10-Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary for Families

We flew out of Australia on 11 February 2020 and started our year on the road with a South Island road trip from Queenstown to Picton. Rimaha had not seen much of this side of New Zealand, and I wanted the kids to see the lakes and mountains before we left for the rest of the world.

This is the 10-day South Island itinerary I would book now. Our actual drive was faster than that. I have kept what we did, then added the extra nights I still wish we had taken.

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Table of Contents

• South Island Road Trip Overview
• Hiring a Car for Queenstown to Picton
• Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown
• Day 2: Queenstown
• Day 3: Glenorchy and Arrowtown
• Day 4: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
• Day 5: Tekapo and Totara Valley
• Day 6: Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs
• Day 7: Hanmer Springs
• Day 8: Lewis Pass to Kaiteriteri
• Day 9: Kaiteriteri
• Day 10: Nelson to Picton
• Complete Accommodation Guide
• Planning Your South Island Road Trip
• What We Would Do Differently
• South Island Road Trip Map
• Frequently Asked Questions

South Island Road Trip Overview

• Duration: 10 days recommended (we did it in about a week)
• Distance: About 1,200 km plus local side trips
• Best time to visit: December to February, or March to May for fewer crowds
• Travel style: Family road trip with kids aged 3, 7, and 9
• Start: Queenstown
• End: Picton, then the Interislander ferry to Wellington
• Pace: Relaxed if you take the full 10 days. Ours was a speedy mission.

This is the eastern and northern route: Queenstown, the Mackenzie Country, Hanmer Springs, Kaiteriteri, then Picton. It is not the classic Milford Sound and West Coast loop. If those are on your list, add them before day 1 or come back for a second South Island itinerary.

Hiring a Car for Queenstown to Picton

We kept costs down with relocation rental cars and swapped vehicles in Christchurch when the first booking ended. That works if your dates are flexible. If you want a normal one-way hire from Queenstown to Picton, I compare options on DiscoverCars.com.

I personally book through DiscoverCars.com when we need a standard hire. It compares dozens of suppliers in one search, and I can see one-way fees before I commit. Read the Rental Conditions on the booking, because mileage, deposits, and drop-off rules change by supplier. Bring your booking voucher to pick-up. A phone screenshot is fine. DiscoverCars.com also has 24/7 multilingual customer support if something goes wrong on the road.

Full Coverage is a separate product you can add at checkout. It is not travel insurance. It only reduces your liability if the rental car is damaged. We still travel with World Nomads for medical and trip cover.

A regular family car is enough for this route. All the roads are sealed. Automatics are widely available. If you are travelling with car seats and a week of bags, a small SUV is more comfortable than a tiny hatchback. We learned that the messy way when a Mitsubishi ASX replacement took an hour to pack.

Search Queenstown to Picton rental cars once your ferry date is locked. One-way stock disappears in summer.

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown

Fly into Queenstown and keep this first afternoon easy. We stayed only two nights (11 to 13 February) and it was not enough. I would book four nights in town if I were planning this South Island family road trip again.

We stayed at Queenstown Holiday Park on a budget. It was comfortable and close enough to town. Walk the lakefront, grab groceries, and let everyone sleep after the flight.

Day 2: Queenstown

Give Queenstown a full day. Take the Skyline gondola for the view and the luge. Add the TSS Earnslaw if you want a gentler afternoon. The Shotover Jet is there if your older kids want something faster.

We spent most of this day simply enjoying the town. It is still one of my favourite places in New Zealand.

Day 3: Glenorchy and Arrowtown

Glenorchy

Do not skip Glenorchy. The drive out of Queenstown is one of the best on the whole trip. We stopped for a picnic lunch by the water.

Coronet Peak

We skipped Coronet Peak because the itinerary was too tight. The drive is only about 25 minutes from Queenstown, so it works as a stop on the way to Arrowtown if you have a spare morning. I have been up there on an older trip. If I can get the pre-digital photos from mum, I will add one.

Arrowtown

You can spend a full day in Arrowtown without staying the night. The kids panned for gold in the river and loved the Chinese Settlement. We did it as a day trip from Queenstown. It also works as a stop on the way toward Wanaka if you add that night.

