Best 10 days Itinerary on South Island, New Zealand- 2024
South Island Road Trip 10 days Itinerary
Updated on March 2024
The best and most convenient way to travel around New Zealand is definitely by driving. Road Trip is the most common and popular style of traveling in New Zealand; especially on the South Island, New Zealand. If you’re thinking there are so many things to do on South Island, where should I start? This 10-day itinerary on South Island is going to solve that. Starting either from Christchurch to Queenstown; or the other way around. And you would need to have a car or campervan to follow this itinerary. However, If you are traveling with other methods, it’s fine as you can still take some ideas and activities out of this itinerary.
I’ve done this South Island 10-day itinerary so many times, and from different directions; and I never get tired of it. As you just never get tired of the amazing landscapes, mountain views, and glacier lake views on the South Island.
COVID has a huge impact on New Zealand Tourism, as much as I try to provide the most up-to-date information, things change very fast now. So it is best to check the website or call the places you’re planning to visit; just to prevent any disappointments when you arrive 🙂
If you don’t have time to read it now, save it for later 🙂
Is there a best time to travel for this South Island 10-day itinerary?
Well, the answer is yes and no. No, as you’ll get to experience the beauty of South Island regardless of the time of the year you visit.
However, there are different factors that could play a part when it comes to choosing the most suitable time for your visit.
- Summertime (late November- Early February): This is the busiest time for South Island tourism, which means everything will be more expensive, and more crowded at the tourist spots. However, I would say the temperature and weather are the most comfortable, and you’d have the longest daylight. It does get cold at night, but it’s nothing a jacket can’t help.
- Wintertime (late May to September): It rains quite a lot during this period, which would get in the way of the views and landscapes, especially in places like Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo. But you would not have to fight for the crowd, and everything becomes a lot cheaper. A lot of famous hiking trails would be covered by snow, which is an absolutely amazing experience if you’re confident with the alpine experience.
- Shoulder season: late September to early November, or from late February to early April. It is quite specific, haha, but those are the times when there are not many tourists yet, so prices will stay relatively reasonable, and less crowded compared to summertime.
So before you decide when you want to visit South Island, consider all the factors and your priorities. Avoid wintertime if you can’t handle the cold weather and if you don’t have any experience hiking in winter.
Now let’s jump right into it. I’ll start this itinerary from Christchurch, but if you’re flying into Queenstown; don’t worry, just flip the itinerary and it would fit perfectly 🙂
Day 1- Day 2 Arriving in Christchurch and exploring the city
To be very honest, I’ve been to Christchurch so many times up till now. But I’ve never done any tourist activities; as it feels like it’s just another city for me; so usually, feels more of a transfer hub for me. In no way I’m implying that Christchurch is not worth visiting, as for me; I want to try and get the most out of South Island’s beauty, and natural landscapes within a limited time.
So what I’d usually do is stay the night to get enough sleep, and drive out the next morning to really start off this 10-day itinerary in South Island. If you have some time to explore the city; there are some recommendations below you can do:
- Christchurch Trams: It is a unique activity where you get to explore the city, and also experience the history ride; with detailed commentary throughout the ride. It’s also a good option if you don’t want to drive within the city, as this tram stops in most tourist spots.
- Little High Eatery: I’ve been here when I was in Christchurch for a short while, it is a food court with restaurants, bars, and cafes that sell international cuisines. It’s a food court with a very unique design and vibe; definitely not the typical mall food court haha. It’s a good place to enjoy the night with food and some drinks!
Where to stay in Christchurch
Budget Range
It is a truly unique experience, it used to be an actual prison. If you’re interested in heritage buildings and unique places to stay, then you can’t miss this for sure!! They offer both private rooms with shared bathrooms and dorm rooms to cater to your budget and preference 🙂
Medium- Budget Range
Ramada Suites Christchurch City
I stay here before, and it’s very convenient as it’s in the city center. It’s quite a simple room that got everything you need, from a kitchenette to a washing machine and dryers.
Luxury Range
It is a 5-star boutique hotel overlooking Hangley Park and River Avon. A good place to unwind and relax after your long-haul flights!! I’ve not stayed there before, as I usually try to save my money to splurge on food and activities hehe but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive!!
