Overview
While two weeks in New Zealand is only touching the surface, it’s a good amount of time to see many of the highlights on the South Island. From the aqua-blue lakes and impressive waterfalls to the mountainous terrain, this two-week itinerary showcases some of the most epic landscapes you’ve ever seen.
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Travel Days – Fly into Christchurch
Day 3: Christchurch to Tekapo (Drive Time: 3 hours)
Day 4: Tekapo to Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park (Drive Time: 1 hour, 20 min)
Day 5: Mount Cook National Park
Day 6: Mount Cook National Park to Wanaka (Drive Time: 2 hours, 30 min)
Day 7: Wanaka
Day 8: Wanaka to Arrowtown to Te Anau (Drive Time: 3 hours)
Week 2:
Day 9: Te Anau – Day Trip to Milford Sound
Day 10: Te Anau – Day Trip to Glow Worm Caves
Day 11: Te Anau to Queenstown (Drive Time: 2 hours)
Day 12: Queenstown – Day trip to Glenorchy
Day 13: Queenstown to Blue Pools to Franz Josef Village (Drive Time: 5 hours)
Day 14: Franz Josef Village
Day 15: Franz Josef Village to Arthur’s Pass to Castle Hill to Christchurch (Drive Time: 5 hours)
Day 16: Travel Day – Fly home from Christchurch
**I recommend keeping a flexible schedule during your trip as you may want to stay longer in some places depending on your interests or the weather. For instance, you’ll want to do Milford Sound on a clear day if possible!**
Recommended Trip Extensions
Abel Tasman National Park – This is the one spot on the South Island I really wish we would have spent time!
North Island road trip
Fiji Islands or Cook Islands
Logistics
Do I need a Visa?
If you’re staying for more than 90 days you’ll need a tourist visa. However, if you’re staying for less than 90 days you still need a New Zealand eTA (electronic travel authority). You can quickly apply on the NZeTA app. It will cost roughly $28 USD and will be sent to you via email. They recommend completing the form at least 3 days prior to departure.
How to Get There:
The largest and cheapest airports to fly into are Auckland (AKL) on the North Island and Christchurch (CHC) on the South Island. However, there are three additional international airports including: Wellington (WLG), Queenstown (ZQN), and Dunedin (DUD). I recommend choosing an arrival airport based on where you want to start your trip. We spent our trip on the more mountainous South Island and therefore flew into Christchurch. From the airport, catch the free shuttle to your hotel, campervan rental company, or purchase an Uber.
Transportation within New Zealand:
Campervan, of course! The most popular way to travel around the country is in a campervan. Not only is vanlife economical, but you can enjoy the freedom of the open road while taking in New Zealand's legendary landscapes. You can camp near trailheads to get an early start and lounge van side while dining and stargazing. Most van rentals come with all the essentials: bedding, towels, pots and pans… Get ready for the ultimate road trip!
NOTE: New Zealand drives on the left hand side of the road. This takes a couple days to get used to but don’t worry the pedals are still the same. If you don’t know how to drive a manual, be sure to get an automatic campervan (you may have to pay a little extra).
Selecting a Campervan Company:
Countless companies exist, all offering a similar service. After some research we went with a company called Spaceships. We loved our van (named Yoshi) and found it totally suitable for our two week adventure. We selected the Spaceships Beta 2S Premium Campervan van equipped with a double bed, suitcase storage, refillable water tank, small fridge and two cooking stoves. The rental cost per day was $63 USD which includes two upgrades: the best accessory deal and the express return for a speedy drop off. Note if you don’t purchase the speedy drop off, it is expected that you wash and clean out the car including washing your linens.
Campervan Insurance:
While all Spaceships’ vans include 24-hour roadside service as well as a basic insurance policy, we’d recommend purchasing additional protection. We bought excess coverage from a third party (Tripcover) rather than through our campervan company as it was cheaper. It cost $95.56 for 15 days.
