1-week roadtrip across New Zealand’s Southern Island

You want to the the most important places and only have 1 week of vacation ? You like driving and aren’t afraid of long distances ?
Then this itinerary is made for you ! Go for a road trip across New Zealand’s Southern Island focusing on the must-sees from marine wild life to glaciers, whimsical beaches, mountains and fjords. A wonderful trip is coming ! 😍

Itinerary of this one week road trip in the South of New Zealand

Christchurch > Kaikoura > Abel Tasman National Park > Punakaiki > Glacier Fox > Queenstown > Mount Cook

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Christchurch ?

A charming city under construction because of the many earthquakes it underwent. 

• Called « the Garden City », Christchurch has many gardens. Go to Hagley Park, it houses a 30ha botanical garden where you can take a break. Go for a ride on a rowboat on Avon River and get to see a rugby or cricket game.
• For an emotional visit, head to the corner of  Cashel and Madras streets and explore the 185 Empty White Chairs, an artwork by Pete Majendie paying tribute to the victims of the 2011 earthquake.
• Stroll around the Re-Start Container Hall, a place with where coffee shops and cute stores settled in containers.
• Surfers, head to the coastal suburbs of Sumner to get to nice waves.

What to do in Kaikoura ?

Territory of marine mammals.

• Go for a few hour cruise with « Whale Watch » and get see wild whales. Try to catch a glisse of the many « Dusky Dauphins ». For an even more unique experience, swim with seals !
• If you are often seasick, get on an airplane or a helicopter and fly above the ocean. You will get a stunning panoramic view !
• For those who loke hiking, there are many different hikes for you to choose from. Take the Peninsula Walkway circling the peninsula in 3 hours? Meet different seal colonies during your hike. If you would like to go up higher, take the trail leading to the top of Mount Fyffe, highest peak in the region and enjoy a spectacular view.

Anapai Bay – Mutton Cove

What to do in Abel Tasman National Park ?

Abundant nature and beautiful beaches. 

• Hikers, you are in the right place ! Hike on one of the 9 trails listed « great walks ». Originally made to last 3 to 5 days, you can chose to just hike on a smaller part of the trail. Start from the starting point or get a taxi-boat to take you to the place you want to start from and bring you back when you’re done. You’ll be speachless when discovering the beaches !
• If you prefer paddling, rent a kayak and explore the coastline, its beaches and wild life at your own pace : you could even get to see a seal colony !
• Always dreamed of sky diving ? Let’s go then ! This park is known to be one of the most gorgeous places to sky dive in in New Zealand. You will always remember this unique moment !

What to do in Punakaiki ?

Strange rock formations called « Pancakes rocks ».

• Take the trail leading to Dolomite Pointant get to see the Pancakes Rocks. Discover an abundant vegetation : you are in the New Zealand Bush ! Stop and sit on a bench to take a break and listen to the sound of waves getting closer and closer. Many explanatory boards along the trail will let you learn more about The Bush.
• Discover these 30 million years old rocks layers. A beautiful landscape !
• End your walk by the  « Blowholes », sea geysers. The water is blown high up in the air creating short rainbow.

What to do at Fox Glacier ?

A glacier surrounded by a rainforest. 

• Go for a hike around world’s most unique glacier : closer to the ocean than any other. From its parking lot, go explore the surroundings for an hour round walk.
• You can even hike ON the glacier for a memorable experience, get on a helicopter and walk on this giant 12 km / 7.5 miles long glacier with a competent guide.
• Sky diving has always been on your bucket list ? Good ! Here is the highest sky diving spot in New Zealand : 5 700 m /18 700 ft up in the sky for a 75 seconds of free fall. A thrilling experience ?

What to do in Queenstown ?

World’s capital of adventure. 

• In winter, go skiing in one of the many ski resorts drawing many winter sports lover from all around the world.Coronet Peak is open all year round.
• Do not mis the most important tourist attraction in the city : the Gondola. It takes you up the top of the mountain and will let you enjoy a gorgeous view over the lake. If you feel like an athlete, go up by foot and you’ll save 35$.
• For a unique experience, head to Kiwi Birdlife Park and discover the endemic bird : the kiwi. A rare chance to get a glimpse of this shy bird.
• Want something unusual ? Stop the Underwater Observatory. Step in a submarine and observe Lake Wakatipu‘s marine life.
• fer thrilling experiences ? Then try one of the many activities like bungyjumping, jetboat, rafting …
• Hikers, take the Mode Lake Loop Track, accessible to all (2 or 3 hours round) and get a goregous view over the lake.

What to do at Mount Cook ?

Polar adventures. 

• Drive along the vibrant blue water of Lake Pukaki to get to Mt Cook, tallest mountain in New Zealand with its 3754 m / 12316 ft. When in the valley, you get a breathtaking scenery.
• Take a beautiful hike on «Hooker Valley Track » a 3 hour long round hike. Discover over 300 different plant species, almost exclusively white. Get up to lake Hook and get to see extraordinary glaciers !
• If you like mountain climbing, head to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center where you will get to watch several documentaries including  « Mount Cook Magic » in 3D. You will feel like you are the one climbing over crevasses and frozen waterfalls !
• Fascinated by the sky and outer space ? A guide will tell you all about the starts above you !
• Want to live a true North Pole expedition ? Go on a 3 hour cruise through icebergs with « Glaciers Explorers ». On a zodiac boat, explore the icy ocean and get to see huge icebergs on lake Tasman. You will never forget this day !

To learning more…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? it’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.

If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page! The whole team will be happy to hear from you !