South Island Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Day Routes

How many days do you need for the South Island?

Most itineraries online squeeze the whole South Island into two weeks and expect you to drive six or seven hours a day. Kiwi travel blogger Alexx at Finding Alexx reckons you need four weeks at the very least to do the full loop properly. Two weeks is a good chunk of the island. It isn't all of it.

So be honest about the days you have and pick the route that fits.

Two things shape the plan as much as the route. The month matters: summer brings long evenings and full beds, and winter brings snow on the passes. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit the South Island covers weather, crowds and school holidays. Money matters too, and what a South Island trip costs breaks down vehicles, beds, food and activities line by line.

None of these routes cover Nelson, Abel Tasman or Kaikōura at the top of the island, which deserve their own week and their own Top of the South guide.

Before you pick a route

Fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown

Christchurch is the South Island's main international gateway. Queenstown Airport has direct daily flights to New Zealand's three largest cities plus services to Australia. Flying in to one and out of the other saves you the drive back, which is 482 km and just under six hours non-stop on the direct inland route according to Enterprise's Christchurch to Queenstown guide.

The 7 day route uses this setup. The 10 and 14 day routes loop back to Christchurch, so you can book a return flight and skip the one-way fee.

What do one-way rental fees cost?

It depends on the company. GO Rentals says a one-way fee of NZ$100 to NZ$1,000 may apply depending on branch availability, with a minimum hire of 1 to 7 days set by the distance between branches. Apex says it charges nothing extra for one-way hires within New Zealand. Enterprise adds a relocation fee that shows when you book.

Campervan companies set their own one-way fees and minimum hire lengths. Apollo and Mighty, for example, charge NZ$200 one way plus a NZ$270 location fee for any Queenstown pick-up or drop-off. Compare the full quote with the fees included, not the daily rate.

Should you hire a car or a campervan?

For 7 days, hire a car. It's quicker on the Crown Range and the Milford Road and cheaper on fuel. Every overnight stop on these routes has motels, lodges or hostels. Guest New Zealand suggests planning on 80 km/h in a rental car and 60 km/h in a campervan, and that gap adds up over a week.

For 14 days a campervan starts to make sense, especially if you'll cook and stay in holiday parks. Check the rules first. From 7 June 2026 a vehicle needs a green warrant to count as certified self-contained, and a portable toilet no longer qualifies because the toilet must be permanently fixed in the vehicle, according to DOC. Our guide to freedom camping in New Zealand in 2026 explains what that means for rental vans and where you can legally park up.

7 day South Island itinerary: Christchurch to Queenstown

This is the classic one-way route for a week. It covers about 1,190 km including the Milford return, and only the Milford day runs much past four hours behind the wheel.

Day 1: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (226 km, about 3 hours)

Head south on SH1 then inland on SH79 through Geraldine and Fairlie. Our Christchurch to Queenstown route guide lists every stop on this stretch, from Rakaia Gorge to the bakeries of Fairlie.

Tekapo itself is small. Walk to the Church of the Good Shepherd early, before the tour coaches fill the car park. After dark the Mackenzie skies are properly black, so book a stargazing tour or just walk away from the streetlights. In late spring you'll spot lupins around the lake, and our guide to lupin season at Tekapo explains when they bloom and why there are fewer than in the famous photos.

If you've just come off a long-haul flight, sleep in Christchurch first and make this an 8 day trip.

Overnight: Lake Tekapo

Day 2: Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village (104 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes)

The road runs along Lake Pukaki with Aoraki/Mt Cook at the far end on a clear day. Stop at the lookout near the southern end of the lake.

The main event is the Hooker Valley Track, about 10 km return and 3 hours on an easy gravel path with three swing bridges. The new second bridge opened in July 2026. It's 189 metres long, and DOC calls it the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand. Parking at White Horse Hill costs NZ$2.50 per half hour or NZ$25 a day, card only. Start early in summer, before the day-trippers arrive.

Beds in the village are limited and book out in summer. Twizel is the cheaper fallback, about 63 km back down the road.

Overnight: Aoraki/Mt Cook Village

Day 3: Mt Cook to Wānaka (206 km, about 2 hours 20 minutes)

Drive back past Twizel, through Ōmarama and over the Lindis Pass. Ōmarama's Clay Cliffs make a good leg stretch.

Wānaka is the relaxed version of Queenstown. Walk the lakefront and swim if you're brave. Save Roy's Peak for a morning when you can start at dawn, because it's a long, steep climb. It closes for lambing from 1 October to 10 November each year.

Overnight: Wānaka

Day 4: Wānaka to Queenstown (about 70 km, about 1 hour 10 minutes)

Take the Crown Range Road through Cardrona, a short drive with big views. If you're in a large campervan or snow is forecast, take SH6 through Cromwell instead, which is about 111 km and 1.5 hours. Stop in Arrowtown either way.

Queenstown is busy, loud and expensive. It's still worth a night. Ride the gondola, queue for a burger and go to bed early because tomorrow is Fiordland.

Overnight: Queenstown

Day 5: Queenstown to Te Anau (171 km, about 2 hours)

Fiordland's regional tourism site puts this at about two hours, allowing for rest stops but not sightseeing. The road follows Lake Wakatipu past the Devil's Staircase then crosses farmland to Te Anau.

Te Anau is your base for Milford and the last fuel before the Sound. Mitre Peak Cruises notes there's no petrol and no mobile coverage between Te Anau and Milford, so sort tonight's dinner and tomorrow's fuel stop in Te Anau while you still have signal. Kiwi Guide shows places to eat, fuel up and things to do near where you are, with a lean towards cheap and cheerful.

If you have energy left, take the evening glowworm cave trip across the lake.

Overnight: Te Anau

Day 6: Milford Sound return (about 240 km, 4 to 5 hours of driving)

This is the long day and it runs over the four-hour cap. Britz puts the return trip at about 240 km and 4 to 5 hours. Te Anau to Milford is about 120 km and takes at least two hours each way before you stop at Mirror Lakes, The Divide or The Chasm. Leave by 7am, cruise mid-morning and drive back in daylight.

Book the cruise before you leave home. Our Milford Sound guide compares cruise lengths and boat sizes, and Queenstown to Milford Sound: Day Trip or Te Anau covers every stop on the road. Rain doesn't ruin Milford. It turns the cliffs into waterfalls.

Expect no signal from Te Anau onwards. Our South Island mobile coverage guide lists the other dead zones on these routes and what to download before you go.

Overnight: Te Anau

Day 7: Te Anau to Queenstown (171 km, about 2 hours) and fly out

Book an afternoon flight so roadworks can't cost you the plane.

The verdict on 7 days: enough for this route, but there's no spare day. If the Milford Road closes for weather, you lose Milford. If you can add a day, add it in Te Anau.

10 day South Island itinerary: the east coast loop

This is the 7 day route plus the deep south and the east coast, finishing back in Christchurch. It covers about 1,800 km with no one-way fee.

Days 1 to 6: Christchurch to Te Anau and Milford

Follow days 1 to 6 of the 7 day route, ending with two nights in Te Anau and Milford in between.

Day 7: Te Anau to the Catlins (about 310 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes)

This is the longest transfer of the loop and it runs a little over the cap. Drive south to Invercargill, about 152 km and 2 hours, then east along the Catlins coast road through Curio Bay to Owaka, about 156 km and 2 hours 20 minutes. The inland road is about 20 km shorter if you skip Curio Bay.

Curio Bay is the stop to plan around. The Southern Scenic Route lists penguin viewing platforms there, so follow the signs and keep your distance.

Overnight: Owaka (Catlins)

Day 8: The Catlins to Dunedin (about 110 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes)

Clutha's tourism site puts Owaka about 1 hour 20 minutes from Dunedin. Detour to Nugget Point on the way. Earth Trekkers warns the road in is narrow and winding, with no signal at the lighthouse or at Cathedral Caves.

Spend the afternoon on the Otago Peninsula for albatross and sea lions.

Overnight: Dunedin

Day 9: Dunedin to Oamaru (113 km, about 1.5 hours)

GO Rentals times this at about 1 hour 28 minutes non-stop. Take the coast road via Karitane, then stop at the Moeraki Boulders, about 30 minutes south of Oamaru. Go at low tide. Our Christchurch to Dunedin road trip guide covers tide timing and every stop on this coast.

Oamaru earns its night. Walk the Victorian Precinct, visit Steampunk HQ and watch the blue penguins come home at dusk.

Overnight: Oamaru

Day 10: Oamaru to Christchurch (about 250 km, 3 to 3.5 hours) and fly out

This is the flattest, dullest drive of the trip. Christchurch to Dunedin is about 360 km on SH1 and Oamaru sits 113 km short of Dunedin. Push through, stop in Timaru for lunch and book an evening flight.

Buffer day option: skip the Catlins and drive Te Anau to Dunedin direct on day 7, about 290 km and 4 hours. That frees a spare day for weather or rest.

14 day South Island itinerary: the full loop

Two weeks lets you add the West Coast and its glaciers. It covers about 2,100 km and the order matters. Crossing Arthur's Pass first puts you on the West Coast early, with a spare day before Haast Pass in case the weather turns.

Day 1: Christchurch to Arthur's Pass (153 km, about 2 hours)

The road climbs over Porters Pass and past the limestone boulders of Castle Hill to Arthur's Pass village, which Tourism New Zealand puts just under two hours from Christchurch. Do a couple of short walks from the village. DOC warns of car break-ins at track ends, so take your valuables with you.

Overnight: Arthur's Pass

Day 2: Arthur's Pass to Hokitika (about 100 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes)

Stop at the Otira Viaduct lookout on the way down the western side. Spend the afternoon at Hokitika Gorge and the evening on the beach for sunset.

Coverage gets patchy from here south, especially between the glaciers and Haast. Download maps and bookings before you leave Hokitika.

Overnight: Hokitika

Days 3 and 4: Hokitika to Franz Josef (135 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes)

Glacier Country Tourism puts this leg at 135 km and 1 hour 43 minutes. The glacier is about 6 km from the village. Check the daily glacier access report on that site before you walk in, because access changes with the ice and the river.

Use day 4 for a heli-hike if the weather allows, or drive 24 km to Fox Glacier for Lake Matheson's reflections first thing in the morning. This is also your buffer day. If heavy rain is forecast for Haast Pass, sit tight and the rest of the plan still works.

Overnight: Franz Josef (2 nights)

Day 5: Franz Josef to Wānaka over Haast Pass (285 km, about 3 hours 40 minutes)

Glacier Country puts this at 285 km and 3 hours 38 minutes non-stop. Stop at Knights Point lookout and Ship Creek, then the Blue Pools walk on the Wānaka side of the pass. Fill up in Franz Josef or Fox before you set off.

Haast Pass closes for floods and slips. On 20 June 2026 flooding shut SH6 between Haast and Makarora in the morning, and NZTA reported it had reopened by 1pm. Many closures are short like that one. Check NZTA Journeys the night before and again in the morning.

Overnight: Wānaka (2 nights)

Day 6: Wānaka

A rest day, and you'll want it by now. Climb Roy's Peak at dawn if it's open, hire a bike for the lake track or do nothing at all.

Days 7 and 8: Wānaka to Queenstown (about 70 km, about 1 hour 10 minutes)

Cross the Crown Range on day 7. On day 8 drive the lakeside road to Glenorchy or spend the day in Arrowtown.

Overnight: Queenstown (2 nights)

Days 9 and 10: Queenstown to Te Anau and Milford Sound

Drive to Te Anau on day 9 (171 km, about 2 hours) and do Milford on day 10 (about 240 km return, 4 to 5 hours of driving). Like the shorter routes, day 10 runs over the cap.

Overnight: Te Anau (2 nights)

Day 11: Te Anau to Dunedin (290 km, about 4 hours)

Fiordland's tourism site puts Te Anau to Dunedin at about 290 km and 4 hours. It's mostly farmland through Gore and Balclutha. Break it at Gore for lunch.

Overnight: Dunedin

Day 12: Dunedin to Oamaru (113 km, about 1.5 hours)

As on the 10 day route, take the coast via Karitane and the Moeraki Boulders, then catch the penguins in Oamaru at dusk.

Overnight: Oamaru

Day 13: Oamaru to Lake Tekapo via Mt Cook (about 310 km, 3.5 to 4 hours)

Drive up the Waitaki Valley to Ōmarama, about 1 hour 20 minutes, then on to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, about another hour, according to Distinction Ōmarama's drive times. Walk the Hooker Valley Track, then drive the last 104 km to Tekapo.

That's a full day. Skip Mt Cook if you saw it on a clear day earlier, and Oamaru to Tekapo via Ōmarama drops to about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Overnight: Lake Tekapo

Day 14: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch (226 km, about 3 hours) and fly out

Book an afternoon or evening flight.

Drive times for every leg

These are non-stop times. A real day with stops runs about half as long again. Our guide to driving in the South Island covers the passes, one-lane bridges and fuel gaps on each of these roads.

Sources are linked at each day above. Arthur's Pass to Hokitika is the balance of the Christchurch to Hokitika drive, which most sources put at about 250 km.

What to book before you land

Book these as soon as your dates are set, especially for December to February.

• Milford Sound cruise. In peak summer, Queenstown departures can sell out weeks ahead and Te Anau ones fill too. Book a mid-morning sailing if you're driving from Te Anau.
• Great Walks. The 2026/27 season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 on the Milford and Routeburn tracks, and from 27 October 2026 on the Kepler. Huts and campsites must be booked in advance. To fit a Great Walk (a multi-day tramp, which is Kiwi for hiking) into one of these routes, add three to four days.
• Summer beds in Tekapo, Mt Cook Village and Te Anau. These are small towns with a lot of visitors. Book those nights first and fit the bigger towns around them.
• Your vehicle. January rental cars and campervans get scarce and pricey, and one-way availability goes first.

Mistakes to avoid on a South Island road trip

Trusting Google drive times

Google assumes you drive at the limit and never stop. You won't. Fiordland's own figures allow for rest stops but not sightseeing, and campervans run slower still.

Leaving no buffer day

Weather closes roads here and jet lag is real. The 7 day route has no slack. On 10 or 14 days, keep one day unplanned in the middle. Franz Josef and Te Anau are the best places for it because those are the days most likely to be rained off.

Having no plan B for Haast Pass

Many Haast Pass closures last only hours, like the one on 20 June 2026. When a big slip keeps it shut for days, the only way from South Westland to Queenstown is north over Arthur's Pass and back down through Canterbury. When SH6 was cut in September 2023, NZTA put that detour at more than nine hours and the Otago Daily Times reported about 12 hours from Haast. If it happens on your trip, your buffer day in Franz Josef is your first move. Waiting a day nearly always beats the detour.

Doing Milford as a day trip from Queenstown

It works, but DOC puts the return trip at about 600 km and 12 to 14 hours, and someone has to drive all of it. Every route here puts you in Te Anau the night before instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7 days enough for the South Island?

Seven days is enough for the highlights between Christchurch and Queenstown: Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Wānaka, Queenstown and Milford Sound. It isn't enough for the West Coast glaciers or the east coast without driving six or more hours a day. Fly in to Christchurch and out of Queenstown so you don't spend a day driving back.

Should I start in Christchurch or Queenstown?

Start in Christchurch for most trips. It's the main international gateway and the first days are easy driving while you get used to keeping left. The long Milford day then comes once you're comfortable. Starting in Queenstown works just as well for the 7 day route if the flights are cheaper that way.

Can I do a South Island road trip without a car?

Yes, but it's slower and you'll see less. InterCity runs coaches across the South Island linking Christchurch, Tekapo, Queenstown, Wānaka, Te Anau, Dunedin and Franz Josef. Day tours run to Milford Sound from Queenstown and Te Anau. Places like the Catlins are hard to reach without your own wheels or a tour.

How many hours a day should I drive in the South Island?

Aim for about four hours of non-stop driving, which becomes six or so once you add stops. Alpine passes and one-lane bridges make South Island roads slower than they look on the map. Plan a long day only when there's a big payoff, like Milford Sound.

What happens if Haast Pass is closed?

Many closures last a few hours and reopen the same day, so the best move is often to wait in Franz Josef, Fox Glacier or Wānaka. If the road stays shut, the detour runs north over Arthur's Pass and back through Canterbury, which takes about 9 to 12 hours. Check NZTA Journeys for live road status before you set off.