New Zealand South Island Itinerary for 14 Days – An Exciting Adventure

New Zealand South Island Itinerary – A 14 Days Road Trip

Are you planning a New Zealand South Island itinerary for14 days? If your answer is yes, this is just the article you were searching for. Everything is so beautiful and it’s a guarantee that you will have memorable outdoor experiences. This is a complete 14 day self drive itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island. If you are also heading to the North Island, you should read our 4 Weeks in New Zealand Guide. We have you covered for everything New Zealand travel-related queries and different New Zealand itineraries!

New Zealand is a beautiful country, and due to its relatively small nature, it makes a great road trip destination for travellers of any kind. But it would help if you kept in mind that New Zealand has two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. Both the islands have their beauty, but the South Island is the more popular and arguably more exciting road trip. It is packed with many things to see, starting from its thrilling mountain hikes, and the South Island drive rewards you with breathtaking scenery.

While it is not entirely possible to explore every corner of the South Island in 2 weeks, we have put together all the highlights you can visit to follow this New Zealand South Island itinerary for 14 days. It might seem quite fast – but that’s how we like it. Unfortunately, we are not always blessed with a lot of time!

How to get to the South Island

Christchurch International Airport is the main airport on the South Island, so we have written this New Zealand South Island itinerary for 14 days as a return trip leaving from Christchurch. You can also catch a domestic flight to Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown from the North Island. For example, from Auckland and Wellington. 

If you are coming from the North Island, there is also the option to catch a ferry. This ferry will take you to Picton at the north end of the island. 

When is the best time to go on a 2 Week NZ South Island Road Trip?

The best time to go on a New Zealand South Island road trip depends on what you want from your trip; if you opt for outdoor activities, you should aim to visit when the weather is not too cold. Some useful things to consider are:

• If you want to see the Southern Lights, visit between April and September.
• The peak season is in the summer months, December to March. This road trip is geared to these months, but you can go skiing in Queenstown and Wanaka if you visit in winter.
• Lupin season is in December and January for those wanting to take the iconic pictures by Lake Tekapo.
• Coincide your visit with a free festival. There is the Christchurch World Buskers Festival in mid January – which is held over 10 days, to see incredible acts take to the stage in Hagley Park. On the other hand, there is the Queenstown Winter Festival, which has a lot of free events amid the more expensive ones. This festival lasts around 10 days, from late June to early July. You can also enter a free ‘suitcase race’ if you desire!

How to get around the South Island for your 14 day New Zealand Itinerary

Touring the South Island of New Zealand is arguably best with your vehicle because it allows for flexibility to discover the beauty on your terms. You can hire a car or a camper depending on your budget and then utilise freedom camps to help save money and still have a bucket list experience. 

If this is not possible for you, you can use the Kiwi Experience Bus, which is a fabulous option if you want to make friends or are travelling solo. The bus’s downfall relies on timetables as it will take longer, so you may not be able to see everywhere. There are also many guided tours you can go on if you are looking to have everything planned out!

Where are the best places on the South Island of New Zealand to visit?

This is such a difficult question to answer, can you say everywhere? There’s beauty at every turn in New Zealand, and this self drives New Zealand South Island itinerary for 14 days – will leave you begging for more. We have created this itinerary to move around the entire island, so this best suits the traveller who is not afraid of a bit more driving and wants to see New Zealand’s South Island’s true diversity.

Top Tips to have the Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip

• Most people focus solely on the west coast, but there is so much more than this stunning part of the South Island. 
• Download offline maps (Maps.Me or Google Maps), as well as Campermate and Wiki Camps if you are going to utilise campsites on your NZ South Island itinerary for 14 days.
• You should also download a stargazing app to identify constellations. Two good ones are Matariki and Southern Cross. For other apps, check out our post on the Best 10 Travel Apps.
• Some campsites only accept cash, so bring some with you!
• It’s a good idea to get a NZ SIM card, and you can get these easily from the airport.
• Stay flexible and pack for different weather conditions. Even if you go in the summer months, the weather can change quickly.
• It may take longer to get around than Google Maps suggests due to windy roads, photo stops, tour buses and cautious drivers.
• There are some long journeys on this road trip, so always have plenty of snacks and water on your person. What’s great about New Zealand is that you will drive through some incredible and diverse landscapes that you will soon forget about the time. It is worth it.
• Unit of currency: New Zealand dollar NZD or NZ$.
• Use Bookme to book any tours because they offer huge discounts.
• Farmers Markets are held in most towns on Saturdays and Sundays, selling fresh New Zealand produce. In season produce will have low prices.
• For other travel tips please read our New Zealand Budget Tips Guide.

