ULTIMATE New Zealand South Island Road Trip (Part 2)
Looking for the most incredible South Island road trip you can find? You’ve come to the right place. We are here to take you on a 14-day bucket list trip around the island and show you the best that New Zealand has to offer. If you haven’t already checked out our ULTIMATE New Zealand South Island Road Trip (Part 1), we highly suggest checking it out before reading this post.
In part 1, we started out in Christchurch and worked our way down to Franz Josef over 7 days, stopping to see key beauty spots of the country, including Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Rotoroa, and of course the Franz Josef Glacier. In this second part, we will be continuing on from Franz Josef back to Christchurch to build the second week of your trip. If you only have one week to tour the island, you can still use either of these itineraries and just adapt it to suit your needs. In the case of this second-week itinerary, you can either drive straight from Christchurch to Franz Josef and end up back in the nation’s capital ready to catch your flight out, or you can do the itinerary the opposite way and end up in Franz Josef with a 5-hour drive back to Christchurch ahead of you. This road trip itinerary is fully adaptable to your needs, and if you have more time to spend on the island, we’ll recommend additional spots at the end.
New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary
Let's set the scene. You’re in Franz Josef, you’ve hiked a glacier and relaxed in a hot spring, and now it’s time to get back on the road, but where to next? If you’re thinking that the second week of this South Island trip can’t possibly compete with the first, you’re in for a treat, because the next 7 days are full of just as many adventures and breathtaking views as the first.
Note: We will be suggesting places to stay at each destination along the way. Our suggestions will include budget options under $100, mid-range under $250, and luxury accommodations above $250 per night.
Day 8- Wanaka
Drive time: 3.5 hours/287km
Wanaka is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, so everyone can find something to do here. We recommend making an early start as there's lots to see and do in the town of Wanaka, so you'll want to make the most of your day.
For those who are after a relaxing day after climbing the Franz Josef Glacier, you can visit the famous Wanaka Tree which is a lonely tree that sits in the middle of Lake Wanaka. You could also go on a half-day wine tour, which tends to include 4 different vineyards. If wine isn't your thing, head to the Wanaka Lavender Farm which is spread across 20 hectares and is a lovely chilled-out way to spend the afternoon, ambling through the purple flowers. Make sure you try the lavender ice cream on this stop. Lastly, finish the day on a happy hour lake cruise, which is exactly as it sounds. You get to cruise beautiful Lake Wanaka as the sun goes down, with a glass of wine in your hand. The perfect end to the day.
If you're after an adventure-filled day instead, there's also lots to do in and around Wanaka. You can hike Roy's Peak, which is sure to raise your heart rate as it's not an easy hike, but the view of the Southern Alps from the top is worth it. If you choose to hike Roy's Peak, be prepared for it to take you all day. It is a 16km hike that takes roughly 7 hours, and it's worth noting that Roy's Peak is closed between October 1st to November 10th every year for the lambing season.
An easier hike is the Diamond Lake Track, which is just 7 km long. Other activities to do around Wanaka include drinking local craft beer as Wanaka is home to the most breweries in the country, water sports on the lake, hiking Isthmus Peak (one for the experienced hikers), or skiing at Cardrona Ski Resort.
There is a lot to do in Wanaka, so if you're not limited on time, be sure to spend a few days in this town that may be tiny but is jam-packed full of fun.
Where to stay
Budget - Zula Lodge
Mid-range - Kauri House Apartment
Luxury- Wanaka Haven
Day 9- Mount Aspiring National Park
Drive time: 35 mins/32 km
Mount Aspiring National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you'll see why as soon as you arrive. This breathtaking national park is home to Mount Aspiring and is a must-see of the West Coast on your South Island road trip.
One of the most popular things to do within the national park is to visit the Blue Pools. It's an easy and pretty hike through the forest and you'll end up at the swing bridges, which gives you an incredible view of the national park and the unbelievably blue water below.
Other activities include visiting Thunder Creek Falls. A quick 5-minute walk from the parking lot will bring you to this thundering (forgive the pun) waterfall. If you're looking for a hike, the Routeburn Track is one of the top 10 hikes in all of New Zealand and travels through the Southern Alps, but if you want to do the full trail, we'd allow an extra day or two for it as the hike is 32 kilometers. It's absolutely worth it if you can allow the extra time as the hike takes you through both Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. Alternatively, there are walks along the trail that are less than 10 km and can be easily hiked in a day.
For those who are thrill-seekers, a canyoning tour may be up your street. It includes climbing, abseiling, and cliff jumping.
Where to stay
Budget - Mountainview Makarora Accommodation
If you're looking for a more luxury stay, we recommend staying a second night at one of the recommended hotels in Wanaka.
Day 10- Queenstown
Drive time: 1.5 hours/99km
After just 1.5 hours of driving from Mount Aspiring, you'll reach Queenstown, which means you'll be able to enjoy a full day in the city.
Don't miss the Queenstown Gondola that rides up to Bob's Peak, and gives you views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables. The best thing for someone with a tight itinerary is that the gondola takes just 5 minutes to reach the top, meaning you can cram even more activities into the day.
The Queenstown Gardens are free to visit, central, and a wonderful way to spend an hour or two on a sunny day. As you make your way through the gardens, you'll walk along the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
Other places of interest include the Kiwi Birdlife Park, the Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market (if you're here on a Saturday), and is also a famous place for bungee jumping.