Day 2- Day 3- Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
There’s a gas station and electric car charging point at the Tekapo township, so no need to worry if you’re running low on! And there’s a Four Square (supermarket) for you to replenish groceries if needed 🙂
Hopefully, by this time, you’d have recovered from jet lag and have the energy to start your road trip 🙂 It is around 3 hours’ drive uninterrupted, but do take in the fact that you’re driving on an unfamiliar road, and you’d probably want to take breaks in between! If you’re traveling between November to January, once you start seeing lupins (Gorgeous colorful flowers that you can spot along the road) it means you’re close to Lake Tekapo!
Once you arrive, you will be welcomed by the amazing Lake Tekapo. The water is so turquoise, you’ll be stunned when you see it!
Itinerary for Lake Tekapo
Visit The Church of The Good Shepherd
It is located right near the lake and with a mountain backdrop; it attracts tourists from all over the place to visit. The church itself is very stunning, and the view from its ground just makes it even more majestic. At the moment, the church building is closed, but if you do want to visit inside; you can call them a week prior to your visit and arrange it.
Tekapo Spring
Awesome place to relax and rewind from the driving. Soak in the hot pool while looking at the amazing lake and mountain view. There are also day spa options if you’re looking for something even more relaxing!!! I’ve done the manicure service here back in 2018, and the experience was really amazing as you get a full manicure with a hand massage in a private room, with very soothing, calming music.
You can also come here for Stargazing at night, imagine soaking in a hot pool and looking up at millions of stars. Who wouldn’t love that? With Tekapo being one of the dark reserve places in New Zealand, Stargazing is a must-do! When I was here for the first time, not really expecting to be amazed by the night sky; man I can’t be more wrong. It is indeed very amazing and just made me appreciate life so much to witness this amazing scene!
Mt John Summit Circuit Track
The popular track at Lake Tekapo is a moderate-grade track. It is quite physically demanding in some parts with steep hills up in a forest walk, and steps; you have to be persistent as you don’t see much for the first part of the track. But once you get to the top, all the hard work would pay off; as you’d be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Tekapo village, Lake Tekapo, with the Southern Alps as a backdrop!
If you know the first thing about New Zealand. You should know the sun is very dangerous, so apply enough sunscreen to keep your skin safe while traveling! Especially this track gets very exposed near the top, so direct sunlight is unavoidable.
You can also drive up to the summit if you don’t feel like hiking, with a small fee of $5 for road access. Astro Cafe is at the top with great views!
Where to stay in Lake Tekapo
Budget Range
Amazing location in Lake Tekapo, offering private rooms with shared bathrooms and dorm rooms.
Lake Tekapo Motels and Holiday Parks
Beaches, Cabins, Motels, and Powered sites. All the options for you to choose from. Powered sites or Non-powered sites for your campervans/tents. The holiday park has hot showers, kitchen facilities, and laundry 🙂
Lake Tekapo has way too many options on Airbnb when it comes to mid-range to luxury stays, and I honestly can’t choose only a few to recommend. So explore it yourself on Airbnb or booking.com and choose your favorite! I stayed in one of the Airbnb homes my first time there; me and my friends absolutely love it!!!
Day 3- Day 5- Lake Tekapo to Aoraki Mount Cook
1.5 hour drive
Stop at Lake Pukaki Viewpoint along the way
This is a HIGHLIGHT of your 10-day itinerary on South Island, also my personal favorite stop!
Aoraki Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. The road leading up to Mount Cook is absolutely stunning, there’s no other way to explain this!
From the moment you arrive at Lake Tekapo to the rest of your trip, you’ll constantly be amazed by the majestic, jaw-dropping views of South Island, New Zealand has to offer. Stop at the Pukaki Viewpoint to admire the beauty of Lake Pukaki along the way.
Lake Pukaki is no doubt one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand, if not the world. The water is so unbelievably turquoise, when I first saw it I couldn’t believe there could be a lake this breathtaking, especially with the magnificent backdrop of Snowy Mount Cook. Sorry if I sound like I’m exaggerating, which I’m totally not; you would know what I mean when you see it!
Now that you are done admiring the breathtaking Lake Pukaki, it’s only a 30 minutes drive left to Mount Cook Village.
Itinerary for Aoraki Mount Cook
Hooker Valley Track
3-4 Hours hiking time
Start from the White Horse Hill Campground, with plenty of parking
Easy, mostly flat trail
Wear layers, as it can get windy throughout the track regardless of the season
I’ve mentioned the track in many of my other articles, this shows how much I recommend this track, and believe anyone who visits should at least do it once.
