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New Zealand is absolutely one of the most beautiful countries I have visited. If you’re planning on travelling there, then you’re going to need a little inspiration to ensure you make the most of your time. We spent just over 3 weeks exploring this picturesque country from North to South on a self-guided road trip. This New Zealand South Island itinerary is based on arriving from the North Island. However it can be adapted slightly if you only have time to travel the South Island.
Driving in New Zealand
Public transport in the South Island is quite limited which makes it tricky if you’re travelling within a certain time frame. My recommendation for visiting New Zealand would always be to hire a car. Roads in New Zealand are generally traffic free and very scenic. I’m from the UK and while I don’t really enjoy driving back home, I loved driving in New Zealand! I also found it easy as New Zealand drive on the left which is the same as the UK.
2 week New Zealand South Island Itinerary
We were actually on the South Island just shy of 2 weeks (13 days) but you can use this itinerary and adapt it to suit your own wishes. If you’re planning on visiting the North Island too then take a look at my 10 day North Island itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival
Our South Island adventure began by travelling on the Interislander Cook Strait ferry from Wellington in the North to Picton in the South. The crossing takes around 3 and a half hours. Pre-booking is essential.
Upon arrival to Picton ferry port, we made our way to our first stop – Kaikoura. If you’re not arriving from the North Island, then I’d recommend flying in to Christchurch airport. Pick up your hire car there and heading to Kaikoura that way.
- Picton to Kaikoura: approximate drive time 2 hours.
- Christchurch airport to Kaikoura: approximate drive time 2 hours 30 minutes.
Kaikoura is a scenic coastal town which is famed for its wildlife. As it’s a popular stop I would recommend advance booking any accommodation or activities.
- Where to stay: Dolphin Lodge. A budget friendly option in a scenic and central location. We spent 2 nights here.
Day 2: Kaikoura
Our main motivation for staying in Kaikoura was to see the New Zealand fur seals. In fact marine mammal encounters are what most tourists visit this town for. We had booked a trip to snorkel with the seals which would have been an incredible and unique experience. Sadly for us, despite it being sunny on land, the weather at sea was not good enough so our trip was cancelled.
In haste, we then booked a whale watching excursion – another highlight of Kaikoura. But unsurprisingly, all whale watching excursions were cancelled too. If you visit Kaikoura then although I can’t recommend from first-hand experience, I would suggest a seal swim or whale watching excursion.
How to spend the day in Kaikoura when the weather at sea is bad (or you’re on a budget!)
Take a drive to Ohau Point where you can watch the seals frolicking in their natural environment – all for free! When I visited, I was able to take a short walk to the waterfall here and actually watch seal pups playing in the waters whilst their mothers went fishing in the sea. It was one of the most memorable moments of my time in New Zealand. However, since the earthquake in Kaikoura, the waterfall is no longer. But you can still park up at the lookout point and see the seals sunning themselves on the rocks.
- Ohau Point Lookout can be found around 20 minutes drive from Kaikoura along the New Zealand State Highway 1.
Another fantastic spot to visit is Fyffe Quay which is on the peninsular. Here we saw lots more seals lazing about on the rocks and even one or two laying in the car park! I would also recommend heading to the Kaikoura Lookout for a great view over Kaikoura.
- The peninsular is less than a 10 minute drive from Kaikoura. Head towards Point Kean. There are a couple of parking options in the area.
- Remember to respect the wildlife and not get too close!
End the day with a taste of some of Kaikoura’s seafood. Kaikoura is famous for its crayfish but any seafood here will be lovely and fresh!
Day 3: Hanmer Springs
Depart Kaikoura towards Hanmer Springs. Whilst this alpine village doesn’t have a vast amount of attractions, it’s a great stop when travelling west. Especially to squeeze some relaxation time into your New Zealand South Island itinerary.
- Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs: approximate drive time 1 hour 55 minutes.
The star attraction here is Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa where you can spend some time soaking in the warm waters of the thermal pools. The water at the thermal pools is actually snow and rain fallen from the mountains which is then warmed by heat from the earth’s core. The waters are rich in minerals which are good for your skin and health but if you’re not one for a spa day then there are various water slides and a lazy river to enjoy.
- Where to stay: Kakapo Lodge can be found a stones throw away from the thermal pools and offers a mix of dorms and private rooms.
Day 4: Punakaiki
Continue heading west across the country towards Punakaiki. Around an hour after leaving Hanmer Springs, be sure to make a pit stop at Lewis Pass to stretch your legs and admire the scenery. There are several different walks you can do in this area depending on your time, ability and the weather.
Continue on and stop in Reefton for lunch. Reefton is an old gold mining town and some of the buildings carry that quirky charm. Whilst I wouldn’t describe it as unmissable, it made for a decent spot for a bite to eat in the sunshine.
Make Punakaiki your final stop of the day.
- Hanmer Springs to Punakaiki: approximate drive time 3 hours 30 minutes (without stops).
