South Island Guide // Planning a Road Trip in New Zealand
South island guide
A very detailed guide for traveling in New Zealand’s South Island organised in a roundabout road trip style.
While I’ve only lived on the South Island since Oct 2021, I visited any chance I could in the past seven years of living in Aotearoa. Whenever my partner and I could find cheap flights, we’d come down for a few days when work allotted. One time, we toured the South Island in our campervan Ronda alongside Ryan’s family and we even forced Ry’s suit-wearing, enjoys-the-finer-things, Italian father to sleep in the campervan one evening. We returned after winning a trip with Jucy, touring in one of their vans with our 1.5-year-old in winter. While pregnant with our son, we spent three weeks in a Wilderness Motorhome touring new and old places and between those trips, there were a few flights down to Christchurch and Queenstown.
So while the South Island experience is there, I feel as if I’ve barely scratched the surface, but I hope you find my detailed loop helpful in your planning!
For those touring both islands: North Island road trip guide
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Rough South Island loop road trip route:
Picton to Nelson to Golden Bay to Kaikōura to Christchurch to Tekapo to Wānaka to Queenstown to Milford Sound to West Coast and back to Nelson
Let’s start in nelson - tasman region
Getting there
If you’re lucky enough to be touring both islands via car or campervan then you’ll be arriving on the South Island via ferry from Wellington. It’s a stunning cruise leaving the Wellington harbor, through the many dramatic bays, and onto the open Tasman Sea. Hopefully, the weather is on your side and it’s smooth sailing through the lush Marlborough Sounds famous for its glittering blue waters, dolphin visitors, and all-around mesmerising cruise into Picton.
If you’re not heading south via ferry then you’ll most likely be flying into Christchurch or Queenstown, therefore, scroll down and start the road trip there and loop back around.
nelson tasman region
Do not miss this region if you have the time.
It is balmy New Zealand meets Thai island vibes with coastal hikes and entertaining sealife. It’s the sunniest area in Aotearoa and it is a great place to enjoy the long, slow days.
If you are traveling as a family, I have heaps of activities to recommend in the Nelson Tasman Region. I recommend them for any visitor really, but don’t miss the following:
Wharariki Beach
A wander around Nelson, catch a sunset from Cable Bay
Abel Tasman Trail
for those who can’t do the Great Walk, take the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle from Kaiteriteri to Anchorage Bay then hike (12.4km) back or wander around the area, swim in the turquoise water and ferry back. The ferry is informative, swings by Split Apple Rock and almost always see a bit of marine life.
Indulge in the cider, wine, and fresh fruit from the region in Motueka
Golden sands and dunes of Golden Bay
Where to Stay
This is a big region and you may need to choose your accom depending on your plans. We’ve stayed in Nelson, Motueka, and Golden Bay, each offering a mix of options.
In Nelson, we stayed at a very average holiday park near the airport. I wouldn’t recommend unless it was just somewhere to rest your head at night. The city has a mix of B&Bs, hotels and motels. Nelson City Top 10 is a great family-friendly option with private cabins and powered campervan spaces.
In Moteuka, we stayed at Happy Apple Backpackers, a budget-friendly hotel and hostel with a big shared kitchen and plenty of communal space!
In Golden Bay, we were hosted at Zatori, a beautiful group accommodation option available for weddings as well!
If you’re heading into Abel Tasman, Kaiteriteri is a great base, but options are limited so book well in advance.
heading southeast to
kaikōura
Mt Fyffe Summit
The coastal cruise from the north of the South Island to the town of Kaikōura is a beautiful one. It’s famous for its marine life that visit often in the bay. From whales to dolphins, seals and more, it’s a popular place for cruises, kayak trips and even helis. But one of the most impressive parts of this small town is its mountain range lining the coast. One way sea, the other snow-capped peaks, a place where the best of both worlds come together.
Trail to Mt. Fyffe
what to do in kaikōura
If you’re going consider hiring a bicycle and exploring the shoreline and trails into the forests.
Book a whale-watching tour, but fair warning the sea is often rough and check the weather if you get queasy on a boat.
Hike up to Mount Fyffe (1602m) and enjoy an up-close encounter with the Kaikōura Ranges while the vast open sea lies behind you. It’s a somewhat boring 4WD track that slowly winds up. There’s also a small hut about an hour from the top with incredible views of the ranges.
