A Perfect 10 Day South Island Itinerary from Christchurch

See the highlights of the South Island (and some hidden gems) on this efficient 10 day road trip itinerary, designed for either car or campervan travel.

Get ready for one incredible road trip. 

While you could easily spend weeks or months travelling around the South Island and not get bored, 10 days is enough time to give you a taste of the South Island’s best.

I live in the South Island and spend most of my weekends and holidays on road trips around New Zealand. In this guide, I’m sharing a fast-paced, scenery-packed 10 day South Island itinerary to help you make the most of your trip without the stress of planning it all on your own. 

You’ll start and end your trip in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city and a hub for campervan and car rentals.

This road trip—like all of my New Zealand itineraries—focuses on walking and hiking trails, scenic photography spots, and good local places to eat and drink. 

While you’ll get to visit the must-see places on most visitors’ bucket lists (like Queenstown and Milford Sound), I’ll also help you get off the beaten path, so you can experience some truly special pockets of the South Island.

If this all sounds like your type of trip, then I hope you enjoy this itinerary as much as I do!

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support!

10 day South Island itinerary map

Where to hire a car or campervan for your road trip

🚙 Car hire: I use Discover Cars to compare prices on car rentals in New Zealand. I usually just go with whoever has the best prices and good ratings, but more often than not, I end up renting with Apex Rentals.

🚐 Campervan hire: Motorhome Republic is my go-to resource for comparing prices on campervans in New Zealand. I’m also a big fan of JUCY campervans.

Can’t decide between a car or campervan? Check out my guide comparing car vs campervan travel in New Zealand.

10 day South Island itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch

• Stay 1 night in Christchurch

Kick off your 10 day South Island itinerary in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city and a hub for car and campervan rentals.

Christchurch is a city that continues to transform after a series of devastating earthquakes hit the city in 2010 and 2011. The city has been rebuilt from the ground up in places, and it feels modern and brand-new and unlike any other city in New Zealand. 

Spend a day exploring the city centre on foot or via the historic tram. And to keep yourself fueled, indulge in Christchurch’s excellent food scene.

What to do in Christchurch

• Get brunch at one of the fantastic cafes in Christchurch. I’m a huge fan of Grizzly Bakery’s Welder location, and also love Child Sister Cafe (their kimchi rice omelette is incredible).
  
  
• Walk through the beautiful (and free) Christchurch Botanic Gardens. While you’re there, check out the nearby Curator’s House edible garden—it’ll give you some serious garden inspiration.
  
  
• Enjoy a stroll along the Avon River, or book a punting excursion.
  
  
• Explore the Arts Centre, a beautiful historic precinct. Pop into Frances Nation Home to check out their selection of NZ-made housewares and gifts, or head to their sister store, Frances Nation Grocer, if you like shopping for locally-sourced food.
  
  
• Visit the bustling Riverside Market to stock up on local food items or just grab a bite to eat. 
  
  
• Booklovers won’t want to miss Scorpio Books, a wonderful independent bookstore. Their “Next Door” shop is also well worth a visit—it’s full of travel guides and adventure-focused books. 
  
  
• Eat and drink your way along New Regent Street, Christchurch’s prettiest street. 27 Steps is an incredible place for a special meal. The Last Word and Gin Gin are both excellent and cosy bars. Rollickin Gelato is a great spot for an ice cream.
  
  
• If you don’t grab dinner along New Regent Street, head to Little High Eatery, an upscale food court with a fun, casual vibe and options for nearly everyone. 

Further reading: how to spend one day in Christchurch

Where to stay in Christchurch

• West Fitzroy Apartments: my go-to hotel in Christchurch, the rooms here have kitchenettes (and laundry facilities!) and a parking spot is included to boot.
  
  
• The Observatory Hotel: this beautiful boutique hotel is located in the Arts Centre, just a short walk away from the Botanic Gardens and Riverside Market.
  
  
• The Drifter: part hip hostel, part boutique hotel, the Drifter is a unique and beautiful place to stay in the city centre. They have heaps of cool facilities onsite, including a restaurant and cinema room.
  
