New Zealand South Island 7 Day Itinerary

If you’re planning a vacation to New Zealand, the South Island is not to be missed! If you only have one week in New Zealand, our 7 day itinerary covers the best spots in the beautiful South Island to visit on your NZ road trip.

Days 1 & 2 – Christchurch

Christchurch is a great place to start your New Zealand South Island road trip, particularly as there are a lot of flights that fly into here. We recommend spending a couple of days in Christchurch to see the main things the city has to offer. If you do have an extra day to spare, consider a day trip to the beautiful Banks Peninsula. Below are some of the best things to see and do in Christchurch if you only have 1-2 days.

Explore the City Centre

Take a walk around Christchurch city centre and keep an eye out for the contemporary street art, the Isaac Theatre Royal, vintage trams and the Christchurch Art Gallery. Walk along New Regent Street for some food and shopping, and visit the Canterbury Museum and Bridge of Remembrance.

Christchurch Botanical Gardens

The Christchurch Botanical Gardens are beautiful, and are a great spot for an afternoon walk. You’ll find a diverse range of flowers an and foliage, and the gardens are well-maintained all year (although the best time to visit s is during spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom). They’re over 150 years old and consist of ten gardens. Be sure to visit the rose garden, which has close to 250 different kinds of roses. Admission to the gardens is free.

Hagley Park

After visiting the Botanical Gardens, walk to a Hagley Park, which is a great open space near the city centre. There’s plenty of walking paths, bikes lanes and picnic areas, along with a public golf course and cricket ground.

Visit a local museum

Museums are a great way to learn more about the country you’re visiting. Head to Quake City to learn about the two earthquakes that hit Christchurch in 2010 and 2011, or spend some time visiting Canterbury Museum which showcases the natural and cultural history of the region.

Days 3 & 4 – Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook

In the the morning, it’s time to leave Christchurch and head to Lake Tekapo. The drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo is approximately 3 hours , and it’s very scenic. When you get there, take a look at the incredibly blue lake and soak in the amazing views. Walk around the little town, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, and stop for lunch at one of the cafes there.

When you’re ready to leave, it’s time to make your way to Mount Cook Village, approximately a 2 hour drive away. Mount Cook (also known as Aoraki, the traditional Maori name) is New Zealand’s highest mountain. The drive here is very scenic, so take your time! Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, so it’s a good idea to spend a couple of nights here if you have the time.

Hiking is one of the the best things to do in Mount Cook, and there are some great hikes to do in the area. The Hooker Valley hike to Mueller Lake and Hooker Lake is a must-do. It’s quite a short hike through a beautiful valley, and at the end of the trail you’ll see some stunning views of the lake, complete with floating icebergs. It’s only 10 kilometers return and the trail is quite flat. You’ll cross 3 suspension bridges over the Hooker River and walk allong the Hooker Valley Boardwalk.

You can also walk to the Mueller Lake Viewpoint, which only 20 minutes one way. The trail finishes at an amazing viewpoint that overlooks Mueller Lake and Mueller Glacier. Another great hike from Mount Cook village is the Sealy Tarns Track, where you’ll climb over 2,200 stairs to reach the alpine lake Sealy Tarn.

If you’re not in the mood for a hike, you can drive to the nearby Tasman Valley where you’ll find another lake, glacier and some more beautiful views. You can also go on a scenic helicopter ride to see some amazing views!

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre showcases the life and achievements of the famous explorer, as well as the history and culture of the region, and is also worth a visit.

At night, go Stargazing in a Dark Sky Reserve. The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, which Mount Cook National Park is a part of, is protected from artificial light pollution and is the only Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. This means you can head out of your hotel and gaze and the beautiful stars at night. The Tasman Glacier parking lot or White Horse Hill Campsite are both great spots to see a lot of stars.

Days 5 -7 – Queenstown and Milford Sound

Queenstown is a must-visit when travelling to New Zealand, and it’s the place where we will end our travel itinerary. It’s one of the most popular places in New Zealand, and is located right on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. The drive from Mount Cook to Queenstown is approximately 3 hours. When you arrive in Queenstown, grab lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants (make sure you try the famous burgers at Fergburger and ice cream from Patagonia Chocolates), and take a nice walk around Lake Wakatipu.

There’s a lot to do in Queenstown, with everything from alpine heliskiing and bungy jumping for the adrenaline seekers, to scenic boat rides and nice walks for those who are after something more low key. There are some great walking trails, like the Queenstown Hill Time Walk and the Kelvin Heights Peninsula. Visit the Queenstown Gardens and hike to Bob’s Peak for a beautiful sunset over the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown.

If you’re wanting to relax and unwind at the end of your travels, visit the Onsen Hot Pools. The hot pools are located on a cliff slide and look out over the Shotover River. They’re open both afternoons and evenings and are a great way to end your trip!

On one of your days in Queenstown, take a day trip to Milford Sound. It’s an incredibly beautiful fiord in the Fiordland National Park, and one of the best places to visit in New Zealand. You can either drive there yourself or book a tour, which is a bit more relaxing as the drive can be difficult at times. Take a cruise on the sound and soak in the breathtaking scenery. Keep an eye out for seals and dolphins!