NZ$38! It even comes with Japanese soy sauce and wasabi so you can enjoy them at the tables beside the lake. If the weather’s bad, you can request for an ice pack and enjoy it back at your accommodation.

A 12-minute drive along the lake is Peter’s Lookout  which is actually the more scenic of the two. Here you’ll have the perfect view of the windy roads leading right up to Mount Cook with the glistening blue lake of Lake Pukaki.

Tasman Glacier Hike

After being on the road for three and a half hours, the Tasman Glacier Track is a simple and relatively short hike you can squeeze in before the sun sets.

There are three short routes here you can cover under an hour but if you’re short on time, head straight for the Tasman Glacier View Point. It’s only a 15-minute hike up to the top and you’ll have a clear view of the Tasman Glacier Lake, the Blue Pools (now green) and the surrounding mountains.

Hike Time:  30mins – 1hr depending on the track Parking:  Free parking available at the end of Tasman Valley Road

Photo credit: Klook

Accommodation:  Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge — S$167.53/pax for a double/ twin room. The view around here is AMAZING! The rooms are homely, with a fireplace to keep you warm and cosy at night.

Day 6: Mount Cook – Castle Hill

Exiting Mount Cook road, you’ll probably take a couple more stops to admire the unique grey-blue waters of Lake Pukaki before heading north towards Castle Hill. The last supermarket and major petrol kiosk (Mobil) is at Methven — an hour and a half before Castle Hill. But we recommend getting everything stocked up in Tekapo before the three-hour drive to Castle Hill.

Hooker Valley Track

Hooker Valley Track is the most popular track in the area around Mount Cook, thanks to the spectacular views throughout the track! It’s quite a long and open track but with very little incline, and flat gravel paths or paved boardwalks. It’s one of the easiest tracks with snowcapped mountains around you. The sun can be harsh though, so bring along sunblock!

Hike Time:  4 – 6 hours round trip (10km) Parking: Plenty of free parking available at the end of Hooker Valley Road

Accommodation: Porters Lodge (Castle Hill) — NZ$119/2 pax for a private room for 4-6pax (extra guests pay NZ$35/pax). Getting there requires a bit of a drive on gravel roads that wind up the sides of a mountain. Try to arrive before it gets too dark. There isn’t a shared kitchen so you’ll have to order from the in-house cafe or have dinner before arriving. The generator is also turned off at night so arrive before 8PM if you’re planning to have a hot shower. Bonus if you love dogs — there are three of them, all named after characters from the Wizard of Oz!

Day 7: Castle Hill – Arthurs Pass – Hokitika

The drive between Castle Hill and Hokitika passes through many beautiful tramping tracks and accessible lookout points. Pick a few and enjoy the scenic drive from the east to west end of the South Island, before arriving at the beachfront town of Hokitika.

Kura Tāwhiti

Kura Tāwhiti used to be under the sea until it retracted, leaving behind these interesting limestones scattered across the hilly area. The name also translates to Castle Hill because some say they resemble the ruins of a castle. Today, it’s mostly popular amongst rock climbers.

You can even rent boulder pads and shoes from Springfield (~30-minute drive from Kura Tāwhiti). But even for non-climbers, you can walk through the 1.4km access track.

Cave Stream Scenic Reserve

There are two entrances to the 594m cave where you can explore through knee-deep waters from one end to another. If you’re going through the cave, enter from the downstream entrance and walk against the flow of the river. If you’re not planning to get too wet, it’s also worth taking the short 15-minute walk down to the entrance of the cave.

Hike Time:  15 minutes to the downstream cave entrance, 1 hour round trip from the carpark to the other cave entrance Parking:  The parking area is quite small but should be sufficient as there aren’t many people visiting.

Devils Punchbowl Waterfall

There are many hikes between Castle Hill and Arthurs Pass but the most popular is probably the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall . It’s not too far (2km) from the carpark and features a 131m waterfall (best seen when the weather is clear and sunny).

Hike Time:  1 hour round trip Parking:  Plenty of free parking available at the carpark on Punchbowl road

Accommodation: 252 Beachside Motels & Holiday Park — S$61.10/night for a standard cabin. A clean and simple room with a prime location by the beach, extremely value for money!

Day 8: Hokitika – Franz Joseph/Fox Glacier

Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier are small townships so stock up on petrol and groceries at the New World Supermarket in Hokitika.

Hokitika Gorge

This vivd turquoise blue gorge is a must-see when you’re in Hokitika. But if it has been raining, it’s probably going to be more grey. Despite that, it’s worth taking the short 15-minute trail on flat gravel path through luscious trees and ferns.

Hike Time:  30 minutes round trip Parking:  Ample free parking available

Scenic Lake Lookouts between Hokitika & Franz Joseph

From Hokitika, the drive to Franz Joseph is slightly under two hours with quick stops at popular lakes like Lake Mahinapua, Lake Ianthe and Lake Mapourika (closest to Franz Joseph). Each lake is a quick walk from the car park so if the weather’s clear, you’ll catch a nice reflection view from the edge of the lake.

Accommodation:  Fox Glacier Lodge — S$97.46/night in a one-bedroom studio. Fox Glacier is a lot more quiet than Franz Joseph but we picked this because it was just a five-minute walk to our heli hike experience the next day. Common kitchens are available but central heating isn’t that great so the common areas can feel quite cold.

Day 9: Fox Glacier – Wanaka (Via Haast)

Wake up early for the heli hike experience and drive three and a half hours to Wanaka. You’ll want to leave early for sufficient sunlight on your drive. The drive through Haast Pass is another gorgeous drive and if you make it before sunset, stop by Lake Wanaka for the best views.

Heli Hike in Fox Glacier

Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier are the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can in fact take a walk up to the terminal face of the glacier. But the best way to really experience this is via a helicopter ride and guided glacier walk exploring the nooks and crannies (or rather crevices) of the glacier. This turned out to be a huge highlight in our South Island New Zealand itinerary!

Cost: ~S$444.30 Meeting Point:  Fox Glacier Guiding Centre

*Pro-tip:  Pick the first flight of the day. The activity is highly weather dependent, so your flight might get bumped up to a later session.

Lake Wanaka

If there’s enough sunlight, catch the sunset with #thatwanakatree in your foreground (yes, that’s what it’s named on Google Maps)!

Accommodation: Clearbrook Motels Wanaka — ~S$147.28/night for a studio apartment. It’s right outside Wanaka, a five-minute drive to Lake Wanaka, and a 8-minute drive to Roys Peak Carpark.

Day 10: Wanaka – Queenstown

Hike roy’s peak or isthmus peak.

The views on this hike are VERY photogenic. In fact, it’s probably the MOST popular one in the South Island. Roys Peak is a steep ridge line hike that spans up to six hours (round trip) but promises an amazing view of Lake Wanaka and Glendhu Bay. Unfortunately we didn’t make it for the hike but do tell us about it in the comments section below if you have!

Hike Time:  4 – 6 hours round trip (16km) Parking:  Ample free parking available at the carpark off Mount Aspiring Road Annual Closure :   1 October – 10 November

*Pro-tip:  This hike is usually very crowded. For a less crowded hike with similar views, check out Isthmus Peak instead.

Red Star Burger Bar

We only got here because a local challenged that this was better than Fergburger. We beg to differ but to be fair, Red Star does make really great burgers too. The burgers aren’t as extravagant but the ingredients and fresh buns are delicious! I also highly recommend the adding the Kumara (sweet potato) fries (NZ$8) with Aioli dip and malted milkshakes (NZ$6.50).

Cost: Burgers from NZ$12 Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 9PM Address:  26 Ardmore St, Queenstown-Lakes 9305, New Zealand

And that concludes our 10 (very short) days South Island New Zealand Itinerary! More than just beautiful sights, New Zealand was also where we met some of the nicest locals, faced our fears and learnt how to dance in the rain while the storms pass. From Queenstown, we took an hour-and-a-half flight to Auckland where we continued to explore the North Island.

Read more:  5-Day North Island New Zealand Itinerary in a Campervan Under S$600

New Zealand Itinerary Planning Essentials

Skydiving, bungy jumping and even the Milford Sound cruise are essential experiences in New Zealand but also highly popular. Favourable time slots run out pretty fast even on non-peak travel periods so advanced bookings are essential.

From utility products like the Supershuttle Airport Transfer to outdoor activities like skydiving and our heli-hike experience in Fox Glacier , we managed to find everything we needed in our South Island New Zealand itinerary on the Klook App .

Not only is it ultra convenient (all tickets were stored on the app), I also noticed on the ground that many activities were cheaper (even if it’s just a dollar) on Klook than the retail price!

There are over 300 activities for New Zealand on Klook, so trip planning on the app helped ease off a lot of the research on things to do in each city.

Driving in New Zealand

New Zealand is left-hand drive. Just take note of single-lane bridge crossings — if you see a red sign, you’ll need to give way to vehicles coming from the opposite end. If it’s blue, you have the right of way.

The car rental from Klook brought us through the many scenic roads from day three in Queenstown up till the morning of day eleven before we caught our flight to the North Island.

There’s a saying that sometimes, the most scenic views come by on the detours you didn’t mean to make, and that couldn’t have been more true for a place like New Zealand!

Road trippin’ New Zealand? Check out the more exciting activities beyond our New Zealand Itinerary that’s available on Klook !

Updated by:  Alexis Ang

This South Island New Zealand Itinerary was brought to you by Klook .

For more travel inspiration, follow us on  YouTube ,  Facebook  and  Instagram .

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Apr 14, 2019 at 5:23am PDT

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25 comments.

Hi, may I know when you guys went to New Zealand South Island?

We were there in the first two weeks of May!

Hi sweet, do you recommend this timing after the experience?

Hi Rina, wanted to check what do you mean!

Enjoying reading your blog! Would June time be too cold for travelling and doing the activities? I’ll be travelling with a 9yo 😉

June would definitely be colder but I’m sure it’ll still be gorgeous! Need to check with the official websites for opening periods though. The AJ Hackett and Skydiving are very weather dependent so even during Summer they could close for a few hours or an entire day if the weather isn’t suitable.

Hi there! Just wanted to thank you for a wonderful article full of tips. As a fellow blogger, I know the effort that goes into a post like this. We’re planning a trip to NZ in a few months and this was very helpful! -Brooke

Aww, thanks for the kind words Brooke <3 All the best on your own trip!!

Hi! May I know how long do you recommend to travel around NZ? 🙂

As long as you have time for! 😉 If you love hiking and adrenaline activities there’s really so much to enjoy and really soak in. But if you’re short on time, I would personally spend at least 10 days on ONE island — South is my favourite 🙂

Hi we are a family of 5 in NZ and due to covid are having our family holiday in NZ this year – we are heading to the South Island in a few days for 11 nights in a camper van and are stealing your itinerary albeit with a few tweaks as we fly into Christchurch – thanks for all your effort!!

That’s great! Glad it’s still useful at a time of international travel restrictions and thanks for letting us know! 🙂

Hi Cherie, I am planning to visit with my parents too in May 2023 next year. May I know how is the weather, temperature, and overall season experiences over NZ in May period? Seen some reviews mentioned it could be quite rainy days and wet over there, is it true?

Thanks for this! Can I ask if you’d flown in SG > Queenstown and return from Christchurch>SG?

Actually this is part of a longer trip which included the North Island! The team recently did a New Zealand South island trip which involves flying into Queenstown and returning from Christchurch so do look out for that soon!

Hi, can I know which airline did you take for flying into Queenstown and how much was it? Thanks!

Hello WJ! Don’t remember which airline we took in 2019 when this trip was done but in my recent trip, I took Qantas for about $500 one-way (via Melbourne). Booked it about 1.5months before my trip in late Aug but the prices went up pretty quick after that week.

Hi! Would you recommed this itinerary for a solo traveller? Thanks 🙂

In terms of safety, absolutely! You’ll also meet a lot of solo travellers if you stay at hostels like the YHA. But the cost of travelling would definitely be more since you’re no longer splitting the cost of the car rental. Perks of staying at hostels also means you can sign up for their organised tours which are usually at pretty fair rates!

Noted. Thanks 🙂

Hi Cherie, was it easy to drive to milford sound? Heard that its quite windy. Pls share your experience

Extremely hard. We kept stopping to take photos along the way hahah. Jokes aside, make sure to download the offline maps before leaving Te Anu as that’s the last point before you’re out of data connection! The road conditions were fairly easy to navigate

I see, going on 7 oct so wasnt sure if snow chains are needed

Would this road trip be doable in mid-September? I’ve never been to NZ before so wasn’t sure what road conditions would be like. Looks amazing 🙂

Hey Nat! Mid September is Spring so I don’t foresee any issues. Can we check what concerns do you have?

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Two Week New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary

New Zealand’s spectacular South Island is on the bucket list of many travellers all over the world. I’ve taken many trips over the pond to visit what is one of my favourite parts of the world and I want you to discover it for yourself too!

So I’ve put together this two week New Zealand South Island road trip itinerary that is perfect for a first timer to the region.

This road trip itinerary doesn’t cover everything New Zealand’s South Island has to offer, that would be impossible to fit into a two week vacation. But what it does offer, is an introduction to the absolute best the region has to offer.

From snow peaked mountains, rugged coastline, seemingly never-ending fjords and adventure to boot. Touring New Zealand’s South Island on a road trip is a must and is a destination for everyone no matter your travel tastes.

I hope this New Zealand South Island road trip itinerary helps get you excited about a trip to one of the worlds most utterly beautiful regions.

Day 1 – Christchurch

Start off your road trip of New Zealand’s South Island by arriving in Christchurch early in the morning, or better yet, the evening before to really maximise your time.

Christchurch has risen from the rubble of the devastating 2011 earthquakes and is one of the world’s most creative cities. Th ere is still a lot of construction going on, even after 10 year, but ‘The Garden City’ is well and truly open for business with lots to offer visitors.

What to See & Do in Christchurch

Christchurch Botanic Gardens – This is the biggest green space in the city centre. See colourful flower beds, massive shady trees, duck ponds and green houses containing specialist plant species. Take a punt along the river Avon or a walk on the long winding gravel paths that meander through the park. More info .

Cathedral Square –  Cathedral Square has been the heart of Christchurch since the mid 1900’s and continues to be just that despite the earthquake devastation. Visit the square to see what remains of the Christchurch Cathedral, learn more about the cathedrals history and future in the temporary viewing hut and pay your respects at a memorial made of hundreds of pebbles held inside a wire frame. Markets and festivals are also held here through the year.

Cardboard (Transitional) Cathedral – The new symbol of this developing creative city, the Cardboard, or Transitional Cathedral opened in 2013 as a temporary church in place of the badly damaged ChristChurch Cathedral. What makes this one of the most unusual churches in the world, is that it’s partly made of strong cardboard.

Christchurch Gondola – For the most spectacular views, check out the Christchurch Gondola. Soar above the mountains for views of snow capped peaks. At the top you can explore tunnels, take a hike and learn more about the history of the peak. ( Book your ticket in advance to avoid the queues!)

Also check out this great range of suggested tours and day trips you can take in and around Christchurch.

Where to Stay in Christchurch

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Jailhouse Accommodation

Mid-Range – Ramada Suites by Wyndham Christchurch City

Luxury – The George

Read More About Christchurch

Christchurch Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days

The Best Christchurch Sightseeing Tours

The Best Day Trips from Christchurch

Things to Do in Christchurch

What to See on a Day Trip to Akaroa form Christchurch

Spring Time in The Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary

Driving from Christchurch to Marlborough: What to See and Do

Day 2 to 3 – Lake Tekapo/Mt Cook

Drive Time: 3 hours from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Leave Christchurch early on day two and drive towards Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.  Spend the rest of day 2 exploring the region and continue your sightseeing on day 3.

One of the most picture perfect regions of New Zealand, the Mackenzie Basin, home to Lake Tekapo (honestly, the prettiest lake in New Zealand South Island) and Mt Cook Village, lies roughly in the centre of New Zealand’s South Island between the sprawling plains of Canterbury and the towering mountains of the Southern Alps.

What to See & Do in Lake Tekapo/Mt Cook

Lake Tekapo – One of New Zealand’s most photographed lakes because of its powdery blue colour on a blue sky day and of the perfectly positioned Church of the Good Shepherd that lies on the southern edge of the lake. This tiny church features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains.

Lake Pukaki – Probably one of the most underrated of all the lakes on New Zealand’s South Island. As you drive over the rise on the road from Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki appears out of nowhere and stuns drivers to instantly slow. I found the colour of Lake Pukaki to be more intense than Lake Tekapo but it’s not just the colour that makes this lake so impressive, at the far north of the lake is New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt Cook, in all its glory.

Aoraki Mt Cook Village – The drive out to see New Zealand’s highest peak is quite possibly one of the best experiences to be had in New Zealand. It offers uninterrupted views of Mt Cook as it winds along Lake Pukaki. The village itself is home to walks (more on them below) and The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which offers a series of 2D, 3D and a Digital Dome Planetarium shows.

Walks –  There are dozens of walks you can do in the region like the four-hour Hooker Track which crosses three swing bridges, offers great views from the Alpine memorial and ends at the glacier lake with amazing views of Aoraki Mt Cook, the Hooker Glacier and the Southern Alps. Or why not summit Mt John for spectacular 360 degree views of the region.

View the Night Sky – The Mackenzie Basin is one of the darkest places on earth, giving it the status of being a Dark Sky Reserve. This means that there is very little light pollution which allows for some incredible star-gazing. If you move away from the towns in the region on a clear night you will see more stars than you could ever imaged. But for real star gazers, you’ll want to head up to the Mt John Observatory in Tekapo to make the most of it. (This is a super popular attraction, don’t miss your chance an book here in advance!)

For more tours and day trips, check out options for Lake Tekapo here and options for Mt Cook here .

Where to Stay in Lake Tekapo/Mt Cook

Budget – Lakefront Lodges Backpackers

Mid-Range – Three Rivers Lodge

Luxury – Peppers Bluewater Resort

Read More About Lake Tekapo / Mount Cook

Where to Stay in Lake Tekapo (and surrounds)

Lake Tekapo Itinerary: 2 Days

The Best Tours in Lake Tekapo (and surrounds)

Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Surrounds

10 Most Stunning Lakes on New Zealand’s South Island

Day 4 to 5 – Fiordland

Drive Time: 5 hours from Tekapo to Te Anau

Make and early start for the spectacular Fiordland region on day 4. There’s lots of stunning scenery along the way so allow plenty of time for photo stops. Spend the rest of the day in Te Anau. On day 5 I recommend day tripping or taking a tour to incredible Milford Sound.

Fiordland is one of the worlds greatest wilderness regions with stunning natural features that show the earth’s evolutionary history. Te Anau, on the edge of the region is a great base for exploring the most accessible of the fjords, Milford Sound.

What to See & Do in Fiordland

Milford Sound – The two-hour journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound itself is worth the effort but the cruise is out of this world incredible. It takes you past and up close to towering peaks, plummeting waterfalls and interesting wildlife. To get there you can self drive but to really enjoy the experience and take in all the spectacular scenery, I recommend a small group guided tour like this .

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves – On the western shore of Lake Te Anau you’ll find a cave system home to millions of glowing worms. You can tour the cave with a guide from Te Anau which includes a cruise on the lake to get to the remote location. Inside the cave are gushing water flows and the opportunity to spend a few minutes in total darkness with these unusual creatures.

Lake Te Anau – The town of Te Anau is set perfectly on the lake of the same name. And while a walk around the lakes edge is a must, I also recommend if you have the time to take a short cruise to get up close with parts of the lake that are not accessible by car or foot. Check out this great 3-hour cruise on a yacht which also includes a short guided walk in a remote part of the lake.

Where to Stay in Fiordland

Budget – Tasman Holiday Parks Te Anau

Mid-Range – Bella Vista Motel Te Anau

Luxury – Fiordland Lodge

Read More About Fiordland

Journey to Milford Sound in Photos

Day 6 to 7 – Queenstown

Drive Time: 2 hours from Te Anau to Queenstown

Make an early start to give yourself plenty of time to start exploring Queenstown. On day 7 you’ll find lots to keep you busy in and around this big resort town.

A mecca for those who love being outdoors and adrenaline pumping activities, Queenstown is the countries biggest resort town with something fun going on all year round. It’s also set in a pretty stunning location on Lake Wakatipu, flanked  by The Remarkables, one of the country’s most spectacular mountain ranges.

