We did 15 days in New Zealand South Island with our kids. But not everyone has that luxury. So when friends started asking me “can we do it in a week?” I sat down and figured it out.
Here is the honest answer. Yes, you can do New Zealand South Island in 7 days. But you have to be strategic about where you go and you have to skip some things that look tempting but are not worth the drive time.
Who Is This 7-Day Itinerary For?
If you have one week off and you want the most out of New Zealand South Island without burning out, this is for you.
It works best if:
- You are flying in of Christchurch and out of Queenstown.
- You have kids who can handle 2-3 hour drives
- You want mountains, lakes, and at least one proper “wow” moment every day
- You do not want to spend half your holiday in the car
If you have more time, check out the 10-day version or the 14-day version of this itinerary.
What You Need to Know Before We Start
We drove the South Island in winter. Everything below is based on what we actually did. Drive times are real — we measured them with Google Maps plus 15 percent buffer for winter road conditions. In summer, some of these drives might be faster.
Max speed on open roads is 100 km/h. Most mountain roads are 80 km/h or less. So do not believe Google Maps when it says 3 hours. In winter, call it 4.
We had a campervan. You do not need one for this itinerary but it helps with flexibility. More on that in the tips below.
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch, Recover
Flight from Singapore to Christchurch is about 10 hours. You land around 9 am local time. Everyone is blur, the kids are dragging jackets and looking like they just woke up from hibernation.
Do not plan anything ambitious today. Collect your rental car or campervan. Get groceries. Find your accommodation. Let the kids adjust.
What we did: Picked up our campervan, got McDonald’s for the kids because no one was negotiating, and just let everyone breathe.
Real tip: If you are renting a car, book it months in advance. Although Winter is not that peak for families and sometimes vehicles sell out than campervan.
Day 2: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Drive: About 235 km, roughly 3 hours
This is one of the most scenic short drives in New Zealand. The road hugs the coast the whole way. You will see the Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains on the other.
Your main stop: Ohau Lookout. This is where we saw wild seals. Not in a zoo. Not behind a fence. Just seals being seals on the rocks. The kids lost their minds.
There is a huge seal colony here and a seal walkway. Give it an hour, maybe two if the kids want to run around.
Kaikoura itself is a small town. Good fish and chips. Nothing fancy. But the setting — surrounded by mountains and sea — is genuinely beautiful.
Stay: Kaikoura
What we paid: Accommodation varies. Holiday homes start around NZ$120 per night. Book early in winter — Kaikoura fills up on weekends.
Day 3: Kaikoura to Lake Tekapo
Drive: About 300 km, 4 hours
Today is your longest drive day. Leave Kaikoura by 9 am and head to Lake Tekapo. The road goes inland and climbs through some serious mountain terrain.
Winter tip: Check the road status before you leave. Black ice is real. If it snowed overnight, the road might be closed in the morning. We left slowly and safely. No rush.
On the way, you will pass through Geraldine — good for a fuel stop and a snack. The kids need to move every few hours so do not skip the rest stops.
Lake Tekapo is one of those places that does not look real. The lake is a specific shade of turquoise that you only believe when you see it. In winter, with snow on the mountains around it, it looks like a postcard.
Must-see at Lake Tekapo:
- The Church of the Good Shepherd — small wooden church right on the lake edge. Famous for good reason. Go at sunset if you can.
- The statue of the border collie — locals call it the dog statue. Quick photo stop.
- Astoria Valley viewpoints — drive up for panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
Stay: Lake Tekapo. Accommodation is limited so book ahead. Holiday homes and Airbnb work well for families.
Day 4: Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook, Back to Lake Tekapo
Drive: About 100 km each way, 1.5 hours to Mount Cook village
Today is a day trip from Lake Tekapo. Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. The drive in gives you those classic big-mountain views the South Island is famous for.
Do not try to do the Hooker Valley Track with very young kids unless they are used to long walks. It is a 3-hour return track. But if your kids can handle it — the views are unreal. Glaciers, rivers, suspension bridges, and mountains towering above you.
With younger kids, do the shorter Kea Point Track instead. About 1 hour return, still gives you incredible mountain scenery without the full trek.
Read our full day-by-day account of our Mount Cook day to see exactly how we handled it with kids.
Stay: Lake Tekapo again. Saves you packing up and gives you another evening at the lake.