When to Go:
Depending on what you’re looking for, New Zealand has something to offer in every season. Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter runs from June to August and is excellent for skiing while the Summer stretches from December to February. To avoid the high season and Kiwi holidays, I’d recommend visiting during the end of Spring (November) or the start of the Fall (March). We traveled in March and had great weather. NOTE: Weather in New Zealand is very unpredictable, expect to experience showers year-round. Tip: Be prepared for four-seasons in one day. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket.
Trip Prep:
Call banks to notify them of your travel.
Consult your doctor about medications/vaccinations.
Download the offline Google Maps of the areas you’ll be traveling so you can view them without service.
Download the Spaceships Camping app (or an equivalent such as Campermate) for offline use so you can view campsites, public toilets, fuel stations and points of interest without service.
Download WhatsApp or Facebook messenger to easily communicate with family/friends back home.
Local Currency:
New Zealand’s currency is called the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The current value (at time of writing) is $1.69 NZD to $1 USD.
Tipping:
Not obligatory. However, nice to tip for great service.
Power Voltage/Converter:
Converter needed. New Zealand uses 230/240V whereas the US uses 110V. The outlets only accept Type I plugs (2 and 3-pin angled plugs).
Budgeting:
Just a few items to consider when budgeting for your trip.
Flights
2 Nights in Hotel – Beginning and end of trip as pick-up/drop-off times for your campervan can be limited
Campervan – Rental insurance too!
Gas – Warning: it’s super expensive in NZ!
Campsites/Holiday Parks – You can’t just park your van anywhere!
Groceries/Alcohol
Activities/Excursions – These can add up quickly. I suggest picking your top 2 and skipping the rest.
New Zealand Sim Card – WiFi is limited at Holiday Parks and super slow so you’ll definitely want some cellular coverage.
Packing for a Campervan:
This is a list of items we recommend bringing in your suitcase (rather than purchasing in NZ).
Non perishable, packaged foods (note all food must be declared)
Tupperware (perfect for leftover dinners that you can eat for lunch the following day, if your campervan has a fridge that is!)
Rubber bands/chip clips (helpful for food storage)
Ziplock bags (so many uses!)
Small to medium sized garbage bags (so you can throw out smelly trash every couple days)
Spatula (for cooking of course, our campervan had limited kitchen utensils)
Extra sponges (for cleaning dishes, our campervan only came with one and it got dirty quickly)
Wet wipes, body wipes, hand sanitizer
Small quick dry camp towels (to use when washing your face)
Dish rags (that you can use and throw away)
One roll of toilet paper (just in case!)
Portal cordless fan (recommend this one from Amazon)
Magnets (we used these on our campervan curtains to help keep sunlight out)
Groceries to Purchase in NZ
Paper Towels
Spices: Cumin, Chili Powder, Crushed Red Pepper, Salt, Pepper
Tip: Be sure to check out your campervan company’s “free section” of used items at their office when picking up your van. Many have an area of items left behind from previous campers and it’s all up for grabs. For example: used gas canisters, leftover spices/condiments, cooking oils, and if you’re lucky… a French press ;)
Border Control: Items to declare
Food. All food must be declared. Items you can absolutely not bring include: fresh fruit/veggies, fresh meat/fish, honey/bee products. Tip: Make a list of the food you’re bringing in the notes on your phone so you can quickly show the border control agent.
Hiking/camping equipment. You have to declare any items that have been used in the outdoors as they don’t want to bring in any invasive species. Make sure you clean all your gear thoroughly before traveling to NZ.
Tips for Your Trip to New Zealand:
When you land in the Christchurch airport, purchase a New Zealand sim card from the Vodafone stand (after picking up your luggage). We’d recommend the 10 GB data plan, which costs $59 NZD ($36 USD) and includes free data on social media apps (FB, IG, Messenger, Whatsapp, etc.) Tip: While you can purchase more data later, it will be significantly more expensive. The sales rep will try to sell you on a cheaper plan so you have to spend more later on additional data.
Stop at an ATM. Make sure you have New Zealand cash and coins. While most businesses take card and mobile payment, DOC campsites require exact cash payment. Coins are needed to pay for hot showers and laundry machines.
