NZ South Island Itinerary: 7-Day Nature Itinerary

Local author

2 years ago

NZ South Island itinerary: a 7-day nature itinerary to see the most beautiful country in the world.

Where can you watch endangered southern right whales, blue penguins, Hector’s dolphins and fur seals in their natural environment? Want to see fields of lupins and the biggest buttercups in the world? Do names like Milford Sound, Fiordland, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo ring a bell? You’re guessing right, this can only be the South Island of New Zealand.

Paint a picture of New Zealand South Island’s natural beauty with a colour palette of blue, green, purple, red and gold… imagine waterfalls cascading into glacial lakes, wildflowers scattered across grassland, a scarlet sunrise staining the horizon, sunbeams kissing snowy peaks, and Southern Lights illuminating dark skies. Add a swath of golden beach and myriad of marine creatures playing in the ocean. Welcome to South Island, New Zealand.

You might be wondering if it’s possible to fit all these sensory experiences into a short trip, and have time to enjoy extraordinary wildlife too. Well, the answer is yes. Synchronise your holiday with nature’s seasons, plan your route trip, and you’ll find that 7 days is long enough to see the best of South Island NZ. Although do realise, you’ll want to come back for more!

We have curated a helpful one week travel plan for a New Zealand South Island Itinerary; a 7-day nature itinerary, with additional ideas for anyone looking to stay a few more days.

NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND ITINERARY

Day 1: Kaikoura (whale-watching and seals)
Day 2: Akaroa (penguins and dolphins)
Day 3: Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook
Day 4: Queenstown
Day 5: Fiordland and Milford Sound
Day 6: Wanaka Lake
Days 7-8: Christchurch

PLANNING A NZ SOUTH ISLAND TRIP?
SEE OUR HELPFUL GUIDES TO:
* A 14 day campervan itinerary of South Island
* The best hiking trails on the West Coast

An expert marine biologist involved with sustainable whale watching in Kaikoura, Niels Thomas suggests this 7-day nature and wildlife itinerary based on his first-hand knowledge of New Zealand South Island.

New Zealand is one of few places on the planet where human presence is marginal compared to the abundant wildlife. North Island and South Island are unique ecosystems, the entire country an exceptional landscape. But if you have to choose, travel to the South for a perfect nature-infused holiday.

This is a seven day self-drive NZ South Island itinerary based on personal experience. Roads are easy to navigate (remember we drive on the lefthand side) and there’s little traffic outside the cities. If you don’t fancy driving, you can put this trip together using organised tours.

New Zealand South Island 7-day Nature And Wildlife Itinerary

Overview for a 7-day South Island Itinerary (NZ)

Day 1: Christchurch to Kaikoura (dolphins & whale-watching), and Ohau Point (fur seals);
Day 2: Christchurch to Akaroa (Maori settlement, blue penguin sanctuary, swim with dolphins);
Day 3: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (Church of the Good Shepherd, thermal pools, dark sky reserve, lupins), Lake Pukaki, and to Mount Cook (Aoraki National Park, Hooker Valley Hike);
Day 4: Mount Cook to Queenstown (Lake Ohau, Clay Cliffs, Lindis Pass, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Bay Beach);
Day 5: Queenstown to Milford Sound (Fiordland cruise or flight, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Mirror Lake, Eglinton Valley and Boyd Creek Falls);
Day 6: Queenstown to Wanaka (Devil’s Staircase, Cardrona Pass, Wanaka Tree, Lake Wanaka, and Rocky Peak Hike);
Day 7: Wanaka to Christchurch (Christchurch Botanical Gardens, River Avon, International Antarctic Visitors Centre).
Planning Your New Zealand South Island Itinerary

I’ve put together this 7 day South Island itinerary for nature-lovers which maps out an easy route from Christchurch to Queenstown and beyond.

Map of New Zealand South Island Itinerary

New Zealand South Island 7 day itinerary – Google Maps

Christchurch has a strategic advantage, being a well-known city in this island nation, with modern facilities and an international airport. So, if you’re coming from abroad and only have seven days in New Zealand, I suggest booking your flight tickets to Christchurch. After touching down, you can head over to your first wildlife destination.

Day 1: Whale Watching In Kaikoura

Whale watching, seal colony and dolphin encounters.

Since you only have a week to explore the sights and sounds of this nature-loving country, start with a 2.5 hour drive to Kaikoura for a whale-watching expedition.

Book into your hotel in Christchurch before heading to the pickup point for the whale-watching tour. Enjoy the unblemished terrain and picturesque coastline welcoming you to New Zealand, stretching as far as the eye can see. There’s much to see on the road as you travel through Cheviot and the Waipara wine valley.

However, you’re here to see the whales of New Zealand. If you are lucky, you can spot Minke, Humpback, Sperm, or Blue Whales, along with Orcas and several species of dolphins like Hector’s, Dusky, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Tour boats operate throughout the year.

