New Zealand · Easy
The Ultimate Guide to Driving on New Zealand’s South Island—A 7-Day Itinerary
A 7-day road trip through New Zealand’s South Island, passing through Queenstown, Crown Road, Wanaka, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Tekapo.
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 17
- Mapped stops
- 17
- Mapped distance
- 1,470.5 km
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Trip
Day-by-day route
Day 1Queenstown
1 stopsDay 2Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · 113.6 km · 1 hr 50 minDay 3Queenstown
2 stops · Driving route · 92.1 km · 1 hr 30 minDay 4Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · 417.1 km · 5 hr 40 minDay 5
2 stops · Driving route · 179.5 km · 2 hr 10 minDay 6Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · No drivable connection · 402.7 km · 4 hr 50 minDay 7Canterbury and Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · No drivable connection · 265.6 km · 3 hr 30 minMap explore
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New Zealand
Mountain passes, clear lakes and generous distances make New Zealand a natural fit for a patient road trip.
New Zealand
How to Plan Your Visit to the Omaraama Hot Tubs: Set aside some time to slow down during your road trip
Hot Tubs Omarama in Omarama offers a private hot tub experience; it is not a natural hot spring and is not located in downtown Wanaka. To make your trip more re
0 days
New Zealand's South Island: The Ultimate 17-Day Road Trip Adventure
A complete South Island road trip: Christchurch → West Coast Glaciers → Milford Sound → Queenstown → Central Otago → Dunedin—combining hiking, extreme sports, a
17 days · Easy
Te Aka Treehouse: West Coast Rainforest Lodging—Spend a Night in the Forest
When rain falls on the West Coast rainforest, staying in the trees becomes a destination in itself. Te Aka Treehouse is perfect for travelers looking to slow do
0 days
14-Day Road Trip on New Zealand’s South Island
An Epic 14-Day South Island Road Trip, Starting in Christchurch and Ending at Abel Tasman National Park
14 days · EasyRelated reading
Discover places worth the detour
New Zealand · Easy
The Ultimate Guide to Driving on New Zealand’s South Island—A 7-Day Itinerary
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 17
- Mapped stops
- 17
- Mapped distance
- 1,470.5 km
Day 1Queenstown
1 stops- 1
Day 2Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · 113.6 km · 1 hr 50 min- 1
Crown Range Road
Driving route · 21.5 km · 25 minSightseeingNZ's highest mountain pass - scenic drive
View in Google Maps - 2
Cardrona Valley Winery
Driving route · 33.5 km · 35 minCardrona Valley Winery - 1 hour stop
View in Google Maps - 3
Wanaka
Driving route · 58.6 km · 50 minSightseeingWanaka lakefront town - overnight stay
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Day 3Queenstown
2 stops · Driving route · 92.1 km · 1 hr 30 min- 1
Lake Hawea
Driving route · 10.8 km · 10 minSightseeingLake Hawea scenic drive - 30 minutes
View in Google Maps - 2
Arrowtown Historic Town
Driving route · 81.4 km · 1 hr 10 minSightseeingHistoric gold rush town with autumn foliage - 2 hours
View in Google Maps
Day 4Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · 417.1 km · 5 hr 40 min- 1
Glenorchy
Driving route · 7.1 km · 10 minSightseeingLord of the Rings filming location - 15 minutes
View in Google Maps - 2
Milford Sound
Driving route · 292 km · 3 hr 50 minSightseeingMust-do Milford Sound Cruise - 2-4 hours on the fiord
View in Google Maps - 3
Te Anau
Driving route · 117.9 km · 1 hr 40 minSightseeingOvernight in Te Anau - gateway to Fiordland
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Day 5
2 stops · Driving route · 179.5 km · 2 hr 10 min- 1
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Driving route · 13.9 km · 10 minTe Anau Glowworm Caves tour - 1 hour
View in Google Maps - 2
Invercargill
Driving route · 165.6 km · 2 hr 0 minOvernight in Invercargill - southernmost city
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Day 6Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · No drivable connection · 402.7 km · 4 hr 50 min- 1
Lake Pukaki
Driving route · 402.7 km · 4 hr 50 minSightseeingStunning turquoise glacier lake with Mt Cook views
View in Google Maps - 2
Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
No drivable connection · 47 kmSightseeingNew Zealand's highest peak (3,724m)
View in Google Maps - 3
Hooker Valley Track
No drivable connection · 1.9 kmSightseeing3-hour round trip hike with up-close glacier views - moderate difficulty
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Day 7Canterbury and Queenstown
3 stops · Driving route · No drivable connection · 265.6 km · 3 hr 30 min- 1
Lake Tekapo
No drivable connection · 51.3 kmNatureIconic turquoise lake with Church of the Good Shepherd
View in Google Maps - 2
Central Otago Wine Region
Driving route · 201.9 km · 2 hr 30 minFoodCromwell wine region - optional wine tasting stop
View in Google Maps - 3
Queenstown
Driving route · 63.6 km · 1 hr 0 minReturn to Queenstown to celebrate road trip completion
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