14 Day South Island Family Campervan Itinerary
Travelling the South Island by campervan with kids is a different kind of adventure, slower, messier, and often more rewarding. It’s about finding places where little legs can run free, drives that don’t end in meltdowns, and campsites that feel like part of the holiday, not just somewhere to sleep.
Our two week family friendly campervan intinerary starting from Christchurch is designed with that reality in mind. Shorter driving days, plenty of nature breaks, hands-on experiences, and destinations that work just as well for adults as they do for curious kids. Think wildlife encounters, lakes you can actually swim in, easy walks with big payoffs, and towns where playgrounds, cafés and supermarkets are never far away.
Rather than rushing from highlight to highlight, these trips focus on balance. Time to explore, time to rest, and flexibility when plans inevitably change. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, school-age kids, or teenagers, these itineraries give you a solid framework, without locking you into a rigid schedule.
Use this as a starting point. Stretch a stay where everyone’s happy, skip what doesn’t suit your crew, and shape the trip around your family. That’s the real freedom of a South Island campervan holiday, travelling at your pace, together.
A family-friendly 14-day South Island campervan itinerary
Starting and finishing in Christchurch
Two weeks gives you room to slow down, explore properly, and settle into campervan life with kids. This route balances iconic landscapes with towns that make travelling as a family genuinely easy, and campsites that feel like part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch > Settle in
Drive time: Minimal
Christchurch is the ideal place to start a family campervan trip. There are plenty of campervan hire options based out near the airport, or if you're picking up a campervan from within the city, the city centre is 20mins away. Christchurch is flat, easy to navigate, and well set up for stocking up and easing into van life.
Use your first day to:
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Pick up your hire campervan and get familiar with it
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Do a proper supermarket shop (this will save you time later)
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Let kids burn off travel energy at Hagley Park or Margaret Mahy Playground
Don’t plan too much today. Jet lag, logistics, and learning where everything lives in the van is more than enough. Stay close to the city so tomorrow’s drive doesn’t feel rushed.
Where to stay:
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Christchurch TOP 10 Holiday Park – Excellent facilities, playground, and easy access to the city.
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South Brighton Holiday Park – Right by the beach, relaxed vibe, good for first-night breathing space.
Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Drive time: ~3 hours
Today you leave the city behind and properly enter South Island mode. The drive through the Canterbury Plains is gentle and straightforward, allowing you to get to your know your campervan and making it a good first travel day with kids.
As the landscape opens up, Lake Tekapo feels like a reward at the end of the drive with wide skies, vivid blue water, and space everywhere.
Spend the afternoon:
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Walking along the lakeshore
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Visiting the Church of the Good Shepherd
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Letting kids explore open grassy areas near the lake
Keep it relaxed. This is about arriving, not racing. Don’t plan too much today. Jet lag, logistics, and learning where everything lives in the van is more than enough.
Where to stay:
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Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park – Central, well-equipped, and walking distance to the lake and playgrounds.
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Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort – A bit more structured but very easy with kids.
Day 3: Lake Tekapo Slow Day
Drive time: N/A
Staying two nights here pays off. With no pressure to pack up, you can actually enjoy Tekapo. Good family options:
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Tekapo Springs hot pools (warm pools for kids, views for parents)
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A short walk on the Mt John access track
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Easy bike rides or scooting along the lake paths
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Stargazing at night
Tekapo star gazing is world-class, and it is one of the best places in New Zealand — and the world — to experience the night sky.
Lake Tekapo sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. This means there is extremely low light pollution, clear air, and wide open skies, creating ideal conditions for seeing stars, planets and deep-space objects with the naked eye.
On a clear night you can see the Milky Way stretching right across the sky, the Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, and often planets such as Saturn or Jupiter. During winter months the stars feel especially sharp and bright, and on rare occasions you may even spot the aurora australis (southern lights).
Day 4: Lake Tekapo to Wanaka (via Lindis Pass)
Drive time: 3 hours
Today’s drive is scenic without being demanding. Lindis Pass feels dramatic but gentle, and there are plenty of places to stop and stretch. Arriving in Wanaka feels like stepping into a town built for families. Everything is close, the vibe is relaxed, and the lake is always nearby.
Spend the afternoon:
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Wandering the waterfront
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Swimming or paddling in summer
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Watching the sun set over the lake
Where to stay:
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Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park – Excellent for families, playgrounds, and easy access to town.
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Albert Town Campground – Quieter, spacious, and right by the river.
