A spectacular 1 week South Island road trip itinerary
This 7 day itinerary is perfect if you’re short on time but big on adventure.
There are so many ways to spend one week in the South Island of New Zealand.
Many of New Zealand’s top things to do are in the South Island, although this does depend a little on your taste.
Me, for example, I love the wilderness. The things I love the most often involve hiking, swimming, watching sunsets, eating great food, and generally chasing that feeling of awe that makes travel so magical. I find awe in mountain tops and lakes, forests and glaciers – less so in towns and crowded places.
But that’s just my taste!
A lot of people love the buzz of Queenstown, but I find the nightlife there kind of offputting, if I’m honest.
It’s a lot of people getting drunk in a way that reminds me of university (the last time I visited I ended up in a house full of hospitality staff downing pre-mixed drinks and playing Never Have I Ever. I left).
So my itineraries tend to veer toward areas of remote wilderness, taking in as much scenery as possible. If that sounds like something you like, you might enjoy these itinerary options for spending one week in the South Island.
I have two 7 day itinerary suggestions for you. A one week itinerary is going to be pretty personal to you, but below I’ve detailed two options – one the ‘classic’ South Island highlights itinerary and the other a more adventurous, off the beaten track itinerary.
These links will let you jump to the option that interests you most:
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7 days in the South Island: Some thoughts
Here are some of my thoughts:
You will most likely fly into and out of Christchurch or Queenstown, the two biggest transport hubs. Linking the towns makes a great trip.
If you prefer to have just one town as your base, Queenstown is a better option, as there is more to do within a one hour drive.
Renting a car will get you to all the best places, and give you more time to enjoy than day tours. Check prices on Discover Cars >>
If you’d prefer to travel via public transport, the second itinerary option might be better, as you can incorporate the TranzAlpine train.
If you love forests, the west coast of the South Island is incredible. It feels ancient and jurassic and I’m awed every time I visit. This is in stark contrast to the area around Lake Pukaki and Tekapo (where most people visit on a highlights itinerary) which is arid, alpine land with almost no trees.
If you want to escape the crowds, you can skip Mount Cook National Park (usually considered another ‘must do’). It’s beautiful but busy, and again you can find other places to get up close to glaciers and reach mountain huts. If you wanted to hike to Mueller Hut, consider French Ridge instead. Mount Aspiring National Park also has shimmering icy peaks, and you can see glaciers on the west coast or even in Glenorchy.
You could spend a whole week in Queenstown doing day trips to Glenorchy, Milford Sound, Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley. There are plenty of activities in the area if you like bungy jumping, jet boating, zip lining and so on.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me – I’m curious to know what you think and what’s important to you. You can reach me anytime at hello@petrinadarrah.com.
One week South Island highlights itinerary
Start and finish in Queenstown
This itinerary spends a lot of time around Queenstown and Wanaka, where you’ll get to experience gorgeous mountains, but won’t see a lot of New Zealand’s native forests.
This is rugged, alpine, high country land, with vast sheep stations and wide open landscapes. The Queenstown region is pretty naked in terms of foliage.
You will get to see lush forests on your way to Milford Sound though, so if you have the chance you can extend this part of the trip to go on more short walks.
Day 1-2: Queenstown
Day 3: Day trip to Milford Sound
Day 4: Day trip to Glenorchy
Day 5: Head to Wanaka for a night
Day 6: Spend the day at Aoraki/Mount Cook
Day 7: Drive back to Queenstown via Gibbston
Day 1-2: Arrive in Queenstown
If you only have one week in the South Island, you’ll probably want to head straight to Queenstown.
Queenstown is more dramatic than Christchurch, with landscapes that feel huge and all encompassing.
There's plenty to do in and around Queenstown, from lake cruises, to gondola rides, jet boats, bungy jumps, and vineyards. You can easily spend a full day on some of these activities.
From Queenstown, you’re also close to a lot of the South Island’s highlights, such as Milford Sound and hikes around Glenorchy. Using the town as a base can mean long day trips, but it can be less exhausting when you don’t have to change accommodation each night of your trip.
WHAT TO DO
If you like wine, the Pinot Noir in Central Otago — the region between Queenstown and Cromwell — is delicious.
Hiking in to Earnslaw Burn was my most epic Queenstown adventure; if you’re not up for a 6 hour overnight hike, you can also heli in. My friend and I were taking a skinny dip in one of the waterfalls at Earnslaw Burn right as one of these helis swung in to land, so you never know, you might get some bonus sight seeing on the trip.
