The Ultimate 3 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary

About This South Island Itinerary

This itinerary can be done all year. If you want to go hiking, the best time to visit the South Island is from spring through fall (September through April). Some mountains transform into ski resorts in the winter months (June through August), making this the best time to visit New Zealand to go skiing.

This itinerary is a road trip, so you will need to rent a car or campervan.

Since this itinerary is a loop, you can start it at any point.

I’ve have written this itinerary such that it starts in Christchurch. I like starting this road trip in Christchurch because it puts Queenstown at the halfway point and it sets you up to cross the Cook Strait, if you also have plans to visit the North Island. On this road trip, you will spend the longest amount of time in Queenstown, so you get to rest and recharge (or bungy jump, hike, and paraglide) before the final week of this road trip. It’s also a nice break from packing and unpacking.

Queenstown also has an international airport, so you can also start and end the loop here.

If you also have plans to visit the North Island, on day 21 cross the Cook Strait to Wellington to start your road trip on the North Island.

Places You Will Visit on This Itinerary:

• Christchurch
• Akaroa & Banks Peninsula
• Southern Scenic Route
• Dunedin & the Otago Peninsula
• Invercargill
• Te Anau
• Milford Sound
• Queenstown
• Wanaka
• Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
• Glacier Country (Franz Josef & Fox Glacier)
• Abel Tasman National Park
• Marlborough Wine Region

3 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary map

New Zealand South Island Itinerary

South Island Itinerary Day 1

Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch ideally in the morning. Pick up your rental car and spend the mid portion of the day in Christchurch.

There are a lot of ways to fill your time in Christchurch. You can go Punting on the Avon, visit the International Antarctic Centre, learn about the earthquakes that rattled Christchurch at Quake City, visit a museum or two, or ride the gondola for panoramic views over Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula.

Punting on the Avon

In the late afternoon, drive to Akaroa (80 km, 1.5 hours). Check into your hotel and have dinner. For hotel and restaurant recommendations, and more information on how to spend your time, visit our Guide to Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula.

The Banks Peninsula

South Island Itinerary Day 2

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Banks Peninsula is a small, volcanic peninsula located on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Sitting in the center of this mountainous landscape is Akaroa Harbour and the small town of Akaroa.

This small peninsula is an underrated place to visit on the South Island and on this itinerary, you get to spend the full day here.

Onawe Peninsula | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

Shamarra Alpacas | photo credit: Shamarra Alpacas

Take a wildlife cruise to see Hector’s dolphins (the smallest dolphins in the world), go on a scenic drive on Summit Road and/or to Misty Peaks Reserve, hike out onto the Onawe Peninsula, and meet the Shamarra Alpacas.

Tonight, sleep in Akaroa.

South Island Itinerary Day 3

Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Today is one of the longest driving days of this itinerary. To get to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, it is a 380 km drive that takes just under 5 hours.

About an hour before you reach Mount Cook Village, you will arrive at Lake Tekapo. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat and go for a lovely stroll along Lake Tekapo. If you are doing well on time, you can also add on the quick detour up to the Mount John Observatory for panoramic views over Lake Tekapo (well worth it when the weather is good, this adds on about 20 km and 45 minutes, which includes time for photos).

Lake Tekapo

Continue the drive to Mount Cook Village. The final leg of the drive takes you along the edge of Lake Pukaki. From overlooks along the road, enjoy those iconic views of Aoraki / Mount Cook with the lake and the winding road.

Lake Pukaki and Aoraki / Mount Cook | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

If you are doing great on time, you can do a short hike. I recommend hiking in Tasman Valley or even doing the Hooker Valley Track if skies are clear (you get spectacular views of Aoraki / Mount Cook from this trail).

Check into your hotel and have dinner. You will stay in Mount Cook Village for two nights.

South Island Itinerary Day 4

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Today you get to spend the full day in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Ideas of things to do today include hiking the Hooker Valley Track, hiking the Tasman Glacier View Track, taking a flightseeing tour, heli-hiking, hiking to Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut, and stargazing. See the full list in our Guide to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Hooker Valley Track

South Island Itinerary Day 5

Drive to Dunedin

Today, drive to Dunedin.

