A 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary From Christchurch
The South Island is where New Zealand’s scale becomes clear – expansive landscapes, winding roads and journeys that take more time than the map suggests. I spent six months living in New Zealand and learned that South Island deserves more time than you may think. Two weeks gives you the space to absorb the scenery on the journey as well as the destinations. This 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary starts and ends in Christchurch. You’ll see wildlife, alpine landscapes and the wild coast, while keeping driving distances manageable.
Quick overview of this South Island itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch and explore this ‘Garden City
- Day 2: Day trip to Kaikoura for whale watching
- Days 3-4: Franz Josef Glacier via Hokitika for helicopter glacier tours and hot pools
- Days 5-6: Wanaka for lakeside relaxation and gentle hikes
- Days 7-8: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo for incredible alpine scenery
- Days 9-11: Queenstown – New Zealand’s adventure capital
- Day 12: Day trip to Milford Sound for an iconic fjord cruise
- Days 13-14: Return to Christchurch for departure
How to travel around New Zealand’s South Island
The best way to travel around the South Island depends on your situation.
For complete freedom and flexibility, the best thing is to hire a campervan from Christchurch. This way, so you can explore this beautiful island at your own pace. Daily rates start at NZ$22-$34 for unlimited mileage/km depending on the season. I’ve included driving times and accommodation options in the itinerary below.
If you’re a solo backpacker like me, I recommend booking yourself on a Stray bus tour. Their Takehe tour starts and ends in Christchurch like this itinerary. The Stray buses run several times a week and you can hop off at any destination for as long as you like. They organise all accommodation so all you have to think about is choosing from their range of activities at each stop. I did three Stray tours and absolutely loved each one – the drivers are so friendly and you meet many great people.
Check out the campervan deals from Christchurch including cooking and sleeping gear here.
Planning your 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary
I’ve put together this 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary to cover the essential highlights. It includes how to travel between each one and where to stay if you’re self-driving. The route starts and ends in Christchurch, as it’s the South Island’s main international gateway.
Days 1-2: Christchurch
Start your journey in Christchurch, a city of resilience, creativity and hope. Known as the ‘Garden City’, Christchurch has risen from the tragedy of the 2011 earthquake with remarkable spirit.
Where to stay in Christchurch
In the city centre are you’ll find conveniently located hotels including Distinction Christchurch Hotel or Sudima Christchurch City.
Travellers on a budget can head to a hostel, such as Haka House Christchurch or the award-winning Jailhouse (this is where I stayed).
Explore the map below to find the latest hotel deals in Christchurch for your dates:
Day 1: Explore the city
Spend your first day getting oriented with the city. I recommend taking a day pass for the Christchurch hop-on hop-off tram, where heritage trams tour the city centre while the driver shares live commentary about the sights for an entertaining and informative ride. You’ll see the remains of the iconic 19th century cathedral that sadly suffered damage in the earthquake, and the innovative ‘Cardboard Cathedral’ built as a transitional replacement using recycled materials.
Other highlights include the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the buzzy Riverside Market for local food, and taking the gondola up Mount Cavendish for panoramic views over the city and Southern Alps.
Read more about my perfect one-day Christchurch itinerary in my dedicated post here.
Day 2: Kaikoura day trip
Today we’ll take a whale-watching day trip to Kaikoura from Christchurch, around 2.5 hours’ drive along the scenic coastal route.
This coastal town is known for its plentiful marine life – you’ll have a good chance of spotting fur seal colonies, as well as wild dolphins and even whales.
Your day trip from Christchurch includes a two-hour whale-watching experience – trust me, this is an amazing experience (even if I was a bit sea sick). If you have time, I highly recommend the tour to swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat.
Read about this and more things to do in my dedicated Kaikoura itinerary here.
Day 3-4: Franz Josef
The next highlight is Franz Josef, a small town resembling a ski resort. It’s famous for its glacier – one of only four in the world that’s located next to a rainforest.
Day 3: Travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef
If you’re driving from Christchurch to Franz Josef – this is a long travel day of around 470km (290 miles) taking approximately 6-7 hours, but the journey takes you through some of New Zealand’s most diverse landscapes. Consider stopping in Hokitika to break up the drive and see the stunning Hokitika Gorge.
