Road trip New Zealand: South Island
South Island: Mountains, glaciers & endless adventure
This is the ultimate South Island road trip, combining breathtaking nature, iconic experiences and the freedom to explore one of the world's most beautiful destinations at your own pace.
From dramatic alpine peaks and glacier-carved valleys to golden beaches, ancient rainforests and world-famous fjords, New Zealand’s South Island is made for unforgettable adventures. Over three incredible weeks, you'll follow some of the country's most scenic roads from Christchurch through Hanmer Springs, Kaikōura, Abel Tasman National Park, the wild West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Stewart Island and beyond. Along the way, you'll sip local wines in Marlborough, spot whales and dolphins, hike through spectacular landscapes, and choose your own level of adrenaline with everything from kayaking and hiking to bungy jumping.
Highlights of the trip
Tailor-your-trip
Start with a suggested route & adjust to match your wishes with our travel experts
from
£2,342
/person
for 2 people including flights
Included
Flight
Accommodation
Transfers
Quick and easy booking process with KILROY
1
Get in touch
Tell us about your travel plans, ideas, and goals.
2
Share your plans
We'll get to know you and what you're looking for.
3
Fine-tune the details
We'll shape the perfect trip together.
4
Book with confidence
We'll secure everything and take care of the details.
5
Get ready
Pack your bags and start the countdown.
Suggested itinerary
This suggested journey is just the beginning. Fine-tune the route, experiences, and details with our experts to make it your own.
Whale watching in Kaikoura
Go kayaking at Milford Sound
Enjoy the scenic views of Lake Tekapo
Week 1: Wildlife, wine & coastal adventures
Start your journey in Christchurch before heading north to the thermal pools and alpine scenery of Hanmer Springs. Continue to Kaikōura for unforgettable whale-watching and coastal landscapes, then explore the vineyards of the Marlborough wine region. From here, travel to Nelson and enjoy a few days discovering the golden beaches, turquoise bays, and scenic hiking trails of Abel Tasman National Park.
At a glance
Price overview
From price per person, including return flights, based on two travellers sharing
What's included with this trip?
Flights to Christchurch
2 nights in Christchurch - 1 upon arrival and 1 before flying back
home
Jucy Condo campervan rental (incl. bathroom) for 22 days
Flights home from Christchurch
Booking fees
Your own travel specialist
Travel insurance (but we can help you with that!)
Vaccinations
Meals
Optional activities / add ons
Need help planning your trip?
Our travel experts can help you refine your ideas, pick the right destinations and plan your trip from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend allowing at least three weeks to experience the best of New Zealand's South Island. This gives you enough time to explore iconic destinations such as Kaikōura, Abel Tasman National Park, the West Coast glaciers, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin and Lake Tekapo without feeling rushed.
The South Island is a fantastic destination year-round. For warm weather, long days and ideal road trip conditions, visit between December and April. Spring (October-November) is another excellent time to travel, with blooming landscapes, snow-capped mountains and fewer crowds.
Absolutely. The South Island is one of the world's most popular self-drive destinations thanks to its well-maintained roads, stunning scenery and easy access to major attractions. Distances can be longer than they appear on a map, so plan plenty of stops along the way.
The South Island offers activities for every type of traveller, including hiking, kayaking, whale watching, wine tasting, scenic flights, glacier experiences, jet boating, bungy jumping, skydiving and wildlife tours.
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