Stroll around town, indulging in the local fare, supporting the small businesses and enjoying the coastal walks.
stay
on a budget: stay at one of the holiday parks near town, check out Kaikoura TOP 10 and Alpine Pacific
mid-range: Bay Cottages Motel, Kaikoura Boutique Hotel, Sierra Beachfront Motel
spendy: If you want a super unique experience, there are some incredible stays in the region like Hapuku Lodge where you can sleep in a luxurious tree house. 5-star Fyffe Country Lodge resembles an English countryside home if that’s your thing or sneak away to Matai Peak for a secluded bougie stay.
heading south to
Christchurch / Ōtautahi
I will admit, I have spent very little time in Christchurch, therefore, I’d do more research if you plan on heading there.
I will say The Margaret Mahy Family Playground is a must (even if you don’t have kids). It’s the coolest playground I’ve ever been to and we always stop there every time we pass through CC.
New Regent Street - Close to the playground is a small walking street filled with bars, restaurants, ice cream spots and shops.
Stroll through Hagley Park, an expansive green space in the middle of the city where festivals, sports and gatherings happen often.
For an English pub experience, grab a proper hand-drawn pint at Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn.
Drive out to the Port Hills or Akaroa for rolling, hillside cliffs and desolate beaches, a place on my NZ bucket list.
stay
Again, I’m not your girl for CC tips, but I have stayed at Urbanz, a modern hostel with private rooms as well as the YHA Christchurch backpackers, both budget-friendly and sociable spots. Even with kids, I like staying in hostels or holiday parks where we have access to a kitchen as eating out in NZ gets expensive. Your best bet for the city is to book in advance and if you have a car find a spot with free parking.
heading inland to
Tekapo / Takapō
The Canterbury region is beautiful. There are so many areas we have yet to explore. Before we lived on the South Island, we’d often take cheap flights to CC, grab a rental car and high-tail it out of there to the mountains. Lake Tekapo is always the first stop and as soon as you witness its head-turning turquoise waters, you’ll understand why.
This tiny town situated on the main highway through the Southern Ranges is a place worth at least one night of your trip. On top of its glacial blue lake, it is in the heart of the international dark sky reserve. If you are lucky and the night is clear, you’ll be rewarded with a starry night even Van Gogh would be amazed at. You can book a night sky gazing tour for the full effect or simply sit outside your campervan or accomm to revel in the glittery sky.
Or soak and stargaze at Tekapo Springs, a hot pools water park where you can combine astronomy and hot tubbing. It’s a great place to kill some time with numerous hot pools, kids’ play areas, bouncy castle/obstacle courses and more. In the winter they offer sledding and ice skating.
Hike up to Mount John Observatory. Time it with the cafe hours so you can enjoy a coffee, cake or ice cream from the top while taking in the lake views.
eat and sleep
Fuel up on caffeine and brekky at the Greedy Cow located on the main little strip. Grab an award-winning Porter from Burkes Brewing Co. attached to Blue Lake restaurant. We also love grabbing takeout from Kohan, a Japanese restaurant with great vegan options otherwise depending on our groceries, we’ll top up at the Four Square and cook food ourselves.
If you’re traveling with kids, let them release some energy at the lakeside playground and race them on the flying fox.
We’ve stayed at a few places in this tourist town. Lake Tekapo Holiday Park will always be my fav for its tucked-away spot next to the lake. They offer dorm rooms, powered/non-powered sites, cabins and bachs. We stayed in their new 3-bedroom Kiwi Bach and it was incredible! See a quick snapshot of our stay here. Enjoy its closeness to Tekapo Springs and the trailhead for Mt. John with only a 10-minute walk along the lake into town. The Barn is a cute group Airbnb option, it was where we booked for our elopement.
heading west into
Aoraki mount cook national park
Road to Tasman Glacier
Time to head to my FAVOURITE place in all of Aotearoa, Mount Cook National Park, home to NZ’s tallest mountain. Bring your hiking boots, trail runners or any comfy walking shoe because you MUST hit a couple of trails while here.
But before you head into the park, prepare for the breathtaking Lake Pukaki another electric blue glacial lake that extends along the main highway and into the park itself. If it’s a clear day, pull over at a designated car park somewhere along the drive and revel in the beauty. Dip your toes in the frigid, but refreshing lake and take in one of the best views in the world (in my opinion). Hopefully, you can see a clear shot of Mount Cook down into the park, but if not, don’t be discouraged, you never know what awaits in the park.
There have been times when it’s completely fogged out, with no mountains in sight. In fact, it took our fifth visit to finally see the tallest peak and my oh my was it not the best sunset of my life. A rare still day, so still the mountains reflected in Lake Pukaki and the sky danced a beautiful array of colours – a day I’ll never forget.