  
• Camping: the Tasman Holiday Park Christchurch is my recommendation for campsites in Christchurch; alternatively you could stay in one of the accommodation options recommended above and pick up your van tomorrow.

Day 2: Hokitika (via Arthur’s Pass)

• Drive time from Christchurch to Hokitika: 246 km | 3 hours 20 minutes
• Stay 1 night in Hokitika

Today, your road trip begins! Hit the road towards the wild West Coast, with lots to see and do along the way.

To get to the West Coast, you’ll travel over Arthur’s Pass, one of the 3 main alpine passes that traverse the Southern Alps. Arthur’s Pass is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, with trails galore and scenery that’ll knock your socks off.

🦟 Sandfly alert! – you’ll likely encounter sandflies in parts of the South Island, mostly along Arthur’s Pass, the West Coast, Haast Pass, and Milford Sound. They don’t transmit diseases to humans, but they do leave you with annoying itchy bites. To avoid getting bites, cover up with clothes or insect repellent. They can’t catch up to you when you’re walking, which is a relief!

What to do on the drive from Christchurch to Hokitika via Arthur’s Pass

• Stop at Sheffield Pies for a road trip snack.
  
  
• Walk amongst the impressive limestone rock formations at Castle Hill / Kura Tawhiti.
  
  
• Hike up lots of steps to see the magnificent Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall—it’s a bit of a climb, but worth the effort!
  
  
• Pull over at the Otira Viaduct lookout for great photo-ops and the chance to possibly see kea, New Zealand’s cheeky alpine parrot.

What to do in Hokitika

• Detour to the Hokitika Gorge, where you can walk along a beautiful forest trail along a striking turquoise-blue river flanked by pale limestone cliffs. 
  
  
• Explore around the cute town of Hokitika, which is home to artisan shops and galleries. 
  
  
• Walk out to the driftwood-strewn beach, which is also an excellent place to catch a West Coast sunset.
  
  
• For dinner in Hokitika, I can recommend Korath Thai restaurant. And before you leave tomorrow, I highly recommend picking up a sandwich from Hokitika Sandwich Co!

Where to stay in Hokitika

• Boutique stay: Hokitika Fire Station Hotel
  
  
• Good value: Stopforths Motel
  
  
• Camping: Hokitika’s Kiwi Holiday Park OR head to Hans Bay / Lake Kaniere for a DOC Campsite

Day 3: Franz Josef

• Drive time from Hokitika to Franz Josef: 134 km | 1 hour 45 minutes
• Stay 1 night in Franz Josef

Today, you’ll make your way down the West Coast to Glacier Country.

Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are the two main towns in Glacier Country, and both are home to their namesake glaciers.

The glaciers are sadly retreating at a rapid rate. While there are walks available to view them from afar, the only way to truly see the glaciers up close is to book a helicopter tour. 

Even if you don’t want to spend the money on a helicopter tour, it’s still worth spending a night in the area to do some of the lovely walks on offer—the rainforests around Glacier Country are fern-filled and lush, and the trails amongst them are beautiful.

Franz Josef is the larger town of the two, with more accommodation and dining options available. There’s a small Four Square supermarket in Franz Josef, but there are no major supermarkets in Fox Glacier. If you need groceries, I recommend stocking up in Hokitika before making your way south.

What to do in Franz Josef

• If you’re keen to splash out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book a glacier helicopter tour.
  
  
• Walk the Franz Josef Glacier trail to see the glacier from afar (and for free). The glacier is retreating at a rapid rate and you won’t see much of it from the lookout anymore. However, the walk leads you through a beautiful rainforest and is still well worth doing!
  
  
• Other short walks to enjoy in Franz Josef include Callery Gorge and Peter’s Pool.
  
  
• Have dinner at Alice May Restaurant, which has a unique history and hearty food.
  
  
• Book a relaxing soak in the Waiho hot tubs, which are surrounded by native bush and are a peaceful way to end the day.

