LAST UPDATED – 3/28/26 – New Zealand South Island Itinerary

This New Zealand South Island Itinerary contains references to products on my Amazon Store site.  I may receive a commission when you purchase these products from my store, though at no additional cost to you.   I hand-pick and recommend only the products that I am either familiar with or comfortable recommending.

When you travel to New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll quickly realize there’s no shortage of incredible things to see and do. That abundance can make planning feel overwhelming—no one wants to return home wishing they’d missed a must‑see experience. I’ve felt that regret before, which is exactly why this South Island itinerary is here to guide you.

An All-You-Need 14-Day South Island Itinerary

In this South Island itinerary, I outline a fourteen‑day dream trip packed with the best sights, experiences, and logistics you need in one place. You won’t have to worry about choosing destinations—I’ve mapped out the full route, along with options to extend or shorten the trip to fit your schedule.

I’ve also included recommended tours, excursions, and activities at every stop, plus an overview of the two main ways to explore New Zealand so you can choose the style that suits you. When it’s time to book accommodations or find great places to eat, you’ll find links to detailed visitor guides for each location. Feel free to read straight through for the full picture or use the links below to jump to the sections you want to explore in more detail.

South Island Itinerary Navigation Menu

The South Island Itinerary

Two weeks may sound like plenty of time, but with so many incredible things to see and do on New Zealand’s South Island, it helps to focus on the can’t‑miss regions. I’ve designed this South Island itinerary as a loop beginning and ending in Christchurch, though you can easily start or finish in Queenstown—both cities have major international airports.

Below, you’ll find the full structure of the route. You can read it straight through for an overview of each stop and the daily flow, or use the links to jump directly to the sections you want to revisit. For every destination, I outline how many nights to stay, the activities I recommend, and detailed guides to help you get to know the area. These guides highlight top sights, suggested hotels and hostels, great restaurants, and popular tours so you can plan with confidence.

New Zealand South Island Itinerary Map

Tours to Book for Your Itinerary

The South Island is known for its thrilling outdoor adventure opportunities, so it would be a real shame to visit New Zealand’s South Island without any adventures.  However, there are so many amazing adventures that you can have that it can be quite intimidating to decide which adventures to go on and where to book them.  To help you make those decisions, I have laid out some recommendations for you to review in my New Zealand South Island itinerary below. 

For each day of the New Zealand South Island itinerary, I have recommended a tour, excursion, or activity.  Not only have I recommended these adventures at the locations where I think they would be best experienced, but I have also scheduled them on the days when I think you will have the most time to enjoy them. 

By all means, don’t feel like you need to use every one of my recommendations or even book this many excursions for your trip.  These are just my recommendations that you should use as you see fit as you start to plan your trip.

What to Know Before You Go On Your Trip

Passport, Visa, and Immunization Requirements

As you begin planning your trip, make sure to review New Zealand’s passport, visa, customs, and immunization requirements to confirm you’re eligible to visit. I’ve linked my comprehensive guide below to help you prepare. It’s important to read this information right away—you don’t want to discover an issue at the last minute when there’s little time to fix it.

Packing Recommendations

Outside of taking care of the passport, visa, and immunization requirements so that you can get into the countries and don’t get sick, there is no more important pre-travel planning task than making sure you pack the right clothing and gear for your trip.  To help make sure you are properly packed and prepared, I have included links to some of my packing resources in my New Zealand South Island itinerary guide below for you to review.

Additional Packing Advice for the South Island of New Zealand

Chances are, you will be taking part in some outdoor adventure activities while in New Zealand.  This may include hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, rafting, jet boat riding, skydiving, bungy jumping, canyon swinging, or several other activities. 

Performing many of these activities requires you to pack additional gear for your trip, and this is especially true when you are participating in these outdoor activities in an alpine region such as New Zealand’s South Island.  To ensure that you are prepared for all the adventures you have on your trip, I have included some additional gear recommendations (above and beyond what is outlined in my packing guides linked above) below for you to review.

This New Zealand South Island itinerary post contains references to products on my Amazon Store site.  I may receive a commission when you purchase these products from my store, though at no additional cost to you.   I hand-pick and recommend only the products that I am either familiar with or comfortable recommending.

