New Zealand · Easy
The Ultimate Guide to Driving on New Zealand’s South Island—A 7-Day Itinerary
A 7-day self-drive 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
- 1,570.7 km
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Trip
Day-by-day route
Day 1
1 stopsDay 2
3 stops · 113.6 km · 1 hr 50 minDay 3
2 stops · 92.1 km · 1 hr 30 minDay 4
3 stops · 417.1 km · 5 hr 40 minDay 5
2 stops · 179.5 km · 2 hr 10 minDay 6
3 stops · 451.5 km · 4 hr 50 minDay 7
3 stops · 316.9 km · 3 hr 30 minMap explore
Map explore
New Zealand
Mountain passes, clear lakes and generous distances make New Zealand a natural fit for a patient road trip.
New Zealand
Queenstown Winter 2026: Ski, Adventure & Scenic Drives
Queenstown winter travel guide 2026: world-class skiing at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, bungee jumping, jet boating, scenic drives, Central Otago pinot noi
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New Zealand South Island Scenic Loop: 7 Days
A focused seven-day South Island route from Christchurch through Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook, Wanaka and Queenstown without forcing a full-island sprint.
7 days · Moderate
New Zealand North to South: A Practical 12-Day Road Trip
A realistic twelve-day route from Auckland to Queenstown, with ferry and rental-car planning, manageable driving days, and time for New Zealand landscapes.
12 days
Self-Drive Tour of the Glacial Fjords on New Zealand's West Coast (5 Days)
A classic 5-day self-drive itinerary starting in Christchurch, passing through Arthur’s Pass, Punakaiki, Hokitika, Fox Glacier, and Lake Matheson, and ending in
5 days · EasyRelated reading
Discover places worth the detour
New Zealand
The Ultimate Guide to Driving on New Zealand’s South Island—A 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Queenstown Central
Arrive at Queenstown Airport, pick up rental car
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Day 2
Crown Range Road
NZ's highest mountain pass - scenic drive
View in Google MapsCardrona Valley Winery
Cardrona Valley Winery - 1 hour stop
View in Google MapsWanaka
Wanaka lakefront town - overnight stay
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Day 3
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea scenic drive - 30 minutes
View in Google MapsArrowtown Historic Town
Historic gold rush town with autumn foliage - 2 hours
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Day 4
Glenorchy
Lord of the Rings filming location - 15 minutes
View in Google MapsMilford Sound
Must-do Milford Sound Cruise - 2-4 hours on the fiord
View in Google MapsTe Anau
Overnight in Te Anau - gateway to Fiordland
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Day 5
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour - 1 hour
View in Google MapsInvercargill
Overnight in Invercargill - southernmost city
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Day 6
Lake Pukaki
Stunning turquoise glacier lake with Mt Cook views
View in Google MapsAoraki Mt Cook National Park
New Zealand's highest peak (3,724m)
View in Google MapsHooker Valley Track
3-hour round trip hike with up-close glacier views - moderate difficulty
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Day 7
Lake Tekapo
Iconic turquoise lake with Church of the Good Shepherd
View in Google MapsCentral Otago Wine Region
Cromwell wine region - optional wine tasting stop
View in Google MapsQueenstown
Return to Queenstown to celebrate road trip completion
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