Where to stay in Franz Josef

• Top motel: Aspen Court Motel
  
  
• Unique stay: Rainforest Retreat 
  
  
• Camping: Rainforest Retreat Campervan Park or Orange Sheep Campervan Park; for a DOC campsite, head to Otto/MacDonald’s campsite

Further reading: the best stops on the drive from Christchurch to Franz Josef

Day 4: Wanaka

• Drive time from Franz Josef to Wanaka: 284 km | 4 hours
• Stay 1 night in Wanaka

You’ll leave the West Coast today and make your way inland via Haast Pass to Wanaka, a picturesque lakeside town known for its abundance of outdoor activities.

Today’s drive is filled with so many beautiful stops. Get an early start on the day so you have time to enjoy this drive to its fullest.

What to do on the drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka

• Take a detour in Fox Glacier to visit the Lake Matheson trail. Lake Matheson is a photographer’s dream, with peaceful waters that reflect the surrounding mountains on a calm day. The walk is 4.4 km (return) and takes about 1.5 hours. I rate it as a must-do! Before or after your walk, pop into the Matheson Cafe for coffee and breakfast.
  
  
• Stop at Ship Creek for one last look at the ocean before heading inland. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hector’s dolphins that frequent the waters here!
  
  
• Haast Pass is lined with waterfalls that make perfect pit stops for stretching your legs. Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and Fantail Falls are all well-worth seeing.
  
  
• Visit the Blue Pools along a 3 km (return) walk through native beech forest. These crystal-clear, striking blue pools of water are glacially-fed and simply gorgeous.

What to do in Wanaka

• Walk along the lakefront path to see the famous Wanaka Tree. The tree is a bit overrated, but the walk to get there is beautiful. I like to continue on past the tree towards Waterfall Creek before turning around to head back to town.
  
  
• Chill out by the Wanaka lakefront with a good book, or go for a swim in summer.
  
  
• Explore the cute town of Wanaka. I love visiting the Next Chapter bookshop and a movie at the iconic Cinema Paradiso is never a bad idea, either.
  
  
• Get a craft beer at one of Wanaka’s breweries (B.Effect, Rhyme x Reason, or Ground Up). For a casual dinner, head to the Brownston Street food trucks or get a slow-cooked, vegetable-packed meal from the Big Fig. 
  
  
• If you have more time in Wanaka, you can tackle one of the many hikes in the area—some of the South Island’s best day hikes are located around here! Roy’s Peak is the most famous Wanaka hike, but Rob Roy Glacier is my favourite. Mount Iron and the Rocky Mountain Track are also good options.

Where to stay in Wanaka

• Modern motel: West Meadows of Wanaka
  
  
• Good value: Clearbrook Motel
  
  
• Luxury apartments: Wanaka Lakeside Apartments
  
  
• Camping: Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park, or Albert Town Campground for a budget option

Days 5 & 6: Te Anau & Milford Sound

• Drive time from Wanaka to Te Anau: 227 km | 3 hours
• Stay 2 nights in Te Anau, with a day trip to Milford Sound

Milford Sound tops the wish lists of most South Island visitors, and for good reason. 

Skyscraping mountains surround Milford Sound—which is technically a fiord—and waterfalls plunge into its inky blue depths. The fiord is home to an abundance of marine life, including fur seals and dolphins. The whole place is awe-inspiring, to say the least.

Accommodation is extremely limited in Milford Sound, and the sandflies are ferocious. For this reason, I recommend that you base yourself in Te Anau for 2 nights, and go on a day trip to Milford Sound on day 6 of this itinerary.

Before leaving Wanaka, fuel up for the day with breakfast. I like Scroggin for a proper cafe meal, or Curbside Bagels for a quick bite (their halloumi bagel is my go-to order).

What to do on the drive from Wanaka to Te Anau

• Stop by the historic Cardrona Pub for a photo op before making your way over the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest main road.
  

• After descending the Crown Range Road, detour to Arrowtown, a charming historic town from the gold mining era that looks like a place in a Hallmark film.
  
  Stretch your legs with a walk down Buckingham Street and along the Arrow River. Wolf Coffee Roasters is an excellent spot for a coffee, and Slow Cuts is a delicious place to have lunch.
  
  If you like local food, pop into the Royalburn Farm Shop to pick up farm-fresh produce or NZ-made pantry items.
  