Hiking Boots (1 Pair)

Choosing the Right Hiking Boots

Choosing the right hiking boots is important because you are going to be spending a lot of time hiking, and much of that will be on slippery and uneven trails.  When looking for a good set of hiking boots for this trip, please keep the following characteristics in mind:

• The boots should be lightweight.  The last thing you will want to have is heavy boots when you are doing as much hiking as you will be doing.  It is said that each pound of weight on your feet equates to roughly five pounds on your back, so your boot weight really matters.  Look for boots that weigh between 2.2lbs (1kg) and 3.3 lbs (1.5kg).  Anything more than that is too heavy.
• Look for boots that have a rubber sole with deep lugs.  This will give you the best traction and ensure that you don’t slip on wet trails.
• Look for a mid-to-high height boot to give you good ankle support.  You are going to be hiking on some uneven surfaces, and you don’t want to twist an ankle while on a trail.  For added support, look for boots that have speed hooks or D Strings.
• Make sure the boots you purchase are waterproof.  Hiking in wet boots can be a miserable experience, and keeping your feet dry can be difficult without the proper boots.

Hiking Pants (1 Pair for every Two Days)

Breathable T-Shirts (1 Per Day)

Base Layer (Top and Bottom)

Fleece or Nano Puff Down Jacket (One Jacket)

Rain Jacket and Rain Pants (One Pair)

Hat and Gloves (1 Hat and 1 Pair of Gloves)

Underwear (One Per Day and Two Sports Bras for Women)

Multiple Swimsuits

Hiking Socks (Pair for Each Day)

Hiking Gaiters (Optional)

Micro Spikes (Optional)

Hiking Backpack (1 Backpack)

Choosing the Right Hiking Backpack

Choosing the right backpack to take on your trip is a very important decision.  This is what you will be carrying and what you aren’t wearing.  Having a bag that can fit what you need and is comfortable and durable is important.  Here are some general guidelines for what you should look for in a backpack to bring.

Bag Size

• If you are planning on doing multi-day hikes on your own, then you are going to need to carry your own food and some additional water with you.  For that reason, you are going to need to bring a bigger bag.  For the typical hiker, a 30-35L bag should be sufficient.  This should be big enough to fit around 22lbs (or 10kg) of gear.  Remember, you will typically be wearing around 6-10lbs of gear each day as well.
• If you are only planning on doing the day hikes I recommend, then you don’t need to worry about carrying your food.  Therefore, you can afford to bring a smaller backpack.  Your average hiker’s backpack that can be used to carry your personal gear that you aren’t wearing should be sufficient.

Bag Design

• You should pay close attention when purchasing a hiking backpack to make sure that they are both durable and weather-resistant.  Pay attention to the material the bags are made out of, whether they have a weather-resistant coating, and whether the bags come with rain covers.
• Your bag should be comfortable to wear.  Good bags will be adjustable with ample padding on the shoulder straps and waist belt, and include a well-designed suspension system that evenly distributes the weight of the bag among the muscles used to carry the load.   I would suggest trying on various bags at REI or another outdoor gear retailer before purchasing your bag.
• For ladies, I would suggest looking at a backpack specially designed for women.  Most well-designed women’s bags also have reshaped waist belts designed for women’s bodies, which can be important because the waist belt is critical for transferring weight off your back.

Sunglasses

Planning Your Water Needs Appropriately

Staying hydrated is always important when you are performing outdoor adventure activities.    Getting dehydrated can be dangerous, so you should always make sure you have enough water with you.  To assist you in planning your water needs for the outdoor activities you participate in on your trip, I have included some general guidelines below.

• Make sure you drink at least 2-3 liters of water each day, as it is critically important that you stay hydrated when hiking.
• If you prefer to bring water bottles, you will need to be able to carry either two 1-liter bottles or one 1.5-liter bottle, and make sure that you drink at least 1 liter of water before starting each day.
• If you prefer to carry a hydration bladder in your backpack, there are some good 2-5 liter bladders available on Amazon.com that I recommend.

Headlamp or Flashlight

Camera Gear

50%-100% Deet Insect Repellent

Sun Screen

Motion Sickness Pills

Additional Items

In addition to the items I recommended above, here are some additional pieces of equipment, medication, and medical supplies that you might want to consider bringing with you.

• Hang-up Toiletry Bag
• Portable Charger
• Dry Bag or Zip Lock Bags
• Travel First Aid Kit
• Blister Pads or Mole Skin
• Tylenol or Ibuprofen
• Ear Plugs
• Pee Bottle (For Women)

Choosing How to Tour the South Island

Outside of determining when you would like to visit and which flights you will book to get there, I would contend that the biggest decision you will have to make when planning your trip to New Zealand’s South Island is how you plan on getting around.  Unlike Europe, there isn’t a rail system that gets you from one place to another on the South Island.  To get around, you are going to need to drive yourself. 