If you take the shortest route to Dunedin from Mount Cook Village, it is a 320 km drive that takes 3 hours 45 minutes.

However, if you had a rainy or cloudy day on day 3, when you visited Lake Tekapo, you have the option to revisit it today. To add on Lake Tekapo, the drive is 405 km and takes 4 hours 45 minutes. It’s worth it if the sun is out and you want to photograph the stunning blue color of the lake.

If you choose to add on Lake Tekapo, you can either take State Highway 8 through Burke’s Pass and then State Highway 1 south to Dunedin or drive out-and-back to Lake Tekapo and then take State Highway 83 to State Highway 1. They are roughly the same distance and time. Driving State Highway 83 allows you to see a new part of New Zealand that you did not cover earlier in this itinerary.

Along this drive, another worthwhile detour is the Moeraki Boulders. These boulders are a popular photography spot on the South Island.

Moeraki Boulders

The Moeraki Boulders are located on Koekohe Beach (Moeraki Boulders Beach on Google Maps). Park at the Moeraki Boulders Café and it is a short walk out to the beach. At low tide, it is easy to walk right up to and photograph the boulders. At high tide, the bottoms of the boulders will be covered with water. Our visit was near low tide.

Continue the drive to Dunedin. Check into your hotel and have dinner. You will spend two nights in Dunedin. For hotel and restaurant recommendations, take a look at our Guide to Dunedin.

Dunedin | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

South Island Itinerary Day 6

Dunedin & the Otago Peninsula

Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. Sitting next to Dunedin is the Otago Peninsula, a small peninsula filled with scenic overlooks, deserted beaches, and several places to see little blue penguins and yellow eyed penguins.

Larnach Castle

Otago Peninsula | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

Spend the morning visiting the sites in Dunedin and the afternoon on the Otago Peninsula, where you can tour Larnach Castle and go on eco tours to see yellow eyed penguins and little blue penguins.

For more information, read our Guide to Dunedin & the Otago Peninsula.

South Island Itinerary Day 7

Southern Scenic Route to Invercargill

Today is your first day on the Southern Scenic Route. The Southern Scenic Route is a 600+ kilometer driving route that connects Dunedin to Queenstown. Most of this drive is along the coast, with options to add on short hikes and waterfalls.

Today you will drive 240 km of this route. Without stops, it takes just over 3 hours of driving. With detours, this will take a full day.

We have a detailed guide to the Southern Scenic Route which I recommend referring to. Here is a brief overview on the sites to visit between Dunedin and Invercargill.

Tunnel Beach: Just a short drive south of Dunedin, this picturesque beach is home to dramatic cliffs and a sea cave. To get to the beach, it is a steep, downhill, 0.8 km (0.5 mile) walk to the beach. Once at the beach, you can descend farther through the tunnel for a different view of the coastline. Then, repeat the walk, uphill this time, to get back to your car.

Tunnel Beach

Nugget Point Lighthouse: This lighthouse is one of the most picturesque places to visit on the Southern Scenic Route. From the car park, it is a 0.8 km/0.5 mile walk (about 15 minutes) to get to the lighthouse.

Nugget Point Lighthouse

Purakaunui Falls: Purakaunui Falls is a beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall. To get here, you’ll have to do a little bit of hiking. It takes 10 minutes to walk to the waterfall and this entire hike is through a dense forest. The total distance for this walk is 0.6 km/0.4 miles round trip with 30 meters/100 feet of total ascent.

Purakaunui Falls | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

Florence Hill Overlook: For a sweeping view of Tautuku Beach, it’s worth the quick stop at Florence Hill Lookout.

Cathedral Caves: These caves can only be visited at low tide, since they are located on a beach, but they are one of the most interesting places to visit on the Southern Scenic Route. Get the full details here.

Inside Cathedral Cave

Curio Bay: Visit this spot for scenic views along the coastline.

Curio Bay

Slope Point: Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a 1.8 km (1.1 mile) out-and-back walk to the point, with 100 meters (325 feet) of total ascent. Plan on spending about 30 to 45 minutes here, which gives you enough time to do the walk and take photos.

