My New Zealand South Island Street Shuttle Itinerary

The South Island of New Zealand is the rustic’s greater (however less-populated) island…however it’s additionally probably the most visually shocking. With simply 23% of the rustic’s 5.2 million population, it’s a dramatic and wonderful island, house to wineries, natural world, high-octane journey sports activities, and pristine seashores. That is the island that folks finally end up spending extra time in and, whilst everybody sticks to only some places, there’s a large number of hidden spaces right here value exploring.

At a minimal, you’ll need to spend two weeks exploring. Anything else not up to that and also you’ll really feel rushed. As I stated, there’s so much to look right here. That means you’ll see the large attracts, get off the overwhelmed trail, do a little just right mountaineering, and now not rush (commute between puts can take longer than you assume)!

With two weeks to traverse New Zealand’s South Island, what direction must you are taking? The place must you get started, and the place must you end?

Under is my prompt itinerary that can assist you plan your South Island highway travel to will make sure that you spot the highlights, profit from your time, and get off the overwhelmed trail.

New Zealand Highlights: South Island

Simply searching for a couple of tips to start out your making plans? Those are issues I feel each and every customer must enjoy:

Taking a look to look the opposite island? Take a look at my detailed highway travel itinerary for the North Island!
 

Opting for the Proper Automobile

Ahead of you propose your direction, you want a solution to get round. Street-tripping New Zealand by means of campervan could be very fashionable, particularly amongst budget-conscious vacationers, because the car serves as each lodging and transportation. If you need a campervan, there are 5 primary condo companies:

Costs range so much. Your day-to-day price will trade relying on the place you select up the car, in case you are shedding it off at a distinct position, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how a long way prematurely you ebook, and when throughout the 12 months you ebook (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If dwelling out of a van for a couple of weeks doesn’t sound like your concept of a amusing time, merely hire an ordinary automobile and ebook lodging alongside the way in which. Uncover Automobiles is my go-to condo web page, as they seek condo companies giant and small to seek out the most productive offers.

You’ll use this widget to get a loose quote on your automobile condo:

New Zealand Street Shuttle Itinerary: A Two-Week South Island Course

Get started your travel in Queenstown. Although your global flight lands in Auckland at the North Island, you’ll simply get an inexpensive flight to Queenstown, which additionally has direct flights to many main towns in Australia in case your travel to New Zealand is a part of a bigger journey.

Days 1–3: Queenstown

Queenstown is a picturesque the town overlooking Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by means of the gorgeous peaks of the Remarkables mountain vary. It has an outdoorsy power, with pedestrian lanes full of retail outlets and eating places. Even if it has turn into massively fashionable, I can’t specific my love of Queenstown sufficient. I really like sitting by means of the lake, staring at the sundown with a bottle of wine, and mountaineering the within sight trails.

Queenstown is often referred to as “the journey capital of New Zealand.” It’s the launching pad for each and every form of journey process you’ll bring to mind, together with zip-lining, bungee leaping, canyon swinging, rafting, or even skydiving. You’ll additionally check out extra distinctive actions like river browsing, jet-boating, go-karting, paddle-boarding, and paragliding.

For one thing extra laid-back, take a wine excursion in and round Queenstown. I all the time do that after I consult with (the grape of selection here’s the light-red Pinot Noir). If wine isn’t your factor, experience a calming cruise on Lake Wakatipu for some shocking perspectives!

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Queenstown, take a look at my detailed information.

The place to Keep: Nomads Queenstown – Maximum rooms on this social hostel have balconies, the showers have very good water drive, and the pillows are thick and at ease. There are actions each and every evening and a loose dinner and quiz evening on Sunday. It’s a amusing and inexpensive position to stick.
 
Days 4–6: Fiordland

Named for its resplendent fjords (lengthy, slim inlets banked by means of steep cliffs, created by means of glaciers), Fiordland is without doubt one of the nation’s maximum scenic and far off areas. (It’s house to a lot of Lord of the Rings filming places). Boasting gigantic mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, and untamed forests, the land is formally off-limits so that you could give protection to those herbal assets.

