My New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary

The South Island of New Zealand is the nation’s bigger (however less-populated) island…nevertheless it’s additionally probably the most visually gorgeous. With simply 23% of the nation’s 5.2 million inhabitants, it’s a dramatic and exquisite island, house to wineries, wildlife, high-octane journey sports activities, and pristine seashores. That is the island that folks find yourself spending extra time in and, whereas everybody sticks to only a few places, there’s numerous hidden areas right here value exploring.

At a minimal, you’ll need to spend two weeks exploring. Something lower than that and also you’ll really feel rushed. As I stated, there’s so much to see right here. That manner you’ll be able to see the massive attracts, get off the crushed path, do some good mountain climbing, and never rush (journey between locations can take longer than you suppose)!

With two weeks to traverse New Zealand’s South Island, what route do you have to take? The place do you have to begin, and the place do you have to end?

Under is my prompt itinerary that can assist you plan your South Island highway journey to will be sure that you see the highlights, profit from your time, and get off the crushed path.

New Zealand Highlights: South Island

Simply searching for a number of pointers to start out your planning? These are issues I feel each customer ought to expertise:

Seeking to see the opposite island? Take a look at my detailed highway journey itinerary for the North Island!
 

Selecting the Proper Car

Earlier than you propose your route, you want a strategy to get round. Highway-tripping New Zealand by campervan could be very in style, particularly amongst budget-conscious vacationers, because the automobile serves as each lodging and transportation. If you’d like a campervan, there are 5 principal rental companies:

Costs fluctuate so much. Your day by day charge will change relying on the place you choose up the automobile, if you’re dropping it off at a distinct place, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how far prematurely you ebook, and when throughout the yr you ebook (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If dwelling out of a van for a number of weeks doesn’t sound like your thought of a enjoyable time, merely lease a standard automobile and ebook lodging alongside the way in which. Uncover Vehicles is my go-to rental web site, as they search rental companies massive and small to seek out one of the best offers.

You should utilize this widget to get a free quote to your automobile rental:

 

New Zealand Highway Journey Itinerary: A Two-Week South Island Route

Begin your journey in Queenstown. Even when your worldwide flight lands in Auckland on the North Island, you’ll be able to simply get an inexpensive flight to Queenstown, which additionally has direct flights to many main cities in Australia in case your journey to New Zealand is an element of a bigger journey.

Days 1–3: Queenstown

Queenstown is a picturesque city overlooking Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the attractive peaks of the Remarkables mountain vary. It has an outdoorsy power, with pedestrian lanes full of retailers and eating places. Though it has grow to be vastly in style, I can not specific my love of Queenstown sufficient. I like sitting by the lake, watching the sundown with a bottle of wine, and mountain climbing the close by trails.

Queenstown is also referred to as “the journey capital of New Zealand.” It’s the launching pad for each kind of journey exercise you’ll be able to consider, together with zip-lining, bungee leaping, canyon swinging, rafting, and even skydiving. You too can strive extra distinctive actions like river browsing, jet-boating, go-karting, paddle-boarding, and paragliding.

For one thing extra laid-back, take a wine tour in and round Queenstown. I at all times do that after I go to (the grape of alternative right here is the light-red Pinot Noir). If wine isn’t your factor, take pleasure in a calming cruise on Lake Wakatipu for some gorgeous views!

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Queenstown, try my detailed information.

The place to Keep: Nomads Queenstown – Most rooms on this social hostel have balconies, the showers have wonderful water strain, and the pillows are thick and cozy. There are actions each evening and a free dinner and quiz evening on Sunday. It’s a enjoyable and inexpensive place to remain.
 
Days 4–6: Fiordland

Named for its resplendent fjords (lengthy, slender inlets banked by steep cliffs, created by glaciers), Fiordland is among the nation’s most scenic and distant areas. (It’s house to quite a few Lord of the Rings filming places). Boasting gigantic mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, and untamed forests, the land is formally off-limits in order to guard these pure sources.