Slope Point | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

End the day in Invercargill. Have dinner and get checked into your hotel. We recommend staying at The Lodges at Transport World.

South Island Itinerary Day 8

Southern Scenic Route to Te Anau

Today’s drive in 190 km and will take just over two hours, without stops. However, we have a few detours and scenic places to visit along the drive.

Before leaving Invercargill, you have the option to make the detour to Bluff, for scenic views over the town and a view of nearby Stewart Island.

Bluff Point

Then, on the drive to Te Anau, visit Cosy Nook (a quiet, scenic, secluded spot), Gemstone Beach, and McCracken’s Rest.

Cosy Nook

As you enter Te Anau, make the quick stop at the Lions Lookout Point for panoramic views of the town.

Spend the afternoon in Te Anau. You have the option to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves this afternoon.

Tonight, sleep in Te Anau. Recommended hotels include Annies on Milford (we stayed here and it’s one of the highest rated properties in town) and Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments. For dinner, we recommend Redcliff Restaurant & Bar.

South Island Itinerary Day 9

Milford Sound

Today you will visit one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions, the Milford Sound. Since you are staying in Te Anau, you have plenty of time for the scenic drive to the Milford Sound, a longer Milford Sound cruise, and the option to add on the Key Summit hike.

For full details on how to plan your day, check out our Guide to the Milford Sound.

Milford Sound | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

Key Summit Trail

Tonight, sleep in Te Anau. Have dinner at Ditto, Sandfly Café, or the MacKinnon Room.

South Island Itinerary Day 10

Drive to Queenstown, Routeburn Track, or Doubtful Sound

Today you have a choice to make: drive to Queenstown, day hike the Routeburn Track (one of New Zealand’s Great Walks), or spend an additional day in Te Anau so you can cruise Doubtful Sound.

Option #1: Drive to Queenstown

In the morning, drive to Queenstown (170 km, 2 hours). This is a gorgeous drive, especially the final section, as you wind along Lake Wakatipu. I’ve done this drive multiple times and every time I can’t resist stopping for photos at least once.

Devil’s Staircase, Lake Wakatipu

Once in Queenstown, you’ll have the full afternoon to go exploring. I think one of the best places to start is Skyline Queenstown, where you get breathtaking views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, can ride the Luge, have lunch or dinner, or even go bungy jumping, paragliding, hiking, and mountain biking.

Check into your hotel and have dinner. For hotel and restaurant recommendations, read our article Best Things to Do in Queenstown.

Option #2: Routeburn Track

Since you have 4 days Queenstown, you have the option to hike the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s most famous Great Walks.

This 32 km/20 mile point-to-point hike takes hikers from The Divide (near the Milford Sound) across the Southern Alps to the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy). It’s typically done in 2 to 3 days but can be done in one day if you are fit, fast, and an experienced hiker.

To add in the Routeburn Track as a day hike, it’s best to do it today, starting at The Divide and ending at the Routeburn Shelter. Tonight, sleep in Queenstown. Get the full details (both about the hike and the logistics of doing a point-to-point hike) in our Guide to the Routeburn Track.

Routeburn Track

Option #3: Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound is a nearby neighbor of the Milford Sound. At 40 km long, it is the second largest fiord in New Zealand (the Milford Sound is just 17.5 kilometers long).

Doubtful Sound is more remote and less touristy than the Milford Sound, so it is a good option for those who prefer to get off the beaten path and want to see one of New Zealand’s more remote places.

Doubtful Sound | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

A visit to Doubtful Sound takes one full day from Te Anau. To get here, you first have to cross Lake Manapouri, then take a bus ride over a mountain pass, to just get to the fiord. Then, for several hours, you cruise through Doubtful Sound and several arms that come off of the fiord, before repeating the journey across the mountain pass and Lake Manapouri. Learn more in our Guide to Doubtful Sound.

You can visit both Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound (this takes two days) or just visit one of them.

If you choose to visit Doubtful Sound, do that today and tomorrow (day 11), drive to Queenstown. Tonight, sleep in Te Anau.

