After 6 months spent on the North Island in New Zealand, heading to the South Island where I spent 5 months traveling but also working. Discover my travel itinerary on the south island of new zealand.
If you arrive on the South Island from the North Island by ferry, the story will necessarily begin in Picton. This small coastal town on the South Island is the arrival point for all ferries departing from Wellington. I will not dwell on this city that I will have the opportunity to discover a little more at the end of my road trip on the South Island. Without waiting, let's head to Abel Tasman National Park for my first great walk in New Zealand.
Do not hesitate to read our article called "Visiting New Zealand" which lists all the must-see places in New Zealand.
Rent a motorhome or van, the best way to visit the South Island in New Zealand
The van or motorhome will be, by far, the best means of transport to visit the South Island in New Zealand. The island has many places to spend the night in your vehicle. Breathtaking places, sometimes in the middle of nature and for many free! A popular mode of travel in New Zealand.
Abel Tasman National Park
Our first stop will therefore be one of New Zealand's oldest and most beautiful national parks, Abel Tasman National Park. First big 5-day hike to cover the 60 kilometers of the Abel Tasman Costal Track which runs along the coast. Yes 60 km in 5 days, we go there quietly for this first Great Walk.
The distinctive features of the park are its yellow/orange sand beaches bordered by turquoise water on one side and green forest on the other. Accommodation is in huts reserved (well) in advance because very popular at this time (early February). To know that it is possible to cover certain stages of the hike in Kayak and thus take advantage of the marine reserve of the park to see the seals which live there or to be dropped off on one of the most beautiful beaches of the park and then return to foot.
The hike is not very hard, rather flat, mostly through forest and along beautiful beaches.
After 5 days of walking, fatigue is still felt. Even if the huts have (cold) showers, we can't wait to find some comfort and eat some hot food!
Once the hike is over, head to Nelson, the main town in the north of the South Island.
Abel Tasman Costal Track :
One of the 9 great walks in New Zealand, a 60 kilometer hike that can be done in 3, 4 or 5 days.
It is essential to reserve huts or camping pitches in advance.
The huts are priced at 32 or 38 NZ$, count 15 NZ$ for a camping pitch.
For more information and for reservations, visit the DOC (department of conservation) website.
Cruise, Kayak, enjoy the beaches of Abel Tasman Park
Many activities are possible in the Abel Tasman National Park, including cruising along the coast, hiking or kayaking. These activities are also possible from Nelson, the main town in the region which I am telling you about right away.
Nelson
Nelson will be our second stop. Even if the first reason for our coming was to find work, it was not! Two short weeks spent in Nelson, a pleasant town by the sea, an almost omnipresent sun, very nice cafes, but no work for us!
A short tour of the activities to do in Nelson: beach, the queen's garden, center of New-Zealand, a museum with an exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci, a magnificent national park: the Nelson Lakes National Park.
After these two weeks, head south, by the west coast necessarily. The recent earthquake of November 2016 cut off the only east coast road linking Blenheim to Kaikoura. So we take the direction of Greymouth.
Greymouth & Arthur Pass
Greymouth is a city that I will tell you very little about. Indeed I found this city without too much interest or charm. It is an almost obligatory place of passage when one visits the south island west cost. It is also one of the accesses to cross the island from west to east via Arthur's Pass. Arthur's pass is a passage, a road which will allow you to join Greymouth in the West, in Christchurch in the East. This road passes through a valley with little or no mountain road. It is also a place of passage of the railway. The landscapes are simply magnificent.
Christchurch – Akaroa
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. Located on the east side of the island, the city was partly destroyed very recently during two earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The city is undergoing reconstruction and you can feel it when you walk around the city center . Nevertheless, the city offers many activities to do. Indeed, Christchurch has been able to bounce back and offers modern and original neighborhoods such as the Re-Start, a shopping district with many stores and restaurants made using containers. The city is also known for its many gardens.
Not far from Christchurch is Akaroa. Famous for being the most "French" of New Zealand villages. Even if a few names of streets or establishments remind us of France, this village is only French in its history. Nevertheless it is very interesting to visit, I strongly recommend a detour to this place, moreover, it is one of the rare places where it is possible to see Hector dolphins, the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world. world. A cruise to meet these dolphins is the number 1 attraction in the region.
Excursion to Akaroa from Christchurch
If you are short on time, it is possible to opt for a day trip to Akaroa from the city of Christchurch. The excursion includes the bus trip but also the 2-hour cruise to meet the local marine fauna as well as visits.
