Why the South Island Is the World's Best Campervan Destination
New Zealand's South Island packs an absurd amount of scenic diversity into an area smaller than England. In a single day you can drive from rainforest to glacier to mountain pass to coastal town. The roads are quiet, the campgrounds are beautiful, and the freedom camping network means you can park up beside rivers, lakes, and beaches for free.
Pick up your campervan in Christchurch and set out on a 14-day loop that covers the South Island's greatest hits.
Day 1-2: Christchurch to Kaikōura (180 km)
Head north from Christchurch on SH1 along the Pacific coast to Kaikōura, a small town wedged between the Seaward Kaikōura Range and the Pacific Ocean. The marine life here is extraordinary—sperm whales, dusky dolphins, fur seals, and albatross all thrive in the deep underwater canyon just offshore.
Kaikōura Must-Dos
- Whale Watch Kaikōura — NZ$175/adult for a 2.5-hour boat trip. Sperm whales are present year-round; you'll also see Hector's dolphins and various seabirds.
- Ohau Point Seal Colony — Free! Dozens of fur seals lounge on the rocks 25 km north of town. In winter, seal pups play in the waterfall pool behind the viewing platform.
- Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway — 3-hour coastal loop with views of the mountains plunging into the sea. Free.
Where to Camp
- Kaikōura Top 10 Holiday Park — Powered sites NZ$55/night, ocean views, modern facilities.
- Goose Bay Freedom Camping — Free certified self-contained camping area south of town, directly beside the ocean.
Day 3-4: Kaikōura to Nelson & Abel Tasman (340 km)
Cross the mountains via the Lewis Pass to the Nelson/Tasman region—New Zealand's sunniest area. Spend a day in Abel Tasman National Park, the country's smallest but most popular national park. Golden sand beaches, turquoise water, and native bush walks make it a paradise.
Take the Abel Tasman water taxi (NZ$45 one-way) to Bark Bay or Tonga Island and walk back along the coastal track—you'll pass through native bush with bellbirds singing, across swing bridges, and along beaches where you'll be the only person.
Day 5-6: Nelson to the West Coast Glaciers (380 km)
Drive south through Buller Gorge (stop at the historic swing bridge) and down the wild West Coast. This is raw, rugged New Zealand—pounding surf, ancient podocarp rainforest, and barely any people.
The twin glaciers—Franz Josef and Fox Glacier—are unique because they descend from the Southern Alps almost to sea level, surrounded by temperate rainforest. The Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk (1.5 hours return) takes you to a viewpoint of the glacier's terminal face. For a splurge, take a helicopter hike (from NZ$449)—land on the glacier and explore ice caves and crevasses.
Day 7-8: Glaciers to Wānaka & Queenstown (350 km)
Cross the Haast Pass, one of only three roads across the Southern Alps. Stop at the Blue Pools walk (30 minutes return)—peer into impossibly clear blue river pools from a swing bridge. Continue to Wānaka, a lakeside town with a more relaxed vibe than Queenstown.
The famous Roys Peak Track (5-6 hours return) rewards hikers with one of New Zealand's most photographed views—Lake Wānaka surrounded by mountains. Drive the Crown Range Road to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital.
Day 9-10: Queenstown (Rest Days)
Base yourself in Queenstown for two days to recover from driving and enjoy:
- Skyline Gondola & Luge — NZ$49 for gondola + luge rides with mountain views.
- Milford Sound Day Trip — See our complete Milford Sound guide for the best way to experience it.
- Fergburger — Queenstown's legendary burger joint. The queue is always long; it's always worth it.
- Glenorchy Drive — 45 minutes from Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu. Lord of the Rings filming location (Isengard).
Day 11-12: Queenstown to Dunedin via the Catlins (450 km)
Head south to the Catlins, the South Island's wild, undeveloped southeast corner. This region is off most tourist radars but rewards those who visit with deserted beaches, petrified forests, sea lion colonies, and one of the world's rarest penguins.
- Nugget Point Lighthouse — Walk to a lighthouse perched on a dramatic headland above fur seal colonies.
- Curio Bay Petrified Forest — At low tide, see fossilised tree stumps from a 180 million-year-old forest exposed on the rock platform.
- Slope Point — The South Island's southernmost point, with wind-sculpted trees growing at 45-degree angles.
Day 13-14: Dunedin to Christchurch (360 km)
Explore Dunedin's Scottish heritage, Victorian architecture, and the incredible Otago Peninsula—home to royal albatross, yellow-eyed penguins, and New Zealand sea lions. The return drive to Christchurch follows the Pacific coast through Oamaru (famous blue penguin colony, $35 evening viewing) and the weird Moeraki Boulders.
Return your campervan in Christchurch after 14 days and 2,400 km of the world's best scenery.
