Should you’re craving journey, epic surroundings, and per week exploring New Zealand’s wild coronary heart, this South Island highway journey itinerary is for you.
From Christchurch to Queenstown, this route takes you thru turquoise alpine lakes, tussock-covered valleys, and up shut and private with New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki / Mount Cook dinner. Whereas I honeslty don’t suppose it’s doable to cowl each spotlight of the South Island while additionally absorbing the serenity of a gradual New Zealand highway journey, this one-week itinerary is an unforgettable journey (that I simply did final week!), specializing in mountains, lakes, and corners of New Zealand which are highway journey targets.
The place to begin your South Island, New Zealand highway journey? The place is the very best place to guide and choose up a camper van?
Most travellers will fly into Christchurch (the closest and finest worldwide hub) and choose up a campervan or motorhome from one of many many operators with depots on the airport. Some will do a loop of the South Island after which fly out of Christchurch too, however there may be an possibility with lots of the motorhome firms to drop the autos off in Queenstown so that you just keep away from looping again, and this fashion you’ve got extra time on the highway to take pleasure in.
I feel having a campervan is certainly one of the best ways to expertise the South Island due to the liberty you need to discover at your personal tempo, dine wherever you discover an epic view and really feel such as you’re seeing so much however with the consolation of dwelling wherever you’re (no packing and repacking!).
The perfect place to discover a camper that fits your funds and journey fashion is with RatPack Journey. You merely give them your dates, and they’re going to lay out all your choices for you – freed from cost! Take a look on the Maui motorhome we booked with them under.
The place to remain / are you able to park up wherever in New Zealand?
This was my query earlier than my most up-to-date highway journey! I’ve bought you.
One of many greatest joys of a South Island highway journey is the liberty to decide on your lodging fashion and the pliability to not have all the things booked and be a bit spontanous.
Dotted across the South Island, you’ve got a number of:
- totally serviced vacation parks (suppose powered websites, showers, and kitchens)
- DOC campsites (small cost per head normally $12-15 NZD)
- Freedom camp spots
We mixed the above. We did two powered campsites over our 7 day highway journey of the South Island in order that we might cost up the van, fill the water and have a very good bathe. However there have been additionally some epic free camp spots we discovered!
If you’d like entry to ALL my suggestions, together with the place we camped and freedom spots i discovered and saved alongside the best way, entry my New Zealand google map right here.
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the very best locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.
When is the very best time to plan a South Island, New Zealand highway journey?
Should you’re planning a South Island highway journey, timing is all the things; it impacts not simply the surroundings, but in addition the driving situations (subsequently instances too), campsite availability, and climbing alternatives.
- Summer time (December–February) is the preferred: daytime highs are round 20–25°C, good for lakeside swims, kayaking, and you’ve got most daytime which suggests perfect situations for safely tackling longer hikes like Roys Peak or the Hooker Valley Monitor. Nights are gentle, making campervan tenting comfy, however in style spots like Lake Tekapo, Queenstown or Wanaka could be busy.
- Autumn (March–Might) is right for those who desire quieter roads and golden landscapes. Temperatures are barely cooler, averaging 15–20°C, and the lakes tackle a surprising turquoise-gold distinction. Roads stay principally clear, however early mornings could be crisp, so pack layers.
- Spring (September–November) provides vibrant wildflower blooms and snow-capped peaks, although some higher-alpine tracks should have snow or mud, and roads in alpine passes could be slippery.
- Winter (June–August) is finest for knowledgeable drivers or these chasing snowy mountain landscapes. Some passes could also be icy, and daytime temperatures typically hover round 5–12°C, however locations like Queenstown and Wanaka provide ample choices to heat up of their saunas and scorching swimming pools!
Planning round daylight is vital: summer time provides as much as 15–16 hours of sunshine, perfect for lengthy drives with stops at viewpoints, whereas winter days are shorter, so prioritise hikes and scenic stops earlier within the day. Total, December by way of March is the candy spot for a balanced South Island highway journey, heat sufficient for lakes and hikes, but with roads typically secure and accessible.
Day 1 – Land in Christchurch and choose up your motorhome
Arrive in Christchurch and choose up your campervan from Maui. Prime tip: get to the depot early for those who can. We arrived late in Christchurch after which arrived at 10 am, and we have been ready over an hour and a half because the queue was so lengthy – dropping treasured highway journey time!