I beloved the realm right here. There’s numerous good mountain climbing and exquisite views. There are a lot of fjords and sounds to discover in Fiordland Nationwide Park, however I notably love Milford Sound. This superb fjord is greatest identified for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest. You may stroll the wooded shoreline path for excellent views of the height, or take the Chasm Stroll on the Cleddau River to get near highly effective waterfalls.

The fjord itself is house to seal and penguin colonies. You may typically see pods of dolphins frolicking within the waters too. Discover by boat and take a look at the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory to see uncommon black coral and different underwater life. Southern Discoveries is the one firm doing cruises that embody the Underwater Observatory, ranging from 165 NZD.

Whereas much less well-known than Milford, Uncertain Sound is the deepest and second-largest fjord within the nation. You may solely get to Uncertain through boat. A wilderness cruise of Uncertain Sound prices 299 NZD.

For those who like mountain climbing, one of the in style walks within the nationwide park is the Kepler Observe, passing beneath snow-covered mountain peaks and luxurious verdant forests. It’s very near the Te Anau basecamp, and the simple entry and scenic views alongside the way in which make it an excellent alternative. The entire loop is 37 miles (60 kilometers). It takes three or 4 days to finish.

Be aware: There’s restricted bus service within the space so having a automobile right here can be very useful.

The place to Keep: Milford Sound Lodge – That is the one place to remain close by. It’s not low-cost, however the views are unmatched, the complimentary breakfast is scrumptious, and the modern rooms are cozy but fashionable. For those who don’t thoughts driving a bit extra, you’ll be able to keep within the closest city, Te Anau.
 

Days 7–8: Wanaka

Wanaka is a resort city framed by snow-capped mountains. As close by Queenstown has grow to be overcrowded in recent times, journey to Wanaka has exploded (and, in a manner, additionally grow to be overcrowded as a result of it’s tremendous small). It’s grow to be in style with backpackers and outside fanatics, particularly skiers and boaters. There’s not a ton to do in addition to having fun with the outside (which is what I like about it). Most individuals come for a number of nights to hike (or ski within the winter), chill out, and transfer on.

Wanaka has grow to be one thing of a smaller model of Queenstown, so you’ll be able to count on loads of journey sports activities alternatives. I’m not an adrenaline junkie (and I don’t like heights). But when it’s your cup of tea, you’ll be able to go skydiving, canyoning, rock-climbing, paragliding, jet-boating, or mountaineering, together with scores of different actions that can get your coronary heart pounding.

You may take a cheerful hour boat cruise, go fishing or mountain climbing, or do one other wine tour (there’s no such factor as too many wine excursions!).

The meals scene right here is actually nice too.

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Wanaka, try my detailed information.

The place to Keep: Mountain View Backpackers – This social hostel has an enormous outside area with a grill, and an enormous desk to congregate round that makes assembly individuals a breeze. I had many gratifying nights spent ingesting wine exterior right here whereas I chatted with different vacationers.
 
Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

In 1865, Julius von Haast christened the massive, lovely glacier on the South Island of New Zealand “Franz Josef Glacier” after the then-monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The title caught, and as we speak the glacier is a significant vacationer attraction.

Climbing the glaciers is an unforgettable expertise. Sadly, as a result of they’ve receded and are melting shortly as a result of local weather change, the caves and trails have been shut down. Now, the one strategy to trek on them is through heli-hike (an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/mountain climbing expertise). These are costly (500 NZD), however the helicopter journey, trekking, and expertise as a complete are well worth the value in my view. It’s a kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences you received’t remorse.

Conversely, you’ll be able to simply hike to the glacier face and take images from a distance. There are tons of viewing factors (the place you’ll additionally see sobering images of simply how far the glaciers have receded over time).

There are additionally numerous actions to do close by. You may go trekking by a rainforest (sure, there’s a rainforest close by), admire towering waterfalls, and swim (or go kayaking) in pristine lakes. There are additionally some pure thermal swimming pools that you would be able to take a soak in to assuage your post-hike muscle tissues.

