New Zealand is probably one of the most beautiful countries in the world, thanks to its abundance of untouched nature and remote mountains that will spark the fire of adventure and wanderlust in anyone who sets foot upon its shores.
Although both the North and South Islands of New Zealand have their own unique charms that are worth visiting in and of themselves, the incredible nature spots scattered throughout the South Island are, in my opinion, what put New Zealand above other countries when it comes to natural beauty.
With so many places to go, things to do, and activities to participate in on the South Island alone, I have decided to come up with a complete 2-week backpacking itinerary just for the South Island. This itinerary focuses solely on the one thing you are visiting New Zealand for: the incredible nature.
Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to spend 2 weeks and travel the South Island, visiting all the beautiful nature spots, and even participating in a 3-day trek on one of the most beautiful Great Walks of New Zealand.
Without further ado, here is a complete 2-week South Island, New Zealand itinerary for solo travelers. First and foremost, let's take a look at where this itinerary will take you on the itinerary map below:
2 Weeks South Island, New Zealand Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ☀️ Day 1: | Christchurch |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Day 2: | Mt Cook |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Lake Tekapo |
| ☀️ Day 4-6: | Queenstown |
| ☀️ Day 7-8: | Te Anau and the Milford Sound |
| ☀️ Day 9-10: | Routeburn Track |
| ☀️ Day 11: | Queenstown - Overnight |
| ☀️ Day 12-13: | Wanaka |
| ☀️ Day 14: | Queenstown - Fly Back Home |
2 Weeks South Island, New Zealand Itinerary
Day 1: Christchurch (1 night)
- 📍 Stay: BreakFree on Cashel
- 🕐 Time: 1 night
- 📖 Full Guide: 8 reasons to love Christchurch, New Zealand (via youngadventuress.com)
Christchurch has changed enormously since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, with a rebuilt central city, new public spaces, restaurants, and attractions alongside reminders of what happened.
For this itinerary, Christchurch works especially well as a starting point because it is the South Island's main international gateway and has excellent onward connections into the Mackenzie Country and the rest of the island.
Since there isn't much to do here, I would recommend you stay only one night here and use your first day on the South Island to familiarize yourself with the customs and culture before you embark on your epic journey through the South Island.
- Ultimate South Island Adventure (14 days)
- Classic South Island Adventure (8 days)
- Southern Voyager (7 days)
If you wish to rent a car or a campervan, Christchurch is also a good place to do so, but keep in mind that you will have to return your car back in Christchurch. So, be sure to spare some time to drive back from Queenstown. To rent a car in Christchurch, click the link below:
Where to Stay in Christchurch?
Getting from Christchurch to Mt. Cook
InterCity now sells a direct Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt. Cook service, so you no longer need to plan the trip around the old Twizel + Cook Connect connection. The journey is roughly half a day, and fares vary by travel date.
When I traveled this route, I took an InterCity bus from Christchurch to Twizel for 41 NZD, then connected with Cook Connect to Mt. Cook for another 30 NZD. That was the timetable and price during my trip, so check the current InterCity schedule when planning yours.
Day 2: Mt Cook (1 night)
- 📍 Stay: Aoraki Court Motel
- 🕐 Time: 1 night
- 📖 Full Guide: 8 Best Things To Do In Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook
Along the way from Twizel to Mt. Cook, the Cook Connect shuttle bus should stop at Lake Pukaki for you, which is definitely worth a visit. I can never get bored with the view of the stunningly blue watered lake and the beautiful snowy mountains of New Zealand looming behind.
One of the best things you should do when you arrive in Mt. Cook National Park is to hike the Hooker Valley Track, a 10 km return track that goes through the grassland in Mt. Cook National Park, passing alpine streams and glaciers while Mt. Cook towers over you.
The Hooker Valley Track is relatively easy, with few major climbs. The full track is open again after a new 189-meter second suspension bridge opened in July 2026. The walk starts at White Horse Hill car park and takes roughly 3 hours return to Hooker Lake. If you are driving, White Horse Hill parking currently costs 2.50 NZD per half hour, capped at 25 NZD per day.