Punakaiki is a small town on the west coast of the South Island most notable for its pancake rocks, so called because they look like giant stacks of pancakes. We visited on the day we arrived but you could always do this the following day. The walk is relatively short and easy and well worth it to see this natural beauty. The best time to visit the pancake rocks and blowholes is at high tide as you can then watch the sea churn up, crash into the rocks and spout water up through the blowholes in full force. However, it doesn’t matter if you miss high tide, it’s still impressive.
- Where to stay: For a cute place overlooking the beach, Punakaiki Beach Hostel was an ideal location to spend a night.
You can find out more about the pancake rocks in my Punkaiki blog post.
Day 5: Punakaiki and Franz Josef
When in Punakaiki it would be rude not to eat some pancakes so head to The Pancake Rocks Cafe for breakfast. Once you’ve had your fill of pancakes and pancake rocks, time to hit the road.
- Punakaiki to Franz Josef: approximate drive time 3 hours.
If you’re looking for a stop on your drive to Franz Josef, I recommend Hokitika. Known for its stunning scenery and walks, you could easily spend a lovely afternoon here. Unfortunately for us, the weather was bad so we took a brief stroll on the beach, saw the iconic ‘Hokitika’ driftwood sign and continued on our way.
Franz Josef is a town famed for its proximity to Franz Josef glacier. If you wish to see the glacier up close then its worth booking a helicopter flight or a heli hike.
- Where to stay: Glow Worm Accommodation – it has a hot tub which was perfect for the bad weather we experienced in Franz Josef. And the free soup was also a welcome treat!
Day 6: Franz Josef
As I mentioned before, if you have the funds and the desire, you may wish to book a helicopter ride up to the glacier. This is something we never managed to do because the weather was so bad that flights were being cancelled. And very sadly, on the day we were due to leave Franz Josef, a helicopter crashed at nearby Fox Glacier killing everyone on board.
Franz Josef isn’t without its charm, so if a night or two here is on your New Zealand South Island itinerary then I’ll share what we got up to.
How to spend the day in Franz Josef when the weather is bad (or you’re on a budget!)
- Tatare Tunnels Walk: The Tatare Tunnels Walk is around an 80 minute round trip (40 minutes each way). It’s a forested walk which begins in the car park at Cowan Street and ends at the Tatare Tunnels. You can enter the tunnel and if you’re lucky you might see some glow worms (we saw about 5). We didn’t go too far into the tunnel as we freaked ourselves out but it’s a well-known walk from Franz Josef. The tunnel is very dark and wet so take a torch (or make sure you have plenty of battery for your phone torch!) and sensible footwear like waterproof boots. We went in flip flops as that’s the only waterproof footwear we had. I would not recommend doing that.
- Lake Matheson: Just outside of Fox Glacier township, you will find Lake Matheson – famous for its mirror views of Mount Cook. The full lake circuit takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, however there is a shorter option for those tight on time. When we arrived it was pouring with rain, so we stopped for lunch at Matheson Cafe and by the time we had completed our circuit, the sun was shining.
- Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk: If you can’t make it to the glacier by helicopter, then the closest you will get is probably this walk. The walk took us around 90 minutes there and back but check the Department of Conservation website for up to date information and conditions.
Day 7: Wanaka
Depart Franz Josef for wonderful Wanaka. We broke our journey up by stopping at Haast Pass to walk the Blue Pools Track. The walk takes around an hour and leads you through forest and across a couple of swing bridges to see the vibrant blue pools below (though they were more green for us!).
- Franz Josef to Wanaka: approximate drive time 4 hours. Be sure to stop at Lake Hawea lookout for some stunning views.
If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with sunshine when you arrive in Wanaka, then I highly recommend grabbing something to eat or drink whilst overlooking Lake Wanaka.
In the evening, spend some time relaxing and catch a movie at Cinema Paradiso. You may be wondering why I am recommending a cinema. Well, this is an old school type cinema with lots of quirky seating – mostly comfy sofas, but there’s also a car in there too! Oh and they sell freshly baked cookies during the intermission. Advanced booking is recommended.
- Where to stay: Unfortunately the hostel we stayed at has since closed. However Wanaka has a great selection of hotels and accommodations. If you can get a room with a lake view – even better!
Day 8: Wanaka and Queenstown
If you’re still on the lookout for quirky things to do in Wanaka, then you can’t miss Puzzling World. Puzzling World is an attraction that describes itself as ‘Wanaka’s World of Weirdness’. It’s essentially a museum of optical illusions and a great way to spend an hour or two.
New Zealand is known for its adventurous and adrenaline fuelled activities, so our next stop after Puzzling World was the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre. If you’re up for a bungy jump then this is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy – so these guys know what they’re doing!
Confession: I did not do a bungy, however my husband did and had a great time.
- Wanaka to Queenstown: approximate drive time 1 hour 15 minutes.
Queenstown is an adventure capital and definitely a must-do on any New Zealand South Island itinerary. Even if, like me, you aren’t an adrenaline junkie then there is plenty to do. We spent 3 nights here but you could easily spend longer.