Fur Seal – *Photo courtesy Pohatu Penguin Sanctuary*.

I recommend booking tours in advance to avoid the last-minute rush, and ask the operators if they provide lunch. Try to visit between June and August to have maximum chances of spotting migratory whales. Choose a touring party that conforms to safe, legal and sustainable whale-watching practices to learn more about the protection of New Zealand’s marine animals.

Continue 25 minutes northwards from Kaikoura to Ohau Point to view the fur seal colony. After the excursion, drive back to your accommodation in Christchurch, to get some much-needed rest since you will have to start early the next day.

Add more days to your itinerary, to explore this region known as the Alpine Pacific Touring Route. A 450 km trail which follows the coast northwards from Christchurch, winding inland through the Kaikoura mountains, past natural hotsprings, olive groves and vineyards.

If you’re interested in whale watching, you may like these useful related posts:
* An Iceland nature itinerary;
* A once-in-a-lifetime visit to Greenland;
* Travelling on Greenland’s coastal ferry.

Day 2: Akaroa

Day trip to Akaroa from Christchurch.

The drive from Christchurch to Akaroa is just 1.5 hours, but start early to make the most of your day. If you thought your wildlife adventure had ended with whale watching in Kaikoura, think again. Akaroa is famous for its Little Blue Penguins which come ashore to breed in Pohatu Bay, where there is a Penguin Sanctuary.

Blue Penguins in the big sea cave near Akaroa.
*Photo courtesy Pohatu Penguin Sanctuary.*

I suggest teaming up with a licensed wildlife tour to learn about the conservation efforts in the Banks Peninsula and the history of Akaroa. A historical small town developed by French settlers as a whaling base in the 1800s, it’s a popular holiday resort.

Start your morning walking through the hills and trails, heading down to the harbour and along to the Maori settlement in Ōnuku.

Join an afternoon dolphin cruise along the coastline, or go out on a kayak to get up close to marine wildlife. You can even swim with dolphins in Akaroa but only if your guide permits.

Drive to the top of the volcanic hills for views over the bay and, as the sun sets on the horizon, you can click pictures of penguins returning to the shore. Head back to Christchurch after sunset. Spend time exploring the city and dining out, and prepare for one of the most beautiful parts of your South Island trip on day three.

Cliffs of Akaroa – *Photo courtesy Pohatu Penguin Sanctuary.*

If you prefer, adjust your hotel booking in Christchurch and spend the night camping in Akaroa, then continue as follows.

Day 3: Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook

Must-see stops on the drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook.

Start the journey towards Aoraki Mount Cook. The distance between Christchurch and Lake Tekapo will take 3 hours by car, with Mount Cook another hour’s drive after that.

Lake Tekapo

Set Lake Tekapo on the GPS, and you should arrive at the hypnotic blue waters of this iconic lake after a quick stop at a petrol pump along the way. There are several things to do in Lake Tekapo, including enjoying a dip at in the thermal pools and star gazing at night.

But for starters, take a look at the Church of the Good Shepherd and then walk up to Mount John, which has the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve observatory. You might want to book a horse riding tour or take a boat out onto the lake while you’re here.

Mount Cook

Continue your journey towards Mount Cook. New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook is located in Aoraki National Park, on the far side of Lake Pukaki, at the foot of the Southern Alps.

The 96 km drive between Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook village promises to be the most stunning of the day. Stop to admire Lake Pukaki on the way. The aquamarine coloured glacial lake heightens the beauty of Mount Cook in the background. Take some photos, create many memories, and then head straight to the towering peak.

A swingbridge on the Hooker Valley hike.

Park up in the Whitehorse carpark (2 km from Mount Cook village), and enjoy the Hooker Valley hike which is around 90 minutes both ways. A wilderness of wildflowers, mid spring to mid summer you’ll see kōpukupuku flowering along the trail (the biggest buttercups in the world).

You’ll want to stop frequently to capture the awe-inspiring views of the glacier valley and Hooker Lake, so remember to carry a flash-light in case it gets dark.

Although a lodge is the comfortable option for your overnight stay, White Horse Hill campsite is a good weather alternative. Imagine spending the night in the bush stargazing!

Early next day, take the road beside River Tasman from Mount Cook village (7 km). Walk up to Tasman Glacier Viewpoint to see the sunrise over Lake Tasman and then have a cup of hot coffee before hitting the road again.

Day 4: Mount Cook to Queenstown

Best sights to see between Mount Cook and Queenstown.

You might be surprised that I suggest directly heading to Queenstown, skipping Wanaka for now. This is because sightseeing in Wanaka, later in the trip, on the way back will be more fuel-efficient.

