top of page
Search

Van life! South Island NZ...

Kiwis everywhere! Just kidding you'll see triple the amount of fluffy sheep as you will actual humans. Now you might see some of kiwi the birds...


Pro tip- Take your van trip from May through September/ October (specifically I would say May/ June or September/ October are your sweet spots...July and August would be too cold) You can rent a van for almost half the price if you go during these slower months. Seriously..for a 9 day rental including insurance, and a winter pack (extra duvet, gas and hot water bottles), we only paid $467 USD. Keep in mind this isn't JUST a van- its a van that includes a bed and all cooking utensils. Talk about a stealllllll!


Start your journey in Christchurch, South Island. If you were feeling extra adventurous you can road trip all around South Island and take a car ferry with your van and return it in Auckland (North Island). We chose to return our van where we started in Christchurch and then fly to Auckland for a short trip after.


There are multiple places to rent your van from, we chose Spaceship Rentals! I would 100% recommend em'!


One upside to going during high season (besides the whole- you won't need many many layers) is from November to end of April is the great walk season- which are multi day hikes you have to book in advance- booking normally opens up in June. These are all once in a life time hut to hut trecks!


Again...if you take your trip in the colder months, BE PREPARED! As many layers as you've got!


Day 1-

Christchurch-


Your starting point!!! A clean and lovely city with good shopping and cute places to explore.


We stayed at the hostel Urbanz accommodations which was only a 15 minute walk to...


Where I recommend.... the Welder area


Start your day off with a yoga class at O Studio then grab breakfast at either Barefoot eatery or Grizzly Baked Goods.


Now Spaceship Rentals is back at the airport.


Go grab your van!!!!! (Pro tip- go grocery shopping right after this- grocery stores can be far and few between!!!)


And THEN head to Mt. Tekapo.

-Stretch your legs at Mt John Walkway (2 hour moderate hike)


(Where to park your van is a little bit of a struggle- it is illegal in many spots)


This night thankfully there is lovely freedom camping available. (Mackenzie Waitaki- 3540 Fairlie-Tekapo Rd) is free first come first serve RV camping. It should be on the RIGHT side of the road when your coming from town (emphasizing this because we accidentally went left and was confused in someones driveway)



Day 2-

Head towards Mount Cook!

  • stop by Lake Pukaki on your way out (its just a pull off, but a sure beautiful one!)

Now... when you arrive go straight to the Hooker valley treck. It takes 3 hours out and back, and is 360 degrees of beautiful views. The trail is pretty flat, you get to pass over 3 draw string bridges.


Pro tip- bring a little lunch to have a picnic at the tables at the end right next to the glacier lake



Freedom camping: Lake Poaka Campsite it is about 43 minutes away from Mt. Cook on your way into Queenstown.

Pro tip- go into Twizel on your way to the camp site and use the public restroom sink to wash your face/ teeth


Day 3-5

Queenstown! And trust me you could spend even more days here. I will warn- parking your van here is DIFFICULT!!!

The drive into Queenstown is seriously INSANE!!! I'm not sure how many different synonyms I can use- but wow this place is great.


-On your way into Queenstown you pass Cromwell which is where the Mt. Difficulty Vineyards are. Definitely take a stop!


-You'll also pass Franktown which is practically Queenstown and which is where Altitude Brewing is which is a fun afternoon stop, and The Boat Shed which has such a little cozy cabin feel and is right on the water. This spot has lunch and breakfast,


While here:

Check out some yoga:

-Wairua yoga

-Sangha yoga (they have aerial yoga!)

-Fierce Grace

-Nadi Wellness


Food:

-Fergburger: very very popular, there is always a line- but for good reason, the burgers are damn good!

-Bespoke kitchen: delish healthy breakfast

-Margos: Mexican spot

-Arthurs: fresh sandwich / wrap spot, a great place to go pre hike


Going out:

-Little Black Wood: Live music cocktail bar

-The Sun Deck: cozy bar with couches and fire which turns to a night club


To Do:

-Onsen hot pools: You can book an hour here and you get complimentary snacks and drinks, they are beautiful hot tubs that overlook the mountain range (they also have showers cough cough looking at you van life homies)



-Take a sunset walk around Lake Wakatipi (the lake right in town) (this is also a great spot to go for a run around the lake- they also have boat tours going out all the time)



-Hike Queenstown hill walkway! This is a GREAT hike that takes around 2 hours




Pro tip- while/ in between doing any of these activities...head to the laundromat and do some loads of laundry!


Day trips-

-Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy (way more about the drive then actual Glenorchy) it is a 45 minute drive from point to point but you want to make it a whole day endeavor and make some stops.

-Moke Lake: there's a path around the lake, but I recommend going up one of the trails and climbing the hill for a birds eye view! We parked at the first sign we saw and walked a wooden bridge then headed up and up!



-Bobs Cove: pretty chill 3 hour ish stroll with a little up hill, very woodsy and along a lake

-In Glenorchy it is fun to stop at Mrs Woollys general store before turning back around


Day 6- Milford Sound

The closest town to Milford Sound is Te Anau. You can book a tour from Te Anau or drive yourself to Milford Sound. If you don't book a tour still book a boat ride, because it is really cool to boat around the fiords and out in the ocean past waterfalls jetting right into the sea!


Milford Sound is in Fiordland National Park where there are heaps of hikes and even two great walks here! So you could always do one day on a boat tour and one day hiking!


So many people say not to drive to Milford Sound yourself because its dangerous, in reality its the tourists driving who are scary not the roads, but I would recommend a tour regardless because then they take care of figuring out the boat and our guide told us a lot of great info.



Another option: you can drive to Manapouri (20 minutes from Te Anau) and do a tour of Doubtful Sound (a little further off the beaten track then Milford Sound). We didn't feel to over crowded since we were there off season but I would consider going to Doubtful Sound instead of Milford if your planning to come peak season.


Day 7 and 8- Arrowtown and Wanaka, You will now do a little backtracking towards Queenstown (maybe you stop back through- who could blame you!)


Arrowtown- is a cute little mining town, its just one little strip but it is worth stopping! It's only 15 minutes from Queenstown.


Wanaka-

bigger town on a lake! An hour from Queenstown.


In town-

-Scroggin: breckie, it feels like you are in your trendy grandmas log cabin

-Burrito Craft: yummy food truck

-Base: cute boutique

-Kamino: coffee shop with a rooftop


2 Great Hike Options-

-Roys Peak: amazing for sunrise, 7 hour hike


-Rocky Peak: give it at least 3 hours to complete, this hike has 360 mountain views and you feel like you are a hobbit hiking up to a queens house


Pro tip- get all your shopping and fill up on gas in Wanaka before hitting the road


Day 9- Drive from Wanaka to Fox Glacier- there are all sorts of goodies to see on this scenic drive

-Lake Hawea lookout

-Fantail falls: 2 min walk from car park

-Thunder creek falls: 3 min walk from car park, this one is biiiiiggggg


Fox Glacier:

20-30ish minute walk to glacier view point (its gotten so small these days, so sad!)


Franz Josef Glacier: used to be a longer trail, but a creek has formed so again its only a 20 minute walk!


Splurge: and stay at Fox Glacier Top 10 Holiday Park! This place has showers, and a kitchen!



Drive from here to Christchurch...To return your van! If you want to stretch your legs along the way, stop at Bealey Valley Treck, it is a 40 minute little walk!



NZ is truly something of only my wildest dreams...from the jaw dropping mountains visible from the long winding roads, to the little towns, this place is pure magic.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page