What to See & Do in Queenstown

Adrenalin Pumping Action – As the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is home to dozens of heart pumping activities that will satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie. Try your hand at everything from bungy jumping, the canyon swing, jet boating, white water rafting, canyoning, paragliding, or sky diving. Check out some of these adrenalin pumping activities .

Drive to Glenorchy – Any dedicated LOTR fan will have heard of Glenorchy as one of the main filming locations for the movie. But even if you’re not a die-hard you can still enjoy this drive, said to be one of the most scenic in all of New Zealand. It takes about 40 minutes and follows Lake Wakatipu, twisting and turning around the lakes edge. (Or sit back and let someone else do the driving on a half day tour of Glenorchy and Paradise )

Visit Arrowtown –  Just a short 25 minute drive from Queenstown is gorgeous little Arrowtown. This historic gold mining town has over 60 historic buildings still standing, some of which can be seen on a walk down the charming main street which is now lined with cafes and local artisan stores. Venture away from the main street towards the river to see the Historic Chinese Settlement, which was where the prospecting Chinese settled during the 1860’s gold rush.

Central Otago Wine Tasting – Unless you’ve decided to add extra time in Queenstown, a day trip to actually visit the wineries of the region may not be possible. But don’t worry, you can taste many of the regions best wines, right in the heart of Queenstown at The Winery. Grab a tasting card and a glass to help yourself to a taste of red, white, sparkling and spirits from Central Otago and beyond. (Have time for a wine tour? Check out this half day tour or this full day tour . or why not try the hop-on hop-off wine bus )

Skyline Gondola –  For the best views from above in Queenstown, take a ride on the Skyline Gondola. The gondola glides up Bob’s Peak offering stunning views of the town, the Remarkables mountains and Lake Wakatipu. More Info.

For more activities, tours and attractions in Queenstown, check out this selection .

Where to Stay in Queenstown

Budget – Adventure Queenstown Hostel

Mid-Range – Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Luxury – Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Read More About Queenstown

Things to Do in Queenstown

The Best Queenstown Adventure Activities

9 Best Day Trips from Queenstown

Day 8 – Wanaka

Drive Time:  Just over one hour from Queenstown to Wanaka.

It’s only a short drive to Wanaka from Queenstown but I still recommend making an early start so you can make the most of your day exploring Wanaka.

One of the most beautiful towns and lakes in New Zealand, Wanaka and it’s lake of the same name, is a year round outdoor destination. In the warmer months enjoy some of the country’s best walks and during the winter, ski at some of the Southern Alps best resorts.

What to See & Do in Wanaka

Mt Aspiring National Park – Enjoy a range of walks to suit all fitness levels from two hours to two weeks. One of the most popular is the Rob Roy Glacier Track, a spectacular 3-4 hour, 10 km walk that takes in alpine scenery, snow fields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls.

Explore the Lake – There are a few different ways you can enjoy Lake Wanaka either on land or on the water. From the town there’s a walk/bike track that leads in both directions around to certain points of the lake. Or if you prefer to see it on the water, you can hire a kayak, take a guided boat tour or speed through it on a jet boat .

Roy’s Peak – For the best view from above of Wanaka, a hike up Roy’s Peak is a must. It is a 5-6 hour return 16 km walk that takes you to the 1,578 m peak on a steep but relatively easy climb.

Fun in the Snow – During the cooler months you’ll find two of New Zealand’s finest ski fields within easy reach of Wanaka. Treble Cone and Cardrona Alpine Resort are just 20 minutes drive away, and offer ski and snowboarding facilities to all skill levels.

Where to Stay in Wanaka

Budget – Wanaka Backpackers Bothy

Mid-Range – Wanaka View Motel

Luxury – Lakeside Apartments

Read More About Wanaka

Things to Do in Wanaka

The Best Tours in Wanaka

Where to Stay in Wanaka

Wanaka Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days

The Spectacular Drive from Franz Josef to Queenstown

Day 9 to 10 – Franz Josef

Drive Time:  3.5 hours from Wanaka to Franz Josef

The drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef is one of New Zealand South Island’s best drives so give yourself plenty of time to make stops at waterfalls, lookouts and the amazing Blue Pools. On day 10 you’ll have plenty of time to explore a lot of Glacier Country’s highlights.

Don’t miss out on visiting the glaciers of Glacier Country before they disappear! You see, the glaciers are melting at an increasingly fast rate so they won’t be around forever. Basing yourself in the thriving little resort town of Franz Josef gives you easy access to everything the region has to offer.

What to See & Do in Franz Josef

Explore the Glaciers – There are two ancient glaciers in the region for visitors to explore, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Anyone can take a flat, easy walk to get close to each of them in just over an hour. Or for something a bit more adventurous, why not climb aboard a helicopter to soar above them and even land and walk on them. Check out these glacier and helicopter tours for Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier , which sell out well in advance!

Lake Matheson –  This picture perfect lake offers views of Mt Cook and on a clear, calm day, the perfect reflection of it too. The walk around the lake takes about one and half hours with lots of places to stop and taking in the view along the way.

Glacier Hot Pools – After a day hiking on glaciers you’ll need a place to go and help your muscles to relax. The Glacier Hot Pools is just the place! Surrounded by rainforest, the pools are fed by the waters of Franz Josef Glacier, or Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori. The legend of Hgai Tahu (a local Māori tribe) says that these waters are the tears of aroha, meaning love, which were frozen by the gods creating the Franz Josef Glacier.

Where to Stay in Franz Josef

Budget – Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park

Mid-Range – The Terrance

Luxury – Westwood Lodge

Read More About Franz Josef

Things to Do in New Zealand’s Glacier Country

A Walk Around Lake Matheson in Photos

Day 11 to 12 – Nelson/Abel Tasman

Drive Time:  6 hours from Franz Josef to Nelson along the West Coast

Day 11 is the longest drive day of the trip but don’t worry, it’s another spectacular one. Make sure you follow the wild west coast all the way up to Punakaiki for the best views. On day 12 head out to Abel Tasman National Park for a day of adventure.

Nelson is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring one of the South Island’s best kept secrets, Abel Tasman National Park. Home to pristine golden sand beaches and excellent walks, this part of the country should be on everyone’s to-see list.

What to See & Do 

Day Trip to Abel Tasman National Park – With no road access to the park, your only options for exploring Abel Tasman are on foot, cruise or kayak. There are a bunch of tours available that combine these things for a full day exploring this stunning national park. Check out these tours that include both on and off the water experiences.

Where to Stay in Nelson

Budget – YHA Nelson by Accents

Mid-Range – Harbourside Lodge

Luxury – The Sails Nelson

Day 13 to 14 – Kaikoura

Drive Time:  3 hours from Nelson to Kaikoura

Day 13 is another easy drive day with lots to see and experience along the way. Stop by the Marlborough Wine region  and enjoy the spectacular drive south along the Kaikoura coast.

The seaside town of Kaikoura sits on a big wide open bay that is home to countless species of marine life and flanked with towering snow-capped mountains and rolling green hills. Sounds like paradise to me!

What to See & Do in Kaikoura

Peninsula Lookout – The first place you should head when arriving in town, this lookout provides the best views of the bay and mountains. I guarantee the view will take your breath away.

Point Kean Seal Colony – One of the top things to do in Kaikoura is to head to Point Kean, just a few minutes drive from town, where you’ll find a colony of seals that you can get up close (but not too close!) to in their natural environment. As soon as you step out of the car you’ll see the seals lazing on the rocks, soaking up the sun. On my visit we saw a few dozen including some young ones playing in a natural rock pool.

Ohau Stream – From May until October, head just 15 minutes north of Kaikoura to visit the Ohau Stream to see seal pups playing in the stream and under the waterfall. These playful and shy little creatures are left here by their mothers for a few months to play with the other pups while they grow.

Whale & Dolphin Cruises – The bay is home to an array of marine life all year round. Your best chance at seeing them up close is on a cruise and there are cruises that run daily all year round. Sperm Whales ( check out this tour ) live in the bay year round and Kaikoura is one of only three places in the world where you can see them up close. A tour will also give you the chance to swim with the resident Dusky Dolphins, like on this tour or this kayaking tour to get up close out of the water.

Where to Stay in Kaikoura

Budget – Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park

Mid-Range – Quality Suites Kaikoura

Luxury – The Hamptons

Finish off your two weeks in New Zealand’s South Island back in Christchurch where you’ll find the biggest range of International flight departures on the South Island.

If you follow this trip to a tee you’ll be driving over 2,000 km, so you’ll want a vehicle that is comfortable for both driver and passengers, plus one that has plenty of space for your luggage.

New Zealand’s terrain is very mountainous so hiring a vehicle with a bit of power will make the driving experience easier too.

For all my car hire bookings I use and recommend Hertz . I’ve found they offer the most comparable prices, let you search and compare multiple vehicle types and they have a great customer service team who can help if you come into any unexpected troubles.

Got More Than Two Weeks?

There is so much more to New Zealand’s South Island than the places mentioned in the above itinerary. If you have more than two weeks to explore this incredible part of the world, here are a few extra stops I think you should consider:

• Dunedin – Home to some of New Zealand’s best architecture and a great place to base yourself for exploring the stunning coast just north of the city.
• The Catlins – Love the outdoors? Then you’ll love The Catlins! The region offers walks for all abilities , stunning coastal and rural scenery and quaint little villages.

• Stewart Island – Stunning seascapes, lots of wildlife and a slower pace of life are just a few of the draw cards for visiting this island located off the south coast of the South Island.
• Marlborough – From cruising the untouched sound to sipping some of the world’s best wine , Marlborough isn’t just another pretty place to pass through, it’s worth some time if you can afford it as there are many things to do there .

• Punakaiki – This itinerary actually takes you through Punakaiki but I think that if you have time, it is a place well worth some extra time. It is home to some of the best coastal walks and natural features you’ll find in New Zealand.

And don’t forget that you can also spend extra time in any of the places mentioned in this itinerary. All of them have lots to offer.

Over to you!

Which part of this New Zealand South Island two week itinerary are you most excited about?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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46 thoughts on “Two Week New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary”

New Zealand is My Happy Place … I love it so much .

Good itinerary and very useful 🙂

Thanks Rohini. It is my happy place too!

Hi Jen, is there any advantage to doing this route clockwise vs. counterclockwise? May be a silly question… thanks!

Absolutely no difference in my mind. Whatever works best for you!

Great post! What was your highlight? Mine was Mount Cook or Abel Tasman National Park!

Thanks Abbi. Probably the drive out from Tekapo to Mt Cook Village. But really everything I have seen of New Zealand I have loved.

Hi Jen. May I know which route you took from Tekapo to Mt Cook Village? Is it direct route (1h 34min as showed in google map) or the one through Lake Pukaki?

Yes Sathyendra, I travelled there direct from Tekapo and the drive as about 1.5 hours so that sounds right to me.

hi your travel planning was cool and nice i am planning for new zealand it is a wonderful place thanks for sharing to nice experiences…keep posting

What time of year do you recommend doing this?

Have been to NZ more than once previously …. Two active seniors want an expert to recommend route, accom. etc.,etc. Last 2 times we rented a camper van….but not this time !! We do not want to start a dialogue via social media. We don’t do it for anyone including g’kids. We’re thinking 23+-days in NZ. currently we envision arriving Feb. 1, and departing the 24,2019. We did a 23 day NI spring(yours) self-directed garden tour in 2017 that I planned. Mostly east side of island from Auk. to Wel.and back. Leisurely 36 to 40 gardens. So I wish a break from getting totally engrossed finding accom., etc., etc.,…. Jim

Hi Jim, This itinerary should help you start to piece together the bits and pieces you need for your trip to NZ. If you would like to ask any specific questions about my suggestions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]

thank you for this itinerary. planning to go to South NZ in 2021 🙂

Looking to take my future wife over for our honeymoon and we will both be first timers, planning on hiring a motor home and doing a 7/8 day travel from Christchurch to Queenstown.

My question is what areas would you recommend for half the time, should i go north or south from Christchurch??

Hi Stephen, It depends on what you guys are into. There are some great hikes south and wineries and food north. If I personally had to pick, it would be south. Milford Sound the Catlins are both stunning. The coastline south of Christchurch is beautiful too, almost as good as the west coast. Hope you have a lovely honeymoon. Cheers Jen

Hi Jen. Thanks for this incredibly useful article. One question though … we only have 13 nights – and we are not really into hiking or the adrenalin rush stuff. Could we do the same itinerary and miss out staying in Queenstown? Looking forward to hearing your advice Catherine

Hi Catherine, Sure you can take out a night from Queenstown, but check it out on your way through, it is a beautiful place and not just for those who like adrenalin sports. Cheer Jen

Thank you so much for your fantastic free guide. My husband and I had 18 days so we stretched the time out to suit us. It was such an adventure through this amazing island. There are surprises around nearly every bend. We visited Mt Lyford on our way back to Christchurch and it was worth it. Only place we missed was Dunedin but Mt Cook was worth it. We have done this trip in a country that has bearable temperatures in summer as opposed to sweltering in Oz at this time of the year. Thanks again.

So great to hear!

Hi Jen! Thanks for the elaborate information! I have just 8 nights and as such I am confused which places to include and which ones to leave. Can you please help me with that

Hi Rajeev, That would depend entirely on what your interests are. If you like extreme sports don’t miss Queenstown. If you like hikes don’t miss the west coast. I’d need to know more about what you like to do on holiday to make some more firm suggestions. Cheers Jen

Hi Jen, Wonderful Itinery. I have a question. Which part of the year you travelled? I am thinking of doing this in late April to May. Would the drive be easy or would it be snowing? I am traveling with my wife and two kids.

Hi Ketan, I have travelled around the south island at all times of the year. The roads in the snowy season are well maintained and you shouldn’t have a problem getting around. Unlikely you will encounter much snow at that time of the year anyway. Maybe a few early season falls. Cheers Jen

You briefly mentioned the Punakaiki Rocks. This is a great attraction on the West Coast with a nice easy walk (about an hour in total from start to finish) that shouldn’t be missed. Three of us recently did a super-quick one week tour of the South Island following basically the same route you suggested but in reverse and starting and finishing at Picton. Because of time restraints we had to miss Nelson and Milford Sound / Fiordland but went to Wanaka and Queenstown.

The Punakaiki Rocks are a natural wonder (geologists are still unsure exactly how they were formed) and well worth viewing. As well, to do it justice and if time allows, I suggest spending a minimum of at least two or three days on the West Coast – the scenery is amazing especially when you take the time to go off the main road to signposted attractions such as waterfalls, lakes, and beaches.

Thanks for your recommendations Ken.

If we wanted to add The Lindis pass to The 2 week New Zealand Tour, what would be the best route, or are we best to just make it a day trip from Tekapo

Thanks for your well planned itinerary, I do pick up few good idea for my trip for this Nov. I hv 2 child to go along for this trip and wonder any other area would also good for family with kids. Appreciated for your advise.

Hi Jen, Your itinerary looks lovely! My husband and I (from Singapore) are planning to drive out in July. We’ve only got 12 full days though, looking at either kaikoura or nelson, but not both. What would you recommend?

We are planning a self-drive 10 days trip to the South Island (NZ).

From your ‘Two weeks Road trip’ itinerary schedule, all those places recommended were perfect.

For a 10 days trip (Christchurch roundtrip), what would you suggest the places to visit ? Thanks.

Regards, KL

Hi Jen, We would like to add in Dunedin. Which would be the best way to go and do you think 3 nights in each place is ok.

Hi Jen, looks like a great itinerary, thanks for sharing! Would you recommend the same with two young kids? 4 and 1.5y, is there much to do for such young ones? Thanks, Reka 🙂

Hi Jen! This is super helpful! I am going in April for 2 weeks for my 40th birthday. The Marlborough wine country is high on my list-any suggestion to edit this itinerary to include that? Thank you!! -Deanna (San Diego, CA)

Hi, I am basing my South Island trip next month (13-26/10), very much on your suggested itinerary (renting a self contained campervan). Thank you. I have been going through various websites to check out ticket prices for various attractions – Milford Sound cruise, Queenstown Jet Boat, etc – there seems to be some differences in prices and packages (comparing Get Your Guide, Southern Discoveries, Everything Queenstown, Viator), but I also noted that you used GYG for a number of references to tours. Is GYG the better place to book, in terms of price, reliability, etc? Any other websites you would recommend?

Many thanks

Great articel. Do you recommend doing same trip with m parents who are around 60year old ? or would you suggest knocking off some places and do some north island for holistic expericne of newzeland?

Thank you for such an informative post! We are visiting Franz Josef Glacier in December. Is it worth taking a scenic flight to see the glaciers or will the valley walk take us close enough to see the glaciers?

I intend to hire a car and travel alone in the South Island. Is it easy and safe? Also, are parking to locations you suggested available?

Many thanks!

Hi – Great guide that I’m planning to follow for our trip to NZ in March, but I was wondering if we would miss anything from doing this route in reverse?

An activity I want to do is fully booked but would be OK if we went backwards?

Hi Jen, how easy is it to do this trip in a motor home with ur Itenary. Are there free camper spots available like they have in north island

We did the southern half of this route in February. The full route suggested is quite long for a two week trip. That sort of mileage might be more comfortable in a car. But the roads and countryside are perfect for a Motor Home. We cut across from west to east just north of Franz Josef which neatly shortened the route. Rough camping is allowed in most places if you have a rough camping permit (ie sewage on board). Most RVs that you would rent have this. We generally opted for the Department of Conservancy (DOC) sites which were cheap, environmentally friendly and support the upkeep of the country. You can check them out at: https://www.doc.govt.nz/campsites .

Hi Jen, we are planning to set a New Zealand South Island family tour (10 pax) this coming June. Kindly recommend the best guided tour we can have. Kind regards, Armando

Thank Jen. We used this as our starting point to plan a 15 day RV trip around South Island. In the end we did not cover all the ground that you suggested – we quickly decided against miles and box-ticking, opting for a slower and more laid back holiday. Hence it took us 11 days to get as far as Frans Josef. So not far north of there we cut east along the 73 and Arthur’s pass back to Christchurch. For those taking that route the caves at Castle Hill were an unexpected and spectacular treat. Thanks for your efforts. Made our planning so much easier. Keep safe. Craig

So glad to hear that Craig! And glad you could use this itinerary to adapt to your own type of holiday.

This looks great, we live in the North Island and haven’t done an epic South Island road trip since having kids, have been planning on a three week mission this summer and this is a great starting point for us, you’ve taken lots of the hard work out of planning and travel times for me. Thanks

Hi , firstly thankyou for sending a free copy of your itinerary. This has given us some great idea’s as we’re currently trying to make an itinerary starting from Picton and ending in Christchurch. We have 13 days to do this . We plan to go west from Picton then follow your itinerary to Christchurch. As were missing out the north east area , have you any more idea’s for stopping , like maybe up the north west area , between Franz Joseph and Picton. Many thanks .C & B . So looking forward to our campervan road trip 😀

Hi Barrie. Glad I could help. Between Picton and Franz you could make two stops, firstly the Abel Tasman National Park when you can take hikes or boat trips to see the park. Second stop would be Punakaki on the wild west coast. Check out the Pancake Rocks, wild beaches and lots of nature walks too. Have a great trip and happy planning! Cheers Jen

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Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Australasia , Bucket list travel , Homepage popular , New Zealand · December 24, 2020

The Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary

Congratulations for making the decision to do a New Zealand South Island road trip, this is going to be one of the best trips of your life!

The South Island is a sublime and striking part of the planet, where you’ll find glacial lakes, lush native forest, cloud-piercing mountains and golden beaches within a few hours from each other.

Throw in some buzzing cities, plenty of character-filled towns, moody national parks and abundant wildlife on land, underwater and in the air, and you’ve got the makings for a seriously impressive adventure.

After coming home in March 2020 due to it-that-must-not-be-named, I immediately started planning a New Zealand campervan road trip.

We kicked off our six weeks in the Marlborough Sounds and made our way down the West Coast , through Central Otago, Fiordland National Park , Stewart Island , along the Otago Coast and through Canterbury. Unsurprisingly, we had the time of our lives!

I returned to the South Island many more times while borders were closed to visit Tekapo , Hanmer Springs and the Hurunui District, and Abel Tasman National Park , and these days I make an annual pilgrimage down there each time I come home for summer. I’ve now seen almost every corner of Te Waipounamu (the te reo Māori name for the South Island) and still adore visiting as often as I can.

Scroll down to find out more about how to travel the South Island, how long to road trip for, the best time to visit the South Island, then dig in to all the best places to visit in the South Island plus things to do while you’re there and where to stay.

