South Island road trip: complete guide & best sights

With stunning beaches that stretch for miles, snow-capped mountain ranges, beautiful glaciers and lush green forests, the South Island of New Zealand has so much to offer. And there's no better way to enjoy all the sights than grabbing a campervan and taking off on a road trip.

If you’re looking for some South Island road trip ideas, then you’re in the right place. We have an entire two-week itinerary mapped out for you, so you won’t miss a thing. See where you should stop, how long you should spend there, and the highlights of each destination for help planning the ultimate road trip.

This particular route takes you through towns like Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanka and Christchurch. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the South Island’s best sights such as the Nelson Lakes National Park, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo.

Total Distance: 2,001km | Recommended Days: 14 - 16 days | Total Drive Time: 25 hours | Best Time to Visit: Between September and May

Best road trip around the South Island: 8 places you can’t miss

This South Island road trip can be modified any way you like to fit in the time you have available to you. Use the itinerary as a rough guide to planning your stay, with all the best places to check out and highlights of each stop to make the most of your time.

1. Christchurch

If you have time to spare, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Christchurch before grabbing that campervan and setting off through the South Island. Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand and there’s so much for you to see and do.

Arthur’s Pass is one of the bestthings to do on the South Island . Cimb more than 900m as your drive through Arthur’s Pass National Park on one of the highest and most breathtaking roads in the Southern Alps. Pass through viaducts, over bridges, under rock shelters and around waterfalls as you make your way through this dramatic landscape of dense rainforest, deep gorges and rapid rivers.

Alternatively, if you don’t particularly feel like driving through the Southern Alps, you can always take the world-famous TranzAlpine Scenic Railway. Regarded as one of the world’s great train journeys, this fairytale adventure promises stunning views and epic vistas as you follow the Waimakariri River into the Alps and down into the native beech forest. The trip takes just under 5 hours and terminates in Greymouth.

If you want to stick closer to the city centre, take on the high-wire course at Adrenaline Forest and get your heart racing as you challenge yourself mentally and physically whilst hanging metres in the air. Alternatively, visit New Zealand’s only open-range zoo at Orana Wildlife Park , where you can get up close with giraffes, rhinos, lions, kiwis and more!

For a unique experience, visit Quake City and relive the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of Christchurch and Canterbury in 2011. This exhibition has tonnes of interactive displays where you can learn about how earthquakes occur and how the local area was affected.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try out North South Holiday Park. This place offers serene tree lined campsites just 5 minutes from the airport with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi.

Alternatively, try the Spencer Beach Holiday Park. This huge campground is in the middle of a forested reserve only 500m from the beach and 20 minutes from the airport.

If you’re after a free campground, try Kimihia Camp Site. It’s a nice open camping site with toilets, fresh water and a shelter.

2. Kaikoura

Distance: 181km

Travel time: 2 hours 23 minutes

Follow State Highway 1 north for a few hours until you reach Kaikoura - a tropical paradise and whale watching hotspot. Situated between the rugged Seaward Kaikōura Range and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura is on the doorstep of the whale highway from Antarctica. Whilst there’s a tonne of fabulous outdoor activities to get involved in, we definitely recommend a whale watching tour. Whilst you’re out cruising, you’re likely to also see the dolphins and fur seals that live in the area year-round.

Pay a visit to the award-winning Kaikoura Museum , which takes a fun and relaxed approach to telling the stories of Kaikoura and its people. In particular, it focuses on the district’s codependent relationship with the sea as well as early Maori and European settlement.

Afterwards, head to the Lavendyl Lavender Farm. Take a relaxing stroll through these beautiful gardens and soak in the tranquillity. When you’re done, sit down in the cafe or grab a few lavender-infused gifts from the shop (we highly recommend the lavender skin products!).

In the afternoon, think about watching the sunset at Fyffe House. This pretty pink building stands at the forefront of Kaikoura’s peninsula and is the oldest surviving building in the area. It was built as a pioneer whaling station in 1842 but today offers self-guided tours that exhibit the harsh reality of early settler life.

If you’re after a beachside seafood dinner, you can’t beat the famous takeaway truck Nins Bin. It’s been run by a local family since 1977 and dishes up its signature crayfish sandwiches with panoramic views over the ocean.

Before you leave, walk down to Kaikoura Beach. This stony beach rests between towering snow capped mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean. It’s a beach day that you’ll never forget.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, check out thesecaravan parks on the South Island. One of the best is Alpine Pacific Motels & Holiday Park Kaikoura, which features all sorts of campsites, modern amenities and free hot pools.