From Tasman Lake, the drive time to Queenstown is just over 3 hours, but I recommend stopping at Lake Ohau on the way. It’s a 30 minute detour from the main road but seeing the beauty of Lake Ohau NZ worth it. Red deer and chamois run free in the surrounding mountains, while butterflies, rabbits and bush birds abound on the grasslands of these South Island highlands.

Hot tub by the lake at Ōmarama – *Photo Courtesy Hot Tubs Omarama*

Back on the road to Queenstown, you will come across the track to Ōmarama Clay Cliffs. A million years ago, glaciers gouged out the rockbed to create the deep ravines and high pinnacle formations. This unique landscape phenomenon was voted one of the best photography destinations in New Zealand. Have a quick walk around, enjoy a soak in a wood-fired hot tub, and snap some selfies.

Nonetheless, if you’re on a tight schedule, drive by the Clay Cliffs and go directly to Lindis Pass. This is a mountain range with scenic viewpoints and a through-route for drivers. You can click photos from the car if you’re in a hurry, and there’s no need to stop, so you have more time to spend in Queenstown.

Queenstown

Once you drive into Queenstown, you will realise why it’s called the ‘Adventure Capital of Oceania’. A vibrant town with great eateries and a vibrant nightlife, it’s New Zealand’s top destination for adventure tourism.

Queenstown is cradled by The Remarkables mountain range next to Lake Wakatipu. Although you may only get time to see some of the sights, enjoy spending a while on Queenstown Bay Beach, then go up to one of the viewpoints to catch the sunset.

Stay in the city and dine at Ferburger. This is probably the most famous food joint in town, so expect to stand in long queues. But trust me, their prime New Zealand beef burgers are awesome, and it’s worth the wait!

Day 5: Queenstown to Milford Sound

Day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is 290 km away from Queenstown, a 4-hour drive one way. This is a straightforward albeit lengthy route along state highways. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Millford Sound ‘Te Wahipounamu’ is a fiordland of immense natural beauty, and often considered as the eighth wonder of the world.

Some of the major attractions on the road trip from Queenstown to Millford Sound include The Key, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Mirror Lake, Eglinton Valley and Boyd Creek Falls. Before reaching Milford Sound you’ll pass Lake Gunn viewpoint, Gertrude Valley Lookout, Pop’s View Lookout and Chasm Viewing Bridge which are brilliant for photo shoots.

Map of Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip

Milford Sound

A 2-hour Milford Sound cruise is the best way to see the fiords once you arrive and a highlight of a New Zealand trip. However, you may prefer to hike in Milford Sound for a while, or just relax with a coffee at Milford Peak Lodge nestled among the mountains.

An easier option would be booking a flight and cruise tour to Milford Sound from Queenstown which costs around 595 NZD. Rest assured, it will be money well spent and one of the most memorable parts of your South Island itinerary.

Boarding a flight will allow you to fly like an eagle for 40 minutes over Fiordland National Park and waterfalls. While the views along the roadtrip are stunning, the panorama from above are truly unbeatable.

This is a once in a lifetime experience is further enhanced by the 2-hour cruise to Milford Sound later.

Another option is to join a small group tour or take a coach excursion daytrip. These stop at some of the major attractions on the way from Queenstown to Milford Sound (book one that includes the fiord cruise).

Finally, you might want to stay in Fiordland overnight, if you can squeeze another day into your itinerary. This gives you the chance to see the region more leisurely.

Day 6: Queenstown to Wanaka

Again the idea is to wake up early, catch the sunrise and head out to Wanaka, a 1-hour drive from Queenstown.

Driving through this region will help you cover some of New Zealand’s top attractions, like Devil’s Staircase and Cardrona Pass. Depending on how much time you spend photographing and stopping at each place, you may arrive at Wanaka before sunset!

Before setting off, you might want to see a few places near Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu, or ideally spend another day in here.

If you want to travel the road less taken, go to Bob’s Cove and from there venture up to Paradise and Glenorchy. An area of scenic lakes and rivers surrounded by mountains, so you won’t be disappointed. A popular destination is Moke’s Lake, where you can enjoy more untainted natural landscape.

Wanaka

Aim to arrive in Wanaka by lunchtime. Three-star Wanaka Hotel is my favourite place to lodge, a minute away from the lakeside, reasonably priced and a nice place to eat. Stroll along the lakefront to see the Wanaka Tree about a mile away – this is one of New Zealand’s famous landmarks so likely it’ll be busy with tourists around here.

Southern Crested ‘Wanaka’ Grebes breed on platforms in the lake. A rare water bird which can’t walk on land, they’re related to the penguin and albatross. Observe the ‘floating nests’ in Lake Wanaka from a prudent distance so as not to disturb.

