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South Island Road Trip


Man on a mountain peak overlooking Lake Wanaka on the South Island of New Zealand - KILROY

Road trip suggestion South Island

Home - Chirstchurch - Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura - Marlborough Wine Region - Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park - West Coast & Glaciers - Wanaka & Queenstown - Milford Sound - Invercargill, Stewart Island and The Catlins - Dunedin - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch - Home

Remember, this road trip route is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your road trip, please get in contact with our adventurous travel experts. They love designing dream trips and they give you great insider travel advice.

Christchurch

Start your South Island road trip from Christchurch. Cycle along the picturesque Avon River, mountain bike down well-worn tracks in the Port Hills and enjoy delicious dining options in the central city. This student friendly city boasts lots of bars in it's vibrant nightlife, so make sure you satisfy your party gene here before you start your road trip! And don't worry, we've included the first night here, so you know where to crash.

Hanmer Springs

Travel through Hanmer Springs on the way to Kaikoura. Surrounded by mountains and towering forests, Hanmer Springs is a thermal water oasis with nice outdoor hot springs. This area is also one of New Zealand's best wine areas, so it's a no-brainer to get a nice glass while you're here.

Kaikoura

Whales, sea lions and dolphins are permanent residents of the Kaikoura coast. Whale watching from the deck of the boat is one of the city’s most popular activities, but watching sea lions and searching for paua mussels are also part of Kaikoura’s activities.

Nelson & Abel Tasman National Park

The Nelson area on the northern tip of the South Island is one of the sunniest in New Zealand, so it’s no wonder the place is so popular. Creative people in particular have embraced the city of Nelson and made it into a cradle of art and culture.

From Nelson it is also easy to visit the nearby national park of Abel Tasman. Enjoy the stunning coastline, relax on the beach, kayak around, go canyoning and admire the wildlife!

West coast & glaciers

Of course, the South Island road trip also includes glaciers! In the summer, travelers don’t have to worry about the cold, as the weather is probably on the plus side even on glaciers.

Fox Glacier is the smaller of the most famous glaciers on the west coast, but stopping here is not a bad idea at all. Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier, is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand and on a clear day Mt. Cook is beautifully reflected on the surface of the lake. The larger - and perhaps more spectacular - Franz Josef glacier is a great place for an expedition.

Queenstown

New adventures await in Queenstown! Here it’s time to spice up your road trip with at least one extreme sport: test out a bungee jump or enjoy the scenery a little longer by doing a parachute jump! Cycling, trekking, horse riding and downhill skiing are also good options. Queenstown also offers some high-quality wellness facilities, tasty food and a lively nightlife.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is the diamond of the Firodland National Park. The beauty of the place is enchanting no matter the weather or the time of day, but at sunrise Milford is perhaps at its best - so wake up in time and grab your camera ready!

The area has some beautiful trekking paths but we also recommend a kayak cruise, to really get the feel of the magnificient fjords.

Invercargill & Stewart Island

The next destination is Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city and the only place with a distinct regional accent. If you're in a hurry or not interested in seeing birds and more nature, you can skip Stewart Island and Invercargill and head straight to Dunedin. However, Stewart Island is not to be missed if it fits in your schedule. There are far fewer tourists here than in the rest of the country and the nature of the area is amazing. There's only around 28 km of road on the island, so there's a need for some good walking shoes, if you wish to get around. You can be lucky to spot dolphins and whales even from the bays on the island, and you might get a glimpse of a kiwi bird or even the mighty albatros, if you're around in their m...

Dunedin

Dunedin is one of the lesser-known gems of the South Island. In the Victorian town you will find New Zealand’s only castle (Larnach Castle), an architecturally eye-catching train station and the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral.

A fun way to warm up your feet is to walk from Baldwin Street end to end. It is the steepest street in the world, so it takes easily 10 minutes to walk 350 meters!

Urban activities are by no means the only attraction in Dunedin - on the contrary, on the Otago Peninsula you will encounter albatrosses, penguins, seals and many other animals as long as you go out into the wild.

Lake Tekapo & Christchurch

Before ending your road trip back in Christchurch, take a slight detour and visit the picturesque Lake Tekapo in the middle of South Island. Soak in the beautiful views, dip into the lake and enjoy some local cuisine at one of the restaurants.

Next it's time to head back to Christchurch to return the campervan and catch your return flight home.

View the full itinerary as a list

Recommended duration

3-4 weeks

Start/End

Christchurch

Travel Type

Road Trip

Inclusions

Flights and campervan rental

Get a quote for this trip
From Christchurch to glaciers, fjords and golden coastlines — journey through New Zealand’s South Island on the ultimate road-trip.

 

Start in Christchurch before grabbing a campervan and setting off on a spectacular South Island adventure. Travel north for a soak in the thermal springs of Hanmer, then head to Kaikōura for whale-watching along the rugged coast.

Explore the mellow charm of Nelson and the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, then continue west to the glaciers and rainforests lining the dramatic West Coast — perfect for hiking, wildlife spotting and wilderness photos.