When it comes to transportation and accommodations, you can either elect to rent a car and then choose to stay at hotels, hostels, and house rentals (think Airbnb or VRBO), or you can choose to rent an RV (campervan or motorhome).  There are pros and cons to each option, which I outline in my New Zealand South Island itinerary guide below so that you can choose the option that is best for your trip.

Staying in Hotels or Hostels

If you are looking for a hot shower, room service, and other amenities, then a hotel or hostel might be the best choice for you.  In all of the cities that I outline on this itinerary, there is a selection of hotel and hostel options at various price points for you to choose from.  Most of these locations also have house and room rentals on sites like Airbnb and VRBO available as well. 

If you are looking for some advice on which hotels or hostels to book, I would recommend you take a look at my individual visitor guides for each city.  In those guides, I provide hotel and hostel recommendations at different price levels for you to review.  If you are trying to determine if choosing the hotel\hostel\Airbnb route is best for you, I have included the pros and cons of choosing this option for you to review in my New Zealand South Island itinerary guide below.

The Pros

• Running water and most likely hot water in your room.
• At many locations, there is a free continental breakfast or breakfast available to purchase.
• You have more space to spread out.
• Most hotels and hostels will have a concierge service that you can use.

The Cons

• Staying at a hotel or hostel is typically more expensive.
• You have less flexibility in changing your travel plans.
• You don’t need to unpack and repack your suitcase between hotels and hostels.
• Preparing your own meals is a lot more difficult.

Renting an RV

If you would prefer not to stay in hotels, hostels, or rental homes, the other way that you can choose to tour the South Island of New Zealand is to rent an RV (campervan or motorhome) to stay in.  Choosing to rent an RV can be an extremely liberating way of touring the island because you aren’t locked into a schedule because of hotel bookings. 

On the other hand, they can also be a little more cramped than your typical hotel room and may not have all of the amenities that you are used to.  If you are trying to determine whether renting an RV is the right approach for your trip, I have included a list of important factors to take into account before renting an RV in New Zealand in my New Zealand South Island itinerary guide below.

Factors to Consider Before Renting an RV

• Prices May Vary – Depending on when you are visiting New Zealand, there may be a lot of demand for RVs.  During the busy season, renting an RV may not be much cheaper than a hostel or a cheap hotel.
• Age Restrictions – Depending on which company you choose to rent from, there may be age restrictions.  You only need a valid home driver’s license (in English) to be able to drive in New Zealand, but don’t be surprised if you aren’t able to rent an RV if you are under the age of 25.
• Look Out for One-Way Fees – If you are planning on picking up your RV from a different location than you are dropping it off at, you will likely be charged a one-way fee.  For instance, if you are flying into Christchurch and then home from Queenstown to save time, you will likely be charged extra for that.
• Lots of Inclusions – Most RV rental companies will include several amenities standard with your RV.  This includes towels, bedding, pots and pans, plates and cutlery, and other gear.
• You Can’t Park and Sleep Anywhere – While renting an RV does afford you a great deal of flexibility, it does not permit you to just pull over and sleep anywhere you’d like.  Make sure you only pull over and park for the night in designated camping areas.
• Campervans Versus Motorhomes – While both typically include a bathroom and a kitchen, motorhomes are typically larger and more spacious than campervans.  Campervans are typically more compact and designed to sleep only 2-3 people, whereas motorhomes will sleep anywhere between 2-6 people comfortably.

Recommended RV Rental Companies

If you decide that you would like to rent an RV while in New Zealand, I have included a number of the highest-rated RV rental companies below for you to review, along with the type of RV that they have available and where they have locations.  Remember, campervans typically fit between 2-3 people, and motorhomes typically sleep between 2-6 people.

Company Name	Campervans Available	Motorhomes Available	Christchurch Location	Queenstown Location	Picton Ferry Location
Apollo New Zealand	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Britz New Zealand	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Cheapa Campa New Zealand	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Escape Rentals New Zealand	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
JUCY New Zealand	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Kiwi Campers/Happy Campers	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Mad Campers New Zealand	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Maui New Zealand	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Mighty Campers New Zealand	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Spaceships New Zealand	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Travellers Autobarn	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Tui Campers New Zealand	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Wilderness Motorhomes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No

DAY 1:  Arrive in Christchurch

On Day 1 of your adventure, you’ll arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to begin the trip. For this itinerary, I assume you’re flying in and out of Christchurch, though you can also start in Queenstown via Queenstown Airport (ZQN). If you’re visiting the North Island before or after, simply fold this plan into your broader schedule.

