3 week New Zealand South Island road trip itinerary
New Zealand’s South Island has so much to offer, beauty, nature, adventure and so much more! We felt we could have spend months exploring this breath-taking island.
Since there are so many way to explore, we kept this Itinerary just under three weeks to give you a little wiggle room, depending on what love to do. There are even a few suggested for adds on we wished we’d had the time to included.
This itinerary is also packed will of campsites, food and coffee recommendations and what we think is the best route to get the most out your time in the South Island.
Our route at a glance
Week 1: mountains & lakes
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Queenstown → Te Anau → Milford Sound
Week 2: glaciers & fjords
Queenstown → Glenorchy → Wanaka → Hasst Pass → Fox Glacier
Week 3: coasts, bays & chill days
West Coast towns → Nelson Lakes → Abel Tasman → Havelock → Christchurch/ on to the North Island
Possible add ons or substitutes
Arthurs Pass, Queenstown adrenalin seeking, Milford South Multi Day
Week 1: Christchurch → Milford Sounds
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch! Our top tips for getting started:
1. Customs is straightforward but they did check our boots as we’d been hiking in the UK recently (biosecurity is serious here) so if you’ve been walking we’d suggest giving your gear a scrub before your fly!
2. It was a rainy welcome for us but given the jet-lag we didn’t mind, just make sure your jackets are easily accessible when you pack!
3. We got the bus from the airport to the city center, which was really easy but just make sure you bring cash for the bus.
4. Book somewhere to stay for your first night, especially if you’re flying a long was like us:
Stay: Jailhouse Accommodation
This quirky and budget-friendly stay was perfect for your first night and kicks off the trip with something memorable – sleeping in a historic jail turned hostel! The rooms are small (literally cell sizes) but there is also lots of communal space. It’s only a short walk away from the centre where you’ll find lots of places to walk around, food and coffee.
Day 2: Van pick up + drive to Lake Tekapo
Pick up your campervan! We went with Spaceships – they made the process really easy and the van was great for the entire trip. Also make sure to stock up on supplies. We loved Pack & Save, helping to keep the cost low.
Drive: Start the drive towards Lake Tekapo. Allow for 3-4 hours, but if you’re feeling jet-lagged don’t push it. Take it slow and have regular breaks.
Campsite: Mackenzie Waitaki RV Camping – Free, quiet, and peaceful. This area is one of the best stargazing spots in the world!
Day 3: Lake Tekapo + Mount Cook
Visit: Make and early stop to the Church of the Good Shepherd nearby. It’s right by a beautiful lake (iconic photo stop).
Hike: Hooker Valley Track – warm up your hiking legs with this easy, 3-hour return hike with stunning of views of Mount Cook, New Zealand highest peak. Check our all our South Island day-hike recommendations in the blog below!
Campsite: Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping. Try to get there early as it fills up fast, but it is so worth it. One of the most stunning campsite we stayed at.
Day 4: Drive to Queenstown and explore
Drive: Get an early start an drive via the Lindis Pass down to Queenstown (highway 8). This is one of New Zeeland’s most picturesque drives, so lots of scenic stops along with long drive.
Visit: Make some time to explore Queenstown, it has so much to offer! If you less into hiking this would be a great place to stick around and explore more. Our suggestions for an afternoon:
Eat: Fergburger (100% worth the hype)
Drinks: Perky’s Floating Bar. You can bring in food so get your fergburger to go, have it here with a cold beer and enjoy the view across Lake Wakatipu.
Visit: Queenstown Gardens and wonder around the town center.
Campsite: QBox Motorhome Park – Paid, central with showers & laundry. We would recommend booking a campsite in advance for Queenstown as a lot were full.
Day 5: Ben Lomond Day Hike
Hike: Challenging hike with amazing views! This is a full day hike so make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and layers, and we very much recommend getting the Skyline Gondola up to the main trailhead (tickets were about £30 each for a return).
Drive: in the late afternoon start your drive down south of Lake Wakatipu to head to the next campsite in Kingston. It’s worth stopping at Lake Avenue for a great view across the water at the start of the drive.
