How to Plan a New Zealand South Island road trip

How to plan a New Zealand South Island road trip? Where to start, where to go, what to do…

The South Island is unbelievable for its natural beauty, such as Milford Sound, Queenstown, and the Otago Peninsula, to name a few.  The South Island is well worth a week (or more!), however, it’s all a little overwhelming. There are so many amazing places to visit and include on any South Island itinerary, it’s hard to know where to go and what to skip. 

I remember when I arranged a road trip on the South Island, I was a little overwhelmed and didn’t really know where to start. To make things easier, we’ve asked some top travel bloggers for their advice on ‘What to do on New Zealand’s South Island’ and ‘Where are the best places to visit on the South Island?’ I’ve also included two of my favourite places. These top bloggers have all travelled extensively throughout NZ’s South Island, so thank you for sharing these tips with everyone!

New Zealand South Island road trip

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is the luscious little brother of Queenstown. As a sleepier, historically rich spot, it’s is a chance to get away from the craziness of the adrenaline capital just a few miles down the road! Tucked away among the mountains, Arrowtown is perfect for a gentle stroll through colourful woodlands and alongside crystal clear streams as part of the Queenstown trail – you’ll get some pretty impressive views along the way! If walking isn’t quite your thing, then the views from driving around the area of Lake Hayes and Coronet Peak are spectacular too.

More than just nature to offer, some great things to do in Arrowtown include a visit to the Lakes District Museum and wandering past quaint gold rush era storefronts to get a taste of Otago history. Of course, no trip to Arrowtown is complete without picking up a pie from the Arrowtown Bakery. Take your steaming hot pie and a bottle of L&P to the top of Arrowtown War Memorial Park for some magical views over the town and mountains. It doesn’t get more New Zealand than that!

Suzy, Suzy Stories

Click here to compare prices on Arrowtown hotels. 

Abel Tasman National Park

I spent two weeks exploring New Zealand’s South Island, a small part of the world yet filled with some of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen to date. Among the best spots to visit is Abel Tasman National Park, a wilderness reserve at the north end of the South Island. Abel Tasman is amazing because of its pristine wilderness and the wide variety of activities you can do there. Whether you plan to stay for a day or three, walking even a portion of the Abel Tasman coastal trail will take you through some of the most beautiful golden beaches of New Zealand.

If you enjoy spotting wildlife, the park is home to a number of incredible species such as seals, dolphins, native birds and penguins. Hire a water taxi to explore the turquoise waters and search for wildlife, or for a more tranquil experience, rent a kayak and explore the waters on your own. Abel Tasman is one of the best places to go kayaking in New Zealand given its lengthy coastlines and crystal clear waters. There’s no shortage of beauty and activities to do in Abel Tasman National Park.

Lora, Explore with Lora 

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is the most famous of the sounds in New Zealand, and it has to be considered the most breath taking. This large inlet is as calm and quiet as the pictures suggest, the ultimate in relaxation and being at one with the world. With gorgeous views wherever you look, whether it’s the towering Mitre Peak or the gushing Stirling waterfall, you will be enchanted for as long as you stay.

I chose to see the sound via boat, and my trip included a one night stay in the middle of the sound. Kayaking on the water, diving into it off the top of the ship, looking out over it during dinner, it is the perfect way to experience Milford Sound. During the journey back to land the next day, a local pod of dolphins flanked the boat leaping and diving playfully. It really is a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to everyone visiting NZ. Other ways to visit the fjords include by plane, which is expensive but provides fantastic scenery, and by hiking, which is not for the faint of heart, due to the incline!

Alan, More Passport Stamps

The Bluff sign

In Bluff, the southernmost city in the South Island, there’s this sign, pointing out the directions to various other cities around the world. It’s the Bluff sign.

Well, it may seem like not much, but it’s a must for those visiting the country. There are many walking trails around, and they’re all stunning! I love the Foveaux trail – if we’re lucky, we can spot seals playing on the rocks and rest by the cliff, looking out to the beautiful blue sea.

If you’re even luckier, it’s a cool place to see the Southern Lights (or Aurora Australis). I didn’t yet, but maybe someday!

And then, you can go to the restaurants and cafés nearby to grab some fresh Bluff oysters – a specialty! Or you can go to the Lighthouse Gallery and Café in town for a nice cup of coffee and another of the Southland’s specialties: cheese rolls!