Day 4: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo

This is the big scenic driving day. Our actual route was Queenstown, Peter’s Lookout, Tekapo Observatory, the Church of the Good Shepherd, then Totara Valley. It is beautiful and it is long. If you can, break it with a night in Tekapo or Mount Cook village.

Wanaka

About an hour from Arrowtown. We skipped it. I would add a night here now, or use Cromwell as a shorter stop. There is a puzzle house in Wanaka I still want to take the kids to.

Peter’s Lookout, Lake Pukaki

Do not miss this. We stopped for picnic lunch and a summer swim. The water is freezing most of the year, so keep towels in the car and do not promise a long dip.

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

This is another stop we skipped and should not have. It is only about 40 minutes from the lookout. If you have the extra night, use it here. Hooker Valley is the walk I would plan with school-age kids.

Lake Tekapo Observatory

Do not skip the observatory stop. The view is worth the short detour, and it is even better when the lake is full. From Mount Cook village it is about 90 minutes. From Peter’s Lookout it is closer to an hour.

Church of the Good Shepherd

Fifteen to 20 minutes down from the observatory. We had fish and chips here for dinner and wandered the shoreline after.

Day 5: Tekapo and Totara Valley

Stay in Tekapo if you want shops and an easier morning. We drove an extra hour to a two-bedroom farmstay in Totara Valley because we wanted space and animals.

The kids did the morning feed. I still wish we had stayed two nights. If you come out this way, give them that second morning.

You can open our saved map for this first leg.

Day 6: Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs

We drove Totara Valley, Christchurch, then Hanmer Springs in one day. The drive itself was fine. The hard part was the car swap. We received a Mitsubishi ASX and spent an hour fitting everything in.

Open the saved map for this leg.

Christchurch and Akaroa

Christchurch was just over two hours from the farmstay. If you are not on a relocation deadline, spend a night in the city or go out to Akaroa for lunch. I have been to both with my mum when she lived in Christchurch. We skipped them because we were on a tight schedule.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is about two and a half hours from Christchurch, then another two hours to Hanmer Springs. I have still not driven that coast road and I would love to. Stay a night if whale watching is on your list, or treat it as a long lunch stop.

Day 7: Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is two hours from Christchurch and a good reset after the Mackenzie drive. We stayed in a one-bedroom cabin at Forest Peak Motel. It worked on a budget. The trampoline and play area helped. Next time I would book something a bit more comfortable.

The pools are the reason to stay. I always hunt for the hottest water. Elijah was too young for the hottest pools. The bigger kids used the slides. I was less keen on standing in the cold air between rides.

Day 8: Lewis Pass to Kaiteriteri

Hanmer Springs to Kaiteriteri over Lewis Pass is a long day. Use this map for the drive. Leave early and plan a picnic.

Maruia Falls

About two hours from Hanmer Springs. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed the break as much as the view. Do not swim. The pool at the base looks calm and the current is not.

Arrive in Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri is just over two hours from the falls. My cousin lives there, so we were lucky to stay two nights. It was not long enough. I would book a minimum of three nights now. Kayaking is at the top of my list for a return visit.

Day 9: Kaiteriteri

Keep this as a beach day. Swim, walk, and book a kayak or water taxi into Abel Tasman if the weather is kind. This is the reward after the inland driving.

Day 10: Nelson to Picton

Nelson is about an hour from Kaiteriteri. We stayed there the night before the ferry because Rimaha and I have already had a close call missing a ferry in the Greek Islands. We arrived in the evening and left early. You could easily spend a few nights here if you want lakes and national parks.

We stayed at The Hotel Nelson. It is still one of the best-value stays we have found in New Zealand.

Picton and the Interislander

Picton is the last stop on this South Island road trip. We crossed to Wellington on the Interislander.

If you are dropping a rental car or campervan, do not turn off at the first hire-car sign near the information centre. Keep going to the departures area beside the main ferry terminal. Use this map pin. The drop-offs are there.