Gas Stations are called Petrol Stations. You’ll likely need Regular 91 Octane petrol for your campervan (unleaded gas, it’ll be the cheapest one). NOTE: at many petrol stations you can’t pay with your credit card at the gas station pump. You pump it first and then go inside and pay (talk about the trust system).
Breakdown of Each Stop in New Zealand
Below you will find the research I put together for each location we visited during our two weeks in New Zealand, including where to stay, where to eat, and the top things to do. I recommend keeping a flexible schedule during your trip as you may want to stay longer in some places depending on your interests or the weather. Luckily when you’re in a campervan you have complete control of your schedule. Note we spent most of our time cooking out of our campervan so I’ve only included the meals we really enjoyed when eating out.
Christchurch: Stop 1
Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is the starting point for your New Zealand road trip.
Recommended Time: 1 day
Where to Stay: JUCY Snooze Christchurch
Hip hostel with a kitchen and lounge. Perfect for resting up before picking up your campervan the next day. Within walking distance to restaurants and a grocery store called Countdown.
If you fly into Christchurch in the morning you could also pick up your campervan and start your journey down to Lake Tekapo that day!
Where to Eat:
From the JUCY hostel, walk a block over to Spitfire Square for a variety of dining options.
Things to Do:
Stock up on groceries and pick up your campervan. I wouldn’t recommend spending any time in Christchurch unless it’s rainy and you need to kill some time.
Recommendations from a local on what to do in the city:
Riverside Market (lots of yummy food stands)
Turanga Library in Cathedral Square (cool architecture)
Tips
Have a meal plan and grocery list prepared prior to picking up groceries.
Lake Tekapo: Stop 2
Lake Tekapo is the perfect introduction to New Zealand’s landscape with it’s aqua-blue water and mountainous terrain. Part of the UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, the area is home to some of the best stargazing in the southern hemisphere.
Recommended Time: 1 day
Where to Stay: Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park ($27 NZD/pp)
Where to Eat:
Dark Sky Diner
Astro Café
Things to Do:
Walk around/picnic at Lake Tekapo
Snap a pic of The Church of the Good Shepherd
Visit the Dark Sky Project gift shop
Star Gaze or better yet, book a stargazing experience with the Dark Sky Project
View the blooming Lupin flowers if you’re in NZ in November/December
Pay to use the public bathrooms next to the Lake Tekapo Footbridge – seriously do it, they’re futuristic and we found them entertaining.
Mount Cook National Park: Stop 4
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is one of the most beautiful spots in NZ for hiking and features the country’s tallest peak, Mount Cook.
Recommended Time: 2 days
Where to Stay: White Horse Hill DOC Campsite ($15 NZD/pp)
No reservations taken, first come first served.
Includes basic amenities: potable water, bathrooms, sinks, enclosed cooking area
Walking distance to many hikes
When you reach the parking lot, continue straight past the utility building to reach the campground.
It's self registration and you need exact cash to pay. You’ll fill out a short form with your information and place your cash in an envelope, taking a receipt to display on your dashboard in return.
The campsite pass for rental campervans can be used here.
Where to Eat:
Not much around, cook in your campervan.
Things to Do:
On the drive to Mount Cook National Park from Tekapo, be sure to stop at Lake Pukaki! We thought the views here were better than at Lake Tekapo, with a picture-perfect shot of Mount Cook on a clear day. I recommend stopping at both Lake Pukaki View Point and Peters Viewpoint.
Visit the Aoraki Mount Cook Visitors Center in the village
Recommended Hikes:
Hooker Valley Track: 6.2 miles roundtrip, easy walk, well maintained, starts near White Horse Hill DOC Campsite (where you’ll be staying)
Sealy Tarns: 3.5 miles roundtrip, steep climb (2,220 steps), halfway up the mountain to the Mueller Hut, great views of Hooker Valley, starts near White Horse Hill DOC Campsite
Mueller Hut: More experienced hikers can do the overnight trip to the Mueller Hut. It’s a challenging and steep 4-hour trip one way. Booking ahead is required as there are only 28 beds in the hut. Cost: $45 NZD ($27 USD) per person.
