When it comes to scenic road trips, New Zealand is one of the world’s top destinations thanks to the ever-changing landscapes, wide open roads and epic vantage points (seriously, no matter where you are there always seems to be an amazing view!).
The South Island is particularly popular with the #VanLife crowd, who are lured by the promise of dramatic fjords, towering peaks and glaciers in the national parks, fields of blossoming lupins, gem-toned lakes and rolling hills terraced with vineyards.
Whether you’re planning a weeks-long itinerary or just looking for some unforgettable one-day outings, here are five of the best New Zealand South Island road trips.
The Queenstown to Glenorchy drive
Arguably one of the world’s most beautiful short drives, the route from Queenstown to Glenorchy traces the edge of Lake Wakatipu with gorgeous views of The Remarkables mountain range.
While it only takes 45 minutes each way, don’t be fooled: you’ll want to give yourself at least half a day since there are so many great places to stop (don’t make our mistake of only budgeting a few hours!).
It doesn’t take long to find the action once leaving the Queenstown CBD, with a couple of lakeside pullouts less than 20 minutes down the road which are rightfully popular on a sunny summer day.
At Bob’s Cove, a 20 minute walk through a forest leads to a rocky beach, and if you continue walking along the waterfront you can head up to a lookout point (about 90 minutes return). Be sure to pack your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the lake after.
Globe Guide tip: Google Maps is confused about where this is and will direct you to a campground instead. Ignore the GPS, and keep an eye out for the highway sign pointing to the correct spot. After parking, head left down the dirt pathway to get to the water–if you go to the right it takes you to a long, treed-in walking track instead.
Worth a stop
- Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint Walk: A five minute, accessible walk up to viewing platforms offers jaw-dropping views of Mount Aspiring National Park and stunning reflections in the water. Bring your bug spray, as the sandflies can be vicious here.
- Glenorchy: This charming town is Instagram-famous for its red boat shed. There are a handful of cafes and restaurants to enjoy lunch or happy hour, and a dock leading out to the water.
- If time allows, do the one or two hour route along the family-friendly Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway for views of the wetlands, Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, Mount Alfred/Ari and the surrounding ranges.
- Paradise: A 20-minute drive past Glenorchy, this aptly named spot features lush green valleys and was a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.
Distance: 46 km (28.5 miles)
Time: About 45 minutes each way
Queenstown to Te Anau
Leaving Queenstown behind, this drive follows the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu before winding through rolling farmlands and into Fiordland National Park. The journey is peaceful and scenic, especially the waterfront section south of the city.
Worth a stop
- The Devil’s Staircase, a series of twists and turns offering stunning views of Lake Wakatipu
- Kingston, a historic railway town nestled on the lake’s edge. From September to March, hop on board the Kingston Flyer, a vintage 1920s steam train with fully restored wooden carriages.
- Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland where you can take a boat ride on Lake Te Anau and explore the phenomenal glowworm caves. Book this exceptional tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.
Distance: 170 km (105 miles)
Time: 2 hours
READ MORE: Exploring New Zealand’s mesmerizing Te Anau Glowworm Caves
The Te Anau to Milford Sound drive
Enjoying a scenic cruise through Milford Sound’s stunning fjords is a bucket list-worthy adventure. What a lot of people don’t realize is the journey to get there is equally breathtaking, making the road to Milford Sound this one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand.
The winding route heads deep into Fiordland National Park, where dramatic cliffs, pristine lakes, sweeping valleys and lush rainforests cloaked in ethereal clouds await.
Along with some quick roadside lookout points, there are also walking tracks and hiking trails leading through moss-covered forests to plunging waterfalls. Of note is the impressive 1.2 kilometre long Homer Tunnel, an engineering feat carved through solid rock that has stunning views out the other side.
Worth a stop
- Eglinton Valley: A wide open valley where golden tussock grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see.
- Mirror Lakes: A wooden boardwalk leads down to the still waters, which create idyllic reflections of the Earl Mountains (my favourite stop!)
- Lake Gunn: A short and easy loop through moss-covered beech forest, good for birders.
- Hollyford Valley Lookout (Pop’s View): A jaw-dropping viewpoint looking down at the winding road and Hollyford Valley.
- The Chasm: A quick 10-minute walk to a powerful waterfall cutting through sculpted rock formations fed by the Cleddau River.
Once you arrive at Milford Sound there are also a handful of walking tracks along the waterfront, a cafe, restaurants and washrooms.
Book a boat cruise in Milford Sound:
Tips for the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound
- The road can be unpredictable in winter, with occasional closures due to snow or avalanches.
- Fuel up in Te Anau, since there are no gas stations along the route and no cell phone reception.
- Payment is required in the large parking lots where the boats depart from, and it’s a bit of a walk from there to the cruise terminal so allow yourself about half an hour to find a spot, pay and walk. It costs $10 per hour, and if you’re in a rush you can pre-pay here.
- Go first thing in the morning or in late afternoon to avoid the tour bus rush and catch the best light for photos. Allow for lots of time for photo stops, slow traffic, and waiting to get through the one-lane Homer Tunnel.
It’s important to note that the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is very windy, narrow and steep in some sections, with no shoulder. Unfortunately we saw a very bad crash when we were there, as the result of a driver nicking a safety pole after slightly veering off the roadway.