I cherished the realm right here. There’s a large number of just right mountaineering and wonderful perspectives. There are lots of fjords and sounds to discover in Fiordland Nationwide Park, however I in particular love Milford Sound. This wonderful fjord is easiest identified for the towering Mitre Top and its surrounding rainforest. You’ll walk the wooded coastline path for best perspectives of the height, or take the Chasm Stroll at the Cleddau River to get on the subject of robust waterfalls.

The fjord itself is house to seal and penguin colonies. You’ll steadily see pods of dolphins frolicking within the waters too. Discover by means of boat and try the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory to look uncommon black coral and different underwater lifestyles. Southern Discoveries is the one corporate doing cruises that come with the Underwater Observatory, ranging from 165 NZD.

Whilst much less widely known than Milford, Unsure Sound is the private and second-largest fjord within the nation. You’ll most effective get to Unsure by the use of boat. A barren region cruise of Unsure Sound prices 299 NZD.

If you happen to like mountaineering, one of the crucial fashionable walks within the nationwide park is the Kepler Monitor, passing underneath snow-covered mountain peaks and luxurious verdant forests. It’s very on the subject of the Te Anau basecamp, and the straightforward get right of entry to and scenic perspectives alongside the way in which make it an ideal selection. The entire loop is 37 miles (60 kilometers). It takes 3 or 4 days to finish.

Notice: There’s restricted bus carrier within the house so having a automobile right here could be very useful.

The place to Keep: Milford Sound Hotel – That is the one position to stick within sight. It’s now not affordable, however the perspectives are unrivaled, the complimentary breakfast is scrumptious, and the recent rooms are comfy but trendy. If you happen to don’t thoughts riding a bit of extra, you’ll keep within the closest the town, Te Anau.
 

Days 7–8: Wanaka

Wanaka is a lodge the town framed by means of snow-capped mountains. As within sight Queenstown has turn into overcrowded in recent times, commute to Wanaka has exploded (and, in some way, additionally turn into overcrowded as it’s tremendous small). It’s turn into well liked by backpackers and outside fans, particularly skiers and boaters. There’s now not a ton to do but even so taking part in the outside (which is what I really like about it). The general public come for a couple of nights to hike (or ski within the wintry weather), calm down, and transfer on.

Wanaka has turn into one thing of a smaller model of Queenstown, so you’ll be expecting quite a few journey sports activities alternatives. I’m now not an adrenaline junkie (and I don’t like heights). But when it’s your cup of tea, you’ll cross skydiving, canyoning, rock-climbing, paragliding, jet-boating, or climbing, at the side of ratings of different actions that can get your middle pounding.

You’ll take a satisfied hour boat cruise, cross fishing or mountaineering, or do any other wine excursion (there’s no such factor as too many wine excursions!).

The meals scene here’s in reality nice too.

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Wanaka, take a look at my detailed information.

The place to Keep: Mountain View Backpackers – This social hostel has an enormous outside area with a grill, and a large desk to congregate round that makes assembly other folks a breeze. I had many stress-free nights spent ingesting wine out of doors right here whilst I chatted with different vacationers.
 
Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

In 1865, Julius von Haast christened the huge, stunning glacier at the South Island of New Zealand “Franz Josef Glacier” after the then-monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The identify caught, and nowadays the glacier is a significant vacationer enchantment.

Mountaineering the glaciers is an unforgettable enjoy. Unfortunately, as a result of they’ve receded and are melting briefly because of local weather trade, the caves and trails were close down. Now, the one solution to trek on them is by the use of heli-hike (an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/mountaineering enjoy). Those are pricey (500 NZD), however the helicopter experience, trekking, and enjoy as a complete are value the cost in my view. It’s a kind of once-in-a-lifetime reports you received’t be apologetic about.

Conversely, you’ll simply hike to the glacier face and take footage from a distance. There are lots of viewing issues (the place you’ll additionally see sobering footage of simply how a long way the glaciers have receded through the years).

There also are a large number of actions to do within sight. You’ll cross trekking thru a rainforest (sure, there’s a rainforest within sight), recognize towering waterfalls, and swim (or cross kayaking) in pristine lakes. There also are some herbal thermal swimming pools that you’ll take a soak in to assuage your post-hike muscle groups.

