Scenic Drives That’ll Make You Fall in Love with the South Island

05 JANUARY 2025

There are road trips, and then there’s the South Island — where even the “boring” roads are beautiful. We’ve driven all over this island (sometimes with kids arguing in the back, sometimes in total silence because the views are that good), and every time, we’re blown away by how quickly the scenery changes. One minute it’s turquoise lakes, the next it’s snow-covered peaks, windswept coastline, or golden tussock as far as you can see.

Whether you’re weaving through mountain passes or pulling over every five minutes for another “quick photo stop” (we get it), these are the drives that made us fall even harder for the South Island. No filters needed. Just wind down the windows and enjoy the ride.

Whats in this guide

Mt Cook Highway, Canterbury
Queen Charlotte Drive, Marlborough
Otago Peninsula
Kaikoura Coastline
Port Hills, Christchurch
Canterbury High Country
Crown Range Road, Otago
Lindis Pass, Otago
West Coast Highway
Waitaki Valley, Otato
Arthur’s Pass, Canterbury
Wanaka to Haast
Milford Sound Highway, Fiordland

Mt Cook Highway

Queen Charlotte Drive

Otago Peninsula

Kaikoura Coastline

Port Hills

Canterbury High Country

Crown Range Road

Lindis Pass

West Coast Region

Waitaki Valley

Arthurs Pass

Wanaka to Haast

Milford Sound Highway

Queenstown to Glenorchy is another incredible drive.
Catlins coastal route?

We’ve driven these roads in sunshine, rain, fog, and snow — and every time they’ve managed to surprise us. That’s the thing about the South Island: the landscape is always shifting, and even if you’ve done a drive before, it’ll feel totally new the next time.
Whether you’re road tripping in a van, towing a caravan, or just out for a day drive, these routes are a reminder that the journey is the destination. So take the long way, stop often, and soak it all in — this place is ridiculously good.

Take longe rthn you think because tyou ant to stop/

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