Happy planning!

How long should I spend doing my South Island road trip?

How long is a piece of string?

If you want to see a decent chunk of the island I’d suggest visiting for at least two weeks . But if you’re happy to stick to one city, like Queenstown for example, then five days will still give you enough time to experience the city plus add on a day trip or two.

If you’re lucky enough to have longer to spend in the South Island, you could easily fill a two month itinerary. On my big South Island road trip I spent six weeks exploring and there were still places we missed or didn’t spend enough time in.

So basically, if you have a week or less stick to one place, two weeks and you can do a whirlwind tour of the main spots, and a month or more gives you much more time to see the island in-depth.

The itinerary below is based off a one month South Island road trip but you could easily spend more time in places you love or cut out some of the more out-of-the-way spots if you need to condense your trip.

How do I get around the South Island?

If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, the easiest and most cost-effective way to get around the South Island is by driving. New Zealand’s transport infrastructure is limited so you can’t rely on inter-city buses and trains the same way you would in other countries.

Driving yourself gives you the freedom to plan as you go, change your itinerary to fit in with weather and events, and gives you access to places you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.

You can rent a car or a campervan from most major cities but Queenstown and Christchurch have the most rental outlets so are the best places to pick up and drop off.

Renting a car in the South Island

Tossing up between a car and a campervan? Cars are cheaper to rent but you’ll need to include costs for accommodation, which can be pricey in New Zealand. Motels are common throughout the country, even in small towns, but the quality of cheap accommodation isn’t always great.

If you’re not comfortable driving a large vehicle, prefer modern luxuries and like having a decent amount of space, or just don’t mind spending a bit more on accommodation as you travel, then a car is probably best for you.

Keep in mind that in winter you may need snow chains or a 4WD if you’re planning on driving the alpine roads like Lindis Pass, Arthur’s Pass or the road to Milford Sound, all rental car companies offer these but you may need to book them a few days in advance during busy periods.

TRAVEL TIP: Snap Rentals are my go-to rental car company in New Zealand, they offer fantastic value and equally good service. Their Queenstown depot is right opposite Pak’n’Save, the budget supermarket chain in New Zealand, be sure to make a stop to top up on snacks before kicking off your South Island road trip.

You can use Klook to find the best rental car deals, simply search your travel dates and they’ll show you all the best options from rental companies like Snap, Sixt, Avis, GO Rentals and more so you know you’re getting the best deal.

Renting a campervan in the South Island

With a campervan you’ll have more freedom on where you can stay, with a huge range of campgrounds as well as designated freedom camping spots found all over the South Island.

There’s a range of campervan options to choose from based on your travel style. Jucy Campervans have cheap and cheerful self-contained green machines with portable cassette toilets and kitchenettes.

If you want space and modern amenities, check out the range available through Sunrise Holidays . We spend most of our trip in a Sunrise Holidays 6.3m four berth campervan called Judy, with loads of space, a full kitchen including oven and microwave, toilet, shower, gas heating and a big enough battery to let us freedom camp for two or three days.

For something in between cheap and luxury, search online with Camper Rentals NZ and see all campervan options in NZ.

What if I don’t want to drive?

If you don’t want to hit the road yourself, consider a group tour like this South Island Off-Grid Contiki tour or South Island Encompassed G Adventures tour .

Another option for getting around is Kiwi Experience’s hop-on hop-off bus passes, giving you the freedom and flexibility to do your own thing without having to stress about all the logistics.

When is the best time to do a South Island road trip?

It totally depends on what you’re into. Our trip in August/September South Island road trip was filled with hot pools, ski days, snowy evenings, great stargazing and less crowds, but if you prefer bikinis over beanies then summertime might be best for you.

The South Island can get cold in winter and snow is common so be prepared for chilly weather. In summer the temperatures are warmer obviously but New Zealand’s climate can be temperamental so heavy rain is not uncommon at any time of the year, particularly on the West Coast.

If you want to avoid the biggest crowds then don’t travel in December and January if you can help it, mid-February onwards things start getting quieter and prices come down slightly.

Where do I start my South Island road trip?

The easiest places to start if you’re flying in would be Christchurch and Queenstown, which both have major airports and rental depots.

If you’re tacking the South Island onto a North Island road trip , or if you’re driving down from the north, you’ll need to get the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton. The ferry trip takes about three and a half hours and you can drive your car/campervan onboard.

We began our trip in Picton after spending a month in the North Island so that’s where this itinerary starts, but you can start the circuit in Queenstown or Christchurch too.

If you’re looking for a shorter trip, I also have a detailed Queenstown to Christchurch road trip with two route options that you could turn into a loop.

The Ultimate South Island Road Trip

For the purposes of making this road trip itinerary easier to read, I’ve included suggested days in each of the destinations. This is purely a recommendation based on my own road trip around the South Island so feel free to swap and change to fit your preferences!

South Island road trip map

This South Island road trip map shows you exactly where this route will take you. Screenshot it to come back to just in case you’re planning your trip while out of WiFi or phone coverage!

Days 1-2: Picton & Marlborough Sounds

How to get there: The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries arrive in Picton from Wellington

How long to stay: 1-2 days

Picton is a sunny port town, and it’s the gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sounds and Blenheim’s wine country. It’s often missed off whirlwind road trips but is well worth a visit for a few reasons, particularly for the chance to swim with dolphins!

Things to do in Picton & Marlborough Sounds

• E-Ko Tours are a local operator who run wildlife tours and dolphin swimming , which was one of the absolute highlights of my South Island trip. The E-Ko team are extremely knowledgeable about these majestic creatures, working closely with DOC to ensure their tours don’t harm the sealife. This should be at the very top of your New Zealand bucket list .
• The Queen Charlotte Track is a 71km hiking trail that will take 3-5 days to complete, however you can do day walks ( this day hike package includes a cruise to and from Picton) or mountain biking trips. One end of the trail is a gorgeous little inlet beach called Anakiwa, which is also my favourite freedom camping spot in the area.
• Deliver mail to remote Marlborough Sounds residents and keep your eye out for dolphins and fur seals with the iconic Mail Boat Cruise

Where to stay in Picton

Camping : Anakiwa has designated freedom camping spots in a secluded beachfront setting, or Picton Campervan Park and Picton TOP 10 both have great reviews

Budget : Anchor Down B&B has cosy rooms with comfy beds and excellent breakfast

Mid-range : Sennen House is a boutique 1886 homestead with beautifully manicured gardens

Luxury : Oxley’s Waterfront Apartment is a fancy apartment right on the main street with a view over the harbour.

Day 3: Blenheim & the Marlborough Wine Region

How to get there: 25 minutes’ drive from Picton or there are direct flights from major cities to Blenheim Airport

How long to stay: Depends on how much wine you want to drink!

Blenheim is in the middle of wine country, and this region is home to something like 150 vineyards which account for 75% of New Zealand’s total wine production. There are plenty of cellar doors to visit, platters to snack on and stunning winery views to enjoy.

Things to do in Blenheim

• Do a self-guided winery bike tour around Blenheim’s vineyards – my favourites are Framinghams and Saint Clair for small business vibes, Wither Hills or Wairau River for next-level food, and Cloudy Bay for a beautiful cellar door experience
• Or explore the wineries by bus tour with a local guide, or hop-on hop-off bus to create your itinerary
• Want to taste test wines without visiting every single winery? Head to the The Wine Station in town, they have a brilliant vending-machine-like set up where you can taste 80 different wines all at one location.
• Aviation enthusiasts will love the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre , home to a selection of aircrafts and artifacts from WWI and WWII, including planes from LOTR director Sir Peter Jackson’s private collection
• Eat your way around the city – some of the best-rated restaurants are Dodson Street Beer Garden for cheap eats and good beer, Scotch Wine Bar for share plates and delicious wine, and Gramado’s for something fancy

READ MORE: 12 Epic Things to Do in the Marlborough Region

Where to stay in Blenheim

Camping : Wairau Diversion Reserve is a freedom camping spot 15 minutes from Blenheim with an 86% rating on Rankers. For a holiday park check out Spring Creek Holiday Park 8 mins north of the city, it’s got significantly better ratings than the two options in Blenheim itself.

Budget : Alfred’s@115 is a cheap and cheerful B&B option

Luxury : The Nineteenth is a stunning two-bedroom home nestled between a golf course and a vineyard near Blenheim. We spent a glorious night here and loved the open plan living, comfy beds and panoramic views. The house also comes with two mountain bikes and a set of golf clubs if you want a round!

Day 4: Nelson

Driving time from Picton: You can choose the straight road option (140km) or the scenic option (115km), which both take about two hours. From Blenheim it’s about 1h 45m.

Where to stop on the way

• Cullen Point lookout for views over the Pelorus Sound
• Havelock for lunch, it’s the green-lipped mussel capital
• Pelorus Bridge & River, where the barrel scene of the Hobbit was filmed

How long to stay in Nelson : 1-2 days was enough for us

Nelson is often rated as one of the best cities to live in in New Zealand, with long stretches of beach plus a bustling town, thriving arts scene and some brilliant eateries.

There’s not so much to do in Nelson to require a long stay but it’s a beautiful place to explore on your way to Abel Tasman NP, or to base yourself for longer if you want to see the regions that surround it.

Things to do in Nelson

• The World of WearableArt is Nelson’s main attraction but unfortunately they are currently closed due to COVID. The Classic Car Museum in the same location is open though and well worth a visit.
• Find a souvenir from a local artist in one of the many galleries or gift shops, my favourite is Little Beehive Co-op
• Go behind the scenes at Pic’s Peanut Butter World, then treat yourself to a PB-themed brunch afterwards. I recommend the Apple Crumble French Toast!

Where to stay in Nelson

Camping: Tahuna Beach Holiday Park has decent facilities, on-site mini golf and is a short walk from the ocean

Mid-range : Tuscany Gardens Motor Lodge has brilliant reviews, they offer self-contained suites with free WiFi

Glamping : Pepin Island is a private island/working farm 20 minutes from Nelson on the way to Picton, and they’ve got three secluded glamping huts available for rent. We stayed at the Passage Hut and LOVED it, there’s an outdoor bath, panoramic views and it’s totally off the grid.

READ MORE: The Best Nelson Glamping Spots

Another funky glamping option on the other side of Nelson is Rabbit Island Huts near Mapua, little huts on stilts with comfy beds, ensuite bathrooms and access to a lounge, kitchen and outdoor bath.

Days 5-7: Abel Tasman National Park & the Tasman Region

Driving time from Nelson: 30 minutes from Nelson to Motueka, 45 minutes from Nelson to Kaiteriteri

How long to stay in Abel Tasman : 3-5 days

With golden beaches, clear water and an endless selection of adventure activities, Abel Tasman and the surrounding area is an epic addition to any South Island road trip itinerary.

My first trip here was hampered by stormy weather but my second trip was just divine.

Secluded bays with crystal clear water, protected islands teeming with birdlife, hippie towns serving up great coffee and delicious food. It may not be natural to include beaches on your South Island itinerary but I guarantee exploring this little corner of Aotearoa will not disappoint.

Things to do in Abel Tasman National Park

• Explore the National Park’s bays by boat with Abel Tasman Eco Tours . Hands down one of the best locally guided tours I’ve ever been on! You’ll get to see loads of beaches from the water, spot birds and marine life, and enjoy a lunch stop at one of the most beautiful bays I’ve ever seen, Te Pukatea Bay.
• Take a water taxi to enjoy a scenic cruise, day at the beach, or a walk and hike combo (get dropped at one beach and walk to another for pick up). There are options for all fitness levels but I recommend getting a return ticket for Anchorage Beach and doing the 1.5 hour Pitt Head Loop Track, or the 1 hour return walk to Cleopatra’s Pools which have a natural rock waterslide.
• See the famous landmark Split Apple Rock from the water (all water taxis and boats trips will take you there) or wander down the 15 minute track from the road to the beach
• Eat loaded donuts at the Smoking Barrel in Motueka
• Jump down waterfalls and abseil rock faces with Abel Tasman Canyoning
• Rent a kayak with Kahu Kayaks and explore the national park from the water
• Soak up the most incredible views with a thrilling skydive
• Take a slightly unnerving drive over the Takaka Hill to reach the northwestern parts of the region. This road has been damaged with landslides so there’s a long portion which is one-lane-only and is controlled with a traffic light, meaning you may wait up to 15 minutes for your turn to go. Take it slow, be patient and don’t look down if you’re scared of heights!
• Across the hill you can visit Takaka for a hippie town with some brilliant cafes and gift shops, Te Waikoropupu Springs to see a beautiful bright blue spring, and Wharariki for a rugged wild west coast beach with incredible sunsets

READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Abel Tasman

Where to stay in Abel Tasman

Camping : The Barn at Marahau is ideally located by the entrance to the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, or Motueka TOP 10 is near Motueka township with fantastic facilities, hot tubs and a playground

Budget : Abel Tasman Haven offer basic but comfortable studios with kitchenettes

Mid-range : Abel Tasman Lodge has been rated NZ’s best small hotel two years running, and they have charming rooms from only $170 a night, but they require a two-night minimum stay. If you’re looking for somewhere self-contained, Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments are right on the water with a full kitchen, balcony and both one and two-bedroom apartment options.

Luxury : The Kite on Pemako Farm in Marahau is an ultra-stylish minimalist Airbnb with an outdoor bath

Glamping : Spend a night sleeping in a stylish yurt in an eco-village, just 15 minutes away from Motueka

Days 8 & 9: West Coast

Driving time from Abel Tasman National Park: Just over four hours from Motueka to Hokitika, 330km

• Nelson Lakes National Park for some short hikes/glacial lake swims
• Maruia Hot Springs for a divine day of self-care in the form of hot pool soaks, saunas, yoga classes and more
• Cape Foulwind/Tauranga Bay for a seal colony
• Punakaiki for the famous Pancake Rocks

How long to stay on the West Coast: 1-4 days

Though the West Coast officially runs from Karamea in the north to Haast in the south, I’ve separated Franz Josef + Fox Glacier as their own section below so this is mainly talking about the northern half of the coast.

Rugged, wild and wonderful, there’s plenty to see and do on this side of the South Island. Spend your days hiking along icy rivers, visit the lesser known Paparoa National Park, and marvel at fiery sunsets.

Things to do on the West Coast

• Spot some glowworms on an eco-tour through Paparoa National Park’s cave systems
• Get up close and personal with some New Zealand icons at the National Kiwi Centre
• Do the short walk at Hokitika Gorge (free, 2hr return) or get the best views on the new West Coast Treetop Walk ($32, book online here )
• Carve your own pounamu (greenstone) piece at Bonz’n’Stonz
• Have a mind-blowing brunch at the Gatherer in Hokitika

Where to stay on the West Coast

Camping : The Ross Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park was one of the best we stayed at, right on the beach with modern facilities

Budget : Amberlea B&B has a 9.6 rating on booking.com and offers cheap rooms with either shared or private bathrooms

Mid-range : Awatuna Sunset Lodge has a 9.8 rating on booking.com and has comfy rooms with sea views and excellent breakfast included

Luxury : Stay in a stylish newly-converted fire station-turned-apartment, the Hokitika Fire Station Boutique Accommodation . They have a perfect 5/5 rating on Airbnb and you’ll get a 10% discount with the promocode code HOKIFIRE when you book direct !

Unique : Out the Bay in Tauranga Bay has two off-grid tiny houses with stylish furnishings, sea views and a well-equipped kitchen. Our stay here has totally converted me into a tiny house obsessive!

Days 10 & 11: Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier (Glacier Country)

Driving time from Hokitika : 1h 40m, 135km to Franz Josef

• Lake Mahinapua for mountain reflections on a calm day
• Okarito, a small town with a kayak-able lagoon that has epic mountain views

How long to stay in Glacier Country : 1-2 days

Remotely located behind the Southern Alps, only access via mountain passes above and below it (or by helicopter if you’re super fancy!), Franz Josef Glacier and neighbouring Fox Glacier are adventure hubs with insane experiences and unbeatable views.

Things to do in Glacier Country

• See the glaciers! We opted for an expensive but well worth it Franz Josef Glacier helihike . Stepping foot on a glacier and wandering through narrow ice corridors is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll get sweet views on your ride up there too.
• If you’re not comfortable with walking on ice with crampons then consider a scenic heli flight instead. This one does both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier and includes a snow landing from $360, this one does just Franz Josef and is a bit cheaper at $280 each
• And if you’re travelling on a budget, you can walk to the glacier lookout point in 1h 30m for free, or take a guided tour that includes transport and a local guide who can teach you about the area
• Go kayaking in front of a backdrop of mountains in Okarito or on Lake Mapourika
• Soak in the Glacier Hot Pools (currently closed as of March 2024 but I’ll keep it here in case they reopen) or Waiho Hot Tubs
• Quad biking to get your thrills without having to book a flight

READ MORE: 15 Fun Things to Do in Franz Josef Glacier

Where to stay in Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier

Camping : Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park has both powered and tent sites with big kitchens, helpful staff and mountain views, or Rainforest Retreat is 400m from the main Franz Josef township and offers powered sites + decent facilities amongst lush rainforest

Budget : Fox Glacier TOP 10 has a range of budget accomm from back-to-basics cabins with shared bathrooms, through to multi-room motel units that are self-contained. Rainforest Retreat also has budget-friendly double rooms available for less than $100 per night and dorms from $30 a night, or the YHA Franz Josef is another brilliant budget option

Mid – range : With cosy timber cabins offering peace and quiet away from the township’s tourist activity, Kahere Retreat is a good option for mid-range accommodation

Luxury : Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a world-class five star hotel with luxurious rooms, a pillow menu (!!!) and an on-site restaurant that serves up delicious meals made from local produce

Unique : Rainforest Retreat’s deluxe tree lodge is a two-bedroom tree house nestled in native bush with fancy furnishings and a full kitchen

Days 12 & 13: Wanaka

Driving time from Franz Josef Glacier : 3h 45m, 285km

• Fox Glacier just south of Franz Josef
• Lake Matheson for a lake walk and Aoraki reflections
• Thunder Creek Falls, Blue Pools and Fantail Falls along the Haast Pass
• The Haast Pass itself is magical, we stopped so many times for photos! Be careful driving as the windy roads can get dangerous in wet conditions, and only pull over in safe spots where you’re completely off the road

How long to stay in Wanaka : 1-4 days depending on your interests

Wanaka is the quieter, more relaxed, less commercial little brother of Queenstown, and is often preferred by frequent travellers to the area who want to avoid the craziness of NZ’s tourism capital.

Lake Wanaka is an excellent hub for active adventures, with bigger houses and apartments available at cheaper prices than in Queenstown but still offering stunning views and great food.

Things to do in Wanaka

• Cable climb up a waterfall with Wildwire Wanaka (one of my favourite adventures from our South Island road trip)
• Hit the mountains! Cardrona and Treble Cone are the closest ski resorts to Wanaka
• See the city in a different way with a trike tour through Wanaka Trike Tours
• Need a rainy day activity? See a movie at Cinema Paradiso , they’ve got funky seating (like beanbags and old cars) and have cooked meals available in intermission, or head to Puzzling World to test your brain with games and optical illusions
• Hike up Roy’s Peak, it’s six hours return and offers the most incredible views over the lake. If you are short on time and don’t mind spending money then you can catch a helicopter up to Coromandel Peak , just below Roy’s Peak, for equally impressive views without getting sweaty!
• Catch a cruise across the lake and explore Mou Waho Island
• Skydive over the stunning Wanaka landscape with Skydive Wanaka

READ MORE: 25 Epic Things to Do in Wanaka

Where to stay in Wanaka

Camping : Our campsite at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp was one of the most amazing places to wake up to. Facilities are basic but the view is to die for. Another option on the other side of Wanaka is The Camp at Lake Hawea , also boasting lake views.

Budget : Altamont Lodge is 2km from town and has double rooms with shared bathrooms from $110, which is incredibly cheap for this area

Mid – range : Archway Motels is a gorgeous motel with decent sized rooms, comfy beds and a hot tub with incredible views, my favourite motel in Wanaka for sure.

Luxury : Lakeside Apartments have well-equipped self-contained apartments with private balconies, lake views and access to a swimming pool and spa pool

Glamping : Cross Hill Domes right on Lake Hawea (15 mins from Wanaka) are one of the best glamping spots in New Zealand

Days 14-16: Queenstown

Driving time from Wanaka : Just over an hour/68km via the Crown Range, or 1h 30m via Cromwell

• Cardrona Hotel for mulled wine and garlic bread if you’re heading the Crown Range way
• Wineries near Cromwell if you go the other way (Misha’s Vineyard, Gibbston Valley and Rockburn Wines all have brilliant reviews)

How long to stay in Queenstown : 2-5 days

Queenstown probably takes the top spot on New Zealand bucket lists around the country and around the globe, for good reason.

