Money is a tool, not the finish line. When it’s cared for wisely and patiently, it can open space for the things that matter time with people you love, the freedom to explore, and invest in experiences that stick with you. Here’s one idea for turning hard-earned dollars into rich memories, a slow, scenic road trip through New Zealand’s South Island, mountains, fjords, quiet towns, and the kind of days that feel longer than they are.
To inspire you, we’ve connected with professional travel writers, Michael and Lana Law. This time, they’re going to put you in the driver's seat for a breathtaking trip through the South Island of New Zealand. They've done multiple road trips across the country and have put together a routing that covers their favourite places for you to follow.
View of Mt. Baker from Lake Pukaki
A New Zealand Road Trip through the Wonders of the South Island
When it comes to road trip destinations around the world, New Zealand tops the charts. From the snow-capped peaks and glaciers to the rainforests, fjords, beaches, and vineyards, it’s no surprise that New Zealand was recently ranked the most beautiful country in the world, according to a 2025 reader’s poll by Rough Guides. It’s also one of the most accessible and easiest places to visit for independent travelers.
Both islands offer something special for visitors, but the landscapes of the South Island, combined with wineries, outdoor activities, and fun small towns, make it the best place to start if you only have enough time to visit one island.
In Christchurch, you can rent a car, or even a small RV if you’re feeling adventurous, and head out on the road. Distances between points are relatively short by North American standards, and there is plenty to see and do along the way.
It’s easy to spend a lot of time in New Zealand, but if you have a time budget, then it comes down to choosing the best route. We’ve combined what we feel are the key highlights into one easy road trip that can be done in as little as 16 days, although this certainly does not cover all the attractions in the South Island.
Routing and Highlights:
Christchurch, Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) Conservation Area, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Hokitika Gorge, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Abel Tasman National Park (Kaiteriteri), Christchurch
This route is a figure eight through the South Island, designed to make it easy for you to continue your road trip to the North Island without missing the highlights. You can easily end your South Island trip after Abel Tasman National Park and catch a ferry from the town of Picton to Wellington, on the North Island. Just be sure to book your ferry well in advance, or plan on flying.
Christchurch
Although Christchurch is a good starting point, it doesn’t warrant much time. Take a day to get organized, pick up your rental vehicle, and see a few of the sights. This city is very walkable. You can wander through the Botanical Gardens, a real gem in the city, to see small lakes, gardens, fountains, art installations, and huge Sequoias, Monterey Cypress, Cork Oak, and Coast Redwoods.
Pick up some fresh food for your trip at the Riverside Market (another highlight) and have a look at some of the old architecture that has been undergoing extensive renovations since the 2011 earthquake.
It's important to spend a night in Christchurch so you can take your time driving to Hokitika, since you’ll want to make some stops along the way.
Sights on the Drive from Christchurch to Hokitika
Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) Conservation Area
Less than an hour and a half west of Christchurch on Highway 73 is a bizarre landscape of huge limestone boulders jutting up from rolling pastureland. Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) Conservation Area was a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia, and visitors can wander through on a mix of paved and unpaved trails.
If you want a quick stop, you can take a 1.4-kilometre walk that takes less than 30 minutes and winds through the forest of giant boulders on the hillside. Longer hikes are also available.
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Just a bit further down the road, but with a completely different landscape, is Arthur’s Pass National Park, home to forest, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls. Depending on how much time you have, you can either appreciate the scenery from the road or do a bit of hiking. If you are on a tight timeline, a short but moderately strenuous walk from the side of the highway takes you to the dramatic Devils Punchbowl Falls (2 kilometres return).
Arthur’s Pass also has multi-day backpacking treks that involve staying in alpine huts along the way, like Barker and Carrington.
Another scenic lookout in the park offers views of the Otira Viaduct and the surrounding valley. Keep an eye out for kea birds; you may have a chance of spotting one here.
Hokitika and the Hokitika Gorge
The only true attraction in the town of Hokitika is the beautiful Hokitika Gorge, known for its turquoise waters, but if you’ve made stops along the way from Christchurch, this is a good place to spend the night. It’s a tiny town with some quirky shops, a handful of restaurants, and a wild and rugged stretch of beach. Accommodation here is mainly mid-range.
The gorge is reached on an easy 2.4-kilometre out-and-back hike that takes you over boardwalks through the forest and onto a bridge over the gorge. If there have been heavy rains in the area, the water will not be its usual glowing colour; it turns brown, in which case, the hike is not worth doing.
Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier
Two of the key highlights on the West Coast are the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, about 30 minutes apart. Each of these is worth seeing, either from a lookout, on a hike, or up close and personal on a helicopter tour or a guided glacier adventure that takes you right out onto the ice.
