The PERFECT 19-Day South Island New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

First Things First: Pre-Trip Essentials

• Car: Gives you more flexibility with accommodation, from budget motels to fancy lodges. It's also easier to drive on some of the narrower, windier roads.
• Campervan: This is the quintessential Kiwi road trip experience. It's your transport & accommodation all in one. You get to wake up in some incredible spots, especially at the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. Just be aware that campervans are more expensive to rent & fuel. Also, make sure you get a "self-contained" one, as this gives you access to more freedom camping spots. Book WELL in advance, especially if you're traveling in the peak summer months (December-February).

• Summer (Dec-Feb): The weather is at its best, with long, warm days. It's also the busiest & most expensive time.
• Shoulder Seasons (Mar-Apr & Oct-Nov): This is my personal favorite. The weather is still pretty great, the autumn colors or spring blooms are stunning, & the crowds have thinned out.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Perfect for skiing & snowboarding, but be prepared for cold weather & potential road closures due to snow, especially in the mountain passes.

• Holiday Parks: Great for campervans & for those who want to rent a simple cabin. They have shared kitchens, bathrooms, & often laundry facilities.
• Motels: A classic choice, offering self-contained units with kitchenettes.
• Unique Stays: Think quirky! From glass pods (PurePods) to treehouses at Hapuku Lodge & funky converted shipping containers, you can find some truly memorable places.
• Prked: Here's a little pro-tip for the cities. Parking in places like Christchurch & Queenstown can be a nightmare. It's expensive & hard to find. Before you get there, check out Prked. It's an awesome platform where you can rent a private driveway or garage from a local. It's often cheaper & way more convenient than trying to find a spot on the street or in a pricey parking garage.

The Ultimate 19-Day South Island Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch & Get Settled

• Afternoon: Wander through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, a true oasis in the city. Then, check out the Re:START Container Mall, a vibrant shopping area made from shipping containers.
• Evening: Grab dinner on New Regent Street, a gorgeous pedestrian-only street with Spanish Mission-style architecture. Finding parking here can be tricky, so this is a great time to have a pre-booked spot through a service like Prked.

Day 2: Christchurch to Hokitika via Arthur's Pass (Approx. 3.5 - 4 hours driving)

• Morning: Leave Christchurch & head west on the Great Alpine Highway. Stop at the massive limestone boulders at Castle Hill. It's a magical place, especially on a misty morning.
• Lunch: Stop in Arthur's Pass village for a pub lunch. Keep an eye out for the Kea, the world's only alpine parrot. They're incredibly cheeky & intelligent, but DON'T feed them!
• Afternoon: As you descend from the pass, stop at the Otira Gorge lookout for a stunning view. Continue on to Hokitika, a quirky little town on the West Coast famous for its pounamu (greenstone).
• Evening: Head down to the beach for sunset. The Hokitika beach sign, made of driftwood, is an iconic photo spot. Afterwards, visit the Glow Worm Dell – a truly magical, free experience.

Day 3: Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier (Approx. 2 hours driving)

• Morning: Before leaving Hokitika, take a walk through the stunning Hokitika Gorge. The water is an unbelievable turquoise color. The swing bridge there is a highlight.
• Afternoon: Drive south to Franz Josef. Once you're settled, you have a few options. The Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk is a relatively flat walk that takes you to the terminal face of the glacier.
• Evening: The BEST way to experience the glaciers is from above. If your budget allows, a heli-hike is an unforgettable experience. You'll land on the ice, explore ice caves & crevasses with a guide. It's a splurge, but 100% worth it. Afterwards, soak your muscles at the Waiho Hot Tubs, private wood-fired hot tubs nestled in the rainforest.

Day 4: Fox Glacier & Lake Matheson

• Morning: Head to Fox Glacier & do the Fox Glacier Valley Walk. Then, drive to Lake Matheson. On a calm day, this lake perfectly reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook & Mount Tasman. The walk around the lake is about an hour & is one of the most photogenic spots in New Zealand.
• Afternoon: For a bit of a hidden gem, drive out to Okarito, a tiny coastal village about 30 minutes north of Franz Josef. It's a haven for birdlife, & you can kayak on the Okarito Lagoon, the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand.
• Evening: Head back to Franz Josef for the night.

