9-Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary (Auckland to Auckland

Distance: ~5,500 km
Best for: Families, nature lovers, road trip adventurers
Vehicle: Nissan Serena 8-seater (ideal for groups up to 8/ 2 families)
Transport: BlueBridge Ferry | Car Rental from Blue Dot Rentals
Accommodation: Airbnb stays
Fuel Cost: ~$1,188 NZD (475L @ $2.50/L)

Trip Overview

Explore New Zealand’s breathtaking South Island on a budget with this action-packed 9-day itinerary. Travel from Auckland to Bluff and back with 7 people—including 3 kids—packed into a cozy 8-seater van. Discover fjords, snowy peaks, sea lions, glaciers, and iconic filming locations, all while keeping costs in check.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland → Wellington (650 km | 8–9 hrs)

Highlights: Taupō breakfast stop, Te Papa Museum

Left Auckland at 4:00 AM
Breakfast stop in Taupō by the lake
Lunch and afternoon at Te Papa Museum, Wellington
Stay: Wellington Airbnb
Tip: Pre-book ferry tickets for Day 2 including a 1 4 bed cabin (twin bunks)

Day 2: Wellington → Picton → Christchurch (450 km + 4hr ferry)

Highlights: Sea lions, scenic coast drive

8:00 AM ferry from Wellington to Picton (via BlueBridge)
Drove down South Island’s east coast to Christchurch
Stopped along the way to see sea lions
Arrived: Christchurch by evening
Stay: Christchurch Airbnb

Day 3: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Glenorchy (600 km | 8–9 hrs)

Highlights: Lake Tekapo, snowy Queenstown drive

Morning visit to Lake Tekapo
Short walk on Hukavelley Tracks
Scenic snowy drive through Queenstown to Glenorchy
Stay: Glenorchy Airbnb
Tip: Be ready for winding roads and possible snow

Day 4: Glenorchy → Milford Sound → Glenorchy (670 km round trip)

Highlights: Fiordland magic, boat cruise (optional)

Visit Mirror lake on the way
Early start to Milford Sound
Option to take a scenic cruise
Drove back via Queenstown to Glenorchy
Stay: Same Glenorchy Airbnb

Day 5: Glenorchy → Bluff → Glenorchy (520 km round trip)

Highlights: Southernmost point of NZ

Day trip down to Bluff, the end of the country
Took photos at Stirling Point Signpost
Returned to Glenorchy
Stay: Glenorchy Airbnb
Tip: Plan breaks for kids—it’s a long drive

Day 6: Glenorchy → Franz Josef & Fox Glacier → Christchurch (800 km | 9+ hrs)

Highlights: Glaciers, West Coast drive

Departed via the Haast Pass
Stopped at Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier
Drove straight to Christchurch in the evening
Stay: Christchurch Airbnb

Day 7: Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Castle Hill (Day trip | ~250 km)

Highlights: Narnia film location, mountain views

Visited Christchurch town, then drove to Arthur’s Pass
Stopped at Castle Hill, where scenes from The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed
Relaxed evening in Christchurch
Stay: Christchurch Airbnb

Day 8: Christchurch → Picton → Wellington (450 km + ferry)

Highlights: Scenic ferry, last South Island views

Early drive to Picton
Took afternoon BlueBridge ferry to Wellington
Dinner in Wellington city
Stay: Wellington Airbnb

Day 9: Wellington → Auckland (650 km | 8–9 hrs)

Highlights: Scenic return, final road trip day

Left Wellington at 10:00 AM
Lunch stop in Taupō or Rotorua
Arrived back in Auckland around 8:00 PM
End of a safe, smooth adventure!

Travel & Packing Tips

Packing Light:
Packed only 2 days' worth of clothing using vacuum bags
and did laundry every other day at Laundromats along the way.
Kid-Friendly Prep:
3 kids (2, 5, and 8 years old) made this trip extra fun—snacks,
short stops, and entertainment helped make long drives easier.
Clean Car Hack:
A small car bin kept the van clean throughout the 5500 km trip.

Food & On-the-Go Meals

Meals: Balanced between home-cooked Airbnb meals and
budget takeout (Dominos, Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonald’s)
Snacks: Kept a snack box in the van to reduce unnecessary stops
Tip: Pack a thermos and reusable utensils for road lunches

Budget Breakdown (for 7 people)

Item	Cost
Car Rental (12 days)	$1,308 NZD
Ferry (BlueBridge)	~$1000 NZD
Fuel (475L @ $2.50/L)	$1,200 NZD
Airbnb (8 nights)	~$1,600 NZD
Food	~$600 NZD
Milford Sound Cruise	~$400 NZD
Total	~$6,100 NZD (~$875 per person)