The Best South Island NZ Itinerary – 14 day Road Trip

No time would be enough to see the South Island of New Zealand, but you’d be surprised what you can see and do in 2-weeks on a road trip in this fantastic place. Remember, there are amazing things to do for every budget and we have included a range of optional activities but there are usually free alternatives. New Zealand is blessed with endless free attractions and if you cook and camp rather than stay in accommodation and go out to eat, your biggest cost will be getting to the South Island in the first place. 

Day 1: Arriving in Christchurch

It is better to arrive in Christchurch early in the morning so that you have enough time to explore its highlights. 

The earthquakes of 2011 destroyed most parts of Christchurch, but it has not lost its old charm. You can see the remains of the Christchurch Cathedral in the square, which shows the devastating effects. 

A 10-minute walk from here, and you will come to the Cardboard Cathedral; it is exactly like it sounds- a cathedral that is made entirely of cardboard as a replacement to the Christchurch Cathedral. 

Not far from here is Quake City, a must-visit attraction with interactive exhibitions if you want to know how Christchurch and Canterbury suffered from earthquakes ten years ago. You can also visit the Canterbury Museum, which is a free museum with Maori artefacts and a street from Christchurch’s colonial era. 

If you love a punting session down a river, you can try this on the Avon River. It is one of the most iconic things to do on South Island as you will see some significant attractions as you cruise in the river in a small boat that needs to be pushed by a pole. Don’t worry; there is a trained person in the ship dressed in the 1980s fashion to do that for you. 

In the evening, you can head to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for a peaceful stroll or arrange for a picnic among those thousands of flowers and plant varieties. After all, Christchurch is known as the ‘Garden City’, so you should enjoy its gardens on your South Island road trip itinerary.

Day 2: Lake Tekapo 

Time from Christchurch: 2 hours 40-minutes

Distance: 226km

You can start sightseeing in Tekapo by visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd, which is the most photographed spot on the South Island. There is a stunning backdrop with the church and Lake Tekapo, the Fields of Lupins (you can only see these beautiful purple blooms from November to February) and the Southern Alps. 

Another interesting spot for you to visit is the Sheepdog Memorial on Mackenzie Street, which again lets you see Lake Tekapo’s breathtaking scenery. 

If you have more time, you can walk up to Cowan Hill. This is just a 2-hour scenic hike in the Cowan Hill Walkway from Lake Tekapo. You can also hike or drive up to the Mount John Observatory for unforgettable views over the lake. There’s nothing like the colour of the lake. Trust us!

At night, you can stargaze in Lake Tekapo in the Aoraki Mackenzie region because the area is one of the five International Dark Sky Reserves.  You can opt to go on a tour starting from $75 for adults, a 1.5-hour star gazing experience accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, or if you’re on a budget, you can admire the stars from your campsite.

Try and spot the Milky Way – it is unbelievable and use your apps to identify the constellations. Also, between April and September, you can see the Southern Lights from this spot because there is little light pollution. We did not visit in these months but would love to come back for this experience. 

Day 3: Mount Cook

Time from Lake Tekapo: 1 hour 10-minutes 

Distance: 105km

As you take the bus from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook, you will see another lake with eye-catching coloured waters appearing in front of you, Lake Pukaki with the stunning backdrop of Mount Cook. 

Mount Cook is the go-to place on South Island if you want to explore the great outdoors. You can start the exploration by heading to the Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre. It is an entirely different experience as it displays artwork and the history of Maori Heritage. This is a free attraction, but they request you put a small donation in the box to keep it running.