I’ve been on this track more than I can count in different seasons day and night, and this is where I always brought my friend while I was living there. All of them loved it! This track is perfect all year round 🙂
Tasman Glacier Heli Hike
Highlights of the trip
Approx $450 per person
3 hours of Experience, lifetime memory
By far my favorite activity at Mount Cook, I was lucky enough to do this for free as a benefit of working at Mount Cook. But I would not hesitate to pay, as I had the best time exploring the Tasman Glacier; which I wouldn’t have had the chance to hike on any glacier if it wasn’t for this Heli Hike tour. This tour includes two parts. First, they’d take you on an amazing helicopter ride, in which you will see stunning views of the mountain terrains, and glaciers from above. And next, you’ll be landed on the Tasman Glacier and start your hike exploring the glaciers.
It is a very unique experience. Usually without a proper alpine experience, there’s absolutely no way you’d have a chance to climb to this part of the mountain, let alone explore the glacier this way. With this tour, they’d go through a full safety brief and gear you up with everything; so basically, anyone who’s street fit can do this! Which is why it is so worth every penny you pay!! You’re basically getting two in one package, scenic flight, and hiking the Tasman Glacier.
However, if you’re really not up for doing some hikes on the glacier, there are scenic flight-only options as well. You can choose to be on a ski plane and helicopter tour to watch over the mighty mountain terrains and glaciers.
Definitely book one of those activities to complete your visit to Mount Cook; however, I don’t recommend booking both as they’re not cheap!!!
Stargazing
Just like Tekapo; Aoraki Mount Cook is another dark reserve place. And the starry night sky is a given on a clear night. Tilt your head up and admire the beauty of the earth, and be speechless.
A clear night with a new moon is the best time for stargazing
Drive to the Tasman Glacier View parking, or walk to the Tasman Glacier Lake to get the best starry night sky.
Bring a jacket while you’re stargazing, as don’t want to let the cold stop you from enjoying it!
Where to stay in Mount Cook
Mount Cook during winter is the quietest time of the year, so some accommodations might decide to close part of it during wintertime. So check with them directly to get the most updated information 🙂
Budget Range
15 minutes drive from Mount Cook Village, and the most famous hikes
Very good facilities, hot shower, kitchens, laundry, BBQ, etc
Has powered-sites campground
This is not located in the Mount Cook Village where all the famous hikes are, it is around 15 minutes drive from the village. However, it offers a good range of accommodations for people on a budget. From self-contained units, and dorms to campervan/tent sites.
The facilities there are all very good, free hot shower, spacious kitchen and dining area.
Amazing location
Veery basic facilities
Top-notch view
It’s a very popular campground in Mount Cook and the start point for many famous hikes including the Hooker Valley Track. It is a DOC campsite, which has 60+ non-powered sites; there are no designated spots, so come early to get the best spot 🙂 There are only toilets here, but no shower facility, and you’d need to bring your own cooking equipment! For showers; there’s a public shelter located in Mount Cook Village which is around 5 minutes drive. It is a coin-operated hot shower 🙂
Mid-Budget Range
A good option for families, and people looking for a more comfortable, private stay. It is located next to The Hermitage Hotel.
Luxury
It is the heart of the village, and the only hotel in Mount Cook as well. It has two restaurants and one cafe on site. A gift shop with a small section of groceries. And the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is in this hotel as well!
The price is a luxury range, you’re basically paying for the view!! But be very careful when booking rooms, as not every room has mountain views; you’ll end up getting a parking lot of views if you’re not careful!! (I worked there before, so I’ve come across a lot of guests who were expecting a good view when they have booked a standard room)
On booking.com it has options Standard King/Twin room- this is the one that doesn’t guarantee a view. If you want top-notch Mount Cook view, then you’d need to go for the Premium Plus rooms, however, it is very pricey!!
Itinerary Recommendation
My favorite part of this 10-day itinerary on South Island is exploring Mount Cook Village. Definitely do the Hooker Valley Track, and only do the Sealy Tarns if you’re quite confident in your fitness level; as it’s an easy well-maintained track but very demanding due to the number of stairs.
Choose Heli Hike or a scenic flight to complete the visit.
And do the stargazing near the Tasman Glacier Lake, as you’d see the iceberg on the lake, and a starry night at the same time; the combination is out of this world. Bring a torch as it’s very dark out at night.
