Routes
New Zealand South Island: A Road Trip from Christchurch to Queenstown
Mountains, glaciers, fjords, and lakes — the ultimate two-week South Island itinerary for first-time visitors.
By Inès Caballero · 29 December 2026 · 10 min read
New Zealand's South Island is the kind of place that ruins other landscapes for you. Two weeks is the minimum for a road trip that takes in the east coast, the Southern Alps, the west coast glaciers, and the fjords of the south.
Pick up a campervan or rental car in Christchurch and head east to the Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, a former French settlement with dolphin cruises and good cafés. Then turn inland toward Lake Tekapo, where the turquoise water and the Church of the Good Shepherd are iconic.
Continue to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park for alpine hikes. The Hooker Valley Track is an easy three-hour walk with huge mountain views. From there, drive over the Lindis Pass to Wanaka, a quieter alternative to Queenstown with excellent lake scenery.
The west coast route takes you past the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. While the glaciers are retreating, the walks and helicopter landings are still impressive. Continue south to Milford Sound — book the overnight cruise if you can, because the fjord is magical after the day-trip buses leave.
Finish in Queenstown, the adventure capital. Bungee, jet boat, skydive, or just eat a Fergburger and watch the lake. Return the car and fly out from Queenstown, or drive back to Christchurch in a day. Summer (December to February) and autumn (March to May) are the best seasons.
