New Zealand South Island Road Trip

NZ South Island

10 days · 1,257 km · 24 stops · best Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

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Curated by Lance

updated Oct 2026

Free: the full day-by-day route is below

Route

overnights · tap a pin
Start
Overnight
End
Selected day

What the in-car version adds

  • Tap-to-navigate, every stop

    Opens Google Maps or Apple Maps, in order.

  • Works with no signal

    Download the PDF once: every day, stop and drive time.

  • Your own trip to change

    Shorten it, swap stops or ask AI to adjust it.

  • Cost estimate

    Fuel, rental car and stays for this route.

  • What to book, and when

    Tours, ferries and stays that sell out.

Day by day

all free to read
DAY01

Christchurch → Lake Tekapo

227 km · 2h 56m driving · overnight in Lake Tekapo

  • Christchurch
  • Church of the Good Shepherd
  • Lake Tekapo
DAY02

University of Canterbury Mt J… → Mount Cook Village

64 km · 1h 4m driving · overnight in Aoraki/Mount Cook

  • University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory
  • Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
  • Mount Cook Village
DAY03

Hooker Valley Track → Tasman Glacier Viewpoint

8 km · 17m driving · overnight in Aoraki/Mount Cook

  • Hooker Valley Track
  • Tasman Glacier Viewpoint
DAY04

Lindis Pass → Lake Wanaka

343 km · 3h 58m driving · overnight in Wanaka

  • Lindis Pass Viewpoint
  • That Wanaka Tree
  • Lake Wanaka
DAY05

Roys Peak Track → Puzzling World

15 km · 18m driving · overnight in Wanaka

  • Roys Peak Track
  • Puzzling World
DAY06

Cardrona → Lake Te Anau

56 km · 40m driving · overnight in Te Anau

  • Cardrona Hotel
  • Lake Te Anau
DAY07

Eglinton Valley → Te Anau

183 km · 2h 24m driving · overnight in Te Anau

  • Eglinton Valley
  • Milford Sound
  • Te Anau Glowworm Caves
DAY08

Devil's Staircase Viewpoint → Skyline Queenstown

239 km · 2h 38m driving · overnight in Queenstown

  • Devil's Staircase Viewpoint
  • Skyline Queenstown
DAY09

Arrowtown → Lake Wakatipu

41 km · 36m driving · overnight in Queenstown

  • Arrowtown
  • Lake Wakatipu
DAY10

Glenorchy → Queenstown

81 km · 1h 8m driving · end of trip

  • Glenorchy Wharf
  • Queenstown Gardens

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Heads up

  • Book Milford Sound cruises and Te Anau Glowworm tours well in advance.
  • The Milford Road (SH94) can be challenging; check for winter road closures or rockfall alerts.
  • Sandflies are prevalent in Fiordland; carry strong insect repellent.
  • Fuel up in Te Anau before heading to Milford Sound as there are no petrol stations on the route.

Different dates or start city?

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Questions

Different dates or start city?