South Island Itinerary Days 11, 12 & 13

Queenstown

Three more days may sound like a lot of time here, but there is plenty to do to keep you busy, from jet boat rides and bungy jumping, to a nice list of hiking trails, plus a few very worthwhile day trips. Whether you are a foodie, a family, or an adventure seeker, you will not run out of things to do.

For advice on how to plan your time, take a look at our Queenstown Itinerary.

Queenstown | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

South Island Itinerary Days 14 & 15

Wanaka

On the morning of day 7, check out of your hotel and drive to Wanaka. There are two driving routes to choose from.

Via Crown Range Road: This drive is 70 km and takes an hour. On this drive, you will cross the Crown Range. At the highest point, make a pitstop and enjoy the views from the scenic overlooks. Then, descend to Cardrona, see the bra fence, and continue to Wanaka. This is the most scenic route but it is also the windiest.

Via State Highway 6: This drive is 110 km and takes an hour and a half. It goes through Cromwell and skips the switchbacks and curves of Crown Range Road. This route is not as scenic but it is a better option for those who have issues with motion sickness.

On this itinerary, you will spend two days in Wanaka.

Roy’s Peak Track

Wildwire Via Ferrata

#ThatWanakaTree

If you are a hiker, we recommend Roy’s Peak Track and the Rocky Mountain Track to Diamond Lake. On the Wildwire Via Ferrata you will climb a waterfall and there are several options depending on your adventure level, experience, and how much time you want to dedicate to this experience. In Wanaka, you can also go wine tasting, see #ThatWanakaTree, go for a cruise on Lake Wanaka, and watch a movie in Cinema Paradiso. See the full list in our Things to Do in Wanaka post.

For dinner, we recommend Bistro Gentil (wine bar and French food with views of Lake Wanaka) or Big Fig (healthy Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine).

Spend two nights in Wanaka. We recommend Wanaka Homestead Lodge & Cottages and Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park.

South Island Itinerary Day 16

Drive to Glacier Country (Franz Josef & Fox Glacier)

From Wanaka, it takes 4 hours to drive the 290 km to Franz Josef. Along the way, there are a few places to pause, enjoy the view, and even do a short hike.

From Wanaka, head north on State Highway 6. About 30 minutes into the drive you’ll reach The Neck, a narrow strip of land that sits between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. There are two scenic viewpoints here: Lake Hawea Lookout and Lake Wanaka Lookout.

Thirty minutes (35 km) north of The Neck is the Blue Pools Track. This 3 km out-and-back hike takes 30 minutes to an hour and takes you to viewpoints of vibrantly blue pools on the Makarora River.

Blue Pools | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

Continue the scenic drive to Franz Josef. Once in Franz Josef, check into your hotel. If you still have time and energy, you can go on a short hike. For a full list of things to do and where to stay, take a look at our Guide to Glacier Country.

South Island Itinerary Day 17

Glacier Country (Franz Josef & Fox Glacier)

Spend the day in Glacier Country, a name given the region that includes the towns of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. The best thing to do here is to take a flightseeing tour, where you get a bird’s eye view of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. You can add on glacier landings and even go heli-hiking.

More things to do in Glacier Country include the scenic walk around Lake Matheson, hiking to viewpoints of the glaciers, seeing the rarest kiwi at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, and relaxing in the hot pools.

Tonight, sleep in Glacier Country.

Lake Matheson

The view on a helicopeter flightseeing tour

South Island Itinerary Day 18

Drive to Abel Tasman National Park

Today, drive to Motueka. This small town is a great place to stay to explore Abel Tasman National Park. To get here, it is a 6-hour drive (465 km) without stops. Like the drive on day 4, today is another scenic drive.

Hoktika Gorge is a short detour off of State Highway 6. You’ll reach this point about 2 hours into the drive from Franz Josef. This aquamarine gorge is a fantastic hiking and swimming spot on the South Island. A 2 km walking trail loops around the gorge, crossing several suspension bridges along the way. It takes about 45 minutes to do the walk, longer if you pause for a swim.

