New Zealand’s South Island is a magical place! To see all the island has to offer you really need more than a week but if a week is all you have this 7 day itinerary will show you some of the most stunning mountains and glaciers on the island. I’d recommend exploring New Zealand in a campervan to give you the most freedom to explore. If you’re not sure where to start in hiring a campervan, read this handy guide first!
This is a route we took in February 2023, we initially intended to catch the ferry over from the North Island and spend longer in the South but when our ferry was cancelled we had to fly to Christchurch and our trip was cut down to a week – but we still made the most of it and I’d highly recommend this route!
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New Zealand South Island Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass
For this route, I recommend flying to Christchurch and starting your adventure there. Collect a campervan or hire car in Christchurch stock up on any food or supplies you need and then hit the road! The first drive is west towards Arthur’s Pass National Park. This drive takes around 2 hours.
On the way, stop off at Castle Hill for a short walk up to a collection of oddly placed stones. Further into the National Park, around Arthur’s Pass Village there are several hikes and trails to explore. If you set off early in the morning and have the full day, there is a 7-8 hour hike that you could do. With less time, start with the walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall.
Campsites: Lake McGregor Campsite ($10pp)
Driving: 2 hours, 150km
Activity Costs: $0
Day 2: Arthur’s Pass and Hokitika Gorge
On Day 2, we are continuing west out of Arthur’s Pass towards Hokitika Gorge. This drive has lots of scenic views so you may want to pull over and take photos, but it should take around 2 hours.
Hokitika Gorge is a beautiful gorge, particularly on a bright, sunny day. It is filled with vibrant turquoise water. A short trail will lead you to the best viewing spots and take you over a few bridges crossing the gorge.
In the evening head over to Ross, a small rural village with a charming pub that also serves as a hotel and campsite. Camping here is reasonably cheap and there are plenty of facilities!
Campsites: The Historic Empire Hotel ($10 pp)
Driving: 1.5 hours, 132km
Activity Costs: $0
Day 3: Glaciers
Day 3 is going to involve around 6 hours of driving but with plenty of stops. You’ll pretty much be on the road all day as you head towards Wanaka but I’ve listed some of the best attractions to stop off at along the way.
Stop 1: Okarito Lagoon
First of all, stop by Okarito to see the huge lagoon with its tiny museum in a hut. There isn’t a lot else going on in this former gold rush town as it has become almost deserted, but it does make an interesting stop.
Stop 2: Franz Joseph Glacier
Franz Joseph Glacier has receded a lot over the last 100 or so years so you can’t get very close but there is a viewpoint and a few walking trails nearby.
Stop 3: Lake Matheson, the Reflecting Lake
On a clear, sunny day you can see almost a perfect reflection in Lake Matheson. Even if the weather isn’t perfect, its still worth a stop to stretch your legs on a picturesque stroll around the perimeter of the lake. There is also a cafe and gift shop if you need a pitstop!
Stop 4: Fox Glacier
Time for your second glacier viewpoint of the day! Again, there is a long distance between the view point and the glacier itself. If you want to see the ice from another angle, you can book a helicopter flight to see Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers from the air.
Stop 5: Waterfalls
Now for a scenic drive along the coast then into the woods. There are a view points of interest along this long stretch of drive. I would recommend stopping at Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls. Both are very short walks from the road so shouldn’t take long to see.
After the waterfalls, the road will run along two lakes: Lake Wanaka and Lake Huwea, again a very scenic drive! Once you near Wanaka, I would recommend camping at Red Bridge Reserve campsite (you can also bungee jump here!) for self-contained vehicles or Camp Lake Huwea ($15pp) or Luggate Albion Cricket Club ($10pp) for non self-contained.
Campsites: Red Bridge Reserve (free, SC only), Camp Lake Hawea ($15pp)
Driving: 6 hours, 439km
Activity Costs: $0
New Zealand Travel Posters
Day 4: Wanaka
If you enjoy hiking and stunning mountain landscapes, I recommend walking up Roy’s Peak. This is a trail best tackled around sunrise, before it gets too hot and to get the best view. The hike up is around 3 hours so start early – probably around 4am but double check the time of sunrise for your date and plan to reach the top around then. Bring a torch if you can!
