South Island Road Trip Itinerary — 10 Days from Christchurch

The classic South Island loop

Christchurch makes the perfect base for a South Island road trip — fly in, pick up a rental car, and you're 3 hours from the Southern Alps. This 10-day loop covers the bucket-list sights without overdriving.

Day 1 — Christchurch to Tekapo

Drive time: ~3 hours (225 km)

Pick up your car from our Christchurch depot or Christchurch Airport. Head inland through the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. The turquoise lake, the Church of the Good Shepherd and (after dark) the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Day 2 — Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook

Drive time: ~1 hour (105 km along Lake Pukaki)

One of the most photographed drives in NZ. Hike the Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return, easy) for an up-close view of New Zealand's tallest mountain.

Day 3 — Mt Cook to Wanaka

Drive time: ~3 hours (200 km)

The drive south winds past Lindis Pass. In Wanaka, climb Roy's Peak at sunrise the next morning for the iconic photo — or just visit "That Wanaka Tree".

Day 4 — Wanaka to Queenstown

Drive time: 1 hour via the Crown Range (the highest sealed road in NZ) or 1.5 hours via SH6. Queenstown is your base for the next 3 nights.

Day 5 — Queenstown adventure day

Pick your poison: bungy at the original Kawarau Bridge, jet boating on the Shotover, Skyline gondola and luge, or just hire bikes along Lake Wakatipu. Evening: dinner at Fergburger.

Day 6 — Queenstown to Milford Sound (day trip)

Drive time: 4 hours each way

A long day — leave at 6am, cruise Milford at midday, back by 8pm. Or split it: drive to Te Anau the day before and stay overnight.

Day 7 — Queenstown to Franz Josef

Drive time: ~5 hours 30 minutes via Haast Pass (350 km)

One of the world's great scenic drives. Stop at Blue Pools and Thunder Creek Falls. Franz Josef Glacier and Lake Matheson await.

Day 8 — Franz Josef to Hokitika

Drive time: ~1 hour 30 minutes (130 km)

Short driving day. Stop at the Hokitika Gorge (a 30-minute walk to a glowing turquoise river) and pick up some pounamu (greenstone) jewellery.

Day 9 — Hokitika to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass

Drive time: ~4 hours 30 minutes (250 km)

The TranzAlpine railway runs this same route — many say the drive is even better. Stop at Castle Hill for the iconic limestone boulders.

Day 10 — Christchurch

Spend the morning at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, ride the historic tram, then drop your car at the depot or airport.

What car should I rent?

The South Island has more gravel and alpine driving than the North. We recommend our mid-size SUV ($49/day) for the Crown Range, Haast Pass and Arthur's Pass routes. Snow chains are required in winter (June–September) on alpine passes — Nomado provides these on request.

Want to do it one-way?

Nomado offers one-way South Island rentals between our Christchurch and Auckland depots (via the Cook Strait ferry). Get a one-way quote.