Whether it’s your first visit to New Zealand or one of many, if you are planning a South Island road trip itinerary, there’s a seemingly endless number of options. We used to split our year, living half the year north of Auckland and the other half near the bottom of the South Island.
As a result, we have driven the country’s length nearly a dozen times, typically allocating 10 to 14 days for each road trip adventure. The goo news is that whichever South Island itinerary you choose will be incredible, and you will see spectacular scenery, and your choice will be a good one.
Why did we write this page?
As founders of Explore New Zealand, the largest NZ travel group on Facebook, we are often asked about the best places to visit on the South Island. We have pooled our vast experience, supplemented with suggestions from the group, and created what we think is the best South Island road trips.
We divided this page into two main sections. The first provides an overview of the key regions, allowing you to choose your must-see destinations. Next, we break our South Island loop into segments to help you plan your perfect trip.
Step 1: Choose your must-see South Island itinerary destinations
Whenever we are headed on an NZ road trip, before we choose our own driving routes, we have a look at the key things to see. We create our list of places to visit on the South Island and ensure our itinerary includes them. We recommend you do the same, so we briefly describe the key spots.
We began our list in Picton, the starting point if you bring a car over from the North Island.
However, if you fly into the South Island and rent a car, you will likely start in Christchurch or Queenstown.
South Island east coast towns and cities overview
- Picton / Blenheim
Picton is the gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sounds, and Blenheim is renowned for its wine industry. Either is often used as the base city for exploring both. Key activities include watersports, boat trips, hiking, and wine tasting. - Kaikoura
Kaikoura’s impressive scenery is matched by its rich marine life. Here, we have seen sperm whales, NZ fur seals, and acrobatic dusky dolphins. Key activities include whale-watching tours, swimming with dolphins, seal spotting, hiking, and stargazing. - Christchurch
Christchurch, known as the Garden City, offers historic sites and modern innovation. Key things to do include strolling through the botanic gardens, exploring museums and visiting the Antarctic Centre. - Oamaru
Oamaru is the Steampunk capital of New Zealand and showcases some of New Zealand’s best 19th-century architecture. Our favourite things to do here are strolling the historic streets, exploring the Steampunk Museum (Steampunk HQ), and viewing little blue penguins. - Dunedin
Although known for its Scottish roots, Dunedin is monikered the wildlife capital of New Zealand. The city features beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and the stunning peninsula is filled with rare wildlife. Key activities include wildlife tours, historic buildings, and galleries.
Central South Island towns and cities overview
- Tekapo
Even if you don’t spend time here, the striking turquoise waters framed by snow-capped mountains make Lake Tekapo a must-see photo stop. It’s the home of the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd and a dark sky reserve. Key activities include stargazing, hot springs, and scenic photo opportunities. - Twizel / Mt Cook
Twizel is a staging location for breathtaking landscapes and mountaineering opportunities offered by Mt Cook, NZ’s tallest mountain. Key activities include hiking, stargazing, and scenic flights. - Wanaka
Holding a special place in our hearts, Wanaka is our former home. In the summer, it’s about hiking; in winter, it is skiing, but the breathtaking lake views are there any time. Key activities include hiking, watersports, skiing, visiting Puzzling World, and wine tasting. - Queenstown
Queenstown is the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world. In the summer, Queenstown is hiking, watersports, and adventure. Meanwhile, winter in Queenstown is all about skiing. Key activities include bungy jumping, skiing, wine tasting, and scenic tours.
South Island’s southern coast towns and cities
- Catlins
The Catlins region is the subtropical rainforest at the bottom of the South Island. It offers a rugged and remote landscape with endangered wildlife and impressive waterfalls. Key activities include hiking, waterfall viewing, and wildlife spotting. - Invercargill
Invercargill boasts wide streets and has a laid-back charm, serving as the gateway to Southern New Zealand and the Catlins. Key activities include visiting parks and exploring local museums. - Te Anau / Milford Sound
Te Anau is a key base for exploring the fjords, particularly the stunning Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Key activities include cruising, hiking, and scenic flights. Note that we opted to do a fly / cruise / fly from Queenstown to see Milford Sound and loved it.
