South Island Itinerary 7 Days – New Zealand’s Best Highlights

The South Island in New Zealand is a natural beauty, adventure and relaxation Heaven. Whether one is in the busy streets of Christchurch or in the peaceful hotel of Lake Tekapo, this island will give them a wide variety of activities which can appeal to all types of travellers. You can find breathtaking mountains and sceneries, exhilarating adventure sports, or quiet stargazing: A South Island itinerary 7 days will provide you with all the right time to explore the best of this wondrous place.

We will take you through the final 7-day tour of the South Island, including some of its main attractions, such as Queenstown, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Fiordland, to make sure that you do not waste time here in New Zealand.

1. Day 1: Classic Christchurch Start

Arrive in Christchurch

Start with a visit to Christchurch, the Garden City of New Zealand, as a starting point to your tour of the South Island. Christchurch is a beautiful city with beautiful parks, botanic gardens, and rich history, which makes it the right starting point of your trip.

•       What to Do: Visit Botanic Gardens all day and have a relaxing day out punting on the Avon River. The Canterbury Museum is also a good place to visit and gain more knowledge about the cultural history of the region.
•       Tip: If you are in the time to spend, you might want to go on a stroll around Hagley Park that is one of the largest urban parks in the world.

2. Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Scenic Drive to Lake Tekapo

Day 2 of the itinerary 7 days on the South Island A scenic journey from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, a 3-hour drive. It is a beautiful lake with a milky turquoise water and a classic Church of the Good Shepherd.

•       What to Do: Take a trip to Church of the Good Shepherd and have amazing scenic views of the lake and the mountain range around it. You must not miss a chance of stargazing in the evening. The lake Tekapo is a member of the dark sky reserve which has some of the best night skies globally.

Tip: When you are a photography enthusiast, it is advisable to take the pictures of the church at sunset, with the mountains being reflected on the lake.

3. Day 3: Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mount Cook

Scenic Drive and Hiking

Day 3 To Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. The Lake Tekapo Aoraki/Mount Cook drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, and the road has some of the most stunning sceneries of the Southern Alps.

•       What to Do: On arrival, take the Hooker Valley Track that is one of the most frequented hikes in the region. This comfortable 3 hours walk will take you through meadows of the alpines, suspension bridges, and Spectacular views of the mountain cook.
•       Tip: To take a more challenging hike, one should consider hiking the Mueller Hut Track in order to have a panoramic view of the other glaciers and mountains around.

4. Day 4: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Wanaka

Scenic Drive via Lindis Pass

Day 4: Drive Aoraki/Mount Cook to Wanaka, an attractive lakeside town that is full of outdoor adventure and spectacular sceneries. The distance consumed by the drive is approximately 3 hours and the drive crosses Lindis Pass where there are some of the best views of the South Island.

What to Do: Walking around the beautiful lake Wanaka and the well-known That Wanaka Tree is what you must do in Wanaka. Another place of interest is Mt. Aspiring National Park; it would be ideal to do more walking and outdoor activities.

•       Tip: Have time to have a leisurely meal in one of the lakeside restaurants and appreciate the serene environment.

5. Day 5: Wanaka to Queenstown

Wanaka and Queenstown Touring.

The 5th day should be spent in Wanaka in the morning and in the afternoon visiting Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, just an hour away.

•       What to Do: Once in Queenstown, use the afternoon in the town centre that has a plethora of different eating, shopping, and adventure activities. During the evening, ride the Skyline Gondola to the summit of Bobs peak to have a fantastic view of the town and the mountains surrounding the town.
•     Tip: Visit the gondola mountain top to have an exciting downhill ride by luge.

6. Day 6: Queenstown Adventure Day

Suzuki Adventure Sports and Exploration.

Queenstown is characterised by the bone-shattering activities. Day 6 is to be spent in the fabulous world of adventure.

• What to Do: Begin your day on the Shotover Jet, a fast and splendid jet boat tour with high speed on the Shotover River canyons. In case you like hiking, you should visit the Ben Lomond Track that offers beautiful panoramic views of the city of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
•       Tip: However, should you want to go outside of town you may do a Milford Sound Day Trip that takes you on a scenic drive and a cruise through one of the most beautiful fjords in the world.

7. Day 7: Queenstown and Departure

Last Things to See in Queenstown.

You can spend the morning on the last day enjoying the remaining attractions of Queenstown and then you can travel back to Christchurch or head off to Queenstown Airport.

•       What to Do: Have a wine tasting session in one of the local vineyards or go on an easy stroll with Lake Wakatipu. You can still be adventurous and would like to consider bungy jumping in the Kawarau Bridge which is known to be famous.
•       Hint: When leaving out of Queenstown by air, leave plenty of time between airport transfer and flight.

Practical Tips for a South Island Itinerary 7 Days

•       Driving: Scenery The South Island boasts some of the most beautiful drives in the world, although they can also be slow, particularly in the country. Ensure that you take time to make every journey.
•       Reservations: It is advisable to book popular activities such as Milford sound cruise, helicopter trips and gondola trips so as to avoid the rush during peak seasons.
•       Weather: The weather on the South Island is volatile and thus layered clothing is advisable with a preparedness to face any weather. It is also cold even during summer at high altitudes.
•       Flexibility: It is a busy itinerary and you can change the itinerary depending on your speed. You can omit or reduce the number of activities to have time to rest.

Final Thought on South Island Itinerary 7 Days

The 7 day south Island tour is the ideal tour to enjoy the best of the amazing South Island of New Zealand. Starting with the outburst of adventure in Queenstown up to the serene nature of Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, this itinerary is diverse in terms of what you will be able to remember. Be it hiking across the alpine picturesque meadows, or sailing inside the Milford sound, or simply enjoying the local cuisine and wine, the South island is a whole package of natural beauty, culture and adventure of New Zealand.

FAQs

What are the best activities to do in Queenstown?
In Queenstown, try adventure activities like bungee jumping, jet boating, and skydiving. For a more relaxed experience, enjoy the Skyline Gondola or a wine-tasting tour.

How long is the drive from Wanaka to Queenstown?
The drive from Wanaka to Queenstown takes about 1 hour and offers stunning scenic views along the way.

What is the best time of year to visit the South Island?
The best time to visit the South Island is during the spring (October to November) and summer (December to February) months when the weather is mild, and outdoor activities are in full swing.

Do I need to book activities in advance?
Yes, for popular activities like Milford Sound cruises, helicopter rides, and Queenstown gondola, it’s recommended to book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Can I do the South Island itinerary in 7 days if I’m not a hiker?
Absolutely! While this itinerary includes hikes, you can easily skip them and focus on scenic drives, sightseeing, and adventure activities. The South Island has a variety of activities for non-hikers as well.