Day 5- Day 7- Aoraki Mount Cook to Wanaka
It’d be very hard to leave the amazing landscape of Mount Cook behind, but don’t worry as where you are heading next is just as amazing. You’d especially find lots of amazing things to do along the way from Mount Cook to Wanaka.
2-3 hours drive
Fill up your tank at Twizel if needed (40 minutes from Mount Cook)
Visit the NZ Alpine Lavender along the way (Open December- March)
Take a break at High Country Salmon to taste some fresh salmon
Detour a bit to the Omarama Clay Cliffs for a little adventure
Wanaka is a cute little town that offers a lot of things to do, including one of my favorite hikes “Roy’s Peak”. And the famous Wanaka tree; AKA Wanaka Willow. I love this place, it is the best stop to stay for a few nights before going off to Queenstown.
Things to do in Wanaka
Roy’s Peak
Note: This track is closed from 1st October to 10th November for the lambing season, so avoid this time if you really want to do this hike, just so you don’t get disappointed 🙂
To make my point again, Roy’s Peak is one of my absolute favorite hikes in New Zealand. It is very popular, and it definitely lives up to its hype. It is considered a moderate to hard track, but I’d say as long as you’re persistent you’d make it; as it doesn’t require much hiking technique. It is quite steep and at some point, it feels like an endless uphill mountain hike. Take as many breaks as you need in between, once you get up there you’ll forget all about the tiredness. You’ll be too busy admiring the view!
Many people go for the sunrise or sunset at Roy’s Peak, as the view is just AMAZING and it would not be as crowded as if you’d gone during the day. However, remember the track would be very dark so you’d have to bring good headlights. And make sure you’re comfortable hiking in the dark before you do 🙂
The Wanaka Tree
It takes around 15 minutes to walk from the town center, you just keep following the lake to the left and you’ll see the famous tree! There’s no way you’d miss it, as it’s the only tree on the lake; even if you do miss that, it’s very hard to miss the big crowds in front of it. If you want to avoid the crowd, try to get there early morning!!
It is a very popular tourist spot, and especially popular amongst photographers and social influencers. I can always see people with professional cameras on tripods trying to capture the best moment of the tree. It is perfectly tilting towards one side just enough to not touch the water.
It is quite magnificent if you think about it, and to make it even more magnificent; it’s got the mountains as a backdrop!! I personally find it very calming and comforting just staring at the lake and the tree, so I’d usually spend a good hour just sitting in front of the lake.
Take a stroll or kayak around the lake
Wanaka is this little amazing town that offers a lot of things, by taking a stroll you can enjoy the picturesque view while exploring the town. There are cafes, bars, and restaurants that are worth visiting, and; considering the size of the town, it really has everything you need.
Kayak around the lake while looking at the mountain view in front of you, and paddling towards the mountain. It is so relaxing, and yet at the same time, you got your workout for the day hehe.
Wanaka has got the Queenstown vibe, but less touristy and a more relaxing, calming place 🙂
Blue Pools, Mt Aspiring National Park
One hour drive from Wanaka
2 hours drive to Queenstown
Blue Pools is a good destination to visit as a day trip from Wanaka, or can be the place you go before heading off the Queenstown. Either way, you’ll have an amazing time there! I go there almost every time I visit Wanaka, and I never get tired of it; especially the scenery along the drive to Blue Pools is amazing!! Make a stop at the Lake Hawea lookout to explore more of South Island’s charm.
You can easily spend a few hours here at the Blue Pools, dipping in the cold pristine water (it is very cold though); or if you’re brave enough, jump off the swing bridge and dive into the water! I’m still building up my courage to do it, so let me know how it feels if you manage to do it 🙂
Where to stay in Wanaka
Budget Range
Both accommodations have a good range of facilities, Knowledgable staff that can provide information around Wanaka, Bike Hire, Budget, affordable and comfortable stay
Newly Renovated
Allow long-term stay
Amazing lakefront location and view
Mid-Budge Range
Luxury Range
Lakeviews
In-room spa, beauty treatment
Mountain bike hire
It’s located in Lake Hawea, which is a 10 minutes drive from Wanaka.
Breakfast included
This is the kind of unique accommodation I’m willing to splurge on 🙂 Take camping to another level- Glamping has become more and more popular worldwide! Where’s a better place to experience this than New Zealand, home to amazing landscapes, and scenery.
