New Zealand South Island 7 Day Itinerary: The Best Road Trip Guide

New Zealand’s South Island is huge, stunning, and packed with places you’ll want to stop for every five minutes, which is amazing, but tricky if you’ve only got a week.

I lived down here for a while and still felt like I was always finding new places. So if you’re flying all this way, I get wanting to see the best bits without feeling rushed.

That’s why I put this 7-day South Island itinerary together. It’s the same route I did just before moving up to the North Island, and honestly, it turned out to be one of my favourite weeks in New Zealand.

This route has snowy mountains, turquoise lakes, deep fjords, and all the big South Island highlights, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Wanaka, and plenty of quick photo stops too.

If you want to see a lot in seven days without spending the whole time in the car, this one’s for you.

One Week South Island Itinerary Overview

When’s The Best Time Of Year For This South Island Trip?

I think the best time of year to follow this itinerary will be in the spring and summer months, which run from November to April. The island is beautiful all year round, but it’s especially beautiful in these months.

New Zealand does get pretty busy this time of year, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip as far in advance as possible. You might want to skip visiting around Christmas time to avoid the crowds and high prices though!

You can still do this trip year-round—March and April bring stunning fall colours, but be mindful of possible road closures due to snow, particularly from May to September.

What is the best way to travel the south island?

New Zealand caters extremely well to travellers, and there are tons of ways to explore this beautiful country. The best of which (in my opinion) is by campervan!

This definitely gives you the freedom and flexibility to go at your own pace, and the camping facilities in New Zealand are second to none. CamperMate is a great app that you can use to find paid and free campsites, as well as petrol stations, picnic stops and restrooms.

For our 7-day South Island road trip, we rented our camper with Jucy as we found this to be the cheapest option at the time.

You could alternatively rent a car and book accommodation at each stop along your route.

New Zealand South Island 7 Day Itinerary Map

Day 1 – Queenstown & Glenorchy

Campsite – Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

Accommodation – The Dairy Queenstown

You may have already heard that the flight into Queenstown is an experience in itself, and I highly recommend booking a window seat. Flying over the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps will definitely make your jaw drop to the floor.

Once you’ve touched down in Queenstown, your first stop will be picking up your camper.

Nestled between the snow-covered mountains and Lake Wakatipu, a massive glacial lake, is Queenstown, which is said to be one of the most beautiful towns on earth.

If you’re feeling hungry, head straight to the iconic Fergburger, made famous by Lonely Planet, which claims they do the best burgers in the world. People flock here and can wait in line for up to an hour to get a taste!

Their vegan burger, with tofu and mango sauce, is *chef’s kiss* amazing! I’d often treat myself to one after work.

Pro tip: skip the queue by ordering by phone and pick it up when it’s ready.

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is the place to get your adrenaline fix—whether it’s bungy jumping, white-water rafting, skydiving, or jet boating.

I recommend kicking off Day 2 with one of these adventure sports to really get the heart racing!

Glenorchy

Just a 45-minute drive from Queenstown is the charming town of Glenorchy.

The drive to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it! Each bend along the winding road unveils stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the rugged mountains ahead. Don’t be surprised if you want to stop every 5 minutes!

The sleepy town of Glenorchy, which is located next to the mouth of the Dart River, is an unbelievably picturesque location. It’s a dream for outdoor lovers, with its iconic red shed, the jetty and the snow-dusted mountains that circle it.

It can get very busy here during the day, so the earlier you can get here, the better!

A great thing to do on your brief visit here is the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, where you will cross over the wetlands with stunning scenery all around you. This loop takes 1-2 hours, depending on which trail you take.

Head back to Queenstown for dinner, and get ready for the big drive tomorrow on your 7-day New Zealand South Island Itinerary!

Day 2 – Queenstown to Milford Sound

Is any New Zealand road trip complete without a stop in Milford Sound?!

It’s certainly one of the most iconic and unique destinations on the South Island, and that’s where you’re heading today! But before you start your journey, you’ll probably want a decent breakfast.

I highly recommend Bespoke Kitchen in Queenstown, which was my go-to breakfast spot when I lived here.

Before you hit the road from Queenstown, make sure to grab all your essentials like food, gas, and any last-minute shopping – Pak’n’Save is a great stop for that.

Don’t forget to fill up on gas in Te Anau. This will be the last place you’ll find a petrol station on this part of the journey. Better safe than sorry!

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever said the word ‘wow’ as much as I did on the drive to Milford Sound. Trust me when I say you will be stopping a lot, and you will probably need to allow extra time for this! A few of the awesome stops along the way are;

• Eglinton Valley
• Mirror Lakes
• Pop’s View
• Monkey Creek
• The Chasm

I recommend booking the first Milford Sound boat tour for the morning of day 3. This way, you can take all the time you want to really enjoy these spots before getting to your campsite for the evening.