You already know about the skiing, skydiving, jetboating and nightlife, but there’s actually plenty to do beyond the obvious attractions.

If you want a more detailed travel guide you can read my 5 day Queenstown itinerary .

Things to do in Queenstown

• The usual! Ski or snowboard (I love the Remarkables for Queenstown snow adventures), skydive , bungy jump , Shotover Jet , Onsen Hot Pools , hitting the town etc.
• Go for a lake cruise on the historical TSS Earnslaw steamship , a Lake Wakatipu icon since 1912! You can do a chilled out return cruise if you want a quick trip, or disembark at Walter Peak on the other side of the lake for an eco-tour with native tree planting (my top pick), farm tour , gourmet BBQ or horse trek . This is a great one for kids!
• Ziplining with Ziptrek was an awesome adventure activity with crazy views. We chose the 6-line three hour trip and had a fantastic time learning about Queenstown’s history, the flora and fauna, and ending with the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline!
• Get the best view of the city from the top of the Skyline Gondola before zooming down the hill on the luge, you can book your Gongola & Luge ticket here
• Raft through Grade 3-5 rapids on the Shotover with a whitewater rafting trip
• I’m not a fan of freefalling so skydiving/bungy jumping aren’t for me, but paragliding gives you those sky high views without having to throw yourself out of a plane! Paragliding in Queenstown was my second time floating through the sky (my first was in Switzerland) and it was absolutely incredible, highly recommend the team at Coronet Peak Tandems if you want to try it.
• Eat your way around the city. I recommend Bespoke, Yonder or Vudu for brunch, Fergburger for an iconic lunch, Balls and Bangles for gourmet donuts and Eichardt’s Grill, Rata or the Nest for a classy dinner
• Explore Skipper’s Canyon and drive along NZ’s most dangerous road with an epic 4WD safari with Nomad Safari s . If you’re an LOTR fan then these guys also run legendary LOTR tours around Queenstown and Glenorchy taking you to filming locations from the movies.
• Get off-road with a quad bike trip through the mountains
• Take a day trip to Arrowtown or Glenorchy
• Keen to visit Milford Sound but don’t have time for the long drive? See Fiordland from the sky with a scenic flight + cruise package from Queenstown (called a Fly-Cruise-Fly), a coach-cruise-fly combo that gives you the road trip views as well as the flight, or a 1h 20m scenic flyover if you’re really short on time

Where to stay in Queenstown

Kamana Lakehouse is my favourite hotel in Queenstown, with modern rooms, a world-class restaurant and private hot tubs overlooking the lake available exclusively for guests to book. It’s the highest hotel in Queenstown and offers the most incredible view while benefitting from the peace and quiet of the Fernhill neighbourhood. Absolutely dreamy!

Camping : You can freedom camp at the DOC site at Moke Lake for $15pp

Budget : Nomads Backpackers is right in town and has dorm rooms plus private rooms, or for a cheap but comfortable hotel you can’t go past the new Holiday Inn Remarkables Park , which offers seriously impressive value for spacious and stylish rooms as well as a great location near the airport.

Mid-range : Kamana Lakehouse is my top pick for the mid-range budget, but if they’re fully booked you could also check out Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel .

Luxury: Azur Lodge , Matakauri Lodge and Eichardt’s consistently come out on top as the best luxury hotels in Queenstown.

Ultra-luxe : Happy to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime accommodation experience? Treat yourself and a loved one to a luxury package at the Gibbston Valley Lodge private villas. Absolute bliss.

Glamping : Sleep in a secluded lotus belle tent at Remarkables Glamping

Day 17 & 19: Te Anau

Driving time from Queenstown : 2h, 170km

How long to stay in Te Anau : 1-2 days (with a night in Milford Sound in the middle)

Often overlooked as being just a stopover on the way to Milford Sound, Te Anau is a peaceful lakeside town and is the commercial hub of Fiordland. Stop for at least a night here to experience the town’s friendly local vibes, nearby Great Walks or lake adventures.

Things to do in Te Anau

• Get hiking! The Kepler Track is the closest to town, and the Milford Track and Routeburn Track both begin between Te Anau and Milford Sound
• Go for a lake cruise and nature walk with Peter at Cruise Te Anau , or sail on a 1935 yacht complete with afternoon tea and wine on Faith in Fiordland
• Cycle (or e-bike!) the 30km Lake2Lake Cycle Trail from Lake Manapouri to Lake Te Anau. Rent your chariot from Wild Rides in Te Anau and they can transport you one way.
• See the famous Te Anau glowworms
• Splurge on a helicopter or seaplane trip to get killer views that you’ll never forget. The cheapest option is a 30 minute Fiordland National Park flight from only $240, you can fly over Milford Sound for an hour from $530, or see both Dusky and Doubtful Sounds from the sky with this $605 flight .
• Want to go all out? Tick off the Fiordland trilogy with a helicopter tour over Milford, Dusky and Doubtful for a cool $1995 per person
• If you’ve been to Milford already, or if you prefer seeing places off the beaten track, consider booking a day trip or overnight cruise in the secluded and serene Doubtful Sound. I did this overnight Doubtful Sound cruise on my most recent trip (March 2024) and it was a life highlight, actual magic.

READ MORE: The Best Things to Do in Te Anau

Where to stay in Te Anau

Camping : Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park has excellent facilities, with a huge kitchen, decent bathrooms, a lounge with a fire and a hot tub available for guests to book

Mid-range : Anchorage Motel is a sustainability-focused motel with self-contained studio apartments as well as comfy one/two-bedroom options

Luxury : You can’t go past Fiordland Lodge if you’re looking for luxury. With a striking outlook over Lake Te Anau, impeccable service and elegant rooms, this is National Park accommodation at its best.

Day 18: Milford Sound

Driving time from Te Anau : 1h 30m without stops or traffic, I recommend you set aside 2.5/3 hours for the 115km drive

• Te Anau Downs for views back towards the lake
• Mirror Lakes for reflections on a still day
• Lake Gunn Nature Walk
• Pop’s View Lookout
• Monkey Creek

Want to know more? For full info about the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound + tips on places to stop, read my full blog about driving to Milford Sound

How long to stay in Milford Sound : 1-2 days

Widely regarded as the unofficial 8th Wonder of the World, Milford Sound is an absolute Aotearoa must-do for Kiwis and international visitors alike. Plus the road is probably one of the best roads you’ll drive on your South Island road trip!

With abundant wildlife, towering mountains and crashing waterfalls, Milford Sound is simply magical.

Things to do in Milford Sound

• My number one recommendation for things to do in Milford Sound is a kayak tour with Rosco’s Milford Kayaks . Take a waterproof camera, paddle around the fiord, keep an eye out for seals and penguins, and see the waterfalls up close.
• Go for a Milford Sound cruise with local legends RealNZ all the way out to the ocean
• If you’ve got time, consider an overnight cruise to get a more in-depth experience (only available in summer)
• Visit the underwater observatory

See a full list of epic things to do in Milford Sound here .

Where to stay in Milford Sound

The only accommodation option in Milford Sound is Milford Sound Lodge and their Rainforest Campervan Park , and it’s a fantastic place to stay.

The lodge has studio + two-bedroom chalets with mountain, forest or river views, and your stay includes WiFi plus breakfast delivered to your door each morning.

The campervan park has powered sites under towering trees with access to a large kitchen, living area, bathrooms and laundry.

TRAVEL TIP : If you’re heading to Milford Sound overnight in a campervan, stock up on food before you go as there’s no shops there. There is a small cafe in town and a brilliant restaurant at the Milford Sound Lodge (the goats’ cheese croquettes are divine) but stop in at the Te Anau Fresh Choice to top up your pantry before you start the drive.

Days 20 & 21: Stewart Island

Driving time from Te Anau to Bluff : 2 hours, 180km, then a one hour ferry

• Lumsden for a snack from Bafe Bakery
• Gemstone Beach in Orepuki is about an hour off-route from Invercargill
• Bluff for oysters when they’re in season

How long to stay in Stewart Island : The ferry only runs a couple of times a day so a two day stop is easiest

Stewart Island (or Rakiura in te reo Maori) is the remote, unspoilt, lesser-visited third island of New Zealand, known for stargazing, native birds, and the epic Rakiura Track Great Walk.

Things to do on Stewart Island

• Find a kiwi in the wild. I’d highly recommend going on a kiwi spotting tour , the guides know all the best spots and are able to find the birds without causing harm or danger.
• Cross your fingers for a glimpse of the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights

Read more things to do on Stewart Island with my full Stewart Island travel guide

Where to stay on Stewart Island

Budget : Stewart Island Backpackers have basic dorm and private rooms for a good price

Mid-range : There’s a decent range of Airbnbs on Stewart Island that will suit any budget

Luxury : Church Hill Boutique Lodge has panoramic views and a fancy restaurant onsite

Days 22 & 23: The Catlins

Driving time from Bluff : About an hour from Bluff to the start of the Catlins area

How long to stay in the Catlins : 1-2 days

With thriving wildlife, endless coastline and loads of nature walks ranging from easy to expert, the Catlins is an off-the-beaten-track South Island road trip destination that active adventurers won’t want to miss.

Things to do in the Catlins

• An early morning kayak with Catlins Kayak & Adventure to spot penguins, seals and a stunning sunrise
• Do the short walk to Nugget Point Lighthouse
• Watch penguins return to land at dusk at Curio Bay
• Spot sea lions (from a safe distance!) at Surat Bay
• Walk through native forest to visit Purakaunui Falls

Where to stay in the Catlins

Budget : The Lazy Dolphin Lodge has great reviews if you’re on a tight budget

Mid-range : We stayed at this cosy Airbnb near Curio Bay, it has a kitchenette, nice bathroom and comfy bed

Luxury : Molyneux House has modern self-contained apartments with beautiful ocean views, free WiFi and included breakfast

Day 24: Dunedin

Driving time from the Catlins : It’s about an hour from the edge of the Catlins in Balclutha to Dunedin

How long to stay in Dunedin : 1-2 days

Dunedin is a bustling student town and is home to a mish-mash of breweries, heritage buildings, sandy beaches and a thriving entertainment scene.

Things to do in Dunedin

• Go out-out in the student district if that’s your thing!
• Visit Larnach Castle , a stunning real-life castle that was started in 1871
• Try a tasting rack of local craft beer at Emerson’s Brewery
• Spot penguins, seals and albatross on the Otago Peninsula

Where to stay in Dunedin

Mid – range : Bluestone on George and Amross Motel are both decent mid-range options

Luxury : Larnach Castle has a range of accommodation options if you’re looking for something special

Unique : We spent a night at the epic Cascade Creek Retreat about 45 minutes outside of Dunedin. It’s a beautiful timber farm lodge located on a working farm with a stunning rural outlook, two outdoor baths, ultra-comfortable beds and a well-equipped kitchen complete with ingredients for a hot chocolate and marshmallows for the fire.

Day 25: Oamaru & the Waitaki District

Driving time from Dunedin : 1h 30m to Oamaru

• Moeraki Boulders & Fleur’s for fresh seafood
• Purakaunui Beach

How long to stay in the Waitaki District : Day trip or 1-2 days

Hands down the most underrated district in New Zealand, the Waitaki region boasts character-filled cities, unique gift stores, wineries, award-winning restaurants, some incredible adventure activities and my favourite spot for glamping in New Zealand .

Things to do in the Waitaki District

• Explore Steampunk HQ, funky shops and penguin colony in Oamaru
• Have the best brunch ever at Riverstone Kitchen just north of Oamaru, their hot smoked salmon is something I dream about often
• Then visit the gift shops onsite and wander through the impressive gardens
• Stop off at Elephant Rocks to see some crazy rock formations
• Cycle along the Alps2Ocean bike trail
• Stop off in Omarama for a soak in a hot tub with mountain views and to see the otherworldly Omarama Clay Cliffs

Where to stay in the Waitaki District

Budget : Oamaru Backpackers has a 9.1 rating on booking.com from more than 800 reviews, so they must be good!

Mid-range : For a highly-rated farm stay, check out the Highlands on Homestead cottage on Airbnb

Luxury : The renowned Pen-y-bryn Lodge is a historic boutique hotel with brilliant facilities, including a billiard room, fitness centre, guest library and shared lounge with an open fireplace. Other fancy options in the Waitaki area include the brand new Mariner Suites (opened December 2020) and the Old Confectionary apartments .

Glamping : Valley Views Glamping near Waitaki Valley is one of the best New Zealand glamping spots , with spacious geodesic domes, a well-equipped shared kitchen, outdoor baths and panoramic views over farmland with a backdrop of mountains.

And another incredible glamping spot nearby is Nest Treehouse , a tiny house in the forest with sprawling farmland views, a private outdoor bath and a shared sauna.

Day 26: Aoraki/Mount Cook Village

Driving time from the Waitaki District : About an hour from Omarama, 96km

• High Country Salmon near Twizel for the best salmon pate of your life
• Ahuriri Bridge Campsite if it’s lupin season
• Pete’s Lookout for the best view of the windy road heading towards Aoraki

How long to stay in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village : Day trip or 1-2 days depending on how many walks you want to do

My first trip to Aoraki Village in August was cancelled by a terrible fire at Lake Pukaki, so I booked a second trip down for December of this year and had the most amazing time.

The drive to the village is truly one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever done, and I’d recommend giving yourself time so you can stop for photos whenever you feel like it.

Things to do in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village

• Hike! Try the Tasman Glacier Hike if you’re short on time (30 mins) or the longer Hooker Valley hike (three hours) if you’ve got half a day. There are longer, more advanced hikes/climbs too depending on your experience, check with the visitor centre to get full info on the options that will suit you.
• Do a Tasman Glacier helihike
• See the mountains from the best vantage point with a scenic flight
• Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
• Do a 15,000 foot skydive for the most insane views
• Go for a boat ride on the Tasman Glacier lake
• Treat yourself to a fancy dinner at the Hermitage Hotel , their cocktails are incredible!

Where to stay in Aoraki/Mount Cook Village

Camping : The White Horse Hill DOC campground is widely regarded as one of the best campgrounds in the country

Budget : YHA Mt Cook has an 8.9 rating on booking.com from almost 1000 reviews, and they have the best value dorm beds and private rooms in the Village

Mid – range : We stayed at the Aoraki Court Motel which was decent and good value for money. Rooms have comfy beds, kitchenettes and mountain views.

Luxury : Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is somewhere for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Enjoy mind-blowing views over Lake Pukaki, elegant furnishings and free afternoon tea for all guests.

Days 27 & 28: Lake Tekapo

Driving time from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village : 1h 10m, 105km

How long to stay in Lake Tekapo : 1-2 days

I loved Tekapo so much that I visited it three in a year! The bright blue lake looks out of this world and there’s loads to do in the area to fill any itinerary no matter what you’re into.

Things to do in Lake Tekapo

• Go stargazing in one of the darkest places in the world, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, I recommend going with Chameleon Stargazing who offer the cheapest tour in town, only $55 for a 90 minute session which includes info about astronomy, looking through the telescope, a souvenir photo of you under the stars and hot chocolate + marshmallows. Brilliant value!
• Interested in astrophotography? Book an evening astrophotography session with Silver River
• Rest your mind and body with a soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools
• Hit the countryside on a 4WD safari with Tekapo Adventures , they offer epic backcountry station tours that will take you deep into rural Mackenzie farmland
• Take the country’s best scenic flight over Aoraki, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, the Grand Traverse with Air Safaris

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo

Where to stay in Lake Tekapo

Camping : Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park have campsites and cabins with lake views just a short walk from the hot pools

Budget : The YHA Lake Tekapo has excellent reviews and is ideally located on the lake, right next to shops and restaurants

Mid – range : Cairnsmore is a newly-built spacious studio apartment with a kitchenette, outdoor BBQ and lake and mountain views for a good price

Luxury : The Alpine Lodges at the Cairns is my favourite place to stay in Tekapo. The lodges have incredibly comfortable beds, cosy lounges with a fireplace, a full kitchen and a sun-soaked balcony, and they’re just a short walk from town.

Unique : If you’re looking for somewhere that’s rustic and homely with a touch of luxury, consider spending the night at the ultra-Instagrammable High Country Cabin in Twizel (40 mins from Tekapo).

Glamping : There’s no glamping in Tekapo itself but there is a brilliant option near Twizel called SkyScape . This place is a glass pod set in the middle of a farm, meaning no light pollution and ideal stargazing conditions!

Days 29 & 30: Christchurch

Driving time from Lake Tekapo : 2h 45m, 225km

• Burkes Pass to see the old school Route 66-themed auto-stop, the ideal South Island road trip photo spot
• Fairlie for the famous Fairlie Bakehouse pies, I rate the pork belly one
• Geraldine to pop into Barker’s Foodstore for an amazing brunch
• Ashburton Lakes and Rakaia Gorge if you have time to drive a little bit out of the way

How long to stay in Christchurch : 2-3 days

Slowly being rebuilt after the disastrous earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, Christchurch is a city with a huge amount of character as well as lots of fun things to see and do.

Things to do in Christchurch

• Visit the famous Botanic Gardens
• Hire an e-bike and hit one of the city’s cycle trails
• Take a day trip on the TranzAlpine train through Arthur’s Pass , you could either do a return trip on the train or go one way to Greymouth and pick up a rental car to drive back to Christchurch, you can often find super cheap (as in $1!) relocation cars from Greymouth to Christchurch on TransferCar
• Do a Lord of the Rings tour
• Zip along New Zealand’s longest zipline at the Christchurch Adventure Park
• Enjoy a four course dinner at the funky Tramway Restaurant
• See the city on a tram tour
• Search for the best street art in the central city
• Eat your heart out at the bustling Riverside Market food stalls
• Treat yourself to a new hair do at the first hair salon in NZ to offer a fully licensed bar, Mods Hair in Merivale

Where to stay in Christchurch

Budget : Jucy Snooze is a pod-style hostel by the airport with great facilities for a really good price

Mid – range : The Tack Rooms have two fully self-contained units (including kitchen and washing machine) just a short walk from the central city. The aesthetic here is so classy, it’s soaked with natural light and the location is unbeatable.

Luxury : The Britten Stables is an award-winning restored stables that was a part of the 1896 Mona Vale Homestead, renovated in the 70s by legendary inventor John Britten.

They have a range of rooms available with access to a gorgeous conservatory with an indoor pool that looks like it is straight out of my dreams. We stayed in the Observatory which had a large bedroom, decent living space and a kitchen.

Book Britten Stables on booking.com

Day 31: Akaroa & the Banks Peninsula

Driving time from Christchurch : 1h 20m to Akaroa, 81km

How long to stay in the Banks Peninsula : Day trip or 1-2 days

Best known for its dolphins and French influence, Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula is a great add on to any South Island road trip if you have time.

Things to do in Akaroa & the Banks Peninsula

• Swim with dolphins or do a wildlife cruise if you don’t want to swim
• Explore the ocean by kayak tour
• Join in on a small group tour to watch the penguins at dusk
• Explore Akaroa’s French-influenced eateries, gardens and homesteads
• Visit the weird and wonderful Giant’s House

Where to stay in Akaroa & the Banks Peninsula

Camping : Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park has good facilities and is the closest campground to the township

Mid – range : SiloStay in Little River is a really funky place to rest your head, with your accommodation inside a converted silo! You get an upstairs balcony with countryside views, a kitchenette and an en suite bathroom inside your silo.

Luxury : Bellbird Bach is a sun-soaked innovative bach with space for six people overlooking the valley just past Akaroa, or the Villa in Akaroa is a historical home with space for four.

Glamping : My mum and I stayed at the Te Wepu Intrepid Pods , who have three secluded wooden pods overlooking rolling hills and the Akaroa Harbour. Each pod has an indoor bio-loo, outdoor kitchen, BBQ, wood-fired hot tub and solar-powered lighting and USB charging. Kate and Richie have created an epic glamping spot and this was one of the highlights of our Canterbury road trip!

Day 32 & 33: Kaikoura

Driving time from Christchurch : 2h 30m, 180km

• Hanmer Springs if you’re happy to take a slight detour
• Cathedral Gully for some crazy cool rock formations

How long to stay in Kaikoura : 1-2 days

With ocean in front of you and mountains behind you, Kaikoura might be one of the best-looking destinations in the country.

