7 Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary

Summer is just around the corner, and the South Island is made for road trips. Long daylight hours, reliable highways and quick hops between very different landscapes mean you can move from alpine passes to glacier-fed lakes, from deep fiords to wild coastlines, in a single week. Small towns make it easy to refuel and reset, while the big-name sights sit close enough together to fit without rushing.

This 7-day South Island road trip is the perfect way to experience the magic of a New Zealand holiday.

Day 1: Arrive in Whakatipu Waimāori Queenstown

Queenstown is a beautiful alpine township on Lake Whakatipu and is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand as well as for its stunning vistas. Head out to Arthurs Point for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting to kick things off. Expect cold, clear water, tight canyon walls and a lively sequence of rapids with expert guides at the helm. After a hot shower back at the base, enjoy a well deserved beer at Canyon Brewery while you debrief.

As evening rolls in, cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw and marvel at the breathtaking views of the Remarkables mountain range and Cecil Peak. Arrive at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a Gourmet BBQ Dinner on the lakeside. Sit down to a generous barbecue spread of premium meats, seasonal salads, sides and desserts then enjoy a farm demonstration and explore the stunning lakeside gardens.

Know before you go: Leave room for two (or three) sticky date pudding deserts at Walter Peak. Trust us.

Day 2: Te Anau 

On day two, the roadie truly begins. Head South to Te Anau, a township on Lake Te Anau and the gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is an easy base with lakeside paths, good cafés and a DOC Visitor Centre if you need map advice.

After you've settled in and grabbed a pie from Miles Better Pies, embark on a guided tour to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. This trip combines a lake cruise, a guided walk through sculpted limestone underground passages and a silent drift in the glowworm grotto. It is a magical experience unlike any other.

Know before you go: Photography is restricted in the glowworm caves, so you can settle in and enjoy the glow in all its glory.

Day 3: Piopiotahi Milford Sound

Take the Milford Road at a steady pace and leave lots of time to stop for photos and short walks, the journey is just as good as the destination. see our guide to where to stop on the Milford Road for short walks and lookouts that fit the timeline.

At Milford Sound, join a Miford Sound Signature Cruise for close‑up views of sheer cliffs and waterfalls like Bowen and Stirling Falls. Seals often bask on rock shelves, and on the right day you may spot dolphins or tawaki (Fiordland crested penguins). Enjoy a leisurely drive back to Te Anau while you reflect on Milford Sound’s magnitude.

Know before you go: Fuel up your car in Te Anau before setting out to Milford Sound, as this is your last opportunity.

Day 4: Pātea Doubtful Sound

A short 20 minute drive from Te Anau and you will find yourself in the quant, lakeside town of Manapouri. Leave your car in the free parking at Pearl Harbour and check in for your Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise.

The journey to Doubtful is part of the magic: enjoy a 45-minute scenic cruise across the stunning Lake Manapouri, travel over Wilmot Pass, ascending 671 meters through dense rainforest, then board your overnight boat for an experience like no other.

Embark on a cruise through the untouched waters of the fiord and join a guided kayak or hop on a tender boat to explore sheltered coves. Dinner and breakfast are included, cabins are comfortable, and at a quiet point in the journey, the engines will stop, allowing you to immerse yourself in the profound stillness of the fiord.

Know before you go: There is limited phone reception and no WIFI in Doubtful Sound, so be prepared to truly cut off from the world. 

Day 5: Rakiura Stewart Island

Once you are back in Manapouri, it's time to head south to New Zealand's third island. Drive the 2.5 hours to the small coastal town of Bluff, famous for it's Oysters, and catch the Stewart Island Ferry to Oban in the afternoon.

Rakiura Stewart Island is small and welcoming, densely forested, with rolling hills, untouched sandy coastlines, and rocky outcrops. Grab an early dinner in Oban and get ready for an evening Wild Kiwi Encounter. Your best chance to spot the elusive southern brown kiwi, travel by boat across Paterson Inlet, then take a guided night walk on a coastal track to look for tokoeka/kiwi. Group sizes are kept small and red‑light torches help protect the birds’ night vision while giving you clear views.

Day 6: Ulva Island

After a night in peaceful Oban, start the day with a trip to Ulva Island. This predator‑free sanctuary sits within Rakiura National Park and delivers close birdlife, quiet tracks and sheltered beaches in a compact timeframe. Grab lunch back in Oban, then take the afternoon ferry back to Bluff. With long summer light, the 2.5–3 hour drive puts you back in Queenstown by evening.

Know before you go: Check in 30 minutes before each ferry and carry a windproof layer, the Foveaux Strait can be breezy even on fine days.

Day 7: Return to Queenstown

Keep day seven simple. A lakefront coffee, a short stroll in Arrowtown or a last gondola view are all easy wins to mark the end of your epic South Island adventure.

Seven days is never enough on the South Island, but this route covers the essentials without rushing: Queenstown thrills, two very different fiords and a slice of serenity on Rakiura Stewart Island. Next time, add a night in Wānaka or an extra day on Stewart Island.