Wanting to explore the incredible landscape that is New Zealand’s South Island on a road trip? This is a 14-day New Zealand South Island itinerary in campervan, that will take you through some of the most impressive natural attractions, and fascinating cities. It’s impossible to cover the whole New Zealand South Island in two weeks, but you’ll get the perfect snap shot of the highlights.
New Zealand is known for its unmatched natural beauty. Rolling mountains, white sand beaches and overgrown forests attract tourists from all over the world. The South Island in particular has developed a reputation as an adventure seekers haven and a winter wonderland for snow lovers. South Island is also home to New Zealand’s premier tourist attraction, Milford Sound, located in the south west corner of the country.
Travelling by Campervan in New Zealand
Authored by Christine Poile
While there are ‘faster’ ways to cover large areas, campervanning around New Zealand is the best way to see this beautiful country. Following a self-drive New Zealand South Island itinerary allows you to see the incredible landscape close up, really taking it all in. Meanwhile, you’re able to stop-off at any point to hike the trails or simply to enjoy the moment and pause for a meal.
The first 7 days of this itinerary cover the Christchurch to Queenstown road trip and the second week goes on to Fiordland National Park in the far southwest of South Island. Finally, the route loops back to Christchurch at the end of your 14 day New Zealand South Island adventure. As you can image, there are plenty of breathtaking places to take photos along the way.
Campervanning around New Zealand is one of the most popular means of travel and you’ll meet plenty of other travellers like yourself. You can hire a vehicle in Christchurch for the duration of your New Zealand South Island road trip and then return it when you’re finished. The campervan should come with everything you need to make the journey comfortable including bedding and kitchenware, so you can cook your own meals as you go.
14 days New Zealand South Island itinerary
- Day 1: Christchurch (collect campervan)
- Day 2: Christchurch to Tekapo via the Scenic Route, State Highway 77 (travelling time 4 hours, 285km)
- Day 3: Tekapo
- Day 4: Mount Cook/Aoraki (from Tekapo)
- Day 5: Tekapo to Wanaka (travelling time 2 hours 15 minutes, 199km)
- Day 6: Wanaka
- Day 7: Wanaka to Queenstown (travelling time 1 hour 5 minutes, 68km)
- Day 8: Queenstown
- Day 9: Glenorchy (from Queenstown, travelling time 1 hour 20 minutes round trip, 92km)
- Day 10: Queenstown to Te Anau (travelling time 2 hours, 171km)
- Day 11: Milford Sound (from Te Anau, travelling time 3 hours round trip, 236km)
- Day 12: Te Anau to Queenstown (travelling time 3 hours 20 minutes, 278km)
- Day 13: Cromwell to Moeraki (travelling time 2 hours 30 minutes, 208km)
- Day 14: Moeraki to Christchurch (travelling time 3 hours 30 minutes, 287km)
Total distance of 14 days road trip: 1824km
New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 14 Days Campervan Road Trip
Here’s a day by day guide to the places you’ll be visiting on this New Zealand South Island 14 day road trip with ideas on what to see and do in each destination.
Things to do in Christchurch
The largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is known for its English heritage. That influence can be seen in the historic attractions and heritage sites such as Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre, the Botanical Gardens and the Victoria Clock Tower.
Christchurch is also a coastal destination with a choice of wonderful beaches, the most popular being Sumner Beach. There are plenty of walking routes along the coastline for those who want to get outdoors.
If you feel like a drive, the Banks Peninsula is a gorgeous area south east of Christchurch. The Akaroa Harbour, on the peninsula, is 2 hours (81km) from Christchurch, and the Summit Road which leads to it is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most scenic routes.
Things to do in Tekapo
Located on the edge of the magnificent Lake Tekapo, the small town of Tekapo is beautifully positioned in the Makenzie Basin. There is plenty to do in and around the town of Tekapo itself. A recognized Dark Sky Reserve, the Mackenzie area is the place to go if you want to star gaze in New Zealand. In fact, star gazing Lake Tekapo is one of South Island’s top attractions.