Day 7- Day 10 Wanaka- Queenstown & Milford Sound
There are two routes from Wanaka to Queenstown, you can find both of them on Google Maps. I highly recommend the routes via Crown Range Road, it is a very scenic road. However, it is a bit terrifying to drive for first-timers, as it’s a winding road with sharp turns on extreme hills, but the scenery is out of the world!! Drive slow, safety comes first 🙂 There are some passing lanes on the road, let the cars behind you pass so you don’t feel pressured to drive fast! As long as you drive with caution, it will be fine!!
This will be the hardest road to drive for this 10-day South Island Itinerary!
Crown Range Road can be closed during the wintertime (May-October) due to the snow and ice. Click here for the road condition report. Even if the road is open during winter, it is very dangerous to drive and snow chains are essential. So only drive here if you are confident, the view is amazing but safety still comes first!!! The alternative route Kawarau Gorge via Cromwell
Stop at Cardrona Bra Fence, Arrowtown (If you take the Crown Range Road)
Take a break at Cromwell if you take the Kawarau Gorge route
Things to in Queenstown
Queenstown is home to many adventures, and this is where your thrilling, adventurous experience starts for this 10-day itinerary on South Island.
Big Swings or Bungy at AJ Hackett
Amazing experience for people who are seeking adventure and an adrenaline rush activity. The biggest swing in the world is in Queenstown, or the next level Bungy jump to test your limits; many tourists come here for this! And don’t forget to go home with an AJ Hackett Bungy shirt so you can wear them out and show everyone how brave you were haha.
Take a Jet Boat ride
If you’re not yet brave enough to take on the swing or Bungy (like me hehe). Don’t worry, KJet Shotover Tour will offer the next best thrilling experience with their famous 360 degrees spin on the water. You are guaranteed thrill, adventure, adrenaline rush, and a scenic route to accompany all that. I did it the first time I went to Queenstown, and I was sitting on the outside, and wow that 360 degrees spin really exceeded my expectation for the trip!
Explore an Ice Bar
There are a few Ice bars in Queenstown, make sure you go explore one of them for some unique experience, lots of fun, and pictures while having some cocktails/mocktails. Mostly everything there that you can touch, and sit on is made from ice. They have some spectacular ice sculptures there, even their glasses are made from ice which you can eat (it’s very cold in there so you probably don’t want to do that though haha)
They provide jackets, gloves, etc… to keep you warm in there; so don’t worry if you didn’t come prepared!
The “Trio”- Fergburger, Mrs Ferg and Fergbaker
The most famous out of the Trio is definitely Fergburger, and you’ve probably already heard of it! I’m not a burger fan, so I can’t judge how good it is. But I’ve heard good things from my friends, of course, the prices can throw you off a bit; as it’s quite pricey for burgers (Average: NZ$15). But they are so creative with it and the portion is big 🙂
Now I can definitely recommend Fergbaker, it’s just right next to Fergburger. I love their almond chocolate croissant the best. Definitely try this place out, it’s 100% overshadowed by the fame of Fergburger 🙁
Gondola Trip and Luge
Good family activity, kids love the luge. I personally really love the scenery you get from the gondola, and from the top as well. It offers a spectacular view overlooking Queenstown, Cornet Peak, The Remarkable, and Lake Wakatipu.
You can walk up there if you’re very energetic or don’t want to spend on the gondola. But the track does require a good level of fitness. It’s around an hour walk one way, starting from the Gondola base.
Queenstown is a tourist town, but it’s 100%, not a tourist trap. And it’s god so much to explore if you drive out of the town; like Glenorchy, Arrowtown. And it’s a town for adventure and adrenaline rush activities.
↓↓ Explore and book your next Queenstown adventures ↓↓
There are also plenty things to do if you’re not an adventure type of person. If you’re looking for more laid-back and relaxing things to do in Queenstown 🙂
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Budget Range
Have your own curtain for each bed in the dorm room
Clean environment
Great atmosphere
Welcoming staff
My first backpacker in Queenstown really set a good impression for hostels in Queenstown! When we checked in there was a welcome sign on our door with our names 🙂 It’s a small gesture, but it felt really nice! I’m not a big fan of hostels usually, I love the socializing part, but often hostels can give me out bad vibe, and dirty environment, etc… but here I love it!!
Queenstown has many great hostels, so compare them on Hostel World yourself, but I highly recommend the Adventure Queenstown Hostel 🙂
Mid-Rang Budget and Luxury Range
Airbnb has a wide range of accommodation to offer in Queenstown, with amazing views. But they’re usually a bit further away from the town center.