Wanaka town is a popular resort in the Southern Alps but you’ll find lots of peaceful spots around the lake to spend a quiet afternoon. The southern end marks the gateway to Mount Inspiring National Park (another idea for an extended stay).

Otherwise, drive some 18 kms west of Wanaka around Glendhu Bay, to the start of Rocky Peak hike – a 4.6 mile trail (out and back), with the most stunning views over Wanaka lake.

Whatever you decide, watching the sun set over Lake Wanaka makes the perfect end to the day.

Day 7: Christchurch

This is your last day, and you will only have a little time for sightseeing if you have a flight to catch. By road, it takes close to 5 hours to reach Christchurch from Wanaka, so you will need to start early to avoid the last-minute rush at the airport. However, the long drive will give you enough opportunities to catch a final glimpse of the South Island’s treasured wildlife and nature spots.

View over Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch – *Photo courtesy Christchurch Attractions.*

Preferably, book an extra night and spend a day in Christchurch to explore the highlights of the city.

If you’re wondering how to get around Christchurch, a heritage tram tour is a good way to see the city sights for first-time visitors. Take a gondola ride to view Christchurch from above, enjoy a riverside walk through the Botanical Gardens, go punting on River Avon, or visit the International Antarctic Visitors Centre (conveniently located near the airport and good fun for families).

And to finish your visit to South Island in style, what about lazing in a pool in He Puna Taimoana hotsprings and watching the sun rise over the South Pacific Ocean?

Planning Your New Zealand South Island Itinerary

Most importantly, I suggest fixing a budget and planning your trip beforehand to determine which route is best. Booking accommodation, car hire and tours in advance is essential if you’re on a short time-frame.

Best Months to Visit New Zealand

As a rough guide, November to March is ideal for touring the country. Don’t forget that New Zealand summer months are December, January and February. This is the best time to visit South Island, as the days are long and sunny, warm weather conditions perfect for boat trips and walking in the mountains.

Expect maximum summer temperatures of around 22ºC. Spring and Autumn seasons are pleasant although somewhat cooler with thermometers reaching 16ºC. In Winter you’re looking at 11ºC max. and minimums of 1ºC by the coast, descending to -10ºC in the inland Alpines.

Best Time to See Whales in New Zealand

Although Sperm Whales and Humpbacks can be spotted in Kaikoura throughout the year, the best time to see them is May to October. However, if you prefer to go out on a whale watching boat trip in milder weather, November through to March is good.

May to October is considered the best time to see Orcas, however, pods of these transient Killer Whales can be seen off the coasts of New Zealand in summertime too.

Short-beaked Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Hector’s Dolphins, and Dusky Dolphins can be seen in south New Zealand any time of year.

Whales species found in the seas off New Zealand South Island, and best months to see them:

Sperm Whale: All year
Humpback Whale: June and July
Southern Right Whale: June, July and August
Killer Whale (Orca): All Year

How to Get to South Island New Zealand

If you’re only visiting for a week, the easiest and quickest way to reach New Zealand South Island is by air. There are direct flights into Christchurch from NZ North Island (Auckland and Wellington), Australia (Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Brisbane), and Fiji. So anyone travelling long haul should arrive via these hubs. Combine your trip with one of these destinations for a longer holiday if time permits.

Crossing the Cook Strait by ferry: the ferry from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (South Island) takes around three and a half hours. The voyage from Wellington to Picton is a scenic ride which is worth doing on a 2 week New Zealand itinerary that takes in the whole country, but not really doable for a short seven day vacation from abroad.

How to Get Around NZ South Island

Driving a car is the best way to travel around South Island as it gives you the freedom to enjoy a customised itinerary like this one, and to stop where you want. Hiring a camper van is a wonderful albeit more expensive way to see New Zealand. Buses connect the main cities but so many sights are not on the public routes. Organised coach tours are an option if you’re not a confident driver but you’re obviously much more limited.

Where to Stay on South Island NZ

These are our suggestions of where to stay on a 7 day itinerary of South Island:

Christchurch: 2 nights hotel or hostel accommodation
Aoraki National Park: 1 night camping / holiday park / alpine lodge
Queenstown: 2 nights hotel or hostel
Wannaka: 1 night hotel / lakeside lodge / glamping

Other Places of Natural Beauty to See on South Island

I have highlighted only one route through South Island, but you can tweak this itinerary slightly. Many visitors skip Milford Sound and use the extra day to visit Fox Glacier Valley after crossing several waterfalls on the way, including Fantail falls, Depot Creek Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Blue Pools.

You can go to Hokitika after watching the sunrise over Lake Matheson before hiking on Franz Josef Glacier. It also has a wildlife centre where you can spot Kiwis, while the scenic drive from Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch on the last day is a major attraction for many people.

In conclusion, it doesn’t matter if you’re here for 7 days or a month, one thing is for sure, New Zealand’s South Island will leave you spellbound!