In case you’re craving journey, epic surroundings, and per week exploring New Zealand’s wild coronary heart, this South Island street 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 Prepare 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 sluggish New Zealand street 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 can be street journey targets.
The place to start out your South Island, New Zealand street journey? The place is the most effective place to guide and decide up a camper van?
Most travellers will fly into Christchurch (the closest and greatest worldwide hub) and decide 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’s an possibility with most of the motorhome corporations to drop the autos off in Queenstown so that you just keep away from looping again, and this manner you will have extra time on the street to take pleasure in.
I feel having a campervan is undoubtedly the easiest way to expertise the South Island due to the liberty it’s important to discover at your personal tempo, dine wherever you discover an epic view and really feel such as you’re seeing quite a bit however with the consolation of residence wherever you’re (no packing and repacking!).
One of the best place to discover a camper that fits your finances and journey model is with RatPack Journey. You merely give them your dates, and they’ll lay out your whole choices for you – freed from cost! Take a look on the Maui motorhome we booked with them beneath.
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 street journey! I’ve received you.
One of many largest joys of a South Island street journey is the liberty to decide on your lodging model and the pliability to not have every part booked and be a bit spontanous.
Dotted across the South Island, you will have a choice of:
- absolutely serviced vacation parks (suppose powered websites, showers, and kitchens)
- DOC campsites (small cost per head often $12-15 NZD)
- Freedom camp spots
We mixed the above. We did two powered campsites over our 7 day street journey of the South Island in order that we may cost up the van, fill the water and have an excellent 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 infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your system and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.
When is the most effective time to plan a South Island, New Zealand street journey?
In case you’re planning a South Island street journey, timing is every part; 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, excellent for lakeside swims, kayaking, and you’ve got most daylight which suggests best situations for safely tackling longer hikes like Roys Peak or the Hooker Valley Observe. Nights are gentle, making campervan tenting comfy, however common spots like Lake Tekapo, Queenstown or Wanaka will be busy.
- Autumn (March–Might) is good when you favor 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 will be crisp, so pack layers.
- Spring (September–November) provides vibrant wildflower blooms and snow-capped peaks, although some higher-alpine tracks should still have snow or mud, and roads in alpine passes will be slippery.
- Winter (June–August) is greatest for skilled 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 supply ample choices to heat up of their saunas and sizzling swimming pools!
Planning round daylight is vital: summer time provides as much as 15–16 hours of sunshine, best for lengthy drives with stops at viewpoints, whereas winter days are shorter, so prioritise hikes and scenic stops earlier within the day. General, December by means of March is the candy spot for a balanced South Island street journey, heat sufficient for lakes and hikes, but with roads usually protected and accessible.
Day 1 – Land in Christchurch and decide up your motorhome
Arrive in Christchurch and decide up your campervan from Maui. Prime tip: get to the depot early when you can. We arrived late in Christchurch after which arrived at 10 am, and we had been ready over an hour and a half because the queue was so lengthy – dropping valuable street journey time!
When you’ve got time when you’ve received your camper, spend half a day exploring town’s revitalised centre, from wandering the Botanic Gardens, using the long-lasting tram experience, taking photographs at New Regent Road, to testing the surf at Taylors Mistake Seashore – there’s loads to get you began in your street journey right here!
For breakfast or brunch, head to Good Behavior. YUM.
Perhaps although, like us, you’re eager to get on the street and knock a number of kms off the route, during which case refill the fridge at Pak’nSAVE Hornby, which is on the street you have to be on anyway. Go away Christchurch and head in 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 an enthralling 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 when you 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 direction of Lake Tekapo. Put together for the epic scenes to unfold...
You’ll know if you’ve arrived to Lake Tekapo since you’ll be rustling in your cameras and stopping each 5 seconds to take one other photograph.
Lake Tekapo is likely one of the standout gems on a South Island street 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 right this moment.
If evening falls and you’re nonetheless awake, stargazing right here is world-class because of its location contained in the Aoraki Mackenzie Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserve. You possibly can guide onto a tour or simply step out of your camper van and lookup!
Day 3 – Get pleasure from Lake Tekapo
Head into city right this moment and luxuriate in a few of Lake Tekapo’s iconic spots and greatest issues to do. A brief stroll from the village, you possibly can go to the long-lasting Church of the Good Shepherd, which is likely one of 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 Observe (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 sizzling 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 Prepare 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.
In case you fancy a hike right this moment, that is an epic spot to select from! We hiked the Hooker Valley Observe (3–4 hours return), crossing swing bridges and ending at Hooker Lake with breathtaking views of Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner, the South Island’s highest peak. It’s an amazing day hike. You would additionally try a shorter stroll just like the Tasman Glacier View Observe or simply full as a lot of the Hooker Valley monitor earlier than turning round.
There are many multi-day hike choices to contemplate 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 Prepare dinner Nationwide Park and on in direction of Lake Wanaka – your subsequent vacation spot.
Think about stopping off at NZ Alpine Lavender Farm + Fields for some lavendar infused icecream with a view (strive 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 cook dinner up with a view later in your itinerary! Actually, a number of the greatest salmon I’ve EVER had.
The Mount Prepare dinner Nationwide Park scenes are unreal, making it a spotlight for any South Island street journey itinerary. Don’t miss it!
We stayed in Omarama Prime 10 Vacation Park on this evening, which was the proper midway level. Take a look at the new tubs right here, and be sure you cease and take photographs as you drive by means of Lindis Move on the following part of the drive to Lake Wanaka.
Drive time from Mt.Prepare dinner to Wanaka: ~2.5 hours
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your system 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. Think about the Roys Peak Observe (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 possibly can see my full information to Wanaka and the most effective issues to do in Lake Wanaka right here.
If you’d like one thing extra chill with no incline, take a delicate stroll across the lake. It’s severely beautiful with out the vitality exertion that the larger hikes demand.
One other off-the-beaten-track possibility is close by Lake Hawea, the place you can even stroll across the lake. It’s equally stunning however much less visited than Lake Wanaka, supplying 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 when you’re fancying a lake dip and spa with a view — excellent for stress-free after a day of exploring! See beneath!
Different issues to contemplate 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 Goodies
- Dinner @ Massive 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 if you suppose you’ve seen all of it, the South Island of New Zealand is really the reward that retains on giving. Subsequent up you will have of essentially the most stunning locations on the planet. I’m not joking.
If it instances properly en path to Queenstown, cease on the Cardrona Resort 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 any place on this city that doesn’t provide you with a view that drops your jaw to the bottom. It’s insanely beautiful.
Listed below are some adventures to contemplate while in Queenstown. For a full information see my greatest issues to do in Queenstown information right here.
- Hike the Ben Lomond Observe
- Discover Lake Wakatipu by Kayak or SUP
- Seize a Fergburger and eat your approach 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
- Chill out 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 closing day exploring close by gems and ticking off the final Queenstown bucket checklist.
Gosh wow, 7 days goes so shortly and I really feel like we solely simply touched the floor of what the South Island has to supply!
When you’ve got extra time in your fingers and want to prolong this South Island street 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 long-lasting 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 street journey itinerary is up there with the most effective, and I simply know that when you observe in my footsteps, you’ll be talking about this journey within the yr 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 most effective journey hack for New Zealand and can prevent numerous hours researching at residence and on the street, guaranteeing you will have all the most effective suggestions in your again pocket.
Have you ever been to the South Island, New Zealand?
What are the most effective 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 completely happy adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your system and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.
