South Island Essential Itinerary with Wellington One Day Tour
This itinerary involves 4-5 hours driving times daily, 2- or 3-times activities/sightseeing daily, and a light walking route (less than 1 hour one way) but not every day.
This itinerary is based on summer days. You may adjust the schedule for journeys in shorter daylight.
Caution! Most of the activities/sightseeing are weather dependant. Check weather forecast daily and always have plan B.
Day 1. Welcome to Christchurch
Welcome to Christchurch. Your agenda today is to collect a rental car and buy groceries. Depend on your flight schedule, you can visit the International Antarctic Centre (open 9-4.30) or take a historic tram ride. If weather permits, go to Margaret Mahy Playground, the largest playground in the southern hemisphere.
16:00 Arrive at CHC airport
16:30 Buy groceries
18:00 Hotel check-in
Dinner: Christchurch
Tips: Buy groceries at the beginning of your journey. Buy essential items for self-cooking or your snacks during the journey including milk, juice, and fruits. Do not forget to bring your shopping bags.
Day 2: Cross through rural Canterbury and MacKenzie Country to Mt Cook National Park
Lake Tekapo and the Church of Good Shepherd
Hooker Valley Track in My Cook NP
Christchurch – Tekapo - Mt. Cook National Park - Twizel
Christchurch to Tekapo
Today you will drive through the heart of the South Island, crossing the vast Canterbury plains. Ascending Burkes pass you'll come to the picturesque lakeside town of Lake Tekapo which famous for its impossibly-blue water, the Church of the Good Shepherd, star-filled night skies, thermal pools, and seasonal lupin blooms.
Tekapo- Mt. Cook National Park
Follow the road and take in the view of Aoraki Mt Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) from the shores of Lake Pukaki, known for its glacier-fed turquoise blue colour. Continue along the lake to Mt Cook Village. Spend time to visit the Department of Conservation, Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Visitor Centre, and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Start the hike from White Horse Hill Campsite, which Lake Müller Lookout can be reached within a 1-hour return. Then drive for your accommodation in Twizel, one of the locations for the Lord of the Rings films
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 380 km: 4.33 hours
08:00 Hotel check out
11:00 Arrive at Lupin Field, before Lake Tekapo township.
11:30 Arrive at Lake Tekapo township. Visit Church of Good Shepherd, Sheepdog Memorial
12:00 Lake Pukaki
13:00 Aoraki Mt Cook: Department of Conservation, Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Visitor Centre, Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
14:00 Lake Müller Lookout
17:00 Arrive at Twizel. Hotel check-in
Breakfast: Hotel
Lunch: Lake Tekapo township
Dinner: Twizel
Day 3: Follow the Waitaki River to the coast, where you'll turn south for Dunedin.
St. Patrick Basilica in Ōamaru
First Church of Otago, Dunedin
Baldwin Street Signs
Twizel – Oamaru- Kakanui - Shag point- Dunedin
Twizel to Dunedin
Today you will leave Twizel, go through Ōmarama. Driving through the Waitaki Valley and make a stop in beach-front town Ōamaru. Continue south down the coast to Moeraki and take a detour towards the beach to see the Moeraki Boulders, a unique geological feature well worth a look. As you arrive in Dunedin, take in the city’s Edwardian and Scottish heritage reflected in the buildings around the city centre—the Octagon—and Baldwin Street (the steepest street in the world), including the historic Dunedin Railway Station.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 261 km: 3.15 hours
08:00 Hotel check out
10:00 Ōamaru
11:00 Moeraki Boulders (Park at Moeraki Boulders public car park). Noon is the lowest tide.
12:00 Arrive Dunedin: the Octagon, Baldwin Street, Dunedin Railway Station
16:00 Hotel check-in
B: Hotel
L: Ōamaru
D: Dunedin
Day 4: Cross the rich farmland of South Otago and Southland to reach Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland
Nugget Point
Dunedin – Balclutha- Nugget Point- Invercargill- Bluff- Mossburn - Te Anau
Today you will drive to the classic Southland farming scenery to Invercargill, Make a detour to Nugget Point, gold-nugget-like rocks and Roaring Bay. Bring your binocular as you will see seagulls (in Nugget Point walk track) and penguins (Roaring Bay). During a certain time, they can easily be seen from distance.
Then drive to Invercargill and continue to industrial town Bluff. Make a stop for oyster (in season), fish and chips, and Stirling Point.
Drive to Te Anau, the lakeside destination of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound via Mossburn. Spend the afternoon in Te Anau, visit Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, or walk in the lake waterfront.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 464 km: 5.54 hours
06:00 Wake up early! Hotel check out
07:30 Nugget Point and Roaring Bay
10:00 Bluff: Stirling Point
15:00 Te Anau: Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
16:00 Hotel check-in
B: Hotel
L: Bluff
D: Te Anau
Tips: Fill fuel at Te Anau! No fuel pump in Te Anau-Milford Sound route. You need a car full of fuel for your five-hours return trip tomorrow.
