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Neither words nor pictures could possibly describe the beauty of New Zealand. And while I thought that the North Island was incredibly cool, I can see why some people only ever make it to the South Island of New Zealand. It was incredible and the country really has something for everyone. While we chose to go on more adventurous hiking in most of our destinations, there were plenty of short walks and stunning sights to be seen from the comfort of your vehicle. Now speaking of the vehicle, this was our first ever time using a campervan, which was quite a fun experience which I will discuss in more detail here in a bit. So now, here is our New Zealand South Island Itinerary.

If you recall from my post about the North Island of New Zealand, we flew down from Auckland (which is on the North Island) to Queenstown (on the South Island) where we start our New Zealand South Island Itinerary. The total amount of driving that we did was around 33 hours. While often drive time is considered more of a waste, you will not feel like that in New Zealand. The scenery is so gorgeous and I found myself constantly speechless looking at the views from the car. However, if you don’t have as much time, I will suggest ways to cut down on the driving throughout this post.

So first off, we started our New Zealand South Island itinerary in Queenstown and stayed for three nights. When we landed, we rented a car (we get to the campervan soon) and did a lot of exploring of the area. The most popular overlooking view of Queenstown is from the Gondola, and you can also “cheat” and take the Gondola up to start one of the most popular Queenstown hikes, Ben Lomond.

We took our rental car and drove to Glenorchy and on the way was Bennett’s Bluff Overlook which was an incredible overlook requiring no hiking, just pulling over on the side of the road. Past Glenorchy you could find the Isengard Lookout.

The next day, we did the popular, yet amazing Ben Lomond Track. We did “cheat” and start from the Gondola (hey, we did tons of hiking), but overall the trail was not too difficult until after you passed the saddle. It was a total of 7 miles and took just over 4 hours. When we hit the top, we were thrilled with the 360 degree views over Queenstown and the surrounding area.

That night we were looking for somewhere to see the sunset and settled on an area on the drive up to the Remarkables. It was incredible.

From Queenstown, the next stop on our New Zealand South Island Itinerary was Milford Sound. This is a potential area of drive time savings. They actually have scenic flights from Queenstown. So instead of driving to Milford Sound, you could take a scenic flight, get dropped off and then take the scenic flight back to Queenstown. However, if you fly, you will miss Te Anau and the Mirror Lakes. All of the driving in New Zealand was magical, but the stretch of the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound was unbelievably gorgeous. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Doubtful Sound in addition or instead of going to Milford Sound. To weigh your visit to Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound you can check out this post.

Once we got to Milford Sound we actually stayed on a yacht overnight on the sound. This allowed us to explore the sound, get some kayaking in, and relax on the boat. Milford Sound was so stunning and it was one of my favorite places we visited in New Zealand. If you’re interested it was with the company Fiordland Discovery and it was the Fiordland Jewel catamaran. Very nice and relaxing. No Wifi in all of Milford Sound or on the boat so you were forced to disconnect. After dinner on the boat we enjoyed the hot tub on the deck and an incredible view of the stars.

When we woke up the next morning on the boat, we did another tour of the sound and then headed back to the dock. Then we drove back to Queenstown to go ahead and pick up our campervan which was for the next portion of the trip.

Another great day trip from Queenstown is Lake Pukaki since it is just a 2.5-hour drive away (or 3 hours from Christchurch). It is a stunning jewel on New Zealand’s South Island and is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Located in the Mackenzie District, this glacial lake captivates visitors every year with its charming allure and the majestic backdrop of the mountains

Now, the first thing that strikes you is the lake’s remarkable color, a result of finely ground rock particles called glacial flour suspended in the water. 

Moreover, the journey itself is an experience, as you drive through the beautiful landscape and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Now, once you arrive at Lake Pukaki, you have various activities to enjoy since the area is perfect for hiking, with numerous trails that cater to all skill levels.

Aoraki-Mount Cook National Park is also nearby and calls adventure seekers with its excellent hiking and climbing opportunities.

