New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 2 Week Road Trip Guide

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Are you looking for the perfect New Zealand South Island campervan itinerary? We travelled around New Zealand’s South Island by campervan during winter with two kids under 7.

It was without a doubt the ultimate way to travel New Zealand and really immerse ourselves in what beautiful landscape the country has to offer.

So we have put together our complete 16-day New Zealand South Island itinerary to encourage you to do the same. This South Island winter road trip is one for the bucket list!

Find a complete review of our campervan.

Heading to NZ soon? Check out our ultimate guide to what to pack for New Zealand for adults & kids.

---

For alternatives, check out budget-friendly Jucy Campervans or their sister brand, Star RV for something a little more self-contained.

---

OUR NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND WINTER ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive in Christchurch

We flew from Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport to Christchurch and arrived around 10:30 PM. So this first day is essentially a write-off and really doesn’t count.

We stayed at Jucy Snooze Christchurch, which is a great option near the airport with a free shuttle.

---

Akaroa is a scenic harbour town with strong French influences and beautiful coastal views. There are some with some fairly steep inclines during the drive from Christchurch, and incredible scenic views

We arrived in the afternoon and spent time exploring the town, letting the kids burn off energy at the playground by the water. We visited the Akaroa Museum, which is a free attraction that gives the history of Akaroa and of the Maori culture.

Then we headed back to the campervan for dinner. 

---

Day 3 – Akaroa to Christchurch

Drive time: ~2.5 hours

After heading back from Akaroa, we spent the day exploring Christchurch — a great mix of history, city sights, and family-friendly activities.

One of the highlights was riding the Christchurch Tram, which loops around the city and provides commentary on the history of Christchurch, including the impact of the earthquakes. It’s an easy and relaxing way to get your bearings.

We hopped off near Cathedral Square for lunch at the food trucks before continuing on to the Christchurch Gondola, around a 15-minute drive from the city centre.

The gondola offers incredible views over the Southern Alps and Canterbury region, and at the top, you’ll find walking tracks, a café, and a short ride experience that’s great for kids.

Highlights:

• Christchurch Tram ride
• Cathedral Square and food trucks
• Christchurch Gondola views

Where we stayed:
Freedom camping in Leeston (around 40 minutes from Christchurch)

👉 You can bundle activities with a Christchurch attractions pass to save on experiences like the tram and gondola.

Insider Tip: If you’re travelling with kids, Christchurch is a great place to slow the pace a little before continuing your road trip. Check out our guide to Christchurch with kids for more ideas.

We arrived in Lake Tekapo around lunchtime and spent the afternoon exploring the lakefront.

The vibrant turquoise water, mountain backdrop, and relaxed atmosphere make this one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and my personal favourite in the world.

We walked across to the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, watched the kids skim rocks along the lake, and simply took our time soaking it all in.

---

---

Day 6 – Lake Pukaki to Moeraki

Drive time: ~3–4 hours

Today was one of our longer driving days, heading from Lake Pukaki towards the east coast.

Our first stop was the famous Moeraki Boulders — large, perfectly round rocks scattered along the beach. It’s definitely worth checking tide times before you go, as access is limited at high tide, so you won’t really see much.

There is an honesty box asking for $2 if you take the walkway from the restaurant so carry some change with you.

From there, we continued on to Katiki Point Reserve, which ended up being one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of the trip.

After a short walk to the lighthouse through private property, we spotted 3 penguins and a seal and thought ourselves pretty lucky, then we walked a few more minutes along the cliff edge and whoa… fur seals everywhere. Easily 50 of them just lazing about.

It’s one of those places where you suddenly realise just how incredible New Zealand’s wildlife can be.

Highlights:

• Moeraki Boulders
• Katiki Point Lighthouse
• Penguin and seal spotting

Where we stayed:
Warrington Reserve (freedom camping)

Insider Tip: Enter Katiki Point Lighthouse in your GPS to make it easier. We missed the turnoff. The road is narrow and winding but it is worth it and the campervan was fine to do the route.

👉 If you’re planning a longer South Island trip, this route is a great way to break up the drive between Tekapo and Dunedin.

👉 For more road trip planning tips, check out our New Zealand campervan holiday guide.

---

Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSim. There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards. It takes just a few minutes to set up before you leave. We always use an eSim from Airalo.

---

Today was more of a transition day as we started heading inland towards Fiordland.

We stopped in Gore, known as New Zealand’s country music capital, for a quick walk around town and lunch before continuing on to Lumsden.