But back to Mount Cook…as you head in on one of the best roads in New Zealand, stop at Peter’s Lookout for the famous view of Aoraki. If it’s not clear, try again on the way out of the park. The drive winds along the lake eventually leading you to Mount Cook Village. Before you hit the village, you’ll pass two roads. One takes you to Tasman Lake and the other to White Horse campground, both you need to go down.
Mueller Hut
from Tasman lake
Cruise down this road into the Tasman Valley, beautiful during golden hour (hour after sunrise and hour before sunset).
From the parking lot, follow the trailhead up to Tasman Glacier viewpoint for a higher vantage point of the glacier, lake and surrounding mountains. Or take the path to the right where you can climb down to the shoreline of Tasman Lake where (at certain points of the year) icebergs float along. It’s a great sunrise spot and you’ll almost always have it to yourself at that time.
From White Horse Hill Campsite
The next road past Tasman Glacier, is the road to White Horse Hill campgrounds and the best trail heads in the National Park.
Hooker Valley Track is a must. Give yourself 3 to 4 hours and stop often. The swing bridges are incredible, the proximity to glaciers and snow-capped mountains is amazing and if you’re lucky a beautiful view of Mount Cook will appear towards the end of this one-way track. It ends at Hooker Lake, a glacier lake bobbing of icebergs – the perfect place for a picnic, .
Kea Point is another great little hike (roundtrip about 40mins to 1hr), but if you want a workout and the best views of the park, then head up to Mueller Hut.
Book a night in the hut if there’s an opening (it books out fast) and enjoy a memorable evening amongst the maungas in the big red hut. We did this as a big day hike in winter (May) and need crampons for the last two hours. It’s tough. It starts out with over 2,000 stairs reaching Sealy Tarns, a great spot to hang out or even hike to just this spot because it gets gnarly to the top.
*Please do your research on this one and plan well.
Mount Cook Village, where to eat and sleep
There’s a great DOC office/museum in Mount Cook Village. They are always helpful with advice including weather checks. Also from Mount Cook Village is the Red Tarns track, a shorter, less brutal stair climb (45mins to one hour up) with stunning views over the valley.
I’ll be honest, there isn’t much in this super small mountain town, but if you need coffee, snacks, a meal, head into the Hermitage Hotel. The Sir Edmund Hilary cafe on the second floor has a ton of space and great patio views looking directly at Mount Cook. They have kids toys, comfy couches and cheap wifi if you need to get some work done.
The town has another restaurant, but it’s never open when we visit. No dairies or convenience stores here so bring your own groceries if you plan on staying. White Horse Hill Campground is your best spot to camp, but if you aren’t in a van or don’t have a tent then make sure to book far in advance. The options are very limited. We’ve stayed at Aoraki Alpine Lodge, it’s pricey and decent enough, they have a few basic items for sale behind their front desk if you are in a pinch for food!
Another option is to head out of the park and stay at Glentanner Park. They have cabins, campsites and powered campervan parks. We’ve stayed in Twizel in the past when no other options were available. The town has a few cute cafes, good restaurants and a Four Square supermarket.
Need more scenic road inspiration? Check out my blog on NZ’s best roads.
heading west to
wānaka
Probably New Zealand’s most loved mountain town, Wānaka is a must on your New Zealand road trip. Funny enough this town is famous for a tree, a tree that gets photographed on the constant #thatwanakatree for its unique place in the lake and its beautiful backdrop of mountains. Go see it sure, but there is more to do.
If the weather is warm, hanging at the lake is my favourite way to spend the day. Paddleboards and kayaks are available for hire and the lake is almost always still. See some eels and get swarmed by the ducks on the main pier, wander around this upscale ski-bum town grabbing coffee and food at Big Fig or pizza and beer from Kai Whakapai.
Here are a few other things to do around Wānaka:
HIKE
Roy’s Peak (make it to the famous viewpoint for sunrise to enjoy it w/less people), fair warning it’s a pretty boring 4WD track of constant switchbacks. Also note: it’s closed in spring for lambing season
Rob Roy Glacier - it’s an hour's drive on a gravel road into Mt. Aspiring Park, but the entire valley is stunning
Ismthus Peak - similar to Roy’s Peak, but less busy. Steep and plan for a big day.
