There’s no doubt about it, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful, laid-back countries in the world. Boasting magnificent scenery, adrenaline-pumping experiences, yummy food and friendly attitudes all round, New Zealand has something for everyone.

New Zealand has been high on my travel bucket list for a long time, so I was stoked to finally make the trek. My partner previously lived in Christchurch for a year, and has explored the South Island more than once, so I was fortunate to have my very own tour guide. We travelled in Winter (mid-August) but the sites we saw are incredible all-year-round, so it’s definitely worthwhile doing this journey in the warmer months too.

Note: We flew in and out of Christchurch, but this trip also suits those flying to Queenstown.

Mode of Transport: Campervan!

I highly recommend campervanning to have the full South Island experience – there’s something about waking up in a unique location each morning (like on top of a snowy mountain!) that’s truly magical – but if that’s not your style, then hiring a car works just fine. I have included some campervanning tips at the bottom of this article but the most important is to make sure your vehicle is self-contained in order to freedom camp (more information on freedom camping and restrictions here).

Campervanning served us well as we were easily able to change our plans as we went. We didn’t set off with a full itinerary in place, but we noted certain landmarks we wanted to reach by certain days to ensure we had enough time. There were a couple of instances where weather (or injuries) forced us to stay put or take a different route, so having this flexibility to change our plans was great. On that note though, here’s our itinerary for the two weeks (which I would definitely do again).

14 DAY ITINERARY

Overview:
Day 1 – Christchurch
Day 2 – Tekapo
Day 3 – Mount Cook
Day 4 – Wanaka
Day 5/6/7/8 – Queenstown & Milford Sound
Day 9 – Haast Pass
Day 10 – Glaciers & West Coast
Day 11 – Arthur’s Pass
Day 12 – Mount Hutt
Day 13 – Hanmer Springs
Day 14 – Christchurch

Highlights: Lake Tekapo, Milford Sound, Haast Pass, Arthur’s Pass.

DAY 1 – Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, pick up the campervan, then spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful city. There’s lots to appreciate in Christchurch; after the destructive earthquake of 2011, the community has done well to re-build, projecting murals and street art in areas where buildings once stood. You can learn about the history of Christchurch as you walk the streets and you catch glimpses of the devastation like at Christchurch Cathedral.

Highlights include Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park and Avon River for nature walks; the Bridge of Remembrance, Victoria Clock Tower, Christchurch Tramway and Christchurch Art Gallery for a bit of history and culture; and New Regent Street for shopping. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and bars, the city has something to satisfy all cravings.

This is also a good opportunity to pick up supplies (e.g. food, toilet paper, extra blankets) before you set off on your journey.

Where to camp: As mentioned above, there are some restrictions when it comes to freedom camping. Freedom camping is not allowed in Christchurch’s CBD (Central Business District), however there are a lot of holiday parks/ caravan parks you can take advantage of. You can also use the ‘CamperMate‘ and ‘Rankers Camping NZ‘ apps to find campsites near you. A map of Freedom Camping areas near Christchurch can be found here.

DAY 2 – Lake Tekapo (via Timaru)

Drive to Timaru, a port town about 2 – 2.5 hours south of Christchurch. It’s a beautiful place to stop for coffee or lunch and stretch the legs while enjoying the ocean air.

From Timaru, drive to Tekapo, about 1.5 hours inland. Here you will (probably) spend hours marvelling at stunning Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains. It’s worthwhile seeing Lake Tekapo at sunset and sunrise for the beautiful colours reflecting on the lake.

A perfect place to spend the afternoon or early evening is Tekapo Springs, which features outside hot pools overlooking the lake, day spa and saunas, plus snow tube park and ice skating rink in Winter. You might also enjoy stargazing at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory.

Where to camp: Freedom camping is prohibited within the Tekapo township so you may have to drive out of Tekapo slightly. Pattersons Ponds is a good option. We found a spot past Lake Tekapo Regional Park, where we camped among the trees.

DAY 3 – Mount Cook and Wanaka

If you’re feeling up to it, wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over Lake Tekapo. Tip: A yummy breakfast at The Greedy Cow in the Tekapo township is a great pick-me-up after the early start.

Drive to Mount Cook National Park, about 1 – 1.5 hours from Tekapo. On this trip you will be able to admire stunning Lake Pukaki as you’re driving past. Pop by the Mount Cook Information Centre in the village to learn about the history of the mountain range and the adventurers who attempted to climb it.

There are a few walks/ hikes you can do in the area; we recommend the Hooker Valley Track which is a relatively flat trail although you will need 3 hours for the return trip. This track will lead you along the Hooker River and over multiple swing-bridges until you reach the magnificent Glacier Lake.

Once you’ve finished exploring (and maybe rested with a hot drink), it’s time to drive to Wanaka (approximately 2.5 hours). Wanaka is a bustling town and you’ll again be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out or finding a bar to unwind in.