Where to stay
Budget- mi-pad Queenstown
Mid-range- The Canyons B&B
Luxury- Hidden Lodge Queenstown
Day 11- Milford Sound
Drive time: 3.5 hours/ 287km
Milford Sound is one of the most famous spots in the whole of New Zealand, and the place Rudyard Kipling described as ‘the 8th wonder of the world’. The fiord, which is home to seals, dolphins, and even penguins, is known for being one of the wettest places on earth, so it’s a good idea to bring your rain jacket on day 11.
While simply standing and staring is enough to keep you happy at Milford Sound, some other activities you can enjoy include a boat cruise, which is the most popular activity for tourists. You can also hike to one of the many waterfalls around the fiord, the most obvious one being the Lady Bowen Falls, which you can see from the pier. Unfortunately, this waterfall is not accessible without a short boat ride, however, the boats run regularly in the summer months, cost $10 NZD per adult, and tickets are easily purchased from the pier. Once you’ve caught the boat over, it’s a short hike up to the viewing platform.
You can also visit The Chasm, which is far less ominous than it sounds. It’s made up of a waterfall and river that have eroded away the rocks around them, and over time it has created interesting shapes in the rocks. If that doesn’t seem enough of a reason to visit, the water itself is a brilliant shade of turquoise, and the sound of a waterfall is never to be missed.
If you can stay at Milford Sound until the sun goes down, you will be blessed with a night sky full of stars. This is one of the best places for stargazing and will be a highlight of your trip.
Where to stay
There is just one hotel available to stay in at Milford Sound which is the Milford Sound Lodge, which is a fantastic place to stay in if your budget stretches to luxury accommodation. If not, here are a couple of options that are relatively near.
Budget: Red Tussock Motel
Mid-range: Explorer Motel & Apartments
Day 12- Te Anau/ Fiordland National Park
Drive time: 1.5hours/117km
Te Anau is the main base for tourists visiting Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. Although Milford Sound is within the national park, there is so much more to see here, that getting back into the car and moving on after Milford Sound would be a waste.
The town itself is pretty as it's right on the lake with mountain views, but it's the sites just outside of the town that draw tourists in.
While you're in Te Anau, check out the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves, which in terms of caves are still fresh out of the womb at only 12,000 years old, but the real showstopper is the bioluminescent glow worms that light up the caves- nature’s very own fairy lights.
Lake Te Anau itself is worthy of a boat ride, as it's the largest lake on the South Island.
The Kepler Track is a daunting 60 km long, but if you have the time, it's one of the best hikes in the country, and worth the 4 days it takes to complete. With only a day to spare on this South Island road trip, you might think you'll have to miss out on the Kepler Track, but there are short hikes that can be completed in a day along the trail. You'll see mountains, fiords, and wildlife galore along your hike.
Where to stay
Budget- Aden Motel
Mid-range- Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments
Luxury- Fiordland Lodge
Day 13- Dunedin
Drive time: 3.5 hours/287km
The last stop on our 2 week New Zealand South Island road trip itinerary is Dunedin. The second-largest city on the South Island after Christchurch, there's lots to do here.
The Otago Peninsula, which encompasses Dunedin, is home to all sorts of exotic wildlife, so you won't need to look far to spot blue penguins, seals, and sea lions.
While in the city, check out the Larnach Castle which was built in 1871 and is elaborately decorated in its original Victorian style. If you can arrange to visit the castle in the afternoon, high tea is served every day at 3 pm.
If you're craving some culture, you must follow the Dunedin Street Art Trail. The trail takes around 90 minutes to walk and includes more than 30 works by both international and local artists.
Dunedin is a UNESCO designated city of literature, and bookworms will enjoy the guided literary walking tour.
Where to stay
Budget- Amross Motel (comes in at $1 over budget)
Mid-range- Alpaca Farmstay
Luxury- Camp Estate by Larnach Castle
Day 14- Christchurch
Drive time: 4.5 hours/360km
And back to where it all began. There is a fair bit of driving on this day, so pack your snacks, and have your car games to hand. There will be time for you to enjoy dinner and a drink in Christchurch before you catch your flight out, so head to The Pink Lady at sunset for a cocktail that comes with 360° views of the city.
Where to stay
Budget - Carnmore Hotel Christchurch
Mid-range - Lilac Rose Boutique
Luxury - Sherwood Lodge
More Places To Visit
If you have extra time to spend on the South Island, you won't be bored. Here are a few extra stops to make along the way.
Glenorchy- New Zealand is famed for being the filming location of one of the most successful trilogies of all time, Lord of the Rings. Of all of the locations used in the country, Glenorchy is home to the filming locations of Lothlorien, Isengard, Fangorn Forest, and more.
The Catlins- Wildlife enthusiasts, rejoice, The Catlins is home to many exotic species including the world's rarest penguin.
Stewart Island- You can't visit New Zealand without seeing a Kiwi bird! Stewart Island is a short ferry ride away from Invercargill on the South Island and its kiwi population outweighs its human population.
Final Thoughts
We hope this New Zealand South Island road trip itinerary has got you prepared and excited to drive through Kiwi country. Road tripping is the best way to see everything the South Island has to offer and is the easiest way to see a large portion of the country in a small amount of time. If you’re looking for some like-minded women to join you on this epic road trip or if you have already traveled around New Zealand and have some breathtaking photos you would love to share, consider joining our supportive community of female travelers. See what our community offers here.
If you haven't already, check out part 1 of this itinerary here.