There are many hiking trails in Mount Cook National Park. You can walk in Mount Cook Village’s hiking trails, but a must-do hike in South Island starts from the Hooker Valley Track, a 2-hour hike passing picturesque landscapes to Lake Tasman. Lake Tasman is where you can try glacier kayaking on South Island. There is also the Kea Point hike, where you can get a view of Mueller Lake.

Day 4-5: Dunedin

Time from Mount Cook: 3 hours 55-minutes

Distance: 326km

Dunedin has both Maori and Scottish heritage and boasts Victorian architecture throughout the city. We had a coffee at the quirky Mazagram Espresso Bar and enjoyed the city.A top attraction to visit in Dunedin is the Larnach Castle, built in the 1870s. It is the only castle in New Zealand. The drive to the castle is scenic, and you will see many architectural features inspired by the Gothic-revival style. 

Another great thing to do in Dunedin is to visit the Royal Albatross Centre, which serves as the breeding ground for a large royal albatross colony. You can also visit the Dunedin Botanical Gardens if you love an evening stroll among thousands of vibrant floral varieties. 

Alternatively, you can head to the Tunnel Beach, which is just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Get to the cliffs to see panoramic ocean views, or you can carefully descend the steps to the beach and take a stroll. We think going down to the beach is worth it, you can see magnificent arches and the rugged coastline. Your walk takes you through a hand carved tunnel, which was built in the 1870s and you are rewarded with access to a remote beach. It is spectacular.

Day 6-7: Milford Sound – The Fiordland National Park

Time from Dunedin: 4 hours 50-minutes

Distance: 402km

You can get to Milford Sound from Dunedin by taking a 5-hour drive via Te Anau. On your way, you can stop by the Mirror Lakes and just as the name suggests, it creates astounding mirror effects of the surroundings, mostly the Earl Mountain Range. Remember to stop in Te Anau to pick up any supplies you need before heading into the Fiordland National Park. 

Milford Sound, which is nestled peacefully in the Fiordland National Forest, is famous for its waterfalls and is sometimes said to be the 8th wonder of the world. So, you can view most of these insanely beautiful waterfalls by kayaking or cruising from Milford Sound. The Stirling Falls is the main attraction; this is a 151 meters high waterfall also featured in Wolverine. It provides you with great photo opportunities for your Instagram feed!

If you opt to go on a cruise, which is what we did, the best things to do is to camp in one of the Government Owned Campsites close by and then go on a cruise early the next morning. It can get hectic, as it is a popular experience, and if you do not get there before, you risk getting stuck in your car behind the tour buses.

There are many cruise operators, and you should go on BookMe to choose the best one for your budget. We decided to get a tour that included breakfast and a visit to the Underwater Observatory and booked with Southern Discoveries. The Fiordland is known to be one of the wettest places in New Zealand (it rains 200 days a year), but the wetter it is – the better the waterfalls. Watch out for penguins here, we saw them gliding through the water, and it was magical. 

You can also do a couple of hikes here on the second day, the walk to Key Summit, Mitre Peak and Sutherland Falls. 

The hike to Key Summit is easy as it takes only 1.5 hours. The track starts from the Routeburn Track, and from here, you have to hike for 3.5 km to reach the summit that offers you panoramic views of Mount Christina, Lake Marian and other areas. 

Mitre Peak’s hike is worth alone for its incredible sunset views! On the other hand, is the hike to Sutherland Falls, a 6-hour hike to see the tallest waterfall in New Zealand cascading beautifully over the rocks to cover you in those little water drops.

Day 8: Queenstown

Time from Milford Sound: 3 hours 30-minutes

Distance: 288km

Queenstown is nicknamed the ‘adventure capital of New Zealand’ because it offers many adrenaline rushing activities for its visitors. While a single day is not enough to discover everything here, some must-dos are suggested below because there are so many exciting things to do in Queenstown.

You can start your day by taking the Skyline Gondola, a highlight of any South Island trip. You are taken up to 450 meters above Queenstown so that you can enjoy the scenic views across the city area and Lake Wakatipu. At the top, we went on the Luge – which was a lot of fun! Remember to book your tickets in advance to save money on their website.

