I've said it before, but I'll say it again: New Zealand's South Island is stunning. STUNNING. From beaches to glaciers to rainforests to snowy mountains, this island really does have it all.
There are many great drives you can do on the South Island, from the drive between Queenstown and Milford Sound, to the Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin to Invercargill. But another of my favorites (scenery-wise) is the drive up the middle of the island — from Queenstown to Christchurch.
Queenstown to Christchurch by bus
I've done this 8-hour journey twice by bus, and highly recommend it. It's a great way to see a lot of New Zealand without having to drive yourself (and is also usually a lot cheaper than renting a car!). Both InterCity and Naked Bus run this route for reasonable prices.
Here are some of the things you can expect to see on that drive:
The trip will have to begin early – you'll have to rise with the sun over The Remarkables in Queenstown.
If you're traveling during the right time of year, you'll be greeted by the snow-covered Southern Alps in many directions once you hit the road.
And you'll of course see plenty of New Zealand farmland along the way.
In the town of Cromwell, expect a break at Mrs. Jones' orchard, where you can buy fresh fruit, healthy snacks, and tasty ice cream.
A stop in the lakeside town of Wanaka should definitely be included. Be careful, though, because you may not want to leave here.
If you're able to pull yourself away, you may also see nearby Lake Hawea in the Southern Lakes District.
Once in Central Otago, you'll traverse the Lindis Pass before approaching the town of Omarama, a world-class gliding location.
Past Twizel, the next major point of interest will be Lake Pukaki, where the oddly-blue water will certainly catch your eye.
At the far end of Lake Pukaki lies New Zealand's tallest peak – Mount Cook.
Get your fill of the mountains here, though, as they won't be so close much longer.
After Mount Cook, the next note-worthy stop will be at Lake Tekapo, where the little stone Church of the Good Shepherd is one of the most-photographed buildings in New Zealand.
(And, in the spring, you can also find incredible fields of blooming lupins here!)
You'll likely make a meal stop here at Lake Tekapo. My advice? Bring a sandwich or snacks on the bus with you so you can spend some time walking along the lake instead of standing in line at the lone cafe.
From Lake Tekapo, it's off into the rolling Canterbury Plains.
Here, enjoy the rural scenery – and the crazy cloud formations I've seen here more than once.
The sun will likely begin to set before you reach Christchurch, which is why I recommend doing this journey from south to north. The mountainous scenery during the first part of this trip is definitely the part you don't want to miss!
Have you done the Queenstown-to-Christchurch route before? If not, would you subject yourself to 8 hours on a bus for this scenery?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Amazing photos. Each of them looks like a postcard. Maybe time to get in this business?! 🙂
Best,
Michael
Thanks, Michael! I certainly wouldn’t mind having some of my photos turned into postcards if the opportunity ever arose!
I’ve made that exact drive–thanks for the great pix to remind me why I have to return! Got great honey at Mrs. Jones place.
I bought some yummy chocolate-covered fruit at Mrs. Jones’. Yummm. And believe me, these photos make ME want to return, too!
Thanks for posting about your trip – as a kiwi who’s just come back from traveling with a group of cool, random tourists through Southland – looking at your photos is just like being there! I’m basking in the NZ LOVE expressed here too!! I’m on my big OE this year…off to Melbourne, US, UK and Europe to see THOSE wonders.
Nothing yet beats the Canterbury sky-scape for me…it’s in my blood!
Hope you ALL get to come here – it’s also a beautiful trip in the middle of winter 🙂
xxxx
I love that you, as a Kiwi, share in the NZ love! Often you guys are far too modest about how awesome your country is. 😉
Enjoy your OE experience! I love that New Zealanders encourage that sort of thing. I wish the U.S. did!
Lovely view, I agree. I really pictured myself with a small vineyard between mountains!
Ah, that would be lovely! And there certainly are some really pretty wineries in this region.
I did the this route from North to South (CHC->QT) with my family. And since I had lived in NZ the longest (and it was my sisters first time to a right side driving country!), I drove the whole way. I loved being able to stop where ever, so I don’t think I would do this on a bus and while the last hour was pretty painful (we got a late start too, even though it was summer), I loved it, though we did a slightly different route. One of the few places in NZ were you can take a variety of routes and still end up in the same place!
I’ve never done this route in a car, but would definitely like to someday! But when in a car, it’s so easy to turn a 6-hour trip into a 10-hour one by making tons of stops! Lol (and yes, I’m guilty of this!).
It is breathtaking and stunning. I didn’t know that New Zealand is so beautiful and picturesque!
Oh yes, NZ is certainly easy on the eyes!
Road trip!! Seriously, I want to road trip here. NZ is so top of my list these days. 🙂
Road tripping in NZ is great. I’d love to take a couple of months and road trip from the very north to the far south. One day… 😉
Sooo breathtaking! Nothing compares to NZ in terms of scenery, it seems.
Nothing that I’ve seen so far! But really, as far as variety goes, I think you’d be hard pressed to find another country that has it all like NZ does!
Amanda -Nice work. I have done this drive sevaeral dozen times for work… It gets better each time. As for the clouds…they are caused by the prevailing westerly winds that cross the sea and slam into the mountains. The resulting foehn effect is what gives the region much of its landscape and character. The mountains, glacial lakes and braided rivers made the plains. I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Thanks so much for explaining the clouds, David!! I knew there had to be an explanation, because I always notice them when I’m there. And lucky you to call that area home!
Ok! Wanaka for me!
I can’t go anywhere, I got on the volunteer list for Helen Keller Institute:D
Maybe I’ll just teleport the institute there! 😛
If you can figure out how to teleport to NZ, be sure to let me know! 😉
Wow, such stunning scenery. Everyone from the Stray bus trip I was on was headed down there, I was pretty jealous I couldn’t go. I’ll be exploring a little bit of the South Island in February, so excited. i need to find the Church of the Good Shepard, looks amazing. And the Alps, well, actually everything looks unbelievable! What is your favorite place along the drive to stop at?
February down there should be great! It’s probably pretty crowded now anyway, so it might be better that you’re waiting.
As for my favorite stop during this drive… that’s tough to say!! Lake Tekapo is beautiful, but Wanaka is also really nice.
Wow the photos are absolutely breathtaking! Is there something about the South Island that forms those picture perfect clouds you seem to have in almost every photo?
Thanks, John! And I have no idea about the clouds. But I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed how perfect they are! I tell people here in Ohio that we just don’t have clouds like NZ does, and they look at me like I’m crazy!
Amanda, you are killing me here. Absolutely killing me 🙁
I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I just needed to take a break from the Canada content, and NZ is always my go-to!
This made me happy and sad at the same time. It brought back so many wonderful memories. I loved this drive so much. Thanks, Amanda.
You’re welcome — for making you happy, not the sad part!! I really loved this drive, too. NZ has so many beautiful corners to see.
SO gorgeous! 🙂 I love this country! 🙂
I love it, too!! 🙂