Day 5: Franz Josef to Wanaka (Approx. 4 hours driving)

• Morning: Head south from glacier country. There are tons of places to stop along the way. Don't miss the Knights Point Lookout for sweeping coastal views.
• Afternoon: Stop at Thunder Creek Falls & Fantail Falls, both are just a short walk from the road. The Blue Pools Walk is another MUST-DO. A short walk through native beech forest leads you to a swing bridge over pools of the most intense, clear blue water you've ever seen.
• Evening: Arrive in Wanaka, Queenstown's more chilled-out cousin. The town is set on the stunning Lake Wanaka. Stroll along the waterfront & find "That Wanaka Tree," the famous willow tree that grows just inside the lake.

Day 6: Explore Wanaka

• Activity Options:
  • Hiking: For a serious challenge with unbelievable rewards, hike Roy's Peak. It's a tough, uphill slog, but the panoramic view from the top is one of New Zealand's most iconic. If you want a similar view with fewer crowds, check out Isthmus Peak.
  • Relaxed Pace: Visit the Puzzling World for a bit of quirky fun. Or, spend the afternoon wine tasting at one of the local vineyards like Rippon, which has incredible views over the lake.
  • Adrenaline: You can skydive here too, with views over the lake & mountains that are hard to beat.

Day 7: Wanaka to Queenstown via the Crown Range (Approx. 1 hour driving)

• Morning: Before you leave Wanaka, take a walk up Mount Iron for a great 360-degree view of the area.
• Afternoon: Drive the Crown Range Road. Take it slow, as it's winding & steep, but the views are incredible. Stop at the top for photos. As you descend, you'll pass through the historic gold rush town of Arrowtown. It's a charming place to stop for lunch & a wander.
• Evening: Arrive in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Settle into your accommodation. Parking in the town center is notoriously difficult, so again, this is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver, allowing you to book a private parking spot in advance.

Day 8 & 9: Queenstown!

• Adrenaline Junkie:
  • Bungy Jumping: This is its birthplace! The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the original, but the Nevis Bungy is the highest.
  • Shotover Jet: A thrilling jet boat ride through the narrow Shotover River canyons.
  • Canyon Swing: Exactly what it sounds like – a giant swing across a canyon.
• Outdoor Enthusiast:
  • Hiking: Hike the Queenstown Hill for great views over the town, or tackle the challenging Ben Lomond track for a full-day epic.
  • Mountain Biking: Queenstown is a world-class mountain biking destination with trails for all levels.
• Foodie & Relaxer:
  • Fergburger: It's a Queenstown institution. Be prepared to queue, but the burgers are worth it.
  • Onsen Hot Pools: Book a private, cedar-lined hot pool with incredible views over the Shotover River.
  • Wineries: Take a tour of the Gibbston Valley wineries, famous for their Pinot Noir.
• Day Trip: Drive the incredibly scenic road to Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. It's often used as a filming location for "The Lord of the Rings."

Day 10: Queenstown to Te Anau (Approx. 2 hours driving)

• Morning: Enjoy a final Queenstown breakfast & maybe a stroll along the lake.
• Afternoon: The drive to Te Anau is lovely, winding along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Once you arrive in Te Anau, check in & take a walk along the lakefront.
• Evening: Visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. A boat takes you across the lake to a cave system where you'll drift in darkness under a galaxy of twinkling glowworms. It's a magical experience.

Day 11: Milford Sound

• The Plan: You can either drive yourself or take a coach tour from Te Anau. The coach is a great option if you want to relax & take in the scenery without worrying about the drive.
• The Drive: If you drive, allow at least 2 hours each way, plus stops. Key photo stops include the Eglinton Valley, the Mirror Lakes, & The Chasm.
• The Cruise: The highlight is a cruise on the fiord. You'll sail past Mitre Peak, see stunning waterfalls like Stirling Falls, & hopefully spot some seals, dolphins, & even Fiordland Crested Penguins.
• Evening: Drive back to Te Anau for the night. You'll be tired, but it's a good kind of tired.