When you have time when you’ve bought your camper, spend half a day exploring town’s revitalised centre, from wandering the Botanic Gardens, using the enduring tram journey, taking pictures at New Regent Avenue, to trying out the surf at Taylors Mistake Seaside – there’s a lot to get you began in your highway journey right here!
For breakfast or brunch, head to Good Behavior. YUM.
Possibly although, like us, you’re eager to get on the highway and knock a number of kms off the route, during which case replenish the fridge at Pak’nSAVE Hornby, which is on the highway it is advisable be on anyway. Go away Christchurch and head in the direction of Lake Tekapo. That is in all probability essentially the most ‘boring’ drive you’ll have on the South Island, however my oh my does it set you up for a shock when the mountains kick in.
Drive time: ~2.5 hours
We stayed in a single day at Fairlie Vacation Park.
Day 2 – Get up in Fairlie and slowly drive to Lake Tekapo
Fairlie is a captivating township within the Mackenzie Basin, well-known for its iconic pies. There’s not a lot to do right here, only a nice stop-off for those who don’t fairly make it to Tekapo earlier than your tummy rumbles and your eyes get drained on Day 1.
Begin the day with a espresso and deal with from Fairlie Bakehouse or Little Bean South (wonderful espresso) earlier than persevering with on in the direction of Lake Tekapo. Put together for the epic scenes to unfold...
You’ll know once you’ve arrived to Lake Tekapo since you’ll be rustling in your cameras and stopping each 5 seconds to take one other picture.
Lake Tekapo is among the standout gems on a South Island highway journey itinerary. The sheer color of the water stops you in your tracks, and the mountains round you make even the best moments like washing the dishes within the van really feel epic lol. Discover someplace to have your first scenic dinner and simply soak all of it up immediately.
If evening falls and you’re nonetheless awake, stargazing right here is world-class due to its location contained in the Aoraki Mackenzie Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserve. You’ll be able to guide onto a tour or simply step out of your camper van and search for!
Day 3 – Take pleasure in Lake Tekapo
Head into city immediately and revel in a few of Lake Tekapo’s iconic spots and finest issues to do. A brief stroll from the village, you’ll be able to go to the enduring Church of the Good Shepherd, which is among the most photographed spots in New Zealand. In late spring and early summer time, the shoreline bursts with vibrant lupins, turning the panorama into an iconic postcard scene.
Late morning, take the Mt John Summit Monitor (half-day hike) for panoramic vistas over the Mackenzie Basin, and a cup of tea with a view at Astro Cafe.
After a day of wandering and exploring, unwind within the Tekapo Springs scorching swimming pools and both keep one other evening right here or drive on to Lake Pukaki.
Drive time: ~1.5 hours
We stayed on the free Pine Tree campground by Lake Pukaki.
If you’d like entry to ALL my suggestions, together with the place we camped and freedom spots i discovered and saved alongside the best way, entry my New Zealand google map right here.
Day 4 – Drive into Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park
Drive time: ~45 minutes
Have your morning espresso, then drive alongside Lake Pukaki, the place its vibrant turquoise water contrasts sharply with the Southern Alps. The drive itself is beautiful.
Should you fancy a hike immediately, that is an epic spot to select from! We hiked the Hooker Valley Monitor (3–4 hours return), crossing swing bridges and ending at Hooker Lake with breathtaking views of Aoraki / Mount Cook dinner, the South Island’s highest peak. It’s an amazing day hike. You would additionally take a look at a shorter stroll just like the Tasman Glacier View Monitor or simply full as a lot of the Hooker Valley monitor earlier than turning round.
There are many multi-day hike choices to think about round right here too, just like the Mueller Hut hike!
Nice spots to camp embrace:
- Glentanner Park Centre
- White Horse Hill Campground
- Two free camp spots on Lake Pukaki (when you drive out of the Nationwide Park)
After a day within the mountains, it’s time to move again out of Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park and on in the direction of Lake Wanaka – your subsequent vacation spot.
Contemplate stopping off at NZ Alpine Lavender Farm + Fields for some lavendar infused icecream with a view (attempt the manuka honey flavour!) after which additionally Excessive Nation Salmon, the place you may get the freshest Alpine salmon sushi, sashimi or manuka-glazed salmon to take with you and prepare dinner up with a view later in your itinerary! Truthfully, among the finest salmon I’ve EVER had.
The Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park scenes are unreal, making it a spotlight for any South Island highway journey itinerary. Don’t miss it!
We stayed in Omarama Prime 10 Vacation Park on this evening, which was the proper midway level. Try the new tubs right here, and remember to cease and take pictures as you drive by way of Lindis Cross on the subsequent part of the drive to Lake Wanaka.