Once you’ve finished hiking, if you need to shower, head to Wanaka Recreation Centre to use their facilities. Afterwards, I’d recommend visiting the town for lunch. There are lots of food vans along Brownston Street offering a variety of cuisines.
Don’t miss a stroll along Lake Wanaka! From there you can see the famous Wanaka tree which grows in the lake, just a short distance from the shore.
That night, you can either head to Queenstown and camp there or stay another night near Wanaka and drive down in the morning.
Campsites: Red Bridge Reserve (free, SC only), Camp Lake Hawea ($15pp)
Driving: 1 hour, 69km if driving to Queenstown this day.
Activity Costs: $0
Day 5: Queenstown and Arrowtown
Spend the day exploring the lively city of Queenstown. Visit Queenstown Gardens and the market along the waterfront (if you visit on a Saturday). If you have recovered from Roy’s Peak, hike up Queenstown Hill – a much shorter and easier hike!
If you have time in the afternoon, take a drive 20 minutes down the road to Arrowtown. This is a small gold-rush town that has since become a tourist destination. The town features a museum where you can hire gold panning equipment and a historic walk through the remains of former Chinese settlement. The high street boasts plenty of charming old-timey shops and boutiques in historic buildings. It is well worth a visit!
Camp near Arrowtown or Queenstown, or if you’re up for more driving, drive north to Twizel. Twizel is well known for being a great spot for star-gazing.
Campsites: Driftaway Queenstown (from $24) or Twelve Mile Delta ($15pp) or Twizel Holiday Park (from $44)
Driving: 20 minutes or 2.5 hours, 200km if driving to Twizel
Activity Costs: $0
Day 6: Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo
On your penultimate day of this road trip, head to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mount Cook. If you visit on a clear day, you’ll see spectacular views of the mountain and glaciers. You can also take a short boat ride to get a closer look at the glaciers. Alternatively, there are plenty of walking trails.
After a trip to Mount Cook National Park, drive to Lake Tekapo for another view of mountains. This was my favourite place in New Zealand. You can get a great view of the lake from the Church of the Good Shepherd. You can see more spectacular views from the Mount John Walkway, a short hike that will take you near the observatory.
Campsites: Lake McGregor Campsite ($10pp)
Driving: 2 hours, 170km
Activity Costs: $0
Day 7: Christchurch
On your last day, explore the city of Christchurch! There are plenty of activities in town. For museums, visit the Canterbury Museum or Quake City. If you prefer to be outdoors, explore the botanical gardens or wander around the old university area around Rolleston Avenue or head to the beach. Don’t miss the colourful Regent Street, look out for the antique Christchurch tram while you’re there.
Campsites (if required): North Beach Car Park (free, SC only) or South Brighton Holiday Park.
Driving: 2 hours, 150km
Activity Costs: variable
More New Zealand Travel Tips
Do you need a visa to visit New Zealand?
Passport holders from a lot of countries including the UK, USA, Canada and many European countries do not require a visa to visit New Zealand. However, they do need a NZeTA. This only takes 72 hours to receive and can be requested via an app. The NZeTA itself only costs $17 NZD but alongside this you will also have to pay an additional $35 for the IVL (international visitor conservation and tourist levy). You can think of this as helping to preserve all the national parks that you will inevitably visit for free.
Click here to check if your country is on the visa exemption list
Click here for more information on the NZeTA
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
This road trip itinerary is designed to be taken during New Zealand’s summertime which lasts from December to January. The weather in the summer in New Zealand can still be variable so expect some rain and even cold spells. The temperature is usually around 20-25ËšC (68-77ËšF).
Where to hire a campervan in New Zealand?
Driving a campervan is a popular option for travellers and locals in New Zealand. There are several companies that offer campervans in various sizes, with different facilities. Most have depots in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown so it is easy enough to find a company that will allow you to collect in Auckland and return to Christchurch. It is common to be charged an additional one-way fee for this. Click here to read more tips on hiring a campervan in New Zealand and see a comparison of costs.
Where to Next?