After landing, pick up your rental car or collect your campervan or motorhome. If you’re still deciding between the two, review the section on Choosing How to Tour the Island, where I break down both options.

Once you have your transportation, head west toward your first stop: Lake Tekapo. You’ll spend part of two days and one night exploring the region. If your flight arrives early enough, consider booking a stargazing tour—it’s a relaxing way to ease into the trip. For recommendations on lodging, restaurants, and things to do, see my Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Visitor Guide linked below.

Day 1 Details

Day 1 Driving Map

DAY 2:  Explore Lake Tekapo

After waking up on the second day of your New Zealand South Island itinerary, you will want to spend a portion of the day doing some more exploration of the Lake Tekapo area before making the very short drive to Mount Cook Village.  I would recommend doing some hiking by the lake, checking out the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise or sunset, and enjoying the Lake Tekapo Hot Springs before leaving town.

The drive from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook Village is absolutely breathtaking.  The views as you drive along Lake Pukaki are absolutely breathtaking.  Make sure you leave yourself some time to do this drive in daylight, as you will want to pull over at a number of the scenic pullouts to take some pictures and enjoy the incredible views. 

When you arrive in Mount Cook Village, you can unpack your stuff and get some good food after a long day of exploration.  For recommendations on where to stay, where to eat, and what there is to do in the Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park area, please refer to my Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Guide linked below.

Day 2 Details

Day 2 Driving Map

DAY 3:  Explore Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park

Using this New Zealand South Island itinerary, you will be spending a portion of three days and two nights in the Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park area. This should give you plenty of time to hike in one of the best parks on New Zealand’s South Island for hiking. 

The Hooker Valley Track, the Sealy Tarns Track, the Mueller Hut Track, and the Blue Lake and Tasman Glacier View Track are all hikes that I would recommend within the park.  If you are looking for other things to do in the area, I would suggest checking out my Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park Visitor Guide linked below.

If you are planning on following my condensed New Zealand South Island itinerary and plan to skip the Franz Josef Glacier area because you are flying into Christchurch and flying out of Queenstown, then I would recommend exploring a tour of the Tasman Glacier while in Mount Cook National Park. 

Some amazing helicopter tours will give you a great close-up view of the glacier.  No matter which itinerary you are following, I would plan on getting most of your sightseeing around Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park done on days 2 and 3, as you will want to head to Queenstown fairly early on Day 4 so that you can fully explore that area.

Day 3 Details

DAYS 4-6:  Explore Queenstown

On days four through six, you’ll be based in Queenstown—one of my favorite places on the South Island and widely known as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the World. If you love adrenaline or outdoor activities, this is where the trip really takes off. Beyond world‑class hiking and the Remarkables ski area, Queenstown is packed with operators offering skydiving, bungee jumping, jet boating, canyon swinging, and more.

When you arrive on Day 4, settle in and take it easy. A great first outing is riding the Skyline Gondola and trying the luge. You can buy packages that include multiple luge runs and even lunch or dinner at the Stratosphere Restaurant.

On Days 5 and 6, dive into the adventure activities that interest you, and make time to explore Queenstown’s excellent shops and restaurants. For recommendations on where to stay, eat, and what else to do, check out my Essential Queenstown, New Zealand Travel Guide linked below.

NOTE:  Depending on your schedule and availability, you will also be able to find skydiving opportunities in the Wanaka area.  So if you aren’t able to get up in Queenstown, you should have other opportunities later in the trip.  Please refer to my guide on Everything You Need to Know About Skydiving in New Zealand linked below, for more information.  You can also choose to take a Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown instead of Wanaka, in case you need to move things around to make more time later in your trip.

Days 4-6 Details

Day 4 Driving Map

DAYS 7-8:  Explore Te Anau and Fiordland National Park

On Day 7, you’ll wrap up your time in Queenstown and drive south to Te Anau, your base for exploring Fiordland National Park. Since you’ll only have part of the day, skip full‑day tours and opt for something shorter—like the glowworm cave tour, a fascinating experience found in only a few places in New Zealand.