Thais, World Trip Diaries

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a quaint town on the South Island of New Zealand. My husband and I loved this town more than any other on our month long NZ road trip. Kaikoura is the perfect spot, only an hour away from Christchurch, to unwind and explore. Any wildlife lover will be in heaven in Kaikoura with marine mammals aplenty- including whales, dolphins and seals! If you are interested in close animal encounters with animals in their natural habitat, then you are in luck! Kaikoura is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with fur seals! Lonely Planet even ranked swimming with fur seals in kaikoura as one of the top 10 wildlife encounters in the world, although, as always, keep a safe distance from any wild animal.

If you like to observe marine mammals from afar there are also whale watching opportunities. All foodies should be sure to try the local specialty of ‘crayfish’. Kaikoura is really a must-visit town when traveling through New Zealand’s South Island.

Arielle, Arielle Abroad

Find Kaikoura accommodation here. 

Hokitika Gorge

The South Island has several places to see dazzling blue water, but for us Hokitika Gorge is one of the few where you can enjoy the incredible views without the crowds. On the West Coast (just 138 km kilometres north of Franz Josef Glacier) is the town of Hokitika, the base for a trip to the gorge. After driving inland for half an hour, you’ll take a short and easy walking trail that gives you a bird’s eye view of this stunning gorge and its milky blue glacial water.

The gorge is a wild landscape and a favourite place for photographers. We’d recommend going in the early morning to guarantee you have the place to yourself, and remember to bring the bug repellent – the sandflies here (like a lot of New Zealand) are brutal. Make sure you follow the track to the very end for the best lookout of them all. You can grab a seat on one of the many rocks to take it all in.

Cat, Walk my World

Akaroa Township

Akaroa is one of our favourite day trip destinations in New Zealand. Being only an hour away from Christchurch makes it super accessible, yet once you’re there you feel like you’re a million miles away from the city. Akaroa has a unique history and heritage, and it wears it proudly. French street names abound and there’s a very Gallic feel to the town that isn’t found elsewhere in New Zealand.

Getting out on the water is a popular pastime in Akaroa, whether it be to jump on a pedal boat with the kids, go on a kayak adventure, or to spot/swim with the endangered Hector’s dolphins. These petite native dolphins can be found frolicking in the water’s around the Banks Peninsula, and it’s the by far the best place in New Zealand to spot them. Akaroa also has a thriving café scene and is home to plenty of cute boutiques to browse when you’ve had enough of the beach!

Nadine, Le Long Weekend

Lake Matheson

Haven’t got the money for a heli hike to Fox Glacier? Fret not; there is still plenty to see in the area. If it’s a clear day, follow Cook Flat Road from the Fox Glacier town until you reach Lake Matheson. On the way there, check your rearview mirror. If there are no clouds up in the mountains, keep going!

From the car park, it’s a 45-minute walk around Lake Matheson. The path flits between the native forest and the edge of the lake, which formed during the retreat of the glaciers centuries ago. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the wind dies down, one can see the snowy peaks of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman reflected in the water. Those are the best times for avid photographers to go and Jetty Point and Reflection Island are their favourite spots. Remember to wear insect repellent, however; sand flies abound, though not at the same levels as at Milford Sound. I made a mistake by wearing jandals.

At the end of the walk, one can enjoy a tasty breakfast or dinner made with local ingredients at the Matheson Cafe, which surpasses expectations for food establishments at tourist attractions.

Nicholas, Rambling Feet

Hooker Valley

Hooker Valley, known also as Mt Cook hike, is probably the most scenic hike you will take in New Zealand. The hike is only around 5 kms one way and the change of the altitude is around 100 meters. It’s accessible for everyone, you don’t need to be extra fit to undertake the walk.

All along the way you feel like you’re walking through Photoshopped image, the landscape around is just too beautiful to be real. Before reaching the final point of the hike – Hooker Lake – you need to cross three swing bridges- which can be a thrilling, but fun, experience. When going toward the lake you admire the stunning views of Mt Cook – the highest peak in New Zealand. It took me around 3 hours to complete the hike from/to Mount Cook Village – it can probably take less time but I was stopping every few steps to take pictures as the views were just too spectacular.

