10-day Christchurch to Queenstown itinerary

Christchurch and Queenstown are two must-visit destinations on a trip to the South Island. The journey between these two towns is the perfect opportunity for a road trip, and with Star RV branches in both locations, it's an ideal route for a campervan adventure.

A road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown usually takes you through Tekapo and Mount Cook. However, if you add a few extra days and travel via Dunedin, you can explore a more off-the-beaten-track route on this South New Zealand road trip.

You'll be treated to diverse landscapes, including lakes, mountains, windswept beaches and abundant wildlife. Along the remote and rarely visited Catlins Coast, you can spot rare penguins, Hector’s dolphins, sea lions, and albatross.

You'll also discover waterfalls, art galleries, and stunning campgrounds – all the things that make this an iconic New Zealand South Island adventure.

An itinerary breakdown

The great thing about this South New Zealand road trip is that the distances aren’t as long as in other parts of the South Island. You can comfortably spend each night in a different place without feeling rushed.

That said, you might want to add a night or two in both Christchurch and Queenstown, as each town offers a wealth of cultural and adventure activities to enjoy.

1. Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch
2. Day 2: Explore Oamaru
3. Day 3: Explore Dunedin
4. Day 4: Drive the length of the Otago Peninsula
5. Day 5: Nugget Point
6. Day 6: Purakaunui Bay
7. Day 7: Curio Bay
8. Day 8: Te Anau
9. Day 9: Milford Sound
10. Day10: Queenstown

A few quick tips for the road trip:

-The Catlins region is notoriously windy so make sure you take clothes for cooler weather.

-The best time of year to spot rare yellow-eyed penguins is from November to early March.

-One of the things you have to eat on this itinerary is a cheese roll, also known as Southland sushi.

-This trip follows the east coast, so if you're an early bird, you’ll be treated to stunning sunrises from scenic spots like Nugget Point.

-You can also do this trip in reverse, starting with a Dunedin to Christchurch road trip.

Day 1: Arrive and explore Christchurch

Christchurch is a fantastic place to start your South Island road trip. Take some time to explore the city centre – it’s one of New Zealand’s more walkable cities, with the beautiful Avon River flowing through its heart. Be sure to visit the Botanic Gardens and enjoy a stroll down the charming New Regent Street.

The classic Christchurch trifecta of activities includes punting on the Avon, hopping on the tram, and riding the gondola up to the Port Hills.

Where to stay: There are a couple of freedom camping spots along New Brighton Beach.

Don’t miss: Taylors Mistake is a lovely walk near Christchurch city centre.

Day 2: Explore Oamaru, the Steampunk capital of the world

The best stopover on the Dunedin to Christchurch drive is Oamaru. Allow around 3 hours for the drive south to Oamaru.

Whitestone City, the historic heart of Oamaru, is a creative quarter that has readapted white limestone buildings from the 1860s. Today, this precinct is filled with delightful shops and galleries. Be sure to visit Buggy Robot gallery for quirky creations, Inc. design store and Housekeepers design for fantastic shopping, and Tees Street Café and Cucina for lunch and dinner.

Steampunk HQ is a truly unique attraction in the Victorian precinct. This interactive art gallery offers an industrial take on steampunk, featuring an array of sculptures. Exploring Steampunk HQ takes about an hour and offers an exciting dive into a sci-fi world—great fun for all ages.

Oamaru is also famous for being home to both yellow-eyed and blue penguins. Visit the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony at dusk to see the little blue penguins waddling home after a day of fishing. ** Where to stay:** Harbour Tourist Park Oamaru offers an unbeatable location close to both the waterfront and the town centre. If you're lucky, you might even spot little blue penguins in the evening. ** Don’t miss:** Head out to Bushy Beach and camp at the cliff-top hide for a chance to see yellow-eyed penguins returning from the sea. Be very still and quiet for the best chance to spot these shy penguins. Even if you don’t see any, you’ll likely spot sea lions lounging on the sand below.

Day 3: Explore Dunedin

The second-largest city on the South Island, Dunedin is New Zealand's Scottish-inspired city – its name comes from the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh. The drive from Christchurch to Dunedin takes around 5 hours, while from Oamaru, it’s just 90 minutes.

To discover more about the history of Dunedin and the surrounding area, visit the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, which offers free entry. Other highlights include Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world, and the stunning Tunnel Beach, a 1-hour walk along Dunedin’s dramatic rocky coastline.

If you fancy a swim (or a hot shower), head to the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool. Located right next to St Clair Beach, you can enjoy the waves from the poolside. There's also the charming Long Dog Café at the entrance, perfect for coffee and cake while watching surfers through the windows as they ride the waves.

Day 4: Drive the length of the Otago Peninsula

The Otago Peninsula is a rugged finger of land extending into the Pacific Ocean. Its beaches, bays, and rocky coves are home to seals, penguins, and sea birds, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts. While you're there, you can also visit Larnach Castle.

From central Dunedin, you can drive out along the winding Highcliff Road. This route follows the ridge of the peninsula, offering sweeping ocean views. On the return journey, you can take Portobello Road, which runs along the water’s edge.

Where to stay: You can drive to the tip of the peninsula and back within a couple of hours, so there's no need to camp on the peninsula itself. Brighton Domain freedom camping is located 20 minutes south of Dunedin, far enough from the city to enjoy a peaceful beach and tranquil campsite.