Alternatively, you can try Kaikoura Peketa Beach Holiday Park. It’s just outside of town with stunning mountain views, beachfront camping and clean amenities.

If you’re after a highly-affordable option, head to Kaikoura Coastal Camp Grounds. It offers basic amenities but amazing scenery for only $15 a night.

3. Marlborough

Distance : 138km

Travel time: 1 hour 52 minutes

If wine tasting sounds good to you, then get excited. The Marlborough region is famous for its internationally renowned Sauvignon Blanc wines and there is a heap of guided vineyard tours that you can join. Once you’ve had a drink, you can line your stomach at some of the renowned restaurants that serve up fresh and delicious local seafood. By day, you can soak up some culture at the Heritage Centre or hit the Queen Charlotte Walking Trac k. It’s a great idea to play two nights here to make the most of it (especially if you’re a wine lover!).

Whilst in Marlborough, take the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of New Zealand’s local wildlife at EcoWorld Picton Aquarium. It’s home to some awesome marine animals including penguins, stingrays, seahorses, squid and much more! Similarly, the Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Centre works in partnership with the Department of Conservation to rehabilitate injured wildlife from the local area. You can take yourself on a self-guided nature walk and meet some of the animals or you can volunteer to help feed the kakariki in the aviary.

If you want to take a casual stoll, the beautiful Pollard Park in the centre of Blenheim has extensive rose gardens and native rockery. Gardeners have planned the garden based on the different scents of the roses. It’s the perfect place for a family picnic thanks to its massive kid’s playground. Alternatively, you can take a walk through Wither Hills Farm Park - a working sheep and cattle farm outside of Blenheim with great views over Marlborough and the Wairau Plains.

And don’t miss the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum. This one of a kind world-heritage ship has been preserved and maintained in Picton for over 30 years. Take some time to explore the vessel that is the last surviving ship that took convicts to Australia and the oldest wooden vessel to bring immigrants to New Zealand.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try Madsen's Camp. This stunning campsite on the banks of the Endeavour Inlet has toilets and solar showers for only $15 a night.

Alternatively, you can try Whites Bay Camping Area. It’s positioned next to beautiful Pukatea Beach and cold showers and flush toilets from only $8 a night.

Or if you want a free campsite, try Robin Hood Bay Campsite. Here you can camp next to the water in this beautiful beachside camping spot with a toilet block.

4. Nelson Lakes National Park

Distance: 108km

Travel time: 1 hour 23 minutes

Nelson Lakes National Park is like a bridge between time - carved by glaciers during the last ice age, it now represents the start of the Southern Alps. There is so much to explore around this special corner of the world, with rugged mountains, glacial lakes and beech forests beckoning you in. Whether you’re up for a long hike through the mountains or prefer the scenery around the lakes, it helps to plan ahead to make the most of your day here.

Start at the Lake Rotoiti Jetty , probably one of the most photographed tourist spots in New Zealand. Wander down to the jetty and grab some shots with the crystal-blue glacial waters of Lake Rotoiti in the background. It’s best to visit at sunset or sunrise.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can then take on the Lake Rotoiti Walkway. This track is 23km long (or 31km if you take the scenic route) and takes at least 7 hours to complete. However, you can always make the journey much quicker by catching a water taxi back from the other side of the lake.

Don’t miss the Blue Lake , which in 2011 was awarded the title of “World’s Clearest Lake” by New Zealand’s scientists. According to their research, visibility in the lake is up to 80 metres, making it the clearest natural body of freshwater known to man.

And if you’re into fishing, this region is home to two of the best trout fishing rivers in New Zealand (if not the world!) - the Motueka and Rai Rivers. If you’ve got your own fishing gear in the camper, you’re all good to go. Otherwise, you can always take a guided tour with a local.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try Nelson Lakes National Park. This stunning Department of Conservation campsite on the edge of Lake Rotoiti has amazing bathroom and kitchen facilities for only $20 per night.

Alternatively, you can head to Buller Campground, another amazing DOC campsite on Lake Rotoiti with basic amenities for $15 per night.

Otherwise, try the Jetty Campground. This idyllic little camping spot has a clean and modern bathroom block for $15 per night.

5. West Coast

Distance: 265km

Travel time: 3 hours 29 minutes

The West Coast is a stunning and untamed landscape. We recommend taking the Great Coast Road between Westport and Greymouth, which was recently voted one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Coastal Drives in the World. Don’t rush - take things slowly and stop off at amazing geological oddities and coastal forests listed below.

One of your first stops should be the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Stretch your legs with this easy 20-minute (1.1km) paved walk. At the end, you’ll find a viewing platform where you can marvel at the strange limestone landscape famed for its pancake rock formation, blowholes and surge pools (best around high tide).