Where to camp: Freedom camping is not permitted in public places within Wanaka (visit this page for local advice). We drove a little out towards Albert Town and found a spot next to a creek. Remember to check signs for restrictions.

DAY 4 – Wanaka

This is your day to explore beautiful Wanaka! Tip: Alchemy Cafe & Restaurant serves up a mean brekky and Red Star Burgers have some excellent burgs.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed day, you may enjoy walking around Lake Wanaka and seeing #ThatWanakaTree (yes, that’s its name), wandering through the boutique shops, and maybe visiting the National Transport and Toy Museum or Puzzling World.

For adventure seekers and nature lovers, you can sign up for bike tours, jet boat experiences, quad biking, horse trekking, skydiving and more. If snow sports is what you’re after, you have the choice of 4 ski fields within 45 minutes of town (Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snow Farm, Soho Basin).

Cinema Paradiso is the best place to relax and catch a flick. It’s a gorgeous classic cinema with retro furniture and a vintage car you can sit in while watching your movie. The best part though? Their giant homemade cookies!

DAYS 5, 6 and 7 – Queenstown

Drive to Queenstown via the mountain scenic route; this should take a little over 1 hour from Wanaka, depending on conditions.

You won’t run out of things to do in this laid-back city but our number one recommendation is Skyline Queenstown with the Queenstown Gondola. At the top of the gondola you will have an incredible view of Queenstown, plus the big blue lake and mountains that surround. If you’re hungry, there’s the Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar (hello, buffet!), and if you’re after some fun you can have a go on the Queenstown Luge. The top of the gondola is also the base for some great heart-pumping action, including paragliding, bungy & swing and helicopter rides.

Other Queenstown adventure activities include jet boating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, canyon swinging, off-roading, sky diving, mountain biking and more! Of course, skiing and snowboarding is on offer at the 4 ski fields mentioned above (and only 20 minutes away!).

For a more relaxed stay, there’s scenic tours and cruises, wine tours, mini golf, shopping and a whole lot of nature and wildlife to enjoy, like at the Queenstown Botanic Gardens and Kawarau Bridge. Queenstown is excellent for nightlife with a great bar scene and heaps of fantastic cuisine to eat too (maybe enjoy some southwestern eats at Lone Star Cafe and Bar while playing trivia? Or grab a delicious pizza and drinks on the rooftop at Winnies).

Where to camp: Freedom camping is prohibited within the city of Queenstown (map) so your best bet is to find a designated campground. We opted for one of the Holiday Parks so we could use the amenities, but there are many more basic campgrounds as well (see here).

DAY 8 – Milford Sound

Milford Sound is 3.5 – 4 hours away from Queenstown, so you may choose to do this as a day trip from Queenstown, or you may like to spend a night in the area so you have more time to explore (Te Anau is the closest town and has campgrounds). There are also day tours from Queenstown. Tip: Check for road closures due to avalanche risks before you go, as this may restrict access to Milford Sound.

The drive through the mountains to Milford Sound is magnificent, and the fiord itself is breathtaking. We recommend going on a day cruise to truly experience the wonders of the fiord and its wildlife (keep an eye out for seals and dolphins!).

The drive between Milford Sound and Te Anau also has many fantastic nature trails to follow, which are all sign-posted- definitely stop by Mirror Lakes and The Chasm if you have time.

Where to camp: You may decide to camp in Queenstown again. We drove 30 minutes out of Queenstown (towards Wanaka) and parked at the Crown Range Summit Lookout, with a view of the city in the distance.

DAY 9 – Haast Pass

Drive to the West Coast via Haast Pass. This is a stunning drive that can take as little as 3 – 3.5 hours (from Queenstown), or it can take up most of the day, depending on how many sights you want to see on the way and where you want to camp for the night.

This journey will take you back through Wanaka and past Lake Hawea to Makarora. From here, there are several places to stop for a photo or a walk, including the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, Roaring Billy Falls and the Gates of Haast.

Where to camp: Depending on the time, you may wish to spend the night in Haast. We decided to drive on towards the glaciers (about 1.5 hours) where we camped at a Holiday Park. For information about Freedom Camping in these areas, click here.

DAY 10 – Fox Glacier / Franz Josef Glacier and the West Coast

This is the day you’ll get to see the glaciers! You may decide to go to both Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, or you may choose to see one (they’re both just as impressive). If you have a bit of cash to spend, you can get a helicopter flight onto the glacier or even go on a 3-hour glacier walk in a guided tour.

Unfortunately for us it was raining when we went, so we couldn’t do either of these, however we did enjoy the walk up to Fox Glacier. The walk to the glacier is free to do and can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour one-way on a rocky terrain, but it’s worthwhile when you see the view. It takes a similar amount of time to walk up to Franz Josef Glacier, which is also free to access. Tip: The Landing in Franz Josef is a great place to eat when it’s cold and wet outside.

From here, it’s a slight change of scenery as you drive up the West Coast. Enjoy coastal views on one side and mountain views on the other as you make your way towards Greymouth, about 2 and a quarter hours from Franz Josef. Highlights in Greymouth include Shanty Town and Monteith’s Brewery.