Where to stay in Franz Josef
The best accommodation in Franz Josef includes the fabulous Rainforest Retreat, which has everything from luxury tree huts to backpacker rooms. Alternatively, try Franz Josef Oasis which has clean and spacious rooms.
Explore the map below to find the latest accommodation deals in Franz Josef for your dates:
Day 4: Visit the famous Franz Josef glacier
This will be an unforgettable day. Take a helicopter ride to the base of Franz Josef Glacier, where you’ll take a gentle hike in the area and a guide will help you explore its icy features.
If that’s not your style, you might choose to set sail on a tranquil kayaking trip to see the native kiwi birds.
Afterwards, lay back in one of the area’s hot pools to fully relax after your day of adventure.
My experience at Franz Josef
Luckily we had good weather, meaning the helicopters could fly us up to the glacier for our hike. With the sun shining, our enthusiastic guide used his pick to forge steps in the ice for us to climb. We filled our water bottles with the clear water trickling through the blue ice and explored the caves we found. Our icy expedition was followed by a complimentary dip in the local (very) hot spa pools.
Later I enjoyed a kayaking trip and visited the kiwi centre. Here, you can see these shy nocturnal birds up close. In the evening we danced the night away at a Valentine’s Day party. I certainly felt the love for this place.
Day 5-6: Wanaka
Wanaka was one of my favourite stops. I recommend staying overnight at this beautiful lakeside town surrounded by mountains.
Day 5: Travel from Franz Josef to Wanaka
The journey from Franz Josef to Wanaka is around 285 km (177 miles) and takes approximately 4.5 to 5 hours by bus or if you’re driving. The drive itself, through the beautiful Haast Pass, is absolutely stunning full of waterfalls and viewpoints.
Where to stay in Wanaka
Affordable places to stay in Wanaka include the friendly Mountain View Backpackers and Haka House Wanaka, which has great views.
Explore the map below to find more accommodation options in Wanaka for your dates:
Day 6: Explore beautiful Wanaka
In Wanaka you can see Lake Wanaka with its tree growing in the middle of it. There are excellent wines at the Rippon winery on its shores, as well as the mind-boggling Puzzling World nearby. I recommend the gentle hike up Roy’s Peak for views over the area.
Day 7-8: Mount Cook
One of the most magnificent places in New Zealand’s South Island is Mount Cook. Otherwise known as Aoraki, it’s New Zealand’s highest peak and simply an alpine beauty.
Day 7: Travel to Mount Cook
The drive from Wanaka to Mount Cook is approximately 200km (125 miles) and takes around 2.5-3 hours through spectacular alpine scenery, passing the stunning turquoise Lake Tekapo – famous for its brilliant blue colour and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd.
Where to stay at Mount Cook
For budget accommodation, YHA Mount Cook is perfectly positioned with mountain views from the communal areas. For a special treat, The Hermitage Hotel delivers luxury accommodation with unparalleled mountain vistas, though it comes at a premium price.
Our hostel in Mount Cook village was overlooked by enormous snow-capped mountains. A very peaceful area, we took some hikes to explore the local scenery.
Check out the map below to find accommodation in Mount Cook village for your dates:
Day 8: Explore Mount Cook
The area’s three-hour Hooker Valley Track is one of the most rewarding day hikes on the South Island, leading to a glacier lake with floating icebergs. Alternatively, you can take a helicopter tour over this scenic area.
Day 9-12: Queenstown – New Zealand’s Adventure Capital
Queenstown is possibly the most famous tourist town in New Zealand. It’s known for being the home of extreme sports, from bungee jumps, to sky dives, canyoning, snowboarding and much more.
Day 9: Travel to Queenstown
For me, the best thing about Queenstown was not the town itself, but the surrounding countryside which was simply breathtaking. The journey from Mount Cook to Queenstown takes you through more spectacular Canterbury and Otago landscapes, around 3.5 hours through rolling hills and dramatic mountain passes.