Mount Iron - an easy trail (around one hour to the top) overlooking Lake Wānaka
Rocky Mountain - intermediate trail with beautiful sweeping views of the region
Crappy weather day? Go to the movies! Paradiso Cinema is a cozy, independent movie theatre that serves warm (vegan!) cookies during intermission or head to Puzzle World, a fun rainy-day activity, kids and adults get a kick out of it.
Stroll or cycle around the lake. There are two great playgrounds on each end of the lake!
Depending on the season, make a trip to Wanaka’s Lavender Farm. Wander through the garden, have a cuppa at the cafe and take home the best-smelling soaps!
eat & drink
Beer fans will be happy to find a couple of breweries. Check out b.effect Brewing, beer is awesome, kombucha is YUM and their pub has a great selection of eats. Others to mention are Rhyme x Reason, Ground Up and Wanaka Beerworks.
For those after a glass of pinot, visit Rippon Winery or check out Paddons Paddock. There are also wine tours available from town!
If you’re looking for cafes for coffee and a bite to eat, Big Fig is our go-to. Scroggin is a new, aesthetically-pleasing spot on Ardmore Street. Ritual is another great option, Kamino is new to town and The Coffee Shack knows coffee. The Good Spot is also worth mentioning, it’s located a couple k outside of town.
For lunch, head to the food truck park on Brownston Street and choose from Mexican, Japanese, SE Asian eats, fried chicken and more. It’s a great little space.
Dinner time? We love Alchemy Bistro and its seasonal menu. Federal Diner might be our next one to try. Thai Siam serves up great, big meals!
Save room for Black Peak Gelato, you won’t be disappointed.
stay
Glendu Bay Holiday Park is located about 15 minutes from town closer to Mt. Aspiring National Park. It’s a massive campground next to the lake with playgrounds.
For a budget hotel option, check out Wanaka Hotel, right in the middle of town.
Top 10 Holiday Park Wanaka is just on the edge of town and has a newish, modern shared kitchen space.
heading south to
queenstown / Tāhuna
But first on your drive over the Crown Range, cut out some extra time to hang in Cardrona. Grab a bite to eat and hang out in the big garden at Cardrona Hotel. Gin fans can visit Cardrona Distillery and if you’re not so attached to your bra, add it to the famous Cardrona Bra Fence. The Crown Range Road is a stunning, scenic road. Pull over at the top lookout (also a freedom camping place) for sweeping views of Queenstown and the Remarkables.
Ben Lomond Trail
Time to talk all these Queenstown, my hometown.
For more details on QT, check out my favourite things to do in Queenstown.
Welcome to the adventure capital of the world! Where you can bungee jump, sky dive, paraglide, jetboat and even ski in the same day. It’s a resort town, a holiday destination and a favourite by every visitor. Its downtown is teeming with cafes, restaurants, gift shops and street vendors, but the best thing about this town is the mountains. The Remarkables range provide the most beautiful backdrop and the expansive lake is welcoming and calming. I highly recommend staying a few nights to really soak up this beautiful place. Book in an adrenaline-seeking activity, soak up at a spa and walk or hike if you can!
Here are my must-do’s for Queenstown
Scenic Flight with Glenorchy Air
Jet boat at Skipper’s Canyon
Get high. No, I’m not talking about cannabis, I’m talking about ELEVATION! Hike up to Ben Lommond, head up Queenstown Hill, take a scenic flight with Glenorchy Air or jump in the Skyline gondola to enjoy the incredible mountain views.
Make your heart beat fast. Like I said above, this city has every option for adrenaline junkies and even options for those who’d rather keep their feet on the ground. Skydive. Paraglide. Hang glide. Bungee Jump. Zipline. Parasail. Mountain bike or if that’s not your thing, book an iconic jetboat ride and spin around Lake Whakatipu.
With kids? A play at the lakeside playground is a must. It’s next to Queenstown Gardens which is also a great place to explore with little ones. Go ice skating at the rink located in the gardens. On a rainy day, head to Kingpin, an arcade and bowling alley, visit an ice bar, try indoor skydiving or check out Game Over for go-carts, lazer tag and more.
Love a recreational sport? The golf courses here have some of the best views. Head to Millbrook or Kelvin Heights for a few holes. You’ll find frisbee golf courses in Kelvin Heights and in the main gardens. You can hire frisbees from the ice rink or Small Planet. Hire a bicycle and head out on the Queenstown Trail which has over 130km of exploring in the area.
Wine lovers grab the hop on/hop off bus and visit Otago vineyards in Gibbston Valley. You can also cycle there! A hot pool at Queenstown’s iconic Onsen Pools is much deserved after a big hike. Book a night session to see the stars or a day for the mountain views.