Watch for whales and dolphins by boat, kayak or air, chow down on the freshest seafood you’ll ever find, and spot baby seals playing in rock pools.

Things to do in Kaikoura

• You can’t visit Kaikoura without a whale watching trip (even though I’m terrified of whales which is a story for another day). Do a whale watching cruise or splurge on a whale watching flight .
• See the sea by kayak with a guided kayak tour
• Spot baby seals playing in the rock pools at Ohau Point
• Eat fresh crayfish on the beach with a stop at Nin’s Bin
• Swim with dusky dolphins with Encounter Kaikoura . I did a dolphin swim in Picton and loved it so much I had to try it in Kaikoura as well! Kaikoura’s dolphin tour is in the open oceans and sea conditions can be rough, so if you’re prone to seasickness then reconsider going for the Picton option instead (which is in the very calm Marlborough Sounds). If you’re used to being on boats though then swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura is absolutely worth adding to your South Island road trip.

Where to stay in Kaikoura

Camping : Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park has modern facilities and amazing mountain views

Budget : First Light Kaikoura has budget-friendly rooms with good reviews

Luxury : This Kaikoura waterfront apartment can fit four people and has excellent reviews on Airbnb, or the Hamptons B&B offer ocean view king rooms for two people

Glamping : Staying at the Manakau PurePod was very high on my New Zealand bucket list , and I was lucky enough to tick it off on my third South Island road trip! This is basically a glass box located on a remote farm in inland Kaikoura, accessed via gravel road, shallow fords (big puddles) to drive through and a short walk through the forest. It’s got a kitchen + gas BBQ, an indoor loo with a stunning view and a glass ceiling for stargazing all night long.

And after wrapping up your trip in Kaikoura, it’s a two hour drive back to Picton to complete the circuit!

I hope this detailed South Island New Zealand travel guide has helped you plan your South Island road trip itinerary. If you think I’ve missed anywhere important or think I should add something onto this road trip plan then let me know in the comments.

Drive safely and have the best time!

Planning a South Island road trip? Read more New Zealand travel tips in these blogs:

• The Ultimate New Zealand Bucket List
• The Perfect Queenstown to Christchurch Road Trip Itinerary
• The Best Places to Visit in the South Island
• All the Best Spots for Glamping in New Zealand
• 11 Epic Things to Do in Milford Sound
• The Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo
• Fun Things to Do on Stewart Island

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March 1, 2022 at 9:45 am

Such a good itinerary! You’ve got all the best spots. I also love the drive from Wanaka/Cromwell to Dunedin via Clyde – it’s such a beautiful drive and Clyde is such a cute little town 💖 So hard to try and fit everything in though!

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• 14 Day New Zealand South Itinerary
• New Zealand Travel Blog

Discover the unparalleled beauty of New Zealand's South Island on a 14 day self-drive vacation.

From the towering peaks of the Southern Alps to the crystal-clear waters of Milford Sound, this two week itinerary will take you to the heart of the South's most iconic sights.

Experience the charm of quaint towns and the thrill of outdoor adventures, all while surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular landscapes.

Day 2. Towards Mt Cook

Day 3. buckle up like indiana jones in his all terrain vehicle, day 4. queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, day 5. here are a bunch of options for reaching milford sound, day 6. we back track a little at this point and head to wanaka, day 7. to the wild west coast and glacier country, day 8. twin glacier helicopter flight over fox and franz , day 9. pancake rocks, day 10. over the hills to nelson, day 11. the split apple rock kayak, day 12. kaikoura and the whale watch.

Embark on an unforgettable self-drive adventure through New Zealand's most breathtaking landscapes. Explore the awe-inspiring Mt Cook National Park in a 4WD excursion, and experience the remote tranquility of an alpine island on Lake Wanaka. Witness the spectacular snowy neves of Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on a thrilling helicopter tour, and take in the majestic beauty of Fiordland from a scenic flight. And of course, no trip to New Zealand is complete without a cruise through the world-famous Milford Sound. With so much more to discover, this is a journey you'll never forget.

Welcome to New Zealand and Christchurch

Now that you know everything has been taken care of, you can relax.

You'll be met a the airport and transferred  to your central city accommodation. The trip to town is a pretty drive in itself along Memorial Avenue and and around the Hagley Park. You'll have time to look around the city should you wish and get to see a city rebuilding itself and marvel at it's stunning hinterlands.

The focus of the self drive itinerary is ease of use and hassle free, plus you have our 24 hour assistance contact should you need anything.

I suggest you pick up your rental car and start early. Mt Cook is only 326kms or 233 miles away, which'll take you about 4 hours, though there's so much to see on the way and you'll want pics to show the family and friends.

Getting out of Christchurch is easy and your drive is in a south westerly direction. You'll traverse the Canterbury farming plains, passing through small farming towns like Geraldine and Fairlie, famous for its pies, to Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and the Ed Hillary highway into Mt Cook.

Lucky you. You're here in the Mt Cook Village for two nights at the Lodge and Motels. This place is  amazing, as much as you'll want to chill out at the Chamois Bar and Grill (pronounced 'sham wa', after the famous animal dwelling in these high hills), you'll want to get out around the village and beyond.

Located nearby is the Ed Hillary Museum and this is a must visit. It references Sir Ed and Tenzing Norgay's summit of Mt Everest in 1953 along with a lot of other alpine history.

This part of your package  4WD trip takes you along a rugged track where you're up close with the wild, ever changing moraine wall of the massive Tasman Glacier. You'll see the glacial lake and icebergs that have peeled away from the ice wall of New Zealand's largest glacier.

You'll have a professional guide on hand to answer your questions and give you all the relevant history. I've great friends, mountain guides, Mary and Charlie Hobbs who live here and if you want to hear some yarns, wander up to the Mountaineer's cafe, which they own.

OK, once you've traversed the bold and barren Lindis Pass, you've two options in getting to Queenstown from here, via Wanaka and the stunning Crown range or the more sedate route past Lake Dunstan, through Cromwell and the Kawerau River gorge.

It'll take you about 3 hours and is 255kms or near 160 miles, either way. Both routes are  impressive. The Crown range is New Zealand's highest road and requires care especially in snowy winter conditions. I suggest the route through Cromwell leaving the Crown range for later.

Both routes are close to the Gibbston valley vineyeards and the world famous AJ Hackett bungy jumping. Invented in New Zealand the bungy is now a world wide phenomenon, though we retain the right to bring you here, have you pay us money, so we can throw you off things !

Queenstown is a genuine New Zealand alpine resort. Famous for world class snow sports in winter, with jet boating through wild river gorges, to internationally rated golf courses, rafting opportunities, sky diving, gourmet dining and bars and cafes.

There's an international airport just 15 minutes from the centre of town. You're here for two nights, though will likely wish it was more.

Your accommodation, the Autoline Queenstown is just 5 minutes from the lake and the centre of town. The lake is Wakatipu, one of New Zealand's finest with the Remarkables mountain range in the background.

Promise me, when you're here, you'll make time for a ride up the gondola to the restaurant at the top, as well as a trip on the TSS Earnslaw, the steam ship that plies the lake.

If you can, fly. While the coach trip is a cruise in comfort from Queenstown through stunning country encompassing diverse farmland, beech forests, Lake Te Anau and remote valleys, including the incredible Homer tunnel, it's a long day out.

Though either way, the treat is still the same, the Milford Sound. The sheer perfection of the aptly named Mitre Peak, the Bowen falls and others that spew into this uniquely formed U shape valley and the unruly, brooding nature of the place is captivating.

Though the coup de gras is the cruise on the waters of the sound. The purpose built vessel get you up close and at one with the ruggedness of the place and if you're there after a rainfall, the scene is truly jaw dropping.

Flying Milford back to Queenstown will blow your mind. The Sutherland Falls out of the elevated Lake Quill, the southern lakes Te Anau and Manapouri and then the descent into Queenstown will have you thinking you've seen God and all His Angels !

I hope your camera was well charged. You'll sleep well tonight.

It's just over and hour away at 70kms or 44 miles. You'll recall I suggested traveling via Cromwell on coming to Queenstown, now you'll get to travel the Crown range in going to Wanaka.

The nice thing about this route is that you can sneak through historic Arrowtown on the way. It's an easy side track and any local will happily steer you along the right road.

As mentioned the Crown range is impressive, starting with a bunch of switchbacks from the Arrowtown side. Pause at the summit and you might even catch an Air New Zealand commercial jet in the valley below on approach to Queenstown airport.

Head on down the valley to Wanaka, past Cardrona and the famous bra fence ( a breast cancer fundraiser and donations welcome ) and to your accommodation at the Bella Vista Motel . Fully serviced and only 150m from the stunning lake front and a busy town centre with a supermarket, shops, restaurants and bars.

Today you'll cruise to the Isle of Mou Waho one of the magical islands on Lake Wanaka. The island is predator and pest free and a guide will see you round the place. The views are amazing and the Arethusa pool is one of nature's wonders, as it also has its own little islands ! Make sure you have your swimwear in season as a plunge here is pretty special.

Another Wanaka must visit is Puzzle World not far from the centre of town with its bizarre, weird and wonderful images, mazes and illusions. If you're feeling fit the Mt Iron walkway is just over the road and a quick climb up an easy track to the summit offers a spectacular view of the Wanaka basin to the snow capped Southern Alps beyond.

You'll be ready for a rest and refreshment and with everything within easy walking distance, the town's waterfront is just the place to go, with its bevy of cafes, bars and eateries. Wanaka has a great vibe and like everywhere in New Zealand, the locals love to talk.

Today is a big day though I rate it as arguably one of the countrys' great road trips. Wanaka to Franz Josef  is 350kms, near 220 miles and will take you around 4 hours 45mins.

Initially you're alongside Lakes Hawea and Wanaka on a broad, flowing highway drawing you nearer to the mighty peaks of the Southern Alps. As you approach the little settlement and shop at Makarora near the head of Lake Wanaka, the beech forests get closer and soon you're in incredibly bush country heading towards the Haast Pass. The blue pools are an easy diversion while the pass itself and the  'Gates of Haast' feature dramatic river rock formations.

Most things around here are called Haast, after German explorer Sir Johann Franz Julius von Haast, who by all accounts was a pretty good chap who did much for the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch,  though quite liked naming things after himself all the same.

Case in point, once you're over the Haast pass and through the Gates of Haast, you'll head out toward the West Coast and the town of Haast, on the Haast river !

The road this far is spectacular, with wild rivers and waterfalls, though north along the coast from Haast, things change dramatically. The trees lean away from the ocean and the prevailing westerly winds of the Tasman Sea, though the rivers remain big and wild.

Reaching Fox then Franz Josef signals your arrival in Glacier Country. The road between the two twists its way through the forest and takes about half an hour.

Your accommodation in Franz Josef is two nights at 58 On Cron Motel. It's only 5 minutes from the town centre and handy to your heli pad.

The heli pads in Franz Josef are close to the town centre and the air here is busy with the sound of

'choppers'. This flight will really 'rip your shorts' and the views up here are jaw dropping. The expert commentary of your pilot points to the landmarks and features as you try to absorb the vastness of this snowy mass of undulating steeps and gullies.

Best of all, is you'll land here and walk on the white gold, with rugged peaks all around and the Tasman Sea below. Imagine how those pics are going to look on your social media.

Franz has good bars and restaurants and I've great memories of watching an American superbowl final over a few beers at 'The Landing', or if you've time, a trip over the hill to Fox and the historic Sullivan family White pub is always well worth a visit and you might even find one of the Sullivans' at the bar!

Today is not such a long drive, about 2 hours 50, or 217kms, 155 miles. vGradually you'll make your way out of glacier country as the land opens up a little more around you.

It's farming country though with a magnificent history of gold mining and greenstone, or ponamu as it's known in New Zealand. The little gold mining town of Ross boasts a great story and the pub and its open fire, is quintessential West Coast.

Further north Hokitika's greenstone factory and shop gives a great account of the greenstone story with beautiful and interesting pieces available for purchase. By the way, the pie shop a few doors down on the corner, is a beauty.

Trucking north, through Greymouth, Barrytown and the truly rugged mid to northern part of the West Coast highway, with the Tasman Sea out your passenger's window, is an experience in itself.

Occasionally there're little dwellings perched precariously among the rocks and just beyond the clutches of the ocean and you wonder who might live here.

The surprises keep coming, as the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki jump out at you. These are exactly as named. Flattened rocks stacked upon each other over 30 million years and beaten about by the ocean waves. The area is within the Paparoa National Park, which is famous for its limestone canyons and caves.

You're here for a night at the Paparoa Park Motel nestled in bush and just across the bay from the rocks and blowholes. Everything here is an easy walk or short drive away.

You'll be heading away from the 'Wild West' today and inland through river gorges and forested lands to Nelson. The drive is about 3 and a half hours, 264 kms or 188 miles.

The country is spectacular yet quite different again. Murchison is a well serviced stopping point on the way and has a couple of eclectic second shops. vThe speed limit as you head to Nelson is often 80kms an hour and the route can be quite busy.

Nelson city is often referred to as New Zealand's sunniest spot and is beautifully set on the flats and surrounding hills overlooking the gorgeous Tasman Bay.

It's famous for its craft beers, cafes and seafood restaurants. Apparently the jeweler who created the One Ring for the Lord of the Rings movies lives here and you can even buy your own identical replica.

You're here for two nights at the Palms Motel in the centre of town. Again it's modern and well, well placed and guaranteed hassle free.

Nelson is a magnificent base for access to the Abel Tasman national park area and one of the iconic trips round here, is kayaking to the Split Apple Rock. So named cos this is exactly what it looks like.

You'll travel to the designated start point of Kaiteriteri beach through the vineyards of the Moutere valley, where you'll meet your guide.The paddle is in sheltered waters and gentle and no experience is necessary. The focus is on safety and enjoyment and your guide will see to that.

The trip is around 2 hours and at an easy pace, though if you've little people with you, mornings are best before any afternoon sea breeze.The coast here is incredible, with little nooks and crannies and wildlife everywhere.

You'll be full of chat and conversation after this and needing a good local wine to settle you down. Any of the sauvignon blancs round here will do the job! Perhaps drop in at Gravity Wines ion the Old Coach Road in Mahana for a state of the art experience.

This magnificent whirl around the South Island, or Mainland as we like to call it, continues. Two and a half hours, 184kms or 131 miles away is Kaikoura,

It's not a straight forward run and if you get a little queasy, then 'Mother's little helper' might be a good idea about now. The countryside never ceases to disappoint, with changes at every turn and soon enough you're through the hugely productive Blenheim wine territory and out on the opposite coast with the Pacific beyond.

You swing south in your journey to Kaikoura and ultimately your start point of Christchurch. 'Nins bins' will come up on your passenger side and if open, is well worth a stop. The local delicacy is crayfish, or lobster, as you you may know it. 'Nins' is known globally and there's many a pic, on many a phone, all over the world of folk having been here, so you may as well join the club.

Kaikoura is just another breathtaking Kiwi destination. Huge mountains meet the sea and it was on the highest of these peaks where the conqueror of Mt Everest, a young Ed Hillary, first plied his trade. You've great accommodation here too. The White Morph Motor Inn on the waterfront is an easy stroll to the town centre, the shops and the bars.

Of course the big deal here, is the world famous whale watch. You'll get amongst this on a tour out of the South Bay harbour. Sperm whales and dolphin visit year round while the enormous humpback calls in during June and July. The tour boats get you respectfully close, where you can see them breach and dive safely.

This is something you'll never forget and what better way to revel in it, than a visit to the Boutique Hotel and cocktail bar, where my great friend Jen will make you a cocktail that'll put a major tilt in your kilt. This a place that is hard to leave.

Day 13. Back to Christchurch.

Two and half hours away, 185 kms or 132 miles..and you know what this means. Your stunning trip here is coming to a close.

Cruise on south through the Waipara wine country, stop and buy some product if you wish and head on into Christchurch. It's a beautiful city and in the evening the new precincts come alive. Again you're at the City Central Motel and Apartments and handy to everything.

For you final night I'd jump on the Restaurant tram, ask if my buddy Baz is driving and maybe get dropped off by Riverside and head down to the Irish bar, 'The Little Fiddle'. You'll have mixed emotions and struggle to sleep, as you'll likely be plotting your next trip here. Rest assured you're in goodly company!

Day 14. You're out of here..

I can't believe it, you can't accept it and never the twain shall meet, though it's all over. All that remains for me is to ask you to drop your rental car at the airport and board the flight you need to board to take you wherever.

As my dear, wise old friend Claver Esmond says, 'Oh leave us then and get me someone who really wants to stay'.

Bon voyage!

Are you interested in taking a self drive trip to the South Island in New Zealand? We can help with that!

Take a look at the  self drive itineraries  options provided by  First Light Travel . 

Contact  FLT’s travel advisers directly, online, to customise your own version. If you still have questions, the many articles on FLT’s dedicated  New Zealand travel blog  could help to answer them.

Read our  Google Reviews  to see what our guests have to say about us!

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Related Tours

14 Day Classic New Zealand Vacation Package

See New Zealand's 'Classic' sightseeing highlights of the North and South Islands vacation package. Experience geothermal Rotorua, the majestic Mt Cook National Park, and the Tasman glacier wake up to Wanaka's astonishing mountainscapes and slumber next to glorious glacier views on New Zealand's West Coast. Pure and Untouched New Zealand at its best.

Three Week Best of New Zealand Vacation Package

The Three Week Best of New Zealand Vacation Package is a comprehensive look at both the North and South Island of New Zealand. Spend a relaxing 2 nights in those must-see locations – after all, you are on holiday. Experience the must-do activities and excursions on this very popular 21-day easygoing and fun self-drive itinerary.

Must do New Zealand Australia and Fiji

Experience the diversity, landmarks and cultural icons of the Must Do locations in Australia and Fiji on this 28 day trip. From the spiritual canyons of the Red Centre & Uluru, to the eclectic buzz of city life in Melbourne and Sydney, and the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef in the Tropical North of Queensland - this is one massive experiential extravaganza! Add-on 3 nights in a South Pacific luxury resort in Fiji - this is the trip you have been waiting for!

Pricing terms

The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price

New Zealand Family Road Trip Itinerary: South Island Holiday with Kids

The very best New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary for families with kids

updated September 2023

If you are planning a road trip around New Zealand’s South Island, then you have come to the right place!  Just think of us as your own personal New Zealand road trip planner (haha)  This New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary is the perfect road map for families with kids.  There are a ton of things to do in New Zealand with kids and this road trip itinerary is full of family friendly walks, rest days or afternoons (because everyone needs a catch up nap) as well as your New Zealand highlights.  

This highlights tour covers everything you need to see on your South Island trip

• Incredible landscapes
• Golden Beaches
• Glacial lakes with icebergs
• Adventure activities including the very best South Island attractions such as bungy
• A pile of fun activities for kids
• Great swimming spots
• Walks with epic views
• Milford Sound – the 8th Wonder of the World
• All of the best South Island Points of Interest
• Options to see wildlife like kiwi, dolphins, whales etc.

How to get around New Zealand

This New Zealand itinerary is a self drive tour of New Zealand.  The best way to get around New Zealand is by hiring a car or campervan, and it’s certainly the easiest way to travel with kids.  There are some incredibly picturesque South Island camping spots, so we highly recommend getting out in nature and camping on your South Island road trips.   If you would like more information about choosing a family campervan in New Zealand, click here

You could take a South Island tour, but with kids in tow, I think it is far easier to do your own self drive road trip.  You will find a South Island map will help with your planning.