Day 8 is your one full day in Fiordland, and I highly recommend booking a Milford Sound tour. You can choose a combined hiking‑and‑boat experience, which includes guided stops and short walks through the park, or simply take a boat cruise. Milford Sound is one of the most breathtaking coastal landscapes in the world, and a cruise here is truly essential. For more details, see my Milford Sound Visitor Guide linked below.

Many travelers also come to hike the famous Milford Track, one of the world’s great multi‑day wilderness routes. It doesn’t fit into this itinerary, but if you have extra time and want to add it, check out my Ultimate Guide for Hiking the Milford Track.

NOTE:  Weather is the biggest challenge when visiting Milford Sound—the area gets huge amounts of rain, and the only access road is prone to avalanches, especially in winter and spring, which can lead to sudden closures. Because of this, it’s smart to have a backup plan, and the most common alternative is switching to a Doubtful Sound tour, which is equally stunning but more remote and operated by a single company. Start checking the Milford Sound forecast as soon as you arrive in New Zealand, and if conditions look poor the night before your tour, consider switching, while keeping in mind that the weather can change quickly in either direction. 

Days 7-8 Details

Day 7 Driving Map

DAYS 9-12:  Explore Wanaka

On days nine through twelve, you’ll explore my second‑favorite region on the South Island: Wanaka. While Queenstown is famous for adrenaline sports, Wanaka is all about world‑class hiking. After arriving on Day 9, get settled and head into town—don’t miss the iconic Wanaka Tree just offshore in Lake Wanaka. For tips on lodging, dining, and local highlights, see my Wanaka, New Zealand Visitor’s Guide linked below.

Day 10 is your first full day in the area, and I recommend taking a wine tour in the Central Otago Valley. This region is the heart of South Island wine country and one of the world’s rising wine destinations. It’s a relaxed way to enjoy the area before the final stretch of adventures. For more details, refer to my Guide to Wine Tours in New Zealand’s Central Otago Valley.

NOTE:  If you would prefer, you can take the same wine tours in the Central Otago Valley from the Queenstown area.  Depending on your itinerary, this may work out better for you.  

After your low‑key day, the adventure ramps back up on Day 11 with some of Wanaka’s most iconic hikes. The most famous is the Roy’s Peak Track—a long, steep, and challenging route best suited for experienced hikers, but the summit views are absolutely worth the effort. Its sister hike, the Isthmus Peak Track, offers a similar level of difficulty and equally stunning vistas. For more details on these routes, see my Guide to Hiking the Isthmus Peak Track linked below.

NOTE: Be aware that the Roy’s Peak Track is closed annually from October 1st until November 10th each year for lambing season.  Likewise, the Isthmus Peak Track is closed each year from November 20th through December 20th for the fawning season.  If you would like to hike either of these tracks, please keep this in mind as you plan your trip.

Day 12 will be your final day in the Wanaka area, as you will want to head North towards Franz Josef Glacier by noon that day.  This will ensure that you can arrive in Franz Josef at a decent time, get settled, and be prepared for your glacier experience the next day.  A good activity for your final day in Wanaka is to rent kayaks and get out on Lake Wanaka.  You will really experience the beauty of the lake and the area from out on the water.

Days 9-12 Details

Day 9 Driving Map

DAY 12-13:  Explore Franz Josef Glacier

Your last stop before heading back to Christchurch to return home will be to the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier area on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island.  Here you will get to see and explore some of the largest glaciers in the Southern Alps.  There are a lot of different tours that you can take to see the glaciers, but I would recommend that you take a tour that gets you on one of the glaciers to do some exploration with a guide. 

It is such a surreal experience to be on a glacier and experience it first-hand.  If you aren’t up for hiking, there are plenty of helicopter sightseeing tours available as well.  For more information on how to tour the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, please refer to my Guide to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Helicopter Sightseeing and Hikes linked below.

NOTE: Some glacier tours include access to the Franz Josef Glacier hot springs, but you can also visit the hot springs on your own. In fact, it may fit your schedule better to enjoy them when you arrive on Day 12. I strongly recommend booking your glacier tour early on Day 13—booking it on Day 12 will leave you rushed leaving Wanaka, and booking it late on Day 13 will make it difficult to get back to Christchurch in time for your flight home.

Day 13 Details

Day 12 Driving Map

DAY 13-14:  Return to Christchurch (Fly Home)

After your tour of the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier on day 13 of your trip, you will start making your way back to Christchurch.   This will be the longest drive of your trip, so make sure you leave yourself enough time.  You can either choose to drive back to Christchurch on day 13 and then spend a night by the airport, or you can choose to drive halfway back to Christchurch and spend the night before driving the remainder of the way on the morning of day 14.  Ultimately, that will all depend on when you book your return flight from Christchurch on day 14.