We turned off at the information centre first, then had too many bags, children, and a car seat. The coin trolleys were all at the main terminal. I walked over without coins, started to panic, and Rimaha drove the car around to the proper drop-off. We reached check-in with just enough time.

From Wellington you can keep going north. We have more New Zealand notes in our Bay of Islands guide, Rotorua local’s guide, and Mount Maunganui family guide.

Complete Accommodation Guide

Queenstown (4 nights recommended, we stayed 2)

• Stay: Queenstown Holiday Park
• Why we chose it: Good location on a budget, easy with kids
• Family tip: Book extra nights here before you add extra stops later in the trip

Totara Valley (2 nights recommended, we stayed 1)

• Stay: Penrock Cottage Farmstay
• Why we loved it: Animals, space, morning feeding
• Alternative: Stay in Tekapo if you want a shorter driving day

Hanmer Springs (2 nights recommended, we stayed 1)

• Stay: Forest Peak Motel
• Why we chose it: Play area, simple cabin, close to the pools
• Family tip: The pools are the whole point of this stop

Nelson (1 night)

• Stay: The Hotel Nelson
• Why we loved it: Best value of the trip, and a calm base before the ferry

Planning Your South Island Road Trip

Best time to visit

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warmest weather, best for swimming and long days
• Autumn (Mar-May): Fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures, cheaper beds
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Beautiful, colder, and some walks get limited
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild days, flowers, good walking if you pack layers

Budget snapshot

• Accommodation: $80-200 NZD per night for families
• Food: $50-100 NZD per day if you mix cooking and cafes
• Activities: $30-150 NZD per person for paid tours
• Fuel: About $200-300 NZD for this route
• Ferry: $200-400 NZD for passengers, more if the car crosses too

Our actual expenses (February 2020)

Accommodation

• Queenstown Holiday Park: $254 AUD ($170 USD) for 2 nights (11-13 Feb)
• Penrock Cottage Farmstay, Totara Valley: $154.92 AUD ($104 USD)
• Forest Peak Motel, Hanmer Springs: $182.79 AUD ($122 USD)
• The Hotel Nelson: $127.57 AUD ($85 USD)

11-13 February

Food & dining: meals $143 AUD, groceries $50 AUD, total $193 AUD ($130 USD)

Transport: fuel $95 AUD ($64 USD)

14 February

Activities: Hanmer Springs Thermal Park $86 AUD ($58 USD)

Food & dining: groceries $104 AUD plus $10.46 AUD, total $114.46 AUD ($77 USD)

15 February

Food & dining: meals $30 AUD ($20 USD)

16 February

Food & dining: meals $59 AUD ($40 USD)

17 February

Transport: fuel $77 AUD ($52 USD) and car rental $110 AUD ($74 USD)

Food & dining: meals $57.50 AUD ($39 USD)

Other: posting a suitcase domestically in New Zealand $53 AUD ($36 USD)

18 February

Transport: car rental $155 AUD ($104 USD)

Exchange rates as of February 2020: 1 AUD = 0.67 USD. Treat these as a snapshot, not 2026 prices.

Packing

• Warm layers (weather changes quickly in the mountains)
• Sun protection (the UV index is high)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Swimwear for pools and summer lakes
• Rain jackets
• Snacks and water bottles for the long drives

Driving tips

• Drive on the left
• Leave extra time for photo stops
• Check Lewis Pass and mountain weather before you leave Hanmer
• Carry some cash for smaller places
• Download offline maps
• Compare one-way rental cars before you lock ferry tickets

What We Would Do Differently

1. Stay four nights in Queenstown instead of two
2. Add Wanaka or Cromwell between Arrowtown and Pukaki
3. Overnight at Aoraki/Mount Cook after Peter’s Lookout
4. Stay two nights at the farmstay or in Tekapo
5. Give Kaiteriteri three nights and actually kayak
6. Start the Picton drop-off at the ferry terminal, not the information centre
7. Add Akaroa or Kaikoura if we had two full weeks
8. Keep Milford Sound and the West Coast for a longer loop. This itinerary is the Queenstown-to-Picton family route, not the whole island

South Island Road Trip Map

Queenstown to Tekapo, Hanmer Springs, Kaiteriteri, and Picton. This is the recommended 10-day line, not a West Coast or Milford loop.