And as I said before, hike. The trails are incredible in Queenstown. Check out Lake Alta (via Remarkables parking lot), Bob’s Cove (on the road to Glenorchy), Queenstown Hill, a stroll around Lake Hayes, the options are endless!
Queenstown hiking guide coming soon!
Day trip to Glenorchy
Wind along Lake Wakatipu heading towards the mountains of Mt. Aspiring National Park. This 45min to an hour drive is scenic from start to end. Pull over at the lookout spot and head up to the viewpoint for a sweeping view over the lake. In Glenorchy walk around the famous red barn next to the jetty, follow the Lagoon trail around the lake and make sure to grab a pie and coffee from Mrs. Woolly’s General Store. Accom is limited here, but doable if you pre-book! Head towards Paradise for more scenic views, the road eventually turns into gravel so 4WD is needed.
*Please drive safely along this road and only pull over in the allocated lots. It’s a fast country road with dangerous curves.
Day trip to Arrowtown
A visit to Otago’s gold mining is a must.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Queenstown, its charming main street will steal your heart. Pan for your own gold in the river, hike one of the trails (I love Sawpit Gully) and if you can, visit in Autumn. It is probably the best place in New Zealand to see the autumnal foliage (end of March to the start of May). Enjoy a pint from Fork and Tap, breakfast from Provisions and swing by the Remarkable Sweet Shop for an old-time candy experience.
Stay
For budget travellers: Pitch a tent or roll up your camper at Driftaway Holiday Park, they also have great little cabins and villas. Book a hostel dorm bed or a private room in a dorm. Make sure to book early as the housing crisis in Queenstown means the hostels are packed at the moment.
For mid-range: We love the Holiday Inn Express located in downtown QT. They off modern rooms, a massive great hall and an incredible FREE breakfast spread.
For high-end: AirBnB is flooded with amazing properties with scenic mountain vistas otherwise check out QT, Sofitel and Hilton Queenstown Resort.
Quick dip south for New Zealand’s most scenic, most epic, most mesmersing place
Fiordland & Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
This particular little corner of the South Island is highly regarded. Home to endless waterfalls, sublime native forest and snowy mountain peaks is a paradise. Well maybe not for someone who hates the rain because this is one of the wettest places on earth. So wet that when they started shooting Jurassic Park here, they had to bail thanks to the constant rain. But don’t let this discourage you, this place is better in the rain. The drive into Fiordland National Park is mind-blowing on a clear day. Ginormous jagged rocks cut into the sky, cascading with so many waterfalls, you’ll give up counting. Keas, our curious alpine parrots (the only alpine parrot in the world), will come to say hello, maybe eat some rubber off your car or just bounce around sizing you up.
To get here, you’ll need to head south out of Queenstown and back up around Lake Wakatipu towards Te Anau.
Te Anau is the biggest town in the region and a great stopping point for a fuel-up, food and even a night’s stay. You can access a number of great walks from here and find plenty of picturesque spots including the beloved Te Anau Wharf. Stock up on snacks at Fresh Choice, grab lunch from Ditto (delicious Asian street food) and coffee from Sandfly Cafe, then head back on the road to Milford.
Make time for stops like a quick hike up to Key Summit (photo on the left), hike to Lake Marian (hidden alpine lake surrounded by mountains, and pull over for those jaw-dropping road views (photo on the right). Please only pull over in the alotted bays and pretty please be safe while near the roads.
Eventually, you’ll hit Homer Tunnel, a one-way road through the mountain where Keas tend to hang out. Once through the tunnel, head down the winding road and pull over in the big bay on the left. The view of the road into the valley is remarkable.
milford sound
As you make your way down with your jaw now hurting from the beauty, you’ll eventually end up at Milford Sound. Park and marvel at this beautiful fiord where waterfalls flow and Mitre Peak stands mighty. Follow the little boardwalk and trail and look for the famous swing. Sand flies will be buzzing, but you’ll hardly notice with these views.
Make sure to pre-book your cruise because seeing this place from the water is a MUST. I can’t recommend Southern Discoveries enough and I don’t want to reveal too much, but be prepared to get wet (it’s so worth it), keep your eyes peeled for sea life and stay outside on the decks as much as possible.
If you’re camping or campervan’ing, stay at one of the DOC campsites on road in. If you feel like treating yourself, stay at Milford Sound Lodge, an oasis right on the edge of Milford Sound that puts sustainability first. They also have a tiny cafe and incredible restaurant on-site, the only ones in Milford Sound.