Don’t miss: The Royal Albatross Centre, located at the end of the road, is a must-see. Here, you can take guided tours and observe the majestic albatross from the observatory. This is the world’s only mainland albatross colony, and witnessing these graceful birds with their three-metre wingspan is a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Day 5: Check out the lighthouse at Nugget Point

Nugget Point is a 90-minute drive south of Dunedin and is one of the most scenic stops on this South Island road trip.

A squat lighthouse stands on a steep headland, gazing out over the 'Nuggets' – rocky islets scattered across the waters below.

The walk to Nugget Point is short but dramatic, with cliffs plunging straight down into the sea. Listen for the screeching of fur seals as they jostle for space on the rocks below. In summer, you may even spot visiting elephant seals.

Where to stay: The Kaka Point campground is the nearest campsite to Nugget Point, situated near the white sand beaches along this stretch of coastline.

Don’t miss: Visit Roaring Bay, a beach near Nugget Point, for a chance to see the rare hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins). Your best chance of spotting them is in the late afternoon or evening when they return to shore after a day of fishing. There’s a viewing hide above the bay where you can watch the penguins from a distance – they are very shy, so any noise or movement can cause them stress or send them scurrying away.

Day 6: Spend a night overlooking Purakaunui Bay

Purakaunui Bay might be the most breathtaking location in the Catlins. The bay features a sweeping beach alongside pale cliffs that stretch into the distance. The campground at the bay is situated right on the edge of the sand, making it a wonderful place to spend the night.

The road to the bay is narrow and gravel, so be sure to take your time driving there.

Where to stay: Purakaunui Bay DOC campsite.

Don’t miss: Keep an eye out for sea lions on the beach. This is one of the few places where you can see sea lions, which are rare on mainland New Zealand – fewer than 200 are found along the southeast coast of the South Island. Unlike seals, sea lions sleep on sandy beaches instead of rocks, giving you a good view of them. Also, unlike seals, sea lions aren't particularly shy of people, but make sure to stay at least 50 metres away to avoid disturbing them.

Day 7: Stop by Curio Bay to spot dolphins and penguins

It takes just under 90 minutes to drive from Purakaunui Bay to Curio Bay.

Be sure to stop by the Lost Gypsy gallery on the way – it’s well worth the $10 entry fee. The displays are interactive, so you can push buttons, pull levers, and enjoy the quirky creativity of the artwork.

Another great stop is McLean Falls. A gentle 40-minute walk leads you to these beautiful falls, with the trail weaving through lush native bush.

In Curio Bay, there's plenty to keep you occupied for an afternoon. At low tide, walk to the petrified forest to see a 180-million-year-old Jurassic fossil forest. If you're very lucky, you might even spot the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) that live in the bay.

There’s also a short walk around a small headland, where you can admire the waves crashing against the Curio cliffs below.

Where to stay: Curio Bay campground, ideally located close to walking tracks and the beach.

Don’t miss: Take a walk along the beach at Porpoise Bay at dusk to try to spot Hector’s dolphins. These small dolphins are frequent visitors to the bay and often forage close to shore in the evening.

Day 8: Make your way to Te Anau

It’s a three-hour drive from Curio Bay to Te Anau, a small town on the edge of a lake of the same name. Te Anau is the last town before Milford Sound, making it an ideal base for exploring deeper into Fiordland.

If you’re taking the route via Invercargill, be sure to visit Demolition World and stop by The Batch Café to try a Southland cheese roll – they’re famous for them.

In Te Anau, you can spend the afternoon exploring the lakefront or visiting the Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, where you can see the incredibly rare takahe, as well as other native bird species.

Where to stay: The Te Anau Tasman Holiday Park offers a deluxe camping experience right on the edge of the lake, with facilities like a sauna, hot tubs, and a jumping pillow for kids.

Don’t miss: If you’re heading via Manapouri, stop by the charming lakeside town and check out the Two Wee Book Shops, where you can pick up a copy of the owner’s memoir, The Bookseller at the End of the World.

Day 9: Journey to Milford Sound

Te Anau is about a two-hour drive from Milford Sound, but you should allow for much longer to stop and explore along the way. The short walks at Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn, and The Chasm are all easy trails that offer a glimpse into Fiordland’s wild beauty.

Alternatively, you can leave your Star RV in Te Anau and take a coach tour to Milford Sound instead. This option saves you the hassle of parking and navigating the narrow road into Milford Sound.

Where to stay: Milford Sound requires a full day to explore, so you can return to Te Anau for the night or camp at one of the eight DOC campsites along the road to Milford Sound – just be prepared for sandflies!

Day 10: Finish your road trip in Queenstown

The drive from Te Anau to Queenstown takes around two hours, with the final 40 minutes offering particularly scenic views. Be sure to stop at the viewpoints along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to marvel at the famous Devil’s Staircase, a twisty section of the road that runs right next to the water.

End your 10-day South Island road trip in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

If you have extra time, you could spend a few days exploring the myriad adventure activities on offer in Queenstown. Race downhill on the luge, bungy jump off the Kawarau Bridge, or take a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River – there are countless ways to get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown.

Where to stay: For top-tier facilities, try Driftaway Queenstown, or for a more budget-friendly option, consider Twelve Mile Delta.

Don’t miss: Queenstown is a fantastic place to indulge in New Zealand cuisine. After 10 days of cooking in your motorhome, treat yourself to a meal somewhere like Nest Kitchen or Aosta in nearby Arrowtown.

Start planning your South Island road trip today.

Book your New Zealand motorhome hire with Star RV and get ready to explore off the beaten track and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand's South Island. Adventure awaits—take the first step now.