You can also take to the sky and fly over Mt. Cook with a scenic helicopter flight. Current short flights start from around 385 NZD, while longer Aoraki/Mt. Cook and glacier flights cost considerably more. When you are done, you can warm yourself up at The Hermitage Hotel before ending your day.
Getting from Mt. Cook to Lake Tekapo
You can book a direct shuttle between Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo via Tekapo Shuttle rather than routing through Twizel as I did. Current transfers are seasonal, so check the operating dates and departure time for your trip.
When I traveled this route, I used Cook Connect via Twizel. The actual driving time was around 2 hours in total and I paid about 60 NZD, although the connection involved a long wait in Twizel. Treat that as my historical trip cost rather than a current fare.
Day 3: Lake Tekapo (1 night)
- 📍 Stay: Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
- 🕐 Time: 1 night
- 📖 Full Guide: 8 Wonderful Things to Do in Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook
When you think of New Zealand, the image of a pastel blue-colored lake and colorful fields of purple lupins probably comes to mind. That is Lake Tekapo, a small lakeside town by the lake with the same name located near the famous Mt. Cook National Park on the Queenstown to Christchurch main road.
With beautiful mountain vistas, a clear night sky, and its proximity to Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, Lake Tekapo makes for a great one-night stop before we continue our journey.
Since you will only have the evening, I recommend you hit the ground running and go for a walk along the lake and appreciate just how colorful the place is. At night, if the sky is clear, you can go stargazing at the Church of Good Shepherd and take some stunning Milky Way photos.
The next day, we can catch an Intercity Bus to one of my favorite cities in New Zealand: Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.
Getting from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown
InterCity operates a regular bus from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown. The journey currently takes about 3 hours 50 minutes, departing from outside the Dark Sky Project building at 1 Motuariki Lane and arriving at Athol Street in Queenstown. When I traveled this route, I paid around 55 NZD. Fares and departure times vary, so check the current service when booking.
Day 4 - 6: Queenstown (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Mi-pad Smart Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure capital city of the world, and whatever sports and activities the human body can endure, they have probably come up with them here.
Located on the shore of the pristine Lake Wakatipu and sandwiched between mountains on three sides, there is no way in hell you will be able to leave Queenstown without getting your adrenaline pumping.
One of the best viewpoints in Queenstown and one of the best things you can do is to hike up to the Queenstown Hill Viewpoint, where you will be able to see Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu from above, as the stunning face of Mount Aspiring looms behind.
Continue on, and you will be on your way up to the summit of Ben Lomond, which is another hike I recommend you do together with Queenstown Hill. Up there, you will be able to enjoy the stunning view of Queenstown from the Ben Lomond Saddle and the mountains surrounding the city.
Hiking Ben Lomond is a great way to acquaint yourself with the nature around Queenstown, and you will witness just how adventure-oriented this town is as you walk through the thick forest on mountain bike trails, and under all the zip lines and zip line stations.
Once you have hiked Ben Lomond, you can then drive the luge down from Queenstown Hill, which is another fun activity to do in Queenstown.
For the next day, go up 15,000 ft into the sky and get thrown out from a moving airplane with NZONE Skydive, one of the best skydiving experiences you will ever have. The view up there is indescribable.
If the weather is not looking good but you still want to throw yourself off something, bungee jumping is your friend, and there is no better place to do it than here, where the sport originated.
As you can see, there are a ton of things you can do in Queenstown, and we can spend days trying to do them all. But since we have both limited time and budget, it is time to move on to our next destination, Te Anau, where we will be traveling from there to the Milford Sound.
Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau
Tracknet currently runs several daily summer services from Queenstown to Te Anau during the Great Walks season, while InterCity/GreatSights also operates a daily connection. The trip takes roughly 2.5 hours.
When I traveled this route, the bus cost me 49 NZD and took around 2.5 hours. Prices and schedules may have changed since then, so check the latest timetable before your trip.