While it’s not a major tourist stop, Lumsden turned out to be a great place to break up the drive — especially for families. The campsite is right in town and has a fantastic playground, which ended up being a highlight for the kids.

If you don’t mind longer travel days, you could skip this overnight stay and head straight onto Te Anau.

---

We spent a relaxed afternoon exploring the lakefront, visiting the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, and letting the kids burn off energy at the playground by the water. We heard from family that there aren’t a lot of birds in the sanctuary these days but hopefully that changes in future.

Te Anau has a much quieter feel than Queenstown, making it a great place to slow down before a big day trip to Milford Sound.

---

---

After leaving Fiordland, we made our way to Queenstown — one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand.

We spent the day exploring the town centre, wandering along the lakefront, and letting the kids enjoy the playground by the water and lunch at The Cow.

Queenstown has a great mix of relaxed and adventure activities, so it’s easy to tailor your time depending on your travel style.

While we skipped the famous Fergburger line this time, there are plenty of great places to eat around town but if you call ahead, they are well worth the wait.

We also made a quick stop in Arrowtown along the way — a charming historic village that’s well worth visiting if you have time.

Our girls were quite young on this visit, so we didn’t do all the things in Queenstown with kids that we would have liked. On our 2026 trip, we made up for that. Our favourites were the Shotover Jet, Walter Peak High Country Farm tour and the Skyline Gondola and Luge experience.

Tonight was freedom camping at Kawarau Bridge Historic Reserve, which is a famous bungy jumping bridge near Queenstown.

---

We drove from Queenstown to Snow Farm near Wanaka, which offers a range of snow activities suitable for families. Tubing was a big hit with the kids, and while snow conditions were limited during our visit, it was still a fun and memorable experience.

The drive itself is steep and winding in parts, but incredibly scenic along the way.

Back in Queenstown, we decided to stay centrally for the night, which gave us more time to explore the town without needing to rush back to a campsite.

---

We spent the morning at Puzzling World, which is a fun and interactive attraction for all ages. The illusion rooms and maze were a hit, and even the café had puzzles on the tables to keep kids entertained.

In the afternoon, we explored the lakefront and playground area — a perfect spot for a relaxed walk and some downtime by the water. Dinner was fish and chips in the campervan. Try the fish and chips store next to the famous Wanaka Pie Shop.

---

While the weather didn’t cooperate for us, this stretch of road is known for its dramatic coastal views, rainforest scenery, and glacier landscapes. But without good weather, it meant no chance to do any of the great walks in the area.

If conditions are clear, consider booking a glacier experience or helicopter tour — it’s one of the most unique things to do in New Zealand.

We made a few short stops along the way before arriving in Fox Glacier, where accommodation options are more limited — especially in winter.

---

We stopped in Hokitika to stretch our legs and explore briefly, before continuing on to Greymouth for a late lunch.

The West Coast has a rugged, untouched feel, making it a unique contrast to the more tourist-heavy areas earlier in the trip.

We reached Greymouth in the afternoon and had a late lunch at Monteiths Brewery where the kids discovered fluffys – essentially baby chinos.

This stretch is less about big attractions and more about enjoying the journey and scenery.

---

Even with less-than-perfect weather, the drive was still impressive, with mountain landscapes, winding roads, and dramatic scenery along the way.

Once back in Christchurch, we visited Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where the kids loved getting up close to animals and spotting kiwi birds in a dark enclosure. We actually all loved Willowbank. It was well worth visiting!

---

Day 17 – Fly Home

After refuelling and returning the campervan at Wilderness Motorhomes, we headed to Christchurch Airport for our flight home.

While the final day is mostly logistics, it’s worth allowing extra time to clean the campervan, complete dump station requirements, and return the vehicle without stress.

Best Time To Visit New Zealand’s South Island

The South Island is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit really depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.

We visited during winter, and while it meant colder temperatures and a bit of unpredictable weather, it also gave us quieter towns, snow-capped mountains, and the chance to experience snow activities — which was a huge highlight for our kids.

No matter when you visit, the South Island delivers unforgettable scenery and experiences — it just depends on the kind of adventure you’re after.

Insider Tip: If you’re travelling with kids, summer and shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) are often the easiest, but winter can be just as magical if you’re prepared for the conditions.

---

We hope you find our New Zealand campervan itinerary helpful for planning your own dream adventure around the land of the long white cloud because it truly is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We loved our New Zealand South Island winter itinerary so much!

What would you be most excited to do during a 2 week South Island road trip?