When you start planning your New Zealand vacation, some tough questions come up. I have often been asked which I like better, the North Island or the South Island. That is quite a difficult question, since living in a place is different from seeing it as a tourist. Scenically they are very different and both charming.
However, if you have limited time for your New Zealand vacation, I would definitely recommend the South Island as your choice. To really do the South Island justice, you need 4-5 weeks. This allows you to take time to enjoy the many activities. You could spend a lot longer, if you intend to do some of the long walks, like the Milford Track, Heaphy Track, or go to some of the more remote areas. But usually you have to make decisions.
Best of the South Island Independent Tour Route
Some people can accommodate this and manage a rushed New Zealand holiday in two weeks, but will have to further reduce the suggested route or make quicker stops in some areas. This itinerary will take about 3 weeks, travel time.
The route I would suggest that gives you the best overall coverage of the South Island would start from Christchurch, the only international airport. Of course, this semicircular route can be driven in the opposite direction.
o Drive north to Kaikourafor whale watching, swimming with dolphins and large crayfish!
oh hanmer springs It will make a good break to swim in the hot thermal pools.
or continue to nelson. Take 2-3 days here to enjoy the beaches: don’t miss the beautiful golden beach of Kaiteriteri, visit some wineries, arts and crafts, and hike or kayak in Abel Tasman National Park.
oh Blenheim-Marlboroughit is the center of wine, where our famous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc grows best.
oh nelson lakes – are very scenic, with many day walks in the area.
o Drive through Murchison to the West Coast.
oh karamea – at the northernmost point it’s worth the shore if you have time – you’ll be doubling back.
oh graymouth – The shantytown will thrill children with its replica of the mining town.
oh Punakaiki Pancake Rocks – are a unique sight. The layered rocks, with strong seas and blowholes are spectacular. The nikau forest is also an unusual sight, adding a tropical feel to the area.
oh Hokitika – has glass blowing, greenstone carving, arts and crafts, and is right on the beach.
oh Whataroa Shrine for the kotuku – New Zealand’s white heron – it’s a good trip in season, to see New Zealand’s only white herons.
oh Gillespie Beach, 25 kilometers north of Fox Glacier is a good walk along the beach to see the seals. There are about 1500 of them, so it’s quite a sight, and it smells! But it’s worth it! You need to allow several hours.
oh fox glacier
oh Franz Joseph Glacier – You will want to spend at least a couple of days in this area of the glacier to have a good experience. You can take guided walks on the ice, fly over the glaciers and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
oh haast pass via lake wanaka, which is a beautiful stop.
or From wanaka I’d ride the Crown Range on a challenging but very scenic drive, or I’d skirt Dunstan Lake, past Queenstown to
oh Tea Anau – From here you can go to
oh milford sound
oh Doubtful Sounds – this is an excellent nature boat trip
o Alternatively, rely on queenstown and turn around milford sound
oh queenstown – If you have very limited time for your New Zealand holiday, then Queenstown is the place to go. Voted one of the world’s top 10 destinations in 2008, you must have plenty of time for day trips: Lord of the Rings tours, Arrowtown, try some of the extreme sports: bungee jumping, Shotover speed boating, 4×4 to oldies gold mining towns, Skippers Canyon, jet boat rides, heliskiing, take the historic “Earnslaw” boat to Walter Peak Sheep Station across Lake Wakatipu. The options are prolific. Adventure activities are a major industry, stunning scenery. There is something for everyone in this fabulous part of the country.
or Options – Twizel to Mount Cook if time is short, or for Dunedin then to Mt Cook.
oh Twizel – Once a town built for the workers building the power station, it has become a popular hub for those who want to take in the many outdoor mountain activities in the area.
oh Queenstown to Dunedin. Take a day to head out to the Otago Peninsula to see the albatross colony and visit Larnach Castle. You can also see penguins.
o Travel up the East Coast through Moeraki Boulders – visit the Moeraki Fish Restaurant on the pier on the way to
oh mount cook – or Aoraki – the highest mountain in New Zealand. It tempts many climbers, but they need experience. Unfortunately it has claimed many lives. Walks and outdoor activities could keep you busy for a few days if you’re interested. We to church of Christ via
oh Lake Tekapo – see the small stone church with the sheepdog monument overlooking Lake Tekapo in the middle of the MacKenzie country.
or arrive Christchurch.
This suggested itinerary could be augmented by taking a southerly route via Invercargill, if you have another week or two. But the above route will give you an amazing, picturesque and activity packed vacation. You can also adapt it by incorporating the best of the North Island and starting the circuit in Nelson.