However, photography enthusiasts will love snapping photos of the lake’s stunning views, particularly during sunrise and sunset. 

The best time to experience the beauty of this lake is during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, which is from November to April.

During this period, the weather is more pleasant, and you can fully appreciate the lake’s surreal turquoise hue and the surrounding alpine scenery.

The campervan portion of the trip was pretty awesome. You can find a full review of campervanning in New Zealand here. This was something we had never done before but it’s actually very popular in New Zealand. They have an option to do “freedom camping” if you have a self-contained campervan which just means you can basically park anywhere for free. We stuck to campgrounds with amenities like power, laundry, showers, etc. Our first stop on the campervan portion of the New Zealand South Island Itinerary was Wanaka. Wanaka was so darn cute. When we arrived in Wanaka, our first stop was to check out #ThatWanakaTree and then went to dinner. We spent the next two days in Wanaka. The first day we hiked up to Isthmus Peak and went to a winery. The next day we went to the Rob Roy Glacier area.

From Wanaka, the next stop on our New Zealand South Island Itinerary was Mt Cook National Park. This was one of my favorite spots for sure (although they were all incredible). We originally planned to do the Hooker Valley track but it was flooded from storms a few days prior and the trail was in disrepair after the first bridge. So instead, we did a lot of smaller hikes on day 1 and then hiked to Mueller Hut on Day 2.

From Mt Cook, the next stop on our New Zealand South Island Itinerary was Christchurch. On the drive there we stopped in Tekapo and enjoyed some hot springs and the lake, although this was only for a quick afternoon. We stayed in Christchurch just for the night before heading north towards Marlborough for wine tasting. A quick background – my favorite wine has been New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the past few years. Naturally, I had to add wine tasting to my New Zealand South Island Itinerary. However, if wine isn’t your thing, this could easily be an area to skip and either leave out of Christchurch or head towards the Fox/Franz Josef Glaciers.

Once we were in the Marlborough region, we decided to rent bikes and we stopped at 7 different wineries while on bikes. Our favorite winery in the Marlborough region was Forrest – we bought 4 bottles of wine from there!

Originally after completing the Marlborough portion of our New Zealand South Island Itinerary, our plan was to drive down to Fox Glacier/Franz Josef Glacier. Although, because of a storm this did not happen and the bridge was just wiped out. Instead we decided to just head through Arthur’s Pass early and we spent some time in that area.

New Zealand South Island Itinerary FAQs

How Many Days Do You Need to See the South Island of NZ?

To truly experience the South Island of New Zealand, you should set aside at least 10 to 14 days.
This way you can fully immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes and attractions that this place has to offer.

What is the Best Way to Explore the South Island of New Zealand?

The best way to explore New Zealand’s South Island is by renting a car or a campervan.

This gives you the freedom to visit remote spots and appreciate the diverse scenery around you, from majestic mountains to pristine coastlines.

Alternatively, there are guided tours and domestic flights available if you prefer not to rent a vehicle. 

Is 7 days Enough in South Island New Zealand?

No, 7 days is not enough time in the South Island of New Zealand. Yes, it will give you a taste of New Zealand’s South Island but you will need between 10 and 14 days to experience all the area’s highlights. 

What are the Best Months to Visit South Island NZ?

The best months to visit the South Island of New Zealand are during the summer in December, January, and February.

This period features pleasant weather for outdoor activities and showcases the region’s natural beauty.

We thoroughly enjoyed the South Island of New Zealand and I really get why some people only come to the South Island to visit. If you are looking for the perfect New Zealand South Island Itinerary then this will certainly help with planning your trip. Is New Zealand on your list?

A couple of travel related tips:

If you are struggling with packing your suitcase, check out this post to get yourself ready for your next trip.

Looking to book cheap flights, check out this post and find out how I book flights for less.

Never stayed in an Airbnb before? Use this referral and get a discount.

Currently reading: Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva

Currently listening to: Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great by Joshua Medcalf

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