These glaciers are unique because they are easily accessible and terminate at an elevation of only 700 feet above sea level in a subtropical region. You can view them from the main roads and embark on short hikes, where you walk among tree ferns.
Both small towns of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier have plenty of tourist infrastructure, but there are more options in Franz Josef. Although there are numerous small hotels and inns, for a luxury stay, try the Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef. Many of the smaller towns in the South Island lack four and five-star accommodations, but Franz Josef has this lovely property set in the rainforest.
One of the most beautiful walks in the area, which does not take you to the glaciers but offers fantastic views, is the Lake Matheson trail near Fox Glacier. This is about a 4-kilometre hike, but if you want to shorten it and still enjoy the view over the lake, it’s only a little over 1 kilometre each way. Go early before the wind picks up to see the mountains reflected in the still lakes.
Along the way, you can see interesting vegetation, like bright blue, bluegill mushrooms. Grab a coffee or breakfast at the restaurant at the start of the trail when you’re done.
Even if you don’t want to hike the trail, the road out to the trailhead, Cook Flat Road, has arguably the most spectacular full view of Fox Glacier.
Queenstown and Wanaka
From the glaciers, continue south to Wanaka and on to Queenstown, hitting Wanaka on your way back through.
Queenstown is a tourist mecca with all kinds of activities and things to do for people who want to go jet boating, bungee jumping, parasailing, cruising, or, in winter, skiing. Walk down to the harbour and have a look around at the action on the waterfront, and then sign up for an activity if you feel inspired. For a view over the town and lake, take a ride up the Skyline Gondola.
If you just want to see some of the scenery, take a 45-minute drive out to the tiny town of Glenorchy, following the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Alternatively, head out to the Kawara Bridge Bungee Jump site to watch the bungee jumpers throw themselves off the bridge, or take a turn yourself. Beyond this, you can see some of the area's wineries or take a detour on the way to see the historic little tourist village of Arrowtown.
Queenstown has a full range of accommodation options, from mid-range to posh. The QT Queenstown is a pleasant luxury hotel with beautiful views over the lake. This is a high-end hotel chain with modern amenities and a fun vibe. You can’t go wrong with these properties.
Wanaka is a fairly quiet tourist town surrounded by incredible rolling mountain scenery. It’s most famous for a lone tree, known as the Wanaka Tree, that stands just offshore in Lake Wanaka. This town is not nearly as tourist-focused as Queenstown and is popular with visitors who want a more laid-back vibe.
It’s a good option for a stay after you've done Milford Sound, especially if you hit a warm stretch of weather and want to relax and enjoy a rest day.
Beyond Queenstown to the Great Hikes in the South Island
If you have your heart set on doing an epic hike, some of New Zealand’s most famous hiking tracks are found within striking distance of Queenstown. These are the multiday, hut-to-hut treks that include big names like the Routeburn Track, the Milford Track, and the Kepler Track. Queenstown is a good place to stock up and get yourself organized.
If you want to embark on these longer trails, you’ll need to do some research, book huts or campsites in advance, and for Milford, the most popular, you’ll need a permit as well. You’ll also need to plan extra time into your itinerary if you want to complete one of these outstanding routes!
Milford Sound
From Queenstown, you are within day-trip distance of Milford Sound. This UNESCO World Heritage site is likely the most well-known tourist attraction in the South Island. Steep cliff walls, often overflowing with waterfalls and shrouded in mist, line the usually calm waters of the sound.
The best way to see the area at its finest is on a short cruise, which typically lasts about two hours. However, there are several options, including overnight cruises. Scenic flights over the area are also possible, but this region is frequently rainy and cloudy, so a boat trip is usually your best bet.
The drive from Queenstown is 3.5 hours one way. You can either drive yourself to Milford Sound or take a package tour right from Queenstown (recommended). Boats leave regularly, mainly in the afternoon. You can also do this from the town of Te Anu, which will mean only a 2-hour drive to Milford. Either way, you’ll want to arrange your boat tour in advance; do not just show up in Milford Sound and expect to get on a boat.
Another option, if you plan this far enough in advance, is to stay right at Milford Sound, at the Milford Sound Lodge. This is the only public accommodation at Milford Sound, and they have just six luxury chalets, all set along a river and creek.
Weather: Milford Sound is known for being “the rainiest inhabited place in New Zealand.” It is usually misty and rainy, even in summer. If you happen to get a clear day, consider yourself lucky. But even if it is raining, it is still well worth the trip, and it is the best time to see the waterfalls.
Once you’ve finished at Milford, you’ll need to backtrack, since it’s one way in and one way out, and go back to either Queenstown or Wanaka, and then on to Aoraki / Mt. Cook.
Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
It’s a lovely drive from Wanaka to Aoraki/Mt. Cook. On a clear day, you’ll get a fantastic view of Mt. Cook at the end of Lake Pukaki, giving you a glimpse of what’s to come.
If there is one place not to scratch from your itinerary, it is Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park. Although Milford Sound gets all the attention and promotion, I personally feel it pales in comparison to Mt. Cook, and for casual hikers, it is an absolute must-visit destination. If you are short on time and the weather at Mt. Cook looks clear, you are better off skipping Milford Sound than Mt. Cook.
In the heart of the Southern Alps, this is one of the most beautiful mountain areas in all of New Zealand and home to the country’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mt. Cook (3,724 m). Approximately 40% of the park is covered in glaciers. If you can be here on a clear day, it’s a spectacular treat.
The best way to see the park is to drive to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and walk the incredibly scenic 5-kilometre Hooker Valley Trail, which leaves right from the village. This easy trail offers some of the most spectacular mountain and glacier scenery you’ll find anywhere. It runs beside a rushing river through a valley of glacier-draped mountains to a small glacier-fed lake. Most hiking package tours to New Zealand have this hike on their itinerary. Anyone who can walk 5 kilometres can do this trail.
If you want to avoid the crowds, head out early. If it’s sunny, you may want to wait until at least midday for the best light on the mountains.
Only a handful of accommodation options are available in the village, but the historic Hermitage Hotel is a wonderful place to stay with fantastic views, especially from the upper floors of its highest building. Unless you book a no-view room, you will have fabulous views across the valley to Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
If you are doing NZ in an RV, a campground is located in the village, not far from the start of the hike.
Kaikoura
It’s a spectacular drive past turquoise lakes and changing scenery as you make your way from Mt. Cook back through Christchurch and on to Kaikoura.
This small coastal town is a welcome retreat for tourists. The pastoral scenery here is exactly what you probably envision when you think of New Zealand, sheep and all. And although there is plenty to do here, it does not feel like a tourist town and is not overrun with visitors.
Highlights here include whale watching, swimming with wild dolphins, boat tours to see albatross, and the Point Sheep Shearing Show. Unlike Queenstown and other areas focused on tourism, this is more of a real community, where tourists need to seek out activities.
Be sure to take a scenic walk along the waterfront of the Kaikoura Peninsula to see the Kaikoura seal colony and appreciate the views back towards the town and mountains beyond.
Blenheim and the Marlborough Wine Region
Less than two hours north of Kaikoura in the epicentre of New Zealand’s famous Marlborough wine region is the town of Blenheim, in the northern part of the South Island. Vineyards and small wineries dot the landscape, which is primarily known for its sauvignon blanc grape variety.
The weather here is much sunnier and warmer than in the south, and touring the wineries is a scenic and pleasant pastime. You can sign up for a guided wineries tour, take the hop-on hop-off bus, or pedal your way from vineyard to vineyard on a bike tour.
Abel Tasman National Park
If you want to do some outstanding hiking but are not up for the challenging hikes in the southern part of the island, Abel Tasman National Park is perfect. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a stunning 51-kilometre hike and one of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks, but the beauty of this hike is that it is much more accessible to those who only want to do a section of the hike or want to do a multi-day hike in comfort, walking from luxury lodge to luxury lodge.
Boat shuttles from the lovely little hamlet of Kaiteriteri will drop you at a variety of points along the Coastal Track in Abel Tasman National Park. You can be dropped off at one beach, hike for a few hours, and catch a late afternoon shuttle home from another beach, or you can be dropped off a three-day hike away and walk back to town, staying at huts or prearranged lodges along the way.
The trail winds along the coast of Tasman Bay over headlands and along beautiful coastal flats and crescents of beach, with turquoise waters that almost make you think you’re in the Caribbean. Unlike hiking areas in the southern end of the island, this is one of the sunniest regions in the South Island, making for gloriously pleasant days of walking.
Kaiteriteri makes a good base, with its own fantastic beaches and scenery. Tickets for the shuttles can be booked just off the beach, and boats leave from the beachfront. Discuss the tides with the ticket agent to find out when you need to leave and return, and whether you can cross the flats or need to take trails through the forest at high tide.
You can also arrange snorkelling or kayaking tours, as well as scenic boat trips that offer a chance to see fur seals, dolphins, and little blue penguins, while exploring the coast.
Hiking Tip: The Torrent Bay to Medlands section of the hike is one of the most popular sections, offering a pleasant stroll that is even safe for solo hikers.