Day 7 - 8: Te Anau and the Milford Sound (2 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Getaway Te Anau
- 🕐 Time: 2 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: A Day Trip From Te Anau To The Milford Sound
One of the reasons why we are visiting Te Anau is because we will use it as a base to explore the beautiful Milford Sound, which is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand.
Milford Sound is one of those places where, if 10 years have passed and you are trying to recall your New Zealand trip that you took 10 years ago, the mental image of your experience with Milford Sound would be the first to come rushing back.
In order to get there, you will have to book the Milford Sound Cruise Tour by GreatSight which includes a transfer between Te Anau and Milford Sound so you don't have to worry about logistics.
The tour also includes several stops along the scenic Milford Road like Mirror Lakes, Pop's View Point, 1855 Lookout, and more before you even arrive at the Milford Sound.
Once you arrive, you will be ushered onto a cruise where you will travel along the stunning fjord past waterfalls and dramatic cliffs, with wildlife sightings possible along the way. A coach-and-cruise day trip from Te Anau takes most of the day. Current InterCity/GreatSights Milford Sound day tours start from around 156 NZD, depending on the departure point and date.
Once you get back to Te Anau, it is time to prepare for another adventure. This time, we are going to tackle one of the best Great Walks of New Zealand - the Routeburn Track - in its entirety. So, spend the evening preparing your hiking gear, sleeping bags, and food for 3 days.
Getting from Te Anau to the Routeburn Track - The Divide
Tracknet Shuttle Bus runs between Te Anau and the Divide Parking Lot, where the trailhead of the Routeburn Track is located.
For the 2026/27 Great Walks season, Tracknet lists three daily Te Anau to The Divide departures at 7:45 AM, 10:15 AM, and 1:25 PM. The summer timetable runs from 1 November 2026 to 1 May 2027. You can book the Tracknet bus here.
Day 9 - 10: Routeburn Track (2 nights)
- 🕐 Time: 2 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is a 3-day scenic hiking trail that will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see in your life. It is one of New Zealand's 11 Great Walks, and if you have the time to do only one Great Walk in New Zealand, this is my favorite.
This roughly 33 km hiking trail crosses both Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, passing through alpine valleys, mountains, and lakes on a 3-day adventure. You need to arrange transport at both ends, reserve your accommodation well ahead during the Great Walks season, and carry your own food and gear.
If you want to hike this trail during the Great Walks season, from 1 November to 30 April, hut and campsite bookings are required and often sell out quickly. For the 2026/27 season, Routeburn huts cost 132 NZD per night for international adults and 88 NZD for New Zealand adults. For this 2-night itinerary, that means 264 NZD in hut fees for an international adult before transport and food. You can reserve the mountain huts here.
Your journey will begin at the Divide, where you can follow the trail to the Key Summit for a stunning viewpoint before hiking down to Lake MacKenzie, where you will be spending your first night. Your first day should take around 5 hours.
On the second day, you will start hiking up and out of the valley onto a trail along the side of a mountain where you will be able to appreciate the stunning Darran Mountain before you arrive at Routeburn Fall Hut in about 5 hours.
Your last day on the Routeburn Track is an easy stroll down to Routeburn Shelter, where the shuttle bus to Queenstown is waiting for you.
Getting from the Routeburn Track to Queenstown
Tracknet Shuttle Bus also runs between the Routeburn Shelter and Queenstown, which you will need to book in advance to get back to Queenstown. They have two buses running from the Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown at 9:45 AM and 2:15 PM.
When I traveled this route, the shuttle cost me around 45 NZD. Current fares can change, but Tracknet still lists Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown departures at 9:45 AM and 2:15 PM for the 2026/27 Great Walks season, so book your seat in advance.
Day 11: Queenstown - Overnight (1 night)
By the time you arrive in Queenstown, it should be dark. Therefore, you will have to spend one more night here before we continue on to our next destination, Lake Wanaka.
Getting from Queenstown to Lake Wanaka
a href="https://www.intercity.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">InterCity now operates a daily Queenstown to Wanaka service, departing from Athol Street and arriving at the Log Cabin on the Lakefront, 100 Ardmore Street. The journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
When I traveled this route, I paid around 33 NZD per person. Fares can change, so check the current price when booking.
