2 week New Zealand South Island Itinerary

A classic South Island road trip covers the top attractions of Te Wai Pounamu – bright blue Lake Tekapo, the glittering peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook, and the adventure thrills of Queenstown.

If you’re planning a 14-day trip to the South Island, this motorhome itinerary can help you map your route, starting and finishing in Queenstown. Driving from Queenstown to Christchurch covers the highlights of the South Island, but adding in the West Coast means more varied scenery and a chance to see more off-the-beaten-track destinations.

An itinerary breakdown

This Queenstown to Christchurch road trip goes via the West Coast, before looping back to Queenstown. Covering this in two weeks means a fast pace, where you’ll stay in a different place most nights.

1. Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown
2. Day 2: Spend the day in Queenstown
3. Day 3: Head to Milford Sound
4. Day 4: Drive to Fox Glacier
5. Day 5: Visit Franz Josef
6. Day 6: Head to Hokitika
7. Day 7: Arthur’s Pass
8. Day 8: Christchurch
9. Day 9: Christchurch
10. Day 10: Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki
11. Day 12: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
12. Day 13: Omarama
13. Day 14: Queenstown

Alternate routes for New Zealand South Island trips

• Drive from Christchurch to Queenstown, then around to the West Coast and back to Christchurch. This can be more convenient if your international flight arrives in Christchurch.

• You can also do this trip in the opposite direction. The drive from Queenstown to Christchurch and beyond is just as spectacular.

• Add an extra couple of days and head to Kaikoura for a night, then across to Hanmer Springs for a night. Kaikoura is the place to be for whale and dolphin watching, while Hanmer is a family-friendly hot springs resort.

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown

The adventure begins on your flight into Queenstown – gliding between mountain peaks is glorious.

Queenstown is a small town with big views. Once you’ve picked up your motorhome from our Queenstown branch, you can easily spend your first afternoon strolling around the lakefront and admiring the mountains.

Note that there is limited parking in the centre of Queenstown for large motorhomes, so you might find it easier to catch the bus into the town.

Where to stay: Driftaway Queenstown is a deluxe camping option close to the centre of town.

Don’t miss: There are many great places to eat in Queenstown, but the most famous place has to be Fergburger – you can’t miss the lines of people queuing on Shotover Street. If you’d like to try one, order in advance over the phone.

Day 2: Spend the day making the most of Queenstown’s adventure activities

You can’t leave Queenstown without trying a few of the adventure activities on offer. There are lots of options to suit every interest like going for a ride on the Shotover Jet, or even a bungy jump off the iconic Kawarau Bridge.

Ride the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak, where you’ll find amazing views and the luge. You can even zipline back down the hill – Ziptrek Ecotours has a tour with 6 ziplines that finishes back in town.

Where to stay: If you want to head out of town for a quieter night, make your way to Kingston Lake Camp, a freedom camping spot 30 minutes south of Queenstown.

Day 3: Make your way to Milford Sound

Every NZ South Island road trip must include a visit to Milford Sound. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the South Island.

As a remote fjord, it’s quite a long drive to Milford Sound – four hours one-way from Queenstown.

You can make quite a few stops on the way, particularly in the final 90 minutes. If you’re planning to fit in a cruise – and you absolutely should – we recommend taking a whole day to enjoy this experience.

Make sure you get any supplies you need in Te Anau, the last town before you drive into the wilderness. Make sure you have a campsite booked in advance, as there is limited mobile reception after te Anau.

Where to stay: Milford Sound Lodge for a more exceptional stay, or Cascade Creek Campsite for a cheaper option. In both locations, you can expect sandflies.

Don’t miss: Enjoy the drive to Milford Sound and stop off at scenic viewpoints like the Mirror Lakes and the Chasm Walk.

Day 4: Drive from Milford Sound/Te Anau to Wanaka

It takes around 3 hours to drive from Te Anau to Wanaka. Stop by Arrowtown on the way, a quaint little town with a gold mining past.

Head over the Crown Range Road if you want to stop by the iconic Cardrona Hotel for a photo. In Wanaka, you can spend an afternoon strolling the lakefront, or if you have more time check out Puzzling World or the Wanaka Lavender Farm.

Where to stay: TOP 10 Wanaka is a family-friendly option.

