16 days in South Island Itinerary
Created using Inspirock South Island route planner
Start: Auckland
Fly
1
Christchurch
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Kaikoura
— 1 day
Drive
3
Picton
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Nelson
— 1 night
Fly
5
Wanaka
— 1 night
Bus
6
Arrowtown
— 1 night
Drive
7
Queenstown
— 3 nights
Drive
8
Invercargill
— 1 day
Drive
9
Dunedin
— 1 night
Drive
10
Oamaru
— 1 night
Drive
11
Christchurch
Fly
End: Sydney
Sun, Apr 16 - Mon, May 1
Edit
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
|
30
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
View full calendar
Christchurch — 2 nights
©
Garden City
Kick off your visit on the 17th (Mon): stop by Cookie Time Factory Shop, get to know the resident critters at Orana Wildlife Park, then learn about all things military at Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and finally don't miss a visit to New Regent Street.
To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Christchurch online travel route planner.
Auckland to Christchurch is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train and ferry. Expect much colder evenings in Christchurch when traveling from Auckland in April, with lows around 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can drive to Kaikoura.
more
To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Christchurch online travel route planner.
Auckland to Christchurch is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train and ferry. Expect much colder evenings in Christchurch when traveling from Auckland in April, with lows around 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can drive to Kaikoura.
Find places to stay Apr 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Kaikoura — 1 day
©
Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then identify plant and animal life at Peninsula Seal Colony, then make a trip to Ohau Point Seal Colony, and finally hike along Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway.
To see photos, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Kaikoura travel itinerary planner.
Drive from Christchurch to Kaikoura in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Picton.
more
To see photos, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Kaikoura travel itinerary planner.
Drive from Christchurch to Kaikoura in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Picton.
Find places to stay Apr 18 — 19:
Highlights from your trip
Picton — 3 nights
©
Gateway to the South Island
On the 19th (Wed), identify plant and animal life at Lochmara Lodge Marlborough Sounds Wildlife Recovery Centre, contemplate the waterfront views at Marlborough Sounds, take in the pleasant sights at Karaka Point Walk, take in the waterfront at Picton Sound, then examine the collection at The National Whale Centre, and finally explore and take pictures at War Memorial. On the 20th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the galleries of Edwin Fox Maritime Museum, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, then get interesting insight from Tours, and finally get the lay of the land with Walking tours.
To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Picton trip itinerary builder website.
Traveling by car from Kaikoura to Picton takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 20°C in April, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Nelson.
more
To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Picton trip itinerary builder website.
Traveling by car from Kaikoura to Picton takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 20°C in April, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Nelson.
Find places to stay Apr 18 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Nelson — 1 night
©
Top of the South
On the 21st (Fri), examine the collection at Nelson Classic Car Museum, kick back and relax at Tahunanui Beach, browse the exhibits of Nelson Provincial Museum, then pause for some serene contemplation at Christ Church Cathedral, and finally make a trip to Centre of New Zealand. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat): look for gifts at Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith, take in nature's colorful creations at Queen's Gardens, then admire the natural beauty at Miyazu Japanese Garden, then walk around Founders Park, and finally savor the flavors at Food & Drink.
For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Nelson trip maker website.
You can drive from Picton to Nelson in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Wanaka.
more
For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Nelson trip maker website.
You can drive from Picton to Nelson in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Wanaka.
Find places to stay Apr 21 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Wanaka — 1 night
©
Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Wanaka, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, then fly down the slopes at Wanaka, and finally take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.
To see other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Wanaka travel itinerary planner.
Getting from Nelson to Wanaka by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can take a bus to Arrowtown.
more
To see other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Wanaka travel itinerary planner.
Getting from Nelson to Wanaka by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can take a bus to Arrowtown.
Find places to stay Apr 22 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Arrowtown — 1 night
©
On the 24th (Mon), don't miss a visit to Arrowtown Village, do a tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery, learn about winemaking at Chard Farm Winery, then do a tasting at Peregrine Wines, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Arrowtown Chinese Settlement.
For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Arrowtown trip itinerary planner.
