On our first full day in the South Island, we explored the quaint surf town of Kaikōura. Known for its laid-back coastal vibe and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, Kaikōura was a great first stop to get our feet wet (literally) and immerse ourselves in Kiwi culture. We first stopped in town to get our bearings, checking out some cute shops and cafes. Because we were nearing the holiday season, this was also a great place to snag souvenirs for our loved ones. Next, we grabbed some delicious, fresh seafood from the iconic Kaikōura BBQ Seafood Kiosk, known for its locally sourced crayfish, and headed to the beach! We spent the rest of the day playing in the ocean, watching fur seals basking on the rocks, and combing the beach until sunset. We camped at a different beach campsite further down the coast, but you could easily stay in Kaikōura as well!

On our next leg of the journey, we bid the coast farewell and headed west into the mountains. We drove south along Highway 1 until we were south of Christchurch and began our ascent on Highway 79 to Lake Tekapo. 

Once we reached Lake Tekapo, we were greeted with stunning views of the Southern Alps, including the tallest peak in the country, Aoraki/Mt Cook. We took some time hanging out by Lake Tekapo, enjoying a picnic lunch, and stretching our legs before finishing our journey to our reserved campsite at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook. There are also several lodging accommodations near the campground if you want a hotel stay. The township of Lake Tekapo also holds a UNESCO Dark Sky status and is renowned for it’s dazzling night skies.

Waking up under the snowcapped peaks, we were eager to hike the 6.8-mile (11 kilometer) Hooker Valley Track to Hooker Lake, a glacial lake at Aoraki’s base. We packed books, a picnic, and layers for a full day at the lake. The well-maintained, moderately difficult trail features inclines and three swinging bridges, with views of

Mueller Glacier and the river connecting Hooker and Mueller Lakes. We started our return before sunset, grateful for the beautiful day spent in this stunning landscape.

Day five was bittersweet as we left the stunning Southern Alps and traveled three hours south to Queenstown. Excited for showers, laundry, and fine dining, we booked a rental home overlooking Lake Wakatipu to recharge. Downtown Queenstown is full of trendy shops and restaurants, serving as the launch point for our next adventure: whitewater rafting on the Shotover River.

After checking in at RealNZ, we drove to the river base for wet suits, helmets, and PFDs. A shuttle bus took us down a steep cliff, where raft guides lightened the mood with jokes about leaning left to avoid falling over the edge. After a safety briefing, we navigated waves and rapids, even rafting through one of the world’s few commercially guided tunnels. We capped off our action-packed day with a five-star meal at The Nest, a welcome treat after our camper meals.

Feeling refreshed from our cozy stay, we were ready for our next adventure to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. Known for its stunning beauty and diverse marine and bird species, Milford Sound is a must-see. Winding through mountains and tunnels, we reached the water’s edge for a nature cruise through the fjords, where we spotted penguins and visited an underwater observatory to view rare marine life. On our way back to camp, we took a quick dip in a roadside pool and encountered the clever Kea, an alpine parrot known for its intelligence and curiosity, often drawn to the sounds of music or car horns.

Before leaving the unique landscape of Fjordlands the following morning, we made one last stop to hike the Key Summit Track. This moderately difficult, five-mile/eight-kilometer out-and-back hike takes you up through the trees until you pop out into sweeping mountain views. We followed the boardwalk loop around the summit and marveled at the surrounding peaks and lakes. The perfect way to top off this leg before heading back north! 

Leaving the wonderland of Fiordlands National Park, we headed north along the west coast. We made several stops along the drive to check out the incredible fields of wild lupin, waterfalls, glaciers, and beaches. Seeing how many diverse landscapes we could experience in the 11-hour drive up the island was shocking. We decided to do this in one big push, but plenty of places exist to stop and break up the drive.

Our last full day on the New Zealand South Island was spent exploring Abel Tasman National Park. Tucked into the remote, rocky coves of the north shore, much of the park is only accessible by boat. We brought our pack rafts, but there were also places to rent kayaks. If you’re more curious about hiking opportunities around the coves and caves, there are also water taxis that will drop you off at different inlets to explore. We stayed at one of the several campgrounds along the coast with access to beaches and hiking trails.

As our trip came to a close on the South Island, we said goodbye to Abel Tasman and headed back to Picton for our ferry reservation. We made one last stop at Nelson Lakes National Park to soak in the merging of mountains and water that captured the essence of this incredible and unique country. Finally, we boarded the ferry, already dreaming of our next adventure to New Zealand road trip adventure.