South Island · Aotearoa

New
Zealand

A Summer Road Trip Through the South Island
December 22, 2026 — January 2, 2027 · 12 Days
The journey begins in
Kia ora,
New Zealand.
-- Days
-- Hours
-- Minutes
-- Seconds
Trip Overview

The Journey

Dates
Dec 22 — Jan 02
Duration
12 Days
Season
Summer
Style
Road Trip
Provisional Route

South Island

Christchurch

Arrival · Pick up rental car

Lake Tekapo

Turquoise lake · Mackenzie Country · Stargazing

Aoraki / Mount Cook

Alpine landscapes · Hiking

Wānaka

Lake views · Mountain roads

Queenstown

Southern Alps · Adventure capital

Te Anau

Gateway to Fiordland

Milford Sound

Fiords · Waterfalls · Cruise

West Coast

Route to be confirmed

Travel Details

Getting There

✈️

Flights

International flights and New Zealand arrival airport.

TBD
🚙

Rental Car

South Island self-drive vehicle and insurance details.

TBD
🏡

Hotels

Accommodation for each stop along the road trip.

TBD
Day by Day

12 Days in Aotearoa

Day 01
Dec 22

Departure

International flight · Details TBD

Day 02
Dec 23

New Zealand

Arrival plan will be updated after flights are confirmed.

Day 03
Dec 24

South Island Road Trip

Route TBD

Day 04
Dec 25

Christmas Day 🎄

Special holiday planning · Route TBD

Day 05
Dec 26

South Island

Route TBD

Day 06
Dec 27

South Island

Route TBD

Day 07
Dec 28

South Island

Route TBD

Day 08
Dec 29

South Island

Route TBD

Day 09
Dec 30

South Island

Route TBD

Day 10
Dec 31

New Year's Eve ✨

Celebration plan · Location TBD

Day 11
Jan 01

New Year's Day

First sunrise of 2027 · Route TBD

Day 12
Jan 02

Journey Home

Return flight · Details TBD

Before We Go

Booking Checklist

International Flights
Rental Car
Christchurch Hotel
Lake Tekapo Accommodation
Mount Cook Accommodation
Wānaka Accommodation
Queenstown Accommodation
Milford Sound Cruise