Traveling by bus from Wanaka to Arrowtown takes 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Queenstown.
more
For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Arrowtown trip itinerary planner.
Traveling by bus from Wanaka to Arrowtown takes 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Queenstown.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Queenstown — 3 nights
©
Shallow Bay
Go for a jaunt from Queenstown to Mount Creighton to see Glenorchy-Queenstown Road about 32 minutes away. The adventure continues: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and admire the natural beauty at Queenstown Gardens.
To see where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Queenstown day trip planner.
Queenstown is just a short distance from Arrowtown. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to drive to Invercargill.
more
To see where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Queenstown day trip planner.
Queenstown is just a short distance from Arrowtown. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to drive to Invercargill.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 25 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
Invercargill — 1 day
©
On the 28th (Fri), explore the ancient world of Invercargill Brewery, get engrossed in the history at E Hayes and Sons - The World's Fastest Indian, admire the masterpieces at Southland Museum and Art Gallery, then let the kids burn off some steam at Dig This Invercargill, then examine the collection at Bill Richardson Transport World, and finally walk around Queens Park.
For where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Invercargill day trip planner.
Drive from Queenstown to Invercargill in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can go by car to Dunedin.
more
For where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Invercargill day trip planner.
Drive from Queenstown to Invercargill in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can go by car to Dunedin.
Find places to stay Apr 28 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
Dunedin — 1 night
©
Edinburgh of the South
On the 29th (Sat), step into the grandiose world of Larnach Castle & Gardens, then examine the collection at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, then identify plant and animal life at The Royal Albatross Centre, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Otago Peninsula.
To see more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Dunedin online itinerary planner.
You can drive from Invercargill to Dunedin in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Oamaru.
more
To see more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Dunedin online itinerary planner.
You can drive from Invercargill to Dunedin in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Oamaru.
Find places to stay Apr 28 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Oamaru — 1 night
©
Kick off your visit on the 30th (Sun): pick up a one of a kind souvenir at Hampden Stores, make a trip to Moeraki Boulders Beach, indulge your taste buds at Oamaru Farmers' Market, then examine the collection at Steampunk HQ, then make a trip to Oamaru's Victorian Precinct, and finally get a dose of the wild on Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony.
To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Oamaru trip planner.
Getting from Dunedin to Oamaru by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) so you can drive to Christchurch.
more
To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Oamaru trip planner.
Getting from Dunedin to Oamaru by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) so you can drive to Christchurch.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 30 — May 1:
Highlights from your trip
©
Garden City
On the 1st (Mon), get engrossed in the history at Canterbury Museum.
For more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Christchurch itinerary builder site.
You can drive from Oamaru to Christchurch in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. On the 1st (Mon), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
more
For more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Christchurch itinerary builder site.
You can drive from Oamaru to Christchurch in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. On the 1st (Mon), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
Find places to stay May 1 — 2:
Highlights from your trip
See timeline
South Island travel guide
Māui's Canoe
The wilder of New Zealand's two main islands, South Island offers a feast of nature in all its glory. Extensive, untouched plains connect alpine landscapes with rugged shorelines, creating a home for an abundance of animals and vegetation, on land and in the rich surrounding waters. Renowned as a window to the natural world before man (something that scores of film directors have tapped into over the years), South Island folds its cities and townships into the surrounding landscape, their populations adding something singular to the mix. On your trip to South Island, you'll witness the awe-inspiring cultural heritage of the Maori, whose art and architecture complements the developments of the colonial legacy. The result is a land of characterful buildings, rolling vineyards, and free-spirited adventure.
Nelson-Tasman Region travel guide
Explore New Zealand at its very brightest in Nelson-Tasman Region, the country's sunniest area. Make the most of the fantastic visibility by sailing around the bays, kayaking up the creeks, and hiking the foothills to find picturesque vistas of the coast. With the climate ideal for farming, consider sampling some of the aromatic wines and delicious local seafood on your trip. Now recognized as one of the Southern Hemisphere's best craft-beer brewing regions, Nelson-Tasman Region offers enticing options for relaxation after a day of activity.
