The Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip

The Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip
Charlene
Charlene 
Updated
| 13 min read

New Zealand was voted as the world’s best country for 4 consecutive years. With its stunning backdrops, friendly locals, and chilled out atmosphere, it’s no wonder why. The best way to take in all this country has to offer is to take things slowly by going on a road trip, cruising along those winding highways and through those towering mountains.

Here’s the ultimate guide for travelling around New Zealand’s South Island! The road trip begins in Christchurch, in which you rent a car (we rented from Apex) or campervan and travel down south till Dunedin and Queenstown and make a loop back to Christchurch. It would be really helpful to have GPS or a SIM card so you can access Google Maps. This is just a draft for a 14-day road trip covering most of New Zealand’s South Island and the important landmarks in each place. It is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to tweak or create your own itinerary with this as a reference! Now, let’s head to Christchurch!

Stop #1: Fairlie

Christchurch to Fairlie (2h 25mins, 185.5 km / 115.3 miles via State Highway 1)

Start your road trip by getting close to New Zealand’s rare animals, which is made possible when you visit the Gem Alpaca Stud. Gem Alpaca Stud is indeed a gem for all animal-lovers. It’s also a great way to stretch the legs and get close to nature before continuing on your trip. After all, it’s not every day you get the opportunity to meet these fluffy beautiful animals. The farm visit allows you to feed and touch them, as well as get close shots with the alpacas and llamas.

Gem Alpaca Stud

Address: 18 Nixons Rd, Fairlie 7987, New Zealand

Price: from 14.30 USD / 20 NZD

Opening Hours: 9 am - 5 pm

Duration: around 1 hour

Contact: +64 27 201 6994

Website: Gem Alpaca Stud

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Stop #2: Lake Tekapo

Fairlie to Tekapo (29 mins, 41.3 km / 25.7 miles via SH8)

Featuring a crystal turquoise blue lake set against a backdrop of misty mountains, you will find yourself gasping in awe at how beautiful this place is. Lake Tekapo is in a little village that has some exciting things to explore. The sun sets early in New Zealand (it’s dark by 6pm), so go star-gazing on the first night. Lake Tekapo is one of the darkest spots in New Zealand, which makes it a perfect place for star-gazing. It’s literally pitch black outside - no street lamps or other lighting. The only source of light you get is from the occasional car passing by the village. Bring your torch if you plan to explore at night! And when you do, look out for wild rabbits! They will hang around at night and it’s amusing to watch them hopping into the darkness as you shine the torch at them.

You can star-gaze just by the lake (provided the weather is good) or go on an observatory tour with Earth & Sky.

Earth & Sky

Address: Tekapo-Twizel Rd, Main Street, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 10 am - 10 pm. Closed on public holidays

Duration: around 2 hours required

Contact: +64 3 680 6960

Website: Earth & Sky The next day, drop by the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, where plenty of couples come to get married, it won’t take much time, at most 30 minutes, to take plenty of nice pictures and enjoy the scenery. For a 360-degree view of the region, drive up to Mount John (you can otherwise walk, and it is a 3-hour loop). Note: there is a road access fee to drive up the road to Mount John.

Church of the Good Shepard

Address: Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand

Website: Church of the Good Shepard

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Stop #3: Mount Cook

Tekapo to Mount Cook (1h 6 mins, 97.6 km / 60.6 miles via SH8 & SH80)

Mount Cook is a lovely place, surrounded by spectacular 360-degree views of the mountains and New Zealand’s longest glacier, The Tasman Glacier. You will fall in love with Mount Cook almost instantly! Get hooked even more at the Hooker Valley! Mount Cook is home to several other trails, of varying difficulty. Most of them are fairly easy to walk on, so don’t worry if you’re not the fittest person as there is something for everyone. The spectacular surroundings will leave you breathless, and you will be mesmerized by the natural beauty, so be sure to take lots of great photos here! Also remember to be properly geared because weather conditions change quickly in New Zealand.

Hooker Valley Track

Address: Hooker Valley Track, Mt Cook National Park 7999, New Zealand

Duration: around 4 hours required

Website: Hooker Valley On your second day, go on an adventure to the Tasman Glacier! There are several tours conducted, from glacier kayaking to glacier heli-skiing and hiking. This will be one of the highlights of your trip! Take a scenic flight to the Tasman Glacier and get stunning views of the mountains and experience what its like being so high on top. Southern Alps Guiding provides exclusive heli-ski landing rights at the head of the Tasman Glacier, where you get to hike through ice caves, crevasses, and ice canyons. It’s truly out of this world!

