My New Zealand South Island Highway Journey Itinerary

The South Island of New Zealand is the nation’s bigger (however less-populated) island…but it surely’s additionally essentially the most visually gorgeous. With simply 23% of the nation’s 5.2 million inhabitants, it’s a dramatic and delightful island, residence to wineries, wildlife, high-octane journey sports activities, and pristine seashores. That is the island that individuals find yourself spending extra time in and, whereas everybody sticks to just some areas, there’s a number of 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 mentioned, there’s loads to see right here. That means you may see the massive attracts, get off the crushed path, do some good mountaineering, and never rush (journey between locations can take longer than you suppose)!

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

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

New Zealand Highlights: South Island

Simply in search of a number of pointers to begin your planning? These are issues I believe 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 technique to get round. Highway-tripping New Zealand by campervan could be very widespread, particularly amongst budget-conscious vacationers, because the automobile serves as each lodging and transportation. If you need a campervan, there are 5 principal rental businesses:

Costs range loads. Your day by day price will change relying on the place you choose up the automobile, if you’re dropping it off at a unique place, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how far upfront you e-book, and when in the course of the yr you e-book (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If residing out of a van for a number of weeks doesn’t sound like your concept of a enjoyable time, merely hire a standard automobile and e-book lodging alongside the best way. Uncover Vehicles is my go-to rental website, as they search rental businesses massive and small to seek out the most effective 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 may 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 a component 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 vitality, with pedestrian lanes full of retailers and eating places. Although it has develop into vastly widespread, I can not specific my love of Queenstown sufficient. I like sitting by the lake, watching the sundown with a bottle of wine, and mountaineering the close by trails.

Queenstown is also called “the journey capital of New Zealand.” It’s the launching pad for each form of journey exercise you may consider, together with zip-lining, bungee leaping, canyon swinging, rafting, and even skydiving. You may as well 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 all the time do that after I go to (the grape of selection right here is the light-red Pinot Noir). If wine isn’t your factor, get pleasure from a soothing 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 glorious water stress, and the pillows are thick and comfortable. 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 residence to quite a few Lord of the Rings filming areas). Boasting gigantic mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, and untamed forests, the land is formally off-limits in order to guard these pure assets.

I cherished the world right here. There’s a number of good mountaineering and delightful views. There are numerous fjords and sounds to discover in Fiordland Nationwide Park, however I significantly love Milford Sound. This superb fjord is finest identified for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest. You possibly can stroll the wooded shoreline path for good views of the height, or take the Chasm Stroll on the Cleddau River to get near highly effective waterfalls.

The fjord itself is residence to seal and penguin colonies. You possibly can 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 embrace 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 possibly can solely get to Uncertain through boat. A wilderness cruise of Uncertain Sound prices 299 NZD.

When you like mountaineering, one of the widespread walks within the nationwide park is the Kepler Observe, passing beneath snow-covered mountain peaks and plush verdant forests. It’s very near the Te Anau basecamp, and the straightforward entry and scenic views alongside the best way make it a terrific selection. The entire loop is 37 miles (60 kilometers). It takes three or 4 days to finish.

Notice: There’s restricted bus service within the space so having a automobile right here could 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 up to date rooms are cozy but fashionable. When you don’t thoughts driving a bit extra, you may 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 develop into overcrowded in recent times, journey to Wanaka has exploded (and, in a means, additionally develop into overcrowded as a result of it’s tremendous small). It’s develop into widespread with backpackers and out of doors lovers, particularly skiers and boaters. There’s not a ton to do apart from 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 develop into one thing of a smaller model of Queenstown, so you may anticipate 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 may go skydiving, canyoning, rock-climbing, paragliding, jet-boating, or mountaineering, together with scores of different actions that may get your coronary heart pounding.

You possibly can take a blissful hour boat cruise, go fishing or mountaineering, or do one other wine tour (there’s no such factor as too many wine excursions!).

The meals scene right here is absolutely 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 out of doors area with a grill, and an enormous desk to congregate round that makes assembly individuals a breeze. I had many pleasant 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, stunning glacier on the South Island of New Zealand “Franz Josef Glacier” after the then-monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The identify caught, and as we speak the glacier is a serious vacationer attraction.

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

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

There are additionally a number of actions to do close by. You possibly can go trekking by means of 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 you could take a soak in to assuage your post-hike muscle groups.

The place to Keep: Chateau Backpacker & Motels – Only a ten-minute drive from the glacier, this lodging affords company free selfmade soup each evening and free breakfast (together with selfmade waffles and pancakes). It has two communal kitchens if you wish to cook dinner, and a scorching tub for enjoyable. It’s a vigorous, 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 relatively than New Zealand. It covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), that means there are a number of 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 means, you may discover all of the little coves and seashores that basically make the world particular. Full-day leases begin at round 110 NZD, or you may be a part of a guided kayaking tour beginning at 190 NZD. You may as well take a scenic cruise across the park for 95 NZD.

When you’re aching for some severe surf, sand, and solar time, head to Te Puketea Bay. This pristine, crescent-shaped seashore hugs up in opposition to turquoise waters, and lounging right here is well worth the journey to Abel Tasman alone. You may as well stroll as much as the centuries-old Maori fort, known as Pa, for glorious views of the encompassing nature.

The place to Keep: Marahau Seashore 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 get monetary savings. 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 means, you’ll be capable of catch an inexpensive and fast flight again to Auckland to your worldwide flight residence.

When you’re heading to Christchurch, preserve studying. When you’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 displays. 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 blissful to see its revival.

Whereas there’s not loads “to do” per se, the vibe is absolutely relaxed, and it’s value taking your time in the event you can. Make sure to trip the gondola, go to the Canterbury Museum, and tour Quake Metropolis (a novel 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 workers and an enormous kitchen. There’s additionally a bar, a pool desk, quick Wi-Fi, laundry, films, and comfortable couches, in addition to a parking zone.
 

Issues to Keep in mind When Highway-Tripping New Zealand

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

• Site visitors flows on the left right here (not the correct, like within the US or Canada).
• You could all the time park your automobile within the course that visitors goes (or danger a tremendous).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking pictures — use them as a substitute of stopping at a random spot alongside the aspect of the highway, which may 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 anticipate to cowl a selected distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driver’s license is in English, you don’t want an Worldwide Driver’s Allow.
• When you’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, gasoline stations, and dump stations.

New Zealand’s South Island is an unforgettable vacation spot, the place I all the time 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 may be. Simply comply with the route above and also you’ll be assured to have an epic go to to this picturesque isle!