New Zealand Itinerary 2 Weeks: A South Island Road Trip From Christchurch
Part of our travel itineraries library · Amicly Editorial Team · November 1, 2026
Two weeks is the right length for the South Island, and too short to do both islands well. This New Zealand itinerary is a 13-night loop from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Basin, the southern lakes and Fiordland, then up the West Coast and back over Arthur's Pass. The longest driving day is about 4 hours. The rest are 1.5–3 hours, which leaves time for the walks that are the reason to come.
- Route: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mount Cook → Wanaka → Queenstown → Te Anau (Milford Sound) → Wanaka or Haast → Franz Josef → Arthur's Pass → Christchurch
- Best months: December–March for long days and open alpine roads. February–March is calmer than the school holidays. October–November and April have fewer people and cooler weather.
- Before you fly: most visa-waiver travellers need an NZeTA and pay the NZ$100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Australian citizens are exempt from both.
- Drive on the left. Many roads are two-lane with one-lane bridges. Give way to the direction shown by the sign.
Drive times on this route
| Leg | Typical drive |
|---|---|
| Christchurch → Lake Tekapo | ~3 h |
| Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mount Cook Village | ~1 h 15 min |
| Mount Cook → Wanaka (via Lindis Pass) | ~2 h 30 min |
| Wanaka → Queenstown (via the Crown Range) | ~1 h |
| Queenstown → Te Anau | ~2 h |
| Te Anau → Milford Sound (one way) | ~2 h without stops; plan 3 |
| Te Anau → Wanaka | ~3 h |
| Wanaka → Franz Josef (via Haast Pass) | ~3 h 30 min to 4 h |
| Franz Josef → Arthur's Pass | ~3 h |
| Arthur's Pass → Christchurch | ~2 h |
Day-by-day South Island itinerary
Days 1–2: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo (2 nights)
Pick up the car at Christchurch airport and drive inland across the Canterbury Plains. Tekapo sits inside the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so book a stargazing tour for a clear night. Mid-November to December is lupin season on the lake shore. Day 2: Mount John walk, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the hot pools.
Days 3–4: Aoraki/Mount Cook (1–2 nights)
Drive along the turquoise Lake Pukaki. The Hooker Valley Track is about 10 km return and mostly flat, with swing bridges and a glacier lake at the end. Start early. With a second night, add the Tasman Glacier viewpoint or the Sealy Tarns climb.
Days 5–6: Wanaka (2 nights)
Roys Peak is a hard 16 km return. The Rob Roy Glacier Track needs a gravel-road drive. Or keep it easy at the lakefront and the vineyards in nearby Cromwell.
Days 7–8: Queenstown (2 nights)
Take the Crown Range Road over, the highest sealed main road in New Zealand. Queenstown is for activities: the Skyline gondola, jet boats, bungy at the Kawarau Bridge, or the drive to Glenorchy, which is the real scenery.
Days 9–10: Te Anau and Milford Sound (2 nights)
Base in Te Anau, not Queenstown, for Milford. It cuts the round-trip from about 8 hours to 4–5. Book a morning cruise. Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel are on the way. In winter and spring, check the Milford Road status for avalanche closures and carry chains if required. Doubtful Sound is the quieter, longer alternative.
Day 11: Te Anau → Wanaka, or straight on to Haast (1 night)
It's a long day back north. Break it in Wanaka, or push to Haast so the Haast Pass waterfalls (Blue Pools, Thunder Creek) fall on the next morning.
Day 12: West Coast glaciers, Franz Josef or Fox (1 night)
Both glaciers have retreated a long way, and the valley walks no longer reach the ice. For a close view, a heli-hike or a scenic flight is the only real option, and it's weather-dependent. Lake Matheson at dawn reflects Aoraki on still mornings.
Day 13: Arthur's Pass (1 night)
Hokitika Gorge on the way, then the pass. Or ride the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch instead of driving. It runs once a day, so plan the car drop-off around it.
Day 14: Back to Christchurch and fly out
If you want the North Island too
Add 4–5 days: fly Queenstown or Christchurch to Auckland, then drive to Rotorua for geothermal parks and Māori culture (about 3 h) and Waitomo for the glow-worm caves. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a full-day hike that needs good weather and a shuttle booking. In 14 days total, either do the North Island briefly or skip Wanaka and the West Coast. Don't do both.
Campervan or car?
A campervan saves on accommodation and is the classic way to travel. But freedom camping is restricted. Under rules phased in from 2023, a vehicle needs a green self-containment certificate, which requires a fixed toilet, to camp at most free sites. Book holiday parks or Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites ahead in summer. A car plus motels is often similar in price for two people.
New Zealand itinerary: FAQ
Is two weeks enough for New Zealand?
For one island, yes. For both islands it's rushed. Most first-timers get more from 14 days on the South Island.
Should I start in Christchurch or Queenstown?
Christchurch usually has cheaper flights and car hire and makes a clean loop. Queenstown's airport is spectacular but often costs more, and one-way car drop fees can be high.
How much does it cost to enter New Zealand?
Visa-waiver visitors pay for the NZeTA and the NZ$100 IVL, together at the time of application. Check immigration.govt.nz for the current NZeTA fee.
Can I do Milford Sound as a day trip from Queenstown?
Yes, by coach (about 12 hours return) or by a scenic flight. Driving it yourself in a day from Queenstown is tiring. Base in Te Anau.
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Shorter trip, or flying into Queenstown? Amicly's AI travel planner rebuilds the loop around your dates and keeps every driving day under your limit.
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