7 Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary (by Car or Campervan)

Planning a 7 day South Island itinerary is no easy task.
It can feel overwhelming to know where to go, what to see, and what to skip.
I’m here to help. I live in the South Island and travel around New Zealand often—and in this guide, I’ll share the itinerary I’d recommend to most first-time visitors.
While one week isn’t enough time to see everything, it’s possible to fit in some truly incredible key places if you know where to focus your time. This fast-paced but doable route will help you experience the South Island’s highlights without spending your whole trip driving.
I’ve included the major South Island hotspots like Queenstown, Milford Sound, & Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. I’ll also show you where to find the best hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and awesome places to find great local food and drinks along your road trip.
Read on to learn how to spend 7 epic days in the South Island!
FYI: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). I only share products & services I use, love & would recommend to a friend.
7-Day South Island Road Trip Map
Where to hire a car or campervan for your road trip

🚐 Campervan hire: I use Motorhome Republic to compare prices on campervan rentals in New Zealand.
I’ve also had good experiences with JUCY vans. They have a depot in Queenstown and a wide range of vans to choose from.
🚙 Car hire: I use Discover Cars to compare prices, and just choose whoever has the best deal & reviews!
I’ve hired cars in New Zealand from Apex, Snap, Ace, Go Rentals, & Avis (to name a few) and have no complaints about any of them.
7-Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Queenstown

Queenstown is the perfect place to kick off your 7 day South Island road trip.
This gorgeous town is located on the shores of sparkling Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by towering mountain peaks.
It’s known as the “adventure capital of the world” due to its plethora of adrenaline-spiking activities like bungy jumping, jet boating, and sky-diving.
But for me, Queenstown is all about the outdoors.
We have an incredible array of hiking trails, biking paths, and awesome cafes and restaurants to fuel up for your activities.
This is where I live and play, so I’m excited to share my favourite spots with you!
Now, you won’t have time for everything in this list, so pick and choose what sounds the most fun to you.
Things to do in Queenstown


- Walk through the Queenstown Gardens—they’re free to visit, and are in a gorgeous spot along the lake right next to town.
- Hike up Queenstown Hill for great views.
- Go jet boating—it’s an iconic Queenstown experience, and I think it’s worth the money. The Shotover Jet is my favourite (and afterwards, get a craft beer and food at Canyon Brewing).
- Hire bikes to hit the scenic cycle trails. Around the Basin is a great place to hire bikes from; they offer a shuttle option if you want to start in Arrowtown and bike back to Queenstown (go for the e-bike option, and stop at Altitude Brewery on the way back!).
- Take the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak for incredible views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. It’s a great place to watch the sunset.
- Hop on a scenic lake cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. For the ultimate treat, book in for the lunch or dinner at Walter Peak Station. The food and scenery are both so good.
- Book a self-drive tour of Deer Park Heights, a Lord of the Rings filming site, animal encounter, and scenic drive all in one. I love packing a picnic to enjoy up there while looking at the incredible views over Queenstown. Afterwards, you could head to the Kelvin Peninsula for a walk or swim at the sunny beach.

Where to eat & drink in Queenstown

- Cafes: Bespoke Kitchen, Vudu, & Yonder are all great spots for brunch. The Boat Shed is another favourite of mine; it’s located in the Queenstown Marina about a 10-minute drive from town (or within walking distance if you camp at Driftaway).
- Restaurants: Margo’s, Tanoshi, Kappa, & Blue Kanu are all good places for dinner in town. Sundays in Frankton is a lovely spot for woodfired pizzas. And if you’re keen to try a famous Fergburger, I recommend taking it to Perky’s Floating Bar, where you can bring food onboard if you purchase a drink.
- Dessert & treats: Fergbaker makes delicious pastries and tarts, and Patagonia or Mrs Ferg are excellent places for an ice cream. Out in the Frankton Marina is Boatshed Bakery, a nice spot for pastries and locally-roasted Wolf coffee.
- Drinks: Little Blackwood, Ferg Bar, & Little Mez are lovely cocktail bars. For craft beers in town, head to Atlas, Smiths, or Beechtree.

Where to stay in Queenstown

- The Holiday Inn Express is a convenient choice close to town, with parking available. They also offer free breakfast.
- Garden Court Suites & Apartments: This is a good choice if you want a kitchenette in your room. They have parking onsite and many of the rooms have lake views. It’s just a 10-minute walk into town from this spot.
- Sherwood is a hip boutique hotel along Frankton Road, about a 10-minute drive or quick bus ride away from the town centre. They have a fantastic restaurant onsite featuring locally-sourced produce.
- ⛺️ Camping in Queenstown: camp at Driftaway or Creeksyde

Day 2: Queenstown – day trip to Glenorchy
🚙 Drive time from Queenstown to Glenorchy: 45 minutes one-way (1.5 hours return)


