Travel Tips

My 5 must-see stops for any New Zealand South Island road trip

Mika talks with travel expert Gemma. Read this article and plan your ultimate New Zealand South Island road trip with these 5 unforgettable stops; Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Wānaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound.

You can’t capture the magic of New Zealand’s South Island in a single destination. From alpine peaks to turquoise lakes and dramatic fjords, the scenery is so diverse that the only way to experience it truly is by taking a road trip.

During my New Zealand South Island road trip, I stopped in many places. But there were five in particular that left me breathless… the kind of spots you dream about long after you’ve left.

I recommend visiting these five South Island destinations between October and April. During this time, the weather is mild, the skies are clear, and the landscapes are at their most vibrant.

Here’s a quick look at how long it takes to drive between each stop on my South Island route.

Route	Distance	Driving time	Notes
Lake Tekapo → Aoraki / Mount Cook	95 km	~1 hr	Scenic drive along Lake Pukaki (photo stops recommended)
Aoraki / Mount Cook → Wānaka	198 km	~2 hr 30 min	Through Lindis Pass, great mountain views
Wānaka → Queenstown	68 km	~1 hr 15 min	Via Crown Range Road, NZ’s highest main road
Queenstown → Milford Sound	288 km	~4 hr	Long but breathtaking route through Fiordland National Park

💡 Tip: Plan at least 5–7 days for the full South Island loop to enjoy each stop without rushing. For more advice on routes and when to go, see our New Zealand travel tips guide.

In this article

Lake Tekapo: Where the road trip magic begins

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My New Zealand South Island road trip started in Lake Tekapo, and what a place it was!

The lake almost doesn’t look real. The vivid turquoise waters will captivate you the moment you arrive, and they’re especially magical during sunset, when the shades of blue shift with the light.

But it’s not just the vast pool of turquoise that makes Lake Tekapo so stunning. The water is framed by golden hills, which, in summer, turn purple with rows of lavender. Then, behind the fields, a majestic mountain backdrop.

There are several walking trails around the lake, which allow you to see Tekapo from different perspectives. You’ll also pass a small stone church that sits right on the shore. You can get some incredible shots with this 1930s building in the frame, as well as epic purple-and-blue panoramas from the lavender fields.

Travel tip: Book a star-gazing tour at Mount John Observatory right next to the lake to witness Lake Tekapo’s dazzling night sky.

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park: The highest point in New Zealand

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From Lake Tekapo, I headed 95km (1 hour drive) west to the stunning Mount Cook National Park (Aoraki).

Driving into the national park felt like entering another world, where breathtaking beauty combines with the most peaceful tranquillity you can imagine.

Soaring 3,724 meters above sea level, Aoraki is the highest mountain in New Zealand. But it’s not just gorgeous to look at; like many places in New Zealand’s South Island, it’s an adventurer’s playground.

Endless walking trails take you through the glacial valleys and alpine meadows, but you don’t need to be an experienced trekker to enjoy Aoraki’s natural beauty.

The Hooker Valley Track is a 4.3 km beginner-friendly route with suspension bridges, icy rivers, and jaw-dropping views.

If you want something a bit more challenging, try the Sealy Tarns Track with an eye-watering 600-meter elevation. It’s well worth the sweat, though, as when you reach the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the national park.

Another popular adrenaline-filled adventure in Mount Cook is the scenic helicopter tour. As I was on a tight travel budget, I almost skipped this, but I’m so glad I didn’t. Not only do you get to soar over glaciers, but you also land directly on a mountain, which is both thrilling and downright scary!

Travel tip: The road leading to the national park follows Lake Pukaki and is one of the most photogenic routes in the country. So be sure to stop and snap some postcard-perfect photos along the way.

Wānaka: The laid-back lakeside escape

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After all that adrenaline, I needed some downtime, and Wānaka (198 km south of Mount Cook) was the perfect place to catch my breath and let my heart rate settle.

Many travellers pass through Wānaka with one sight in mind — the famous Wānaka Tree. This lone willow growing straight out of the lake certainly looks unreal, so it’s no surprise it’s one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand.

If you have the time, spend a day or two enjoying this lakeside town’s slow pace. Cozy cafés, afternoon strolls, and peaceful sunsets offer the perfect opportunity to recharge on an adventure-filled New Zealand South Island road trip.

However, if that sounds too sleepy for you, lace up your hiking boots and tackle the Roys Peak Track. The climb is steep but worth every step for the panoramic view over Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps.

Travel tip: For the best shots of the Wānaka Tree, visit early in the morning to beat the crowds and catch the softest light over the lake. Also, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard on the lake if you want a new experience.

Queenstown: The adventure capital of New Zealand

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Everyone I met who had been to Queenstown raved about it, so this was the place I was most looking forward to visiting. And it turned out to be the highlight of my New Zealand South Island road trip.

Queenstown proudly holds the title of the adventure capital of New Zealand, and the most popular thing to do here is the famous Nevis Bungy jump.

I already had many other adventure sports under my belt, including skydiving and scuba diving. But never have I been as scared as I was when standing at the top of New Zealand’s highest bungy and trying to find the courage to jump!

If just the thought of it makes your knees go weak, don’t worry, as Queenstown has a (slightly) gentler alternative — the Canyon Swing. With this, you don’t have to jump off anything. Instead, you’re released (or rather catapulted) 300 meters across the valley!

Aside from the adventure sports, the mountain town is delightful with a gorgeous lakefront lined with cafés and restaurants. Then, outside the city centre, there are several wineries you can hop between, trying all their signature wines.

Travel tip: The drive from Wānaka to Queenstown is an experience in itself. Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, reaching an altitude of 1121 metres, meaning endless breathtaking vistas along the way! Drive the Crown Range Road only in daylight. It’s beautiful but steep.

Milford Sound: The “eighth wonder of the world”

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New Zealand has no shortage of spectacular scenery, but none is quite like the landscapes of Milford Sound. While it’s almost a 4-hour drive from Queenstown, Milford Sound is not a place you should skip.

The boat cruise I took through Milford Sound is an experience I’ll never forget. As the boat drifted through the pristine fjords, I gazed up in awe at the towering cliffs rising out of the water. With some draped in lush rainforest and others streaked with thin waterfall streams, Milford Sound felt like a living, breathing masterpiece carved by time.

Then, as the boat glided deeper into the 15 km fjord, I noticed the air grew cooler, the water got darker, and there was a kind of silence that felt both sacred and eerie.

Travel Tip: There is limited phone service in the Milford Sound area, so use your Holafly eSIM to download offline maps before you leave Queenstown.