  
  • Note: After Arrowtown, you’ll drive right through Queenstown on the way from Wanaka to Te Anau, but you’ll return to Queenstown in a couple of days to properly enjoy it.
    
    
• Between Queenstown and Te Anau, Garston is another good pit stop for a coffee from the coffee bomb and a peek at the Garston Hunny Shop. Look for the local wild thyme honey while you’re there; it makes a great souvenir.

What to do in Te Anau

• Go for a day walk on a section of the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. I like the sections from the Control Gates to Brod Bay, or Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay. Both are mellow trails that lead you through dense beech and fern forest.
  
  
• Watch the short film Te Ata Whenua – Shadowland at the Fiordland Cinema. The cinematography is breathtaking and it gives you a great overview of the history and landscape of Fiordland National Park. You can get a glass of local wine or beer to sip as you watch the movie, if you’d like!
  
  
• Catch a sunset from the Marakura Wharf.
  
  
• For dining out in Te Anau, I like Redcliff Cafe or Ditto for dinner. For breakfast & lunch, I recommend Sandfly Cafe or the Blak Shak (they make the best breakfast buns and souvlaki wraps). 

What to do in Milford Sound

The 2-hour (one-way) drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is packed with scenic lookouts and day walks. The drive is just as amazing as Milford Sound itself, so I highly recommend allocating a full day to fully enjoy it.

Tip: Before you leave for Milford Sound, fill your car or campervan with petrol and pack snacks and drinking water. Facilities are limited at Milford Sound and it’s best to be prepared.

Here’s my idea of a perfect Milford Sound itinerary.

• Leave Te Anau no later than 8 a.m. to start your day trip. This will help you beat some of the tour buses that depart from Queenstown.
  
  
• On the drive to Milford Sound, grab a coffee and treat at Milford Road Merchant, and make short stops at the Eglinton Valley Lookout and Mirror Lakes
  
  
• Arrive at Milford Sound and take a cruise or kayak tour—I recommend an 11:00 a.m. booking if possible, because you’ll avoid some of the tour bus crowds that way.
  
  
  • Tip: You can park for free at Deepwater Basin instead of paying an exorbitant fee for parking, but give yourself an extra 30 minutes to walk to Milford Sound from the parking area.
    
    
• On the return to Te Anau, stop along the way for a walk or two. The Milford Foreshore Walk is a lovely short walk. For a longer day hike, Key Summit or Lake Marian are both excellent options.

Where to stay in Te Anau

• Top-notch motel: Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments (the deluxe rooms in the newer building are so nice!).
  
  
• Good value: Tasman Holiday Park Te Anau
  
  
• Luxury: Radfords on the Lake
  
  
• Camping: Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park OR do one night in Te Anau and one night at the Milford Lodge Campervan Park. (Also see my guide to the best campsites around Te Anau)

Further reading: the best places to stay near Milford Sound

Days 7 & 8: Queenstown

• Drive time from Te Anau to Queenstown: 171 km | 2 hours 10 minutes
• Stay 2 nights in Queenstown

Queenstown is a bustling, beautiful resort town set on the shores of sparkling Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the majestic Southern Alps.

Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is a mecca for adrenaline-rushing activities like bungy jumping and skydiving. It’s also home to an excellent food, wine and craft beer scene.

I live in Queenstown and know it well. For me, Queenstown is special because of its beautiful natural surroundings, including vast networks of hiking and biking trails. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, and I hope to show you some of its magic!

What to do in Queenstown

Here are lots of ideas for how to spend your time in Queenstown, but just know that you won’t have time to do everything on this list.

That being said, if you have any extra days to add to your itinerary, I’d add them to Queenstown.

• For a classic day of Queenstown activities, cruise on the TSS Earnslaw for their awesome BBQ lunch. Afterwards, ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views. 
  
  
• Walk around the beautiful (and free!) Queenstown Gardens. Stroll through the gardens and around the peninsula for lovely views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. If you want to extend your walk, continue along Park Street to the Frankton Track for as long as you’d like.
  
