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Itineraries/Oceania/NZ South Island

10 Days NZ South Island

Fiordland, glaciers, and some of the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere. The South Island is a world-class road trip that Australians can drive themselves — no language barrier, no jet lag, just extraordinary scenery.

10 nights
Family of 4
~A$10,010
4 stops
Christchurch2n
Queenstown3n
Milford Sound1n
Wanaka4n
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Your stop-by-stop itinerary

4 stops across 10 nights. Each one chosen so you experience a different side of NZ South Island.

1

Christchurch

2 nights
Fly into Christchurch Airport (CHC), pick up hire car

Highlights

  • Botanic Gardens and punting on the Avon River
  • International Antarctic Centre (kids love the penguin encounter)
  • Christchurch Gondola views
  • Cardboard Cathedral and rebuild art
  • Akaroa French village day trip (90 min drive)

Local tips

  • 💡Hire a car at the airport — essential for the South Island
  • 💡Akaroa is one of the most charming places in New Zealand — go for lunch
  • 💡The Antarctic Centre penguin encounter is genuinely special
Suggested stay: Family hotel in the city centre
2

Queenstown

3 nights
Drive from Christchurch (4.5 hrs via Tekapo) or fly (45 min)

Highlights

  • Skyline Gondola and luge runs (kids adore the luge)
  • Lake Wakatipu cruise on TSS Earnslaw
  • Arrowtown heritage gold-rush village
  • Milford Sound day trip (4 hrs each way)
  • Fergburger — mandatory stop

Local tips

  • 💡The luge at the Skyline is worth every dollar — allow 2+ hours
  • 💡Milford Sound day trip is exhausting but extraordinary — stay overnight if budget allows
  • 💡Book accommodation well in advance — Queenstown fills up fast year-round
Suggested stay: Family apartment in central Queenstown
3

Milford Sound

1 night
Drive from Queenstown via Te Anau (4 hrs)

Highlights

  • Overnight cruise on the sound
  • Kayaking beneath waterfalls
  • Mitre Peak at sunrise with no other tourists
  • Underwater Observatory
  • The stunning Homer Tunnel drive

Local tips

  • 💡Staying overnight is transformational — you get the sound to yourself at dawn
  • 💡The drive through the Homer Tunnel is one of the great drives in the world
  • 💡Check road conditions — weather can close the road in winter
Suggested stay: Milford Sound Lodge
4

Wanaka

4 nights
Drive from Milford Sound via Queenstown (3 hrs)

Highlights

  • Lake Wanaka That Wanaka Tree photo
  • Puzzling World illusions museum (brilliant for kids)
  • Roys Peak hike (stunning views)
  • Mount Aspiring National Park walks
  • Wanaka Beerworks for parents while kids play

Local tips

  • 💡Wanaka is quieter and more relaxed than Queenstown — a perfect final stop
  • 💡Puzzling World is a must-do with children — allow 2 hours
  • 💡The lake swimming is cold but kids will still want to do it — it's beautiful
Suggested stay: Holiday cottage on the lake

Good to know

Estimated cost

The ~A$10,010 estimate covers accommodation across all 4 stops. Flights, daily spending, activities, and transport are additional — use SaveToRoam’s savings planner to track it all.

What’s included

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