Don’t miss: Although Roy’s Peak is the most famous hike near Wanaka, there are other easier alternatives if you don’t want a half-day walk with a big climb. The Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain tracks offer beautiful views of Lake Wanaka.

Day 5: Trek from Wanaka to Fox Glacier

It takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Wanaka to Fox Glacier.

It’s a beautiful trip along the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park and through Haast Pass. There are plenty of amazing stops to make en route, including the Blue Pools and Fantail Falls.

Fox Glacier is the more laid-back neighbour of Franz Josef. If you have time when you arrive, make sure you check out the Lake Matheson walk, which is a 40-minute walk around the lake. On calm, clear days, the lake reflects the Southern Alps.

There’s also a viewpoint nearby where you can see Fox Glacier spilling out of the mountains from the road.

Where to stay: Gillespies Beach Campground is a great DOC site, but you have to drive for 20 minutes down a gravel road to get there.

Day 6: Spend the day in Franz Josef

After a couple of long driving days, you can enjoy exploring glacier country – it’s only 30 minutes drive between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef.

Before leaving Fox, check out the Fox Glacier South Side walkway, which leads to glacier viewpoints, albeit from a distance. After years of retreat, neither of the glaciers can be approached on foot anymore.

In Franz Josef, the ultimate experience is to take a helicopter up to the glaciers and hike on the ice. You can also see the glaciers from short walks. Check out the Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere track for a 30-minute gentle walk to a viewing point of the glacier and valley.

The Waiho Hot Tubs are also a wonderful spot to unwind.

Where to stay: Orange Sheep Campervan Park is right in the middle of Franz Josef village, with great facilities.

Don’t miss: The Roberts Point track is a slightly harder walk to a viewing platform of Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 6: Drive from Franz Josef to the Treetops Walk and Cafe near Hokitika

Around 1 hour and 40 minutes north of Franz Josef is the West Coast Tree Top Walk and Tower Zipline.

The walk is an elevated stroll along walkways through the forest canopy. It’s a beautiful way to appreciate the dense West Coast forest.

Where to stay: If you visit the Treetops Cafe, you can camp for free overnight in the car park.

Don’t miss: Check out the Hokitika Tower 47 metres above the forest floor.

Day 7: Hokitika to Arthur’s Pass

Spend the morning exploring the Hokitika Gorge. There’s a short walk at the gorge, with views of the electric blue water below and the towering swing bridges. It’s an easy walk suitable for all ages and takes around 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.

From Hokitika, it’s around 1 hour and 30 minutes to Arthur’s Pass Village. It’s worth stopping overnight in the village to explore some of the short walks in the area. The Devil’s Punchbowl walking track is a top-day walk. You’ll also see – and hear – kea in the village.

Where to stay: Avalanche Creek Shelter Campsite is a DOC campsite in Arthur’s Pass village. ** Don’t miss:** A highlight of driving through Arthur’s Pass is the spectacular Otira Viaduct, a sweeping 445-metre cantilevered bridge.

Day 8: Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch

From Arthur’s Pass, you can leave the often wet and lush forests behind as you drive down to the arid Canterbury Plains. Stop by Castle Hill, also called the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area. A short walk here leads through the unique rock formations.

Where to stay: There are a couple of free camping spots along New Brighton Beach. If you stay here, you can go to the He Puna Taimoana New Brighton Hot Pools during your stay as well, to make the most of the great shower facilities and scenic pools.

Day 9: Christchurch

There’s plenty to keep you busy in Christchurch.

In the centre of town, you can see the colourful buildings along New Regent Street, before getting a decadent scoop at Rollickin Gelato. You’ll find some great places to eat in the Riverside Market and Little High Eatery, and you can go for an English-style punt down the Avon River into the Botanic Gardens.

Quake City documents stories from the Christchurch earthquakes. Meanwhile, the International Antarctic Centre is a great place to learn about Christchurch as a gateway to Antarctica.

Where to stay: For a more remote camping area, you could head out to the Banks Peninsula in the evening – there are a couple of camping options in Akaroa.

Don’t miss: Head up to the fourth floor of the library for views of Cathedral Square and the city.

Day 10: Visit Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki

On the way to Lake Tekapo, you can stop at the famous Fairlie Bakehouse to try a New Zealand pie. Make another pit stop to check out the quirky things at Burkes Pass.