I have to admit, the Shotover Jet is pretty fun — I did this with my family and while it’s not a long trip, we were screaming with laughter almost the whole time.
WHERE TO STAY
The Novotel in Queenstown is in a prime spot right in the middle of town.
There are also some great boutique hotels if you want to splurge.
WHERE TO EAT
There are many eating options in Queenstown; I like Margo’s for something more casual.
A lot of Queenstown dining can lean toward the fine end of the spectrum (read, more expensive) so check out First Table to get discounted meals.
Day 2: Visit Milford Sound on a day trip from Queenstown
Milford Sound is one of the highlights of all New Zealand — a deep fjord carved into the rugged coast of Fiordland. Visiting Milford Sound usually involves a boat trip on the inky dark water, to see waterfalls crashing down cliffs and wildlife such as seals and penguins.
The catch is, Milford Sound is very remote. You’ll need an entire day to visit.
The most time efficient way to visit Milford Sound is with a tour from Queenstown.
You can also drive yourself to Milford. Full day trips give you the chance to stop off along the road to Milford Sound at spots like the Mirror Lakes. It’s a four hour drive one way, but there are plenty of little stops to stretch your legs along the way.
Just be aware that this is a very long day. If the idea of spending 8 hours in a single day on a bus or in a car sounds tiring, you can choose to do a cruise on Lake Wakatipu instead.
MILFORD SOUND TOURS
Take a day tour if you don’t want to drive on the long and winding road in to Milford.
If you’re short on time, or just don’t fancy spending 8 hours on a bus, you can coach in and fly back, or vice versa. This way you can still see the stunning Fiordland scenery along Milford road, but save yourself some hours in the bus.
There is also the option of flying both ways.
Day 3: Spend a day in and around Glenorchy
Another great day trip from Queenstown is Glenorchy. The village itself is nothing special, just a small hamlet on the lake. There is one general store/coffee shop, which often has a line out the door for coffee — it’s a nice spot if you have time.
There is a famous red boat shed with a wharf behind it, which is a beautiful place to admire the lake and mountain scenery. And take photos, of course.
Beyond Glenorchy, you can reach the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks. You can walk the first part of the track if you want to go for a hike — the water of the river is bright blue, and the forest a glorious lush mossy green.
Another spot to explore is Paradise, which is truly well names.
And if you’re looking for organised activities, Glenorchy is also the base for Dart River Adventures and Paradise Ziplines — both of whom offer fun ways to explore the wilderness.
If you’d like to spend a night in Glenorchy, I can highly recommend the Headwaters Eco Lodge. It’s a stunning lodge with views up to the mountains and a lovely rustic vibe.
Day 5: Wanaka
Wanaka is a smaller, slightly more laid back version of Queenstown. Where Queenstown is dominated by tourists, Wanaka is run by ski bums in Mons Royale.
The town itself isn’t overly impressive, but it makes a nice base for walks.
The most popular day hike near Wanaka is Roy’s Peak, but Isthmus Peak is another great option with far fewer people.
There is also the Rocky Mountain summit, which is a great option if you want a shorter walk — it’s only 3 hours return, but still delivers fabulous lake views.
Wanaka is also a great base for exploring Mount Aspiring National Park, especially given in this one week itinerary you won’t have time to get to the West Coast.
You can go as far as the Blue Pools in Makarora, or even check out the Rob Roy Glacier walk.
WHERE TO STAY
Cross Hill Lodge and Domes is the ultimate place to stay near Wanaka. You’ll get the best of the mountain scenery, with plenty of comfort too.
The Albert Town Campground is a great budget option if you’re in a campervan.
Day 6: Visit Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is one of the most stunning locations in the whole South Island.
Most people visit to walk the Hooker Valley Track, a 3 hour trail with views of Aoraki/Mount Cook across a glacial lake.
I also love the Kea Point Track and the Sealy Tarns walk is well worth panting up thousands of steps, if you’re up for a challenge.
WHERE TO STAY
You’ll want at least a full day for Aoraki/Mount Cook, but finding accommodation in Mt Cook Village is tough — it’s a small village with high demand.
I stayed at the White Horse Hill Campground, which was a crowded but beautiful campsite (I could hear the glaciers cracking in the night).
The other place I stayed was the Haka House Hostel, which has beautiful facilities and is cosy and warm.