  
• Hikers looking for a challenge should hike Ben Lomond. For a more moderate trail, head to the Queenstown Hill Summit. Or—for my favourite trail in the Queenstown area—drive to the start of the Routeburn Track past Glenorchy, and do a day walk to Routeburn Flats or Routeburn Falls.
  
  
• Jet boating is a popular activity in Queenstown, and I have to admit that it’s super fun. The Shotover Jet is awesome—and you can mellow out your adrenaline rush with a beer from Canyon Brewing nearby.
  
  
• Deer Park Heights is an animal encounter, Lord of the Rings filming site, and scenic viewpoint all in one. Pack a picnic and spend a couple of hours up there! I like to pair this excursion with a walk on the Kelvin Peninsula.
  
  
• The Gibbston Valley is Queenstown’s wine region, known for its pinot noir. Pick a vineyard to do a tasting at, or book a tour (I like the Hop on, Hop off Bus). My favourite cellar doors are Kinross & Mount Rosa.
  
  
• Day trip to Glenorchy. The 45-minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is incredibly scenic—it’s one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand, which is saying a lot! Allocate a half day or more for the drive with stops along the way. My favourite stops and detours are Moke Lake, Bob’s Cove, Mrs. Woolly’s General Store, and the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway. 

Where to eat and drink in Queenstown

• Cafes: Bespoke, Vudu, Yonder, Odd Saint, & the Boat Shed are my favourite cafes in Queenstown. For pastries and sandwiches, Ferg Baker and Boat Shed Bakery are both so good.
  
  
• Craft beer: Altitude Brewing, Searchlight, & Canyon Brewing are all excellent Queenstown breweries with good food options, too. For craft beer bars in town, head to Atlas, Smith’s or Beechtree.
  
  
• Sundays: this Frankton eatery is a delightful spot for woodfired pizzas and share plates (try the pecorino churros; they’re delicious!).
  
  
• Mexican food: Margos is a fun spot for margaritas and modern, fresh Mexican food. My favourite Mexican food, however, is at a casual joint called Tacos Jaguar, open from Wednesday through Saturday at Searchlight Brewery.
  
  
• Tanoshi & Kappa are both excellent Japanese restaurants in town. I can also recommend Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi for delicious ramen.
  
  
• Burgers: Fergburger is the most famous Queenstown eatery, known for its massive burgers on freshly-baked buns. Be prepared for long queues, as I’m not exaggerating when I say this spot is the most popular place in town! If the hype feels like too much but you’d still like a burger, I recommend going to Smoke and Pickle instead (located at Altitude Brewery in the Queenstown Marina on select days of the week). They make incredible burgers, and it’s a real hidden gem of a spot.
  
  
• Gelato/ice cream: Patagonia Chocolates & Mrs Ferg Gelateria are equally good spots for a gelato, although I will say that the lemon meringue flavour from Ferg is my top tier gelato in town.

Where to stay in Queenstown

• Mid-range: The Alexis Motel
  
  
• Boutique stay: The Central Private Hotel by Naumi
  
  
• Luxury apartments: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel
  
  
• Camping: the Driftaway (or see my guide to the best campsites in Queenstown)

Day 9: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

• Drive time from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park: 263 km | 3 hours 15 minutes
• Stay 1 night in Mount Cook National Park

Home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park wows visitors with its soaring alpine views and array of epic hiking trails. 

And the drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park is a scenic journey in and of itself—it’s one of my favourite road trips from Queenstown, and one I do often on my weekends. 

From Queenstown, you’ll follow the aqua-blue Kawarau River to eventually emerge in Cromwell, known for its abundance of fruit farms including cherry, apricot, and apple orchards.

After Cromwell, head over the tussock-lined Lindis Pass and end up in the wide open plains of the Mackenzie Region’s high country. 

Soon enough, you’ll reach the unbelievably turquoise-blue waters of Lake Pukaki along the last stretch of your drive into the national park.

Needless to say, plan to leave Queenstown early to make the most of this scenery-packed day!

Tip: there are no grocery stores within Mount Cook National Park, and dining options are extremely limited. I almost always self-cater when I stay in the park—a hotel picnic dinner is never a bad idea in my book! Stock up on anything you need in Queenstown or Twizel.