Next, discover the Lakes Region and adventure hub of Queenstown before cruising into the wild beauty of Milford Sound — a fjord of waterfalls, towering cliffs and unforgettable views. Finally, explore the southern landscapes around The Catlins or coastal towns like Dunedin, enjoy the calm of Lake Tekapo, then return to Christchurch to wrap up.

This route mixes mountains, beaches, glaciers, wildlife and small towns — it gives you total freedom to explore, stop where you want, and build a truly personal New Zealand story.

*From price per person based on two people over 25 travelling together. Reach out to us if you're younger than that - it's not a problem!

What's included
  • Return flights from the UK to Christchurch, New Zealand
  • 1 night pre road trip accommodation in Christchurch
  • Jucy Condo campervan rental (incl. bathroom) for 22 days
  • 1 night post road trip accommodation in Christchurch
  • Booking fees
  • Your own travel specialist
What's not included
  • Travel insurance (but we can help you with that!)
  • Vaccinations (ask about our discount with Nomad Travel)
  • Meals
  • Optional activities

Road trip suggestion South Island

Home - Chirstchurch - Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura - Marlborough Wine Region - Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park - West Coast & Glaciers - Wanaka & Queenstown - Milford Sound - Invercargill, Stewart Island and The Catlins - Dunedin - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch - Home

Remember, this road trip route is only a route proposal for your big trip. If you wish to receive personal assistance designing your road trip, please get in contact with our adventurous travel experts. They love designing dream trips and they give you great insider travel advice.

Christchurch

Start your South Island road trip from Christchurch. Cycle along the picturesque Avon River, mountain bike down well-worn tracks in the Port Hills and enjoy delicious dining options in the central city. This student friendly city boasts lots of bars in it's vibrant nightlife, so make sure you satisfy your party gene here before you start your road trip! And don't worry, we've included the first night here, so you know where to crash.

Hanmer Springs

Travel through Hanmer Springs on the way to Kaikoura. Surrounded by mountains and towering forests, Hanmer Springs is a thermal water oasis with nice outdoor hot springs. This area is also one of New Zealand's best wine areas, so it's a no-brainer to get a nice glass while you're here.

Kaikoura

Whales, sea lions and dolphins are permanent residents of the Kaikoura coast. Whale watching from the deck of the boat is one of the city’s most popular activities, but watching sea lions and searching for paua mussels are also part of Kaikoura’s activities.

Nelson & Abel Tasman National Park

The Nelson area on the northern tip of the South Island is one of the sunniest in New Zealand, so it’s no wonder the place is so popular. Creative people in particular have embraced the city of Nelson and made it into a cradle of art and culture.

From Nelson it is also easy to visit the nearby national park of Abel Tasman. Enjoy the stunning coastline, relax on the beach, kayak around, go canyoning and admire the wildlife!

West coast & glaciers

Of course, the South Island road trip also includes glaciers! In the summer, travelers don’t have to worry about the cold, as the weather is probably on the plus side even on glaciers.

Fox Glacier is the smaller of the most famous glaciers on the west coast, but stopping here is not a bad idea at all. Lake Matheson, near Fox Glacier, is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand and on a clear day Mt. Cook is beautifully reflected on the surface of the lake. The larger - and perhaps more spectacular - Franz Josef glacier is a great place for an expedition.

Queenstown

New adventures await in Queenstown! Here it’s time to spice up your road trip with at least one extreme sport: test out a bungee jump or enjoy the scenery a little longer by doing a parachute jump! Cycling, trekking, horse riding and downhill skiing are also good options. Queenstown also offers some high-quality wellness facilities, tasty food and a lively nightlife.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is the diamond of the Firodland National Park. The beauty of the place is enchanting no matter the weather or the time of day, but at sunrise Milford is perhaps at its best - so wake up in time and grab your camera ready!

The area has some beautiful trekking paths but we also recommend a kayak cruise, to really get the feel of the magnificient fjords.

Invercargill & Stewart Island

The next destination is Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city and the only place with a distinct regional accent. If you're in a hurry or not interested in seeing birds and more nature, you can skip Stewart Island and Invercargill and head straight to Dunedin.

However, Stewart Island is not to be missed if it fits in your schedule. There are far fewer tourists here than in the rest of the country and the nature of the area is amazing. There's only around 28 km of road on the island, so there's a need for some good walking shoes, if you wish to get around. You can be lucky to spot dolphins and whales even from the bays on the island, and you might get a glimpse of a kiwi bird or even the mighty albatros, if you're around in their migration period.

Dunedin

Dunedin is one of the lesser-known gems of the South Island. In the Victorian town you will find New Zealand’s only castle (Larnach Castle), an architecturally eye-catching train station and the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral.

A fun way to warm up your feet is to walk from Baldwin Street end to end. It is the steepest street in the world, so it takes easily 10 minutes to walk 350 meters!

Urban activities are by no means the only attraction in Dunedin - on the contrary, on the Otago Peninsula you will encounter albatrosses, penguins, seals and many other animals as long as you go out into the wild.

Lake Tekapo & Christchurch

Before ending your road trip back in Christchurch, take a slight detour and visit the picturesque Lake Tekapo in the middle of South Island. Soak in the beautiful views, dip into the lake and enjoy some local cuisine at one of the restaurants.

Next it's time to head back to Christchurch to return the campervan and catch your return flight home.

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