Day 5: Go to Milford Sound then Head north to Lake Wakatipu which leads you to Queenstown.
The Tunnel Entrance
Mirror Lake
Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu Viewpoint
Te Anau- Milford Sound- Te Anau- Queenstown.
Te Anau – Milford Sound
This morning drive directly to Milford Sound to catch the morning Milford Sound Cruise. Finish at 11:00 then drives back to Te Anau.
Make stop at Milford Sound Lookout (Accessed from Milford Foreshore Walk), The Chasm Viewing Bridge, 1855 lookout, Homer Tunnel Parking Area, Monkey Creek, Falls Creek Waterfall, Lake Gunn Viewpoint, Mirror Lake, Eglinton Valley, Hobbit Movie Scenery Rest Stop, and Te Anau Downs Station,
Te Anau to Queenstown
After lunch in Te Anau, you will drive to Queenstown, passing through Mossburn, the deer capital of the nation. Continue through the Southland countryside and to the Remarkables mountain range. Make a stop at Devil’s Staircase, a winding road between Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. Then arrive at Queenstown from the southern side of the city. If time allows, make a stop in the Remarkables Park Town Centre in Frankton, a suburban of Queenstown; it is the biggest mall in Queenstown and considered the most beautiful shopping centre in the world.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 404 km: 4.48 hours
05:00 Wake up early! Hotel check-out.
08:00 Arrive at Milford Sound.
09.00 Milford Sound Cruise
11.00 Finish cruise
11:00 Milford Sound to Te Anau: The Chasm Viewing Bridge, 1855 lookout, Homer Tunnel Parking Area, Monkey Creek, Lake Gunn Viewpoint, Lake Gunn Viewpoint, Mirror Lake, Eglinton Valley, Hobbit Movie Scenery Rest Stop. Stop at Te Anau. Lunch
14:00 Te Anau-Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Lookout at Kingston, Devil’s Staircase
17:00 Hotel Check-in
B: Hotel
L: Te Anau
D: Queenstown
Tips: Better to come early or later for Milford Cruise. The largest wave of visitors come around lunchtime (10.00-14.00) as cars/buses from Queenstown/Invercargill/Dunedin will arrive during this period.
If travel outside those hours and peak season, no need to book online. Once you arrive at Milford Sound harbour, you can go to any ticketing desks. However, researching before your cruise is beneficial as you can know your cruise earlier, the route, facilities, what you will get, and compare price with others. Also, you can set your arrival travel time with the preferred cruise departure time. Once you arrive at the Milford Sound harbour, you can directly go on your preferred cruise.
Warning! Beware of the sandfly. Cover your skin. If needed, buy an insects/sandfly repeller.
Day 6: Queenstown Day 2
Lake Hayes
Arrow River
Queenstown-Lake Hayes-Arrowtown-Arthur’s Peak-Queenstown
Today you will have a loop journey to Arrowtown. Go anti-clockwise and make a diversion to Lake Hayes to enjoy an opportunity for a mirroring lake. Then make way to Arrowtown, visit Historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, find ways to play as a gold miner or play water in Arrow River (bring togs!). Then go back to Queenstown via Arthur’s Peak, visit some lookout points. Enjoy your afternoon at Queenstown Waterfront.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 38.8 km. 38 min
09:00 Lake Hayes: Lake Hayes Lookout, Lake Hayes Scenic Spot
09:30 Arrowtown: Historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
14:00 Queenstown waterfront
17: 00 Back to hotel
B: hotel
L: Arrowtown
D: Queenstown
Day 7: Travel through the Haast Pass to the West Coast for glaciers scenic view.
Blue Pools
Frans Josef Glacier
Queenstown- Wanaka-Franz Josef Glacier
From Queenstown, go to Wanaka through the Crown Range-the highest sealed road in New Zealand-passing Cardrona Pass. Passing through the Cardrona Hotel, the oldest hotel in New Zealand. Then you will arrive in the Alpine town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park. Relax at the beachfront Lake Wanaka or visit ThatWanakaTree.
Continue journey skirting the shores of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea and make stop at Blue Pools. This magnificent glacier-fed swimming hole requires 1 hour+ return walk (Bring togs!). then heading to Haast and up to the wild West Coast - a 600 km stretch of bush and native rainforest. Some points of interest in this route: Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and Roaring Billy Falls. If time permits, make a detour to Lake Mueller near Fox Glacier township. Make a way to Franz Josef Glacier Walk right before you enter the town and finally you will arrive at Franz Josef.
