Exploring New Zealand's South Island

Day 1: Christchurch to St Arnaud, Tasman

We hit the road from Christchurch, soaking up the South Island scenery as we made our way north. A stop at Pegasus Bay Winery gave us the perfect excuse to stretch our legs. By late afternoon, we rolled into Kerr Bay Campsite, right on the edge of the stunning Lake Rotoiti. The lake looked absolutely magical in the evening light. It was the perfect start to our adventure.

Day 2: St Arnaud

We continued our journey through the Tasman region, heading towards the wild beauty of the west coast. After winding our way through remote roads, we arrived at Wharariki Beach Campground. In the afternoon, we set off on the Wharariki Beach Walk, which led us through rolling farmland and windswept dunes to one of the most breathtaking beaches we've ever seen.

Day 3: Wharariki Beach Tasman

We took the scenic route today, with a stop in the charming town of Collingwood. It’s a lovely little place, and we couldn’t resist grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat at The Courthouse Café. In the afternoon we visited Wharariki Beach again before settling down for the night.

Day 4: Carters Beach Westport

We said goodbye to the remote charm of Wharariki, the drive through Buller Gorge was nothing short of spectacular. The dramatic cliffs, lush bush, and the winding river made it one of the most memorable stretches of road on our trip.

We made a quick stop in Wakefield to grab a bite. We were pleasantly surprised by the local pie shop, they were incredible!

By late afternoon, we rolled into Carters Beach and settled into the Carters Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, just a stone’s throw from the sea. A peaceful end to a day packed with scenic highlights.

Day 5: Carters Beach Westport - Woodpecker Bay West Coast

We continued our road trip along the West Coast, where every bend in the road offered another stunning view. A stop in Hokitika was a highlight, we strolled along Hokitika Beach and treated ourselves to lunch at the Hokitika Sandwich Shop (highly recommend!). And yes, we made room for a visit to West Coast Pie Co too.

Later in the day, we wandered through the lush beauty of the Pororari River track before arriving at Woodpecker Bay. With its dramatic cliffs and ocean views, it felt like something straight off a postcard.

We stayed at the Woodpecker Bay Freedom Camping site, where we parked up right by the sea. Falling asleep with the waves just outside our door was pure magic.

Day 6: Woodpecker Bay West Coast - Lake Camp Canterbury

We left Woodpecker Bay and travelled through Arthur’s Pass, taking in the spectacular alpine scenery. Along the way, we stopped at Irimahuwhero Lookout to capture some photos of the stunning views. We also made a return visit to the Hokitika Sandwich Shop. It really was that good.

We spent the night at Lake Camp Freedom Camping.

Day 7: Lake Camp Canterbury - Omarama Mackenzie Country

We set off from Lake Camp and made our way to Omarama, stopping to visit the famous Mount Sunday filming site from The Lord of the Rings. Exploring the surrounding Hakatere Lakes area gave us a chance to enjoy some stunning landscapes and take in the peaceful atmosphere.

We stayed overnight at Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park.

Day 8: Omarama Mackenzie Country - Mount Cook Mackenzie Country

We travelled along Mount Cook Road, enjoying the stunning views of the area. We stopped at the Mount Cook viewpoint, which turned out to be a perfect spot for lunch surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The crisp mountain air and clear skies made it a memorable and refreshing break on the road.

For the night, we stayed at Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping.

Day 9: Mount Cook Mackenzie Country - Tekapo

We made our way to Tekapo, where we enjoyed a relaxing day at the Lakes Edge Holiday Park. It was the perfect spot to unwind and take in the serene surroundings after several days on the road. The peaceful lakeside setting made for a truly restful break.

We stayed overnight at Lakes Edge Holiday Park.

Day 10 & 11: Tekapo - Christchurch

We made the journey from Tekapo to Christchurch, taking our time to enjoy the drive and the changing landscape. We stayed at a freedom camping spot in Christchurch, giving us a quiet place to rest before returning the van the following morning.