Lake Tekapo / Aoraki – Mont Cook
After several days spent in and around Christchurch, head to New Zealand's highest peak, Mount Cook! But before, a short stop by the unmissable Lake Tekapo. A very small town on the edge of a magnificent lake with turquoise water. The landscapes around the lake are magnificent, in the distance we can see Mount Cook, our next stop. Note that Lake Tekapo is in a reserve. This is not about animals or plants, but about the sky. An area unpolluted by artificial lighting. An ideal place for lovers of night photography.
An hour's drive later, we arrived at the foot of Mount Cook. Strangely the road to Aoraki – Mount Cook national park does not include any mountain road. For those who imagine themselves climbing the mountain, I will stop you right away, the ascent is extremely hard and reserved for experienced mountaineers. However, many hikes, much more accessible, are waiting for you. For example the Hooker Valley Track, a 3-hour round-trip hike will give you incredible vistas of Mt. This region is home to some very rare varieties of plants, endemic to the region, as well as animals endemic to the country, such as the unique mountain parrot, the Kea.
oamaru
Oamaru, located on the east coast, is a city that you will certainly pass through during your road trip on the South Island. Stop early in the morning or in the evening to watch a unique show. Indeed every morning and every evening, at a specific place on the coast, a colony of " blue penguins“, the smallest penguins in the world, set foot ashore to spend the night on dry land. These penguins are among the rarest in the world. This rather wild part of New Zealand is rich in rare mammals and birds such as penguins, seals and even sea lions (we will talk about this later).
If you go even further south, pass by Moeraki to see the famous Moeraki Boulders, these ball-shaped rocks placed on the beach.
A few tens of kilometers away, make another stop at Katiki Point, a nature reserve where a colony of seals and sea lions as well as " Yellow eyes penguins“, says Antipodean penguins. A rare species of penguin that lives only in New Zealand.
Penguin? Penguin ? What differences?
I think that at this level a small precision is necessary. Confusion is (very) quickly made between these two very different animals.
- The Penguins, are birds, which fly, and which are found ONLY in the hemisphere North part.
- The Penguins, are also flightless birds found ONLY in the hemisphere South.
The confusion is very common because of the translation of the word "penguin" in English: penguin!
When you hear of "penguin" in New Zealand, whether they are "blue" or "yellow eyes" it means that in French it is penguins!
Dunedin et Otago Peninsula
Dunedin is a city located in the southeast of the South Island. It's a relatively big city for New Zealand, a student city with a lot of life at its center (which some New Zealand cities sometimes lack). It is a city that I really liked. There are many things to do and see. The town, once built by the Scots, still retains traces of Victorian and Edwardian architecture from the era. Indeed, Dunedin Railway Station, one of New Zealand's most photographed buildings is a must-see on any visit to Dunedin. The streets of Dunedin are rich in street art and will delight fans of the genre.
Before leaving the city, a short detour to Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world! Do not venture there by car, a short walk of about ten minutes will take you to the top.
Jaffa Race :
Each year a most original race is organized on Baldwin Street. The Jaffa Race is actually a drop of sweets, the jaffa, from the top of the street. Buy a number written on one of the candies and try to win the prize. The race is organized by the company Cadbury who owns a factory in the city.
Direction the Otago Peninsula, south of Dunedin, the peninsula, very wild, will offer you magnificent landscapes. Several points of interest, first of all at the end of the peninsula, a reserve which aims to protect the colony of Albatross which it shelters.
South of the peninsula, sandfly bay, another place of tranquility for a sea lion colony. These large marine mammals like to rest on the sand of this bay. Be careful not to get too close to the animals.
Last must-see of the Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle, the only castle in New Zealand. Discover its sumptuous gardens as well as its amazing architecture.
Invercargill & Bluff
After visiting the Otago peninsula, direction Invercargill and Bluff. To reach these towns, we cross the Catlins region. A region famous for its forest, its waterfalls, but also for one of these bays: Curio bay, an ideal place to swim with dolphins. It was nothing during my visit, rain and wind being at the rendezvous!
Invercargill is a relatively large town but without much interest. This town, like Bluff, the southernmost town of the South Island, is generally only visited by travelers wishing to visit Stewart Island. If you are traveling 2 or 3 weeks on the South Island, this is a step that may be difficult to fit into your schedule.
Stewart Island
Stewart Island is New Zealand's third largest island, but also the southernmost. This island is 80% Rakiura National Park. Only 400 people live on the island, in one and only city: Oban. The island's main attraction is its great walk, a 3-day hike through the island's dense forest. Other hikes are possible, the northern circuit, a 10 to 12 day hike around the island. The island is one of the best spots to see kiwis (the birds). Indeed, more than 18 kiwis populate this island.
So I spent 3 days walking on this island, unfortunately for me, I didn't have the chance to see these birds!