Day 12 - 13: Wanaka (2 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Bella Vista Motel Lake Wanaka
- 🕐 Time: 2 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: Visiting Wanaka: 8 Awesome Things to Do & Places to Visit
Wanaka is one of those places in New Zealand where you don't expect much from it, and then it turns out to be one of the prettiest places you have ever visited.
Located on the bank of the pristine Lake Wanaka, Wanaka City offers many great opportunities for us to enjoy the outdoors, from a stroll around Lake Wanaka to a full-on hiking adventure to one of the prettiest viewpoints in New Zealand, Roy's Peak.
If you are looking for things to do around the lake, you can go on a walk along Lake Wanaka Walkway, spot the lone tree of Wanaka, or you can rent a kayak and visit Ruby Island.
You can also hike up to Mt. Iron for a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains around Wanaka, visit the Puzzling World amusement park, and stroll around the Wanaka Lavender Field.
That should occupy your entire day in Wanaka, which is a great place to end our 2-week journey on the South Island. The next day, head back to Queenstown and spend your last day there before heading back home.
Getting from Lake Wanaka to Queenstown
InterCity operates regular Wanaka to Queenstown services from the Log Cabin on the Lakefront, 100 Ardmore Street, to Athol Street in Queenstown. The journey currently takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
When I traveled this route, I paid around 33 NZD per person. Fares and departure times can change, so check the current service when booking.
Day 14: Queenstown - Fly Back Home (1 night)
- 🕐 Time: 1 night
- 📖 Full Guide: The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Franz Josef
After spending 2 weeks exploring the South Island, it is time for you to head home. If you book a flight out from Christchurch or Auckland, you can fly domestically from Queenstown straight to these cities. You can spend another night there if you have the time before heading back home.
If you can stay more than 2 weeks, you can also add a trip to Franz Josef Glacier and take the helicopter up to the glacier and go ice-hiking there. Since it takes about 8 hours one-way to get there from Queenstown, it will take you more than 3 days to travel back and forth, hence why I didn't add Franz Josef onto this itinerary.
But if you have 3 days to spare, I highly recommend you spend those days in Franz Josef. You will not regret it. Even better, if you have one month in New Zealand, I recommend you follow my one-month backpacking itinerary for New Zealand, which includes the North Island as well.
When to Visit the South Island, New Zealand?
I generally prefer the South Island during the shoulder seasons between September to November and March to May, when crowds can be lighter than during the peak summer holiday period. Weather in the South Island is highly changeable year-round, though, especially in alpine areas.
For this particular itinerary, the Routeburn Track is the important constraint. Its Great Walks season runs from 1 November to 30 April, when huts and campsites must be booked in advance. Outside that season, conditions can involve snow, ice, avalanches, removed bridges, and reduced hut facilities, so the full track should only be attempted by hikers with appropriate alpine skills and equipment.
How to Get to the South Island, New Zealand?
For this itinerary, Christchurch is the most convenient arrival gateway and Queenstown is a convenient place to finish. Christchurch has international services, particularly across the Tasman and from selected long-haul hubs, while Queenstown also has international flights to Australia. Travelers from many parts of the world will still connect through Auckland, Australia, or an Asian hub.
From the US: Auckland has nonstop flights from several US cities, making a domestic connection to Christchurch one of the simplest options. Some itineraries can also connect through Australia.
From Europe: There are no nonstop flights from Europe to New Zealand. Expect at least one connection, commonly through Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia.
From Asia: Christchurch has direct links with selected Asian hubs, while Auckland offers a wider range of connections. The best routing depends heavily on your departure city and travel dates.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around the South Island, New Zealand?
By Bus: One of the cheapest ways to get around the South Island is to use its rather good public transportation. For long distances, the Intercity bus is the mode of transportation we will mainly use in this itinerary.