Day 5: Wanaka > Explore town & surrounds
A full day in Wanaka lets everyone reset. Family favourites include:
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Puzzling World (surprisingly fun for adults too)
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Easy lakeside bike paths
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A café stop followed by playground time
After a few travel days, Wanaka is the perfect place to pause. This is a town that genuinely works for families. It's compact, easy to get around, and full of low-effort activities that still feel special. Staying put today means no packing up, no long drives, and no pressure to be anywhere by a certain time.
Start the morning slowly. Wander down to the lake with a coffee in hand and let the kids lead the pace. The lakeside path is flat and stroller-friendly, with plenty of spots to stop, throw stones, or just watch the light change on the water. On a warm day, the small beaches around town are ideal for a swim or paddle, with calm water and easy access back to town.
Mid-morning is a great time to head to Puzzling World. It’s one of those rare attractions that works across ages, optical illusions for younger kids, problem-solving challenges for older ones, and enough clever design to keep adults entertained too. It’s hands-on, fun, and doesn’t require a full day, leaving you plenty of time to relax afterwards.
For lunch, Wanaka’s café scene makes things easy. Many spots are family-friendly, and takeaway eaten by the lake is often the simplest option. If energy levels are high, hire bikes or scooters and follow the waterfront path, or head to one of the local playgrounds to let everyone burn off some steam.
The afternoon is ideal for something low-key. A short walk along the Clutha River, a visit to a quiet bay on the edge of town, or simply downtime back at the campsite with books, games, and snacks. These unstructured moments often become the most memorable parts of a family trip.
This is also a great day to do laundry, restock supplies, and enjoy not moving the campervan.
Day 6: Wanaka to Queenstown (via Cadrona)
Drive time: 3 hours
Take the Crown Range via Cardrona for mountain views and a fun café stop. Queenstown can feel busy, but if you approach it at a family pace, it works well.
If you’re looking for a standout family activity, the Skyline Gondola and luge is hard to beat. Riding the gondola up is an experience in itself, and the views from the top instantly put Queenstown into perspective. The luge tracks are fast enough to feel exciting but controlled enough to work for kids, and it’s one of those activities where everyone leaves smiling.
Spend the afternoon:
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Riding the Skyline Gondola
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Letting kids loose on the luge
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Walking the Queenstown Gardens loop
Where to stay:
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Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park - Central and convenient
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12 Mile Delta DOC Camp – Simple, scenic, and close to town.
Day 7: Queenstown
After the initial buzz of Queenstown and a couple of full days on the move, today is about easing off the accelerator. You’re staying put, which means no packing up the campervan and no set schedule, just a chance to enjoy Queenstown at a family pace.
Keep today flexible. Options depend on your family’s energy levels. Ideas include:
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A relaxed lake cruise on the Earnslaw steam boat to Walter Peak
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Arrowtown for an easy wander and ice cream stop
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A beach afternoon at Lake Wakatipu
You don’t need to do everything. Pick one or two highlights and leave space for downtime.
Day 8: Queenstown to Te Anau
Drive time: 3 hours
Today you leave the bustle of Queenstown behind and head south towards Fiordland, where the landscape opens up and the pace naturally slows. The drive to Te Anau is straightforward and scenic, with rolling farmland and wide skies that make it an easy travel day for families. Arriving in Te Anau feels like a reset. It's quieter, greener, and far less hurried. Spend the afternoon stretching your legs along the lakeside, visiting the bird sanctuary, or simply settling into camp and enjoying the space. This is a place to breathe, slow the rhythm of the trip, and ease into the wilder side of the South Island without feeling like you’ve gone completely off-grid.
Spend the afternoon:
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Walking or biking along the lakefront
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Visiting the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
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Letting kids explore without crowds
Te Anau is a great place to slow right down.
Where to stay:
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Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park – Excellent facilities, playgrounds, and central location.
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Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park – Right on the lakefront.
Day 9: Te Anau to Milford Sound (optional day trip)
Drive time: All day (return trip)
Milford Sound is one of those rare places where the experience changes with the weather and is genuinely special in all conditions. On clear days, the drive reveals towering peaks, deep valleys, and long views that feel almost unreal. In rain, the landscape transforms, with hundreds of temporary waterfalls pouring down the cliffs and the forest taking on a rich, moody feel. Either way, the journey from Te Anau is a big part of the experience, with plenty of short stops along the way to break up the drive and keep kids engaged.