The St John’s observatory sits atop a hill overlooking Lake Tekapo and the town. You can do a star gazing tour of the observatory at night, or choose between hiking and driving up the hill during the day to admire the view.
While you’re visiting Tekapo, drive out to capture the scene by the ancient Church of the Good Shepherd – the stone church is in a picturesque spot overlooking the lake against a backdrop of mountains.
Things to do in Mount Cook/Aoraki
Sitting in the southern alps, Mount Cook/Aoraki is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3724 metres tall.
The extraordinary area of Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park is part of a large UNESCO World Heritage Site. Containing over 140 peaks that are each over 2000m high, and more than 72 glaciers, it’s the most famous place to visit in South Island.
This must-see nature reserve is popular for walkers and nature lovers. The most famous hiking trail is the Hooker Valley track which is a 3 hour return walk that includes unbelievable views, swing bridges and board walks over deep crevasses. Other activities for adventure seekers include glacier kayaking, sky diving and star gazing.
Things to do in Wanaka
A small resort town on the edge of the Wanaka Lake, Wanaka is a peaceful and relaxing town that’s brimming with adventure. Of the many walks in Wanaka, the Roys Peak track is the most popular. This 5 to 6-hour hike see’s you climbing 1300 meters and is absolutely worth the effort.
There’s no shortage of adventure with canyoning, paragliding, horse riding and 4wd adventures to be had. For those after something a little quieter, there’s the Wanaka Lavender Farm. Unfortunately, the lake’s iconic Wanaka tree has been severely damaged by vandals although the sawn off limbs are expected to grow back with time.
Things to do in Queenstown
It is more a question of ‘what can’t you do in Queenstown’ than what you can. The adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is home of the first ever commercial bungee jumps site, so not surprisingly, bungy jumping here is world famous. If that sounds like too much adrenaline, you might prefer the Shotover Canyon Swing which is a little less intense.
For panoramic views of the city, the Gondola to Bob’s peak is a 5-minute ride that takes you 450 metres up to the mountain top. If you’re a food lover, Queenstown has a variety of different award-winning restaurants and cafes to meet every food desire. Whether you stay within in city or venture into the surrounds, Queenstown is nothing short of thrilling.
Things to do in Glenorchy
Glenorchy is a nature lovers paradise, and while there’s not exactly a lot to do, there is plenty to see. The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful drives.
The area is so stunning that it was used in scenes from both the Lord of the Rings and the Nania movies. It really is a paradise worth experiencing.
Things to do in Te Anau
Te Anau is a beautiful town on the edge of Lake Te Anau. It makes the perfect base for discovering Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Also one of the best places to watch Glow Worms on the South Island, boat tours leaving regularly from the heart of Te Anau town. There are plenty of activities such as sailing and fishing that can be done on Lake Te Anau.
While Milford Sound is the more often visited of the ‘sounds’, Doubtful Sound is also spectacular and can be reached by tour from Te Anau. It can be difficult to choose between Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound as both are worth exploring, but if you only have a short period of time, Milford Sound is a good option.
Things to do in Milford Sound
New Zealand’s most popular tourist attraction is an incredible fjord carved by glacial movement over thousands of years. The narrow fjord with its steep cliff faces and inky black water is visited by over a million people each year.
While Milford Sound is the drawcard, the road trip from Te Anau town to Milford Sound along the Milford Sound Road is an experience in itself. Along the way, stop for awhile to take photos or go for a walk on trails that wind through the unique countryside.
Don’t miss the Mirror Lakes or Eglinton Valley on the drive. Once you’re at Milford Sound, the only way to see the whole fjord is by taking a boat trip. At the underwater observatory you can check out Milford Sounds extraordinary sub-aquatic landscape. A number of short walking tracks line the shore, starting at the docks.