Saved legs from our trip:

• Queenstown to Totara Valley
• Totara Valley to Hanmer Springs
• Hanmer Springs to Picton

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need for a South Island road trip?

Allow 10 days for this Queenstown to Picton route if you want time in Queenstown, Tekapo, Hanmer Springs, and Kaiteriteri without rushing. We did it faster in February 2020 and it felt tight. You can drive it in 6 or 7 days, but you will skip swims, farm time, and the extra Queenstown night. If you have two weeks, add Wanaka, an overnight at Aoraki/Mount Cook, and another night in Abel Tasman.

What should you not miss on the South Island?

On this eastern and northern route, do not skip Glenorchy, Peter’s Lookout at Lake Pukaki, the Church of the Good Shepherd at Tekapo, Hanmer Springs, and Kaiteriteri. Those were the stops our kids still talk about. This itinerary does not include Milford Sound or the West Coast. If those are non-negotiable, add a week on the southern loop before you start this drive, or save them for a second trip.

What is the best month to visit the South Island?

December to February is the easiest window for swimming, long daylight, and mountain-pass driving with kids. We travelled in mid-February. Autumn (March to May) is quieter and often cheaper. Spring (September to November) is lovely for walking, with changeable weather. Winter still works if you want Queenstown snow, but pack extra layers and check Lewis Pass before you leave Hanmer.

Is a Queenstown to Picton road trip suitable for young children?

Yes. Our kids were 3, 7, and 9. The sealed roads are fine in a regular car. The hard part is stacking too many hours in one day. Build picnic stops at Glenorchy, Pukaki, and Maruia Falls, and keep a farmstay or holiday park night in the middle for laundry and running around. The Interislander ferry is a highlight if you give yourself extra time at the Picton drop-off.

Do you need a 4WD for this South Island itinerary?

No. Every road on this Queenstown to Picton route is sealed and well maintained. A standard family car or small SUV is enough. We used relocation rentals and later a Mitsubishi ASX. If you add unsealed side roads or winter alpine driving, check the rental conditions before you book. I compare one-way Queenstown to Picton cars on DiscoverCars.com so I can see vehicle type, mileage, and drop-off fees side by side.

How much should a family budget for this South Island road trip?

Plan NZ$200 to NZ$400 a day for a family of four or five, depending on stays and paid activities. In February 2020 our accommodation ranged from holiday-park and motel nights up to a farmstay, and food sat around AU$50 to AU$190 a day depending on whether we cooked. Fuel for the full route was a few hundred dollars, and Hanmer Springs tickets were AU$86 for us. The Interislander ferry is a separate line if you continue to Wellington.

What are the best stops on a 10-day South Island itinerary?

Days 1 to 3: Queenstown, Glenorchy, and Arrowtown. Day 4: Lake Pukaki and Tekapo, with Mount Cook as the add-on. Day 5: a quieter farmstay night. Day 6: Christchurch or Akaroa, then Hanmer Springs. Day 7: the pools. Day 8: Lewis Pass and Maruia Falls. Days 8 and 9: Kaiteriteri. Day 10: Nelson to Picton and the ferry. That is the recommended version. Our actual drive skipped Wanaka, Mount Cook village, Akaroa, and Kaikoura.

Can you rent a car one-way from Queenstown to Picton?

Yes. One-way rentals are common on this route because many families fly into Queenstown and ferry out of Picton. Compare suppliers on DiscoverCars.com before you travel, read the rental conditions, and bring your booking voucher to pick-up. One-way fees vary by company and season. We used relocation cars to keep costs down, which is a different product with tighter dates. If your dates are fixed, book the one-way car first and build the nights around it.

Ready to Plan Your South Island Adventure?

This South Island road trip is the version I would hand a friend with school-age kids and a Queenstown flight. Follow the 10-day outline, or stretch the same stops to two weeks. Either way, leave more time than we did.

Have you driven Queenstown to Picton with kids? Tell us the stop you would add.