Where to stay in Queenstown
Queenstown is a backpacker favourite, so there are plenty of places to stay. Arguably the best is Adventure Queenstown Hostel. This fabulous place is highly rated, with great communal spaces and activities.
Explore the map below to find the latest accommodation deals for your dates in Queenstown:
Days 10-11: Explore Queenstown
Go bungee jumping, enjoy the popular jet boat ride or skydiving if you’re feeling adventurous (I wasn’t brave enough). Alternatively, take in the views from the Skyline Gondola or ride on the Queenstown Luge – this is a lot of fun.
The legendarily juicy, meaty Fergburger is a foodie highlight. There are also several good Queenstown bars to enjoy in the evenings.
Day 12: Milford Sound day trip
Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s best known tourist destinations, thanks to its majestic fjord that you can sail through.
The journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound is around 287 km (178 miles) and takes 4-5 hours each way. For convenience, book an organised day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
On the way, you won’t be able to take your eyes away from the majestic, sunlit views out of the windows. It’s so captivating. There are many places en route for photo opportunities, including a mountainside lake so blue you can hardly believe it.
Then you’ll take a boat cruise through Milford Sound, one of the world’s most beautiful fjords. The dramatic fiords, waterfalls cascading from towering cliffs and potential wildlife sightings make this an unforgettable experience.
Day 13-14: Return to Christchurch
The final journey from Queenstown back to Christchurch can be done by a scenic 5-6 hour drive through Canterbury, or you can fly back in just over an hour if you prefer to save time. If driving, the route takes you through diverse landscapes from alpine regions to the flat Canterbury Plains approaching Christchurch.
Spend your final day exploring more of Christchurch that you might have missed on the first day of this 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary. You could ride the gondola, visit Quake City to understand more about the earthquake recovery story, or simply enjoy the peaceful Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park.
From Christchurch, you can fly to major destinations such as Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore, making it a convenient departure point for your next adventure.
Read all about what to do, where to stay and my experience in my Christchurch itinerary here.
The best time to visit New Zealand’s South Island
Summer, from December to February, is best for hiking, road trips and warm weather activities. This is when you’ll have the longest days and most reliable weather for outdoor adventures like the Abel Tasman coastal walk or Franz Josef glacier hike. This is when I went and the weather was perfect.
Winter, from June to August, is ideal for skiing and snowboarding in Queenstown and Wanaka. The mountain towns transform into winter wonderlands, though some activities are weather dependent.
Spring and autumn are fantastic for fewer crowds and stunning landscapes. In spring you’ll see blooming flowers and fresh green scenery, while autumn brings golden foliage and comfortable temperatures for hiking.
Frequently asked questions about the South Island
Is 2 weeks enough for New Zealand’s South Island?
Yes, two weeks is a good timeframe for New Zealand’s South Island. This allows you to see all the major highlights from Kaikoura’s marine wildlife to Franz Josef Glacier, Mount Cook’s stunning alpine scenery and Queenstown’s adventure activities, as outlined in this itinerary.
What is the best base for the South Island?
Christchurch works as the best overall base and starting point for exploring the South Island, as it has excellent international flight connections. This itinerary uses Christchurch as the start and end point, which is most practical for many international travellers.
Do I need a car in the South Island?
No, you can complete this itinerary using a hop-on-hop-off bus pass with tour companies like Stray – this is what I did as a solo traveller and I had a lot of fun. However, having a rental car or campervan gives you much more flexibility for spontaneous stops, scenic viewpoints and exploring at your own pace – especially useful for the West Coast and alpine regions.
Final thoughts on this 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary
Two weeks on New Zealand’s South Island is enough time to really enjoy it. From wildlife and alpine scenery to coastlines and lakeside towns, it’s the kind of trip that stays with you long after you leave.
What surprised me most is how much the journeys become part of the experience. Even the longer driving days revealed landscapes I’ll never forget, rather than feeling like time lost. Starting and ending in Christchurch also keeps the logistics simple, especially if you’re flying internationally.
If you can give the South Island two full weeks, this route strikes a rare balance between seeing a lot and actually enjoying it – and it’s exactly how I’d plan the trip again.
