12 days in South Island Itinerary
12 days in South Island Itinerary
Created using Inspirock South Island itinerary planner
Start: Bandar Seri Begawan
Fly
1
Queenstown
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Fox Glacier
— 1 night
Drive
3
Christchurch
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Mt. Cook Village
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Te Anau
— 3 nights
Bus to Queenstown, Fly to Bandar Seri Begawan
End: Bandar Seri Begawan
Sat, Dec 21 - Wed, Jan 1
Edit
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
See full calendar
2
nights
2
nights
©
Shallow Bay
Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.Queenstown is known for fun & games, adventure, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, take in nature's colorful creations at Queenstown Gardens, and take a memorable tour with Tours.
For other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Queenstown road trip planning app.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam to Queenstown is an approximately 15-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 4 hours traveling from Bandar Seri Begawan to Queenstown. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can drive to Fox Glacier.
Things to do in Queenstown
Find places to stay Dec 21 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
1
night
1
night
©
A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.On the 25th (Wed), take in the dramatic natural features at Franz Josef Glacier and then hike along Moraine Walk.
For traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Fox Glacier trip tool.
Drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can drive to Christchurch.
Things to do in Fox Glacier
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
See timeline
2
nights
2
nights
©
Garden City
Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.On the 26th (Thu), take a memorable ride with TranzAlpine Train and then enjoy breathtaking views from Christchurch Gondola. Here are some ideas for day two: see the interesting displays at International Antarctic Centre, then take an in-depth tour of Canterbury Museum, then take in nature's colorful creations at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Cardboard Cathedral.
To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Christchurch online attractions planner.
Traveling by car from Fox Glacier to Christchurch takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Mt. Cook Village.
Things to do in Christchurch
Find places to stay Dec 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
2
nights
2
nights
©
Siting under towering peaks of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt.Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): get outside with Aoraki/Mt. Cook, tour the pleasant surroundings at Hooker Valley Track, and then trek along Kea Point Track. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: trek along Sealy Tarns Track, then trek along Glencoe Walk, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Tekapo.
To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Mt. Cook Village online trip planner.
Getting from Christchurch to Mt. Cook Village by car takes about 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Te Anau.
Things to do in Mt. Cook Village
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 27 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
3
nights
3
nights
©
Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): hike along The Chasm Walk, then explore the activities along Milford Sound, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Gunn. On the 31st (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the activities along Te Anau Glowworm Caves and then identify plant and animal life at Doubtful Sound.
To see other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Te Anau trip builder site.
Explore your travel options from Mt. Cook Village to Te Anau with the Route module. On the 1st (Wed), you'll travel back home.
Things to do in Te Anau
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 29 — Jan 1:
Highlights from your trip
Similar trips
16 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM VANUATU
Queenstown
·
Haast
·
Franz Josef
16 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Christchurch
·
Hokitika
·
Dunedin
15 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Christchurch
·
Fox Glacier
·
Mt. Cook Village
10 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Wanaka
·
Queenstown
·
Te Anau
14 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Greymouth
·
Fox Glacier
·
Wanaka
14 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM ISRAEL
Christchurch
·
Fox Glacier
·
Mt. Cook Village
13 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Christchurch
·
Fox Glacier
·
Mt. Cook Village
22 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Wanaka
·
Mt. Cook Village
·
Dunedin
7 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Hokitika
·
Dunedin
·
Mt. Cook Village
15 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch
·
Mt. Cook Village
·
Te Anau
15 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Queenstown
·
Te Anau
13 days in South Island
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Christchurch
·
Mt. Cook Village
·
Te Anau
See more trips
South Island travel guide
Māui's Canoe
The wilder of New Zealand's two main islands, South Island offers a feast of nature in all its glory. Extensive, untouched plains connect alpine landscapes with rugged shorelines, creating a home for an abundance of animals and vegetation, on land and in the rich surrounding waters. Renowned as a window to the natural world before man (something that scores of film directors have tapped into over the years), South Island folds its cities and townships into the surrounding landscape, their populations adding something singular to the mix. On your trip to South Island, you'll witness the awe-inspiring cultural heritage of the Maori, whose art and architecture complements the developments of the colonial legacy. The result is a land of characterful buildings, rolling vineyards, and free-spirited adventure.
