A 7 Day Winter Itinerary in the South Island

Winter is often an overlooked season when considering a campervan trip, but we actually think it’s underrated! While both islands offer different winter activities and scenery, the South Island really is spectacular and offers some out-of-this-world scenic driving routes. Here’s our 7 day winter itinerary for the South Island in a campervan.

Day 1

After taking your Mojo Campervan across the Interislander ferry from Wellington (an NZ rite of passage), take route 63 and drive along the Wairau river, stopping off in St Arnaud, a small alpine village right by Lake Rotoiti which offers stunning views. Find yourself a free camping spot for the night, or check-into a local campground. You’ll have the Nelson Lakes National Park right on your doorstep, with plenty of hikes and waterfall tracks, including Whisky Falls, a lovely and not too strenuous hike.

Lake Rotoiti. Image source: Stuff.co.nz

Day 2 

It’s true it can get a little chilly in the South Island. Luckily, there are natural thermal hot springs dotted around to warm up the fingers and toes. From St Arnaud, drive down and follow route 65, enjoying the majestic valley views along the way. You may even notice that you’ll basically be the only ones on the road for the majority of the time. For a quick pitstop, visit Maruia Hot Springs which has outdoor thermal pools and beautiful secluded valley vistas of Lewis Pass from where you’re sitting. If you’re loving the hot pools and want to stay the night, they offer campervan parking, along with bathrooms and hot showers. Otherwise, after a good soak, hop back on the road and head to Reefton for a late lunch and gin tasting at one of NZ’s premium gin distilleries. Have a look on Campermate for surrounding freedom camping spots to stay the night, or drive an hour to the coastal town of Greymouth for lots of campground options. 

Maruia Hot Springs. Image source: Baptiste Marconnet 

Day 3 - 4

You’re now in Greymouth, the entry point of the famous West Coast! From here, there will be many pit stops before you make it down to Haast Pass (a personal favourite of ours). Firstly, stop in Hokitika for a selfie in front of the famous ‘Hokitika’ sign on the beach, and make sure you get the fresh cream donuts from Stone Oven Bakehouse. Next, visit the famous glaciers, which are especially spectacular to look at in the colder months. Franz Josef is the more popular out of the two, the other being Fox Glacier. There are plenty of campground options in either town, so if you want more restaurant and bar options, we recommend staying in Franz Josef. Otherwise if you want more peace and quiet, then Fox Glacier is your best bet. Park up for a day or two, and spend your time exploring both glaciers, and for the adrenaline junkies, look at climbing one of the glaciers or doing a helicopter ride.

Hokitika Beach Sign. Image source: Travel Pear

Day 4 - 6

After a few days of exploring the glaciers and surrounding areas, it’s time to continue down route 6 and onto Haast Pass. Just before you start the journey past Haast town, make a stop at Tauparikākā Marine Reserve. This is one of the best spots to see Hector dolphins without a boat, as they tend to play and hunt very close to the shoreline. Make yourself a coffee from the campervan and walk five minutes onto the beach and enjoy the show of these beautiful creatures jumping, splashing and catching waves. 

Tauparikākā Marine Reserve. Image source: Department of Conservation

Next drive through Haast Pass, one of the most beautiful drives in the South Island but beware, there is no cell reception throughout the whole valley. There are countless viewpoints to stop and look at, one of them being the famous Blue Pools which is a must. After a hike or two, make a pit stop at the Wonderland Makarora Lodge for a bite to eat and cosy up in front of their massive, roaring open fireplace they have going in the colder months. Choose to stay here overnight with cheap campground fees, or continue on and find a place in Wanaka. 

Cafe and fireplace at Wonderland Makarora Lodge. Image source: Wonderland Makarora Lodge

After a few remote days on the West Coast, enjoy the small town vibes that Wanaka has to offer. If snow sports is your thing, Wanaka has some of the best ski fields in the country, including Treble Cone and Cardrona only a short drive away. If walking and getting a good gram’ is more your thing, don’t miss out on doing the famous Roys Peak Track which although is quite a trek, makes up for some stunning views you can’t get anywhere else.

Roy’s Peak. Image source: Digital Travel Couple

Day 7 

There are so many more things to see in the South Island, so it depends whether you want to continue driving down to ever-growing popular town of Queenstown, and then onto Milford Sound (an absolute must), or start making the drive back up to the North Island via Lake Tekapo and the West Coast (also great). The choice is yours!