Last Updated on November 26, 2024 by Steph
We were lucky enough to spend 25 lovely days on the South Island of New Zealand. Our original plan was two weeks in the south and one week in the north. Once we started outlining our plans, we determined there was so much to see in three weeks. We also have yet to figure out when we could realistically return, so we wanted to see as much as possible. Our itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island was all about the natural beauty of the Southern Alps and rugged coastlines.
We settled on six weeks in New Zealand because we knew we could do a lot and stick within a reasonable budget for our first stop. That time was split between the north and south islands based on the list of things we wanted to do. We put this guide together to help you plan your itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island and what we would change after having the experience. Some of it might surprise you.
Our Full Itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island
We rented a car from this website and got a great deal for the time we were in New Zealand. Our stays mainly were in guesthouses and rentals in people’s backyards. It was such a great way to meet people and see how Kiwis live without breaking our budget. We will break everything down for you and share some of the things we’ve learned, but if you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments.
Our 25-Day Road Trip Route on the South Island of New Zealand
Here is the visual map of our itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island so you can see how it looks.
Christchurch – 2 nights
We landed at Christchurch, which has a large international airport. Our first evening was spent learning to drive the car on the wrong side of the road and stocking up on some essentials for the trip. We had a nice dinner downtown and walked around to enjoy the fresh air and fight out jet lag.
The first full day was spent exploring the Banks Peninsula. The Summit Road here is unforgettable, and there are plenty of great hikes and small towns where you can get a snack or a drink while adventuring. It felt like the perfect introduction to our time in New Zealand.
Get all the information about the Banks Peninsula and see more photos.
Book this budget-friendly, well-located hotel that isn’t far from the airport or Christchurch’s CBD.
Twizel – 2 nights
Twizel is the small town closest to Mount Cook National Park. It’s all about the lakes and incredible mountain scenery while you are here. Take in lots of the beautiful color of the water (although you’ll keep finding more and more). Lake Tekapo is the most famous, but many in the region have beautiful colors from the glacial runoff. This is the perfect place to hang out if you want to hike and love spending time outdoors.
Check out all the best sites in this region to add to your itinerary.
The cottage we stayed in is no longer listed as a rental, but these mountain chalets would be perfect for your stay here. This is one of the most expensive areas in the country, so be prepared to spend a bit more in this region.
Dunedin – 3 nights
This is a college town with hills for days. You’ll get a workout just by walking to the corner store. Visit the world’s steepest residential street, a beautiful city center, and many gardens. It’s a perfect town to hang out and enjoy some local flavor. Plan a day trip to the Otago Peninsula to see Albatross, Sea Lions, and the only castle in New Zealand. There are great, affordable rental options if you want a kitchen and a place to hang out. For a special experience, stay at the castle out on the Otago Peninsula for a night.
Read more about our days in Dunedin.
The Catlins – 1 night
There are far fewer people in the southernmost part of the country. There are waterfalls, quiet coasts, and beautiful forests to explore. We didn’t want to drive through in a day, so we opted to stop right in the middle of it for the night. Whistling Frog Cafe was an excellent stop for a night, and the food was fantastic. The lodging onsite was simple, but we loved the location. Book your stay and enjoy that restaurant.
Read more about the beautiful spots in the Catlins.
Invercargill – 1 night
Some people are really interested in trying Bluff Oysters, so this region is great for that. We didn’t love the town and just stopped for a night’s rest. There are plenty of budget hotels in the area, so if you need to break up your drive, you’ll be able to find something easily.
Te Anau – 2 nights
Visiting the Milford Sound is one of the most popular activities in New Zealand. This small town is located on a beautiful lake and provides the best access to the natural wonders and best accommodation options. There are lots of hikes from that area and great experiences on the water as well. Book your adventure and enjoy the ride/cruise while a guide fills you in on everything you’re seeing.
See our photos from our Milford Sound Cruise.