Day 5: Lake Tekapo to Wanaka
Drive: About 250 km, 3 hours
Head south to Wanaka today. The drive is beautiful — Lindis Pass is the highlight. That stretch of road through the mountains opens up to this incredible landscape that looks like someone painted it.
Stop at Lindis Pass Viewpoint. It is right on the road. You cannot miss it. Five minutes to stretch your legs and take photos.
Wanaka is smaller and quieter than Queenstown. Less crowded, same stunning lake. It feels like what Queenstown probably felt like 20 years ago.
What to do in Wanaka with kids:
- Puzzling World — Great for a half day. The weird building and illusions make the kids laugh. Family combo tickets available. We spent about 2-3 hours here and the kids loved it.
- Wanaka Lakefront — Flat walk, beautiful views, playground nearby. Good for an evening stroll.
Stay: Wanaka
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown
Drive: About 120 km, 1.5 to 2 hours
The drive from Wanaka to Queenstown goes over the Crown Range Road. This is one of the most spectacular drives you will do in New Zealand. Hairpin bends, mountain passes, views that make you forget to breathe.
Take it slow. Stop at the viewpoints. The road is narrow in parts so give yourself time.
Queenstown is action central. For kids, the main draws are:
- Queenstown Luge — Kids love this. You ride a luge cart down a track. There are different tracks for different skill levels. Half day activity minimum.
- Lake Wakatipu views — Walk around the lake front. The mountains coming straight out of the water is a sight.
- Fergburger — Not a tourist activity but a Queenstown institution. The burgers are massive. The queue moves fast. Everyone in the family will be happy.
Stay: Queenstown. Accommodation is expensive in peak season. Book early. Holiday parks work well for families if you want to save on accommodation.
Day 7: Queenstown, Fly Home
Depending on your flight time, you might have a morning for one last activity. The Kiwi Park is good for kids who want to see native birds. Or just walk the lake front and grab coffee.
Queenstown Airport is small. Security is quick. Domestic flights to Christchurch to connect to your Singapore flight.
What We Would Skip in 7 Days
With only one week, you cannot do everything. Here is what I would leave out:
- West Coast towns (Hokitika, Westport, Greymouth) — Beautiful but too far south and off the main route. Adds 2-3 days minimum to see properly.
- Arthur Pass — The alternative route from Christchurch to the West Coast. Great scenery but not worth it in a tight timeframe.
- Glaciers (Franz Josef, Fox) — On the West Coast, further south. Unless you are specifically doing a South Island circuit, skip them for a one-week trip.
Budget Reality for 7 Days
Here is what we spent on our equivalent days. Your costs will vary but this gives you a reference.
- Rental car: NZ$80-NZ$150 per day for a family sedan. Add NZ$30-50 per day for a campervan if you want one.
- Accommodation: NZ$120-NZ$250 per night for a holiday home or Airbnb that fits a family. Holiday parks NZ$80-NZ$150 for a cabin.
- Food: Budget NZ$50-NZ$100 per person per day if you cook some meals. Eating out in Queenstown is not cheap.
- Activities: Puzzling World family ticket NZ$99. Queenstown Luge NZ$30-NZ$50 per person. Mount Cook tracks are free.
7-Day South Island Itinerary Summary
| Day | Location | Key Activity | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Christchurch | Arrive, rest, pick up rental | Airport only |
| Day 2 | Kaikoura | Seal spotting at Ohau Lookout | 3 hours |
| Day 3 | Lake Tekapo | Church of the Good Shepherd, lake views | 4 hours |
| Day 4 | Mount Cook day trip | Hooker Valley Track or Kea Point | 1.5 hours each way |
| Day 5 | Wanaka | Puzzling World, lake front walk | 3 hours |
| Day 6 | Queenstown | Queenstown Luge, Fergburger, lake views | 2 hours |
| Day 7 | Queenstown | Morning activity, fly home | Airport only |
The Verdict
Seven days is tight. You will feel the drive days. But if you pick the right places — Kaikoura, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown — you will see the best of the South Island without coming home more tired than when you left.
If you can stretch it to 10 days, you will have a much better experience. The 10-day itinerary adds the West Coast and gives you more time at each place.
And if you have two weeks? The 14-day version is the one you want. That is where we did the full South Island loop and it was the right amount of time.
No matter which version you pick, the South Island delivers. It is one of the few places that actually looks better than the photos.