Kami, My Wanderlust

Curio Bay

Tucked away on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Curio Bay is an oft-overlooked destination that is gradually making its way onto the tourism radar. A quiet cove, protected from the wild Pacific Ocean on its doorstep, the Bay is an ideal destination for surfers, swimmers, and lovers of nature. Be sure to bring, or rent, a wetsuit though, as the water is cold.

One of the few places in the world where the endangered Hector’s dolphin can be seen in the wild, Curio Bay is also home to seals and sea lions, which can commonly be seen on the beach, and the nightly trek of the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) from the ocean to their seaside nests, is a show not to be missed. There is a camping ground overlooking the beach for accommodation, and a new visitors centre includes a restaurant and interactive exhibit about the area.

Jo, Over the Edge of the Wild

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef is a small South Island town with beautiful mountain views and the continual drone of helicopters.

In the mountains nearby lie the Mount Cook and Franz Josef glaciers, both of which come down to within 300m of sea level, are surrounded by rainforest and are rapidly receeding – Franz Josef Glacier has lost about 800m since 2008.

Taking a scenic flight over the glaciers is a must do. In the right weather conditions you can hike on the glaciers but just landing on the soft snow was one of the most amazing things I’ve had the chance to do in New Zealand.

If the weather closes in and you’re unable to get up in a helicopter, take a hike in the bush or partake in nearby adventure activities such as quad biking or horse riding, you can visit the Kiwi Conservation Centre, chat to locals in the pub or just relax in the Glacier Hot Pools.

Sarah, Sarah Sees the World

I’ve also got two of my own favourites to include: the glow worm caves of Te Anau and the quintessential backpacker mecca of Queenstown.

Glow worm caves of Te Anau

The town of Te Anau is well known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford and Doubtful Sounds, but I loved it for one specific reason- the glow worm caves. The caves can be visited via guided boat tour from Te Anau, in which you learn about the history of the area, and then boarded, literally, a small rowboat, which is paddled into the dark caves. The luminescence of the glow worms sparkle and light up the black caves like the stars in the night sky, an unbelievable surreal and special experience. Every trip to the South Island should include a trip to Te Anau and the glow worm caves. Trips to the caves are run daily, and can be booked locally. 

Queenstown

Queenstown may be known worldwide- but for good reason. It’s one of those places where your jaw literally drops- the aptly-named Remarkables, cruising along sparkling Lake Wakatipu, and the vibrant energy of the town is unique to Queenstown if not the world. Come for the adventure and adrenaline activities (and the burgers), stay for the hikes, skiing, and gourmet cuisine. Check out these 101 tips for Queenstown– there’s a lot to do there, seriously. 

If you only have a few days, don’t miss the Skyline gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, go zip lining, try the Ben Lomond hike, and explore some of Queenstown’s famous nightlife (or so I’m told…)

Click here to search for accommodation in Queenstown.

South Island itinerary

I’d recommend at least a week to explore the South Island, but longer if you possible. There is seriously so much to see and do here, and you don’t want to feel rushed. It also can take hours to travel from point A to B, as most of the roads on the island are narrow and windy. If you are going to be driving yourself, take extra caution on the roads, schedule frequent rest breaks, and try to be off the roads before dark.

We flew in and out of Christchurch, which is the largest airport on the South Island, so the easiest way was to plan a loop, starting at ending at Christchurch. However, even in a nine day NZ itinerary, which was as per below, it’s still hardly enough time to see everything, and we did miss out on some things. But, the below might give you a good starting point.

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch in late evening

Day 2: Arthur’s Pass to Fox and Franz Josef glaciers

Day 3: Fox and Franz Josef

Day 4: Lake Wanaka and Arrowtown

Day 5: Queenstown

Day 6: Queenstown

Day 7: Milford Sound

Day 8: Otago Peninsula

Day 9: Back to Christchurch

New Zealand South Island itinerary road map

A map of the South Island, below, has all the points of interest from the above post marked. Hopefully it will be useful to know how to plan your New Zealand roadtrip!

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1dD5N0CqyuRUvuK9NnVLV_V0Yy2maVj82&w=640&h=480]

 

Thanks to all the bloggers above for contributing your favorite places in New Zealand. Readers- how long did you spend on the South Island, and what places were your favorites? Would love to hear your tips below.