As for luxury stays, Queenstown is an expensive place. So often what seems to be a luxury range is actually not that luxury. I usually try to spend money on the activities instead of accommodation when I visit Queenstown, so I don’t have much experience with hotels here. But I do know the newly opened The Carlin hotel is 100% a luxury accommodation, from the amenities, and services they provide to the price itself.
Day Trip or Overnight Trip to Milford Sound
4 hours drive one way from Queenstown
Spectacular Scenic route
Hands down the best day trip from Queenstown, there’s a reason why many people are willing to drive 8 hours a day in total to do the Milford Sound Cruise. First of all, the drive itself is amazing; with many scenic points along the way. Second, the cruise is well worth the drive!
There is also a day tour from Queenstown if you don’t have a car, or just don’t feel like driving so much in a day! Just book this tour and relax in the coach, while admiring the scenic road! And the guide would know best where to stop along the way for you to take amazing photos 🙂
And if you have more budget to treat yourself, then take the overnight Milford Sound Cruise, it will allow you more time at the fiord and explore the nature wildlife 🙂
↓↓ Explore Milford Sound Cruise Tour and book now ↓↓
It is a very well-worth cruise, and the best way to end your amazing trip around South Island, New Zealand. And there are different options for you to get there, so do not let any excuse or reasons stop you from this amazing experience! There’s no better way to end this South Island 10-day itinerary 🙂
Renting cars in New Zealand Tips and Guides
Renting a car/campervan is very easy in New Zealand, and most companies would allow pick up and return to be in different cities/towns. And having a car/campervan is a must to fully enjoy this 10-day South Island Itinerary!
Each rental company would have its own rules and regulations, the below points are just some overall rules. It is best to research and compare different companies before making a decision. Discovercars is a good website to compare rental companies.
- Full Driver’s license that’s in English and with a photo, otherwise, you will need an international driver’s permit that’s in English. (Remember to still bring your original license, as they might ask you to show both the international driving permit and the original license)
- An overseas license is valid within the first 12 months from when you’re in the country.
- Many car rental companies will charge a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25, and many companies would only rent cars to drivers over the age of 21.
- You need to include the names of everyone who’s going to be driving during the trip. This is very important, as insurance won’t cover the drivers who aren’t included in the rental contract if you are involved in an accident. (Yes, most companies charge additional drivers’ fees.
- Usually, the rental companies located in the airport would charge slightly higher. Basically, you’re paying more for the convenience.
- ALWAYS get the most comprehensive insurance, I’m speaking from my own experience. It’s better to spend a bit more now than to worry about it later.
I personally recommend this as I have rented with them before, the price was very good, and the process is very simple and quick.
Best friend for the young drivers out there 🙂
- Not located directly in the airport, but do have shuttles to transport you to the office.
- Cheap prices and good deals
- Rent to both full license and restricted license (required to add specific insurance for restricted license holder)
- Only l located in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown
- They don’t charge a young driver surcharge
- Offer really good comprehensive insurance at a low cost
Summary of this 10-day South Island itinerary
Don’t feel pressured to do everything I or other bloggers have mentioned, I’ve been in New Zealand for 5 years now and still have yet to explore everything. So trying to fit everything into this 10-day South Island itinerary is just simply impossible. I understand the urge for wanting to squeeze everything into a limited time. But remember that you’re on vacation and you’re supposed to relax and enjoy the beauty of South Island.
- Don’t spend too much time in Christchurch
- Take your time driving from one place to another so you can fully enjoy the scenic views along the way.
- Stargazing is a must at Lake Tekapo
- Spend at least 2 nights in Mount Cook, and do the Hooker Valley Track and Heli Hike
- Roy’s Peak track is so so worth it
- Choose to do one of the adventures in Queenstown
- Finish your amazing trip by taking a Milford Sound Cruise
The budget for this 10-day Itinerary on South Island will largely depend on where you stay, what activities you do, and what you eat. So I’m not bothered to do an estimation, as I feel like everyone has their preferences, and style of travel and it’s very hard for me to even attempt to try estimating! If you’re on a budget, car camping with a tent around South Island is a very popular and fun way to explore the place 🙂 Check out here for some tips for Car Camping to plan your next trip!
Now drop a comment and let me know about your time in South Island, New Zealand, or if you have any other recommendations 🙂
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