Hoktika Gorge | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

About an hour and a half drive north of Hoktika Gorge are the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. On this small peninsula sits stacks of limestone rocks, that with a little imagination, looks like stacks of pancakes. This view of the rocks and the coastline is one of our favorite coastal views on the South Island of New Zealand. To see the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, it is a 1.1 km walking loop that takes about 20 minutes. It is free to visit.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Continue the drive to Motueka and check into your hotel. We stayed at the Terraced Chalets and had a wonderful experience, but the Abbey Court Motel and the Avalon Manor Motel also get great reviews.

South Island Itinerary Day 19

Abel Tasman National Park

Spend the day in Abel Tasman National Park. A great way to spend the day here is to do a cruise and hike combo. Learn more in our article How to Spend One Day in Abel Tasman National Park.

In the late afternoon, drive to Blenheim (175 km, 2.5 hours), have dinner, and check into your hotel.

Abel Tasman National Park | 3 Week New Zealand South Island itinerary

South Island Itinerary Day 20

Marlborough Wine Region

Spend the day wine tasting in New Zealand’s largest wine region. This region produces some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, along with Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.

If you are a wine lover or foodie, this just may be your favorite day of this road trip.

For recommended wineries, tips on how to plan your day, and hotels, read our Guide to the Marlborough Wine Region.

South Island Itinerary Day 21

Drive to Christchurch or Cross the Cook Strait

Today, you can either complete the loop by driving to Christchurch or cross the Cook Strait to Wellington on the North Island.

Christchurch

If you choose Christchurch, you will drive State Highway 1 along the east coast through Kaikoura, giving you the option to take a cruise to see and swim with dolphins.

Three species of dolphins are found in the water near Kaikoura, including dusky dolphins, Hector’s dolphins, and common dolphins. Orca can also make an appearance from September to April.

Dolphin Encounter runs tours all year. You can either simply view the dolphins or, for about double the price, swim with dolphins.

Cook Strait to the North Island

If you choose to travel to the North Island, take the Interislander or Bluebridge Ferry from Picton to Wellington.

It takes about three and a half hours to travel between Wellington and Picton. Along the way, you are treated to coastal views, particularly as you cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound on the North Island. These ferries are enormous, with indoor and outdoor seating, restaurants, lounge areas, and even a movie theater.

Tonight, sleep in Wellington.

Modifying this New Zealand South Island Itinerary

With More Time

If you have more than 3 weeks (lucky you!), you can add in more time to the places already listed or add on a Great Walk. Places you could add more time to include Glacier Country (the extra time gives you contingency time should rainy weather cancel a flightseeing tour), Christchurch, Akaroa, Te Anau (to visit both the Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound), or even Queenstown.

If you love hiking, consider adding in a Great Walk. These multi-day treks take you through some of the most stunning and remote scenery of the South Island. The Routeburn Track is one of the most famous and can be done in a day if you are fit and very fast, but most people do it in 2 to 3 days.

Other Great Walks on the South Island includes the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Heaphy Track, the Milford Track, the Paparoa Track, the Kepler Track, and the Rakiura Track.

This 3-week road trip itinerary covers most of the South Island’s top spots, but you could add in a day or two for Stewart Island (while driving the Southern Scenic Route) or a day in Arthur’s Pass Village.

With Less Time

If you have less time, you can eliminate a day in Queenstown, choose between Abel Tasman and the Marlborough wine region, and the day in Akaroa. Doing this takes out 3 days, making this an 18-day itinerary.

If you have even less time, take a look at our Two Week South Island Itinerary and our 10 Day South Island Itinerary.

Te Kano Estate, a winery located near Queenstown on the South Island

If you have any questions about this 3 week New Zealand South Island itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND BUCKET LIST: 50 Epic Things to Do in New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY: New Zealand Itinerary: 3 Week North & South Island Road Trip
BEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND: 40 Epic Things to Do on the South Island of New Zealand
ROUTEBURN TRACK: The Ultimate Routeburn Track Trail Guide (& How to Do It in One Day)
FRANZ JOSEF: Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Helicopter Tours: Photos, Tips & What to Expect
BEST OF THE NORTH ISLAND: 30 Amazing Things to Do on the North Island of New Zealand

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