You may not believe it, but New Zealand is the land of the sandflies at certain times of the year! Bring plenty of repellent, as these guys really aren’t messing around! This is ESPECIALLY true at Milford Sound! 

In case you didn’t know, the weather on the South Island can be a bit unpredictable, even in the summer months. It’s advisable to keep an eye on the road conditions before you start any journey.

This is especially important for the road to Milford! It is the only access route and can occasionally close due to bad weather. You can check the Milford Sound road status here before you travel.

Keep in mind, in the winter months, it is the law to carry snow chains on this section of road.

Day 3 – Milford Sound & Wanaka 

Today you’ll be getting up bright and early to drive the final stretch to Milford Sound. If you’re travelling from Cascade Creek, which is one of the closest campsites except for Milford Lodge, it’s still a 50-minute drive! Leave with extra time due to road conditions and traffic.

On this part of your journey, you’ll be entering the mountainous wilderness, with the road meandering between towering peaks. If it’s rained recently, you’ll see hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down the side of the mountains. 

To get to Milford, you will have to drive through the Homer Tunnel, which is a one-way road carved through the mountains. Wait times here can be up to 20 minutes, so leave with plenty of time.

Milford Sound Boat Trip

Once on the other side of the tunnel, you’ll be greeted with views that look like something out of the Jurassic era. The road descends through the untouched canopy of rainforest on your final stretch towards the 8th Wonder of the World.

There is a free car park at Deepwater Basin, which is about a 15-minute walk from the Visitor Centre, but there is also a free shuttle bus if you don’t feel like walking. This car park does fill up very quickly, and you’ll be lucky to get a spot after 9.30 am. If you prefer, there is also a paid car park located at the Visitor Centre.

Boat tours start running at about 8.30 am, depending on which company you book with. Our boat left just before 9 am as we wanted to make the most of the day.

Milford Sound is actually a fjord and was carved out by a glacier millions of years ago. Once you’re on your cruise, you’ll be surrounded by the towering cliffs that remain.

It’s one of the wettest places on earth, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Gushing waterfalls spill down from the mists everywhere you look, one of the biggest being Bridal Falls, which the boats get up close to.

Be aware that you can get soaked when the boats get close to the falls! If you don’t fancy a free shower, I recommend standing towards the back of the boat!

Wildlife is abundant here, including seals, dolphins and penguins. When we visited, we saw seals sunbathing on the rocks with their pups!

Once your tour is finished, I recommend walking back to the car park via the bush walk, where you get a different perspective of the fjord and its rugged landscape.

Drive to Wanaka

Just a heads up, the next stint of your drive is going to be the longest leg you will do on your South Island road trip. On your way to Wanaka, I recommend you stop again in Te Anau as you’ll definitely need to top up on petrol by now.

The road between Queenstown and Wanaka is another one that can close due to snow, so check this ahead of your journey!

Once you’ve completed your long but pretty drive to Wanaka, take the evening to relax and absorb what this quaint town has to offer. If you’re looking to fuel your body ready for tomorrow (more on that in a minute!), a great place to eat is Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar.

To end your day, I recommend watching the sunset behind the mountains at the iconic Wanaka Tree.

Day 4 – Wanaka & Roy’s Peak

Campsite – Glendhu Bay Motor Camp

Accommodation – Apartments on Upton

After a relaxing evening in Wanaka, it’s another early start! You may have noticed on your drive from Wanaka to last night’s campsite, one of the enormous mountains on your left-hand side. Well, that’s Roy, and today you’re going to climb to the peak! 

Roy’s Peak is a popular hike on the South Island and for good reason! Once at the top, you’ll be blown away by the 360-degree views of snowy mountain ranges and the glistening crystal lakes below. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Aspiring from here.

I really don’t want to put you off, but the hike itself is hard, to say the least! The track zig-zags its way up the 1200m climb with no shade, so I recommend you start early before it gets too hot!

It took us around 5 and a half hours to go up and come back down again, and by the end, our legs definitely needed a rest! Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a jacket as it can get chilly up top! Once you’ve finished your hike, you might want to dunk your feet in Wanaka’s icy lake!

If hiking mountains isn’t your thing, don’t stress, I’ve got a great alternative for you! The Wanaka Lavender Farm!

Just a short drive from Wanaka lies the purple fields of Wanaka’s Lavender Farm. The best time to visit is in the summer months (between December to February) as this is when the lavender will be in bloom.

Entrance costs $15 in the summer (open 9 am – 5 pm) and $7 in the off-season (open 10 am – 5 pm).

If you do decide to skip the Roy’s Peak hike, you may wish to visit the Blue Pools today instead of tomorrow morning!