Things to do in Cromwell
The small town of Cromwell sits in the heart of the Otago Region, and is known for its fresh produce and wine. You can visit a farm or take a wine tasting tour. There are also a number of hikes you can do around the area.
Cromwell’s Old Precinct, a picturesque view into life a hundred years ago, is set against the backdrop of Mt Nevis. This peaceful historic section of Cromwell is worth a visit.
Things to do in Moeraki
The small coastal fishing village of Moeraki is most famous for the Moeraki boulderstones. These spherical boulders, which were formed over 60 million years ago, line Koekoehe beach and are a fascinating sight at low tide.
There are plenty of water activities to do in the area, as well as the freshest seafood to eat. Moeraki is a good place to see a blue penguin colony, making it the perfect end to your unforgettable 14-day road trip around South Island.
Where to stay with a campervan in New Zealand
There are many different types of places you can stay as you follow the 2-week New Zealand South Island itinerary in a campervan or motorhome.
Holiday parks and paid campgrounds
Holiday parks and paid campgrounds are the most expensive option for motorhomes and campervans in New Zealand. You pay per night and will have access to electricity, and amenities such showers and toilets, laundry and washing-up facilities. Some holiday parks may also have things such as swimming pools.
Department of Conservation campgrounds
DoC campgrounds vary from the most basic sites with almost no facilities (although they may have a drop toilet), to serviced sites which have electricity and hot showers. The basic camp grounds are the cheapest while the fully serviced sites are naturally more expensive. However, they will still be more pocket-friendly than a holiday park.
Freedom campgrounds
Freedom campgrounds are provided by city councils for use by self-contained campervans. Being self-contained means that you have a toilet, a grey water tank and a bin inside your campervan. These sites have zero facilities which is why you need to bring your own. Freedom camping is tightly regulated so you’ll need to follow the rules, but they are free to use.
Best time for a road trip around the South Island
The most popular, read busiest, time of year to campervan the South Island of New Zealand is during the summer months of December, January and February. The weather is warmest at this time of year, with an average daily temperature of 16 degrees Celsius. Due to the busyness of New Zealand during the summer, freedom camping places can be hard to come by.
Spring and autumn are great times to travel New Zealand by campervan. There are less people, camp grounds have more space, and freedom camping spots don’t fill up as quickly. The weather is good and it’s actually drier than the summer months.
Depending on what you want to do and see, late June to the end of September can also be a good time to travel this part of New Zealand on a road trip. If you’re following this 2-week South Island campervan itinerary in winter, you’ll need to have snow chains in your vehicle when you’re driving through the area of Tekapo to Queenstown, and also for the Milford Sound drive.
Useful advice for a road trip in New Zealand
- Unless you hire a particularly large motorhome, a standard driver’s license is all that is required. If your license is in a language other than English you must have it officially translated, otherwise you’ll need an international driver’s permit.
- There can be quite a bit of distance from one city to another in New Zealand, and there is very little internet or wifi signal when you’re between towns. Make sure you have downloaded Google Maps offline.
- You can use apps like Camper Mate and Rankerz to find things such as public toilets, petrol stations, and dump sites for your waste water. They are also useful for finding freedom camping sites or paid campgrounds.
- Petrol is quite expensive in New Zealand compared to many other countries. If you buy it in smaller towns, it will often be cheaper than in larger cities. There are no petrol stations or supermarkets on the way to Milford Sound so make sure you stock up in Te Anau.
About the Author
The owner of Travellers With Time, follow Christine Poile’s memorable road trips through New Zealand and Europe. Accompanied on her journey by partner Ben, and their dog Alisa who was adopted in Croatia, they have been travelling for several years, stopping off to the explore historic cities and trek the National Parks they pass along the way.
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What a fantastic area to go on a road trip around! I’d love to stop off in some of the larger cities then retreat to nature to camp out.