NOTE:  If you are visiting in the winter, early spring, or late autumn months, be aware that snowfall can lead to road closures, especially near the Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and Arthur’s Pass areas.  You need to account for this and build some flexibility into your schedule for your drive back to Christchurch so that you don’t miss a flight.

Day 14 Details

Day 13 Driving Map

Options If You Have More Time

If you have more than two weeks to tour the South Island of New Zealand, then you might want to plan to see more of the island.  In that case, I have outlined three options below on how you can extend your visit to the South Island and see some additional landscapes that are absolutely amazing.  Obviously, you can also extend your trip to see some of the sights on the North Island of New Zealand.  I do not cover the North Island in this guide, but there are definitely sights that are worthy of seeing on the North Island as well.

Adding Stop at Abel Tasman National Park

On the North end of the South Island of New Zealand is the Abel Tasman National Park.  The Abel Tasman is well known for its breathtaking coastline and amazing marine wildlife.  If this park weren’t so far away from the rest of the locations on my itinerary, I would have loved to have worked it into my standard itinerary. 

However, it is quite a drive to the North.  If you would like to visit the Abel Tasman National Park on your trip to the South Island, I would recommend adding at least three additional days to your trip.

NOTE:  The best way to fit a stop at Abel Tasman National Park into the agenda that I provided is to continue up the Eastern Coast of the South Island after your stop at Franz Josef Glacier.  Then, after touring Abel Tasman, you can make your way back down south to Christchurch to head home.

Extra Time Recommended:  3-4 Days

View Larger Map

Adding Stop at Mount Aspiring National Park

Another worthwhile addition to your itinerary, if you have time, is to make a stop at Mount Aspiring National Park.  This is another beautiful national park on the South Island of New Zealand that is worthwhile exploring if you have the time. 

You will see more of the breathtaking Southern Alps and some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the South Island.  Because Mount Aspiring National Park isn’t that far out of the way, you will only need to add a day or two to your trip (depending on how much time you want to spend exploring the park) to see it.

NOTE:  The best place to fit a stop at Mount Aspiring National Park into my provided agenda is after you visit Wanaka and on your way to Franz Josef Glacier.  The stop will take you a little bit out of your way, but it is worth it if you have the extra time to add to your trip.

Extra Time Recommended:  1-2 Days

View Larger Map

Adding a stop at Arthur’s Pass National Park

The final suggestion that I have for adding some additional time to your itinerary would be to make a stop at Arthur’s Pass National Park.  Known to be one of the most breathtaking mountain passes in the Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park is well worth the visit if you have the time.  In addition to seeing the beautiful scenery, there are some amazing hikes that you can take within the park. 

Because the park is on the route you would be taking for my standard itinerary, the only time you would need to add to your trip is the extra time that you would like to spend exploring this park.  If you want to do some hiking and see the park right, I would suggest adding a day or two to your trip.

NOTE:  Arthur’s Pass is on your route from Franz Josef Glacier to Christchurch, so you don’t need to go out of your way at all to add this park to your itinerary.  You would just need to add a stop at the end of your trip.

Extra Time Recommended:  1-2 Days

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Option If You Have Less Time

If you don’t have two weeks to explore the South Island of New Zealand, I have a recommendation on how you can cut 2 or 3 days off of my standard itinerary and not really miss that much.  Here is a summary of how I would recommend that you modify my standard itinerary:

• Instead of arriving and departing from Christchurch, I would suggest arriving at Christchurch and then booking your return flight from Queenstown.  This will save you a considerable amount of driving time, but it may mean a more expensive flight and a more expensive campervan or motorhome rental (because of the one-way rental) if that is how you plan to explore the South Island.
• Eliminate the stop at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier from my standard itinerary.  Instead, I recommend that you take a tour of the Tasman Glacier while in Aoraki\Mount Cook National Park instead.  This will mean less time to hike in Aoraki\Mount Cook, but if you plan your time wisely, you should have time to do some of both.
• After finishing the sightseeing portion of your trip in the Wanaka area, you will make the short drive back to Queenstown to catch your flight home.  If you are traveling in the winter, early spring, or late autumn months, I would suggest leaving yourself extra time to get back to Queenstown in case of weather.

Time Saved Versus Full Itinerary:  2-3 Days

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