Why You Should Drive the South Island: Hidden Gems in New Zealand
Though it scared my father half to death to drive on the opposite of the road on New Zealand’s narrow, windy, one way motorways – I think he would agree with me that driving the South Island of New Zealand it was worth the moments of stress and terror we had.
Wait, don’t let me turn you off to the idea of a kiwi road trip just yet!
Sitting as a passenger on the left as we drive through the South Island in January 2019.
Tips for Driving on the Left Side of the Road in New Zealand
If you’re not from a country that drives on the left side of the road, it can be scary beyond belief – but it’s just a matter of knowing what roads not to take.
Is It Worth Driving the South Island of New Zealand?
Absolutely, without a doubt, yes! Driving the South Island of New Zealand is an absolute must while traveling in the Kiwi country, as you’ll be able to see out-of-this-world natural wonders such as Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, and Lake Tekapo that are hard to access without a car.
Here are some tips and tricks to remember when planning a road trip on the South Island of New Zealand:
Avoid Crown Range Road: Heading out of Queenstown and going towards Wanaka, my phone told me to turn left onto a mountainous road… with a peak elevation of over 1121 meters (that’s over 3,600 feet)! My word of advice is, don’t turn left when the GPS tells you to. Ignore your phone. If you go straight, you avoid the petrifying-drive-up-high all together, and cruise through a gorge the whole way to Wanaka.
Use the Main Road: As the country is small, New Zealand operates on one main road – known as State Highway, which is the longest and most-pivotal road. If you’re ever lost, this is probably where you’ll want to direct yourself back to.
Beware of Tailgaters: The rest of the drive between Queenstown and Christchurch is fine, just be alert for experienced-kiwi-truckers tailgating you… but they’ll pass you when they want to, anyways.
Pay for Gas or Petrol After Filling Up: For us Americans, this one can get confusing – as we’re used to paying before we fill up our cars. Remember to pay for your gasoline after filling up. Some gas stations on the South Island may be so small, you’ll have to go inside to pay at the register.
Suggested Route for Driving the South Island of New Zealand
Anyways, let’s get to the route for the best road trip in New Zealand:
My dad and I started our New Zealand adventure in Queenstown, and had planned in my phone for months all of the unknown, in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-off-of-the-motorway places I was determined to see.
Lake Wanaka
Twizel
Lake Pukaki
Lake Tekapo
We were on our way to stay with friends in Christchurch… meaning, we saw a great deal of the South Island.
In all of my travels, New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most mind-blowing countries I’ve seen in terms of raw beauty.
Lake Wanaka
Wanaka wasn’t a disappointment…
Lake Wanaka on the South Island of New Zealand; January 2019
… but it was just the beginning. On a clear day, you can see Mount Cook all the way across the lake.
As we drove… the scenery we were incessantly surrounded by somehow became even more inconceivable.
While driving, you’ll see these tan mountains that look like suede from afar – and they’ll be covered in little flowers…
Mountains on the South Island of New Zealand; January 2019
…or sheep. New Zealand has lots of sheep.
What’s the Weather Like in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s weather is similar to Scotland and Ireland, as in – it’s subject to change multiple times a day. Therefore, it’s best to dress in layers when taking a road trip across the country – as it could easily go from sunny to being cloudy at any given minute.
You’ll realize part of New Zealand’s thing is it’s cloudiness. Trust me when I say it somehow adds to the surreal, mystical vibe of the countryside.
Driving through the South Island in New Zealand; January 2019
Twizel
We made a pit stop in Twizel. It’s a small town very close to Lake Pukaki.
Entering the town of Twizel while driving the South Island of New Zealand; January 2019
In Twizel, you’ll be able to do the following:
Set up a base for visiting Mount Cook National Park
Stock up on snacks, gas, and use the restroom
Discover fun biking or mountain excursions
We didn’t stay in Twizel for long, as we were more excited about seeing the lakes on the South Island.
Lake Pukaki
As my dad and I were driving towards the isolated lake, we both turned to our left and let out audible gasps.
We couldn’t believe what we were looking at.
Driving past Lake Pukaki on the South Island of New Zealand; January 2019
In the words of my dad,
“No, this is… this is like being on Mars.”
The stunning Lake Pukaki in New Zealand must be added to your kiwi-to-do-list.
I couldn’t stop looking… even as we kept driving, the striking lake kept going.
Back on road 1 (they only have one main highway road in NZ!) driving away from Lake Pukaki; January 2019.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo isn’t as startling as Pukaki, but man… is it sparkling.
Lake Tekapo on the South Island of New Zealand; January 2019
What Is the Best Way to See New Zealand?
There’s no doubt that the best way to see New Zealand’s rugged, jaw-dropping beauty is to drive through it. If you’re questioning taking a kiwi road trip, and you’ve had some experience driving on the left side of the road, I really encourage you to do so.
I couldn’t have imagined seeing so much of this gorgeous any other way.
If you’re looking for other things to do in New Zealand, click here.
Last updated: June 3, 2025