Our 10-Day South Island Self-Drive Itinerary

Back when we were living in New Zealand, Dawn’s parents came out to stay with us for three months, their first ever trip to the country. We wanted them to see the best of the South Island without feeling like they were chasing a bus tour, so we mapped out this 10-day South Island self-drive itinerary from Queenstown to Nelson. It had been almost six years since we’d last done the South Island properly ourselves, so this trip was as much a rediscovery for us as it was a first for them.

This is the route we chose, and why we think anyone short on time should follow something similar.

Want a longer road trip? We’ve got you covered. Check out our 30-day New Zealand self-drive itinerary.

In this article

• The route, day by day, from Queenstown to Nelson
• What we’d do differently with hindsight
• Budgeting and booking tips
• Your questions answered

Prices below are in New Zealand dollars (NZD). As we wrote this in July 2026, roughly NZ$2.33 bought one pound sterling and NZ$1.72 bought one US dollar, though exchange rates move, so check a live converter before you travel. Where we couldn’t confidently verify a current price, we’ve said so and pointed you to book online instead.

The route

Day 1: Fly into Queenstown

How many nights? One, at Blue Peaks Lodge.

Why? None of our group were adrenaline junkies, so one night felt like enough. The accommodation was also pricey, and we knew more time here meant more damage to the wallet.

What did we do? We landed at midday and picked up our hire car from the airport. Isaac and I went jet boating while the parents explored the town and the park. Last time we’d been here we’d missed the Gondola, so this time we went all out and had the buffet meal, the best buffet meal I’ve ever had. The next morning we also had time for Kawarau River and Gibbston Valley Winery for some wine tasting; nothing like drinking before lunch when you’re on holiday.

What we’d do again? Bite the bullet, expand the wallet and stay longer. Yes, everything in Queenstown runs to three figures, but that doesn’t mean the town has lost any of its charm. Queenstown is a gem and exactly as I remembered it: attitude, a bit funky, friendly locals, the kind of place that makes your whole life feel like a holiday. It’s a little bubble you never quite want to leave.

If you do decide to stay longer, here are a few more activities worth hanging around for.

Day 2: Travel to Te Anau (around 2 hours)

How many nights? Two, in a Bookabach rental.

Why? Queenstown was fully booked.

What did we do? After a morning at the Kawarau River near Queenstown, we drove two hours to Te Anau. The drive was incredible and genuinely easy: long straight stretches, scenic the whole way. We had a fantastic three-bedroom house for half the price of our Queenstown accommodation, and it even had air conditioning, which made the men happy.

What we’d do again? Nothing, breaking up the drive to Milford Sound here was a great call. Some people do Queenstown to Milford in one day, and while the Queenstown to Te Anau leg is easy, pushing on to Milford the same day is a real challenge. Not one we’d want to do while already tired.

Day 3: Milford Sound (around 2 hours from Te Anau)

Why? We hadn’t managed this six years earlier, and it was my mum’s top New Zealand must-do.

What did we do? An 11am Milford Sound Nature Cruise with Southern Discoveries.

What we’d do again? Nothing. The timing of the cruise was perfect, the road wasn’t busy and the car park wasn’t full. But when we got back to the visitor centre afterwards, it was packed. We drove back to Te Anau around 3pm and found the road quiet, though we heard about an accident later that afternoon, so we were glad we’d got ahead of the coach traffic.

Day 4: Drive to Wanaka (around 3 hours via Cardrona)

How many nights? One, but in an Airbnb at Lake Hawea.

Why? Wanaka was sold out, and Lake Hawea was off the beaten track.

What did we do? A fair bit of driving today, three hours to Wanaka via a lunch stop in Arrowtown and afternoon tea at the world-famous Cardrona Hotel, which is still very much open and worth the stop. It made for a long day, and we didn’t have much time left to explore Wanaka after the incredible drive over the Crown Range.

What we’d do again? Stay longer. We love Wanaka, and I’d have liked my parents to see more of the town and the lake. The Airbnb we stayed in was five-star quality with genuinely friendly hosts.

Day 5: Drive to Fairlie (around 3 hours)

How many nights? One, at a Bookabach in Fairlie.

Why? Tekapo was sold out.

What did we do? Another long day on the road, but that’s road-tripping for you. Lake Pukaki was a highlight, as was Tekapo. Isaac took a dip in the icy lake (it was the hottest day of the year, around 30 degrees) over lunch, and the drive up Mt John was incredible, though it was too hot to properly enjoy the views for long. We genuinely thought we might melt. If you want to drive up Mt John yourself, you still can in daylight hours for a small road-access fee, but driving up after dark is no longer allowed; night stargazing now needs a booked tour through Dark Sky Project.

What we’d do again? Stay longer and make it as far as Aoraki/Mount Cook. From the viewpoint at Lake Pukaki, we could see Aoraki/Mount Cook in the distance, and I think we all felt a pang of disappointment that we didn’t have time to drive up and explore the national park properly.

Us as close as we got to Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Day 6: Drive to Greymouth (around 5 hours via Arthur’s Pass)

How many nights? One, at Bella Vista Motel, Greymouth.

Why? We wanted to see Arthur’s Pass, and we knew Greymouth was just a pit stop after a long day’s drive.

What did we do? This was our longest drive day by far, but there’s not much accommodation between Fairlie and Greymouth, so it had to be done in one hit. We considered heading to Christchurch and up the east coast instead, but we wanted the parents to get a taste of the West Coast and, in a few days, the Abel Tasman.

