Queenstown Road Trip

It’s the first day of your New Zealand road trip and time to pick up your pre-booked Britz motorhome. Head on into Britz’s Queenstown branch in Frankton. It’s nice and handy to the airport if you’re flying in. The friendly team will talk you through how everything works and answer any questions you might have. 

There’s loads to see and do in Queenstown, especially if you’re keen to experience some adventure. After all, Queenstown is known as New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital!’ From jet boating to Bungy jumping, luge riding or canyon swinging. Pick your adventure and let the adrenaline-fuelled fun begin!

If you’re keen to get a taste of the nightlife, check out the Queenstown Ice Bar. Chill out in the cocktail lounge, built from 25 tonnes of hand-carved ice. Don’t worry, there are warm coats and delicious cocktails waiting. 

Get a good night’s sleep tonight at the Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park. This great campground is just a few minutes walk to the city – so you can park up before enjoying those cocktails!

Today you’ll be heading across to the east coast of the South Island to explore the historical town of Dunedin. 

Along the way, you’ll pass through the township of Cromwell, renowned for its fabulous fruits. If you’re passing through in summer, treat yourself to some delicious cherries. Cromwell has a history dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s. Old gold mining sites in the area include Bannockburn and Bendigo, where you’ll find ruins of miners’ cottages. 

The second-largest city in New Zealand's South Island, Dunedin is celebrated for its Victorian and Edwardian heritage. It’s brimming with gothic-style architecture and historical attractions. And the perfect example is Larnach Castle – New Zealand’s one and only castle. The castle was built in 1871 by William Larnach, a politician and merchant baron, with no expense spared. Today, the castle and its beautiful surrounding gardens (rated as a Garden of International Significance) are open every day of the year for visitors to explore and enjoy. 

Just a short drive from Dunedin’s city centre, the Otago Peninsula is a must for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Here, you can spot diverse wildlife including royal albatrosses, yellow-eyed penguins, and New Zealand fur seals basking on the beaches. To learn more about the local wildlife and its conservation, head to the Royal Albatross Centre or Penguin Place.

For something just a wee bit different, stop in at the Dunedin Museum of Natural History. This small but fascinating museum showcases a remarkable assortment of bones, skulls, peculiar artefacts, and biological curiosities. 

Park up your camper tonight at Leith Valley Holiday Park. This sheltered campsite sits on the banks of the Leith Stream. It even has access to bush walks and glowworms.

It’s day three of your South Island road trip, and today you’re heading up the coast to the Waitaki region.

About halfway along your travels, you’ll come to the seaside township of Moeraki. Here, you’ll find Koekohe Beach where you can see the famous Moeraki Boulders. These large spherical stones are scattered along the shoreline like they’ve been dropped here by aliens. Each boulder weighs a solid few tonnes, with some up to two metres in height. The boulders are calcite ‘concretions’ formed around 65 million years ago.

Once you reach Waitaki, plan a visit to see the impressive Waitaki Dam. Built using pick and shovel by around 1200 labourers (often in freezing conditions), the dam stands at 48 metres high and 542 metres long.  

Tonight, enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Kurow Holiday Park.

After a relaxing evening in Waitaki, it’s time to pack up and head off to beautiful Lake Tekapo. 

Along the way you’ll be passing through some of the South Island’s awesome tiny townships. A great town to plan a stop is Ōmarama where you can explore the Clay Cliffs. These huge pinnacles were formed from layers of gravel and silt millions of years ago. 

As you reach Lake Tekapo, you’ll want to take a moment to simply enjoy the picture-perfect views. Lake Tekapo’s milky-turquoise waters set against the snow-capped mountains are simply breathtaking. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. It’s beautiful at any time of year, but if you visit in November, you'll be rewarded with the stunning sight of vibrant lupin flowers.

For the ultimate views, take the Tekapo Mt John Walkway. This scenic trail offers a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and the Mackenzie Basin flats.

When the sun sets and the sky darkens, Lake Tekapo reveals a whole new dimension of beauty. Take in the unforgettable view of millions of stars within some of the clearest, darkest skies in the world. Make the most of it with a guided hot pools and stargazing experience at Tekapo Springs. Start off with a guided tour of the night sky before enjoying a long hot soak in the soothing hot waters. 

Make the most of the incredible views on offer by parking up at Lakes Edge Holiday Park.

As you drive from Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook, you’ll be seeing some of the most stunning scenery the South Island has to offer. Feeling adventurous? Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a scenic helicopter ride. Choose from a 25-minute taster to a 90-minute picnic on the snowy peaks.  

For a lower-altitude adventure with plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy, consider the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. The trail begins at either Aoraki/Mt Cook or Tekapo. 

You can plan to do the entire trail or choose sections to suit. If you’re carrying your own bikes, don’t forget to organise a bike rack when you book your Britz camper. You can also arrange bike hire with Britz or a cycle tour provider when you get there.  

Park up at the foot of Aoraki Mt Cook at Glentanner Park. 

The drive from Mt Cook to Wānaka takes just over two hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to stop and take in the sights along the way. Plan a picnic stop at the old stone Lindis Pass Historic Hotel on Old Faithful Road (off SH8) in the Lindis Valley area. The hotel was set up during the gold rush of 1861 and there are still old mine workings and huts nearby – a great stop for those interested in history.

As you arrive in Wānaka, you’ll find another of the top places to visit in New Zealand, the famous Wānaka tree. This hardy willow is possibly one of the most photographed trees in the country. The solitary tree is just a stone’s throw from the shore and seems quite out of place jutting from the lake’s waters. Visit in the ‘golden hours’ of dawn or dusk for the best photo op.

Roy’s Peak is another very popular spot in Wānaka and guarantees jaw-dropping views. Plan a full day for this walk though, the 16km return track takes around 5-6 hours – but we promise, the views are worth it!

After all that sightseeing and walking, you’ll be ready for a comfy night in your campervan parked up at Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park.

It’s the final day of your New Zealand road trip and time to head back to Queenstown. We suggest heading off early so you can make the most of your last day and tick off all those Queenstown adventures you missed on day one. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take a scenic cruise along beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

• Get your heart pumping and face your fears at the Fear Factory – Queenstown’s only haunted attraction!

• Explore the local cellar doors on a wine-tasting tour. 

• Help support the locals and bag yourself a great souvenir from the Queenstown Arts ‘n Crafts Market – every Saturday on the lakefront at Earnslaw Park.

• Stroll along the lakefront with an ice-cream from Patagonia.

Your last stop on your incredible 7-day South Island adventure is to return your campervan to Britz Campers’ Queenstown branch. While you’re there, have a chat with the friendly team about some of the other great New Zealand travel routes – there are plenty more to be had!

Ready to explore the South Island with Britz?

As you can see, there’s plenty on offer in and around Queenstown. If you’re ready to experience it for yourself, take the first step and book your Britz campervan today. Follow our great road trip itinerary planner, or create your own!