After that, you can explore the Queenstown Gardens or hike up the Queenstown Hill Walking Track, which will give you 360 panoramic views of the alpine. 

Suppose you are more interested in thrilling adventures. In that case, you can try bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge Bungy or arrange for a jet boat ride, canoeing or kayaking at the Shotover River. There are biking trails as well for those who are seeking that kind of adventure. We enjoyed watching the bungee jumpers from a distance, though…

Other things to do in Queenstown:

• Hike Ben Lomond
• Discover Queenstown’s Waterfront and have a beer on the floating boat at Perky’s.
• Hike the Routeburn
• Go on a Lord of the Rings Tour (can be costly) or a DIYT- the Queenstown region includes Lothlorien, the Ford of the Bruninen and Gladden Fields. 

Day 9: Wanaka

Time from Queenstown: 1 hour

Distance: 69km

You can start your time in Wanaka by having a morning stroll in the Wanaka Lakefront. You will also see the Insta-famous Wanaka tree here, a tree growing straight out of the deep blue lake waters. Then you can start hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park. A popular hiking trail is the Rob Roy Glacier Track, taking you through the spectacular scenery of glaciers and alpine views. It will only take 4 hours to complete this hike.

Another hike is Roy’s Peak, a challenging walk that takes about 6 hours to complete with 16 km. Although challenging, if you love hiking, the view is worth the burn. Make sure you go to the top and don’t just go to the Instagram photo spot. It’s worth the extra push – we promise! Think of Mount Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka’s views instead of the line of people queuing to take pictures from the same spot. Yawn.

The walk’s start is only 5 minutes from the town, and it does get busy, but there is a handy overflow car park. A popular time to complete this hike is for sunrise and sunset! There are also the Isthmus Peak and Rocky Mountain tracks, but we chose Roy’s Peak because fellow travellers recommended it!

You can also do some island tours while you are in Wanaka. Try the boat trip to Mou Waho Island to see the unexplored parts of Lake Wanaka, or you can Kayak to Ruby Island, which is only a 2-hour kayaking experience in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka.

If you have more time, you can visit the Rippon Brewery and learn about the wine manufacturing processes and try wine samplings or head to see one of the world’s biggest Lavender Farms located just a 10-minute taxi drive away from Wanaka lakefront. 

Day 10: Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier

Time from Wanaka: 3 hours 45-minutes

Distance: 287km

You can easily reach Franz Josef on a 3-hour drive from Wanaka. On the way, you should visit the Blue Pools Track, which is about an hour into the journey. The Blue Pools Track is an easy 1.5km track. We saw people jump into the water from the bridge. Kudos. We bet that was freezing. 

Franz Josef is a charming little town on South Island but is a famous tourist hotspot because it has the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. You can hike to the Glacier through the Franz Josef Glacier Valley- this will be a 2-hour hike with the beautiful Trident Falls’ sighting. Other adventurous things to do in the Franz Josef Glacier Valley are skydiving, quad biking and Heli-hiking.

Unfortunately, Heli-Hiking was out of our budget, but we wanted to see the Glacier regardless. Therefore, we opted to go on a helicopter ride. This was an unreal experience, and as we booked with Book Me, it was not too expensive. Win! In the evening, you can relax at the Glacier Hot Pools; these are thermal pools as well, nestled deep in the forested areas to give you an unforgettable experience. This was a highlight of our trip and of course we used Bookme to get a cheap deal.

However, you should still visit if you are on a budget, there are outstanding viewpoints to see both glaciers in the valleys and you can read the information provided to help guide your journey.

Good to know: a lot of the Heli-hikes and helicopter rides get cancelled due to the weather. So you may have to be flexible and, if not, accept that it was not meant to be!

Nearby, you will find Lake Matheson, which is a surreal lake with beautiful reflections. You take the circular loop trail, where you will see the magnificent Mount Cook in the background; make sure you go to every viewpoint if you can. They are all impressive in different ways. Many people watch the sunrise from this spot. 