Once at Milford Sound, a cruise offers a front-row seat to Fiordland’s scale. Calm weather brings reflections and wide-open views; wet weather adds drama, movement, and a sense of raw power that’s hard to match anywhere else in New Zealand. It’s a long day, especially for families, but one that often becomes a defining memory of the trip. Take it at your own pace, stop often, and let the conditions shape the experience rather than fighting them.
If the weather isn’t playing along, or you want to take a more relaxed journey take a tour coach - this allows you to visit without the stress of driving.
Day 10: Te Anau to The Catlins
Drive time: ~4 hours (broken up)
Today’s drive takes you into one of the South Island’s wildest corners: the Catlins. It’s a longer travel day, but breaking it up with short stops makes it manageable and fun for families. The Catlins is a place where every turn in the road can lead to waterfalls, beaches, or forest walks and kids will love the chance to explore along the way.
Highlights along the route include the iconic Nugget Point lighthouse, easy rainforest walks to see waterfalls, and wildlife spotting, from seals and penguins to curious birds. The landscape here feels remote, but the roads are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of safe, scenic pull-offs.
The Catlins rewards families who stop often. Look out for:
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Waterfalls with short walks
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Wild beaches
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Seals and sea lions (from a safe distance)
Where to stay:
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Purakaunui Bay Campsite (DOC) – Spacious, scenic, and a true wilderness experience.
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Curio Bay Campground – Great for penguins, fossils, and wide open space.
Day 11: The Catins to Dunedin
Drive time: ~2 hours
Today’s drive into Dunedin is short enough to feel relaxed, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the city when you arrive. The route still offers scenic surprises including coastal views, rolling hills, and occasional wildlife sightings, but it’s gentle enough that kids won’t get restless in the car.
Once in Dunedin, the pace slows down. Stroll along the waterfront, explore one of the city’s family-friendly museums, or spend time at a local playground. For a quieter option, head to St Clair Beach where the kids can run along the sand or splash in the waves while parents take in the view.
A shorter drive lets you arrive in Dunedin with energy to spare. Spend the afternoon:
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Visiting a beach or coastal lookout
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Exploring the city at a relaxed pace
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Enjoying a proper café meal
Where to stay:
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Dunedin Holiday Park – Well-equipped and family-focused.
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Portobello Village Tourist Park – Quieter, close to the peninsula.
Day 12: Dunedin - Otago Peninsula
Today is all about wildlife, coastal beauty, and hands-on experiences that make the South Island so memorable for families. The Otago Peninsula is just a short drive from Dunedin, so you can take your time in the morning before heading out, letting everyone enjoy a slow breakfast or a final walk in town.
The peninsula is packed with kid-friendly highlights: explore the beaches, spot albatross and penguins at the wildlife centres, and take short coastal walks that are manageable for little legs but still feel adventurous. Even simple activities like watching seals laze on the rocks or spotting native birds become exciting when the setting is so dramatic.
This is a hands-on, wildlife-focused day. Family highlights:
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Otago Peninsula wildlife tours
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Coastal walks
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Quiet beaches and picnic stops
Where to stay:
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Dunedin Holiday Park – Well-equipped and family-focused.
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Portobello Village Tourist Park – Quieter, close to the peninsula.
Day 13: Dunedin to Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Drive time: ~4 hours
Head inland towards one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Even kids who claim to be “over mountains” usually change their tune here. Family highlights include:
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Hooker Valley Track (flat, well-formed, and doable with kids)
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Stargazing if the night skies cooperate
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Visitor centre for learning without feeling like school
Where to stay:
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White Horse Hill DOC Camp – Right in the park, unbeatable setting (book ahead).
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Glentanner Park Centre – More facilities and stunning views.
Day 14: Mount Cook to Christchurch
Drive time: ~5 hours
Your final day takes you back through the Mackenzie Basin. Break the drive with lake stops, short walks, and café breaks.
Arriving back in Christchurch feels different now. Familiar, but changed by the journey. Make sure you leave enough time to drop off your campervan and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Optional final night if needed:
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Rakaia Gorge Campground
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Christchurch TOP 10 Holiday Park
Final note on campsites
For family travel, holiday parks are often worth it with hot showers, playgrounds, laundry, and space to spread out make a real difference over two weeks. Mixing in a few scenic DOC sites adds variety without overloading everyone. Be sure to check out our campsite directory for great places to stay on your route.
As always, follow the weather, book ahead in peak season, and don’t be afraid to stay an extra night where it feels right. That flexibility is the heart of a great family campervan trip in the South Island.
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