If you wish to travel by Intercity Bus, I recommend you get the Flexipass where you buy hours, and you can travel any route in the country depending on how long the bus is. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.
As of 2026, InterCity FlexiPass starts at 140 NZD for 10 hours, with 15 hours at 199 NZD and 30 hours at 280 NZD. Work out the actual bus hours required by your itinerary before choosing a pass. For more information, visit the official InterCity FlexiPass page here.
By Air: New Zealand, especially the South Island, is pretty remote. If you are planning to travel between big cities like Christchurch and Queenstown to get to remote places, I recommend flying instead, as it is faster and often cheaper than taking the bus.
Air New Zealand operates nonstop Queenstown to Christchurch and Queenstown to Auckland flights, while other domestic options vary by route and season. Airfares are dynamic, so compare the actual fare for your travel date rather than planning around a fixed 35 - 100 USD range.
By Campervan: One of the most popular ways to get around the South Island is to rent a campervan, which will allow you to travel anywhere you like and save a ton of money on accommodation by allowing you to sleep at campsites around the country. I recommend renting a campervan in Auckland and driving around the country if you have the money.
There are several well-known campervan rental companies that I have seen people driving all over the country, such as Jucy, Spaceships, and Britz, so be sure to check them out when you are in Auckland.
By Car: You can rent a car directly from Christchurch International Airport, which gives you far more flexibility for scenic stops and remote trailheads. Rental prices vary significantly by season, vehicle, insurance, and booking date, so compare current rates rather than budgeting around a fixed daily price.
If you have the money and you wish to have the freedom to stop whenever you want, and trust me, you will as New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, I recommend you get the car. You can rent a car in Christchurch here.
By Tours: For some places like Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier Hike, it is better to go with organized tours instead, as the logistics of visiting these remote places are more accessible if you let the tours organize them for you. For activities, I highly recommend you check Viator.com for cheap deals that you might not get offline.
By Walk: When you arrive in cities and towns in New Zealand, you can expect to walk to most tourist attractions around the city center. New Zealand is known for its abundance of beautiful tracks and trails, and you will find beautiful nature walking trails in just about any city you visit. Plus, they are all free!
How Much Does It Cost to Travel 2 Weeks on the South Island, New Zealand?
With the 2-week itinerary recommended here, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending on this trip as follows:
Accommodation: For 15 days in New Zealand, you will be spending around 431 USD on accommodation.
Food: For 14 days, I would now budget roughly 420 - 700 NZD if you mix supermarket food with casual meals. Queenstown, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, and tourist restaurants can push this higher.
Transportation: A 30-hour InterCity FlexiPass currently costs 280 NZD. This itinerary also requires separate transport around Aoraki/Mt. Cook and both ends of the Routeburn Track, so I would budget at least another 200 - 300 NZD for those shuttles and transfers. Exact shuttle fares vary by date.
Routeburn Track: During the 2026/27 Great Walks season, international adults pay 132 NZD per hut per night. The 2-night itinerary described here therefore adds 264 NZD in hut fees, before food and track transfers.
Activities: Many hikes and viewpoints are free, but paid activities add up quickly. Milford Sound day tours currently start from around 156 NZD, scenic flights at Aoraki/Mt. Cook from around 385 NZD, and Queenstown adventure activities can add several hundred dollars each.
Total budget for 2 weeks on the South Island, New Zealand: Around 2,460 NZD (1,395 USD), excluding the scenic helicopter flight and other optional adventure activities.
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
Wi-Fi quality varies by accommodation and café, but for a trip that includes long stretches through the Mackenzie Country, Fiordland, and alpine areas, I would still carry a local SIM or eSIM. Mobile coverage can be limited or unavailable on remote roads and hiking tracks.
Spark currently sells visitor Travel Packs from 29 NZD with data, calls, and texts, while data-only eSIM options start from 15 NZD. Physical travel SIMs are available in Spark stores after arrival, and compatible phones can use an eSIM.
Download offline maps and any track information you need before heading into remote areas such as Milford Road and the Routeburn Track, where you should not rely on continuous mobile coverage.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
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