With over 151,000 square kilometres to explore, the South Island of New Zealand offers almost limitless choice for a self-drive holiday. From the beautiful plains surrounding Christchurch to the glaciers of the West Coast, and from the Marlborough Sounds to the lakes of Central Otago, the variety of landscapes and experiences here is genuinely remarkable.
Whether you’re looking for wildlife encounters, world-class wine, dramatic mountain scenery or remote coastal adventures, a South Island driving holiday allows you to experience it all at your own pace.
Why Choose a South Island New Zealand Driving Holiday?
A South Island self-drive holiday gives you the freedom to explore New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes on your own schedule. In a single trip, you can watch whales in Kaikōura, sample award-winning wines in Marlborough, walk beneath glaciers on the West Coast and cruise through the fiords of Fiordland.
The distances are manageable, the scenery is constantly changing and the journey itself often becomes one of the highlights of the holiday.
Wildlife Encounters
One of the South Island’s greatest strengths is its extraordinary wildlife.
Kaikōura is one of the few places in the world where sperm whales can be seen year-round, while seasonal visitors may spot orcas, humpback whales and playful dusky dolphins. Further south, the Otago Peninsula offers opportunities to see royal albatross, little blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguin in their natural habitat.
For many travellers, these wildlife experiences become some of the most memorable moments of their New Zealand holiday.
Wine Regions
New Zealand’s South Island is home to two of the country’s most celebrated wine regions.
Marlborough is world-famous for Sauvignon Blanc and offers a huge range of cellar doors, vineyard restaurants and wine-tasting experiences. Further south, Central Otago is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Pinot Noir, set against a backdrop of mountains, lakes and dramatic landscapes.
Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a dedicated enthusiast, both regions deserve a place on your itinerary.
Glaciers, Rainforests and the West Coast
The rugged West Coast feels worlds away from the rest of the South Island.
Wild, remote and breathtakingly beautiful, it’s a place where dramatic coastlines, dense rainforest and towering mountains combine to create some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery. Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are among the region’s biggest drawcards, while glacier valley walks provide an accessible way to experience these remarkable landscapes.
Hidden gems such as Lake Moeraki, Charleston and Punakaiki’s famous Pancake Rocks reward travellers willing to venture beyond the main tourist route.
Looking west across the Tasman Sea, the coastline feels wonderfully untouched — one of the few places in New Zealand where you can genuinely feel like you have it to yourself.
Lakes, Mountains and Fiordland
No South Island driving holiday would be complete without spending time amongst the lakes and mountains of the south.
Queenstown and Wānaka are famous for their alpine scenery, adventure activities and vibrant atmosphere, while Fiordland National Park delivers some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes. Here you’ll find Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and countless opportunities to cruise, kayak, hike and explore one of the world’s great wilderness regions.
It’s the kind of scenery that fills camera rolls and leaves travellers planning a return visit before they’ve even left.
What’s Included in a South Island Self-Drive Holiday?
A South Island self-drive holiday with New Zealand Holidays goes well beyond scenic roads and world-class walks — though there’s plenty of both.
Depending on your itinerary, you can also include:
- Whale watching and dolphin encounters in Kaikōura
- Albatross and penguin experiences on the Otago Peninsula
- Lagoon kayaking and nature experiences
- Glacier valley walks on the West Coast
- Lake cruises in Fiordland
- Wine tasting in Marlborough and Central Otago
- Water taxi journeys in the Marlborough Sounds
All packages include vehicle hire, accommodation and daily cooked breakfasts, with GPS navigation or digital travel guides available to help you make the most of your journey.
Choose Your Style
New Zealand Holidays offers a range of South Island self-drive styles to suit different travellers.
Boutique Eco Self-Drives
Designed for travellers who want to minimise their environmental footprint while experiencing some of New Zealand’s most remarkable landscapes.
Food and Wine Journeys
Explore Marlborough, Central Otago and other culinary hotspots through carefully curated food and wine experiences.
Walking and Hiking Adventures
Combine scenic drives with some of New Zealand’s best day walks and hiking opportunities.
Middle-earth Experiences
Follow in the footsteps of Frodo, Aragorn and Gandalf as you visit iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations across the South Island.
Can’t find exactly what you’re after?
Every itinerary can be customised. Our consultants can help create a South Island self-drive holiday based on your interests, travel style and available time.
…
Ready to start exploring?
Browse our South Island self-drive holidays and discover just how much of New Zealand’s South Island you can experience from behind the wheel.