Where to camp: Greymouth is the first official Motorhome Friendly Town on the South Island, which means you can camp on Council land (more info).

DAY 11 – Arthur’s Pass

Drive towards Arthur’s Pass and keep an eye out for the TranzAlpine passenger train travelling along the side of the mountains. This scenic route will take you across viaducts and bridges, past rock shelters and waterfalls, and through stunning valleys. There are several walks and scenic spots to stop at along the way, including Devils Punchbowl Waterfall and Avalanche Creek Waterfall, and you could easily spend a whole day traversing through nature.

The road through Arthur’s Pass is also a hot spot for skiers and snowboarders with 4 ski fields in close proximity to each other. The township of Arthur’s Pass is a good base to reach these mountains.

Advice: Watch out for Kea (and please do not feed them). These native birds are endangered but they are fearless. Although they will not attack you, they like to come up close and eat the rubber off cars, so keep an eye on them so they don’t do any damage.

Once you’re through the mountains, you will reach Springfield (a small town with a giant doughnut that Homer Simpson would be proud of). Soon past this you will reach a crossroads- left to head up north, straight to go to Christchurch and right to get to Mount Hutt. We wanted a ski day so we headed towards Mount Hutt, however you might decide to go north towards Rangiora and Hanmer Springs.

Where to camp: If going towards Mount Hutt, you will pass Rakaia Gorge, where there is a campground hidden away next to the river. If you’d prefer to head into town, then Methven is the closest, where there is ample food and ski hire facilities. Freedom camping is allowed in some areas but there are also campgrounds in Methven.

DAY 12 – Mount Hutt (ski day)

Whether you’re beginner or advanced, Mount Hutt is a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders. It’s one of the closest ski fields to Christchurch, so it’s easily accessible and suits both individuals and families. If you don’t fancy snow sports, you can opt in for a sightseeing pass.

You can hire ski gear when you get to Mount Hutt, but we recommend visiting the rentals in Methven instead to beat the crowds.

Where to camp: Depending on how long you stay on the mountain (and how tired you are!), you may decide to camp at Methven/ Rakaia Gorge again. We drove to Rangiora to camp (just under 2 hours from the Mount Hutt car park) so we had less to drive the next day (also so we could eat Winnie’s pizza again). There are more options to freedom camp in this area.

Day 13 – Hanmer Springs

Drive to Hanmer Springs, about 1.5 hours from Rangiora. Also known as New Zealand’s Alpine Spa Village, Hanmer Springs has a lot to offer.

Try your hand at quad biking, rafting, bungy jumping, or jet boating; or maybe you’d prefer to check out the many walking and bike tracks.

A trip to Hanmer Springs would not be complete without a visit to the Thermal Pools & Spa– there are several naturally heated sulphur pools and rock pools to relax in. Tip: Fire and Ice Cafe Restaurant & Bar is right opposite and a great place to eat before or after a soak.

Where to camp: Freedom camping is restricted in some areas (click here for details) but there are a few Holiday Parks and campgrounds to stay at too.

Day 14 – Christchurch > Home

Oh no! It’s the end of the holiday. Guess it’s time to head back to Christchurch. Christchurch is only 1.5 hours from Hanmer Springs so you may have time to explore Hanmer Springs or Christchurch a little more before you leave. Allow extra time to drop off the campervan in case there are any delays.

CAMPERVAN TIPS:

– When you pick up your campervan: Get a van you feel comfortable driving (don’t get a 6-berth van if you’re not comfortable driving a large vehicle); Check over the vehicle and take photos when you do the condition report (take note of any damage); Familiarise yourself with the vehicle and things like how to open the petrol tank; Read up on local road rules (drive on the left!).
– Freedom Camping is only allowed if you have a fully self-contained campervan. These vehicles will have a self-containment certification sticker. Learn about self-contained vans here.
– Pay attention to signs to see where you can/ can’t park (and avoid getting fined).
– Look out for dumping stations to properly dispose of greywater and sewage. Dumping stations can be found at campsites and occasionally on the side of the road,
– Download CamperMate and Rankers Camping NZ before you leave. These apps will show you where you can freedom camp. Download the maps for the locations you are visiting so you can view these offline.
– Similarly, download offline maps on Google Maps so you can navigate without an internet connection.
– Extra blankets go a long way when camping, especially in Winter. Visit a discount store (like The Warehouse) to pick up extra essentials before you leave to ensure a warm and comfortable journey.
– Accessibility to WiFi: Like most tourist places these days, you’ll easily be able to find free WiFi in spots like Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka (a lot of restaurants and bars have free WiFi, as well as some city centres). It’s the smaller towns that might be harder to find free WiFi in, so it’s recommended to do all necessary downloads (e.g. download maps and Spotify playlists) when you get the chance, to save yourself the frustration later on.
– For more information on Freedom Camping, visit the NZ Government website,

HAPPY TRAVELLING!