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint: 1.6 miles roundtrip, easy climb to a viewpoint of the glacier. Skip the cutoffs to the Blue Lakes. While the glacier is the longest in New Zealand (27km), it’s receding quickly and covered in a lot of dirt (not the pretty white I imagined in my head). It wasn’t as impressive as the hikes mentioned above and you have to drive to get there but it could be a nice stop on your way out of the park.
Tips:
Make sure you have NZ coins! Showers are available in the village but you need $2 NZD coins in order to take a hot shower. We took cold showers and it was honestly miserable.
Wanaka: Stop 5
Wanaka is a resort town that sits on a beautiful lake among panoramic mountains. The gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and home to Roys Peak Track, Wanaka is the ultimate base for outdoor activities.
Recommended Time: 2-3 days
Where to Stay: Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park ($57 NZD/night)
We loved this place. Hot showers, clean facilities, 10 minute walk to the lake/town.
Where to Eat:
Amigos (Mexican) – Nice outdoor seating, delicious tacos, happy hour with yummy margaritas
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen – Tip: If in town on a weekend, be sure to get a reservation in advance!
Doughbin Meat Pies – supposedly some of the best pies in New Zealand. The lamb and curry chicken were recommended although we never had the chance to try them!
Things to Do:
Relax by the lake – Or rent a boat, jetski, kayak or SUP
Go for a lakeside stroll, stopping to snap a pic of #ThatWanakaTree
Shop around the cute town
Visit Wanaka Lavender Farm
Visit a nearby vineyard such as Rippon Vineyard
Catch a movie at Cinema Paradiso. It’s a cute little local theatre with couches and freshly baked cookies. Great rainy day or evening option!
Grab a beer at Lake Bar
Go skydiving!
Stock up on groceries
Recommended Hikes:
Roys Peak Track: 10 miles roundtrip, completely uphill and exposed (no shade) but worth it! You’ll probably recognize the views from Instagram, the famous spot to take a photo is actually a mile or so from the top. You’ll see people lining up to take pictures.
Isthmus Peak Track: 10 miles roundtrip, this is an alternative to Roys Peak Track. I’ve heard they offer very similar views but Isthmus has way less people. I wish we would have had time to do both so I could report back!
Mount Iron Track: 2.8 miles roundtrip, short walk with spectacular views.
Rocky Mountain Track: 4.3 miles roundtrip, great views over Lake Wanaka and Diamond lake. Good place for sunrise.
Tips:
Stock up on groceries before leaving Wanaka or as you pass through Queenstown (Frankton Countdown) on the way down to Te Anau.
Te Anau & Mildford Sound: Stop 6 & 7
Often called the gateway to Fiordland National Park, you’ll have to pass through the small town of Te Anau in order to reach the jaw-dropping wilderness of Milford Sound. You can either drive through the park on your own or book a tour that departs from Te Anau. (Note you can also do day trips from Queenstown but I wouldn’t recommend this as you’ll spend 12+ hours in the car).
My preference would have been to drive into the park on our own, giving us the flexibility to stop anywhere along the way but unfortunately the road was closed to personal vehicles during our trip. Check current road conditions on NZTA or at the Visitor Center.
Regardless of how you get there, Milford Sound is bound to be a highlight of your trip. I highly recommend purchasing a cruise through the fiords so you can see the towering peaks and waterfalls up close.
Recommended Time: 2-3 da
Where to Stay:
Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park ($24 NZD/pp): Stay here if you’re staying in Te Anau and doing a guided bus/cruise tour to Milford Sound. It’s a typical Holiday Park with bathrooms, showers and communal living room/cooking area. The campervans are packed in pretty close, you’re essentially in a yard but it was a quick walk to restaurants and our Milford Sound tour picked us up directly from the lobby.
Cascade Creek Campground ($15 NZD/pp): Stay here if you’re doing the drive to Milford Sound on your own (without a tour bus). This is the closest campground to Milford Sound. No reservations taken, first come first served. It's self registration and you need exact cash to pay. The campsite pass for rental campervans can be used here.