If you can’t find a hotel in the village, check out options along Lake Pukaki or around Twizel:
TIPS
There aren’t many places to eat in Mount Cook Village, so take supplies with you. Top up on petrol as well.
Day 7: Head back to Queenstown via Gibbston
Round out the week by making your way back to Queenstown via the Central Otago wineries strung out along the Gibbston Valley.
If you have the time, and didn’t visit vineyards on your first days in Queenstown, you can enjoy a relaxing end to your trip by stopping in one of the wineries that offers lunch.
Kinross is one of my favourite places for wine tasting, as they showcase wines from six different wineries, and the bistro there is a great as well. Another good place for food and wine is Mora Wine.
One week South Island itinerary #2 — get off the beaten track
I did a version of this itinerary on one summer trip to the South Island. That was in February 2020, when rumours of a virus were just starting to swirl, and the West Coast was hit with torrential rain.
My plans to hike the Routeburn Track were cancelled just days in advance — parts of the track were washed out, hikers were being airlifted to safety.
I regrouped, despite my disappointment, and still enjoyed exploring the West Coast and this route to Queenstown.
Day 1: Christchurch to Maruia Hot Springs
Day 2: Maruia to Punakaiki
Day 3: Punakaiki to Franz Josef
Day 4: Franz Josef to Wanaka
Day 5: Wanaka to Queenstown
Day 6: Milford Sound day trip
Day 7: Queenstown.
Day 1: Christchurch to Maruia Hot Springs
From Christchurch, the most popular route to the West Coast is via Arthur’s Pass, which is a beautiful trip.
But, if you want to experience a mountain hot spring, I recommend taking Lewis Pass instead.
I loved bathing in Maruia Hot Springs, which is a natural spring high in the mountain pass. You can camp at the springs.
I also enjoyed walks in Lewis Pass; if you enjoy hiking, you might also enjoy getting up onto the alpine tops here.
Day 2: Maruia to Punakaiki
From Maruia, carry on to Punakaiki, which is one of my favourite places on the West Coast.
Caught between Paparoa National Park and the wild Tasman Sea, Punakaiki is famous for the pancake rocks and blowholes the waves have carved out of soft limestone.
The whole coastline here is beautiful though, with rich rainforest and dark rivers swirling out of gorges. There’s a kind of magic here that’s hard to describe.
Day 3: Punakaiki to Franz Josef
It takes around 3 hours to drive from Punakaiki to Franz Josef, not including detours.
You can stop by Hokitika Gorge on the way, which
Another neat stop is the West Coast Tree Top Walk — I haven’t done this myself but it’s high on my list of things to do next time I’m on the West Coast.
Or, you can head to Okarito for a coastal walk or a paddle on the lagoon. Okarito has a lot of magic for me — it’s one of the only places on the West Coast where the mountain to sea ecosystem is uninterrupted, and you can feel the wildness.
Where to stay: Rainforest Retreat is a great option, and I have also enjoyed staying at the Orange Sheep Campervan Park
Day 4: Franz Josef to Wanaka
It’s a four hour drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka, with plenty of pretty places to stop along the way, so don’t plan to do much more than drive on this day.
Stop at Ship’s Creek on the West Coast, where you can stretch your legs on a short coastal walk. I saw Hector’s dolphins here when I stopped by one evening.
Fantail Falls is another gorgeous stopover on the way through Haast Pass and Mount Aspiring National Park.
Where to stay in Wanaka: Cross Hill Lodge and Domes is a lovely glamping option near Wanaka
Day 5: Wanaka to Queenstown
It’s only a short drive from Wanaka to Queenstown, so you can relax and enjoy a stop in a vineyard in Gibbston Valley, or Cardrona Hotel if you take the Crown Range route.
You could return your rental car on this day, if you take a tour to Milford Sound.
Day 6: Milford Sound day trip
This is a big day out, but the trip packs a lot in.
The drive to Milford Sound is wildly scenic — even short stops along the road are stunning.
You can expect cold and wet weather at Milford Sound at any time of year, so make sure you pack a good jacket.
You can choose to self drive to Milford Sound, or take a bus tour. It’s a long drive so a tour can save you a lot of energy, but it is also nice being able to stop off where you like along the way.
Day 7: Queenstown
You can round out the week in Queenstown, which is a good place to unwind and enjoy a nice meal out.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this helped you find some inspiration for a week-long visit to New Zealand.
Even if you only have a short time, I want to assure you — you can see a lot.
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AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
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