2-Week New Zealand South Island Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week New Zealand South Island tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaNew Zealand South Island travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Days in New Zealand, incl. Auckland and Queenstown

  The South Island reveals its finest over 8 days, from Christchurch to Fiordland National Park. The route takes in Kaikoura's seal colony, Franz Josef Glacier's rainforest, and dramatic fjord cruising. Hokitika showcases its jade craftsmanship and stunning gorge.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Auckland & Rotorua

    Arrive in Auckland by 2 PM to join the evening Kiwi cooking class. Start your next day with an 8 AM Mt Eden Summit walk to catch the best morning views over Auckland. Drive 3 hours to Rotorua, stopping at Eat Street food market for lunch. Finish your day relaxing in Lake Rotoiti's secluded hot springs.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Rotorua Cultural Immersion

    Visit Kohutapu Lodge for a full day of Māori cultural experiences. Watch traditional hangi meal preparation and explore the ancient Whirinaki Rainforest. Your second day is open for activities like white water rafting ($125 NZD) or the Rotorua Canopy Tour.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Waitomo & South Island Transfer

    Visit the Waitomo glow worm caves mid-morning to avoid crowds. Drive 2.5 hours back to Auckland for your South Island flight. After landing in Christchurch, drive 2.5 hours to Kaikoura. Visit the seal colony in late afternoon when the seals are most active.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Kaikoura & West Coast

    Start with an early morning whale watching tour ($175 NZD) when the sea is calmest. Take the scenic 5-hour coastal drive to Hokitika, stopping at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Spend time in this historic gold mining town shopping for green stone and walking the beach at sunset.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Drive 2.5 hours to Franz Josef, crossing the blue waters of Hokitika Gorge. Take the glacier valley walk in the afternoon but bring good shoes as the track gets slippery. Consider a heli-hike the next day ($698 NZD) to explore the glacier up close.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Queenstown & Fiordland

    Start early for the 8-9 hour drive to Queenstown, with stops at Lake Wanaka. Take a full day to explore Queenstown, including the gondola views. Plan an early start for your Fiordland trip (3-hour drive). Book a morning cruise for the best wildlife viewing and waterfall rainbows.

    
  • Day 14

    Departure

    Schedule an afternoon flight from Queenstown, leaving time for shopping or a final walk by the lake.

    

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• 14 Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary, incl. Queenstown and Franz Josef

  A 14-day South Island odyssey visits 9 destinations from Christchurch to Kaikoura. The package includes 13 nights accommodation, daily breakfasts, Milford Sound cruises, Franz Josef glacier adventures, and Abel Tasman National Park activities.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Christchurch to Queenstown

    Start in Christchurch and make your way to Lake Tekapo. Plan to arrive in the late afternoon for optimal stargazing at the Dark Sky Reserve. "The stargazing at Lake Tekapo was incredible - just make sure to bring warm layers as temperatures drop significantly after sunset." The next day takes you through Lindis Pass to Queenstown. Set aside 6 hours for the drive to account for photo stops.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Queenstown & Milford Sound

    Leave Queenstown at 7 AM for Milford Sound to beat the traffic. The 4-hour drive includes time for stops at Mirror Lakes. Schedule your cruise for early afternoon when lighting is ideal for photos. Spend a full day exploring Queenstown. Book any adrenaline activities ahead of time since they book up fast. Try to get morning bungy slots when lines are shorter.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Franz Josef Glacier

    The 5-hour drive from Queenstown will take you through Wanaka. Stop there for lunch before the crowds arrive at the lakefront cafes. A recent visitor suggests: "Book the heli-hike early in your stay. Weather changes quickly here and morning flights have the best chance of operating."

    
  • Days 7-8

    West Coast to Punakaiki

    Take Arthur's Pass to the West Coast. It's about 4 hours from Franz Josef. Check local tide schedules to see the Pancake Rocks at their most impressive during high tide.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Abel Tasman National Park

    Stay in Marahau for the best park access. A past visitor recommends: "The coastal track can get busy - start hiking by 8 AM to have the golden beaches mostly to yourself. Bring water shoes for tide crossings."

    
  • Days 12-14

    Marlborough & Kaikoura

    Visit a Marlborough winery on your way to Kaikoura. Book the first whale watching tour of the day when the sea is usually calmest. Plan about 2.5 hours for the drive back to Christchurch. If you have an evening flight, aim to arrive by 3 PM.

    

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• 14 Day New Zealand Itinerary, incl. Auckland and Queenstown

  This 14-day self-drive covers 10 stops from Auckland to Queenstown across both islands. Soak in Secret Spot's cedar hot tubs overlooking Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua, check out Napier's art deco buildings, then ferry across Cook Strait. Pedal-powered kayaks get you close to fur seals along Kaikoura's coast.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Auckland

    Begin your New Zealand journey in the City of Sails. Take a morning city tour before 9 AM when traffic is light. You'll see historic Ponsonby and cross the Harbour Bridge to Mount Victoria for the best views of Auckland's skyline. Your afternoons are free to check out the Viaduct Harbour or take a quick ferry ride to Devonport.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Rotorua & Napier

    The drive to Rotorua takes about 3.5 hours. Book the Secret Spot Hot Tubs for late afternoon when it's cooler. Remember to bring swimwear and get there 15 minutes early. The next day is a 3-hour drive to Napier. If you can visit during the Art Deco Festival in February, you'll see the city at its best.

    
  • Day 5

    Wellington

    Take a full day to explore the capital. Start with an early morning cable car ride to the Botanic Gardens at 7 AM before the crowds show up. Book your Interislander ferry to the South Island ahead of time. The 2 PM sailing offers great views of the Marlborough Sounds in daylight.

    
  • Days 6-8

    Marlborough & Kaikoura

    Bike through Blenheim's wineries on flat, easy paths. Then drive 2 hours south to Kaikoura for seal kayaking. Book the morning tour for calmer seas. One traveler said: "The seals were incredibly playful in the morning, swimming right under our kayaks."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Christchurch & Lake Tekapo

    Spend your morning in Christchurch before the 3-hour drive to Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunset after the tour buses leave. If you're there from November to January, you'll see beautiful lupines around the lake.

    
  • Days 11-14

    Wanaka & Queenstown

    The 3-hour drive to Wanaka offers plenty of fruit stands along the Crown Range road. Plan your Milford Sound trip for the clearest day. The 4-hour drive each way is long but worth it for stunning reflections on the water. Schedule Queenstown activities for early morning to avoid crowds and see the Remarkables mountains in the best light.

    

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