Day 12: Te Anau to The Catlins (Approx. 3 hours driving)

• Morning: Leave Te Anau & drive towards the southern coast.
• Afternoon: Your first stop in the Catlins should be Nugget Point. A short walk takes you to a lighthouse with phenomenal views over the "nuggets" – rocky islets teeming with seals & birdlife.
• Evening: Find your accommodation in the area (Kaka Point is a good base) & head to a beach like Roaring Bay to spot yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore at dusk. Remember to keep your distance & be quiet.

Day 13: Exploring The Catlins

• Morning: Visit Cathedral Caves at low tide (this is essential, so check the tide times!). Walk along the beach to these enormous sea-formed caves. It's a truly impressive sight.
• Afternoon: Chase some waterfalls. Purakaunui Falls is a beautiful, three-tiered waterfall that's an easy walk from the car park. McLean Falls is another impressive one.
• Evening: Head to Curio Bay. At low tide, you can see a 180-million-year-old petrified forest. It's also another place where you might see yellow-eyed penguins & Hector's dolphins playing in the surf.

Day 14: The Catlins to Dunedin (Approx. 2 hours driving)

• Morning: One last stop in the Catlins at Tunnel Beach, just south of Dunedin. A steep, dramatic path leads down through a hand-carved tunnel to a secluded, beautiful beach with sandstone cliffs & arches.
• Afternoon: Arrive in Dunedin. This city has a strong Scottish heritage, which is evident in its stunning Victorian & Edwardian architecture. Visit the historic Dunedin Railway Station, one of the most photographed buildings in the country.
• Evening: Explore the Octagon, the heart of the city, for dinner & drinks.

Day 15: Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula

• Morning: Drive up Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world. Then head out onto the Otago Peninsula.
• Afternoon: Visit the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross in the world. It's an incredible sight to see these giant birds soaring on the wind. You can also take a tour to see the Little Blue Penguins returning to their nests at dusk.
• Evening: Head back to Dunedin. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, check out some of the restaurants in the revitalized warehouse precinct.

Day 16: Dunedin to Aoraki/Mount Cook (Approx. 4 hours driving)

• Morning: Before leaving the coast, stop at the Moeraki Boulders. These mysterious, perfectly spherical boulders are scattered along a beach. They're a geological wonder & a great photo op.
• Afternoon: Drive inland, passing through the town of Oamaru, which has a cool historic precinct & a Steampunk museum. Continue on, following the stunning, milky-blue shores of Lake Pukaki towards Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The views are simply breathtaking.
• Evening: Settle into your accommodation in Mount Cook Village. The village is tiny, so book well in advance. Tonight is all about stargazing. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky.

Day 17: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

• Hiking Options:
  • Hooker Valley Track: This is arguably the best day walk in New Zealand. It's a relatively flat, 3-hour return walk that takes you over three swing bridges to the Hooker Lake, where you'll see icebergs floating with Mount Cook as the backdrop. It's an absolute must-do.
  • Kea Point Track: A shorter, easier walk with fantastic views of the Mueller Glacier & Mount Cook.
  • Sealy Tarns Track: Known as the "stairway to heaven," this is a steep, challenging climb up 2,200 stairs. The views from the tarns are incredible, looking down on the Hooker Valley.
• Evening: Have a well-deserved dinner at the Old Mountaineers' Cafe or splurge on a meal at the Hermitage Hotel with its famous view.

Day 18: Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo (Approx. 1.5 hours driving)

• Morning: Maybe one last short walk in Mount Cook National Park before you head off.
• Afternoon: Drive along the beautiful Lake Pukaki again, then head to Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, set against the backdrop of the lake & mountains. Walk across the bridge & see the sheepdog statue.
• Evening: For the ultimate relaxation experience, book a session at Tekapo Springs. You can soak in the hot pools while looking out at the lake, or even go stargazing from the pools on a clear night.

Day 19: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch & Fly Home (Approx. 3 hours driving)

• Morning: Enjoy a final Kiwi breakfast. If you have time, drive up to the Mount John Observatory for one last panoramic view of the Mackenzie Basin.
• Afternoon: Drive back to Christchurch. Depending on your flight time, you might have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping.
• Pro-Tip: If you've accumulated a lot of stuff on your trip (it happens!), & you're flying out, you might need a short-term storage solution. Check out Prked for this too. People rent out their unused garage or storage space, which can be a super convenient & affordable way to stash your gear for a day or two.

A Few Final Thoughts