Weather in New Zealand

I have assumed this is a summer holiday, as this is the most popular time for tourists to travel in New Zealand.  But besides the days of visiting some of the beaches, you could do this itinerary at any time of the year.  Being the South Island, you would just have a add a few layers and could even sub in some ski days (if it was winter)  There are some awesome South Island ski fields, such as Mt Hutt in Canterbury, who let kids under 11 ski for free.  For more info on this, click here

Do be aware, in the southern South Island, the water is still quite cool, compared to the likes of Australia or Indonesia and Thailand.  Our kids often swim in wetsuits.  The Nelson/Golden Bay area probably has the warmest beach waters, but if you are really keen on that warm beach holiday, then you can’t miss the Northland , Auckland and Bay of Plenty.  Check out our Ultimate Guide to Road Tripping in the North island here

New Zealand is a country where you have four seasons in one day.  Seriously, even in the summer, kiwis won’t leave home without a sweatshirt or a jacket.   South Island Weather is often cooler, especially in the evenings so don’t expect those humid warm evenings too often in this part of New Zealand.  To find out more information about weather in New Zealand click here

Overview of New Zealand South Island Self Drive Itinerary

• Day 0-3 Christchurch
• Day 3 Kaikoura
• Day 4-7 Abel Tasman/Nelson
• Day 8-9 Murchison and Nelson Lakes
• Day 10-11 Hokitika
• Day 12-13 Franz Josef
• Day 14-16 Wanaka
• Day 17-19 Queenstown
• Day 20-21 Te Anau/Milford Sound
• Day 22-23 Twizel/Mt Cook
• Day 24 Tekapo
• Day 25 Christchurch

Day 0-1 Welcome To Christchurch

Wow! You made it all the way to New Zealand.  Its highly likely you are exhausted and jetlagged, so lets spend a few days exploring here in Christchurch before getting a car or campervan and starting your road trip.

If you are picking up a campervan today, this can take a few hours.  An option is to tag team parent, and send one to pick up the camper and the other with the kids to check out the International Antarctic Centre.   It is just across the road from the airport.  Also a great option if you drop off your rental car/camper early and have some time to kill before you take off home again.

If you need accommodation in Christchurch we highly recommend

• Heritage Hotel Christchurch: Right in the City Centre, large heritage suites with full kitchens and separate bedrooms.  We love this spot and often stay at Heritage Properties.  Click here for the latest prices
• Distinction Hotel Christchurch: A new modern property for a little bit of luxury, with spacious rooms and huge bathrooms (in their family room)  I really liked this place too. Check out the room rates here
• Campers could try the North South Holiday Park:  It has great facilities including a pool and jumping pillow for the kids and is close to the airport.  Check out prices and availability here

Christchurch City Day

Visit the Largest Playground in the Southern Hemisphere, Margaret Mahy Playground .

If you can drag yourself away from there, take a city tour on the tram, visit Cathedral Square and witness the sad effects of the Christchurch Earthquake (visit Quake City attraction for more info on this) or if the weather is rainy, try the Canterbury museum (free) or the free LEGO at the Imagination Station in the new Christchurch library.

Or get rid of your jetlag by getting some exercise:

• Mountain Biking in Bottle Lake Forest
• Walk the Rapaki Track for awesome views of Banks Peninsula
• Hike the Godley Heads Track for coastal views on the whole track

Day 2: Christchurch 

If you aren’t too tired and are up for a bit of an adventure.  Check out one of these day trips from Christchurch

Day trip from Christchurch to:

• Walk to Washpen Falls and visit the beautiful blue/green waters at the Rakaia Gorge
• Scenic drive with all the views to Akaroa for a dolphin cruise or even swimming with dolphins , our very own French settlement and beautiful bays and beaches for swimming.  There are so many things to do in Akaroa – check out our linked article for the best 15 activities and attractions
• Road Trip to Arthurs Pass for Castle Hill Walk (Rock formations/Narnia) and Devils Punchbowl Falls

Day 3: Kaikoura

Drive two hours north from Christchurch to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura is famous for its beautiful whale population and being able to swim with the dolphins.   Find some wildlife on a tour this afternoon

Accommodation in Kaikoura

• For a very comfortable stay, try the Heritage property: The White Morph
• Campers check out the Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park , or the Alpine Pacific Holiday Park

Day 4:  Drive from Kaikoura to Nelson/Kaiteriteri

The 3.5 hour drive from Kaikoura to Nelson is particularly scenic.  Head up the Kaikoura Coastline, making sure to stop to visit the Seal Colony at Ohau Point, just north of Kaikoura.  Drive through vineyard country in Blenheim and stop for lunch at a winery, or have a picnic lunch at Pelorus Bridge.  This is a great swimming spot and there are a few short walks you could take advantage of here.  

For more information on the Pelorus Bridge walks and swimming spots (and Pelorus bridge campground) click here

Arrive in Nelson for an overnight or head straight to Kaiteriteri, an hour further down the road.

Alternate Route: If you wish to explore the Marlborough Sounds which are beautiful and often much less busy than the Abel Tasman/Nelson area , then check out these awesome things to do in Picton (a great place to base yourself to explore)

Day 5: Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri has the most beautiful golden sand that twinkles in the sunlight. Enjoy a beach day here today.  You can hire kayaks or stand up paddleboards, take a water taxi to another beach or just laze about.

You could also explore some New Zealand hidden gems such as Anapai Bay, a lesser known but beautiful spot near here.

Accommodation at Kaiteriteri

• Campers will love the beachside location of the Kaiteriteri Beach campsite.  It gets extremely busy in summer, even with locals, so book early over peak times.  
• If you’re looking for something a little quieter and relaxing, try the Abel Tasman Lodge.  You can find out more about this beautiful spot and other unique accommodation options here

Day 6: Kaiteriteri

If you are pressed for time, take a Half Day Walk in the Abel Tasman National Park. You can grab a water taxi out to wherever you would like to start and get picked up down the track later on.  Or if you prefer the scenic option, just take a day cruise with a beach stop.  Click here for discounted deals on this cruise

Walking the whole track? Allow 3-4 days.  The Abel Tasman Track is one of the easiest multi-day South Island hikes, and one of New Zealands “great walks.”  If you do consider walking the whole track, there are lots of things such as luggage transfer and huts along the way, to make this much easier with kids.

Find out more about taking a day trip on the Abel Tasman Track and who we recommend, in this “ Things to do in Nelson article “

Day 7: Day trip from Kaiteriteri

Head over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay, which lives up to its name so take your togs. Wander through the hippy town of Takaka, see the clearest freshwater in the world (2nd to Antarctica) at Blue Springs (Waikoropupu Springs, colloquially known as Pupu Springs), venture to Farewell Spit (the longest natural sandbar in the world) and Wharariki Beach for panoramic coastlines, islands and arches

Or head to Totaranui Beach, another remote golden beach at the top of the Abel Tasman National Park.  If you did an Abel Tasman Cruise, you may have seen this from the shore or stopped here, but you can actually drive around and make a whole day of it.

(photo credit Cape Farewell Horse Tours)

Day 8: Murchison

Drive to Murchison (2 hours) via St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti (for lake swimming and short walks)

We loved the Mt Robert Summit Track.  It takes about 5 hours round trip, but its beautiful, and if you wish to stay longer in the area, you can stay overnight in Bushline Hut on the trail too.  Read more about the Mt Robert Circuit

Stay at a classic kiwi bach at nearby Lake Rotoroa (3 bedrooms, 200m from the Lake) or try a comfortable 2 bedroom suite at the Murchison Motels.

Day 9: Murchison

Visit Buller Swing Bridge, New Zealands longest swing bridge. Try the Comet Line, a zipline where parents and kids can ride together.

Maruia Springs Waterfall and Hot Pools or Rafting in Buller River

You can actually stay at Maruia Springs.  They have several types of couples and family accommodation, and if you have a self contained camper, they have a great package that includes an overnight stay, and 24 hours of bathing at the hot pools, essentially two days entry!  Click here to find out more

Day 10: Hokitika

Drive to Hokitika via Punakaiki ( Pancake Rocks and Blowhole ) 2 hours, 40 min drive.  Stop for a rest stop and one of these short walks below.

If you’re looking for some awesome accommodation, check out Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.  Great beachfront campsites, but also, wait for it, brand new refurbished shipping containers for a bit of luxury.  Check out our Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park review here

Some great things to do in the Punakaiki and Greymouth Area

• Visit Pancake Rocks: a short 20 minute return walk, wheelchair/stroller accessible to see the incredible Pancake Rock formations
• Truman Track: A little track to a secret beach and waterfall, 15 mins each way
• Punakaiki Cavern: Check out this cavern hidden on the side of the main road
• Coal Creek Falls: 10 mins north of Greymouth, a lovely cascade waterfall. Easy walk for families
• Woods Creek Walk: 1 hour return, easy even for toddlers. A fairy wonderland, sheltered by trees from the rain, coal mining tunnels and bridges. A Kids dream.  It’s only a 1km walk, but there is plenty to keep the kids entertained.  They even wanted to do it again as soon as they were done! 
• Brunner Mine: A free thing to do on the West Coast.  Explore the old mining centre

Day 11: Hokitika

Local town activities: The famous stick sign at Hokitika Beach, Glass Blowing Studio and Jade Carving (both free), find eels or visit National Kiwi Centre

Visit the famous Hokitika Gorge and Swing Bridge: (15 minute walk) Emerald Green and blue waters! This is one of my favourite viewpoints in the South Island, New Zealand.  Definitely worth the drive. Then head to Lake Kaniere for Dorothy Falls (1 minute walk)  The wetland area is definitely a completely type of scenery.

Take in sunset at Sunset Point and visit the Glow Worm Dell after dark (free) just on the north side of town (signposted)  It is one of the best places in New Zealand to see glow worms, is stroller accessible and very easy and quick to access.

If you want to head south a little earlier, pop down to Okarito and stay at this fabulous AirBnB from $135 per night with mountain and sea views.  An airy property right near the wonderful wildlife and rare white herons of the Okarito Lagoon. (Photo above)

Day 12: Franz Josef

Drive to Franz Josef (1 hour 50 mins)

Walk the Franz Josef Glacier Walk to view the incredible ice glacier, which is sadly retreating rapidly (90 mins return, 5km) This South Island walking track is suitable for kids. (our 4 and 6 year old walked this with ease)

Accommodation options are Franz Josef

• A bit of luxe: You can’t go past the Rainforest Deluxe and their incredible treehouses.  See photos and prices here
• Family Accommodation: We stayed at Franz Alpine Retreat and they had the cutest little houses with 2 bedrooms and big kitchen, living area that was perfect for a family of 5 (3 single beds for the kids not to share which was fab)  Take a look at Franz Alpine Retreat here
• Camping:  We have camped at the DOC campground – Otto/McDonalds.  It is fantastic, right on the lakeside, just beware of the bugs (as with anywhere on the West Coast)  There is also a Franz Josef Top 10 campsite if you need access to kitchens, power or cabins.  See options at Franz Josef Top 10 here
• If you are looking for something a little unique, try the Kahere Retreat .  They are the cutest little log cabins, modern and lovely.  Find out more here

Day 13: Franz Josef

Day 14: Wanaka

Drive to Wanaka (4 hours)  Don’t underestimate this drive, with stops along the way, this will take the good part of a day.

Great stops along the way

• Blue Pools Track -below (45 mins return)
• Thunder Creek Falls (10 min return)
• Fantail Falls
• Glendhu Bay Holiday Park :  We prefer this campsite as it is right on the lake, which you don’t get in the campsites in the township.  Its only a 7-8 minute drive and it is perfect.  Can be super busy in summer so book ahead then.
• The Bella Vista Wanaka motel is super central.  Their family rooms have a separate kids bedroom and the main bed in the lounge.  Big spacious bathrooms and kitchen with oven and hobs.  Was ideal.  Click here for prices
• A great AirB&B option is this Wanaka home with 3 bedrooms.  A great spacious offering if you are looking at stopping for a while, and its only a few minutes from town.  Click here for photos and up to date prices

Day 15: Wanaka

Today, enjoy all that Wanaka has to offer. Visit the iconic Wanaka Tree, kids will enjoy the lakefront playground, active families can enjoy kayaking, cycling on the lakefront,  SUP hire on the lake, or even a swim!

But word of warning, this glacial lake is freezing! If the weather isn’t great, take in a film at Cinema Paradiso, sitting on a comfy couch or Morris Minor, or try Basecamp Rock Climbing.

If you love great views, then try the Diamond Lake Track (40-60 minutes) or the Rocky Mountain track (3 hours return)  The latter being an epic tramping track with 360 degree views.  If you want great views but aren’t game for a whole day hike, then this is the one for you

For more info on the best things to do in Wanaka, check out the Lake Wanaka Tourism site

Day 16: Wanaka

Today, take on the Instagram worthy Roys Peak  (4-6 hours return) or if you’re looking for something more family friendly, try Mt Iron Walk (2 hours return) or the Rocky Mountain Track (3 hours return) with panorama views over Wanaka and a trip to Puzzling World.   The Rob Roy Glacier Track is another 3-4 hour return walk and the drive here is just beautiful.

Some lessor known but amazingly beautiful walks are

• Isthmus Peak , a good option if you aren’t into the Roys Peak crowds, or is Roys Peak is shut for lambing
• Breast Hill, Lake Hawea:  For advanced trampers – 5 hours one way climbing scraggly ridgelies, this is an epic adventure

Day 17: Queenstown

Head up Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola.  This is a must do, or walk up for free (1.5 hours) Take the luge down.  Grab a good deal on a gondola/luge pass here .  (If you are a keen photographer, we do recommend heading up here in the morning, as the hill causes big afternoon shadows.) 

Then stroll and explore Queenstowns Waterfront. Try out Patagonia Chocolates for the silkiest hot chocolate or gelato, the famous Cookie Time shop or relax at a Waterfront Restaurant.

Take a  Boat Tour on Lake Wakitpu or take the kids to the Queenstown Gardens for a walk with free frisbee golf and playground close by.  If you want more of a challenge, take on one of these Queenstown Walks .  Bobs Cove is one of my favourite, with incredible blue green waters, and only an epic view point in less than an hour (see photo below)

Dinner at the famous Fergburger 

Local tip: phone in your order to avoid the crazy lines around the block.  The menu is online. Beware, the burgers are huge!

Where to stay in Queenstown

Queenstown can be notoriously expensive, but we have tried to travel at off peak times or nab a good deal when they are on offer.  Here are the places we have stayed before which we all enjoyed

• Platinum Apartments Queenstown:  A few minutes drive up on Fernhill, we had a 3 bedroom apartment on a split level.  I loved the full kitchen and the space and it was a great stay when we planned on relaxing as well as exploring.  Click here for prices at the Platinum
• Garden Court Suites and Apartments:  We stayed here on our first trip away with baby #1.  It is great if you are looking for a place in a walkable distance to town.  I loved being able to just pop the baby in the stroller.  We had our own parking space (Queenstown parking can be a pain) and a full kitchen.  It wasn’t a super large one bedroom suite, but it was absolutely fine for us.  Click here for photos and room rates
• Millbrook Resort:   We got a great deal for a couple of nights of luxury and just loved Millbrook.  It is a golf resort in Arrowtown (a 20 min drive) and was quiet, peaceful and spacious.  We had access to pool and fitness facilities too.  A real treat.  You can see the latest prices here and deals here
• Driftaway Queenstown: A high end holiday park with beautiful villas with lake views, awesome games room and playground and as well as lakeview campsites.  It really has something for everyone and the family friendliness of this place is the best we’ve seen.  Check out the prices and range of accommodation here

Read More:  Our full guide to the best Queenstown Family Accommodation : For all budgets

Day 18: Queenstown

Explore the historic and quaint gold mining town of Arrowtown. Pan for gold, dress up in olden day clothing or check out the weekend farmers market.  The Arrowtown Bakery also has some mouthwatering treats.

Hire at bike in Arrowtown (grab some kids seats if required) and follow the river trail to Gibbston Winery. It is one of the loveliest South Island cycle trails and you can even organise a pick up from the vineyard.

Find more child friendly cycle trails in Queenstown here

Or head to Cromwell, just 40 minutes from Queenstown and take a short ride, or a day trip on the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail , New Zealand’s newest and prettiest track.

Day 19: Queenstown

Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy , one of the New Zealand’s most scenic drives and Lord of the Rings film location. (1 hour) Stop at Bobs Cove for picnic lunch.  Its a short walk to Bobs Cove for your own little secluded piece of paradise.

Afternoon Adventure:

Bungy Jumping in Queenstown is totally iconic but there are a ton of adventure activities here.  Its also one of the best places for Tandem Skydiving if you’re up for a real adrenalin thrill

Complete New Zealand’s highest Bungy jump , Jet Boat , Skydive , White Water Rafting, Zipline , you can do it all here in Queenstown!

Or if you are visiting Queenstown in Winter, why not try skiing?  Queenstown has a great variety of ski fields.  We loved the Remarkables ski field , which had a great range of beginner and intermediate trails for ourselves, as well as amazing views from the expert runs

Day 20: Te Anau

Drive to Te Anau (2 hours) and explore the lakefront of this small town. Rest before your big drive to Milford tomorrow.

If you have a little time, why not take a Fiordland Seaplane Flight.  Its the best way to see so much of the untouched world of Fiordland.  Check out our Te Anau Seaplane review here.   Or take a look at this great list of  things to do in Te Anau  (in fact you may even want to stay a little longer)

Te Anau Accommodation

We stayed at the Lakeside Motels and Apartments which was ideal for a family.  The motel is a little older and unassuming from the outside, but the 1 bedroom apartment sleeping 5 was great.  Good kitchenette, big bathroom with spa bath and you couldn’t beat the location.  Only $150 for our room so great value (July 2020).  Click here for photos and up to date prices

If you are looking for something a little more modern, try the Marakura Motels  We loved having 2 separate bedrooms, and the kids room had 3 single beds.  Such a perfect spot and the lake views were beautiful.

If you are camping, our friends recommend the Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park.  Click here for more info.

Day 21 Te Anau

One of the highlights of many New Zealand road trips: Milford Sound.

The busiest time of day for boat tours is in the middle of the day when tours buses arrive from Queenstown, so avoid this if possible. Don’t worry if its raining when you visit. 1. It rains here a lot! 2. All the water unveils hundreds of beautiful waterfalls in the region so count yourself very lucky.

Allow at least 2.5-3 hours to drive Milford Road, not including stops such as the beautiful Mirror Lakes , or Lake Marian Track  (one of my personal favourite South Island walks)  

Click here to nab the best discounted Milford Cruise  or here if you want to do the day trip from Queenstown (including transport)  This is the most popular of South Island attractions, a real must do on your South Island itinerary.

If you have done Milford Sound before, you could also consider Doubtful Sound .  Click here for the our Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound article and a run down of both sounds.

Side Adventure on the Milford Track

If your family is interested in multi-day adventures, you may like to consider the Milford Track.  It is one of New Zealand’s  famous Great Walks, requiring 4 days to walk the 53.5km track.  It is a one way walk, so make sure you book your Milford Track transport with the team at Fiordland Outdoors well before you go.

Day 22 Drive to Twizel

Drive to Twizel (4 hours, 15 minutes)

Stop along the way at the Omarama Clay Cliffs or wine taste at one of Cromwell’s best vineyards.  If you wanted a further side trip, why not try to picturesque but unknown Deep Stream Track, or the Narnia film location of Anatini and Elephant Rocks

Accommodation Recommendation: Twizel is a great place to base yourself to explore the Mackenzie Region.  We highly recommend Highland Farm Stay Twizel if you are looking for accommodation.  Cute couples cabins as well as their family Merino cottage are both great options.  Plus you get free food to feed the alpacas, sheep and chickens.  A great kiwi experience with such lovely hosts.  You can see our review of Highland Farm Stay here

Day 23: Twizel

One of the highlights of your trip to New Zealand, will be viewing Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Twizel is a great place to base yourself, for visiting Mt Cook National Park.

Walk the Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return) which is a manageable track for families, as its flat and has 3 great swing bridges. In summer, start early to miss the crowds.  Or try the Kea Point Track , a shorter 1 hour return track for a shorter walk.  Both these tracks start at the same point at White Horse Hill Campground.

The Tasman Glacier Track has great views of all the icebergs (30 mins) or if you have older, fit children, take on the tough Sealy Tarns Track (3-4 hours) and its 2200 stairs. Straight up, but up to amazing scenery. The Red Tarns track is similar, but half the height. 

If you have time and are a good hiker, consider an overnight hike to Mueller Hut.  It is my favourite walk in New Zealand.  To find out more about how to book and see some incredible photos, click here: Mueller Hut Mt Cook

Day 24: Tekapo

Day of Tekapo Highlights .  Leave Twizel and drive past Lake Pukaki (my absolute favourite South Island lake) on the way to Tekapo (40 minute drive) 

• Mt John Observatory Walk (3 hours)
• Bike part of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
• Visit a Salmon Farm
• Visit the historic Church of the Good Shepherd
• Tekapo Springs Hot Pools (My favourite South Island hot pools: also has ice skating and tubing in winter and waterslides, jumpernaut inflatable play area in summer)
• Dark Sky Experience (Stars and Observatory tours: a very unique South Island tourist attraction)

Tekapo Accommodation Recommendations

• The best budget accommodation in Tekapo would have to be the  Lake Tekapo Motels and Holiday Park.   This Tekapo campground is right on the lakefront has motels rooms, cabins and campsites  Check out the  latest prices
• If you are looking for luxury accommodation in Tekapo, you couldn’t go past a house at  Lakeview Tekapo  

Day 25:  Drive from Tekapo to Christchurch

Road Trip stops from Tekapo to Christchurch

• Stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse for the flakiest tastiest pies (Trust us!) and there’s a good playground in Fairlie too while you stop at this snack stop
• Take the scenic route back to Christchurch (instead of the main highway) via the Rakaia Gorge historic bridge and beautiful blue/green water
• Take a detour to the Ashburton Lakes area and the Lord of the Rings film location of Mt Sunday

Congratulations!  You have completed a round trip circuit of New Zealand South Island Highlights!

