We did 15 days in New Zealand South Island. But 10 days is the sweet spot. Enough to see the highlights without rushing. Enough to actually enjoy what you are looking at instead of just photographing it and moving on.
Here is the itinerary we used, compressed from our 15 days. If we were doing 10 days, this is exactly how we would plan it.
Who Is This 10-Day Itinerary For?
This is for families who want to see the best of the South Island without spending their whole holiday in a car. It covers the highlights and gives you real time at each place.
It works best if:
- You have 10 days including travel days
- You want a mix of scenery, activities, and some downtime
- You are comfortable with 2-4 hour drives as your longest days
- You want your kids to actually remember the trip
If you have only a week, see the 7-day version. If you have two weeks, the 14-day version is what we did and it was the right amount of time.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Winter driving in New Zealand is different from Singapore roads. Speed limits are lower. Roads are narrower. In winter, ice and snow are real hazards. Give yourself more time than Google Maps suggests.
We drove a campervan for 15 days. For this itinerary, a rental car or a mix of car plus accommodation works equally well. Campervan gives you flexibility but you pay for it in comfort trade-offs.
Book accommodation and car rentals early. Winter is peak season for family travel to New Zealand because that is when Singapore and Northern Hemisphere school holidays fall. Things book out 2-3 months ahead.
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, Settle In
The flight from Singapore is about 10 hours. You land in the morning. Everyone is tired. The kids are not at their best. Do not plan anything except collecting your vehicle, getting groceries, and finding your accommodation.
Christchurch itself is worth a half-day explore if you have energy. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are lovely. The city centre has been rebuilt after the earthquakes and has some interesting architecture. But if everyone is crashing, that is fine too. No shame in resting on day one.
Day 2: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Drive: 235 km, about 3 hours
Head north along the coast to Kaikoura. This is one of the most scenic coastal drives in New Zealand. Mountains on one side, ocean on the other, the whole way.
Stop number one: Ohau Lookout. This is where we saw wild seals. Not a zoo. Not a wildlife park. Just seals on the rocks doing their thing. The kids watched them for an hour and we had to drag them away.
Kaikoura is a small town. Good fish and chips. Nice coffee. The main draw is the scenery — mountains meeting the sea. It is a quiet, scenic stop that does not demand much from you.
Stay: Kaikoura
Day 3: Kaikoura to Westport
Drive: About 250 km, 3-4 hours
Today you head down the coast toward the West Coast. The scenery changes from coastal to something wilder. The West Coast of the South Island is known for its raw, rugged beauty.
Stop at Cape Foulwind — about 15 minutes from Westport. There is a seal colony here and a walk to the seal colony takes about 20 minutes. With kids who need to move, give it 45 minutes to an hour.
Westport itself is a small mining town. Not much to do but it is a good base for the night. Accommodation is cheaper here than in the more touristy spots.
Stay: Westport
Real tip: If you are doing the West Coast properly, check if your accommodation has a kitchen. The West Coast has good but limited dining options. Cooking your own dinner is often the better choice.
Day 4: Westport to Hokitika
Drive: About 130 km, 2 hours
Short drive today, which means more time at the stops. The West Coast road is beautiful — dense forest, rivers, and glimpses of the ocean.
Stop at Hokitika Gorge. The water here is this specific shade of blue that you do not believe until you see it in person. There is a 2 km walk to a viewing bridge. Flat enough for most kids. Beautiful enough for everyone.
Also stop at Paparoa National Park for a quick walk if you have energy. The Pancake Rocks are worth 30 minutes if you are passing through.
Stay: Hokitika. Holiday parks work well here. Good for families.
Day 5: Hokitika to Lake Tekapo
Drive: About 350 km, 4-5 hours
Longer drive today. You are cutting across to the inland side of the island. The scenery shifts from coastal forest to high country tussock plains.
The drive is the experience today. Stop when you see something interesting. There are not many towns so fuel up before you leave Hokitika.
Arrive at Lake Tekapo in the afternoon. The lake is that surreal turquoise colour that New Zealand lakes are famous for. In winter, with snow on the mountains around it, it is properly spectacular.
Must-see at Lake Tekapo:
- Church of the Good Shepherd — tiny wooden church on the lake edge. One of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. Go at sunset if you can.
- Dog statue — five minute stop. The kids will want a photo with it.
- Lake Tekapo hot springs — if the kids need a warm-up after a cold day, the hot springs are good. Especially in winter.
Stay: Lake Tekapo. Holiday homes book up in winter. Reserve months ahead.
Day 6: Mount Cook Day Trip from Lake Tekapo
Drive: About 100 km each way, 1.5 hours to the village
Today is dedicated to Mount Cook — the highest peak in New Zealand and the centrepiece of the Southern Alps.
The drive in is stunning. Mountains you have only seen in films are suddenly in front of you.
With kids, the Kea Point Track is the move. About 1 hour return, flat enough for most children, with views of the Mueller Glacier and Mount Sefton. If your kids are older and fitter, the Hooker Valley Track is one of the best day walks in New Zealand — 3 hours return, through glacial valleys, past rivers, with mountain views the whole way.
Read our full day-by-day account of the Mount Cook day to see exactly how we handled it with the kids.