North Island or Back to Christchurch
After this fabulous experience, you can either make your way a few hours back to the town of Picton, where you can catch a ferry to Wellington, on the North Island and continue the grand adventure, or head back to Christchurch through the interior of the island (about a 6.5-hour drive).
Another option is to drop your car off in Blenheim after your time in Abel Tasman, then fly to Auckland. Most visitors don’t think to do this until their ferry is cancelled due to weather or mechanical issues, and they're forced to come up with a plan B. However, it’s an excellent option if you’ve had enough driving and want to end your trip here.
Note on Driving: This route is a very easy drive, apart from the approach to Milford Sound, which is mountainous and passes through a long, narrow tunnel. Driving in New Zealand is on the left.
Best Time to Go
Summer: November to March is the best time to visit, although you could stretch this a little on either end. December and January are peak summer months, but this is also high season.
Keep in mind that the latitude, oceans, and mountains mean the weather is often cool by Canadian summer standards. Even in peak summer, depending on where you are in the South Island, expect daytime highs to range from about 15 to 25 C.
Getting There
You can get direct flights from Vancouver to Auckland on Air Canada or Air New Zealand. Multiple daily internal flights connect Auckland to Christchurch. From Toronto, you can hop through Vancouver, or consider international connections that will take you directly to Christchurch, rather than Auckland.
Renting a Vehicle
Numerous car rental agencies are located at the Christchurch airport. Drop charges for one-way rentals are generally much less punishing in New Zealand than in Canada. When you compare drop-off charges to the cost of flights back to Auckland, you may decide to rent a one-way if you have the time to drive.
Campervans and small RVs are also popular in New Zealand and available for rent.
Accommodation
Book hotels at least a few days in advance, much longer if you want to stay at the few luxury lodges mentioned in this article. Do not show up in a town and start searching for a hotel; they do sell out.
How Many Days: 16 to 21
Sixteen days is the absolute minimum for this route. This is for the person who wants to be on the move constantly and is looking to maximize days off. Twenty-one days offers a better pace if you want to do some full-day or multi-day hikes or spend a day or two relaxing at one or more of these destinations.
Suggested Itinerary
Drive times listed include no stops; plan for extra time on scenic routes.
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, pick up your rental car and see the city.
Day 2: Drive to Hokitika. Stop at Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) and Devils Punchbowl Falls along the way. Drive time without stops: 3.5 hours
Day 3: Hike Hokitika Gorge and drive to Franz Josef Glacier (or Fox Glacier). Take a short walk or hike to see the glacier, then take a helicopter tour. Drive time: 2 hours
Day 4: Get up early to hike the Lake Matheson trail at Fox Glacier, and then drive to Queenstown. Take the scenic drive from Wanaka on the Cardrona Valley Road/Crown Range Road, over the Crown Range Summit to Queenstown. Drive Time: 5.5 hours
Day 5: Explore Queenstown. Options: Aerial tram, boat tour, lunch or dinner on the wharf, bungee jump, scenic drive to Glenorchy.
Day 6: Take a full-day tour to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise, returning to Queenstown.
Day 7: Drive to Wanaka along Highway 6. This is a longer route than the Crown Range, but it will give you a different view, and it runs past some of the wineries in the Otago region. In Wanaka, walk around town, enjoy the beach, and see the Wanaka Tree. Optional: Spend another night, get up early and hike Roy’s Peak (strenuous). Drive time: 1.5 hours
Day 8: Drive to Mt. Cook Village, stopping along the way at scenic viewpoints along Lake Pukaki. Hike the Hooker Valley Trail in the afternoon or early the next morning, depending on arrival time and weather. Drive time: 2.5 hours
Day 9: Full day scenic drive to Kaikoura. Drive time: 6.5 to 7 hours
Day 10: Wander around Kaikoura and book a boat tour to see whales, dolphins, or albatross. Walk out to see the seal colony and enjoy a rest day.
Day 11: Boat tour around Kaikoura
Day 12: Drive to Blenheim. Do a wine tasting tour and enjoy lunch at a winery. Drive time 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Day 13: Drive to Kaiteriteri on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. Enjoy some time at the beach, book a spot on a water taxi for the next day to hike a portion of the Coastal Track. Drive time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Day 14: Hike a section of Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Option add-on: Multi-day hike staying at a lodge along the way.
Day 15: Drive to Picton to catch a ferry to the North Island; Drive to Blenheim to catch a flight to Auckland; or drive back to Christchurch through the interior of the island.
Drive time to Picton: 3 hours
Drive time to Christchurch: 6 hours
Day 16: Fly Home.
Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) Conservation Area
View of Lake Matheson from the Lake Matheson Trail near Fox Glacier
View from a room at the Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village
Hooker Valley Trail
Kaikoura Shoreline Trail near Seal Colony