Fill fuel at Wanaka. Wanaka is the largest town for today’s journey, fill fuel or food stocks in this town.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 353 km 4.42 hours
08:00 Hotel check out
09:00 Wanaka: #ThatWanakaTree, Wanaka Lake waterfront
12:00 Blue pools
17:00 Franz Josef Glacier Walk
18:00 Hotel check-in
B: Hotel
L: Wanaka
D: Franz Josef
Day 8: Drive north along the West Coast Road and Arthur’s Pass National Park
Cave Stream Walkway
Cave Stream
Franz Josef Glacier-Hokitika-Christchurch
Heading north to the endless sea-views for the historic gold mining region of Hokitika. Make a stop in this town, have lunch, and visit craft shops or local jewellery shops. Go north and turn in Kumara Junction and you will enter Arthur's Pass National Park, one of the most impressive scenic routes in New Zealand. Make a stop at Otira Gorge Rock Shelter Lookout, Otira Viaduct Lookout, Avalanche Creek Falls (5 min walk from Arthur's National Park Visitor Centre), or Devils Punchbowl Waterfall. Must stop destinations are Cave Stream (a long dark waterway tunnel) and Castle Hill Rocks (distinctive limestone rock formations). Continue your journey to Christchurch.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 247 km: 3.22 hours
08:00 Hotel check out
09:00 Hokitika
12:00 Arthur Pass NP: Otira Gorge Rock Shelter Lookout, Otira Viaduct Lookout, Avalanche Creek Falls, Arthur Pass Scenic Lookout
13:00 Cave Stream
14:00 Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill Rocks
17:00 Hotel Check-in
B: Hotel
L: Hokitika
D: Christchurch
Day 9. Depart Christchurch today
Wellington Cable Car
Flight Christchurch-Wellington- your next destination
This is the last day of your South Island trip. Return your rental car and prepare for a one day trip to Wellington.
06:30 Hotel check out. Go to the airport
07:00 Return rental car
07:30 Flight Check-in
09:30 Arrive at Wellington
10:00 Cable car, cable car museum, botanic garden.
12:00 Te Papa Museum
15:00 Waterfront
17:00 Go to airport
18:00 Flight Check-in to your next destination
B: Hotel
L: Wellington
Tips: Purchase return ticket cable car in Wellington. Downhill view is stunning!
Other tips:
Do laundry every 2 or 3 days so you can avoid bringing excessive weight baggage. Most accommodations have laundry facilities (pay). Bring a lot of $1 or $2 coins to pay laundry machine and parking machine. Besides coins, most parking machine also accepts credit card (with a certain fee). In bigger cities, always check with your accommodation regarding parking facilities for guests or alternative public parking.
Use campervans or cars? Both types are for a different type of travelling. Campervans are suitable if you want to stay longer in one area, relax or explore the surrounding area for, let say, two or three days without worries about finding the nearest accommodation. Cars are more suitable if you want to travel a lot and fast. Campervans have a lower maximum speed limit and due to their large size, campervans will find no easier to find a parking spot, drive on narrow and winding roads, or access parking building comparing to cars.
One alternative to enjoy a campervan experience but not significantly change the itinerary is by splitting your holiday duration into two: half of the duration using a campervan and the rest by using a car.
Hotel, motel, or hostel?
Hostel or shared room is more suitable for solo/couple mature travellers. A private room or hotel/motel room is more suitable for privacy or practicality use, e.g. family with kids.
Set your budget. Maximise your choice of accommodation within your budget, for example, choose a hotel room in bigger cities when accommodation prices are competitive and motel room in smaller cities when not a lot of choices available.
Do not look just for a low price of accommodation but also compare the facilities.
When booking accommodation, always look at the final price. In your online booking platform or book directly to the accommodation, look whether the offering price is including tax, surcharge, or service fee.
Combine your meal with eating out and self-cook daily. Especially in small towns, you will have very limited restaurants or groceries/ dairies choices.
If you have a longer time frame, extend your holiday so you have at least two days in each destination. The extension should involve destinations in the priority list below:
1. Queenstown
2. Te Anau/Milford Sound
3. Aoraki/Mt Cook
4. Dunedin
5. Christchurch
6. Other destinations
Rule number one to select a rental car: Must fit with all passengers and luggage. Then you may add two considerations to choose a suitable rental car, they are:
1. Comfort. The car should comfort for long-distance, e.g. must have enough leg-room/head-room, must have a sunroof, must-have cruise control (to avoid driver’s fatigue or speeding ticket)
2. Inexpensive to drive, i.e. fuel-efficient, inexpensive rental costs and/or insurance
The preference above is different for everyone. So, you can easily swap the priority list, e.g. from number one to number two, and so on.
