{"id":175355,"date":"2025-04-07T10:30:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T10:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/the-perfect-south-island-two-week-itinerary-new-zealand\/"},"modified":"2025-04-07T10:30:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T10:30:32","slug":"the-perfect-south-island-two-week-itinerary-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=175355","title":{"rendered":"The perfect South Island two week itinerary (New Zealand)"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In this article I share my favorite South Island two week itinerary. I have described an itinerary for two weeks, which you can of course extend with free time and extra days. You can customize the tour below to your liking. This itinerary comes from my e-book New Zealand for beginners. Are you also going to New Zealand for the first time? Then this e-book really is something for you! <\/p>\n

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Table of Contents | Inhoudsopgave<\/p>\n

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New Zealand for beginners<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Are you planning to go on a trip to New Zealand for the first time? Excellent, as there is a big chance that you will enjoy this amazing country as much as I do.<\/p>\n

In my e-book New Zealand for beginners you will find everything you want to know about your first journey to and in New Zealand. I was once a beginner myself, in 2002 to be precise. Since then I have travelled to New Zealand five more times and spent more than a year exploring.<\/p>\n

Between 2001 and 2017 I worked for various travel organizations. Providing concrete, practical tips is my job and is based on years of experience. I\u2019ve been a full time travel writer since 2017. <\/p>\n

View and order\u00a0the e-book here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Day 1. Arrival in Picton<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Since most people will be traveling straight on after their arrival, it is nice to take a free afternoon in Picton. Go for a walk towards The Snout or enjoy the relaxed life around the lively harbour.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: AAA Marlin Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

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Picton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 2. Drive to Nelson<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Take the Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson, the drive is truly beautiful. The Marlborough Sounds have turquoise waters and the mountains are covered in ferns.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Palazzo Motor Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 3. Visit Abel Tasman National Park<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Abel Tasman National Park, named after a Dutch explorer, is known for its golden beaches and bright blue bays. You can go hiking, take a water taxi or go kayaking.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Palazzo Motor Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

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View over one of the many bays<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 4. To Punakaiki<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Drive along the west coast to Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park. Visit the Pancake Rocks and watch the sunset from the beach.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Punakaiki Tree Houses<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 5. To Fox and Franz Josef<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

A beautiful drive along the west coast (also called wet coast) is on the program. An ultimate road trip over winding roads and through beautiful, rugged nature.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Fox Glacier Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fox
Fox Glacier <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 6. Free day in Westland National Park<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Visit Lake Matheson (Reflection Lake), Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Take a helicopter tour or a glacier walk.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Fox Glacier Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 7. Drive to Wanaka<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Another beautiful ride today, to Wanaka this time. Via the Haast Pass and the shores of Lake Hawea you arrive in one of the fastest growing villages of New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Alpine View Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n

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Drive to Wanaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 8. Morning in Wanaka, afternoon drive to Queenstown<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

After a free morning in Wanaka, drive along the Crown Range Road to Queenstown, a beautiful mountain route (note: not all campers are allowed).<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 9. Free day for Mount Aspiring NP<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Stay in Queenstown for an exciting outdoor activity or drive towards Glenorchy and the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside<\/a><\/p>\n

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Mount Aspiring National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 10. To Te Anau<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Drive to Te Anau on the border of Fiordland National Park. The drive is not long so there is plenty of time to spend some free time in Te Anau or Queenstown.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Alpine View Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 11. Free day in Fiordland National Park<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Take a road trip along the Milford Road to Milford Sound or opt for a boat tour through Doubtful Sound.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Alpine View Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

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Doubtful Sound Cruise <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 12. Long drive to Mount Cook<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

A long but beautiful drive to Twizel and Mount Cook. The route over Lindis Pass is beautiful, you have now arrived in the dry part of the South Island.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Aoraki Court Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

Day 13. Free day in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

A free day to explore Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Visit the Hooker Valley, take a helicopter flight and search for icebergs in Tasman Lake.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestion: Aoraki Court Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

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Mueller Hut hike in Mount Cook \/ Aoraki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Day 14. Drive to Christchurch<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

Say goodbye to the mountains and drive to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. Stop in charming Geraldine and spend your afternoon in the lively Christchurch.<\/p>\n

Overnight suggestions: Sudima Airport Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion and disclaimer<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n

This perfect South Island two week itinerary comes from my e-book New Zealand for beginners. Are you planning to go on vacation to New Zealand for the first time? Good choice, because chances are you\u2019ll love this country as much as I do.<\/p>\n

In my e-book New Zealand for Beginners, you\u2019ll find everything you want to know about your first time to New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Once I was a beginner myself. In 2002 to be exact. Since then, I traveled to New Zealand four more times and spent more than a year there.<\/p>\n

Between 2001 and 2017, I worked at several travel companies. So providing concrete, practical tips is my profession and is based on years of experience.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, in the e-book you will find a nice mix of my own experiences and things I wish I had known myself when I first traveled in New Zealand in 2002.<\/p>\n

You can view and order the book here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

My North Island one week itinerary can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase and\/or reservation via such a link, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for considering! <\/sub><\/sub><\/p>\n

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