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 probably the most visually beautiful. With simply 23% of the nation’s 5.2 million inhabitants, it’s a dramatic and exquisite 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 only a few areas, there’s numerous hidden areas right here price 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 stated, there’s rather a lot to see right here. That approach you possibly can see the massive attracts, get off the overwhelmed path, do some good climbing, and never rush (journey between locations can take longer than you assume)!

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

Beneath is my urged itinerary that can assist you plan your South Island street journey to will be certain that you see the highlights, take advantage of your time, and get off the overwhelmed path.

New Zealand Highlights: South Island

Simply in search of a number of pointers to begin your planning? These are issues I feel each customer ought to expertise:

Trying to see the opposite island? Take a look at my detailed street journey itinerary for the North Island!
 

Selecting the Proper Automobile

Earlier than you propose your route, you want a method to get round. Highway-tripping New Zealand by campervan could be very standard, particularly amongst budget-conscious vacationers, because the car serves as each lodging and transportation. If you’d like a campervan, there are 5 most important rental companies:

Costs fluctuate rather a lot. Your day by day charge will change relying on the place you decide up the car, if you’re dropping it off at a special place, how lengthy you might be renting it for, how far upfront you e-book, and when throughout the yr you e-book (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If dwelling out of a van for a number of weeks doesn’t sound like your thought of a enjoyable time, merely hire a traditional automobile and e-book lodging alongside the best way. Uncover Automobiles is my go-to rental web site, as they search rental companies huge and small to seek out one of the best offers.

You should utilize this widget to get a free quote in 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 possibly can 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 gorgeous peaks of the Remarkables mountain vary. It has an outdoorsy vitality, with pedestrian lanes stuffed with retailers and eating places. Despite the fact that it has change into vastly standard, I can’t specific my love of Queenstown sufficient. I like sitting by the lake, watching the sundown with a bottle of wine, and climbing 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 possibly can consider, together with zip-lining, bungee leaping, canyon swinging, rafting, and even skydiving. You may as well attempt 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 at all times do that once I go to (the grape of alternative right here is the light-red Pinot Noir). If wine isn’t your factor, get pleasure from a calming cruise on Lake Wakatipu for some beautiful 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 wonderful water stress, and the pillows are thick and cozy. There are actions each night time and a free dinner and quiz night time 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 sources.

I liked the world right here. There’s numerous good climbing and exquisite views. There are lots of fjords and sounds to discover in Fiordland Nationwide Park, however I notably 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 usually 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 embody 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 by way of boat. A wilderness cruise of Uncertain Sound prices 299 NZD.

If you happen to like climbing, some of the standard walks within the nationwide park is the Kepler Monitor, passing below snow-covered mountain peaks and luxurious verdant forests. It’s very near the Te Anau basecamp, and the simple entry and scenic views alongside the best way make it a fantastic alternative. The entire loop is 37 miles (60 kilometers). It takes three or 4 days to finish.

Word: 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. If you happen to don’t thoughts driving a bit extra, you possibly can 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 change into overcrowded in recent times, journey to Wanaka has exploded (and, in a approach, additionally change into overcrowded as a result of it’s tremendous small). It’s change into standard with backpackers and out of doors fans, 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 change into one thing of a smaller model of Queenstown, so you possibly can count on 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 possibly can go skydiving, canyoning, rock-climbing, paragliding, jet-boating, or mountaineering, together with scores of different actions that can get your coronary heart pounding.

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

The meals scene right here is actually 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 house with a grill, and an enormous desk to congregate round that makes assembly folks a breeze. I had many gratifying nights spent ingesting wine outdoors right here whereas I chatted with different vacationers.
 
Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

In 1865, Julius von Haast christened the big, lovely glacier on the South Island of New Zealand “Franz Josef Glacier” after the then-monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The title caught, and at present the glacier is a serious vacationer attraction.

Mountaineering the glaciers is an unforgettable expertise. Sadly, as a result of they’ve receded and are melting shortly as a result of local weather change, the caves and trails have been shut down. Now, the one method to trek on them is by way of heli-hike (an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/climbing expertise). These are costly (500 NZD), however the helicopter trip, trekking, and expertise as an entire are well worth the value for my part. It’s a type of once-in-a-lifetime experiences you gained’t remorse.

Conversely, you possibly can simply hike to the glacier face and take images from a distance. There are tons of viewing factors (the place you’ll additionally see sobering images of simply how far the glaciers have receded through the years).

There are additionally numerous actions to do close by. You possibly can go trekking by 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 that you may 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 friends free selfmade soup each night time and free breakfast (together with selfmade waffles and pancakes). It has two communal kitchens if you wish to cook dinner, and a sizzling tub for enjoyable. It’s a energetic, 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 reasonably than New Zealand. It covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), which means there are numerous single and multiday hikes. Essentially the most well-known is the 3-5-day Abel Tasman Coast Monitor, one of many Nice Walks of New Zealand.

One of the simplest ways to see the park is by kayak. That approach, you possibly can discover all of the little coves and seashores that actually make the world particular. Full-day leases begin at round 110 NZD, or you possibly can 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.

If you happen to’re aching for some critical surf, sand, and solar time, head to Te Puketea Bay. This pristine, crescent-shaped seashore hugs up towards 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, referred to as Pa, for wonderful 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 lower your expenses. It’s a chill, no-frills spot.

From right here, decide 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 approach, you’ll be capable to catch an inexpensive and fast flight again to Auckland in your worldwide flight residence.

If you happen to’re heading to Christchurch, hold studying. If you happen to’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 folks had been killed and three,000 buildings had been broken), Christchurch has rebounded and advanced 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 reveals. The locals have labored onerous to rebuild, and there’s a neighborhood spirit right here that actually shines. I like the place Christchurch goes and I’m blissful to see its revival.

Whereas there’s not rather a lot “to do” per se, the vibe is actually relaxed, and it’s price taking your time when you can. Be sure you trip the gondola, go to the Canterbury Museum, and tour Quake Metropolis (a singular 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 cozy couches, in addition to a car parking zone.
 

Issues to Bear in mind When Highway-Tripping New Zealand

That will help you take advantage of your street journey, please bear in mind the next guidelines:

• Visitors flows on the left right here (not the appropriate, like within the US or Canada).
• You should at all times park your automobile within the path that site visitors goes (or danger a high quality).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking images — use them as a substitute of stopping at a random spot alongside the aspect of the street, which might 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 count on to cowl a specific distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driver’s license is in English, you don’t want an Worldwide Driver’s Allow.
• If you happen to’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, fuel stations, and dump stations.

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