On day 2 of your itinerary, head out to Glenorchy for a mini road trip.
Glenorchy is a small settlement about a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, not counting any stops you’ll make.
And you’re going to want to make a lot of stops!
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic drives in all of New Zealand.
This epic road skirts along Lake Wakatipu and offers gorgeous lake and mountain views. There are hikes, scenic lookouts, and Lord of the Rings filming sites along the way.
I’d plan to spend most of today simply enjoying the drive to Glenorchy along with a hike or two. Pack some snacks and get ready for one awesome day out!
Stops on the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy


There are many ways you could spend a day driving to Glenorchy and detouring to places along the way. Here are my favourite spots—choose what sounds the best to you!
- Moke Lake: Detour to peaceful Moke Lake for the lovely Moke Lake Loop Track.
- Twelve Mile Delta: LOTR fans will want to stop here to visit the filming site for Ithilien Camp. The site is located a short walk from the DOC Campground here. You can also hike from Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove (it’s about 1-1.5 hours each way).
- Bob’s Cove: Take a short but scenic walk to picturesque Bob’s Cove, where you’ll find gorgeous blue water that’s tempting for an icy-cold swim on a hot day. Walk up to Picnic Point for the best views.
- Bennett’s Bluff Lookout: Stop here for a great view over Lake Wakatipu.
- Glenorchy: Visit the famous red boat shed, walk the easy Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, and pop into Mrs Woolly’s for a pie and coffee (and check out their cute gift shop, too!).
🥾 Hiking tip: If you’re a keen hiker, you can continue on past Glenorchy to the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. From the Routeburn Shelter, you can day hike to either Routeburn Flats (4 hours return) or Routeburn Falls (6 hours return).
If you choose to do this, I’d plan for just one or two of the above stops along your drive, as the hike will take up a good chunk of your day (it’s very worth it though!).

Day 3: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
🚙 Drive time from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park: 3 hours 10 minutes

You’ll leave Queenstown today and make your way up to the incredible Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and a mecca for hikers.
Drive via the Kawarau Gorge and make some stops—but do try to get to Mount Cook National Park in the afternoon so you have time for a hike!
Tip: Before driving to Mount Cook National Park, I recommend stocking up on petrol and groceries. Queenstown has the best selection of supermarkets, but there are two Four Square supermarkets in Twizel, too, which is just 45 minutes outside of the National Park.
Stops on the drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook


- AJ Hackett Bungy: Even if you’re not keen for a bungy jump yourself (don’t worry, I’m not either), you’ve got to stop here to watch the action. This is the home of the first commercial bungy jumping operation, after all! Hang out at the viewing platform for a bit and watch adventurous people plunge down from the Kawarau Bridge towards the river rushing below.
- Cromwell fruit stalls: In the summer and early autumn, you’ll find fruit stalls just before Cromwell selling seasonal local fruit. Some of them (like Jackson’s Orchard) also have real fruit ice cream, which is my favourite NZ road trip treat aside from a pie 😅
- Lindis Pass: The drive over this tussock-covered mountain pass is a beautiful one. There’s a scenic lookout at the top of the pass, but if you don’t stop there today you can tomorrow instead (you’ll drive back this way tomorrow, too).
- Omarama Clay Cliffs: Detour to this unique area to walk below neat pinnacle-like rock formations that look like something you’d find in the American Southwest. There’s a $5 entry per car.
- High Country Salmon: Stop here to pick up some local alpine salmon; there’s also a cafe on site with salmon sushi and salmon bagels, amongst other offerings.
- Twizel: This is the last stop for petrol or groceries before reaching Mount Cook National Park. There is also an excellent cafe in Twizel—Mint Folk & Co—that I highly recommend for lunch!
- NZ Alpine Lavender: This is a lovely stop from late December through early February when the lavender is in bloom.
- Peter’s Lookout: Pull into this lookout area for some incredible views over turquoise-blue Lake Pukaki and—on a clear day—Aoraki Mount Cook itself.
Optional detour: Tekapo is a popular destination for many South Island visitors. This small town is located along the shores of Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise water and patches of lupins from late spring through early summer. If you want to add on a visit to Tekapo, you could detour there along your drive to Mount Cook—it’ll add about 1.5 extra hours of driving.
My advice? If it’s lupin season, then Tekapo is worth a visit—and if not, I personally think you can skip it on this itinerary.

