A visit to New Zealand isn’t complete without taking a dream trip to its beautiful South Island. I spent six months living, working and backpacking in New Zealand. The stunning scenery in the South Island was nothing like I’ve ever seen before on my world travels. In this article, I’ll outline an incredible 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary including my personal experiences in each place.
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Quick overview of this 2 week New Zealand 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
As a solo backpacker without a vehicle, I travelled around the South Island on a Stray bus tour, which I highly recommend. Their buses run several times a week and you can hop off at any destination for as long as you like. They also organise all accommodation so all you have to think about is enjoying yourself.
I did three Stray tours and absolutely loved each one – the drivers are so friendly and you meet so many great people. You’re sure to find a Stray tour itinerary including all the places you want to go – I went to all the destinations below with Stray.
Otherwise, the most flexible way to get around the South Island is to hire a campervan, so you can explore this beautiful island at your own pace. I’ve included driving times and accommodation options in the itinerary below.
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.
Another popular entry point is Queenstown. Alternatively, if you’re traveling from New Zealand’s North Island, you can take the scenic ferry from Wellington to Picton across the Cook Strait, then drive down to Kaikoura and Christchurch.
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 you’ll find fabulous and stylish hotels including Distinction Christchurch Hotel or Sudima Christchurch City.
Travellers on a budget, like I was, can head to a hostel, such as the award-winning Jailhouse or the conveniently located Haka House Christchurch.
Explore the interactive map below to find the best hotels 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 accommodation deals and availability 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.
Book your place on this popular helicopter and hiking tour of the Franz Josef glacier.
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.
Reserve your spot on this peaceful kayaying tour in Franz Josef with the chance to see native kiwi birds.
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
For places to stay in Wanaka, check out the fabulous Mountain View Backpackers, which is comfortable, with a friendly atmosphere. There’s also check out Haka House Wanaka, a cozy hostel with wonderful views.
Explore the interactive 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 or enjoy a happy hour cruise on the lake. I recommend the gentle hike up Roy’s Peak for views over the area.
Check out the mind-boggling exhibitions at Wanaka’s Puzzling World – book your tickets in advance here.
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.
Book your seat on an amazing 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.
Book your place on this hugely popular day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound.
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.
More places to go in New Zealand’s South Island
If you have extra time, there are a few incredible places I wasn’t able to fit into this two-week route that are definitely worth considering.
Abel Tasman National Park
This place is truly special. It’s at the north of the island so a great stop if you’re arriving via Wellington.
This national park is famous for its golden beaches, kayaking and scenic hikes. You can enjoy paddle through crystal-clear waters, take a scenic catamaran cruise or hike the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.
While it’s pretty remote, it’s so beautiful that many of my traveller friends named it their favourite stop in the South Island. It’s an hour from Nelson to the park entrance. Companies like Abel Tasman Coachlines and Marahau Water Taxis run daily shuttle buses.
Book your place on a cruise and walking tour of Abel Tasman National Park experience its beauty.
Rangitata
Rangitata is a scenic 3-4 hour drive from Mount Cook through the Canterbury region. Here you can face the rapids at Rangitata River, one of the best whitewater rafting spots in New Zealand.
My experience whitewater rafting at Rangitata
At Rangitata I faced my fear and decided to try white-water rafting again, after my first not-so-amazing attempt in the North Island. I needn’t have worried. The friendly instructors briefed us thoroughly. The three-hour trip through the increasingly energetic rapids was a lot of fun – we were laughing and smiling the whole way. As always for this pursuit, it’s not without its risks. Luckily we paddled well and – with a little luck too – we sailed over the highest grade rapids without any incident.
We even took a stop to climb some nearby rocks and jump into the water, with varying degrees of grace. I was nervous, but I did it!
Book your place on the exhilarating Rangitata whitewater rafting trip.
The best time to visit New Zealand’s South Island
The South Island of New Zealand can be explored year-round, but the best time depends on your interests.
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 New Zealand’s South Island
How many days do I need in New Zealand’s South Island?
A minimum of 10 days covers the essential highlights, but 14 days (2 weeks) is the sweet spot for experiencing the South Island properly. This gives you enough time for wildlife encounters, hiking, scenic drives and adventure activities. If you have 21 days, you can add more remote destinations like Abel Tasman or spend longer in each location, which is always tempting.
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 New Zealand?
Christchurch works as the best overall base and starting point for exploring the South Island, as it has excellent international flight connections. Queenstown is another popular base as you can take day trips from there, such as to Milford Sounds. This itinerary uses Christchurch as the start and end point, which is most practical for many international travellers.
Do I need a car to follow this New Zealand South Island itinerary for 2 weeks?
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
My tour of the New Zealand South Island was certainly one to remember. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again.
Travelling with Stray was easy and so much fun. If you follow this 2 week New Zealand South Island itinerary, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime. The natural scenes here are out of this world and every stop offers something unique.
Not to mention the breathtaking scenery along the way: sometimes it really is about the journey as well as the destination.
It’s good to leave with things you’d still like to do, as it gives you an excuse to go back. Maybe now I’ve jumped off the rock at Rangitata, I’ll have the courage to come back to New Zealand’s South Island for a sky dive.
If you’re keen to explore more of New Zealand, check out the perfect North Island itinerary.
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