Mount Cook Tasman Glacier Heli Hiking

Price: from 354 USD / 495 NZD

Duration: around 5 - 6 hours required

Contact: +64 (0)274 34 22 77

Website: Mount Cook Tasman Glacier Heli Hiking

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Stop #4: Twizel

Mount Cook to Twizel (37mins, 56.1 km / 34.9 miles via SH 80)

Twizel is a quaint small town that will leave a deep impression on you. Except for the fact that it was a film site for Lord of the Rings, it looks like an ordinary town in New Zealand. It makes you realise how effortlessly beautiful New Zealand is. If you are not rushing for time, you can spend a night here before moving on. You can spend the day exploring the town, relaxing in a cafe, or fishing. Large salmon and rainbow and brown trouts can be found in the lakes, rivers, and canals.

You have to eat salmon here in Twizel! High Country Salmon is a must-stop place to get fresh salmon along with a great experience! This salmon farm allows you to feed the fish and relax and take in the scenery while doing so. If you’re on a trip with children, this will really entertain them!

High Country Salmon

Address: State Highway 8, Twizel 7901, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 8 am - 8 pm during summer. 8 am - 5 pm during winter

Duration: around 2 hours required

Contact: +64 800 400 385

Website: High Country Salmon If you wish to make full use of the day and are up for more adventures, you can try cycling from Twizel to Ohau. What better way to take in the beauty of New Zealand than by cycling? Feeling the wind brushing softly against your skin while your eyes feast on the spectacular scenery that you’re encountering for the first time in your life, cycling around New Zealand is something you should do if you love adventures. The Jollie Biker provides bicycle rentals, day tours, and shuttles, so you needn’t worry about getting lost as you will be in good hands with their expert tour guides.

The Jollie Biker

Address: 12 Jollie Road, Twizel 7901, New Zealand

Duration: more than 3 hours required

Contact: +(64)272231761

Website: The Jollie Biker

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Stop #5: Lake Pukaki

Twizel to Pukaki (16mins, 22.8 km / 14.2 miles via SH 8 & SH80)

Lake Pukaki
Source: istock

Lake Pukaki is a beautiful stop to pause and stretch your legs after a long drive. It is one of the prettiest lakes in New Zealand, with clean turquoise blue waters, and it surely serves as a good place to enjoy a breather and take some pretty photos. Toilets can be found in the area too; be sure to visit the loo before heading towards Dunedin as there might not be toilets on the way!

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Stop #6: Dunedin

Pukaki to Dunedin (3h 1 min, 253 km / 157.2 miles via SH 83 & 1)

The beautiful town of Dunedin is known for a variety of things, including its well-preserved Scottish heritage, wildlife consisting of rare creatures only found in this region, and its unique architecture and buildings. There’s plenty to explore in this town so give yourself at least three days here! Spend one day experiencing the different flavours of Dunedin compared to other towns in New Zealand. The Taieri Gorge Railway allows you to do just that; it will take you on a scenic trip through lush green gorges, rugged vast plots of land, the infrequently-photographed countryside that not many people know of in New Zealand. Find a different beauty in all of these when you sit through the scenic rail journey. The train will also slow down and stop at various scenic points on the way where you can to take in nature at its best.

Dunedin Railways

Address: 22 Anzac Ave, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 8 am - 5 pm

Duration: around 4 hours required

Contact: +64 3-477 4449

Website: Dunedin Railways Ever wished you were Charlie in the Chocolate Factory? Here at the Cadbury World in Dunedin, you get an opportunity to do just that! For all chocolate-junkies, this is an absolute must-go. Cadbury World is all chocolate-lovers’ dream, and you get to make your chocolate dreams a reality when you’re in Dunedin! Here you get to discover the magic-making processes behind those smooth textures of the likes of Dairy Milk and all its varieties. You also get the privilege to buy rare Cadbury’s products that cannot be found in your local grocery store. Still not convinced why you should visit Cadbury World? Well, you also get to see a Cadbury World Chocolate Fall right before your eyes. Case closed!

Cadbury World

Address: Cadbury World, 280 Cumberland Street, Central City, Dunedin, Dunedin - Coastal Otago, 9012, New Zealand.

Price: from 16 USD / 22 NZD for adults

Opening Hours: 8 am - 4.30 pm

Contact: +64 3-467 7967

Website: Cadbury World The best way to enjoy New Zealand is to just chill and take your own time exploring the different cities. While our fast-paced lives may have gotten us used to rushing through itineraries, don’t! If time is in your favour, you should take one full day to explore Dunedin. Visit its attractions, such as Larnach Castle, which is New Zealand’s only castle. This Scottish baronial-style grand estate is open for tours, and offers an insight into a wealthy Victorian lifestyle, complete with scandal and suicide.