If you want to see all the amazing geological wonders in Paparoa National Park , we highly recommend the historic Inland Pack Track. This trek was originally used by gold miners to get from the seaside to the glacial Paparo Mountain Range. Today, visitors can make the 25km trek in 2-3 days and camp underneath the Ballroom Overhang rock shelter for a night.

As you get further down the road, take another short and easy stroll through the pristine podocarp forest around Hokitika Scenic Reserve. The Hokitika Gorge walk only takes 1 hour (2km) and takes you over a swing bridge to a lookout with stunning views of the Hokitika River with its blue-green waters.

Eventually you will reach Fox Glacier. This is the name of both the town and the nearby glacier. Stop in the cosy little town for lunch and gear up for an afternoon glacier hike with a local guide. As you descend the glacier, you’ll find yourself in an amazing temperate rainforest just 300m above sea level. Alternatively, you can always check out the nearby glowworm caves or the Instagram-favourite Lake Matheson.

Finally, you’ll reach Franz Josef. Much like Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is the name of both a town and a nearby glacier. From the town itself, you can take a 5-minute drive to the glacier or make the 1.5-hour trek by foot. If you want to actually walk on the glacier, however, you’ll have to arrange for a guided tour or even a heli-hike.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try out Gillespie Beach Campsite. Here, you can camp on the beach and look out over the Tasman Sea. The site includes non-flush toilets and a cooking shelter for only $8 per night.

Alternatively, you can try Gentle Annie Seaside Camping Ground. This stunning seaside campground was voted the # 3 campground in NZ thanks to its lush grounds and brilliant amenities.

6. Queenstown

Distance: 353km

Travel time: 4 hours and 42 minutes

Queenstown is one of the most beautiful towns and top tourist attractions in New Zealand. Recognised as the “adventure capital of the world”, there’s so much to see and do during your two-night stay here. Get out into nature and explore the snow-capped Remarkables (also home to some of NZ’s best snow skiing). Check out some famous Lord of the Rings film locations nearby. Or if you’re feeling lazy, why not relax at a day spa on the edge of Lake Wakatipu.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable feed, Fergburger is famous for serving up the best burgers in NZ. It has a massive range of breakfast, beef, chicken, fish, venison, lamb and pork options on offer. Whilst you’re at it, check out Fergbakery and Fergbar next door.

Walk off your meal and take on one of the many walking trails around town. Try the Queenstown Hill Walking Track, Tiki Trail or Sunshine Bay Track - all are relatively short, easy and provide brilliant views over Queenstown and its stunning surroundings.

Don’t want to walk? You can ride the Queenstown Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere to the top of Bob’s Peak. From 480 metres above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, you’ll have panoramic views of The Remarkables. Once at the top, you can grab a bite to eat or ride the bobsleds back down the mountain.

On a hot summer's day, the best place to be is Lake Wakatipu. This is the third largest lake in New Zealand is shaped like a lightning bolt and was carved over centuries by ancient glaciers. There’s always a tonne of watersports taking place on the lake, including tubing, fishing and paragliding.

Finally, it’s time to kick back and relax at Onsen Hot Pools. Soak away the afternoon in a hot spa tub perched high on a cliffside overlooking the remarkable Shotover Canyon. Every spa experience includes a complimentary selection of local refreshments and snacks whilst you watch the jet boats below.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde. Based right next to the city centre, this holiday park has a heap of amenities and is the place to be if you want to be close to the action.

Alternatively, the Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is only a 400m walk from the town centre and provides excellent camping sites.

For freedom camping, try Twenty Five Mile Stream. This campsite is a 30-minute drive from Queenstown and has no amenities at all but it is as scenically stunning as they come.

7. Te Anau

Distance: 171km

Travel time: 2 hours and 4 minutes

The stunning town of Te Anau is a gateway to Fiordland National Park , which is why it’s worth stopping for a few nights to enjoy everything on offer. This quaint little place will be your home base while you explore the highest-rated tourist attraction in New Zealand: Milford Sound. Discover monolithic fjords, giant glaciers and tumbling cascades as you make your way around the mountainous rainforests. No South Island road trip is complete without visiting this destination.

The best (and fastest) way to see the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed National Park is with Fiordland Jet. Cruise along the crystal-clear waters of the Waiau River at rapid speeds and take it all in!

Once you’re done, take a guided cave tour through the deep and mysterious Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Follow the rushing water of the underground stream before descending into a cavernous chamber lit by hundreds of luminous glowworms.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay above ground, try the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. This is the only place where you’ll be able to see some of New Zealand’s rarest bird species. It’s open from dawn to dusk and entry is free, making it perfect for the whole family.

