My New Zealand South Island Street Journey Itinerary

The South Island of New Zealand is the nation’s bigger (however less-populated) island…however it’s additionally probably the most visually beautiful. With simply 23% of the nation’s 5.2 million inhabitants, it’s a dramatic and delightful island, house 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 just some places, there’s quite a lot of hidden areas right here value 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 manner you possibly can see the massive attracts, get off the overwhelmed path, do some good mountain climbing, and never rush (journey between locations can take longer than you suppose)!

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

Under is my advised itinerary that will help you plan your South Island highway journey to will be sure that you see the highlights, take advantage of your time, and get off the overwhelmed path.

New Zealand Highlights: South Island

Simply searching for just a few pointers to begin your planning? These are issues I believe each customer ought to expertise:

Trying to see the opposite island? Try my detailed highway journey itinerary for the North Island!
 

Selecting the Proper Car

Earlier than you propose your route, you want a solution to get round. Street-tripping New Zealand by campervan could be very in style, particularly amongst budget-conscious vacationers, because the car serves as each lodging and transportation. If you need a campervan, there are 5 fundamental rental businesses:

Costs range rather a lot. Your every day fee will change relying on the place you choose up the car, if you’re dropping it off at a special place, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how far upfront you ebook, and when throughout the yr you ebook (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If residing out of a van for just a few weeks doesn’t sound like your thought of a enjoyable time, merely hire a traditional automotive and ebook lodging alongside the best way. Uncover Automobiles is my go-to rental web site, as they search rental businesses massive and small to seek out the perfect offers.

You should use this widget to get a free quote in your automotive rental:

New Zealand Street 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 affordable 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 crammed with retailers and eating places. Although it has turn out to be massively in style, I can’t categorical my love of Queenstown sufficient. I like sitting by the lake, watching the sundown with a bottle of wine, and mountain climbing the close by trails.

Queenstown is often known as “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 too can 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 all the time do that after I go to (the grape of selection right here is the light-red Pinot Noir). If wine isn’t your factor, take pleasure in a soothing cruise on Lake Wakatipu for some beautiful views!

For a listing 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 glorious water stress, and the pillows are thick and comfortable. There are actions each evening and a free dinner and quiz evening on Sunday. It’s a enjoyable and reasonably priced place to remain.
 
Days 4–6: Fiordland

Named for its resplendent fjords (lengthy, slender inlets banked by steep cliffs, created by glaciers), Fiordland is likely one of the nation’s most scenic and distant areas. (It’s house to quite a few Lord of the Rings filming places). Boasting gigantic mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, and untamed forests, the land is formally off-limits in order to guard these pure assets.

I beloved the world right here. There’s quite a lot of good mountain climbing and delightful views. There are numerous fjords and sounds to discover in Fiordland Nationwide Park, however I significantly love Milford Sound. This superb fjord is finest recognized for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest. You’ll be able to 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 house to seal and penguin colonies. You’ll be able to 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’ll be able to solely get to Uncertain by way of boat. A wilderness cruise of Uncertain Sound prices 299 NZD.

When you like mountain climbing, one of the in style 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 an incredible selection. The entire loop is 37 miles (60 kilometers). It takes three or 4 days to finish.

Observe: There’s restricted bus service within the space so having a automotive right here can 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 trendy. When you 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 turn out to be overcrowded in recent times, journey to Wanaka has exploded (and, in a manner, additionally turn out to be overcrowded as a result of it’s tremendous small). It’s turn out to be in style with backpackers and outside fanatics, 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 just a few nights to hike (or ski within the winter), loosen up, and transfer on.

Wanaka has turn out to be 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 may get your coronary heart pounding.

You’ll be able to take a comfortable hour boat cruise, go fishing or mountain 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 a listing of extra issues to do in Wanaka, try my detailed information.

The place to Keep: Mountain View Backpackers – This social hostel has an enormous outside area with a grill, and a giant desk to congregate round that makes assembly individuals a breeze. I had many pleasant nights spent consuming wine exterior 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 identify caught, and at this time the glacier is a significant vacationer attraction.

Climbing the glaciers is an unforgettable expertise. Sadly, as a result of they’ve receded and are melting rapidly as a result of local weather change, the caves and trails have been shut down. Now, the one solution to trek on them is by way of heli-hike (an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/mountain climbing expertise). These are costly (500 NZD), however the helicopter journey, trekking, and expertise as a complete are well worth the value in my view. It’s a kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences you received’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 quite a lot of actions to do close by. You’ll be able to go trekking by way of 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 which you can take a soak in to assuage your post-hike muscle tissues.

The place to Keep: Chateau Backpacker & Motels – Only a ten-minute drive from the glacier, this lodging provides visitors free home made soup each evening and free breakfast (together with home made waffles and pancakes). It has two communal kitchens if you wish to cook dinner, and a scorching tub for stress-free. It’s a full of life, 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 relatively than New Zealand. It covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), which means there are quite a lot of 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 best ways to see the park is by kayak. That manner, 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 too can take a scenic cruise across the park for 95 NZD.

When you’re aching for some severe 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 too can stroll as much as the centuries-old Maori fort, referred to as Pa, for glorious views of the encompassing nature.

The place to Keep: Marahau Seaside Camp – This lodging provides dormitories and small personal cottages, a communal kitchen, and a seasonal restaurant. There are additionally tent and campervan websites if you wish to get monetary savings. It’s a chill, no-frills spot.

From right here, choose 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 manner, you’ll be capable to catch an affordable and fast flight again to Auckland in your worldwide flight house.

When you’re heading to Christchurch, maintain studying. When you’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 individuals 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 displays. 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 comfortable to see its revival.

Whereas there’s not rather a lot “to do” per se, the vibe is actually relaxed, and it’s value taking your time if you happen to can. You’ll want to journey 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 a listing 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 comfortable couches, in addition to a parking zone.
 

Issues to Keep in mind When Street-Tripping New Zealand

That can assist you take advantage of your highway journey, please keep in mind the next guidelines:

• Visitors flows on the left right here (not the precise, like within the US or Canada).
• You could all the time park your automotive within the course that visitors goes (or danger a positive).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking images — use them as an alternative of stopping at a random spot alongside the facet of the highway, which might be fairly harmful given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed here are winding, so keep in mind 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.
• When you’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, gasoline stations, and dump stations.

New Zealand’s South Island is an unforgettable vacation spot, the place I all the time 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 discovered firsthand how superior a highway 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!