Day 5 & 6 -Blue Pools, Lake Pukaki & Tekapo

The next few days on your New Zealand South Island 7-day itinerary will take you up close and personal to the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook.

But first, why not take a little detour to the turquoise waters of the Blue Pools? You certainly can skip this stop and head straight towards Lake Pukaki from Wanaka if you prefer, but I do think the detour is worth it.

Blue Pools

Your journey to the Blue Pools is another drive that takes you past jaw-dropping views and another gorgeous lake, Lake Hawea. Like Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka, this shimmering lake is surrounded by the Southern Alps, and there are multiple pull-ins you can stop at to check out the views.

Once you arrive at the car park, you’ll easily spot the trailhead leading to the Blue Pools, which is located just off the main road. The trail, which meanders through native forest and over a couple of swing bridges, is mostly flat and is about 1.5km each way.

After approximately 15 to 20 minutes of walking, you’ll reach the dreamy glacial water of the pools.

If you go for a swim, be prepared, the water is soooooo cold, I could only go in up to my knees! James was much braver than me and jumped right in!

If you take some time to relax on the stony shore, make sure you bring your insect repellent, sandflies are in full force here too!

Lake Pukaki

Once you’re ready to head back to the camper, it’s time to start the drive to Lake Pukaki. I know it seems to be the theme of this South Island road trip, but this again is another stunning journey! The road takes you through the rolling hills of Lindis Pass and alongside the Ahuriri River.

If you stop here in November – January, you might be lucky enough to find the field of pink and purple lupins growing along the riverbank.

There are a few places you can stop to fill up on petrol and groceries along the way, such as Omarama or Twizel.

The closer you get to Lake Pukaki, you’ll start to notice white peaks emerging above the tree lines ahead, this will be your first glimpse of New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Standing at the top of Lake Pukaki is the sometimes elusive Aoraki (Mount Cook), which can sometimes be hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds. To give you a better chance of seeing it, we have planned two nights in the area.

You’ll probably notice the unusual milky blue colour of the water at Lake Pukaki. This is caused by glacial flour in the water, which is a result of glacial erosion. The unsettled particles scatter sunlight, which gives the water this ethereal colour.

Hooker Valley Track – Aoraki National Park

One of my favourite and most memorable stops on the South Island during this road trip has to be the Hooker Valley Track!

This trail, which remains mostly flat, is a three-hour round trip that meanders through the picturesque valley. The trail takes you over swing bridges that cross over the top of raging rivers, and in the summertime, you can hear snow and ice crashing in the distance.

At the end of the track, in the shadow of Mount Cook, is Hooker Lake, where you will find icebergs dotted across the water during the summer months.

The trail does get fairly busy, so I would recommend doing this early on your second day here (day 6). Although there’s no right or wrong time to do it!

Other awesome walks in the area are;

• Glencoe Walk (30-minute return)
• Kea Point Track (1 hour return)
• Sealy Tarns Track (3 – 4 hours return, lots of steep steps)

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo, with its turquoise waters, is another must-see while you are in the area.

Just a short 40-minute drive from Lake Pukaki, the small town of Tekapo is a great place to spend the afternoon. If you are here at the right time of year, a sea of pink and purple lupins will frame the lake in an explosion of colour!

While in Tekapo, be sure to visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. Now, I’m not religious, but this picturesque church with its stunning backdrop of the lake and the Southern Alps is a beautiful spot to appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

Tekapo is also part of the Dark Sky Reserve, which is one of the best places to see the starry night sky and the Milky Way. You can take part in a Stargazing tour or go to the Mount John Observatory. We simply enjoyed the view for free from outside our camper!

Day 7 – Christchurch or Queenstown

Journey time – 3.5 hours (Christchurch) or 3 hours (Queenstown)

Today is the day you’ll be dropping your camper back off and is sadly the end of your 7-day itinerary on New Zealand’s South Island. If you are going to drop your camper back in Queenstown, you might want to swing by Arrowtown for some lunch on the way.

The quaint and quirky Arrowtown is about half an hour out of Queenstown and will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The historic gold mining town is located next to the Arrow River and is the perfect spot to spend the last few hours of your 7-day South Island road trip.

Final Thoughts

I think you’ll agree that the South Island is a really special place that’s full of beautiful scenery and fun things to do. From the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps to the beauty of Milford Sound, from the colourful lupins in summer to the crystal-clear Blue Pools, each stop on this road trip will leave your jaw on the floor.

If you only have a short time to explore the South Island of New Zealand, this 7-day itinerary is the perfect way to tick off those bucket list items!!

I personally think that travelling by campervan is the best way to visit, as it gives you much more freedom, although this trip can be done via rental car and overnight accommodation at each stop if you prefer!

I loved my time on the South Island, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you will too.