Four weeks means you can comfortably cover the entirety of the South Island. You can afford to add in these locations to the existing 21-day itinerary:
Arthur’s Pass
First, you can allocate time around either end of your Christchurch stay for a trip to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Popular hikes at Arthur’s Pass include the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall and the Arthur’s Pass Walking Track. When driving to Arthur’s Pass from Christchurch, you will pass Castle Hill, which is worth a brief stop. Here, an easy loop takes you through some ancient limestone formations.
Glenorchy and Arrowtown
Next, you can add another day to your Queenstown stay to visit the neighbouring towns of Arrowtown and Glenorchy. Arrowtown is an old mining town where many of the buildings from the old settlement have been restored.
Glenorchy is a historic village known for its Middle Earth scenery. Lord of the Rings fans will want to book the guided tour that takes you to the filming locations. Glenorchy is also a gateway to some of the South Island’s best hikes.
The Catlins
Finally, you can add stops between Dunedin and Invercargill for exploring the Catlins. We recommend at least 2-3 days to get the most out of the Catlins.
The Catlins lie at the southernmost point of the South Island. Not many travellers make it that far; as a result, you’ll be met with untouched nature and more wildlife than people. You could split your time up as follows:
Day 1 in the Catlins:
Spend the morning walking along the beaches of Cannibal and Surat Bay, a likely place to encounter families of sea lions. If the tide is at the right level, Jack’s blowhole is worth a visit.
In the afternoon, take the easy 20-minute hike to Purakaunui Falls before heading to Kaka Point and Nugget Point for sunset. This is your best chance to witness the rare yellow eyed penguin return home after a long day at sea. The Nugget Point lighthouse provides beautiful views, even if you’re unlucky with penguin spotting.
Day 2 in the Catlins:
Make a quick stop at Florence Hill Lookout before stretching your legs around Lake Wilkie. Choose between some of the other short walks in the area, such as Tunnel Hill, the Matai Falls and Rail trail, or the Tautuku boardwalk.
You’ll then want to spend a couple of hours visiting the Cathedral Caves. Note that the caves are only open when the tide is out, so check the tide times in advance.
Day 3 in the Catlins:
Before you make your way to Invercargill, stop at:
- McLean Falls
- Curio Bay Petrified Forest
- Ino at Fortrose shipwreck
- Waipapa Point Lighthouse
- Slope Point (the official southernmost point on the island)
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