Day 11-12: Abel Tasman National Park

Time from Franz Josef: 6 hours 30-minutes

Distance: 481km

This will be the longest journey you will have on this New Zealand road trip. You can explore the Punakaiki West Coast before you reach Abel Tasman and start sightseeing the next day. On this rugged coastline, you should make your way to the Pancake Rocks, where there is a trail that will take around 45-minutes to walk around. The rocks look like, you guessed it, pancakes and they were formed over 30-million years ago.

Again, this is a destination that is suitable for all those adventure lovers out there. You can start your day by walking on the Abel Tasman Coast Track and discover its flawless beaches. However, this track goes on for more than 50 km and therefore, you won’t be able to cover up everything in a single day – but you can walk part of it!

Instead, you can walk and try other activities like kayaking, mountain biking and canoeing. The scenery with the crystal-clear waters and the mountainous areas are mind-blowing, even if you have seen them before.

You can also arrange for a boat/cruise ride in these waters to explore the hidden gems of Abel Tasman. Or, you can book accommodation in the Abel Tasman National Park and relax by a beach while stargazing at night. 

Day 13: Kaikoura

Time from Abel Tasman National Park: 4 hours 15-minutes

Distance: 307km

The east coast is where you can have a lot of wildlife encounters in New Zealand. An excellent way to start the exploration is by heading to Point Kean to see lots of seals in their natural habitat. After you can opt to go on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, a distance of 11km (3-4 hour walk), to see wonderful ocean views.

If you have more time, you can snorkel or head to Kaikoura Beach, relax a bit with the calm waters and at night, you can indulge in the mouthwatering seafood dishes from one of the city’s restaurants.  

Another popular activity is wild swimming with dolphins. You go out on a boat and are brought to where the dolphins are, and you can spend some time swimming with them. Although we did not do this, friends of ours have and said that it is unreal but we are sceptical about experiences with wild animals after getting stung in the past, so do your research.  

Day 14: Back to Christchurch

Time from Kaikoura: 2 hours 20-minutes

Distance: 180km

Before you head back to Christchurch and end your New Zealand South Island itinerary for 14 days, you can arrange a whale or dolphin watching expedition in Kaikoura. You can either go from a boat by organising a tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura and some other dolphin watching tour operator, or get to a helicopter and see those massive creatures from above. You have a 95% chance to see sperm whales, humpback whales and dolphins. These tours usually take about 4-5 hours to complete. 

Then you can head to Christchurch and you can spend the rest of the day exploring the town and maybe take the gondola ride if you have more time before your flight back home or perhaps to the North Island? This concludes an epic South Island NZ itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about a South Island NZ Itinerary.

Which New Zealand island is better, and why?

Most people prefer the South Island to the North Island due to the raw beauty and the sense of adventure you can partake in. They are like two different countries and both deserve to be explored and appreciated. 

Is it difficult to travel to New Zealand without a car?

No, but you’ll likely miss out on some places. The Kiwi Experience Bus is a great alternative, as are the tour groups. A good option for people who cannot drive or do not want to drive on the left! 

Are two weeks in New Zealand enough?

So, you’re wondering if you can see NZ in 2 weeks? Yes, it is possible, but you might want to dedicate your time to one of the islands, instead of both. 2 weeks is enough time to spend on the South Island alone. Trying to combine the two islands in two weeks would be more difficult. Many people say that you need even longer than 14 days to appreciate the island entirely but if you don’t mind some long drives, this New Zealand South Island Itinerary for 14 days will be ideal.

Overall, there is so much to be seen on this New Zealand South Island Itinerary for 14 days. We hope that you’ve found this guide useful and are looking forward to exploring the rich and diverse beauty of New Zealand. From the Fiordland National Park to Mount Cook, to Abel Tasman and the many outstanding lakes, you’re certainly in for a treat. A road trip does not get much better than the South Island of New Zealand. Still need convincing, read our post about Why You Should Visit New Zealand.

Have you been on a New Zealand South Island road trip? Which island did you prefer? We’d love to know – let us know in the comments. Or if you want any tips, let us know and we’d be happy to share our experience with you!

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Photo Credit: averagelives.com

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