What we’d do again? It was the only day of the trip it rained, and I’m sure the walks around Arthur’s Pass village would have been stunning with better weather. Because of the rain, we didn’t see nearly as much as we’d hoped. I nicknamed it “Arthur’s Ass” at the time, though looking back, that might have been a bit unfair to a genuinely beautiful spot.

Day 7: Drive to Seddonville (around 2 hours)

How many nights? One, at Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge.

Why? I wanted the parents to spend a night in the bush, without actually roughing it. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but it turned out to be great fun.

What did we do? A two-hour drive from Greymouth brings you to Seddonville, a tiny settlement and the northern trailhead of the Old Ghost Road cycling and walking trail. We’d stumbled on this lodge online years earlier; it’s right on the riverbank and wonderfully peaceful. Our host at the time, an American who’d fallen in love with the seclusion of the spot, was warm, funny and a genuinely good cook, and we spent the evening drinking beer and playing dominoes in the cosy lounge. It’s the kind of night that stays with you. The lodge is now run by the Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust, the charitable trust behind the Old Ghost Road, with profits going straight back into maintaining the trail.

What we’d do again? Do I have to say it again? Stay longer.

Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge.

Day 8: Drive to Ruby Bay, near Abel Tasman National Park (around 3.5 hours)

How many nights? Two, in a Bookabach, the cutest bach we’ve ever stayed in.

Why? We wanted our final two nights off the road entirely. The parents had never done a road trip like this before, so I knew they’d appreciate the pause, though I didn’t expect my mum to fall in love with the bach quite as much as she did. She didn’t want to leave.

What did we do? We took the parents via Buller Gorge on the way, a spot we had fond memories of from six years earlier. It’s home to New Zealand’s longest swing bridge (110 metres, still the record holder), and I deliberately left that detail out when I told the parents about it. New Zealand really does turn everyone into an adrenaline junkie eventually, and that day Mum and Dad joined the club.

What we’d do again? Nothing, we had to make this drive to reach Abel Tasman, and it was good fun in its own right.

Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park

Why? I’d heard so much about this place and regretted not making it here six years earlier.

What did we do? We split up. Isaac and I enjoyed a kayaking trip with Abel Tasman Sea Kayaks, while the parents took the boat to Torrent Bay and spent a relaxed day on the beach. For everything else the park has to offer, our full Abel Tasman National Park guide goes into far more detail on tracks, tides and where to stay.

What we’d do again? Stay longer, and next time camp in the national park itself. We were genuinely impressed by the quality of the campsites; flushing toilets and everything.

Ready to float.

Day 10: Fly out of Nelson

Why? Back to work the next day, unfortunately.

What did we do? Our trip was over. We returned our hire car and flew home.

What we’d do again? Fly out later in the day. We only really touched Nelson itself, and a morning there would have been lovely, but we played it safe with an earlier flight in case later ones were delayed. We’re like that: cautious to a fault.

So there you have it, the South Island in 10 days. My top tip if we did it all again? Two nights in each place, and lean on Airbnb and Bookabach: you meet the locals, find some unique spots, and by staying a few nights in each area you actually get to explore at a slower pace rather than just passing through.

Budgeting and booking tips

New Zealand gets seriously busy between September and March, so book accommodation well ahead if you’re travelling in that window. Bookabach (for private holiday homes, often not listed on other platforms) and general South Island accommodation options are both worth checking for live availability. If you’re trying to make ten days stretch further, our guide to travelling New Zealand on a budget has practical ways to cut costs without cutting the trip short.

Visiting the North Island too? Check out our 10-day North Island self-drive itinerary.

Your questions answered

Is 10 days enough for a South Island self-drive itinerary? Yes, if you accept it’s a fast-paced trip. This route covers Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook country, the West Coast and Abel Tasman in ten days, but you’ll spend a fair few hours behind the wheel. If you’d rather go slower, cut one region (Arthur’s Pass or Fairlie are the easiest to trim) and add an extra night somewhere you loved instead.

Do I need to book Milford Sound in advance? Yes, especially between November and March. Cruise departures, the road itself and the car parks all get genuinely busy during peak season, and an early or late departure (like our 11am slot) tends to dodge the worst of the coach traffic.

Can you still drive up to Mt John Observatory at Lake Tekapo? Yes, during the day, for a small road-access fee. What’s changed is night-time access: you can no longer drive up after dark, so if you want to stargaze from the summit you’ll need to book an evening tour through Dark Sky Project rather than just driving up yourself.

Do I need a 4WD for this itinerary? No. Every road on this route, including Arthur’s Pass and Buller Gorge, is sealed and manageable in a standard hire car. Just drive to the conditions, especially on the alpine sections, and check for any weather-related road closures before you set off.

What’s the best time of year for this South Island route? Summer (December to February) gives you the most reliable weather and the longest days, but it’s also the busiest and most expensive. Late spring (October, November) or early autumn (March, April) are quieter, still generally good weather, and easier on accommodation prices.

Is it better to stay in a different town each night, or fewer places for longer? Based on our own trip, fewer places for longer wins every time. Two nights in a spot lets you actually explore rather than just arrive, sleep and leave. If your schedule allows it, we’d trade a couple of the one-night stops on this itinerary for an extra night in Wanaka or Abel Tasman.

Planning your own South Island trip and want a second opinion on the route? Get in touch with us here.