In Tekapo, stroll the lakefront and admire the Church of the Good Shepherd. One of the most popular things to do in Tekapo is a stargazing tour, as this is in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky reserve. Chameleon Stargazing offers intimate, laid-back tours that are more affordable than those run out of the observatory.

From Lake Tekapo, it’s only a 30-minute drive to Lake Pukaki, with views of the Southern Alps most of the way. This is one of the most iconic sections of a Christchurch to Queenstown road trip.

Lake Pukaki is even bluer than Lake Tekapo, with the peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook – New Zealand’s highest mountain – visible across the lake.

Where to stay: Although you’ll find more amenities in Tekapo, Lake Pukaki is a more attractive place to stay in a motorhome. The No More Pines Freedom camp on the edge of the lake has a stunning view.

Don’t miss: Head up to Astro Cafe at the Mount John Observatory for coffee and cake with a view. The cafe has an incredible view of Lake Tekapo below.

Day 12: Explore Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

The drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook village along the edge of Lake Pukaki is one of the most iconic in the South Island.

You’ll have views of the road unfurling alongside the lake, with the pyramid peak of Aoraki rising ahead.

Aoraki/Mount Cook is a small village, with limited places to eat, so make sure you stock up on supplies beforehand. Stop by the DOC Visitor Centre for excellent free displays on the history and geology of the area.

The premier walk in Aoraki/Mount Cook is the 3-hour return Hooker Valley Track. Leave early if you can to avoid the crowds, which inevitably swarm the track by midday.

Where to stay: The White Horse Hill DOC campsite is the best option for campervans in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. You can expect it to be quite chilly overnight, but on a clear night, you can also admire the stars in a night sky unspoiled by light pollution.

Don’t miss: Walk to Kea Point just before sunset (the track is 1 hour return and starts directly from the campground). From the viewpoint, you can see Mount Cook, which isn’t visible from the campground. On clear nights, the sunset colours are reflected on Aoraki/Mount Cook – it is a stunning sight.

Day 13: Omarama

The gold hills around Omarama make for a stunning landscape. The Omarama Clay Cliffs is an area of unique rock formations. It’s a great spot to stop to break up the drive back to Queenstown.

Note: There’s a $5 vehicle entrance fee for the walk.

Where to stay: There’s a basic freedom campsite at Ahuriri Bridge, or if you’d like more facilities there’s a Top 10 Holiday Park in Omarama Village.

Don’t miss: If you want a treat, check out the Omarama Hot Tubs

Day 14: Queenstown

From Omarama, it’s around 2 hours and 30 minutes to get back to Queenstown. If you have time, you can stop by Cromwell, a small town with a lovely heritage precinct. This is also the heart of Central Otago wine country if you want to stop for a tasting and a toast to your excellent trip to the South Island.

And then it’s time to drop off your Star RV at our Queenstown branch and say your goodbyes, ready for your final scenic flight out of Queenstown airport.

A few tips for a South New Zealand road trip

• Most roads in the South Island are well maintained (if a little winding) but you might come across unsealed roads on the way to some campgrounds. Be sure to drive more slowly on gravel.

• It’s considered polite in New Zealand to pull over and let traffic pass if you notice it building up behind you. Driving a motorhome can be slower than other vehicles, so take your time and pull over when it’s safe.

• Weather and seasons vary a lot around the South Island. The West Coast is the wettest part of New Zealand, while the area around Christchurch is the driest. Make sure to pack a raincoat and warm layers.

• Sandflies make camping near Milford Sound and along the West Coast more challenging. Take insect repellent and long pants/sleeves to keep them at bay.

• You’ll probably want to vary your campgrounds from freedom camping spots to holiday parks where you can enjoy showers, laundry facilities, and powered sites. Use the Rankers app to find a whole range of campsites.

• A lot of this itinerary is in remote areas. While there are stores and smaller supermarkets along the way, it can be good to stock up on essentials at big supermarkets in Queenstown or Christchurch, where groceries will be less expensive.

• Although you can pay online or with a debit/credit card at most campgrounds and shops, it can be handy to have a small amount of cash, especially coins for showers at campgrounds

Start planning your South Island road trip today.

Book your New Zealand motorhome hire with Star RV and get ready to explore off the beaten track and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand's South Island. Adventure awaits—take the first step now.