by Lucy Mitchell
New Zealand is world-renowned for its majestic natural escapades and scenic beauty, making it one of the most popular destinations for day trip drives and road trips.
This is especially true if you’re eyeing New Zealand’s South Island. Snow-capped mountains, centuries-old rainforests, adventurous hiking trails and charming towns await at every turn you make in this archipelago’s vast and interconnected road network.
The most impressive aspect of these destinations is the journey. Simply traversing through New Zealand’s South Island can be a scenic adventure in itself. Whether it’s driving from Queenstown or Christchurch the South Island boasts some of the world’s best and most picturesque driving routes and landscapes you’ll ever come across.
So, if you’re looking to begin your next adventure, pack your bags, settle in with a road trip playlist and start your engine. We’ll cover all the best South Island driving routes for a day trip, primed to create the experience of a lifetime for any starry-eyed wanderer.
Dunedin to Invercargill
The Dunedin to Invercargill drive is as south as a person can get when driving through New Zealand. This 206-kilometre drive starts west and heads southwest, crossing majestic terrain that’s reminiscent of paintings.
This path cuts right through the Catlins region, which is filled with rich heritage and beautiful nature. To initiate the drive, the best (and likely) starting point is Dunedin—a vibrant town known for its eclectic mix of Maori and Scottish culture, some beaches, and a pretty iconic castle.
Working your way south for an hour and thirty minutes from Dunedin, you can pay a visit to Nugget Point Lighthouse, one of New Zealand’s oldest lighthouses on the Catlins coast.
Then, going westward, you can park your car and take a short hike to Purakunui Falls, a photogenic three-tiered waterfall. Horseshoe Falls and Matai Falls are also great spots if you want to include more waterfalls in your itinerary.
If timing permits, you can look in amazement at the towering ceilings in Cathedral Caves, which are only accessible during the low tide. Then, you can make your way to Curio Bay by hugging the southern coast. This bay features volcanic rock that has been around for 180 million years—which you can see in its entirety during the low tide. A few kilometres away is Slope Point, which is a site so windy the trees are warped sideways because of the constant winds.
Then, once the day ends, you’ll be at Invercargill, NZ’s southernmost city. You can take it easy here after the 200+ kilometre drive, or you can explore museums like the Southland Museum and Art Gallery or the impressive vintage vehicle showcase at Transport World.
But, if there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss out on, it’s the food. Definitely reward yourself with a good hearty blue cod fish and chips dish or a couple of meat pies after all that driving!
Queenstown to Glenorchy
Queenstown is a fantastic gateway to many of South Island’s marvellous sights. If you’re short on time or want to take things slow, the Queenstown to Glenorchy drive is a quick 46-kilometre journey that mirrors a portion of the edge of the shimmering Lake Wakatipu.
You’ll start the drive in Queenstown and head along the Glenorchy-Queenstown road. This road is fairly serene and lined with alpine trees, making it a great backdrop for you to zone out and relax as you drive.
On your left, you’ll see stunning views of the lake, and driving past, you can also stop by lookouts like Bob’s Cove and Bennetts Bluff to take it all in and snap some gorgeous photos.
Once you’re on your approach to Glenorchy, you can explore the village in its entirety at a leisurely pace. This village is fondly called the doorstep of Middle-earth—so for Lord of the Rings fans, you’ll be sure to enjoy frolicking around town like you’re in a fantasy world.
As the day has likely not ended yet, you can walk along the Glenorchy Walkway to enjoy the sight of the wetlands and mountain ranges in front of you. You can also take a jet boat ride up the Dart River if you still want to indulge in water activities during the day.
And if you’re ready to eat one of your seven suppers, you’ll be pleased to know that this charming town has a delectable array of dining options—some ready-made, others quick and packable for picnics by the lake. The choice is yours before you head back south for the night!
Christchurch to West Coast
If the last drive is a bit too easy for your liking, you’ll definitely feel a challenge with this one.
The drive from Christchurch to the West Coast is a major expedition—covering 240 kilometres and passing through rugged mountains, waterfalls, and alpine forests. This is essentially an east-to-west drive, as you’ll start on one end of the island and end on the other.
The drive starts at Christchurch, New Zealand’s most prominent and populated city in the South Island. Do what you want here, whether it’s to stock up on local cuisine or explore the Canterbury Museum and botanic gardens in the city.
From there, start the engines of your car and get to driving. Ideally, you’ll start early in the day to ensure that you make it to the endpoint on the same day. That said, it’s not uncommon for people to stretch out this road trip over two days to cover everything more leisurely.
One hour into the drive, and you’ll find your way to Springfield. Here, you can try some excellent pies and doughnuts to stuff to your heart’s content. You can also explore Castle Hill/Kura Tawhiti and look awe-stricken at the fascinating limestone boulder formations.
The day is just beginning! Keep driving westward and make your way to the official Arthur’s Pass. Here, you can drop by Lake Pearson and Waimakariri River Lookout for a view of gorgeous freshwater formations. You can also look at the Otira Viaduct Lookout to marvel at the mountains and valleys beneath you.
You’ll eventually approach the region of Hokitika, a town known for having a 131-metre waterfall called Devil’s Punchbowl within its surrounding area. You can also pay a visit to Lake Brunner for a short driving break with a good view overlooking the mountains.
Further westward, you can take a quick dip in either Hokitika Gorge or Hokitika Beach—both gorgeous swimming areas. Many two-day travellers will choose to rest in this town and explore it a bit deeper. There’s also a glowworm cave a few minutes from the town centre that’s interesting to see at night.
However, for one-day enthusiasts, you can continue onwards to Punakaiki and choose to visit either the Shantytown Heritage Park for a peek at the rich history of the town’s mining roots or the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes to see a dramatic sea spray and layered limestone formations. Here, you can take your well-deserved rest.
Te Anau to Milford Sound
Another excellent road trip plan you can embark on in the South Island is the Te Anau to Milford Sound drive. This 118-kilometre scenic drive is one of New Zealand’s most iconic, as it brings you up close to South Island’s most beautiful national park and picturesque mountain.
Start the trip at Te Anau, a peaceful lakeside spot that boasts a remarkably large lake—the country’s second biggest. You’ll eventually pass by Eglinton Valley, a beautiful golden grassland featured in The Lord of the Rings. Around the area, you can also catch sight of the Mirror Lakes and its calm and glassy waters.
A 20-kilometre drive north brings you to Lake Gunn, another picturesque lake trail where you can walk through ancient beech forests. You can pop into Pop’s View Lookout along the route for a quick stopover to soak in the sights as well.
Further along the route, you can get up and close to a powerful waterfall called the Chasm. You’re also essentially within the Milford Sound National Park, and you can do a number of activities that interest you—from hiking along one of many tracks to kayaking the tranquil waters.
In essence, there’s a lot of beauty in New Zealand’s South Island that makes it the perfect place to embark on a one-day getaway. We hope the routes above will serve you well on your next adventure. Safe travels!