The place to Keep: Chateau Backpacker & Motels – Only a ten-minute drive from the glacier, this lodging affords friends free selfmade soup each evening and free breakfast (together with selfmade waffles and pancakes). It has two communal kitchens if you wish to prepare dinner, and a sizzling tub for enjoyable. It’s a full of life, social spot.
 
Days 10–11: Abel Tasman Nationwide Park

Drive simply six hours north of glacial Franz Josef and also you’ll be in beachy Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, New Zealand’s smallest nationwide park. With its turquoise water, dense jungles, and heat temperatures, you’ll really feel such as you’re within the tropics reasonably than New Zealand. It covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), which means there are numerous single and multiday hikes. Essentially the most well-known is the 3-5-day Abel Tasman Coast Observe, one of many Nice Walks of New Zealand.

The easiest way to see the park is by kayak. That manner, you’ll be able to discover all of the little coves and seashores that basically make the realm particular. Full-day leases begin at round 110 NZD, or you’ll be able to be part of a guided kayaking tour beginning at 190 NZD. You too can take a scenic cruise across the park for 95 NZD.

For those who’re aching for some critical surf, sand, and solar time, head to Te Puketea Bay. This pristine, crescent-shaped seaside hugs up in opposition to turquoise waters, and lounging right here is well worth the journey to Abel Tasman alone. You too can stroll as much as the centuries-old Maori fort, known as Pa, for wonderful views of the encompassing nature.

The place to Keep: Marahau Seaside Camp – This lodging affords dormitories and small personal cottages, a communal kitchen, and a seasonal restaurant. There are additionally tent and campervan websites if you wish to lower your expenses. It’s a chill, no-frills spot.

From right here, choose your final cease: both drive onward to Christchurch and finish there, or take the ferry over to Wellington (an journey in and of itself!) and finish there. Both manner, you’ll be capable to catch an inexpensive and fast flight again to Auckland to your worldwide flight house.

For those who’re heading to Christchurch, hold studying. For those who’d like to go to Wellington, try my North Island itinerary right here.
 
Days 12–14: Christchurch

Although severely broken by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 (over 185 individuals had been killed and three,000 buildings had been broken), Christchurch has rebounded and developed right into a brand-new metropolis. This revival has instilled a newfound sense of hope and vibrancy, with extra funky bars and markets, in addition to new eating places, retailers, and reveals. The locals have labored exhausting to rebuild, and there’s a neighborhood spirit right here that basically shines. I like the place Christchurch goes and I’m completely happy to see its revival.

Whereas there’s not so much “to do” per se, the vibe is actually relaxed, and it’s value taking your time if you happen to can. Remember to journey the gondola, go to the Canterbury Museum, and tour Quake Metropolis (a singular and interactive museum that recounts private tales from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes).

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Christchurch, try my metropolis information.

The place to Keep: Urbanz– That is an superior hostel downtown, with pleasant employees and an enormous kitchen. There’s additionally a bar, a pool desk, quick Wi-Fi, laundry, motion pictures, and cozy couches, in addition to a parking zone.
 

Issues to Bear in mind When Highway-Tripping New Zealand

That will help you profit from your highway journey, please bear in mind the next guidelines:

• Site visitors flows on the left right here (not the suitable, like within the US or Canada).
• You could at all times park your automobile within the route that visitors goes (or threat a superb).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking images — use them as an alternative of stopping at a random spot alongside the aspect of the highway, which could be fairly harmful given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed here are winding, so do not forget that it would take longer than you count on to cowl a specific distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driver’s license is in English, you don’t want an Worldwide Driver’s Allow.
• For those who’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, fuel stations, and dump stations.

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New Zealand’s South Island is an unforgettable vacation spot, the place I at all times have a blast. It’s a area loaded with epic landscapes, pleasant Kiwis, and a wealthy tradition. After visiting a bunch over the previous decade and a half, I’ve realized firsthand how superior a highway journey there could be. Simply observe the route above and also you’ll be assured to have an epic go to to this picturesque isle!