Where to Eat:
Te Anau was kind of a dumpy town, we stuck to cooking out of our van. However, there are a handful of restaurants to choose between.
Things to Do:
Visit the Te Anau Visitors Center – Get recommendations for your Fiordland adventure.
Visit Fiordland National Park – Recommended stops along Milford Sound Highway include: Te Anau Downs, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford Valley Lookout, The Chasm (ask for tips and a map at the Te Anau visitors center).
Book a kayaking excursion through Milford Sound – Some tour operators offer a combo deal with cruise + kayaking.
Book a Glow Worms Cave excursion – We enjoyed our half-day tour with Real Journeys! You take a boat ride to reach the Aurora Cave System where you’ll explore and take a short boat ride through the caves looking up at the glow worms.
Helicopter tour or scenic flight – Expensive but I’ve heard they’re worth it.
Go see the 32-minute Ata Whenua film at the Fiordland Cinema ($12 NZD). It’s kind of like watching Planet Earth of the fiordlands. Tip: Grab a happy hour drink before or after your showing at the Black Dog Bar connected to the movie theatre.
Recommended Hikes:
Milford Foreshore Walk: .25 miles roundtrip, short walk to a great view of Milford Sounds’ Mitre Peak (complete this walk before/after your Milford Sound cruise)
Lake Marian Track: 2 miles roundtrip, features a series of waterfalls
Key Summit Track: 4.2 miles roundtrip, features panoramic mountain views and alpine lakes
Gertrude Saddle Route: 4.3 miles roundtrip, features breathtaking views of the valley and part of Milford Sound but is very steep and for more experienced hikers only.
Multi-day Treks/Great Walks: Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Kepler Track – Each trek takes between 3-4 days to complete and must be reserved in advance. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do any multi-day tre
Tips
Although I’ve heard there’s more waterfalls on a rainy day, I recommend going to Milford Sound on a sunny day so you can see the tops of peaks!
To reach Milford Sound you must pass through the Homer Tunnel which is one-way and controlled by traffic lights. Expect up to a 20 minute delay.
If driving to Milford Sound on your own, there is free parking at Deepwater Basin Road near the airport. A free Park and Ride shuttle will pick you up and take you to the visitors terminal. This is much cheaper than the $10 per hour fee for parking near the terminal.
Recommended Trip Extensions:
Head to the larger, quieter and more remote Doubtful Sound for an overnight cruise.
Queenstown & Glenorchy: Stop 8 & 9
Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown offers countless outdoor activities from bungee jumping and skydiving to jet boating and heli-biking. As both a tourism hub and college town it has a fun, contagious atmosphere – not to mention beautiful surroundings.
Be sure to reserve one of your days in Queenstown for a day trip to Glenorchy. More details below.
Recommended Time: 2-3 days
Where to Stay: Queenstown Lakeview Holiday park ($55 NZD/per night)
Where to Eat:
The Cow Restaurant – Yummy pizza paired with a local brew/wine, cool atmosphere
Fergburger – Famous burger spot that always has a line (don’t worry it moves quickly)
Madam Woo – Malaysian restaurant
Eric’s Fish and Chips – a Kiwi staple
Things to Do:
On the drive to or from Queenstown, I’d recommend a quick pit stop in the historic and quirky mining town of Arrowhead.
Book an adventure activity – Bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, heli-biking, whitewater rafting, canyon swinging and more!
Relax by the lake – Or rent a boat, jetski, kayak or SUP
Go for a stroll on the Queenstown waterfront and garden
Shop around town
Visit a nearby vineyard – There are more than 200! Famous for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the world.
Experience nightlife – Probably the best on the South Island. Recommend: Cowboy Qt Ltd
Stock up on groceries
Day trip to Glenorchy – details below
Recommended Hikes:
Queenstown Hill: 2.6 miles roundtrip, a local favorite feature spectacular views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
Ben Lomond Track: 6.9 miles roundtrip, long hike featuring epic 360-degree views. To start the track, take the skyline gondola up to Bob’s Peak.
Day Trips/Tours: Glenorchy
45-minute scenic drive from Queenstown along the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu.