Don’t feel like making the 7+ hour drive there and back? Grab a flight and cruise with Glenorchy Air. Soar over the insane Southern Alps and along the coast landing in paradise.
views from the riverside chalet at Milford Sound Lodge
Cruise with Southern Discoveries
heading north to
West coast / Te Tai Poutini
Another wet, unforgiving place that always inspires me is the South Island’s West Coast where the sea batters the coastline and the towering mountains provide exceptional scenes.
The drive from Wānaka is mind-blowing, driving along Lake Hawea and into Mt. Aspiring National Park. Make sure to pull over and walk to the Blue Pools. A short walk through a lively rainforest with bridge crossings and glacial blue waters, don’t miss it. You can also camp across the street called Cameron Flats, a DOC spot that overlooks the beautiful valley (head to the top of the campground for the best spot).
*head’s up, this region is teeming with sandflies, wear thin, long light-coloured layers and bring bug spray and something for the bites.
After the Blue Pools, make sure to pull over for Thunder Creek Falls, picnic along the way and enjoy the views. Eventually, you’ll hit the coast just after passing through Haast, a great option for a night or to fill your belly or fill up on petrol. From there you can head to Jackson’s Bay and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Tasman Sea as well as fill up on local seafood.
Continuing North
The next two places we love to go to are Fox and Franz Josef, both tiny West Coast towns with trails, glaciers and incredible heli tour options.
Alex Knob
For those who love hiking and scenic views try out:
Fox Glacier South Side walk - short and easy track up to a view of Fox Glacier, take the side track and you’ll feel like you are in an enchanted forest. I also recommend this if you are walking with kids because the rest of the trail is a boring 4WD track.
Lake Matheson loop - This is a photographer’s favourite and we highly recommend it for a sunrise or sunset mission. Loop around and enjoy piers overlooking the idyllic lake with snow-capped peaks poking above (very easy - 45min loop).
Franz Josef Glacier Walk - another easy one into the glacier valley. There are a few little side trails with viewpoints and it’s worth bumbling around.
Alex Knob Track- Now this is a hike. A three-hour incline with relatively easy switchbacks and hints of glacier views. You’ll hear the choppers puttering around, but you’ll also hear and see the birdlife. We did it with Lia (who was carried most of the way) and with Oli just a bean in my belly back in 2021 and loved it.
It’s a big day and the weather can change quickly at the top, but the views are incredible (photo on the right)!
Apart from Punakaiki (pancake rocks), a quick night in Hokitika, and a drive through Greymouth, there’s a lot we haven’t seen on this coast. I highly recommend checking out Hokitika Gorge and Punakaki Pancake Rocks.
accommodation on the west coast
views from Gillespie Beach campground
I’m a big fan of supporting these little towns and staying in one of them helps their economy heaps! We love the Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef.
Haast Holiday Park is along the river and great for families.
Hokitika has more lodges and motel options including a few holiday parks.
The Punakaki Beach camp looks stunning and offers cute, tiny cabins and you’ll find more lodging in Greymouth.
***The best campground on the West Coast is Gillespie Beach. It takes a bit of effort to get there, but once you do, you’ll fall in love with the location as we did. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other, completely cut off from the world – it’s my favourite kind of place.
finishing the south island loop via
arthur’s pass
Now this is a place I have sadly not explored. We drove through once in a snowstorm and chose to continue before the chance of road closures.
It’s another scenic drive and its tiny town is worth stopping for. Grab a pie, souvenir and hot coffee at the Arthur’s Pass cafe. Carve out time to hike up to Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall and find a few more trails in the area. Stay a night if you can and on your way out towards Christchurch, have a play at Castle Hill, an expansive area full of massive boulders to run around.
From there, you have a few options:
Wrap up your trip in Christchurch. Continue on back to Picton/Nelson region via the middle of the country. Completely skip Arthur’s Pass and continue north on the West Coast, heading inland once you reach Greymouth.
Other trips worth considering:
Now I obviously couldn’t fit in every bit of this extensive island. If you have more time or want to see more, I’d recommend looking into Stewart Island, The Catlins, Nelson Lakes National Park, and Dunedin.
This blog has been a labor of love and I hope it helps you plan your trip to this beautiful part of the world. If it has helped you plan in any way and feel like shouting me a coffee, I greatly appreciate it!
If you have any questions, reach out below or dm me @viktoriawanders x