Stops on the drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park

• Cromwell fruit stalls: Just before you reach Cromwell, you’ll start spotting fresh fruit stalls along the roadside. In addition to fresh fruit, most of them also offer a special New Zealand treat: real fruit ice cream, which is ice cream or frozen yoghurt blended with your choice of fruit. It’s delicious. I love Jackson Orchards in particular. Note that in winter, the fruit stalls will have a limited selection or may be closed entirely.
  
  
• Cromwell Heritage Precinct: Go for a wander in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, which is set next to Lake Dunstan and lined with restored buildings from the gold rush era. Pinot Junction is good for a coffee and homemade cinnamon scroll. 
  
  
• Lindis Pass lookout: You’ll find this parking area at the Lindis Pass summit. It’s a nice little short stop for a photo op over the winding Lindis Pass road and tussock-covered mountains.
  
  
• High Country Salmon: Enjoy lunch at the cafe, which features items like salmon bagels and fresh sushi, or pick up some smoked salmon from the shop next to the cafe for a picnic later on.
  
  
• Twizel: the small town of Twizel is the last stop for supplies before entering Mount Cook National Park. So, if you need a grocery or petrol top-up, make sure to stop here! If you haven’t already had lunch, I highly recommend a visit to Mint Folk & Co, one of my favourite cafes in the South Island.
  
  
• Mount Cook Alpine Lavender Farm: Between late December to February, this beautiful lavender farm is awash in purple blooms. There’s an entry fee to wander through the lavender fields, but I do think it’s worth a visit when the lavender is in bloom! 
  
  
• Peter’s Lookout: For the best photo-ops of Lake Pukaki and the road to Mount Cook National Park, stop at Peter’s Lookout. There’s a large parking area here so you can safely pull over to soak in the views and snap some photos. Fingers crossed that you get a clear day to see Aoraki Mount Cook itself!

What to do in Mount Cook National Park

The best thing to do in Mount Cook National Park is to hit the hiking trails! There are trails for most abilities, ranging from thigh-burning climbs to mellow strolls.

Here are my favourite walks and hikes in the park.

• Hooker Valley Track: this 10 km trail is the most popular day hike in the park. It leads you across swing bridges and boardwalks to glacially-carved Hooker Lake, with incredible views of Mount Cook on a clear day.
  
  
• Kea Point: take a short and easy walk along this 3 km trail to reach a viewpoint over Mueller Lake. On a clear day, you’ll get epic views of Mount Cook from here.
  
  
• Sealy Tarns: if you’re up for a leg-burning, lung-busting trail, hike up over 2,000 stairs on this “Stairway to Heaven” track. The alpine tarns at the top of the trail reflect the surrounding landscape when conditions are calm, and you’ll get sweeping views over the national park.
  
  
• Tasman Glacier Walk: this short but steep 1.5 km trail leads you to a beautiful view over Tasman Lake, with distant views of the receding Tasman Glacier at the head of the lake.
  
  
• Red Tarns: an underrated but beautiful walk, this 4 km trail climbs up to a panoramic view over the park.

For something a bit more relaxing, I recommend having a drink and snack up at the Hermitage Hotel. The dining room at the Hermitage offers sweeping views over the park. The DOC Visitor Centre is also well worth a visit!

Where to stay in Mount Cook National Park 

• Top choice: Aoraki Court Motel (the rooms have fully-equipped kitchenettes, which I find so handy since dining options are limited in the national park!)
  
  
• Luxury: Hermitage Hotel
  
  
• Budget: Haka House
  
  
• Camping: White Horse Hill DOC campground, one of my favourite campsites in the South Island. Or see my guide to the best camping spots near Mount Cook National Park.

Further reading: where to stay near Mount Cook

Day 10: Christchurch via Lake Tekapo

• Drive time from Mount Cook National Park to Christchurch: 330 km | 4 hours

Make your way back to Christchurch today, with a stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo along the way.

Depending on your timeframe, you’ll either stay the night in Christchurch before departing tomorrow, or maybe you have a flight booked to leave Christchurch tonight. 