West Coast South Island cities and towns
- Haast
Haast is an untouched paradise, offering access to some of New Zealand’s most pristine natural landscapes. Key activities include jet boating, exploring wilderness areas, and bird watching. - Franz Josef/Fox Glaciers
Two of the larger glaciers in New Zealand, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, are receding but still offer spectacular glacier hikes and flights. Key activities include glacier hiking, hot pools, and scenic helicopter flights. - Hokitika
Hokitika is known for the rich colours of the Hokitika Gorge, greenstone (jade) crafting and a driftwood-strewn beach. Key activities include jade carving, beachcombing, and crossing the Hokitika Gorge swing bridge. - Westport
Westport is a historic mining town with rugged coastlines and adventure activities. Key activities include caving, surfing, and coal-mining tours. - Takaka
This artistic community is home to the clearest waters in the world at Te Waikoropupū Springs (PuPu Springs). Key activities include kayaking, hiking, and exploring art galleries. - Nelson
Home to the geographical centre of New Zealand, Nelson attracts visitors with its vibrant arts scene, beautiful beaches, and sunny climate. In addition, its access to Golden Bay and Abel Tasman are among the things that make Nelson so special.
Step 2: Creating your South Island road trip itinerary
Now that you have chosen the must-sees for your South Island itinerary, it’s time to put it together. We have driven just about every route but do have our favourites.
This map highlights key regions, cities and towns in red and includes our favourite South Island road trips as one giant loop. It can be driven this way or broken down into segments. See below for our recommended segments.
Using our first-hand experience, we share here our South Island routes.
Picton → Christchurch
Key stops from the list above:
Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch
Other key stops on this route:
- Gore Bay Beach: A fantastic spot to either catch some waves or watch the surfers.
- Cathedral Cliffs viewpoint: This photo opportunity is worth a stop if you’re passing this way.
- Hanmer Springs: Relaxation, rejuvenation, and water-slide exhilaration all rolled into one day at the Hanmer Springs thermal pools and spa.
- Weka Pass Reserve: Here, a one-hour walkway will lead you to some Māori rock art.
- Waipara: This wine region specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Christchurch → Dunedin
Key stops from the list above:
Christchurch, Oamaru, Lake Tekapo (optional), Dunedin
Other key stops on this route:
- Geraldine: While it’s home to the Peel Forest, we stop here for some of the best homemade fudge in the region.
- Timaru: Known mainly for its agricultural and woolly sheep, what captures our interest is the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre, offering a deep dive into the local indigenous culture.
- Waimate: While we have been told this is the area to see wild wallabies in NZ, we didn’t see any on our visit.
- Katiki Point Lighthouse: Continue on the trail past the lighthouse for some impressive coastal views. Here, we’ve spotted the critically endangered yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions and NZ fur seals.
- Moeraki Boulders: I don’t know why, but I am mesmerized by these huge spherical rocks on Koekohe Beach.
Christchurch → Queenstown
Key stops from the list above:
Christchurch, Tekapo, Mt Cook, Twizel, Wanaka, Queenstown
Other key stops on this route:
- Akaroa: A French-influenced coastal town, Akaroa is one of the few spots where you can see the endangered Hector’s dolphins.
- Mt Hutt: This is a prime destination for skiers in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer.
- Geraldine: As previously mentioned, Geraldine is a delightful stop known for the Peel Forest.
- Omarama: Due to its extraordinary thermal winds, Omarama is a world-class gliding mecca. It is also popular for its clay cliffs and hot tubs.
- Cromwell: Nestled at the confluence of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers, Cromwell is known for its stone fruit orchards and as a hub for exploring Central Otago’s wine country.
- Crown Range: We like to pop into the historic Cardrona Hotel’s beer garden for a meal.
Catlins: Bluff → Invercargil
Key stops from the list above:
Dunedin, Invercargill
Other things to see in the Catlins:
The Catlins run from Kaka Point to Fortrose along the southern coast. It doesn’t include any of the key stops listed above. Dunedin and Invercargill are the closest spots.