• Hanmer Springs
• Mid Canterbury
• The Catlins
• Invercargill/Southland/Stewart Island
• Picton and Marlborough Sounds

Founder of Backyard Travel Family

Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space

Jen has three young children, 5=9 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.

Epic Places to visit

• - Hooker Valley Track, Mt Cook
• - Mueller Hut, Mt Cook
• - Routeburn Track
• - Visit Wanaka
• - Woolshed Creek Overnight Hike
• - Breast Hill, Wanaka
• - Coca Cola Lake

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14 Inspirational New Zealand Travel Blogs

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, … or what we consider the best new zealand bloggers.

It is hard to describe how much of an impact a trip to New Zealand will have on your life. From a life-changing gap year to an eye-opening road trip , you will leave New Zealand changed forever. Some keep those souvenirs locked in their brain, others write daily in their travel diary , but many log all their adventures and travel tips in their blog. We have compiled 10 awesome blogs from travellers who came to New Zealand for you to check out. Be inspired by their stories, learn from their tips, or copy their itinerary . There is a lot to learn from reading other travellers stories.

To better introduce those travellers, we’ve asked them: What was your best New Zealand experience? Check out their answers below along with a link to the New Zealand section of their blog. Plus, don’t miss the bonus entry at the bottom of this article.

First Thing’s First…

Travel video blogs don’t come more epic than “New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year” where Robin and Laura from our very own NZPocketGuide.com hit the road for 365 days doing 365 activities in New Zealand! Subscribe to their adventures on YouTube and watch the trailer below!

1. Petra – The Global Couple

New Zealand = home. We are lucky enough to have been born and bred in this beautiful country and have spent many years exploring it by campervan, car, and on foot. One of the best things about New Zealand is that because it is such a small country, it’s so easy to get into the outdoors and embrace the amazing landscapes – from snowy peaks and primaeval forests in the South Island to desert volcanoes and white sand beaches in the North Island. Our favourite New Zealand travel experience (and we’ve had a lot of them!) was one summer when we bought an old campervan, did her up, and travelled around the South Island – camping in some of the most stunning spots you can imagine, cooking dinner beside sublime lakes and beaches, breathing in the fresh air, spotting the Milky Way at night, getting eaten alive by sandflies, having curious native birds come within half a metre, and falling even more in love with our magnificent home.

Petra has 49 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at theglobalcouple.com

2. Lina – Divergent Travelers

It’s simple; New Zealand stole our hearts. The diversity of the country brought us to our knees and ignited a lifelong love affair with the country. When someone asks us what our favourite country is we don’t hesitate to include New Zealand in our top 5. We spent 5 weeks travelling around both the North and South Islands and quickly realized it wasn’t enough time to really enjoy all the beauty and adventure on offer in this dynamic country. Despite everything on offer, it was the Tongariro Crossing that sealed the deal with us and a return to New Zealand is always at the top of our minds.

Lina has 35 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at divergenttravelers.com

3. Hannah – Getting Stamped

New Zealand in one word: Epic! We spent 2 weeks driving a camper van around the entire South Island of New Zealand, and every corner we turned was another epic photograph waiting to be taken. We made the mistake of only spending 2 weeks in New Zealand. Next time we return it’ll be at least 3 months so that we can explore both the South & North Islands. New Zealand is the most beautiful country in the world: we had heard this from travellers and we didn’t believe them until we witnessed it for ourselves. After travelling to 65 countries New Zealand is one of a kind and should be on every traveller’s bucket list. There are so many things to do in New Zealand from hiking, bungy jumping, sky diving, skiing, kayaking, you won’t be bored in New Zealand.

Hannah has 26 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at gettingstamped.com .

4. Emma – The Travel Natural

My experience in New Zealand is a personal one. I grew up in Taranaki (West Coast of the North Island), a destination that’s only beginning to see increased international visitors, despite holding all the usual New Zealand power icons; an impressive mountain and stretches of silky black sand beaches. Taranaki is a place I keep returning to again and again, it’s a place to slow down as well as get active. An old school farming region at heart, a little bit out of the way for most tourists and my favourite place in New Zealand. Am I being biased? Come see for yourself.

Emma has 22 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at thetravelnatural.com

5. Lotte – Phenomenal Globe

New Zealand is without a doubt the most beautiful country I have ever been to! It just amazing, the country has it all. Mountains. Volcanos. Lakes (there are so many beautiful lakes in New Zealand!). Sea. Forest. Waterfalls. Beaches. Hills. Cliffs. You name it and its there.

Besides the incredible scenery, the people of New Zealand are so very welcoming and friendly. If you are having a coffee, they’ll have a chat with you and proudly tell you about their amazing country and awesome places you should visit. Which usually are the kind of places you won’t find in the Lonely Planet, so it’s worth keeping your ears open. If you are lost or so much appear to need anything, they’ll help you out.

Yes, New Zealand is my favourite country in the whole wide world! I loved the tiny towns we drove through in our campervan, realising there was a town after we had already passed through. I love how there are quirky flightless native birds (some of which are on the brink of extinction because of possums). And I absolutely loved driving around in our campervan, staying on the most beautiful campsites without anyone else around and waking up with breathtaking views of a beautiful lake or the sea. Oh New Zealand, it’s been 2 years since I’ve seen you and I miss you deeply. I hope to see you soon

Lotte has 17 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at phenomenalglobe.com

6. Anita – Anita Hendrieka

The Wairarapa is such an underrated region in New Zealand. Nestled only an hour away from Wellington is home to the only white kiwi in New Zealand, breathtaking hikes and untouched beaches. By far one of the best hikes for all fitness types is Rocky Lookout, which is located in Mount Holdsworth. Once you reach the top you will be rewarded with a pretty spectacular view which will really make you feel like you’re in Middle-earth. While walking up you will get the real kiwi nature experience with tui whistling away and many other beautiful animals greeting you. On a summer’s day, this hike is a local favourite so shhhhh, don’t tell anyone!

Anita has 17 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at anitahendrieka.com

7. Jub – Tiki Touring Kiwi

Chatting to my dad on the phone last week summed up New Zealand for me. It’s where I grew up before leaving to explore the world a few years ago. We got talking about the friendliness of Kiwis to strangers which I still experience on my brief returns.When you’re walking down the street you acknowledge most people you walk past. That may mean a verbal hello, a small wave, smile, a simple head nod or a combination of them all.This is a habit that has carried on with people regularly saying it’s cool that I’m always saying hello to randoms in the street (it’s interesting how different cultures react to this around the world).The reason it came up in a phone call? Dad was saying how he feels like Waikanae’s culture is shifting as more city slickers move to Waikanae (they work in Wellington City 50 minutes away) with a new motorway opening in 2017. By nature, they tend to not acknowledge everyone they pass on the street. Keep smiling!

Jub has 15 posts about New Zealand. Find more about his trip in New Zealand at tikitouringkiwi.com

8. Jeremy – Travel Freak

“With stunning landscapes, amazing food, delicious wine, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, New Zealand holds a very special place in my heart. I spent fifteen months living, working, and travelling around New Zealand. In fact, those days are some of the fondest of my six total years of full-time travel. My journey started in Queenstown, where I spent 6 months working at a luxury hotel and partying until 5 or 6 am most weekday nights. My journey ended in Auckland, where I worked in one of the most exclusive whiskey bars in the city. The true gem of New Zealand, though, is Wellington, a place I call my second home. It’s known as The Coolest Little Capital in the World, and boy, are they right. Its windy as hell, but the people and the nightlife are some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the world.”

Jeremy has 15 posts about New Zealand. Find more about his trip in New Zealand at travelfreak.net

9. Cory – You Could Travel

I loved New Zealand so very much, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to any other fellow traveller. I enjoyed how incredible, clean and pristine New Zealand was. I spent a month driving around New Zealand’s South Island and that was enough to fall in love with this beautiful, safe and well-organised country. The best parts were trailing the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and cruising through Milford Sound. Never in my life, I enjoyed a more stunning landscape with such postcard-perfect views. The roads in New Zealand are some of the best in the world, perfectly tailored for road trip lovers and driving enthusiasts. For nature photographers, New Zealand is definitely a dream come true, with magnificent topography ranging from snowy mountains, through icy glaciers, to golden beaches. Whenever I think of a natural paradise, New Zealand comes to mind, no question about it.

Cory has 14 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at youcouldtravel.com

10. Brittany – The Sweet Wanderlust

Before moving to New Zealand, I knew nothing about this country. I booked a flight to Queenstown and planned to spend a couple of months in the Adventure Capital of the World before moving north as winter set in. Two months turned to seven, though, as I filled my days with bungy jumps, luging, snowboarding and a ride on the TSS Earnslaw.

I left the city that captured my heart for two weeks on a whirlwind road trip from Queenstown to Auckland. Fueled by pineapple lumps and chocolate fish, I heli-hiked Fox Glacier, was amazed by the unreal blue of the Hokitika Gorge, and got goosebumps watching a Haka in Rotorua. “One does not simply walk into Mordor,” but I hiked the Tongariro Crossing, and that’s about as close as you can get. I searched for Bilbo Baggins at Hobbiton and practised speaking dolphin in Kaikoura.

New Zealand is a place where my adventure-seeking heart found a home, and I’ll forever be grateful for the time I lived in the land of kiwi birds and Kiwi people.

Brittany has 10 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at thesweetwanderlust.com

11. Jen – The Snow Chasers

As self-confessed snow addicts, Queenstown, New Zealand is the top of our list of places to go snowboarding in the Southern Hemisphere. So much so that we’ve mustered up our crew and gone there 7 times in 8 years. Aside from the sensational flight in and the ridiculously stunning scenery that is Queenstown, there is easy access to a number of epic ski resorts. The Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski resorts are around 30 minutes away. Then there’s Cardrona ski resort which is a scenic 45-minute drive from Queenstown. There’s something for everyone whether you are into groomed runs, technical terrain, hiking or a bit of park action. The facilities at all resorts are well maintained with loads of food options to choose from. For apres-ski, Cardrona Pub is a must if you are on your way back from Cardrona ski resort. Otherwise, chill out in Queenstown at one of the many awesome pubs and bars.

Jen has 8 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at thesnowchasers.com

12. Hugo – Breathe With Us

Let’s be honest, New Zealand is one of the most amazing countries out there and a personal favourite of ours. Before embarking on a month-long road trip on both the North and South Islands our expectations were high, but nothing compares to the experience of actually setting foot there for the first time and realizing how much there is to explore throughout the country. The beauty of New Zealand and its scenery is unique, and the country offers countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and to have a great time – and this is exactly what we did! Some of the highlights include sea kayaking at Milford Sound among massive fiords, hiking Tongariro’s volcanic landscape, glacier walking on the west coast at Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, admiring the many picture-perfect lakes, witnessing the bubbling colourful geothermal features in Rotorua, or learning about and seeing the country’s flightless birds such as the kiwi. Yet, there’s so much more. Now, we just need to go back.

Hugo has 8 posts about New Zealand. Find more about his trip in New Zealand at breathewithus.com

13. Jean – Traveling Honey Bird

Winter is a wonderful time to visit NZ. There’s a certain serene beauty about winter in the South Island of New Zealand. Not only is winter the best time of the year to spend a month celebrating my birthday it also offers the adventurer a whole new arena to play within. Most people assume that the only reason to go to New Zealand in the winter is for snow sports and post snow sport drinking. We recently discovered the pleasure of road tripping during winter.

The cool morning mist that sits across the paddocks perfectly frame the magnificent mountains. Making it the perfect backdrop to your morning coffee from the back of the campervan. The days turn into bluebird mountains of pure clarity, allowing you to see for miles in every direction as you drive to the next destination. There’s comfort food galore at any caf you stop by. So no more diet of L&P and marshmallow fish! Though these staple NZ road trip road snacks.

Road tripping in the winter months is a wonderful experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Jean has 7 posts about New Zealand. Find more about her trip in New Zealand at travelinghoneybird.com

14. Bailey & Dan – Destinationless Travel

Travelling in New Zealand was perfect for us, we love the outdoors and we love adventure – and that is what New Zealand is all about! The outdoorsy things to do in New Zealand are literally endless. There is something special about being on the top of a mountain or swimming under a waterfall that can’t be matched in any city setting. New Zealand is so diverse in terms of the landscape that one day we were in the snow and the next we were enjoying a sunset on the beach. The scenery is absolutely unimaginable until you see it with your own eyes. Some of our favourite memories of New Zealand include watching the sunset at Milford Sound, learning to snowboard, partying in Queenstown, and hiking everywhere! If you are a nature-lover like we are, then New Zealand is sure to impress.

Bailey & Dan have 23 posts about New Zealand. Find out more about their trip at destinationlesstravel.com .

15. (BONUS) Robin & Laura New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year

New Zealand blew our freaking minds! Right out of the plane we were stunned by the epic scale of the country. It did not take us long to know that this was the place for us. So we settled here and kept the adventure going for much longer than planned. This adventure turned into the very guide that you are reading right now, NZPocketGuide.com, New Zealand’s biggest guide for backpackers.

But we are not done travelling just yet, New Zealand has so much to offer that we challenged ourselves to spend another 365 days on the road to showcase 365 of the best activities that the country has to offer. We call it New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year. Are you ready for it? With blog posts every day and stunning 360? pictures, your mind will be as blown as our was when we landed in New Zealand a few years back!

Robin & Laura have 365posts about New Zealand. Find more about our trip in New Zealand at NZPocketGuide.com/Blog .

More Inspiration for Your New Zealand Trip

Check out these articles to get you pumped about a gap year in New Zealand:

• 10 Photos That Will Make You Want to Explore New Zealand Right Now
• 10 Breathtaking Photos of New Zealand
• Why New Zealand is the Best Backpacking Country
• Interview: This Year’s Most Inspirational Hikers in New Zealand
• 20 Essential Must-Dos BEFORE Moving to New Zealand

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Natural Wonders To Add To Your Bucket List

Posted: January 16, 2024 | Last updated: January 16, 2024

New Zealand nature

From the seismic, steaming landscapes of North Island to the uplifting vistas of the South Island, magical places abound in New Zealand. Its spellbinding scenery has starred in many a movie, famously doubling for Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings. The forces of nature are perhaps more apparent in the Land of the Long White Cloud than anywhere else on Earth, creating technicolored geothermal lakes, smoking volcanoes, mighty glaciers and jaw-dropping fiords.

Click through the gallery for our round-up of the top 30 natural wonders in New Zealand...

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park

The awe-inspiring proportions of Milford Sound are difficult to grasp. Its sheer mountainsides, ravines and precipitous waterfalls dwarf the cruise liners that come to visit this watery wonderland at the edge of the Southern Alps. Novelist Rudyard Kipling was so struck by the fiords, he described them as the eighth wonder of the world, and no trip to New Zealand’s South Island would be complete without taking a tour here. The fiord is best seen by boat, or scenic flights offer a bird's-eye view.

Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast

Flowing thousands of feet down from mountain peaks all the way to the ocean, the sheer scale of Franz Josef Glacier isn’t fully apparent until you come face-to-face with its base. The temperate New Zealand climate, low altitude, and proximity to the town of the same name make this frozen landscape of compacted blue ice easily accessible too – you can hike around its base and come within 2,460 feet of its terminal face, opt for a guided ice walk or sign up for some aerial sightseeing with a helicopter tour. 

Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay

Abel Tasman National Park is a lush coastal paradise near the top of South Island, indented with platinum bays and turquoise waters, with quirky geologic features like Split Apple Rock – which scientists believe was split by a natural phenomenon known as ‘ice wedging’ during an ice age more than 120 million years ago – sited just offshore. The park's bounty of unspoiled beaches include Torrent Bay and Kaiteriteri Beach, voted one of the top five in the world. Kayaking tours are a popular way to appreciate the area’s immense scenic beauty, or to explore on foot, you can follow the Abel Tasman track along the coast.

Blue Pools, Mount Aspiring National Park

The stunning aquamarine Blue Pools in Unesco-listed Mount Aspiring National Park are one of South Island’s scenic masterpieces. Sited at the point where the glacial Makarora River flows into Lake Wanaka, you can follow the beautiful forest trail of Blue Pools Track at Haast Pass to a suspension bridge crossing the pools, where the clear, cool water tempts swimmers, especially on sunny days. 

Orakei Korako, Waikato

To admire the seismic energy of Mother Nature without the crowds, take the ferry across Lake Ohakuri to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. Just as spectacular as Rotorua’s fizzing landscapes, the park’s gigantic, technicolor hot springs, geysers, and mud pools are a bubbling hot soup of geothermal activity. Close to Lake Taupo, the area makes a great addition to an itinerary exploring the region’s other highlights, including Waitomo Caves and Huka Falls.

Lake Tekapo, Canterbury

Lake Tekapo is a sight to behold. This turquoise lake in the Southern Alps, fringed by bright pink and purple lupins between November and February each year and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, is truly picturesque. The lake gets its intense color from glacier-grounded minerals suspended in the water. Part of a Unesco Dark Sky Reserve, turn your eyes skywards as night falls for some of the best views of space from Earth.

Elephant Rocks, North Otago

Part of a Unesco-listed geopark, New Zealand’s coast around North Otago is strewn with weird and wonderful geologic marvels that are well worth a stop at for a photo opp. Aptly-named for their smooth, gray humps and curves, Elephant Rocks appear like a herd of fossilized elephants grazing on the green hillsides, close to the Island Cliff-Duntroon road. The strange, weathered stones even formed the backdrop for scenes in the first The Chronicles of Narnia film.

Fox Glacier, West Coast

Another of New Zealand’s most spectacular and accessible icy wonders, the 13km-long Fox Glacier slopes down from 8,530 feet high in the Southern Alps into the ocean, close to the Franz Josef Glacier on the country’s west coast. At Fox Glacier Village, join guided tours and stay in accommodation that provides easy access to an Ice Age wilderness of frozen valleys, tunnels, and caves surrounded by forest. Ambitious explorers can even arrange a heli-hike to the peak of the glacier, or take in the magnificent view from the ground at Cook Flat Road, en route to Lake Matheson.

Huka Falls, Waikato

Natural hydro-power at its most impressive, Huka Falls funnels New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, into a steep and narrow ravine with more than 4,840 gallons of icy-blue water per second roaring over the edge. Right at the top of the falls, a footbridge above the spray offers magnificent views, while walking tracks lead to great vantage points along the river. To feel the sheer force of the falls from the water, board a cruise or take a jet boat tour.

Lake Taupo, Waikato

This sparkling freshwater-filled crater is New Zealand’s largest lake, measuring half the size of London and rimmed by epic scenery including stratovolcano Mount Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park. While there are boundless outdoor activities available at Taupo, kayaking to see the Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay is an absolute must. The spectacular Orakei Korako geothermal park and thundering Huka Falls are both close by too.

Kaitoke Regional Park, Greater Wellington

The bewitching beauty of Kaitoke Regional Park’s crystalline rivers and rainforests won it a part in the Lord of the Rings films, doubling as the elvish realm of Rivendell. Its untouched verdant valleys rushing with water are a natural haven that’s easy to explore on foot via the well-worn walking tracks that snake between ancient native trees. The forest canopy is home to a number of rare birds, including endemic kaka parrots and New Zealand falcons.

Moeraki boulders, Otago coast

These huge, bulbous anomalies scattering the sand of Koekohe Beach, between the towns of Moeraki and Hampden, add a different dimension to South Island’s scenic North Otago coast. Appearing like giant cannonballs up to 6.5 feet high, the geologic wonders look as though they were carved by human hands, but in fact they are made of calcified rock concreted together 65 million years ago and slowly released from the soft seabed by coastal erosion. Similar Koutu Boulders can be found around Hokianga Harbour on North Island.

