The South Island lends itself to road tripping but with longer distances than the North Island. Plan: Christchurch-Aoraki 3h30, Aoraki-Queenstown 3h30, Queenstown-Milford Sound 4 h (one way), Queenstown-Franz Josef 5-6 h, Franz Josef-Nelson 6 h, Nelson-Picton 2 h.
The rental car (€50-90/day) or campervan (€150-250/day in high season) are the main options. For the South Island, the campervan is particularly suitable: access to DOC campsites in nature (NZD 8-15/night, no services), to holiday parks (NZD 30-60/night with bathrooms/kitchen), total itinerary flexibility.
The long-distance bus InterCity covers the main cities. Stray Travel and Kiwi Experience offer hop-on hop-off backpacker passes.
Domestic flights Air New Zealand or Jetstar: Christchurch-Queenstown 1 h (€60-120), Queenstown-Auckland 2 h (€80-200).
The Interislander ferry Wellington-Picton (3h30, €70-100/person foot passenger, €200-400 with car) is itself one of the most beautiful sea crossings in the world.
Watch for alpine roads in winter: the Crown Range pass (Queenstown-Wanaka) may be closed or require chains (June-October), the Lewis Pass and Haast Pass too. The Fiordland roads (State Highway 94 to Milford Sound) can be closed by avalanches in winter. Check road conditions on nzta.govt.nz before leaving.
The left-hand driving and narrow/winding roads (notably State Highway 6 on the West Coast and State Highway 73 Arthur's Pass) demand vigilance. Fatigue on long journeys (Christchurch-Queenstown 6h30 actual with stops) is the leading cause of accidents involving tourists — alternate drivers, take regular breaks.
Read also
- Queenstown — World capital of adrenaline: bungee jumping, jet boat, skydive, base for Milford Sound.
- Milford Sound — Iconic fjord of Fiordland National Park, UNESCO, must-do cruise.
- Aoraki/Mount Cook — Country's highest summit (3,724 m), Tasman glaciers, Dark Sky Reserve.
- New Zealand — Complete country guide: 2 islands, NZeTA formalities, budget, best period.