Fishing fans are in luck again because there’s a heap of renowned trout fishing spots on the eastern shoreline of Lake Te Anau. Plus, there’s a healthy population of trout and salmon. Perfect for spin and flyfishing.

Finally, finish your day with a meal at the Bao Now Asian Fusion Food Truck. This takeaway truck is famous for serving up innovative Asian food using fresh, local ingredients. Whatever style you want, you’ll find it here - baos, sushi bowls, dumplings, fries and more!

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try Henry Creek Campsite. This picturesque DOC campsite on the shores of Lake Te Anau has basic amenities for $15 per night.

Alternatively, try Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels, a lakeside holiday park with brilliant facilities including a spa.

Otherwise, you can head to Andy's Place, a small privately-owned campground providing well-maintained sites from $13 per night.

8. Wanaka

Distance: 227km

Travel time: 2 hours and 44 minutes

Wanaka is a resort town on New Zealand’s South Island. It acts as the gateway to the Southern Alps and is perfect for avid skiers in the winter months. However, it is also renowned for its food and wine scene. Take a walk along the lakefront to see the famous Wanaka Tree or dine at one of the town’s top-rated restaurants. Whether you’re looking for adventure, including skydiving and paragliding, or just want to get outdoors on a wine tour or to see a lavender farm, there’s something for everyone.

This Wanaka Lavender Farm just outside of town is so much more than just a lavender farm. Take the kids along to see the alpacas and other farm animals. Then wander through the display gardens or the lavender field before sitting down for a herbal tea or lavender ice cream. Finish up by sampling the jasmine-infused honey or grab a small gift to take with you.

If you want something a bit more challenging, the 6-hour Roys Peak Track starts at Wanaka Lake and spans over 16km of easy mountain track. Along the way, you’ll pass through open tussock grassland before reaching the summit for stunning views over the Lake and its surrounding mountain ranges.

An easier option is Blue Pools. This 1-hour return (1.5km) walk takes you over a hanging swing bridge above the pristine waters of the Blue Pools. If you look carefully, you may even be able to spot the large trout feeding below.

You could also take a 45-minute boat ride from Wanaka to the predator-free sanctuary that is Mou Waho Island. This island is home to the rate Buff Weka, a bird that was almost totally wiped out in the 1920’s.

Alternatively, the kids will enjoy Puzzling World. This attraction started as a simple wooden maze in 1973 but it has grown to become one of the area’s most popular tourist spots. Spend some time with the family playing in illusion rooms and the Great Maze.

Where to Stay:

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest for the night, try Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park. It’s a 5-minute walk from the centre of town with clean facilities and a spa starting at $22.50 per night for powered sites.

Alternatively, you can head to Albert Town Campground. This affordable campsite outside of Wanaka has basic facilities on the banks of the Clutha & Hawea Rivers (great for trout fishing).

Otherwise, the Lake Outlet Holiday Park offers stunning lakeside campsites and modern amenities starting at $18 per night.

9. Back to Christchurch

Distance: 425km

Travel time: 4 hours and 56 minutes

With a full day of driving ahead of you, It’s time to make it back to Christchurch for the end of your South Island road trip. We recommend that you follow Highway 8. This is the scenic route and it can be done in as little as a day (although a few extra days is preferable).

Drive through the dramatic Lindis Pass and you’ll think you’re in the Scottish Highlands. The pass cuts its way through tall, tussock-covered mountains that are often powdered in snow and is the highest highway on the Southern Island (971m above sea level).

Further along, you’ll see the road to Aoraki Mount Cook (about 1-hour out of your way). This is the tallest mountain in New Zealand and the site where Sir Edmund Hilary trained when preparing for Mount Everest. Take on one of the 10 beautiful shorts walks, all of which begin near the Aoraki Mount Cook village.

Finally, you’ll pass through Tekapo on the edge of Lake Tekapo. This town is renowned as one of the best places in NZ to stargaze and observe the Southern Lights. For the best spot, make the 10-minute drive up to Mount John Observatory. When you wake up in the morning, head over to the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise for some phenomenal photos.

Organise your road trip with Camplify

With so much to see and do on the South Island, it’s time to start planning your road trip! Begin withcampervan hire on the South Island and hit the open road without a second thought. Camplify will make your trip easy with a huge selection of campervans to choose from and convenient online booking. Complete with these South Island road trip ideas, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime!

Not ready for the road trip to end or prefer to head North? Check out our topNorth Island road trip ideas.

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