During my New Zealand trip in Dec 2025, I spent eight days on New Zealand’s South Island with my family. It was beautiful, expensive, and honestly — I’m already planning a return trip. But I’d do a few things differently next time. Here’s what our trip looked like, what surprised us, and what I’d change next time.
How Many Days for the South Island
Although eight days was enough to hit the highlights — Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Wanaka, and Queenstown — but it felt rushed. If you can stretch it to ten or eleven days, you’ll have more time at the best stops (Lake Tekapo and Queenstown) and can add the Hooker Valley Track at Mount Cook (which we skipped) without feeling squeezed.
South Island Itinerary: The Route We Took
We drove from Christchurch down to Queenstown over eight days:
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook → Wanaka → Queenstown
It’s the classic South Island route — you get a bit of everything. City, lakes, mountains, small towns, and finally Queenstown’s energy at the end. We rented a car from Christchurch Airport and dropped it off in Queenstown. One-way rental cost a bit extra, but because we were flying back to Auckland and from Auckland back to Singapore, this was the better arrangement. Consider your road trip route before going!
Things to Do on the South Island
Christchurch — Fine, But Don’t Linger
Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake. It’s peaceful, the Botanic Gardens are lovely, and the Cardboard Cathedral is an interesting architectural quirk — a temporary church built from cardboard tubes that’s somehow still standing.
We spent two nights here to recover from the flight and get sorted with our rental car, but that was more than enough.
If I go again: I’d do one night max, or skip it entirely and drive straight to Lake Tekapo because it is simply put, just a chill, typical New Zealand city.
Lake Tekapo — The Star of the Trip
This was my favourite stop.
The lake is ridiculously turquoise blue — it looks photoshopped but it’s real. Something about glacial flour (fine rock particles) in the water creates the colour. We stayed at a lakeside motel for about $250 SGD per night (family of 5), and every morning I’d just sit outside with our supermarket-bought coffee staring at the water. It was very peaceful and healing. There’s something about beautiful nature that makes us happy as humans, and Singapore is lacking a lot in that aspect.
Here are some other touristy places in this area:
Church of the Good Shepherd is a tiny stone church from 1935 right on the lakeshore. It is very easy to find. The window behind the altar perfectly frames the lake and mountains — clearly intentional.
We also caught the wild lupins in bloom (purple, pink, blue flowers) along the shore. Seriously, lupin was everywhere in Lake Tekapo, you may have to drive a little to find the big patches but they were very easy to find. Absolutely stunning, but only if you visit November to December.
The town itself is small — one main street with restaurants (Japanese, Indian, Kiwi food, and plenty more) and a grocery store. We cooked a few breakfasts (mostly eggs and toast) at the motel. Plenty of Singaporean tourists here, which surprised us! If you spot asian tourists here, they are either Chinese or Singaporean with a small chance of Koreans.
If I go again: three nights minimum instead of two. Gotta soak in the beautiful nature!
Mount Cook — As Beautiful as the Pacific Northwest
An hour from Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook Village sits at the base of New Zealand’s highest peak. I lived in Seattle for almost a year in 2024 and this place reminds me a lot of Mount Rainier National Park in the Pacific Northwest region.
We didn’t climb anything too challenging since we were travelling as a family, but the Kea Point Track (1.5 hours return) was perfect. Easy walk, massive payoff at the end with views of the glacier and mountain.
We also stopped at the Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre. Small visitor centre, but interesting interior design, and toilets! Remember to use the toilet here before the hike.
The drive there is half the experience. Farms everywhere with free-roaming sheep, cows, and even elk just chilling by the road. Classic New Zealand scenery.
If I go again: stay overnight in Mount Cook Village and do more tracks such as the Hooker Valley Track (three to four hours) — it’s the famous one with swing bridges and glacier views.
Wanaka — Pleasant, But Skippable
Wanaka is like Queenstown’s quieter younger sibling. We stopped here for two nights as a transition.
Wanaka Lavender Farm was a nice family destination — rows of lavender, families taking photos, lavender flavored honey and ice cream for sale etc. Low-key and pleasant. You need to pay a small fee for the tickets, so be sure to check the website!
That Wanaka Tree — you’ve seen the photos. It’s the lone willow tree in the lake that’s all over Instagram. My honest take: overrated. It’s a tree in water, surrounded by tourists taking the same shot. Worth a five-minute stop if you’re passing, but don’t build your day around it.
If I go again: skip Wanaka entirely or just stay one night.
Queenstown — Expensive but Worth It
Queenstown is the big finale — adventure capital of New Zealand. Bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boats, paragliding. Even if you’re not doing any of that, the town has an energy that’s hard to describe. The Remarkables mountain range in the background is stunning in any light.
We kept it chill:
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Queenstown Gardens — a park on a peninsula with these tall, perfectly spaced pine and fir trees. Something about walking through them felt almost magical. Great for a morning stroll.
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Queenstown Hill Track — we attempted this as a family. It’s a proper uphill hike, two to three hours return. We made it close to the top.
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Food — Queenstown has the best dining options on the South Island. Lots of options in the city centre. But if you are in New Zealand, you got to have the grass-fed beef/lamb. It tastes more “organic” than the US/Australian ones.
The cost, though. Our Airbnb — a small apartment with lake views — was $700 SGD per night. December is peak season, so prices are brutal. Book months ahead, or stay in Arrowtown (20 minutes away) for better rates.
I do feel like coming back solo specifically for the adventure stuff. Paragliding looked incredible.
Practical Tips for the South Island
Budget
New Zealand is not cheap. Budget around $600–700 SGD per day for a family if you want comfortable accommodation and decent meals. Consider saving a meal or two by cooking. New Zealand beef is ridiculously affordable compared to Singapore.
Getting Around
You need a car. No question. Public transport between towns is basically non-existent, and half the magic is stopping randomly when you see a beautiful viewpoint.
Visa and Driving
Singapore passport holders get visa-free entry for up to three months, but you need to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) online a few days before entry. Do not forget that!
What I’d Do Differently
Here’s the short version:
| What We Did | What I’d Do Next Time |
|---|---|
| 2 nights Christchurch | 1 night or skip |
| 2 nights Lake Tekapo | 3 nights — it was the highlight |
| Day trip to Mount Cook | Stay overnight, do Hooker Valley Track |
| 2 nights Wanaka | 1 night |
| 2 nights Queenstown | Keep, but book earlier or stay in Arrowtown |
| Family trip | Also do a solo trip for adventure activities |
The South Island delivered. It’s pricey but the beautiful nature alone is worth it.
I’ll be back next time, probably solo, when I am ready to splurge a little. Just me and a bungy cord.