Be sure to stop at Bennett’s Bluff Viewpoint (pulloff on the road) for a great view
Check out the Glenorchy Wharf and the historic red barn
Walk around the small town and grab some ice cream
Hike Glenorchy Walkway: 2.1 miles roundtrip, easy and scenic loop over beautiful wetland
Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Village: Stop 10 & 11
Break up the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef Village with a quick hike in Mount Aspiring National Park at the Blue Pools. You could also stop in Wanaka for lunch or another hike.
Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Village are towns on the West Coast famous for their glaciers. Much quieter than Queenstown, the drive to Franz Josef is remote and filled with countless waterfalls as you wind through the rainforest. Seriously, it’s so green!
Recommended Time: 1-2 days
Where to Stay:
You can stay in either Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Village, they are both small towns but Franz Josef is bigger and offers more accommodations, food, shops, etc.
In Fox Glacier: Fox Glacier Lodge & Campervan Park ($40 NZD/night (for 2 people))
In Franz Josef: Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park ($55 NZD/night (for 2 people) – I also heard Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park is cool.
Where to Eat
We just cooked in our campervan.
Things to Do:
Book a heli-hike: One of the most popular things in the area is to book a helicopter hiking tour where you get dropped off on the glacier for a hike. We were on a budget (and are slightly scared of helicopters) so we skipped this.
Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools: Relax in these hot pools nestled in lush rainforest. Choose between main pools or private pools and add on a massage if you’re feeling extra fancy. Tip: Book ahead of time!
See glow worms: There’s a couple free night hikes you can do to see glow worms such as the Terrace Walk or the Tatare Tunnels Walk.
Recommended Hikes:
Blue Pools: .93 miles roundtrip, wonder through the forest to a swing bridge over the impeccable Blue Pools. Note: it’s the second bridge you pass. This is a stop on your drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef.
Fox Glacier Valley walk: 1.6 miles roundtrip, features views of the valley and glacier. We were told this hike was better than the Franz Josef Valley Walk. Although, I’ve heard both are a little disappointing as the glacier is far away and receding quickly. If you want the best glacier experience, book a heli-hike.
Lake Matheson: 1.6 miles roundtrip. On a clear and calm day, it’s worth stopping at this reflective lake just outside of Fox Glacier to take a picture of snow capped Mount Cook. Hike counterclockwise to reflection island to snap your pic. Dawn and dusk are the best times to enjoy reflections in the lake. Tip: Skip this hike if it’s cloudy.
Tips:
Watch out for Sandflies! If you haven’t experienced them yet, you’re likely to encounter them on the West Coast. Similar to a mosquito, sandflies leave nasty bites that will leave you itching for weeks. They are most active at dawn and dusk and inactive at night because they can’t see in the dark. I recommend wearing layers and insect repellent when they are present. I’ve heard coconut oil is the best remedy for soothing bites.
Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill: Stop 11 & 12
We had limited time left to explore Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Castle Hill area so we drove it all in a day on our way back to Christchurch. If you have extra time, you could spend a night in the small town but we found other parts of NZ more interesting.
Recommended Time: 1 day
Where to Stay:
Jackson’s Retreat Campervan Holiday Park ($48 NZN/night (for 2 people)) – or just keep driving back to Christchurch like we did.
Where to Eat:
Not much around, cook in your campervan.
Things to Do:
Hokitika Gorge: On your way from Franz Josef to Arthur’s Pass, this gorge showcases the beautiful blue-green water of the Hokitika River. It’s a short walk from the car park. Note: this will add 1 hour of driving onto your trip so if you saw the Blue Pools you could consider skipping.
Recommended Hikes:
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track: 1.2 miles roundtrip, hike to a 430 foot tall waterfall!
Kura Tawhiti Access Track (also known as Castle Hill): Made famous from Lord of the Rings, this short walk through an open pasture leads to an area of large boulders.
Tips:
Accommodations are scarce in Arthur’s Pass so book in advance if possible.
And that’s all folks! Drop off your campervan and fly home. Or head to the Fiji Islands for some relaxation!