Drive time from Mt.Cook dinner to Wanaka: ~2.5 hours
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the very best locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.
Day 5 – Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is the proper mixture of alpine journey and lakeside calm. There may be an simple mountain-town buzz right here that feels so welcome after a number of days of exploring extra distant locations.
Begin with a espresso at The Espresso Shack and take a dawn stroll alongside the lakeside path. For these wanting an enormous hike day, there are some epic tracks to tackle. Contemplate the Roys Peak Monitor (16 km return, 1,200 m ascent), or Isthmus Peak, which provides quieter 360° vistas over each Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. For a shorter possibility, the Wānaka Hill stroll delivers wonderful views in simply a few hours.
- You’ll be able to see my full information to Wanaka and the very best issues to do in Lake Wanaka right here.
If you’d like one thing extra chill with no incline, take a mild stroll across the lake. It’s severely beautiful with out the power exertion that the larger hikes demand.
One other off-the-beaten-track possibility is close by Lake Hawea, the place it’s also possible to stroll across the lake. It’s equally lovely however much less visited than Lake Wanaka, providing you with that feeling of discovering a hidden gem for the primary time. Rather less touristy, equally magical. Lake Hawea additionally has a secret sauna for those who’re fancying a lake dip and spa with a view — good for stress-free after a day of exploring! See under!
Different issues to think about as your day involves a detailed in Lake Wanaka are:
- Take a photograph on the well-known That Wānaka Tree
- merino lamb ragu @ Francesca’s
- Seize a deal with or ice cream @ Patagonia Sweets
- Dinner @ Huge Fig Wanaka
- Head to The Meals Truck Park Wānaka for dinner
If you’d like entry to ALL my suggestions, together with the place we camped and freedom spots i discovered and saved alongside the best way, entry my New Zealand google map right here.
We stayed this night at Albert City Campground.
Day 6 – It’s time to move to Queenstown
Drive time: ~1 hour
Simply once you suppose you’ve seen all of it, the South Island of New Zealand is actually the reward that retains on giving. Subsequent up you’ve got of essentially the most lovely locations on the planet. I’m not joking.
If it instances properly en path to Queenstown, cease on the Cardrona Lodge for a beer or lunch within the gardens earlier than absorbing the breath-taking views as you drive the Crown Vary Street into Queenstown.
Queenstown is the journey capital of the South Island. And I swear there isn’t a place on this city that doesn’t offer you a view that drops your jaw to the bottom. It’s insanely beautiful.
Listed below are some adventures to think about while in Queenstown. For a full information see my finest issues to do in Queenstown information right here.
- Hike the Ben Lomond Monitor
- Discover Lake Wakatipu by Kayak or SUP
- Seize a Fergburger and eat your means round city
- Take the Skyline Gondola up for a view & Luge again down
- Queenstown Hill Time Stroll or the Tiki Path
- Jet boat rides on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers
- Loosen up at Queenstown Gardens or on the seashore
- Paddle, swim, or picnic at Bob’s Cove or Moke Lake
We parked up at 12 Mile Delta in a single day which was $15 NZD per grownup.
Day 7 – Proceed exploring Queenstown earlier than camper drop-off and departure
Spend your ultimate day exploring close by gems and ticking off the final Queenstown bucket checklist.
Gosh wow, 7 days goes so rapidly and I really feel like we solely simply touched the floor of what the South Island has to supply!
When you have extra time in your palms and want to lengthen this South Island highway journey another bucket-list locations embrace:
- Whale watching in Kaikoura
- Coastal hikes and kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park
- Scenic flights and adventures at Franz Josef Glacier
- Exploring the enduring fjords of Milford Sound
- Wine tasting within the Marlborough Area
However for now, it’s time to return your campervan to Queenstown Airport, or drive again as much as Christchurch, finishing a once-in-a-lifetime journey for the books. This South Island highway journey itinerary is up there with the very best, and I simply know that for those who comply with in my footsteps, you’ll be talking about this journey within the 12 months to return.
Any questions? Go away me a remark. In any other case, ensure you get the New Zealand Google map; it’s honeslty the very best journey hack for New Zealand and can prevent numerous hours researching at dwelling and on the highway, making certain you’ve got all the very best suggestions in your again pocket.
Have you ever been to the South Island, New Zealand?
What are the very best issues to do within the South Island, New Zealand? Something you’d add to this South Island, New Zealand bucket checklist?
Love as all the time and joyful adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the very best locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your machine and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.