Either way, here are some places I enjoy along today’s drive, and you can pick and choose what to do to fit your schedule.

Stops on the drive from Mount Cook National Park to Christchurch

• Lake Tekapo: the cute town of Tekapo sits along the shores of beautiful Lake Tekapo, which holds the most incredible turquoise-blue water and is surrounded by golden mountains. Stop for a wander around town and down by the lakefront. If you visit in late spring/early summer (late November through December), you’ll be greeted by swathes of pink and purple lupins along the shoreline. For lunch and coffee in town, I recommend the Greedy Cow cafe, or save your appetite for the next stop on the list.
  
  
• Fairlie Bakehouse: this bakery is famous for its pies, which some believe are the best in New Zealand (and I must say I agree). Their pork belly and applesauce pie is outstanding, and they have vegetarian and gluten-free options, too.
  
  
• Geraldine: the Barker’s Foodstore in Geraldine is a lovely stop for lunch or just a tea and scone. They also have a vast selection of jams, chutneys and sauces available in their store onsite.

Related read: the best stops on the drive between Christchurch and Mount Cook

Resources for your 10 day South Island itinerary

• The free campermate app is such a handy resource for any NZ road trip. You’ll be able to easily find campsites and campervan dump stations via the app, but it also shows locations for water fountains, toilets, petrol stations, and more.
  
  
• New Zealand’s weather can be fickle, and you may need to change up your plans last-minute if the weather looks terrible or if roads close due to unsafe conditions. I use Metservice to check up on the weather, and the NZTA website to check for road closures.
  
  
• DOC (the Department of Conservation) manages our national parks and wilderness areas. Their website is a great resource for hikers and campers looking for trails and campsites, and they have friendly visitor centres in many locations across the South Island.

Best time of year for your South Island road trip

This road trip is suitable for travel year-round, but winter travel requires some extra planning and preparation. Here’s a breakdown of what the seasons have to offer.

Spring through autumn

Mid spring through early autumn—November through March—will give you longer daylight hours and the best access to hiking trails.

Peak summer (end of December through the first week of February) means crowds and high prices, but it can also bring long, sunny days that are perfect for lake swims and hikes. 

If you plan your trip during peak summer, you should book everything far in advance—including campsites or accommodation, and your car or campervan.

And here are a couple of seasonal things to consider. 

If you want to see lupins around Lake Tekapo and Mackenzie Country, visit from late spring through early summer between late November through mid-December. 

And if you want to see autumn colours (Arrowtown is amazing for this!), time your visit during the last couple of weeks in April.

Winter 

If you plan to travel in winter or early spring (June through September), you’ll be greeted with snowy mountain scenery that’ll take your breath away. However, it will be icy and cold, and you’ll need to take some precautions. 

During winter, you should carry chains in your vehicle and know how to use them—ask your campervan or car hire company to help you with this. 

In winter, you shouldn’t drive early in the morning to avoid black ice on the roads, and you should check for potential road closures before hitting the road. Some roads—like the Crown Range Road and Lindis Pass—can occasionally close if conditions are unsafe. 

From June through September, I’d also recommend taking a tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound instead of driving yourself, as the road to Milford Sound can often be dicey in winter and early spring due to avalanche risk and ice.

In addition, you may not be able to do every hike mentioned in this guide during winter, but it really depends on the year and snowfall levels. In Mount Cook National Park, for example, I’d check in with the DOC visitor centre to see what trails are open and safe to do.

And, of course, if you plan to ski, you’ll want to adjust this itinerary accordingly! Queenstown and Wanaka are the top ski destinations along this route. Check out my guide to winter in Queenstown for tips on ski fields and other wintery things to do.

Thanks for reading my 10 day South Island itinerary!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your trip.

As always, please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

More New Zealand itineraries for you

Here are some other itineraries you might enjoy as you plan your NZ adventure.

• 7-day Christchurch to Queenstown road trip (a reader favourite!)
  
  
• 7-day South Island itinerary (from Queenstown)
  
  
• 9-day South Island itinerary
  
  
• 10-day South Island itinerary from Queenstown
  
  
• 12-day South Island itinerary