Fun Fact: Larnach Castle is rumoured to be haunted, with members of the family said to continue to haunt the castle. Larnach himself eventually committed suicide in 1898 after a series of personal and financial setbacks. Larnach Castle has also been used as the film set for several horror films.

Larnach Castle

Address: 145 Camp Rd, Dunedin 9077, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 9 am - 7 pm

Contact: +64 3-476 1616

Website: Larnach Castle

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Stop #7: Te Anau

Dunedin to Te Anau (3h 25mins, 288.9 km / 179.5 miles via SH 1 & SH94)

The drive from Dunedin to Te Anau is long and can be very tiring, especially if you only have one person driving. Do take rests to stretch as it is easy to doze off while driving long distances. From Dunedin to Te Anau, some notable pitstops are in Balclutha, and Gore.

Dunedin to Balclutha (1 hr, 79.7 km / 49.5 miles via SH1) Balclutha is known particularly for the Clutha River. You can drive past the Clutha Bridge, a great way to view the Clutha River.

Balclutha to Gore (1h 17min, 97 km / 60.3 miles via SH1) Gore, a countryside town known for its music and fly fishing, is worth stopping by to stretch your legs and perhaps grab lunch. Howl at the Moon is a popular restaurant among locals, serving a wide variety of reasonably priced food. They also have gluten-free options.

Howl at the Moon

Address: 34 Medway St, Gore 9710, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 12 noon - 3 pm, 6 pm - 11 pm

Contact: +64 3-208 3851 Te Anau is another highlight of the trip. From Te Anau, you can drive to Milford Sound where you can take a boat cruise and journey through the so-called Eighth Wonder of the World. Imagine sailing through rugged formations, watching large waterfalls cascading into the depths below, witnessing dolphins bobbling around in their natural habitat, and reaching out to touch pure glacier ice for a thirst-quenching drink. You definitely wouldn’t want to miss all this!

Milford Sound

Address: Fiordland National Park

Access: car / heli / coach

Website: Milford Sound Another thing not to be missed is the glowworm caves. You’re in for an extraordinary experience when you are deep inside the caves, seeing a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms. Several tours are conducted, and they usually begin with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to get to these magical caves.

Real Journeys

Price: from 57 USD / 79 NZD

Duration: around 2h 15min

Contact: +64 3 249 6000

Website: Real Journeys Glowworm Caves

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Stop #8: Queenstown

Te Anau to Queenstown (2h 11 min, 171 km / 106.3 miles via SH 94 & 6)

Activities are plentiful in Queenstown, and 3 days is the minimum number of days you should give to this town. The first thing you should do when you visit Queenstown is head down to Fergburger to get your burger fix and a taste of some authentic burger-making magic. The rest of the day can be spent walking around the town, visiting local shops, and buying souvenirs for friends. This charming town has so much to offer, so take some time to get used to its pretty surroundings. Don’t forget to head down to Lake Wakatipu to take some stunning shots and immerse yourself in the picture-perfect panoramas. Calling all dare-devils and thrill-blazers! Queenstown is a paradise for all you adventure-junkies. This town is the ideal spot for many cool and exciting activities, such as canyoning, bungee jumping, para gliding, and mountain biking. Imagine jumping off the sheer cliffs, into blue skies and towards lush greenery. Seriously, at that moment you’ll feel nothing but infinite and fearless, and afterwards you’ll probably feel like you have enough energy to conquer the world.

Bungy Jump

Address: Inside the ‘Station Building’, corner of Shotover & Camp Streets

Contact: +64 3 450 1300

Website: Bungy Jumping For the last day in Queenstown, start the day by re-visiting Fergburgers. Afterwards, climb Queenstown Hill for well-rewarded views. It’s a 1.5-kilometre (0.9-mile) walk with spectacular panoramic views of the entire town. From the summit, you get 360-degree views of the main landmarks of Queenstown, including Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and Cecil Peak. You can picnic at the top, or basically anywhere on the way down that looks like a nice picnic spot. After all, anything works as long as there’s good food and a great view!

Queenstown Hill

Duration: around 3 hours required

Access: track starts and ends on Belfast Street in Queenstown

Website: Queenstown Hill

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Stop #9: Wanaka

Queenstown to Wanaka (1h 5 mins, 67.2 km / 41.8 miles via Crown Range Rd & Cardrona Valley Rd)

On the way to Wanaka, you will drive up a high mountain with winding and narrow roads. Be careful and drive slowly, and beware of oncoming cars. You will encounter lookouts that where you can stop and admire the views. The prettiest one, with the most impressive view, is the highest lookout point. Try to leave by 4 pm so you have plenty of time to drive as it’s dangerous driving when it gets dark. Wanaka has plenty of activities for the adventurer, but by now it’s likely you are tired of all the heart-stopping activities. So why not visit a vineyard instead? New Zealand is home to plenty of vineyards and it is known to create some really tasty wine. Go wine tasting at Ribon Vineyard for a relaxing experience, and get to taste and enjoy bio-dynamic wines on the shore of Lake Wanaka.

