
Lonely Planet
New Zealand's South Island Road Trips
Discover the freedom of open roads with Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips, your passport to uniquely encountering New Zealand’s South Island by car.
Featuring four amazing road trips, plus up-to-date advice on the destinations you’ll visit along the way, you can enjoy whale watching along the Kalkoura Coast or absorb stunning lake scenery at Milford Sound, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to New Zealand’s South Island, rent a car, and hit the road!
This is the Kaikoura Coast chapter from Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips guidebook.
The inter-island ferry port of Picton and New Zealand’s southern capital, Christchurch, are linked by a scenic highway wending through pretty countryside and along the wild Pacific Coast.
- discover the fantastic food, wine and setting at the Pegasus Bay Winery
- pick the right route with inspirational images and key trip highlights
- absorb the stunning mountain backdrop and encounter marine-mammals on Kaikoura Coast
- get around easily with colour maps and route directions in easy stages
- explore the pretty waterside town Picton, a hub for Marlborough Sounds adventures
- discover even more with detours and ways to link your trips
Coverage includes: Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Gore Bay, Waipara Valley and Christchurch
This is the Milford Sound Majesty chapter from Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s South Islands Road Trips guidebook.
Explore two totally different Southern Lakes resorts – thrilling Queenstown and tranquil Te Anau – before following New Zealand’s premier wilderness highway to majestic Milford Sound.
- fuel up with fabulous food and wine in the buzzing city of Queenstown
- pick the right route with inspirational images and key trip highlights
- marvel at the views across Fiordland from crazy Key Summit at The Divide
- get around easily with colour maps and route directions in easy stages
- gasp at the grandeur of Milford Sound and Eglington Valley in all its World Heritage glory
- discover even more with detours, and ways to link your trips
Coverage includes: Queenstown, Devil’s Staircase, Te Anau, Lake Mistletoe, Mackay Creek, Mavora Lakes, Mirror Lakes, Lake Gunn/Cascade Creek, The Divide, Homer Tunnel, Fiordland National Park, Chasm Creek and Milford Sound.
Start your planning here. We reveal the ultimate road-trip list for New Zealand’s South Island PLUS the highlights you’ll discover on the way and practical advice to kick-start your trip.
- road trip essentials: from hiring a car to road rules
- expert advice: discover even more with our city guides to Christchurch and Queenstown, plus practical need-to-know information
Coverage includes: Welcome to New Zealand’s South Island, New Zealand’s South Island Highlights, Christchurch City Guide, Queenstown City Guide, Need to Know, New Zealand Driving Guide and New Zealand’s South Island Travel Guide.
This is the Southern Alps Circuit chapter from Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips guidebook.
See a stack of the South’s top sights on this trip along ceaselessly scenic alpine, Lakeland and rural highways, dotted with towns ranging from rustic Ross to racy Queenstown
- explore rugged mountains, braided rivers and great walks at Arthur’s Pass National Park
- pick the right route with inspirational images and key trip highlights
- hike amongst breath-taking glaciers and New Zealand’s highest peaks at Fox Glacier
- get around easily with colour maps and route directions in easy stages
- ski or snowboard your way down New Zealand’s finest ski fields on the South Island
- discover even more with detours and ways to link your trips
Coverage includes: Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Hokitika, Ross, Māori Greenstone Routes, Fox Glacier, Ship Creek, Makarora, Wanaka, Queenstown, Cromwell, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Mt Aspiring National Park, Lake Tekapo, Geraldine, Methven and Rakaia Gorge.
This is the Sunshine & Wine chapter from Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips guidebook.
This tour around the sunny top of the South Island serves up a seductive blend of wineries, alfresco dining and gentle leisure activities.
- explore the sun, sand, culture and artisanal markets at Nelson
- pick the right route with inspirational images and key trip highlights
- explore Marlborough’s ample winegrowing region
- get around easily with colour maps and route directions in easy stages
- board a boat and discover the scenic labyrinth of peaks, bays and watery reaches of the Marlborough Sounds
- discover even more with detours and ways to link your trips
Coverage includes: Marlborough Sounds, Picton, Havelock, Pelorus Bridge, Nelson, Waimea Estate, Upper Moutere, Motueka, Nelson Lakes National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Renwick and Blenheim.
Inside Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips:
- Lavish colour and gorgeous photography throughout
- Itineraries and planning advice to pick the right tailored routes for your needs and interests
- Get around easily - easy-to-read, full-colour route maps, detailed directions
- Insider tips to get around like a local, avoid trouble spots and be safe on the road - local driving rules, parking, toll roads
- Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices
- Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
- Useful features - including Detours, Walking Tours and Link Your Trip
Covers: Christchurch, Canterbury, Marlborough, Queenstown, Wanaka, Blenheim, Nelson, Kaikoura Coast, Southern Alps, Milford Sound, Te Anau, and more
Writers: Brett Atkinson, Sarah Bennett, Peter Dragicevich, Lee Slater
128 pages, 128pp color, 34 maps | Dimensions: 128mm × 197mm
Next edition due: Mar 2023

You are viewing a Road Trip guide
What is a Road Trip guide?
- Divided into four sections: Plan your trip, Road trips, Destinations, Rules of the road
- Regional highlights and advice to help you plan the perfect trip
- Maps, detailed directions and expert tips for easy navigation
- Full of in-depth reviews, well-kept secrets and local knowledge