Things to do in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Want to know the best thing to do in the national park? The answer is easy: go hiking!
These are my favourite day hikes & walks in the national park (you probably won’t have time for all of these, so pick 1-2 of them).
- Hooker Valley Track: This 3-hour return walk is one of the most popular day hikes in the South Island, and once you visit you’ll see why. It’s relatively easy and on a clear day, you’ll get incredible views of Aoraki Mount Cook. You’ll see glacial lakes, cross swing bridges, and wander along a boardwalk over a meadow—it’s packed with gorgeous sights. Do expect crowds (an evening or early morning walk will be less busy).
- Sealy Tarns: Hike up over 2,000 steps to reach an epic viewpoint over Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. This one’s a lung-buster, but it’s worth the effort for those incredible views.
- Kea Point: A 1-hour return walk takes you to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking Mueller Lake. On a clear day, you can also get views of the surrounding mountains (including Aoraki Mount Cook if you’re lucky!).
- Tasman Lake: This short (1-hour return) walk leads to a view over Tasman Lake & the Tasman Glacier terminal. You can often see icebergs floating in the lake in summer.


Where to stay in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Here’s a list of all of the accommodation options in the national park (I’ve tried to list them from lowest price to highest price)
- ⛺️ Camping in Mount Cook National Park: Camp at the White Horse Hill DOC Campsite (it’s right near the trailheads for some of the park’s best hikes, and is easily one of the best campgrounds in the South Island!).
- Haka House (formerly the YHA Hostel)
- Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge
- Aoraki Court Motel (*my top choice)
- Mt Cook Lodge & Motels
- The Hermitage Hotel
Further reading: where to stay near Mount Cook

Day 4: Wanaka
🚙 Drive time from Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka: 2 hours 30 minutes

If you get up early this morning, you could do another one of the walks/hikes mentioned above before leaving Mount Cook National Park.
Then it’ll be time to hit the road again, this time for another lovely lakeside location: Wanaka!
Wanaka is a fan-favourite with almost anyone who visits.
It’s a cute town filled with local shops and cafes, and its location is hard to beat: built on the shores of pristine Lake Wanaka and surrounded by mountains and hiking trails, it’s an outdoor-lover’s paradise.
In this fast-paced itinerary, you’ll only have time for a night in Wanaka. So let’s make the most of it!
Here are some of my favourite spots for a quick Wanaka visit.
Things to do in Wanaka


- Visit Lake Wanaka. Walk along the lakeside trail (you can walk to the famous Wanaka Tree if you’d like), go for a swim, or just enjoy a peaceful afternoon sitting alongside the lake with a book.
- Walk up Mount Iron for a panoramic view over Lake Wanaka and town.
- During the summer months, the Wanaka Lavender Farm is a lovely place to visit.
- Grab a craft beer at one of Wanaka’s breweries (I love B.effect!) and get dinner at the Brownston Street food truck pods—Burrito Craft is great, as are all the other food stalls.
- Watch a movie at the Cinema Paradiso, a boutique cinema with homemade cookies at intermission.
- Have more time? Then explore more of the hiking trails around Wanaka. Roy’s Peak is the most famous Wanaka hike, but Rob Roy Glacier is my all-time favourite day hike around Wanaka. The Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain track is also a goodie.
Where to stay in Wanaka

- Clearbrook Motel: This is a great-value motel located right in the heart of Wanaka, within walking distance of the lake and eateries.
- West Meadows of Wanaka: Located a short drive from town, the rooms at this motel are clean, modern, and simply lovely.
- Lakeside Apartments: With an unbeatable waterfront location—which also happens to be right near town—this is a great place for a luxe stay in an apartment-style setting.
- ⛺️ Camping in Wanaka: The Hampshire Holiday Park Wanaka is a good spot in town, or head out to the lakeside Glendhu Bay Holiday Park. For cheap camping near Wanaka, the Albert Town camping ground is a popular option.

Day 5: Te Anau
🚙 Drive time from Wanaka to Te Anau: 3 hours

Before you leave Wanaka today, grab breakfast and coffee at one of Wanaka’s excellent cafes. I love Scroggin for a sit-down breakfast, or Curbside Bagels for a takeaway bagel and coffee.
Then head over the Crown Range Road back towards Queenstown and onto today’s destination: Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound.
Stops on the drive from Wanaka to Te Anau


- Cardrona Hotel: This historic hotel & pub is a popular photo-op. It’s also a nice stop for a coffee.
- Crown Range Road: This winding, steep road requires some care to drive. There are a few campervan companies that don’t even allow their vehicles on this road (so check beforehand!). It’s a gorgeous drive, though, with a great lookout spot at the summit. If your campervan company prohibits this drive, simply take the slightly longer route via Cromwell & the Kawarau Gorge.
- Arrowtown: Detour to the charming historic town of Arrowtown for a walk along the Arrow River & Buckingham Street. Wolf Coffee Roasters is a great place for a pick-me-up coffee and donut, or grab lunch at Provisions or Slow Cuts. The Royalburn Farm Shop is also a must-visit if you enjoy sourcing local food.
- Devil’s Staircase: After you leave Arrowtown and pass through Queenstown, you’ll drive alongside Lake Wakatipu via the winding Devil’s Staircase Road. There are some lookouts along this drive, but I recommend stopping at them during your return drive on Day 7 instead, as they’re on the right hand side of the road.
- Garston: This is a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of place, but stop here for the handy public toilets & a visit to the Garston Hunny Shop (pick up some local wild thyme honey for a souvenir!).
Things to do in Te Anau


