Road trips in New Zealand’s South Island aren’t just drives – they’re adventures waiting to happen. From winding coastal highways to mountain passes that touch the clouds, these routes showcase some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever see.
The South Island’s roads tell stories of ancient glaciers, rolling hills, and beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Ready to hit the road?
Let’s explore some incredible drives that make you want to pull over every few miles for another photo.
Queenstown to Glenorchy
The 28-mile journey from Queenstown to Glenorchy hugs the shores of Lake Wakatipu, offering views that made this region famous as Middle Earth in countless movies. Every bend in the road reveals another postcard-worthy scene of snow-capped peaks reflecting in crystal-clear waters.
Sitting at the northern end of the lake, the small town of Glenorchy feels like stepping into a different world with its rustic charm and mountain backdrop. The route includes several pull-offs where you can stretch your legs and snap photos of some of the clearest lake water you’ll ever see.
Christchurch to Akaroa
The drive from Christchurch to the French-inspired town of Akaroa winds through the Banks Peninsula’s volcanic landscape. Sharp turns and steep hills lead to sudden views of hidden bays and valleys that make you feel like you’ve discovered something special.
Local sheep farms dot the hillsides, while native birds soar overhead in this unique meeting of French colonial history and Kiwi culture. The final descent into Akaroa, with its harbor views and historic buildings, makes the journey worthwhile.
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Arthur’s Pass
The journey through Arthur’s Pass connects the east and west coasts with a route that early Maori traders once used. The road climbs through the Southern Alps, passing braided rivers and alpine meadows that change color with the seasons.
Kea parrots often show up to entertain drivers at rest stops, though watch out—these cheeky birds have a reputation for investigating cars with their beaks. The viaduct lookout offers views of engineering marvels meeting natural wonder, especially after a fresh snowfall.
Crown Range Road
The Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka claims the title of New Zealand’s highest main road. Hairpin turns lead drivers up to heights that make even the bravest grip their steering wheels tighter.
Sitting halfway along the route, the historic Cardrona Hotel provides a perfect excuse to take a breather and imagine the gold rush days. The descent into Wanaka offers views that make you understand why people never want to leave this corner of the world.
Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route from Dunedin to Te Anau takes you through a stretch of coast where seals and penguins often outnumber people. Hidden waterfalls and untouched beaches dot the coastline, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.
Along this route, the Catlins region feels like stepping back in time, with ancient forests meeting the ocean. Local farm stands and tiny cafes serve up the kind of homemade treats that make road trips memorable.
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Lewis Pass
The Lewis Pass offers a quieter alternative to more famous alpine crossings. Native beech forests line the road, creating tunnels of green that open into vast valley views.
Hot springs hidden off the main route provide perfect spots to soak tired driving muscles. The changing light throughout the day transforms the landscape, making this drive different every time you take it.
Lindis Pass
The Lindis Pass connects the Mackenzie Basin to Central Otago through tussock-covered hills that seem to go on forever. In winter, the golden grass gets dusted with snow, creating an almost alien landscape.
The road winds through valleys that early shepherds used to move their flocks between seasonal pastures. The summit offers views that stretch for miles, though you might need to share them with the sheep that often graze nearby.
West Coast Highway
The highway along the West Coast between Westport and Greymouth hugs cliffs where dense rainforest meets the Tasman Sea. Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki provide a perfect midway stop, with blowholes that spray ocean water like natural geysers.
Old mining towns along the route tell stories of gold fever and pioneer spirit. The weather changes so quickly here that locals joke you can experience all four seasons in one drive.
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Mount Cook Road
The road to Mount Cook Village offers views of New Zealand’s highest peak, which gets better with every mile. Lake Pukaki’s turquoise waters guide the way, looking so impossibly blue that first-time visitors often pull over just to check if it’s real.
The surrounding peaks grow larger as you approach until they fill the entire windshield. Stargazers love this route at night as it passes through one of the world’s largest dark sky reserves.
Haast Pass
The Haast Pass journey between Wanaka and the West Coast crosses a landscape carved by ancient glaciers. Waterfalls appear around every corner, with some just steps from the road.