- Where to stay: We stayed at Hippo Lodge. A budget friendly option just a short walk from central Queenstown and with views of the mountains, lakes or gardens. As Queenstown is a popular destination, advance booking is recommended.
If you’re feeling peckish, then you can’t visit Queenstown without trying a world famous Fergburger. I fully admit that queueing 45 minutes for a burger is ridiculous but I stand by my word when I say some New Zealand make the best burgers.
Once you’re fuelled up, time for some more fun! Head for Skyline Queenstown and ride the gondola up to Bob’s Peak. FYI, this is the steepest cable car lift in the southern hemisphere! Once you reach the top, admire the views and have some fun on the luge. There are two luge tracks to choose from. There’s a more gentle, scenic track which everyone must do on their first ride and then there’s also a faster paced, steeper track. You can book your Queenstown gondola and luge tickets in advance, I loved it!
Treat yourself to a hot chocolate from Mrs Ferg’s Gelateria on the way back to your accommodation.
Day 9: Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a remote fiord and one of New Zealand’s most pristine and treasured natural attractions. It is a bit of a trek from Queenstown, so we decided to book on a coach tour with boat ride rather than drive ourselves.
I’ve written more about my experience in my post: Milford Sound – is it worth it? because although it is considered a not-to-be-missed attraction for any New Zealand South Island itinerary, I didn’t have the greatest day. Still, don’t let my experience put you off.
Day 10: Horse Riding and Jet Boats
We began our day with a drive to nearby Glenorchy (around 45 minutes from Queenstown). If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan then you might be interested to learn that Glenorchy is home to some of the filming locations for the movies. We did a small group horse riding tour amongst this epic scenery. Although the company we booked with are no longer trading, I would definitely recommend seeing some of New Zealand on horse back.
Another popular activity in New Zealand is riding on a jet boat. We decided to drive back to Queenstown to experience the Shotover Jet. The Shotover Jet is essentially a jet boat ride on the Shotover River – high speeds and 360 degree spins are guaranteed.
Day 11: Arrowtown to Twizel
We departed Queenstown for nearby Arrowtown (around 20 minutes by car). Arrowtown is a gold-mining town that was established in 1862 and still retains many of its historic buildings today. Although you can do things such as bike riding and golf here, we just enjoyed wandering the main street. Buckingham Street is a great place to grab a drink and buy a souvenir or two.
- Arrowtown to Twizel: approximate drive time 2 hours 20 minutes.
To break up the journey, we stopped for lunch in Omarama. We didn’t see or do much else here but the fish and chips were cheap. We then continued on our journey to Twizel.
Twizel doesn’t have a whole lot going on there, but it is great for an overnight stop before exploring Mount Cook National Park.
- Where to stay: I recommend Twizel Holiday Park. It’s a short walk into town and accommodations are private cabins and apartments.
Day 12: Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
No New Zealand South Island itinerary will be complete without a trip to Mount Cook. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park features the country’s highest mountains and largest glaciers. There are a variety of walks that can be done here.
- Twizel to Mount Cook: approximate drive time 50 minutes.
We parked up at Mount Cook Village and headed to the visitor centre to decide which walk we wanted to do. We were recommended the Hooker Valley track which was a 3 hour return trip. Despite being SO WINDY it was well worth it to see Mount Cook, the glacier lake and the Southern Alps.
After our hike we headed towards our next destination – Tekapo.
- Mount Cook Village to Tekapo: approximate drive time 1 hour 10 minutes.
Take a drive down to Lake Tekapo and conduct your own little instagram photoshoot amongst the lupins outside The Church of the Good Shepherd. Visitors are able to go inside the church, however this is by pre-arranged appointment only.
- Where to stay: Tailor Made Tekapo is a budget friendly option with a mix of private and dorm rooms. They also have a few small animals such as rabbits and chickens in the gardens too.
Day 13: Christchurch
The last stop on our New Zealand South Island itinerary was Christchurch.
- Tekapo to Christchurch: approximate drive time 3 hours.
Although New Zealand’s best attractions can be found outside of the cities, I would still recommend spending a day or two in Christchurch. When I visited, the city was still showing much of the devastation from the 2010/2011 earthquakes. We saw the Cardboard Cathedral and the 185 empty white chairs tribute to those who died in the 2011 earthquake. We also spent some time shopping at Re:Start container mall. If you wish to learn a little more about the devastating earthquakes, there is now a museum called Quake City.
- Where to stay: I wouldn’t be Quirky Little Planet if I didn’t stay somewhere a little bit unusual on this trip! We spent the night in jail. Serving as a prison from 1874 until 1999, The Jailhouse Accommodation is by far the most unique place I stayed in New Zealand. You can read more about The Jailhouse here.
Final Thought
I’m well aware that my itinerary ends at 13 days as opposed to 14 but I wouldn’t want to write about something I haven’t experienced. If you only have 2 weeks on the south island, I hope that this blog post serves as inspiration. If you have longer to explore this beautiful part of the world, then check out my 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary.