Scenic South Island Road Trip Itinerary | New Zealand

Road trips are one of the best ways to travel, closely followed by rail and boat tours. Driving yourself around your holiday location allows more freedom than any coach tour can ever offer. Granted you’re a confident driver and know the local road rules well.

A scenic South Island road trip is the best way to experience Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell and everywhere in between. See more nature than the hilly landscape of the Remarkables and see more kiwi history than the Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown.

How to Plan for Your Scenic South Island Road Trip

I’d be the first to admit that planning a South Island road trip isn’t the easiest thing to do if you don’t know New Zealand well. And calculating the cost of car hire and petrol may seem like more hassle where a taxi or bus could transport you just as well.

I have done the hard work for you so all you need to do is book a trip and enjoy the ride. Below I’ve put together a 10-day South Island road trip itinerary including some highlights of each town. This South Island itinerary covers 9 large towns over 1,128km. Including historic villages, fast and furious speeds at Highlands Motorsport Park and of course some of the best restaurants and cutest accommodation options.

I would allow at the very least 10 days for this South Island road trip, unfortunately due to the way the highways are laid out a few of the same routes will be taken more than once. But it’s a good opportunity to get pictures of views which may have been crowded the first time around.

Packing Tips

Packing for an overseas holiday can be hard enough, let alone when you’re packing for a country with a multitude of climates in such a small area. Our cars in New Zealand aren’t as big as American trucks so you might find yourself getting creative with your packing if you’re a family of 4 in a small sedan, luckily my friend at GlobeTrove.com has put together a list of 5 Epic Tips that can Change the Way you Pack. Give that a read and you’ll be saving plenty of space in no time.

New Zealand Rental Car Companies

• Avis (We booked the 2019 Toyota Rav4 to travel the northern section of this itinerary)
• Jucy (We booked a small hatch to complete the southern section of this itinerary)

South Island Destinations

• Queenstown
• Glenorchy
• Te Anau
• Milford Sound
• Arrowtown
• Cromwell
• Wanaka
• Omarama
• Twizel
• Tekapo

Queenstown and Glenorchy |Day 1-2

Queenstown

Queenstown is a great town to stay in for a night or two, but since I come from Auckland I know commercial shopping and busy centres all too well. So two days is usually the maximum time I can spend in Queenstown before I get itchy feet and start yearning for the wide open spaces of the Southern Alps. Queenstown has a fantastic waterfront and some great restaurants. Blue Kanu being our top choice for a fancy dinner, otherwise Taco Medic and Ferg Burger are great for midday snacking or last-minute meal choices.

Glenorchy: Glenorchy is a small settlement at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, about a 40 minute drive from Queenstown. Most famously known for being one of the locations where Lord of the Rings was filmed, you can take tours through Glenorchy on horseback to visit Isengard, or drive yourself to dart river and totally geek out at the film locations. The wharf and boat shed are the most photographed objects in Glenorchy, photographers from all around the world wait patiently in the freezing Glenorchy air to capture the shot of the wharf in perfect lighting conditions.

Bungy Jumping: AJ Hacket Bungy is a great way to feel the immense fear of falling without the thud at the end. Experience the classic bungy or go for the zipline if you’d rather soar like a bird. Booking is essential.

Te Anau and Milford Sound | Day 3-4

Queenstown to Te Anau: 2 hours / 171km
Directions to Te Anau: Travel along State Highway 6A to join up with State Highway 6 south, follow signs (or Google Maps) for Te Anau.

Te Anau

This South Island road trip begins with the 2-hour drive to Te Anau. Te Anau is a great little hub for adventure and nature with a super casual pub atmosphere in the town centre.

Kepler Track Hiking Trail: Kepler track is a great track for beginners, amateur adventurists who want a bit of fresh air and great scenery, or those who want a multi-day hike in New Zealand forests. Thick green moss covers most of the forest floor with native Kauri trees towering above. Start your walk at Rainbow Reach and follow Kepler Track for just over an hour until you reach Moturau Hut. This is where most day hikers begin their return along the same path, unless you have packed and prepared for multiple days in the bush; then continue your climb!

Directions to Kepler Track: Head South on State Highway 95 to Rainbow Reach / 13 minutes.

Milford Sound Boat Tour: What’s a South Island road trip without a Milford Sound boat trip? A Milford Sound cruise is a typical tourist ‘tick box’ activity and is worth every penny, an hour and a half drive north of Te Anau it’s an easy day trip and one of the best places to hone in on your camera skills. This fiord in Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also one of the wettest places on earth while also being one of the most isolated in New Zealand. If it wasn’t for the Homer Tunnel being built in 1953 we would still be accessing Milford Sound via boat or employing our lack of mountain climbing skills.

A cruise on Milford Sound takes you through some of the most dramatic landscape available in New Zealand; hundreds of waterfalls flow down the sides of mountains into the Fiord creating deep crevices into the surrounding landscape.

Milford Sound drags hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world to Fiordland each year, so no wonder they can charge what they do for a single can of coke… top tip; take your own lunch! Multiple hour long cruises run a daily timetable from the wharf, but it’s crucial to pre-book so you get a seat onboard.

Directions to Milford Sound: Head north on State Highway 94 to Milford Sound / 1.5hrs.

RELATED: Read about our full experience at Milford Sound!

Arrowtown and Cromwell | Day 5-6

Te Anau to Arrowtown: 2 hours / 178km
Directions to Arrowtown: Travel back the same route towards Queenstown. Follow State Highway 6 to Lake Hayes and follow signs for Arrowtown (Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Rd)

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a great place to visit for a morning or afternoon while either staying in Queenstown or if passing through the area. The great thing about this South Island road trip is that it can be done in either summer or winter; as the views from Arrow River are absolutely beautiful during autumn when the ground is covered in a thick layer of frost and the surrounding trees are turning shades of yellow and orange. And the main road of Buckingham St is even better in winter when covered in a fresh layer of snow, however I’m yet to experience it.

Take a look inside the Remarkable Sweet Shop to taste their multitude of flavours of fudge or walk down to the Chinese Settlement and grab pictures inside the historic village. There is plenty to do in Arrowtown, just make sure you take a few extra layers with you, as I’m sure this old gold mining settlement has subarctic temperatures.

Food Options: Whether you’re wanting a full meal or to curb some sugar cravings, Arrowtown has an abundance of food options. The Remarkable Sweet shop is worth a visit if you love to taste fudge for free. The Bendix Stables Food Emporium and Watering Hole isn’t only a mouthful to say, but their food will keep you full for the rest of the afternoon. This stone pub transports you to classic Britain where the meals are hearty and pub is cosy, the mulled wine is worth the try too!

RELATED: Love adventure? Check out Skippers Canyon near Queenstown!

Cromwell

Arrowtown to Cromwell: 36 minutes / 46.1km
Directions to Cromwell: Make your way back to State Highway 6 along McDonnell Rd, follow SH6 eastbound signs for Cromwell.

The perfect place for lakeside accommodation, thrill seeking adventure and a more relaxed atmosphere while still enjoying a good night out. Cromwell is only a short drive from Queenstown which makes it a perfect day trip destination during your South Island road trip.

Highlands Motorsport Park

As if you haven’t done enough driving already? Highlands Motorsport Park is the place to be if you’re a self-proclaimed ‘petrol head’. The Highlands car museum is only the beginning to what is one of the most technical racetracks in New Zealand. Push your car sickness to the limit and ride in a Ferrari, American muscle car or Porsche Cayenne, or drive the track yourself in a Radical SR3. Either way you’re going to be wishing you left more room between meals.

Bendigo Mining Trail

Kanuka Loop Track in Bendigo is the location of previous gold mining towards the beginning of the 20th century. Multiple mine shafts of different depths and length cover this hill and old stone buildings and wooden carts are scattered around the area. Watch out for mine shafts in the ground as not all of them are fenced.

Accommodation in Cromwell

Heritage Lake Resort in Cromwell is one of the most unique accommodation options in the country. Staying above the water on Lake Dunstan with your own private balcony looking out to the water, you’re going to want to stay in your room as much as possible to make the most of the luxury.
We have stayed here twice and loved both visits, the sunset and sunrise both create a gorgeous glow on the mountain ranges which tower above Cromwell. Don’t forget your camera!

Wanaka | Day 7-8

Cromwell to Wanaka: 38 minutes / 53.6km
Directions to Wanaka: From Cromwell follow State Highway 6 north, through Queensberry and Luggate for Wanaka.

Wanaka

Wanaka is another popular tourist town for its ease of access to plenty of bush walks, hikes and nature trails. Most famously known for a spindly tree which sits in Lake Wanaka at Roys Bay. Wanaka is a great town with plenty going on; you can visit the salmon farm just north of the town where you can fish for your salmon and the staff can prepare it how you like on the spot, or you can swap your caught fish for freshly pre-packaged salmon.

Blue Pools Track, Wanaka

Blue Pools Track is a popular destination for families or individuals wanting to escape into nature. And it’s not a South Island road trip without experiencing some of the coldest waters in New Zealand. The short, flat walk winds you through bush before welcoming you to two swing bridges suspended over a bright blue pool of water feed by glaciers high up in the mountains nearby. You’re welcome to swim in the pool but I do recommend waiting for warmer weather.

RELATED: Want some more excitement in your South Island travels? Skippers Canyon Tour and Jet Boat is not for the faint hearted!

Omarama, Twizel and Tekapo |Day 9-10

Wanaka to Omarama: 1.5 hours / 112km
Directions to Omarama: Travel along State Highway 6 eastbound to join up with SH8a, continue onto SH8 and travel through Lindis Pass until you reach Omarama.

Omarama

Omarama is a great little town to stop in for a coffee or a spot of souvenir shopping. Omarama sits on the northern side of Lindis pass so is often the hub for stranded locals or tourists trying to make it south during a snowstorm. But regardless of the risk of being stuck in a town w

Omarama Hot Tubs

I’m yet to experience these hot tubs, but I’m writing about them because they are next on my list when we are back in Omarama! Definitely a rival to Onsen hot pools back in Queenstown. Do yourself a favour and Google image search Omarama Hot Tubs or simply search it on Instagram. You’ll find yourself booking a return flight to the south island in no time!

Omarama Clay Cliffs

What’s a South Island road trip without seeing some of the weirder and more peculiar sides of New Zealand’s nature? Omarama Clay Cliffs are an example of what water can do to landscapes over thousands of years. The cliffs sit on private land but are easily accessed with a $5 donation at the gate. Read about how to get to Omarama Clay cliffs here.

Twizel

Omarama to Twizel: 21 minutes / 30.5km
Directions to Twizel: Follow State Highway 8 north, signs for Twizel.

Twizel is another cute town visited primarily for the incredible landscape of the Southern Alps and the bright blue lakes dotted around the region. If you’re visiting the region, then Mt Cook is a definite on your South Island road trip itinerary. Twizel is the best town to stay in if you want convenience of travel but cheaper food and dining options. Otherwise there are plenty of accommodation options in Mt Cook National Park.

Mt Cook National Park

A South Island road trip is not complete without coming as close as possible to snow-capped mountains. Visiting Mt Cook National Park is a must if you have the time while in Twizel, the rugged edge of the southern alps casts a stark contrast in comparison to the rolling hills and flat fields which are present throughout most of the north island.

Tekapo

Twizel to Tekapo: 36 Minutes / 54.7km
Directions to Tekapo: Follow State Highway 8 north, signs for Tekapo.

Known for Tekapo Hot Springs and Church of the Good Shepherd. Tekapo is a great town for a day trip or the perfect relaxation getaway to wind down after your South Island road trip. It’s further enough away from any hustle and bustle of large cities or ticky tacky tourist towns, and close enough to nature if you want to get a bit adventurous for the day.

Tekapo Hot Springs

Sitting perched on the side of one of the many hills in the area overlooking Lake Tekapo. A great place for families and anyone wanting a relaxing afternoon spent in multiple hot pools of varying degrees. Tekapo Hot Springs are unsheltered so there’s a chance if visiting during winter you’ll experience snow on your face while basting in the warm waters of Tekapo Springs.

Church of the Good Shepherd

Church of the Good Shepherd is a gorgeous stone church sitting on the edge of Lake Tekapo. Prior to COVID-19 Church of the Good Shepherd would see around 600,000 – 700,000 visitors each year. It’s a popular spot to take pictures, have a couple photoshoot and get married and it is probably the most photographed church in the country. Church of the Good Shepherd is worth a visit if you’re in the Tekapo area.

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We didn’t complete this full South Island road trip in one go, we first visited Te Wai Pounamu/South Island in October 2018 where we completed the southern section in a small hatchback from Jucy Rentals. We came back again in June 2020 to complete the Northern section in a Toyota Rav4 from Avis. Spending around 2 weeks both times around, giving us plenty of time to truly explore each town and revisit our favourite spots.