Queenstown – 3 nights
This is the best place to be if you are into adrenaline sports. Bungee jumping, sky diving, and gliding through the air – you have your choice. We did lots of hiking while there. Queenstown Hill or the area near the Remarkables were great hikes. Arrowtown is another wonderful place to explore for a day. The city center has tons of food and drink options.
Leaving here, we drove through Cardrona and Wanaka on our way to the West Coast. This drive was incredible and one of our favorites of the trip.
We had some unpopular opinions about Queenstown, so read more on that.
Haast – 2 nights
Haast is the gateway to the West Coast, but this town is tiny. Like two restaurants small. There are a few holiday parks to stay at and lots of beautiful hikes within an hour. The Munro Beach Walk was our favorite because we were racing against some rain. It was a shorter walk that provided an excellent path through the forest and out onto a quiet beach.
The West Coast is a section that many people rush through, but I would suggest taking your time here if you’re visiting New Zealand for the natural beauty. Enjoy the glacier tours and the scenic flights that you can take over the mountain ranges from this region as well. Those didn’t fall into our budget for this trip, but they look amazing.
Punakaiki – 2 nights
This area was breathtaking. Paparoa National Park deserves any time you can give it. The Pancake Rocks are very cool, with glowworm caves and excellent hiking trails. Watching the sunset over the Tasman Sea is unforgettable, but get out of the way for any Penguins coming to shore at dusk. The best part of our time here was the cottage we stayed at.
Read more about our six favorite spots on the West Coast.
Kaikoura – 2 nights
We crossed back over the Southern Alps to the other coast. The town of Kaikoura has a beautiful backdrop with the mountains dropping right into the ocean. Having at least one day here allows you to do the Peninsula walkway, which you can get to on foot from town. Once you’ve finished that, we would both recommend the Strawberry Tree for a happy hour drink.
See some photos from this stunning place.
Renwick – 2 nights
New Zealand’s wine country is a must unless you hate wine. There are lots of vineyards within a few kilometers of Renwick, so it’s a great town to spend some time in. It’s the Marlborough Region, and you’ve likely enjoyed a taste of this world-famous flavor.
Read more about New Zealand’s Wine Country and see which vineyards we visited.
Takaka – 2 nights
The gorgeous Nelson Region is located on the very north end of the South Island of New Zealand. This was our last spot before heading to the North Island to kick off the second part of this trip. We picked Takaka because it is closer to the north end of the Abel Tasman National Park, which is quieter. There is a lot to do in Golden Bay, but it’s quiet and peaceful. We were able to catch up on sleep and admin work while also exploring the natural beauty of this area.
Read more about our time in the Tasman Region.
What We Would Change on our Itinerary of New Zealand’s South Island
Skip Invercargill…
I would have just skipped it totally and driven on to Te Anau and then allowed myself an extra night in Kaikoura, Takaka, or Punakaiki. We thought Bluff would be cool, but we just didn’t really love any of it.
Instead of 3 nights in Queenstown…
I would stay in Queenstown for one night and then spend 2 nights in Wanaka. The town is less hectic. You can hike Roy’s Peak if you have time there. I know this is an extremely unpopular opinion, so you have to decide what activities you want to do the most.
Instead of 2 nights in Haast…
I would just stay one night there and then find a spot north of the glaciers for the second night. The West Coast is absolutely gorgeous, and we would have loved to spend a night in Hokitika.
Add time in Abel Tasman…
We didn’t plan out our adventures in advance and missed out on kayaking in Abel Tasman. There is only one company that operates out of the north side of the park. We tried to get a hold of them that day and couldn’t track them down. Book this tour ahead of time to hold your spot.
Slow Down & Stay Longer
Isn’t that always a desire when you visit someplace beautiful? We focused hard on moving slowly when we could, but spending only a few nights in each place kept us moving quickly. If you have more time, take it.
Let us know if you have any questions or if you are planning a trip to the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
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