Day 3: Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mount Cook Village (1.5 hrs)
Drive through the Mackenzie Basin toward Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest peak. Stop at Lake Pukaki for the iconic photo view, then hike the Hooker Valley Track (easy 3 hrs return) for glacier views and swing bridges. Stay: White Horse Hill Campground, perfect for self-contained campervans with a mountain backdrop.
Day 4–5: Mount Cook → Wanaka (2.5 hrs)
Cruise south via Lindis Pass to Wanaka, one of the South Island’s most photogenic towns. Kayak the lake, walk to #ThatWanakaTree, or hike Roy’s Peak if you’re up for a challenge.
Stay: Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park, great facilities and close to town.
Bonus tip: Don’t skip the Wanaka Lakeside Market if you’re there on a weekend.
Day 6–7: Wanaka → Queenstown (1 hr)
The drive between Wanaka and Queenstown is short but spectacular. Cross the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest sealed highway, with panoramic mountain views.
In Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, take your pick: bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, or a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
Eat: Fergburger (you’ll see why there’s a line!).
Stay: Queenstown Creeksyde Holiday Park, our favourite for campervans, walking distance to town.
Day 8: Queenstown → Fiordland National Park (Te Anau, 2 hrs)
Head south to Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. Stock up on supplies here before the remote drive into Fiordland. The Milford Road is one of the most beautiful drives in the world: mirror lakes, waterfalls, and tunnels carved through mountains.
Stay: Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park or Milford Sound Lodge (limited camper sites, book ahead).
Day 9: Milford Sound → West Coast (Haast Pass, 5 hrs)
After a morning cruise on Milford Sound, retrace your route to Queenstown, then drive north via Haast Pass toward the West Coast. The rainforest meets the sea here: raw, wild, and stunning.
Stay: Haast River Motels & Holiday Park or freedom-camp at Paringa Lake Site.
Day 10: West Coast → Franz Josef → Christchurch (6 hrs)
Start early to explore the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: take a short hike or book a scenic helicopter flight. Continue east via Arthur’s Pass, spotting kea (the cheeky alpine parrots) along the way. Arrive back in Christchurch by evening to drop off your campervan.
Celebrate with dinner at a local brewery, you’ve just completed the ultimate South Island road trip!
Pro Campervan Tips
- Plan fuel stops: some alpine routes are remote, fill up before heading into Fiordland or the West Coast.
- Book holiday parks early in Queenstown and Tekapo during summer.
- Use the CamperMate app to find free or low-cost camping spots, dump stations, and local deals.
- Allow flexibility: the best part of travelling New Zealand by campervan is freedom, stay longer wherever you fall in love.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Find your perfect New Zealand campervan rental and start your South Island adventure today.
👉 Search Campervans in New Zealand
Overview
Looking for the best South Island campervan itinerary? You’ve come to the right place.
This 10-day New Zealand road trip takes you through alpine passes, turquoise lakes, glacier valleys, and adventure towns. Whether you’re here for adrenaline or scenery, the South Island delivers it all, plus some of the most campervan-friendly holiday parks in the world.
Pack your bags, pick up your wheels in Christchurch, and get ready for a journey you’ll never forget.
Day 1–2: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo (3 hrs)
Begin your South Island road trip by collecting your campervan in Christchurch. Before leaving, take a stroll through the Botanic Gardens or grab coffee in Riverside Market. Then head inland to Lake Tekapo, famous for its surreal turquoise water and the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd.
At night, this Dark Sky Reserve offers world-class stargazing: join an observatory tour or just lie back under the Milky Way
Stay: Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park or the nearby NZMCA campsite.
Day 3: Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mount Cook Village (1.5 hrs)
Drive through the Mackenzie Basin toward Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest peak. Stop at Lake Pukaki for the iconic photo view, then hike the Hooker Valley Track (easy 3 hrs return) for glacier views and swing bridges. Stay: White Horse Hill Campground, perfect for self-contained campervans with a mountain backdrop.
Day 4–5: Mount Cook → Wanaka (2.5 hrs)
Cruise south via Lindis Pass to Wanaka, one of the South Island’s most photogenic towns. Kayak the lake, walk to #ThatWanakaTree, or hike Roy’s Peak if you’re up for a challenge.
Stay: Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park, great facilities and close to town.
Bonus tip: Don’t skip the Wanaka Lakeside Market if you’re there on a weekend.
Day 6–7: Wanaka → Queenstown (1 hr)
The drive between Wanaka and Queenstown is short but spectacular. Cross the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest sealed highway, with panoramic mountain views.
In Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, take your pick: bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, or a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
Eat: Fergburger (you’ll see why there’s a line!).
Stay: Queenstown Creeksyde Holiday Park, our favourite for campervans, walking distance to town.
Day 8: Queenstown → Fiordland National Park (Te Anau, 2 hrs)
Head south to Te Anau, the gateway to Milford Sound. Stock up on supplies here before the remote drive into Fiordland. The Milford Road is one of the most beautiful drives in the world: mirror lakes, waterfalls, and tunnels carved through mountains.
Stay: Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park or Milford Sound Lodge (limited camper sites, book ahead).
Day 9: Milford Sound → West Coast (Haast Pass, 5 hrs)
After a morning cruise on Milford Sound, retrace your route to Queenstown, then drive north via Haast Pass toward the West Coast. The rainforest meets the sea here: raw, wild, and stunning.
Stay: Haast River Motels & Holiday Park or freedom-camp at Paringa Lake Site.
Day 10: West Coast → Franz Josef → Christchurch (6 hrs)
Start early to explore the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: take a short hike or book a scenic helicopter flight. Continue east via Arthur’s Pass, spotting kea (the cheeky alpine parrots) along the way. Arrive back in Christchurch by evening to drop off your campervan.
Celebrate with dinner at a local brewery, you’ve just completed the ultimate South Island road trip!
Pro Campervan Tips
- Plan fuel stops: some alpine routes are remote, fill up before heading into Fiordland or the West Coast.
- Book holiday parks early in Queenstown and Tekapo during summer.
- Use the CamperMate app to find free or low-cost camping spots, dump stations, and local deals.
- Allow flexibility: the best part of travelling New Zealand by campervan is freedom, stay longer wherever you fall in love.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Find your perfect New Zealand campervan rental and start your South Island adventure today.
👉 Search Campervans in New Zealand