Rippon

Address: 246 Mount Aspiring Road, Wanaka 9381, New Zealand

Opening Hours: 12 noon - 5 pm

Contact: +64 3-443 8084

Website: Rippon Lake Wanaka is a great spot for salmon fishing, and it would be a waste if you only ate salmon once in New Zealand! Grab your fishing rods and it’s time to hunt for your next meal. The catch of the day shall be your dinner, so be sure to catch a huge one! Shoreline fishing is accessible, but the best places to catch salmon usually require a boat. However, this also means more money is to be spent, which actually is unnecessary, as long as you’re patient (and lucky). Do note that not all areas are available for public access; look out for signs that say “Angler’s Access” or sign posts in general to be safe!

Click here for the full rules and regulations about fishing at Lake Wanaka,

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Stop #10: Haast

Wanaka to Haast (1h 44 mins, 141.9 km / 88.2 miles via SH 6)

Haast serves as a good pitstop when driving from Wanaka to Haast. Stop at the Knights Point Lookout to stretch, go for a toilet break, and enjoy a good view of the coastline. The rocky cliffs and jagged coastline from such a high point will take your breath away. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see penguins too. Remember to bring insect repellent though, as there will be sand flies.

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Stop #11: Franz Josef

Haast to Franz Josef Glacier (1h 54 mins, 146.8 km / 91.2 miles via SH 6)

Housing two reputable glaciers, the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is a must-visit when on New Zealand’s South Island. The Franz Josef Glacier is an incredible glacier experience not to be missed. Book a tour that allows you to experience the most magnificent glacier environment. These tours include a heli-ride that brings you directly to the top of the mountains to be up close with the icy surroundings! Afterwards, dip yourself in glacial hot pools, the perfect way to unwind and experience a blissful state of pure relaxation.

Franz Josef Glacier Tour

Address: Glacier Base, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier

Price: from 272 USD / 379 NZD

Contact: +64 3 752 0763

Website: Franz Josef Glacier Tour

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Stop #12: Hokitika

Franz Josef to Hokitika (1h 47 mins, 138.2 km / 85.9 miles via SH 6)

Hokitika Gorge
Source: istock

Unfortunately, your time in New Zealand is coming to an end! End the trip with a bang as you drive through a scenic loop to Hokitika Gorge. Head inland to admire its unbelievably turquoise waters, enjoying views of the stunning rivers and mountains on the way. You will also pass the Kowhitirangi Memorial that honours the victims of the Stanley Graham shootings. (Stanley Graham was New Zealand’s first mass killer who killed a total of 7 people.) Activities are plentiful at Hokitika Gorge. If you feel like it, you can walk the Hokitika Gorge Walk, which is just a short walk from the car park through a forest that opens to a viewing platform with impressive views. If you walk further, you will reach a swing bridge that hovers over the stunning blue river. It’s an easy walk and only takes about 15 minutes there and back.

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Hokitika to Christchurch (3h 14min, 245 km / 152.2 miles via SH 73)

Driving in New Zealand

One way to go about this road trip is by booking a Campervan (incredibly convenient because you won’t have to worry about where to stay), or driving and stopping at various hotels on the way (which we did because it was winter). It is a must to have snow chains (and know how to put them on!) when travelling to mountainous areas like Queenstown and Milford Sound. If caught, you will be fined a hefty sum of 700 NZD (505 USD).

Also, always make sure you keep to the speed limit, even though you might think that there won’t be any traffic police around. Things always happen when you least expect them to! When driving through town areas from highways, the speed limit usually drops from 100 km/h (62 mph) to 50 km/h (31 mph). We got fined a heart wrenching 400 NZD (289 USD) for ‘speeding’, when we were merely passing through a town. Guess it’s always best to be safe than sorry!

Make every moment count

Towards the end of your trip, you might feel very exhausted and the activities won’t appeal to you as much as before. But try to keep your spirits up because you will definitely miss this place when you leave. While the drive may be long and tedious, you will miss those vast empty plots of land, the clear blue skies amongst fluffy clouds, the soaring mountains that after a while start to look the same, and the occasional lost sheep stumbling down the road. So make every moment in New Zealand count!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Charlene likes to write, especially when its about her feelings and experiences. Travel has always been of her interest as she believes the world has so much more to offer her. She has travelled to...Read more

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