Mount Cook, Christchurch-Canterbury

No list of New Zealand’s natural wonders would be complete without mentioning the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook, also commonly called Aoraki. A pure alpine wilderness of snowfields, glaciers, and vanishing peaks more than 9,840 feet high make up Mount Cook, which is surprisingly accessible to visitors. Walking trails fan out from the village, including a one-hour hike to view the spectacular Tasman Glacier. You may even encounter cheeky kea (mountain parrots) along the way.

Ninety Mile Beach, Northland

The iconic Ninety Mile Beach at the far northern tip of North Island is a wide band of seemingly endless golden sand, which, contrary to its name, is in fact 55 miles long. The beach is used as an official road at low tide, with buses offering tours along the beach. Boasting one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world, the beach is a haven for surfers, while beach activities also include bodyboarding down the sand dunes. The beach is also renowned for its stunning sunsets.

New Zealand Christmas Trees, Northland

The native Pohutukawa tree, also known as New Zealand’s Christmas Tree, is a unique natural feature common in the north of North Island but found all across the country. The wide-canopied trees burst into a profusion of scarlet blossoms every December around Christmas time, and have become synonymous with the festive period. The hardy evergreen is notable for growing in inhospitable spots too, clinging to cliffsides or transforming barren lava fields into a garden of life.

Pancake Rocks, West Coast

This stunning natural attraction at Dolomite Point near the village of Punakaiki on the South Island’s West Coast offers elemental entertainment at its best. Part of Paparoa National Park, named for its flat-packed layers of rock that look like stacks of giant pancakes teetering over the frothing ocean, the geology itself is awe-inspiring. But the power of its air and water vents, exploding suddenly into the sky, offers all the thrill of a fireworks display.

Pohutu Geyser, Rotorua

The Rotorua area is jam-packed with geologic marvels, but Pohutu Geyser towers above the rest – suddenly erupting boiling water 98 feet into the air at least once every hour to the delight of onlookers. The largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere, Pohutu is part of Te Puia’s Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, full of bubbling pools and coursing elemental energy. Look out for the nearby Prince of Wales Feathers geyser, which always shoots water just before its bigger neighbor erupts.

Lake Matheson, West Coast

In Lake Matheson, nature has created a perfect mirror of South Island’s immense ancient forests and towering Southern Alps that form the island’s backbone. Also known as Reflection Lake, its serene, dark waters are a looking glass for two of New Zealand’s mightiest peaks – Mount Cook (Aoraki) and Mount Tasman – positioned just to the east. The lake was made when nearby Fox Glacier retreated and makes for an ideal stop on an itinerary mapping southern New Zealand’s natural wonders.

Sinbad Gully, Fiordland National Park

A lost world flanked by mountains and carved out by glaciers in Fiordland National Park, Sinbad Gully’s rivers and forests lay hidden for centuries. Hemmed in by the famous Mitre Peak on one side and Llawrenny Peaks on the other, the gully opens out into the jaw-dropping fiords of Milford Sound. Cut off from the world, nature has gone her own way here, creating strange species found nowhere else. The gully was the last mainland stronghold for the critically endangered Kakapo (pictured), a huge, cuddly, flightless parrot now only found on Codfish Island.

Aurora Australis, Queenstown

The South’s answer to the Northern Lights, the Aurora Australis is less well-known but its lime green and rosy light show is just as spectacular. One of the top places to view the curtain of electro-charged lights is around Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island, but the closer you can get to the South Pole, the better. Most Southern Lights shows occur during the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn and winter months, from March to September.

Sutherland Falls, Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is one of the world’s largest protected areas, covering more than 5,000 square miles of pristine wilderness and harboring more than just a few spectacular sights. They include Sutherland Falls – the country’s highest waterfall – overflowing down steep cliffs from a lake more than half a kilometer above the valley floor. There are two ways to see the falls up close – hiking the renowned Milford Track or taking a scenic flight from nearby hubs such as Milford and Te Anau.

Snares Islands, Southern Ocean

Penguins are the chief inhabitants of the wild and untamed sub-Antarctic Snares, part of a protected World Heritage area that’s the last frontier between South Island and Antarctica. Here, yellow-eyed penguins run tracks through pristine forests and line the steep seaside cliffs alongside seals and seabirds. The remote, uninhabited islands are reachable by expedition cruises that take in the other islands and wildlife.

Waipoua Forest, Bay of Islands

This primordial world of towering ancient trees on the northern tip of New Zealand is the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland. It's home to Tane Mahuta – the Lord of the Forest – a 2,000-year-old sacred kauri tree that measures 14 feet around its trunk and almost 59 feet up to its first branch. That's young compared to another giant kauri tree found here: Te Matua Ngahere, meaning Father of the Forest, is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 years old.

Te Waikoropupu Springs, Nelson Tasman

Te Waikoropupu Springs contain some of the clearest water ever measured and they are the largest cold freshwater springs in the southern hemisphere, releasing a staggering 3,000 gallons of water per second. Close to the town of Tanaka, a 1km-loop trail threads through the forest and across streams to a platform suspended above the still, crystalline water, where you gaze down into a blue-tinged underwater forest. Please note that swimming is forbidden here due to the springs’ spiritual significance to the Maori people.

Tongariro National Park, Manawatu-Whanganui

The epicenter of New Zealand’s volcanic wonders, Tongariro was the country’s first national park and won Unesco World Heritage status several decades ago. Crowned by three mighty volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, which are part of the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire – the park encompasses a phenomenal landscape of craters, old lava flows, strange emerald lakes, and steaming vents. New Zealand’s best day hike – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – takes travelers to the highlights.

Tree Church, Waikato

Hidden among bucolic country gardens in the little hamlet of Ohaupo on New Zealand's North Island is a natural chapel formed from entwined trees guided by human hands. This living, breathing church is a monument to nature surrounded by mature oak and maple trees. It is open to visitors and can even host weddings of up to 100 people. The surrounding gardens include a hedge labyrinth and Monet-inspired pond.

Waitomo Caves, Waikato

A network of subterranean caves and rivers snakes beneath Waitomo’s verdant hills in New Zealand’s north-east, harbouring magical, glowing caverns. Tours by boat and on foot take visitors deep underground to witness the phenomena, with thousands of glow worms lighting the cave ceiling like a sea of white-blue stars. Above ground, the area has more not-to-be-missed natural marvels, including the beautiful Marokopa Falls and limestone Mangapohue Natural Bridge.

White Island, Bay of Plenty

New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, the imposing White Island (also known as Whakaari) forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and sits 30 miles offshore from North Island’s east coast. A sudden, explosive eruption in 2019 effectively ended guided tours to the island, but scenic flights over its steaming crater, sulfurous vents, and acid lakes are still available, taking off from nearby Whakatane, Rotorua, or Tauranga.

Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato

Picture-perfect Bridal Veil Falls is ensconced in a region of the North Island known for its natural attractions, including the must-see Waitomo Caves. A classic beauty dropping 180 feet over a hard volcanic lip into a deep pool framed by lush greenery, the falls are the perfect place to immerse in nature, with walkways leading through the forest and along the Pakoka River to viewing points at its top and base.

Waiotapu, Rotorua

This geothermal wonderland powered by Earth’s core was dubbed ‘Hellsgate’ by famous playwright George Bernard Shaw, due to its steaming landscape of colorful sulfurous springs. The highlight – Champagne Pool – appears like a giant artist’s palette of electric blue, orange and yellow. Surrounded by bubbling mud cauldrons, neon-green ponds, and spraying pools, visitors can lose themselves in the surreal scene by following the secure tracks around the site. Arrive before 10:15am to catch Lady Knox Geyser’s dramatic daily eruption.

Now check out more natural wonders around the world...

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Discover New Zealand's North and South Island highlights on our 22 day handcrafted self drive itinerary. As you journey through the South Island, prepare to be mesmerised by the majestic allure of towering peaks, snow-dusted mountains, and sprawling glaciers that adorn the landscape. From the vibrant cityscape of Auckland to the adventure capital of Queenstown, each stop along the way presents an opportunity to delve into the heart of New Zealand's culture and heritage. Venture through farmland and rolling vineyards, encounter charming towns and bustling cities, each offering its own unique blend of history, culture, and hospitality. Chat with us today to customise this tour.

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A travel guide to New Zealand: Cost, culture and more tips for visiting the country

New zealand is a dream destination for 'the lord of the rings' and 'the hobbit' fans, outdoor enthusiasts.

Former airline employee shares top travel hack for frequent flyers

Brooke Webster details how to get up-to-date flight information on travel days. As a former airline employee, she said texting yourself your flight number on the morning of your travel day is her top hack to share with others. Learn why.

New Zealand's breathtaking scenery is recognized for providing the cinematic backdrop of many blockbuster films. 

With a mix of serene beaches, rugged mountains and a vibrant culture, it is no wonder it has become a popular travel destination.

Whether the traveler is seeking the quaint charm of the North Island or the breathtaking dramatic views of the South Island, adventures can be found everywhere. Visitors can anticipate unexpected adventures and lasting memories on their trip if they have chosen New Zealand as their destination.

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New Zealand's lakes get their color from fine silt particles, or glacial flour, in the water. (Jorge Fernández/LightRocket)

Whether traveling to New Zealand to observe the breathtaking scenery, delve into the Māori culture or enjoy some of the best wines in the world, having a plan can help your trip be as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

General New Zealand travel info

Predominant language spoken: English

Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) $

• Bills/notes include $5, $10, $20 and $50
• Coins come in 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2

Electricity: Type 1 plugs. These include three flat pins in a triangular pattern.

Travel requirements: Unless a New Zealand or Australian citizen, a valid passport is required. A visa or New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) may be required.

Geography of New Zealand

New Zealand, a favorite spot for filming movies , offers diverse scenery from majestic glaciers and rugged mountains to narrow sea inlets called fjords and sandy beaches that dot the coastline. The country is in the South Pacific Ocean and comprises two islands divided by the Cook Strait.

New Zealand is known for its fjords, which are long, deep and narrow bodies of water sandwiched by steep land. (Getty Images)

The North Island is the more urbanized of the two, with the country's two biggest cities, Wellington and Auckland. It presents a pleasant view of rolling green hills and farmland. Unique features of this island include geothermal areas with geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot springs and active volcanoes.

The Lost Spring in Whitianga has 16,000-year-old geothermal mineral water and is just one of the hot spring locations on the island.

VACATION DESTINATIONS ARE OFTEN CHOSEN FROM POPULAR BOOKS ON THE SHELF, STUDY SAYS: SEE IF YOU'VE READ THESE

Tall mountain ranges adorn its middle with lush farmland on either side. It also has an active volcanic and thermal area in its central part. 

The South Island boasts the magnificent Southern Alps. This island also offers sights of rolling farmland and flat expanses known as the Canterbury Plains.

More than 38% of New Zealand was farmland in 2021, according to World Bank data. (Fiona Goodall)

New Zealand consists of a diverse coastline. The North Island features sandy beaches perfect for swimming and various water activities. The northern part of the South Island also offers charming and smooth beaches, while the rest of its coastline is more rugged and not as desirable for beach activities.

What not to do when visiting New Zealand

Venturing into a new country can be exciting, and knowing the common pitfalls can save travelers from awkward situations.

Compare New Zealand to Australia

A frequent mistake is comparing New Zealand to Australia .

Both are islands, but that's about where the similarities end. With its enchanting natural surroundings and wide range of outdoor activities, New Zealand appeals to nature enthusiasts. Australia, though, is famous for its magnificent beaches.

Stay within your comfort zone

Venturing out of one's comfort zone can enhance the travel experience of New Zealand visitors. From adrenaline-pumped adventures to serene nature strolls, the islands offer diverse activities that appeal to all interests.

Local food is an integral part of Kiwi culture. Embracing these unique culinary experiences may enhance a traveler's perspective of New Zealand.

New Zealand is a popular destination for skiers between June and September. (David Gray/AFP)

Only visit the South Island

While crafting their itineraries, many travelers focus primarily on the South Island.

Most visitors start in Auckland, where the main international airport is located, and spend most of their time in the South Island. But limiting the visit to the South Island may mean missing out on the North Island's natural grandeur, world-class restaurants and inspiring art scenes.

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Ignore customs of the Māori culture

Understanding and respecting local customs, such as basic phrases in the Māori language, can truly enhance the travel experience . It shows respect for the indigenous culture, creating a whole and rewarding journey.

How much does a trip to New Zealand cost?

Travelers with various budgets can have an enjoyable experience in New Zealand. However, the itinerary, food choices and accommodations booked will differ depending on how much the tourists can and are willing to spend. 

A one-week trip to New Zealand for two costs around $1,924 and $962 for one person, according to budgetyourtrip.com.

Every traveler should research and create a budget for each spending item before they embark on their journey. Some items to consider include:

• Accommodations
• Transportations
• Activities, both planned and unplanned
• Restaurants
• Car rentals or other means of transportation
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Buffer for miscellaneous items

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What to know about the Māori culture

Native to New Zealand are the Māori.

Their cultural heritage forms an essential part of the country's identity. The Māori language can be heard throughout New Zealand, spoken by the indigenous Māori and many other inhabitants. Understanding a few common Māori phrases can help visitors immerse themselves in the local culture.

The marae is a communal or sacred meeting place in Māori society, including a dining area, meeting room, bathroom and other facilities.

Each marae is distinct and carries the unique identity of a specific tribe or family. Visitors who enter a marae meeting area should honor the culture, beginning with only entering after being welcomed in.

What is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?

New Zealand's diverse landscape results in varied weather throughout the islands. With a maritime climate, it experiences all four seasons, lending itself to a host of tourist activities regardless of the timing of their visit.

The optimal time to explore New Zealand depends on tourists' preferred experiences. Whether the trip is for outdoor adventures , relaxation, food and wine festivals or the stunning scenery, New Zealand caters to all.

December to March is the prime time to visit, especially for those seeking a laid-back holiday with relaxing beach days and moderate activities, according to Tourism New Zealand.

During these summer months, with temperatures ranging between 68˚F and 77˚F, the long, warm days are perfect for beach visits and outdoor adventures.

"The Lord of the Rings" or "The Hobbit" fans can take a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set. It is located two hours south of Auckland. (Anthony Devlin/PA Images)

If vacation plans are made outside this period, the experience will be no less enjoyable. Despite the higher chance of rain, the rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes remain a desirable attraction — just remember to pack an umbrella.

Skiers should consider a trip to the South Island between June and September. During this period, the mountains are blanketed in snow, providing ideal conditions for winter sports.

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‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ filming locations to see

Tourists can visit the Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand. It is about a 15-minute drive from Matamata. (Alex Livesey/FIFA)

New Zealand's mountain ranges, rushing rivers and green hills were the obvious choices for the location scout for the "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy .

Fans can find Middle-earth™ throughout the North and South Islands as the Tolkien-based movies were entirely filmed on these islands.

Here are some must-see locations for fans of "The Hobbit" trilogy:

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• The Shire region of Middle‑earth™ — The village of Hobbiton was created on farmland in Matamata and is now a permanent attraction.
• The Forbidden Pool — Tawhai Falls Track in Tongariro National Park was the film set for the scene in "The Two Towers" in which Frodo and Faramir capture Gollum.
• Gardens of Isengard, Rivendell and other locations — Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is the location of several scenes in the trilogy. Mount Victoria is an accessible location that depicts Hobbiton Woods. Kaitoke Regional Park became Rivendell, where the quest to destroy the One Ring began.

Breana Scheckwitz is an SEO Editor at Fox News Digital.

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Maps of the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

By Jonathan Corum

On April 8, the moon will slip between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow across a swath of North America: a total solar eclipse.

By cosmic coincidence, the moon and the sun appear roughly the same size in the sky. When the moon blocks the glare of the sun, the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, will be briefly visible.

Below are several maps of the eclipse’s path as well as images of what you might experience during the event.

Where Can I See the Total Eclipse?

The eclipse will begin at sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, then cut through Mexico and cross the United States from Texas to Maine. Most of North America will see a partial eclipse, but viewers within the deepest shadow — a band sliding from Mazatlán, Mexico, to the Newfoundland coast near Gander, Canada — will experience a total solar eclipse.

Percentage of

the sun obscured

during the eclipse

Indianapolis

Little Rock

San Antonio

Viewers inside the path of the total eclipse may notice a drop in temperature , a lull or shift in the wind , the appearance of bright planets in the sky, and the quieting of birds and other wildlife.

Many cities lie inside the path of the total eclipse, as shown below, the width of which varies from 108 miles to 122 miles.

5:13 p.m. NDT

20% partial eclipse

NEWFOUNDLAND

SASKATCHEWAN

Fredericton

4:33 p.m. ADT

3:26 p.m. EDT

3:20 p.m. EDT

Minneapolis

3:18 p.m. EDT

3:13 p.m. EDT

San Francisco

90% partial eclipse

3:05 p.m. EDT

Los Angeles

1:51 p.m. CDT

1:40 p.m. CDT

1:33 p.m. CDT

12:16 p.m. CST

12:12 p.m. CST

11:07 a.m. MST

Mexico City

EL SALVADOR

12:23 p.m. CST

1:36 p.m. CDT

3:09 p.m. EDT

3:27 p.m. EDT

Explore our interactive cloud outlook for eclipse viewing times and average cloud data at your location.

What Will I See?

A composite image of the 2017 solar eclipse over Madras, Ore.

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

If the sky is clear, viewers in the path of the total eclipse should see a “diamond ring” effect a few seconds before and after the total eclipse, as the edge of the sun slips in and out of view.

The “diamond ring” effect during the 2017 solar eclipse.

Rami Daud/NASA, Alcyon Technical Services

The sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, is normally hidden by the sun’s glare. These tendrils and sheets of gas, heated to a million degrees Fahrenheit or more, are in constant motion and shaped by the sun’s swirling magnetic field.

The sun’s corona during the 2017 solar eclipse.

The sun is relatively active this year and is nearing the expected peak of its 11-year solar cycle . Researchers at Predictive Science are using data about the sun’s magnetic field to predict and model a dramatic corona for the April eclipse.

A prediction of how the sun’s corona might appear during the April 8 total eclipse.

Predictive Science

What Colors Should I Wear?

As the sky darkens, light-sensitive cells in human eyes become more sensitive to blue and green hues than to reds and oranges. This shift in color perception is known as the Purkinje effect , after a 19th-century Czech scientist, and is typically seen at twilight.

Watching the 2017 total eclipse at Southern Illinois University.

Andrea Morales for The New York Times

To take advantage of the Purkinje effect, wear green clothes or a contrasting combination of greens and reds. Blue-green colors (shorter wavelengths) will appear brighter, while red colors (longer wavelengths) will appear to recede into the darkness.

What If I Miss It?

The next two total solar eclipses in the United States won’t occur until 2044 and 2045 . But eclipse chasers might catch one in 2026 in Greenland, Iceland and Spain; 2027 along the coast of Northern Africa; 2028 in Australia and New Zealand; or 2030 across Southern Africa and Australia.

A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know.

These are answers to common questions about the April 8 eclipse, and we’re offering you a place to pose more of them.

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April 8 could be your best opportunity to see a total solar eclipse for decades. But if clouds fill the sky, you may miss the spectacle.

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Our Coverage of the Total Solar Eclipse

Hearing the Eclipse:  A device called LightSound is being distributed to help the blind and visually impaired experience what they can’t see .

Maine Brac es Itself :  Businesses and planning committees are eager for visitors, but some in remote Aroostook County are not sure how they feel  about lying smack in the path of totality.

A Dark Day for Buffalo:  When the sky above Buffalo briefly goes dark  on the afternoon of April 8, the city will transcend its dreary place in the public consciousness — measured as it so often is by snowstorms — if only for about three minutes. The city can’t wait.

Under the Moon’s Shadow:  The late Jay Pasachoff, who spent a lifetime chasing eclipses , inspired generations of students to become astronomers by dragging them to the ends of the Earth for a few precarious moments of ecstasy.

A Rare Return:  It is rare for a total solar eclipse to hit the same place twice — once every 366 years on average. People in certain areas will encounter April 8’s eclipse  about seven years after they were near the middle of the path of the “Great American Eclipse.”

A Small City’s Big Plans:  Let the big cities have their eclipse mega-events. In Plattsburgh, N.Y., success looks different  for everyone stopping to look up.

 No Power Outages:  When the sky darkens during the eclipse, electricity production in some parts of the country will drop so sharply that it could theoretically leave tens of millions of homes in the dark. In practice, hardly anyone will notice  a sudden loss of energy.

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