The place to Keep: Chateau Backpacker & Resorts – Only a ten-minute pressure from the glacier, this lodging gives visitors loose do-it-yourself soup each and every evening and loose breakfast (together with do-it-yourself waffles and pancakes). It has two communal kitchens if you wish to prepare dinner, and a scorching bath for enjoyable. It’s a full of life, social spot.
 
Days 10–11: Abel Tasman Nationwide Park

Force simply six hours north of glacial Franz Josef and also you’ll be in beachy Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, New Zealand’s smallest nationwide park. With its turquoise water, dense jungles, and heat temperatures, you’ll really feel such as you’re within the tropics quite than New Zealand. It covers over 23,876 hectares (59,000 acres), which means there are a large number of unmarried and multiday hikes. Essentially the most well-known is the 3-5-day Abel Tasman Coast Monitor, one of the most Nice Walks of New Zealand.

The easiest way to look the park is by means of kayak. That means, you’ll discover the entire little coves and seashores that in reality make the realm particular. Complete-day leases get started at round 110 NZD, or you’ll sign up for a guided kayaking excursion beginning at 190 NZD. You’ll additionally take a scenic cruise across the park for 95 NZD.

If you happen to’re aching for some critical surf, sand, and solar time, head to Te Puketea Bay. This pristine, crescent-shaped seashore hugs up towards turquoise waters, and lounging here’s well worth the adventure to Abel Tasman by myself. You’ll additionally stroll as much as the centuries-old Maori castle, known as Pa, for very good perspectives of the encompassing nature.

The place to Keep: Marahau Seashore Camp – This lodging gives dormitories and small personal cottages, a communal kitchen, and a seasonal eating place. There also are tent and campervan websites if you wish to lower your expenses. It’s a kick back, no-frills spot.

From right here, select your final prevent: both pressure onward to Christchurch and finish there, or take the ferry over to Wellington (an journey in and of itself!) and finish there. Both means, you’ll be capable to catch an inexpensive and fast flight again to Auckland on your global flight house.

If you happen to’re heading to Christchurch, stay studying. If you happen to’d love to consult with Wellington, take a look at my North Island itinerary right here.
 
Days 12–14: Christchurch

Even though seriously broken by means of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 (over 185 other folks had been killed and three,000 constructions had been broken), Christchurch has rebounded and developed right into a brand-new town. This revival has instilled a newfound sense of hope and vibrancy, with extra funky bars and markets, in addition to new eating places, retail outlets, and shows. The locals have labored arduous to rebuild, and there’s a group spirit right here that in reality shines. I really like the place Christchurch goes and I’m satisfied to look its revival.

Whilst there’s now not so much “to do” in keeping with se, the vibe is in reality at ease, and it’s value taking your time if you’ll. Be sure you experience the gondola, consult with the Canterbury Museum, and excursion Quake Town (a novel and interactive museum that recounts non-public tales from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes).

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Christchurch, take a look at my town information.

The place to Keep: Urbanz– That is a great hostel downtown, with pleasant group of workers and an enormous kitchen. There’s additionally a bar, a pool desk, speedy Wi-Fi, laundry, films, and at ease couches, in addition to a car park.
 

Issues to Consider When Street-Tripping New Zealand

That can assist you profit from your highway travel, please take note the next regulations:

• Visitors flows at the left right here (now not the fitting, like in the USA or Canada).
• You should all the time park your automobile within the route that visitors goes (or possibility a fantastic).
• There are many pull-off issues for taking footage — use them as an alternative of preventing at a random spot alongside the facet of the street, which can also be fairly bad given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed here are winding, so keep in mind that it would take longer than you are expecting to hide a specific distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driving force’s license is in English, you don’t want an World Motive force’s Allow.
• If you happen to’re touring by means of campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out within sight campsites, fuel stations, and unload stations.

New Zealand’s South Island is an unforgettable vacation spot, the place I all the time have a blast. It’s a area loaded with epic landscapes, pleasant Kiwis, and a wealthy tradition. After visiting a number during the last decade and a half of, I’ve realized firsthand how superior a highway travel there can also be. Simply apply the direction above and also you’ll be assured to have an epic consult with to this picturesque isle!