New Zealand's South Island: 12 places on a 2017 km route
A 2017 km scenic route across New Zealand's South Island, tracing from the intricate Marlborough Sounds coastline through Kaikoura's dramatic peaks and marine ecosystems, to the glacial turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. The 71-minute journey showcases the island's transformation from gentle northern waterways to mountainous terrain shaped by geological forces.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Marlborough Sounds
- End
- A World in Creation
- Stops
- 12
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Marlborough Sounds — A labyrinth of drowned valleys, bays, and inlets with intricate coastlines and forested ridges at the northern tip of the South Island.
- Lake Tekapo & the Mackenzie — Turquoise alpine lake surrounded by tussock-covered mountains, renowned for its striking milky-blue waters and exceptional stargazing opportunities.
- Aoraki / Mount Cook — The highest peak in New Zealand, also called the Cloud Piercer, rising dramatically from the Southern Alps surrounded by glaciers.
- Milford Sound
- Doubtful Sound
- The Catlins & Nugget Point — Rugged coastal region with golden cliffs, sea caves, and a distinctive lighthouse perched on a rocky headland overlooking penguins and seals.
- Dunedin & the Otago Peninsula
- Franz Josef Glacier — Rapidly advancing glacier descending from Southern Alps toward temperate rainforest, accessible via hiking trails and helicopter tours.
- Fox Glacier & Lake Matheson — Glacier region paired with reflective lake offering stunning mountain vistas, surrounded by native beech forest and accessible hiking routes.
- Hokitika & Punakaiki
- Arthur's Pass & the TranzAlpine — Alpine pass and scenic railway crossing the Southern Alps, connecting east and west coasts through beech forests and dramatic mountain terrain.
- A World in Creation — South Island's geologically active landscape showcasing glacier-carved valleys, volcanic formations, and tectonic features demonstrating Earth's continuous transformation.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Lake Tekapo at night for one of the clearest night skies on the planet with thousands of stars visible. The darkness is fiercely protected in this high, dry basin far from city lights.
- Tip
- Most travellers pass through Marlborough Sounds quickly on the ferry from the North Island. Linger instead to find quiet coves reached only by boat and walking tracks tracing ridgelines with sea views on both sides.
- Timing
- Visit Kaikoura to witness whales rising from the ocean. Great whales feed in rich, cold waters drawn up by an underwater canyon just offshore, along with dolphins and seals.
- Tip
- See Lake Tekapo's tiny stone church on the shore, one of the most photographed sights on the island. The turquoise water colour comes from rock flour created by glacier grinding against stone.
- Tip
- Visit Aoraki / Mount Cook to see the highest peak in New Zealand and the Tasman Glacier, the largest glacier in the country. Note that the glacier is currently retreating with a growing lake of floating icebergs forming.
- Tip
- At Wanaka, photograph the famous willow tree growing alone in the shallow water with mountains behind it. The lake offers quiet beaches, hidden bays, and climbing trails with valley views.
- Transport
- Queenstown serves as a major hub for the South Island. Beyond Queenstown, the lake narrows, the road grows quiet, and mountains close in as the wilderness deepens further south.
- Tip
- The South Island features fjords (Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound), glaciers (Franz Josef and Fox Glacier), and a southern coast where rare penguins and sea lions gather undisturbed.
- Avoid
- Be aware that the Kaikoura region experienced a powerful earthquake in 2016 that lifted the seabed and redrew the coastline. The ground here is geologically active and continuously moving.
Video on this route
New Zealand's South Island | The Most Scenic Corner of Earth | Full 4K Travel Documentary