Stay: Lake Tekapo again. One night here is not enough. Two nights is better.
Day 7: Lake Tekapo to Wanaka
Drive: About 250 km, 3 hours
Head south to Wanaka today. The drive takes you through the Lindis Pass — one of the iconic South Island mountain passes. Stop at the viewpoint. You will know why when you see it.
Wanaka is quieter than Queenstown. Less crowded. Same incredible lake setting. It feels like a small New Zealand town that happens to be surrounded by mountains and water.
What to do in Wanaka:
- Puzzling World — a half-day activity that the kids will talk about for weeks. The “weird building” is genuinely funny. Family combo ticket — we paid about NZ$99 for two adults and two kids. Worth it.
- Wanaka Lakefront — easy walk, beautiful views, a playground nearby. Good for the evening.
- Roys Point Lookout — short drive up for panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
Stay: Wanaka
Day 8: Wanaka to Queenstown
Drive: About 120 km, 1.5 to 2 hours via Crown Range Road
The Crown Range Road is the scenic route from Wanaka to Queenstown. It goes over a mountain pass with hairpin bends. If you have a head for heights, the views are incredible. If not, just close your eyes at the sharp bits.
Arrive in Queenstown by midday. Queenstown is action and adrenaline central but also just a beautiful place to walk around.
Afternoon in Queenstown:
- Walk the Lake Wakatipu foreland — free, beautiful, good for burning off afternoon energy
- Fergburger — get lunch here. The burgers are big. The queue moves fast. Everyone is happy.
- If you have energy, ride the Skyline Gondola — panoramic views of the town, lake, and mountains. Kids love it.
Stay: Queenstown. Accommodation is expensive. Holiday parks or Airbnb work better for families than hotels at this price point.
Day 9: Queenstown Activities
Full day in Queenstown. Pick activities that suit your family.
Queenstown Luge — if your kids have not done this yet, do it today. The cart-luge tracks are fun and the views are good. Budget half a day.
Kiwi Park Life — if you have younger kids who are tired from the drives, this is a more relaxed option. Native wildlife in a natural setting.
Arrowtown — 20 minutes from Queenstown. Historic gold mining village. Good for a morning walk, some window shopping, and a coffee. The Chinese settlement is interesting if you have older kids who want to learn something.
Evening: Walk the lake front again. Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants. Queenstown dining is not cheap but the quality is generally good.
Day 10: Queenstown, Fly Home
Morning for one last activity or just a relaxed breakfast before heading to the airport. Queenstown Airport is small. Security is quick. You will fly via Christchurch to Singapore.
If your flight is in the evening, the morning is a good time to do a short activity you missed or just sit by the lake with coffee while the kids play.
What We Would Skip in 10 Days
Ten days covers the highlights well. Here is what you can comfortably leave out:
- Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers — these are on the far West Coast, south of Hokitika. Beautiful but add significant drive time. Skip them for this trip.
- Greymouth — a transit town, not a destination. Stop for fuel if you need it but no need to linger.
- Arthur Pass — the inland route is scenic but the coastal route we used gives you more variety and better stops.
Budget Reality for 10 Days
- Rental car: NZ$100-NZ$180 per day for a family SUV. Campervan NZ$150-NZ$280 per day.
- Accommodation: NZ$150-NZ$300 per night for a family room or holiday home. Holiday parks NZ$100-NZ$180 for a family cabin.
- Food: Cook where you can. Supermarket runs in New Zealand are expensive by Singapore standards but still cheaper than eating every meal out. Budget NZ$60-NZ$120 per person per day for mixed cooking and dining.
- Activities: Puzzling World NZ$99 family ticket. Gondola NZ$40-NZ$90 per adult, kids partly free. Queenstown Luge NZ$30-NZ$55 per person.
10-Day South Island Itinerary Summary
| Day | Location | Key Activity | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Christchurch | Arrive, rest, groceries | Airport only |
| Day 2 | Kaikoura | Ohau Lookout seals, coastal walk | 3 hours |
| Day 3 | Westport | Cape Foulwind seal colony | 3-4 hours |
| Day 4 | Hokitika | Hokitika Gorge, lake views | 2 hours |
| Day 5 | Lake Tekapo | Church of Good Shepherd, lake front | 4-5 hours |
| Day 6 | Mount Cook day trip | Kea Point or Hooker Valley Track | 1.5 hours each way |
| Day 7 | Wanaka | Puzzling World, lake walk | 3 hours |
| Day 8 | Queenstown | Crown Range drive, Fergburger, lake front | 2 hours |
| Day 9 | Queenstown | Queenstown Luge, Arrowtown | Minimal |
| Day 10 | Queenstown | Morning walk, fly home | Airport only |
The Verdict
Ten days is enough. You see the highlights, you have time at each place, and you do not come home needing a holiday to recover from your holiday. The mix of coastal scenery (Kaikoura, West Coast), mountain lakes (Lake Tekapo, Wanaka), and activity base (Queenstown) covers every kind of moment a family trip needs.
If you have 14 days, do the 14-day itinerary instead. You get the West Coast properly, you add Timaru and Glentunnel as rest stops, and you have two full days in Queenstown instead of one. It is a significantly better experience.