- Nugget Point: Known for the iconic Catlins lighthouse, dramatic coastal views and spotting wildlife, including NZ fur seals, sea lions and gannets.
- Purakaunui Falls: This stunning waterfall, the most photographed in the area, is just a few minutes walk from the carpark.
- McLean Falls: Another gem in the Catlins, McLean Falls impresses with its multi-tiered cascades. The walk to the falls, through dense forest, adds to the charm.
- Cathedral Caves: Only accessible at low tide, these towering sea caves are a marvel of natural architecture.
- Curio Bay: Another haven for wildlife, Curio Bay has viewing points for Hector’s dolphins and a colony of yellow-eyed penguins. We waited at both but only spotted two penguins the day we were there. Additionally, we explored the petrified forest.
- Slope Point: The southernmost point of the South Island offers dramatic sea views and windswept landscapes. Access is closed from September to November during lambing season.
Queenstown → Milford Sound
Key stops from the list above:
Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound
Between the stops is just stunning scenery.
West Coast: Queenstown → Nelson
Key stops from the list above:
Queenstown, Wanaka, Haast, Franz Josef / Fox Glaciers, Hokitika, Westport, Takaka, Nelson (Picton to complete the loop)
Other key stops on this route:
The west coast is nature’s masterpiece. There are so many cool things to stop and see, we just put our highlights here. The rest can be found in our detailed Queenstown to Nelson road trip.
- Waterfalls between Wanaka and Haast: We take a day to get to Haast, which allows us time to stop and see four of the waterfalls along the way.
- Ship Creek: Here, we enjoyed a fascinating short walk through the ancient Kahikatea swamp forest.
- Monro Beach: A tranquil trek through lush forest led us to a stunning secluded beach. We waited two hours, and the wait paid off when a Fiordland Crested Penguin waddled out of the water.
- Lake Matheson: If you can be here at dawn, you will be rewarded with classic mirror-like reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman.
- Ross: A historic gold mining town. It’s a good place to try your hand at panning for gold.
- Greymouth: As the largest town on the West Coast, Greymouth is the final stop if you take the TranzAlpine railway or drive across Arthurs Pass from Christchurch.
- Punakaiki: Home to the famous Pancake Rocks. We have stopped many times but never hit the area at high tide to see the blowholes shoot.
- Karamea: A day trip from Westport, Karamea is the gateway to Kahurangi National Park. It offers access to the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and the Oparara Arches.
- Buller Gorge: While the scenery is dramatic, it is New Zealand’s longest swing bridge that brought us to Buller Gorge.
- Abel Tasman: Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches, clear blue waters, and lush coastal bush – perfect for both relaxation and adventure. While kayaking and hiking top the list, we opted to take the boat for sections and walk others.
Driving tips for your New Zealand South Island road trip
- In New Zealand, we drive on the left side of the road.
- New Zealand speed limits on the open road are up to 110 kph (68 mph). However, they are slower as you pass through towns or on windy or rural roads.
- Make a flexible plan with free time every day, as the journey will be filled with amazing and unexpected stops along the way.
- Book your accommodations in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak tourist seasons or want to visit popular spots.
- As the weather is frequently changing, we recommend packing in layers. If you are arriving from overseas, be sure to get a copy of our free packing list for New Zealand.
- Know New Zealand’s driving rules. Be sure to understand how to cross the one-way bridges.
Save for later
If you enjoyed this collection of the best South Island road trips, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
Which destinations will be on your South Island road trip itinerary?
Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Jenn | By Land and Sea
This looks like such a great road trip! Thanks for sharing this itinerary. I love that it’s effecient too!
Marilyn
A wonderful and very helpful post showcasing NZ South Island beauty and diversity.
Sonia
I’d love to combine a few of these itineraries, spending 3-4 weeks exploring the area and really getting a feel for the South Island.
Rhonda Albom
We wrote it this way to make it easy to do that.
Alex+J.+Cavanaugh
Probably take a year to see all of it!
Rhonda Albom
We lived on the South Island from May to October for four years in a row, drove up and back from Auckland each time, plus have been just for holiday’s and still haven’t done it all.