The South Island of New Zealand is straight out of a dream!

Our 14-day road trip through the South Island was dreamy —jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, sprawling vineyards, swing bridges, and more scenic pull-offs than we could count. We spent our days driving from the northern tip to the southern mountains and back up the eastern coast, chasing views, eating well, and stopping often (sometimes for wine, sometimes to get that AMAZING photo).

This wasn’t a whirlwind—it was a just-right pace that gave us time to soak in the landscapes, enjoy long meals, and stumble into local treasures. Here’s how our South Island adventure unfolded:

Day 1: Ferry to Picton + Drive to Nelson

We left New Zealand’s North Island behind and boarded the Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton—one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. Cruising through the Marlborough Sounds felt like a welcome ceremony just for us. It was so beautiful coming into Picton – our weather was perfect – sunny and calm seas. 

After arriving in Picton, we made the scenic drive to Nelson, winding through vineyards and hills to a sunny little city where our travel pace slowed, and our glasses were quickly filled.

Day 2: Nelson – Peanut Butter & Classic Cars

This day was Steve and Jana at our finest—nerding out over peanut butter and classic cars.

We started with a tour at Pic’s Peanut Butter World (Jana’s favorite food group – seriously! If you don’t love peanut butter, can we even be friends?), where we taste-tested everything and left with jars of peanutty goodness for our road trip. Then it was on to the Nelson Classic Car Museum, where Steve was in his element. I wandered the rows of shiny chrome, pretending to understand the difference between a ’57 Chevy and a ’65 Mustang, while Steve gave me a passionate lecture on both.

We wrapped the day with dinner at a quiet local bistro and a toast to a very on-brand day for the Traveling Twosome.

Day 3: West Coast Drive to Franz Josef – Swing Bridges & Rainforest Roads

This was a big driving day, but what a day! We stopped at the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, where Steve crossed confidently while I inched across and told myself not to look down.

The West Coast road felt like a scene change every 30 minutes—rainforest, ocean cliffs, waterfalls, sheep farms—with a soundtrack of our road trip playlist and lots of “Did you see that?”

We arrived in Franz Josef, tucked between mountains and mist, ready to check out the glaciers the next morning.

Day 4: Glaciers and Gates of Haast to Queenstown

We took in both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, standing in awe at the blue ice hanging between peaks. It’s rare to see glaciers nestled in a rainforest, and it felt like we’d landed on another planet. I was at these Glaciers back in 1980 and they have melted and significantly retreated – so go soon!

Then came one of the most stunning drives we’ve ever done: through the Gates of Haast, a winding road flanked by cliffs, waterfalls, and roaring rivers. We took our time—because the drive was the destination—and rolled into Queenstown just as the sun dipped behind the mountains.

Days 5–7: Queenstown – Gondolas, Hot Pools & New Friends

Queenstown is Jana’s fantasy town: beautiful views, amazing wine, and endless things to do. It’s also Steve’s kind of place: beer, golf, and a pub scene that feels like home.

We rode the Skyline Gondola to take in sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu, then hiked down and rewarded ourselves with dinner and a pint at Kilkenny Pub, where we ended up spending the night talking with new friends from Ireland, Montana, and New Zealand.

The next day, we soaked in the Onsen Hot Pools, tucked into the cliffs overlooking the Shotover River. It’s hard to beat sipping bubbly in a hot tub while watching jet boats scream down the canyon.

We spent the day wandering around Queenstown, checking out the shops and pubs.

Day 8: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo via Lindis Pass

We left Queenstown reluctantly (after one last Flat White and a sausage roll) and headed toward Lake Tekapo, stopping often to gawk at the views along Lindis Pass.

Arrived just in time to catch the golden light over the lake, with the Church of the Good Shepherd perfectly silhouetted against the vivid turquoise water. We didn’t need a filter—nature did all the work.

Days 9–11: Christchurch – Resilience, Gardens & Riverside Picnics

We spent three days in Christchurch, a city still rising from the rubble of devastating earthquakes. We were impressed by how resilient and creative the city felt, with murals on walls and life growing in unexpected places, and we visited the Quake City Museum. 

Then we rode the vintage tram through the city, punted lazily along the Avon River, and picnicked in the Botanic Gardens with food from the Saturday market.

One night, we had dinner Boo’s – Whiskey, Food and Music, which was a fun lively evening.

We missed going to the Milford Sound, but I recommend adding that in if you have time.

Day 12: Coastal Drive to Blenheim

From Christchurch, we drove up the East Coast—a coastline that felt wild and endless. We passed through Kaikōura, known for its whales and rugged cliffs, then made our way inland toward Blenheim, the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine region.

Day 13: Marlborough Wine Country – Pinot, Sauvignon, and Cheese Boards

This was a lovely sunny day. We explored some of the best wineries in the region:

• Cloudy Bay – because, of course.
• Fromm Winery – where the Pinot Noir made us pause mid-sip in silent agreement.
• Moa Brewery – for Steve’s palate reset (he’s not just a wine guy).

We spent the afternoon on shaded patios, comparing tasting notes (and cheese boards) and officially declaring Marlborough “dangerously good.”

Day 14: Ferry Back to Wellington

Our South Island chapter came to a close with a final ferry ride from Picton back to Wellington, gliding through the Marlborough Sounds with our jackets zipped up and our hearts full.

It’s hard to sum up this journey—the landscapes were breathtaking, the roads wild and winding, the people warm, and the wine… well, let’s just say we didn’t leave thirsty.

Final Thoughts

Two weeks in New Zealand’s South Island felt like living in a postcard—except we were in the frame, not just looking at it. From swinging bridges and glacier hikes to hot pools and wine tastings, we filled every day with moments that felt like they were just for us.

If you are thinking about a Road Trip around New Zealand’s South Island, reach out to us. We can help craft a self-drive itinerary that will be your own unforgettable trip.