We had a fantastic road trip to New Zealand’s South Island, which we had planned in advance. We wanted everything to be perfect for our adventure and to take our time to savor the stunning scenery of the southern region.
And we were not let down.
The Road Trip to South Island
Moeraki
We stayed in Moeraki Boulders Beach for a couple of days.
Maoreki is famous for its boulders, weirdly round stones spread all over the beach.
They’re massive, weighing several tonnes each, and can be as tall as two meters. Scientists say they’re calcite concretions that formed 65 million years ago.
We also took advantage of revisiting Oamaru, one of my preferred towns in New Zealand. Oamaru is the biggest town in the Waitaki District and has some cool stuff going on. It has the oldest public gardens in the country, some fantastic Victorian architecture buildings, and two spots where you can see penguin colonies.
The town has a super exciting history, and the locals are passionate about their heritage. You can visit the Steampunk HQ, which makes it all the more fun.
Arthur Point
We headed to Queenstown, but everything was either fully booked or too expensive, which was a real bummer. Luckily, we discovered Arthur Point nearby, which was a great alternative. It’s situated near Queenstown Hill and Bowen Peak and not far from central Queenstown. Along the way, we made pit stops in Shag Point, Clyde Dam, and Cromwell.
Te Anau
We went down south and finally made it to the Fiordland National Park, which was totally worth the wait. Our main reason for going there was to see the stunning Milford Sound.
We stayed in Te Anau for three days, which gave us enough time to explore the area and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
While we were in Milford Sounds, we decided to get on a cruise to get a closer look at the beauty of the place.
The views were amazing! We saw tall cliffs, waterfalls, and clear waters that were simply stunning. During the cruise, we even got to see some wildlife up close, like dolphins, seals, and penguins.
Wakana
We made our way to Wanaka after hearing about the famous tree known as #ThatWanakatree during our trip.
We were excited to see it, so we had planned to stay in Wanaka. However, upon arrival, we were amazed by the tranquil and laid-back vibe of the town.
Before arriving in Wanaka, we had the opportunity to visit Arrowtown, passing across Mount Rock Peak and Cardrona. Once in Wanaka, we spent four incredible days exploring the area.
We visited Lake Wanaka, surrounded by stunning mountains, and took a refreshing swim. We also checked out the Blue Pools and wandered around the town, enjoying the charming cafes and shops. The locals were friendly and welcoming, which added to our fantastic experience.
The highlight of our stay was definitely #ThatWanakatree. The view during sunset was breathtaking. We spent a lot of time taking pictures and admiring the view.
Overall, we absolutely loved our time in Wanaka. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing atmosphere and stunning scenery.
Ben Ohau
The last leg of our road trip led us to Ben Ohau! We spent a few days there and visited incredible places like Omarama Clay Cliff, Twizel, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo. This journey through the southern part of Otago and McKenzie was remarkable; we would do it again in a heartbeat.
At Twizel, we were amazed by the stunning views of the Southern Alps and the pristine Lake Pukaki.
Next, we traveled to Mount Cook, where we hiked the Hooker Valley Track, which took us through alpine meadows, glacier-fed streams, and a hanging bridge with breathtaking views of Mount Cook.
Finally, we reached Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise-blue waters and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, which stands on its shores. We also visited the Mount John Observatory, enjoying a spectacular view of the stars and learning about the latest astronomical research.
Overall, this road trip to South Island was an unforgettable experience that surpassed our expectations. The stunning natural scenery, rich culture, and friendly locals made us feel welcome and left us with memories that will last a lifetime. I would definitely do it all again in a heartbeat.