Campsite: Kingston Lakeside Reserve – a free campsite with the most incredible view across the lake.
Day 6: Te Anau to Milford Sounds
Drive: Drive down to Te Anau and stop for coffee and lunch. We liked the Lakefront Cafe and there are toilets and showers facilities next door at the public restroom.
Drive to Fiordland National Park for the night.
Campsite: Deer Flat DOC – Budget-friendly
Day 7: Milford Track Day Hike
Drive: If you’re like us and don’t have enough time for the world-famous muti-day Milford Track, the day track is still very much worth it. Drive down to the Information Center (keep following route 94). There is free parking on Deepwater Basin Road but this fills up quickly. Our recommendation is to get there as early as you can and then enjoy breakfast at the café at the Cruise Information centre up the road.
Hike: A short walk away from from the car park us the watertaxi pickup to start your talk. We took a water taxi to Sandfly Point, which has amazing views the mountains along the water. You can pre-book a return transfer through the RealNZ website (around £65).
The trail felt otherworldly – misty forests, moss-covered trees, dramatic waterfalls. We walked to one of the great highlights of the track Giant Gate Falls before turning back. This was a relatively flat and quick track and there are lots of other mini-walks around this area too, so you can pack a lot into a day exploring here.
Campsite: Henry Creek – an amazing swim spot after a long hiking day!
Week 2: Glenorchy → Wanaka
Rugged trails, alpine towns, and glacier-fed lakes – this week was a highlight reel of mountain moments.
Day 8: Kepler track to Luxmore Hut day hike
Hike: Head back up to Te Anau and hop on the taxi boat across across the lake to the secluded Brod Bay. The track off the beach heads straight into the forest and takes you up to the panoramic ridgelines leading to Luxmore Hut.
Campsite: car park spaces on Mokonui Street in Te Anau
Day 9: Queenstown to Glenorchy
Enjoy the incredible scenic drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy. Without stopping it only takes about 45 minuets but its well worth making stops to take in the amount views. Some of the stops we made were Wilsons Bay and Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint. - Mirror Lakes and epic photo stops along Lake Wakatipu
Day 10 – Routeburn Track Day Hike
- Take on the world famous Routeburn Track start from Glenorchy side. The first section winds through mossy forest, over swing bridges and beneath towering cliffs. The last section is a steep climb up to the Routeburm Falls Hut. This is the perfect turn around point for the day hike with incredible valley views across the top.
Campsite??
Day 11 – Glenorchy → Arrowtown → Wanaka
- 🥐 Breakfast: Stop in Arrowtown for a slow morning. It’s full history, charm and cute cafes.
- Drive: Next stop is Wanaka, the beautiful lakefront. Spend the day here exploring and take a stroll amount the lakefront with stunning mountain reflections across the water.
- ⛺ Campsite: Wanaka Lakefront Area – several options, freedom camping possible
Day 12 – Wanaka → Makarora
- 🚗 Dive: Take a relaxed drive down some of the South Island’s prettiest roads to Makarora. A few most do stops on the way are:
Blue Pools and Lake Hawea - ⛺ Campsite: Wonderland Lodge – Paid, warm showers + mountain views. We used this as an opportunity to catch up on the laundry!
Day 13 – Haast Pass to Fox Glacier
- Drive: start the amazing drive along the Haast Pass up to Fox Glacier! Lots of amazing stops on the way:
- Campsite:
Day 14 – Heli-Hike
- Hike: Join a heli-hike tour for a real bucket list moment! We went for the X tour and couldn’t of been happier. The flight alone was unforgettable.Then once your up on the glacier, the guides lead you across the stunning ice formations, tunnels and ridges.
- Campsite:
Week 3: Glenorchy → Wanaka
Rugged trails, alpine towns, and glacier-fed lakes – this week was a highlight reel of mountain moments.
day 15 – hokitika, greymouth, punakaiki
Campsite: Lyell Campsite
day 16 – nelson town center and tahuanui beach
day 17 – nelson lakes hike
Campsite Moutere Inn
Day 18 – able yasmen coastal wak
Day 19 – havelock – Anakiwa Beach
Day 20 – Picton
Day 21 – onward travel!