Native forest gives way to coastal vegetation as you descend toward the Tasman Sea. The blue pools along the route offer crystal-clear water that is so pristine that it looks photoshopped.
Kaikoura Coast
The drive along the Kaikoura Coast combines mountain views with Pacific Ocean vistas, where whales and dolphins often appear. Recent road improvements following the 2016 earthquake have created an even more spectacular route with new viewing platforms.
Seals frequently sunbathe on rocks near the road, providing free roadside entertainment. The local crayfish stands to make this route as famous for seafood as it is for scenery.
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Marlborough Sounds
The road through the Marlborough Sounds twists along coastlines where forest-covered hills dip into peaceful bays. Small settlements tucked into coves appear and disappear as you round each bend—local water taxis zip between islands, adding movement to the peaceful scenes.
The Queen Charlotte Drive section offers views that make you understand why Captain Cook spent so much time exploring these waters.
Molesworth Station
The route through Molesworth Station, New Zealand’s largest farm, opens to the public during summer. Historic cob buildings and rustic shepherds’ huts dot the landscape, telling stories of high-country farming life.
Wild horses sometimes appear in the distance, adding to the feeling of frontier adventure. The station’s vastness makes you feel tiny against the backdrop of endless tussock grasslands and mountain ranges.
Nelson Lakes
The drive to Nelson Lakes National Park winds past Mirror Lake, which lives up to its name on calm days. Alpine peaks reflect in the water, creating photo opportunities like optical illusions.
The road passes through beech forests, where native birds provide a musical soundtrack. Local hiking trails tempt you to park the car and explore this pristine wilderness further.
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Otago Peninsula
The road around the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin winds past scenes that mix Scottish heritage with Pacific wildlife. Larnach Castle appears like a mirage on the hilltop while yellow-eyed penguins waddle across the beaches below.
Old stone buildings and modern wildlife sanctuaries sit side by side along the route. The views from the peninsula’s high points stretch across waters where albatrosses soar on thermal currents.
Tekapo to Omarama
The inland route from Lake Tekapo to Omarama passes through landscapes that look like they are from another planet. The clay cliffs near Omarama create natural sculptures that change color with the shifting sunlight.
Merino sheep farms stretch across hills that seem to roll on forever. The road passes several spots where you can pull over to view the Southern Alps stretched across the horizon like a jagged wall.
Banks Peninsula Summit Road
The Summit Road around Banks Peninsula offers views across bays that early French settlers once called home. Volcanic peaks create a dramatic backdrop as the road winds along ridgelines high above the sea.
Small communities nestled in valleys below look like model villages from this height. The route connects historic harbors where sailing ships once anchored in the early days of European settlement.
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Catlins Coastal Route
The coastal route through the Catlins reveals hidden waterfalls and petrified forests along quiet country roads. Yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions often make appearances at remote beaches.
Local farmers wave as you pass, adding friendly encounters to the scenic drive. The lighthouse at Nugget Point stands like a sentinel over some of the South Island’s most dramatic coastline.
Rainbow Road
The Rainbow Road between Hanmer Springs and St. Arnaud offers a high-country adventure through working sheep stations. River crossings and rugged terrain make this route feel like a real expedition.
Old musterers’ huts provide glimpses into the lives of early high-country farmers. The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons, from summer’s golden tussocks to winter’s snowy peaks.
Central Otago Rail Trail
Though technically a bike trail, the roads paralleling the old Central Otago rail line offer a journey through gold rush history. Historic pubs and abandoned railway stations tell stories of boom times and busts.
Fruit stands and wineries along the route provide tasty reasons to keep stopping. The landscape’s stark beauty shows why artists and photographers keep returning to capture its changing moods.
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Paths Through Time
These South Island roads do more than connect destinations—they connect us to stories of the land and its people. Each route holds memories of Maori pathfinders, colonial settlers, gold seekers, and modern adventurers who’ve all left their mark on these landscapes.
The best thing about these scenic drives is that they’re never the same twice. Weather, seasons, and time of day transform familiar routes into new adventures, proving that sometimes the journey is the destination.
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