Once you arrive in Te Anau, it’ll likely be the afternoon. There are lots of ways to spend your time in this lakeside town, but here are some of my favourite things to do.
- Go for a day walk on the Kepler Track and immerse yourself in the lush beech forests of Fiordland National Park. I like the walk from the Control Gates to Brod Bay (2.5 hours return), or from Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay (3 hours return).
- Enjoy a sunset from the Marakura Wharf just outside of town.
- A popular activity in Te Anau is the glow worm cave tour with Real NZ.
- Watch the short Ata Whenua – Shadowland film at Fiordland Cinema with a glass of local wine or beer in hand.
- Have dinner at the Redcliff Cafe (book ahead!) or Ditto.
Tip: Before tomorrow, stock up on snacks and picnic lunch supplies at the Fresh Choice in Te Anau (or pop into a Queenstown supermarket on your drive down). You won’t find many food options in Milford Sound unless you book a cruise that includes breakfast or lunch.

Where to stay in Te Anau

- Tasman Holiday Park (their motel units are good value)
- Lakefront Lodge
- Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments
- ⛺️ Camping in Te Anau: The Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park or Tasman Holiday Park Te Anau
Further reading: the best places to stay near Milford Sound

Day 6: Te Anau – day trip to Milford Sound
🚙 Drive time from Te Anau to Milford Sound: 2 hours one-way (4 hours return)

Spend your last full day in the South Island on one of the most epic road trips ever: the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound!
Milford Sound is the destination today, and it’s an incredible one at that. But I actually think the drive to Milford Sound is just as awe-inspiring as Milford Sound itself.
Here’s how to time your day to make the most of it (and beat some of the crowds).
The Perfect Day Trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound


- Leave Te Anau by 8am at the latest. To fuel your road trip, pop into Milford Road Merchant for a coffee and treat.
- Stop at Mirror Lakes on the drive to Milford Sound.
- Once you reach Milford Sound, park at the Deepwater Basin carpark (the only free parking option!) and walk to the cruise terminal (allow 30 minutes).
- Take an 11am or 12pm Milford Sound cruise (book this well in advance).
- After your cruise, do the Milford Foreshore Walk on the way back to your car.
- On the drive back to Te Anau, choose a walk/hike to enjoy this afternoon.
Key Summit is great if it’s a clear day, and Lake Marian is an awesome trail for experienced hikers.
For a couple of short, easy walks, you could do both the Chasm & Lake Gunn walks.
Whichever walk you choose, make sure you have drinking water & snacks!


Day 7: Return to Queenstown for departure
🚙 Drive time from Te Anau to Queenstown: 2 hours

It’s time to say goodbye to the South Island, so make your way back to Queenstown for your flight home.
If you’d like breakfast before leaving Te Anau, I recommend Sandfly Cafe.
Then you’ll retrace part of your drive from Day 5 to return to Queenstown.
You won’t usually hit much traffic between Te Anau and Queenstown, but give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. And don’t forget to return your car or van with a full fuel tank (or else you’ll have to pay the exorbitant fuel charges from your vehicle rental company!).
Best time of year for this 7-day South Island road trip

The best time of year for this road trip is late spring (November) through autumn (April).
During peak summer season (December through February), you’ll encounter more crowds and higher prices, so make sure you book your vehicle and accommodation well in advance.
For fewer crowds, March or early April would be a great time for this trip.
If you want to see lupins in bloom, visit from the end of November through early December. And if you’d prefer autumn colours, April is the best month for that.
You can also do this road trip in winter, but you may not be able to do all of the hikes due to ice or snow, and the daylight hours will be limited. If you plan to visit in winter, check out my guides to Queenstown in winter and campervanning in New Zealand in winter.
Thanks for reading my 7-day South Island road trip itinerary!
I truly hope it’s helped you plan your trip.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback about this itinerary. I really love hearing from you!
More New Zealand Itineraries

Want more New Zealand road trip ideas? Then check out these itineraries—I think you’ll find something just for you!
- 5-day South Island itinerary
- 7-day Queenstown itinerary (set up a base in Queenstown with day trips to nearby destinations)
- 7-Day North Island itinerary (combine with this 7-day South Island road trip for an incredible 14-day New Zealand itinerary)
- Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary (5-7 days) *a reader favourite!
- 9-day South Island itinerary (this will give you a bit more breathing room than 7 days!)
- 10-day South Island itinerary from Queenstown or 10-day South Island itinerary from Christchurch
- 12-day South Island itinerary
- Picton to Queenstown road trip itinerary (via the South Island’s West Coast)