Those who aren’t comfortable driving in such conditions–or who want to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the view–may want to book a guided tour instead. There are tons of options from both Queenstown and Te Anau, including one in a bus with a glass-roof. You’ll still get a chance to get off at many viewpoints along the way, and won’t have to stress about the drive or schedule.
I’d definitely suggest this if you plan on coming all the way from Queenstown, as it’s an insane amount of driving for one day.
Book with Viator
Book with GetYourGuide
Distance: 118 km (73 miles)
Time: About 2 hours each way
Crown Range Road: Queenstown to Wānaka
If you get a thrill out of hairpin turns, sheer cliff edges and panoramic views, this is one of the best road trips in New Zealand for you.
The Crown Range Road is the country’s highest main road, offering spectacular lookouts over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu before descending into the charming lakeside town of Wanaka.
A series of sometimes nerve-wracking twists and turns commands the driver’s full attention, but fortunately there are plenty of pull outs along the way to safely park and get out to admire the sweeping scenery.
Worth a stop:
- The Cardrona Valley, featuring rolling hills and alpine meadows, a cute historic village and fabulous distillery.
- Arrowtown: A historic gold-mining town with boutique shops, cafes and scenic walks.
- Crown Range Summit: The highest point of the road, where you’ll get panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin.
- Wanaka: A beautiful lakeside town famous for the #ThatWanakaTree, with great activities like boating, easy day hikes (try the Mount Iron Track) and a backdrop-worthy lavender farm.
Globe Guide tip: There are two roads linking Queenstown and Wanaka, so make sure your GPS directs you via the Crown Range Road instead of the longer alternate through Cromwell and Luggate. There are also two highways between Queenstown and Arrow Junction: both are beautiful and about the same distance, but the northern option offers more backcountry scenery around Arthur’s Point and goes through Arrowtown.
Distance: 1 hour
Time: 70 kilometres (43 miles) from Queenstown to Wanaka
Queenstown or Wanaka to Mt Cook National Park
Accommodations can be hard to come by during high season in Mt Cook National Park, which is why many people end up visiting as a day trip from Wanaka or Queenstown.
It’s a lot of driving (2 ½ hours from Wanaka or 3 ½ from Queenstown each way), but the trek is absolutely worth it: in fact, this was my absolute favourite day of our entire New Zealand trip!
Arguably one of the most awe-inspiring drives in the country, the road to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (from Wanaka) starts off through the Lindis Pass, a dramatic alpine area of tall, tussock-covered mountains linking the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago.
Ōmarama is up next, a basin beloved by glider pilots that’s also known for a geological attraction called the Clay Cliffs. Be sure to reserve a spot at Hot Tubs Ōmarama, to relax your muscles on the way back through town after a day of hiking.
READ MORE: 5 amazing hot pools in South Island, New Zealand
The dazzling turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki is about 30 minutes away, which is Instagram-famous when the pink and purple lupins are in season. The road leads straight to New Zealand’s tallest peak, with snow-dusted mountains lining the horizon.
This World Heritage-listed region is home to New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers, which cover an incredible 40 per cent of the park. Phenomenal outdoor adventures await like overnight backpacking trips, helicopter tours, cycling, Dark Sky gazing and hiking.
If you only do one hike in New Zealand, may I suggest the Hooker Valley Track. It’s one of the most famous and popular ones for good reason: almost anyone can do it!
The out-and-back pathway is very flat (packed dirt or wooden boardwalks), only takes about 90 minutes each way and has absolutely stunning scenery in every direction with each step. We actually did it with our five-month-old baby, so it’s definitely a great option for those wanting to do family friendly hikes in New Zealand.
READ MORE: The Hooker Valley Track: New Zealand’s best family-friendly hike
Worth a stop
- Peter’s Lookout: One of the most famous viewpoints along the drive, offering picture-perfect views of Mount Cook reflected in Lake Pukaki especially when the lupins are in bloom.
- Mount Cook Village: A tiny alpine village with cafes, lodges, and access to some of the best hiking in the country.
- Lake Tekapo: If time allows, add on this detour to see another famous New Zealand lake and visit the hot springs (about 30 minutes east of Lake Pukaki on Highway 8).
Book with Viator
Book with GetYourGuide
Distance: 207 km each way from Wanaka, 264 km each way from Queenstown
Time: 5 hours return from Wanaka, 6 from Queenstown
Tips for driving in New Zealand
Traffic can get backed up in Queenstown and the road to Milford Sound, but other than that roads on the South Island usually aren’t too busy. However, construction can cause delays since many highways only have one lane in each direction, so be sure to give yourself a bit of extra time.
Vehicles drive on the left side of the road here and there often aren’t shoulders on the highway, so it can be a bit tricky for those used to wide North American roadways. However, the roads are in great condition with clear signage which helps a lot!
I always use Discover Cars to book car rentals, since they always seem to offer the best prices and free cancellation. There can be huge surcharges for one-way rentals, so picking up and dropping off your rental in the same location is the most budget-friendly option for New Zealand road trips.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
- 5 amazing hot pools in South Island, New Zealand
- Exploring New Zealand’s mesmerizing Te Anau Glowworm Caves
- The Hooker Valley Track: New Zealand’s best family-friendly hike
SHARE THE PINSPIRATION! CLICK THE IMAGES BELOW TO PIN:
This post may contain affiliate links, which Globe Guide receives compensation for at no additional cost to you.