Stewart Island :
Stewart Island is famous for its nature reserve but also for its large population of Kiwis.
There are two ways to reach the island, the first, by plane, is relatively expensive, the second, more affordable, by boat, will cost you NZ$75 per trip ($150 round trip).
The island is also famous for its sunsets and aurora australis.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is quite simply the place that comes up most often in the rankings of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand. I saw a lot of images of this place before going there. To tell the truth, I was a little afraid of being disappointed with this place which I imagined to be “oversold”. It was nothing, this place is really breathtaking. This fjord is very frequently mentioned in the most beautiful fjords in the world. Like all the fjords, this one can be visited by boat, during a short cruise of around 1h30 to 2 hours depending on the company. This walk will allow you to contemplate very closely the waterfalls which constitute the beauty of the place, but also the seals having found refuge in the fjord.
Access to Milford Sound is not easy. Indeed, it is located at the end of a road of about 2 hours which crosses sumptuous landscapes but on which you will only find DOC campsites. No town, no restaurant, hotel or even gas station. You will nevertheless find accommodation near Milford Sound, a campsite and a hotel. A gas station is also located before the village (which I do not recommend given the price).
Milford Sound is just under 5 hours drive from Queenstown, our next stop. If you want to know more about visiting Milford Sound, I invite you to read my article dedicated to this magical place!
Milford Sound Cruise
The cruise in the middle of Milford Sound is the best solution to visit this unique place. Cruises are quite affordable, you can find prices around NZ$40, around thirty euros. The cruise lasts approximately 1 to 30 hours and is one of the essentials of a trip to the South Island of New Zealand. It is also possible to book this excursion from the city of Queenstown.
Queenstown
Queenstown is one of my favorite places in New Zealand (like many tourists I imagine). Like Milford Sound, it's a place you can't wait to visit, you've heard so much about it since your first step on New Zealand soil. Bordered by a magnificent lake, surrounded by green mountains (or rather orange during my visit in autumn), Queenstown will inevitably make you think of a popular ski resort in the French Alps. Moreover, the city is located only a few kilometers from a ski resort. In addition to skiing, hiking, it is also the lake that offers many activities to passing tourists. The city is popular with young travelers for its adventure side but also for the many places to relax (bars, restaurants, clubs) it offers.
Queenstown, adventure capital of the world?
Queenstown is one of the most famous cities in New Zealand, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes but also thanks to its many tourist activities and extreme sports.
Wanaka
Let's now take the direction of Wanaka, but first, let's stop at Arrowtown. A small town located between Queenstown and Wanaka, which became famous over a century ago thanks to the gold mines located in the area. It is a city that I recommend, a short stop of one or two hours can be enough.
We have arrived in Wanaka, often compared to Queenstown and sometimes nicknamed Queenstown's little sister. Wanaka has, in fact, some points in common with Queenstown, in particular its geographical location, on the edge of a lake surrounded by mountains. It is a very pleasant city but much more relaxing than Queenstown. Many hikes are to be done around the city. A quick tour of the unmissable Lonely Tree, arguably the most photographed tree in New Zealand.
During my visit to Wanaka, I took the opportunity to go to the Transport & Toy national museum, the world's largest private collection of classic cars and toys! If you are interested do not hesitate to take a look at it, a really impressive collection.
Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph
Let's drive a little towards the west coast of the South Island, very wild, few villages between Wanaka and our next stop: the Glaciers. Fox and Franz Joseph Glacier are two glaciers that can be seen at low altitude. Most of the world's glaciers are (nowadays) at high altitude. Fox Glacier is, for example, located at an altitude of 300m. These two glaciers are visible from a short 30-minute hike (one hike for each glacier).
As with many glaciers, you will see signs in different places indicating the position of the glacier since the 10th century. The melting of glaciers is truly impressive, especially in the last XNUMX years.
Take a helicopter flight over the glaciers
One of the key activities in the region is flying over the glaciers in a helicopter followed by a walk on them. A unique and atypical experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Pancake Rocks à Punakaiki
Let's continue our journey north, pass again by Greymouth... to spend the night, then head for Punakaiki and its pancake rocks. Another marvel of nature in this country, rocks, eaten away by the sea over the centuries, with very special shapes. The visit takes about half an hour. Hikes are possible around Punakaiki.
Passage through Blenheim
Let's take the direction of Picton to return to the North Island but before, a short passage through Blenheim. A friendly little town in the middle of a wine region. An ideal place to visit an estate and taste New Zealand wine.
You know everything about my itinerary on the South Island in New Zealand, I will show you my itinerary on the North Island where I spent 6 months, very quickly.
Do not hesitate to ask me all your questions in the comments of this article!
