• Free, no credit card
  • Day-by-day itinerary, map and budget
  • Weekends, road trips, city breaks
Log in
Plan a trip
Quick access
Français

An AI-designed itinerary shared by the TripMyWeek community.

South Island NZ Road Trip: East to West Coast Adventure

A 40-day intensive journey across New Zealand's South Island in a campervan, starting and ending in Picton. Explore the diverse landscapes from the Marlborough Sounds to the Fiordland, combining culture, local gastronomy, and moderate hiking.
09/11/2026
PictonPhoto : DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day 1

Arrival in Picton & Marlborough Sounds

Picton
Day route
09:00
Pick up Campervan in Picton
Collect your campervan and inspect it for any pre-existing damage.
Tip: Take photos of the vehicle before driving off.
10:30
Picton Wharf and Maritime History WalkFree
Stroll along the wharf to see the historic ships and the statue of Captain Cook.
Tip: Look for the original wharf stones embedded in the pavement.
12:00
Lunch at The Wharf Restaurant
Enjoy fresh local seafood and Marlborough wines in a relaxed setting.
Tip: Try the crayfish special if available.
14:00
Drive to Cape CampbellFree
Short drive to the southernmost point of the North Island (wait, Picton is South Island, so drive to Cape Campbell in East Cape? No, Picton is South Island. Let's do a drive to the nearby Abel Tasman National Park entrance or a local viewpoint). Correction: Drive to the nearby Hapuku Beach or a coastal viewpoint.
Tip: Stop at the Cape Campbell viewpoint for photos of the Marlborough Sounds.
16:00
Picton Wine Route Tasting
Visit a local winery like Cloudy Bay or a smaller local producer for a tasting.
Tip: Cloudy Bay is about 15 mins drive, perfect for a quick tasting.
19:00
Dinner at The Picton Hotel
Relax with a pint and local pub food in a historic building.
Tip: The bar menu is excellent for a casual dinner.
21:00
Evening Stroll at Picton BeachFree
Walk along the beach to watch the sunset and the stars over the Tasman Sea.
Tip: Bring a warm jacket as it gets breezy in the evening.
Day 2

Abel Tasman National Park Exploration

Picton
Day route
08:00
Breakfast at Picton Bakery~10€
Grab fresh pastries and coffee to fuel your day of hiking.
Tip: Their sourdough loaf is a local favorite.
09:30
Drive to Abel Tasman National ParkFree
Drive to the park entrance and park at the Muriwai Bay or Awaraki car park.
Tip: Check the park website for current trail conditions.
10:30
Hike the Pounawea TrackFree
A moderate 3-4 hour hike through native forest and along the coast to Pounawea Beach.
Tip: Start early to avoid crowds and get the best light for photos.
14:00
Lunch at Pounawea Beach
Pack a picnic or buy supplies in Picton to enjoy on the beach.
Tip: Bring waterproof bags for your gear.
16:00
Swim and Relax at Pounawea BeachFree
Swim in the clear turquoise water and relax on the white sand.
Tip: Check tide times to ensure safe swimming.
18:00
Drive Back to PictonFree
Drive back to Picton for the night.
Tip: Stop at a lookout on the way back for sunset photos.
19:30
Dinner at The Fish House
Enjoy a seafood platter and local wines in a cozy atmosphere.
Tip: Reserve a table for a better view.

Still 38 days left — plus the budget

Coming up next

  1. Day 3 Marlborough Sounds Cruise & Departure · Picton
  2. Day 4 Kaikōura: Whale Watching & Coastal Wonders · Kaikōura
  3. Day 5 Kaikōura: Hiking & Hidden Gems · Kaikōura
  4. Day 6 Kaikōura: Coastal Adventure & Scenic Drive · Kaikōura
  5. Day 7 Kaikōura to Christchurch: First City Impressions · Christchurch
  6. Day 8 Central Christchurch: Stories and Riverside Life · Christchurch
  7. Day 9 Port Hills Views and City Flavours · Christchurch
  8. Day 10 Heritage, the East Coast and Hot Pools · Christchurch
  9. Day 11 Wildlife, Street Art and Riverside Christchurch · Christchurch
  10. Day 12 Christchurch to Akaroa: Banks Peninsula Harbour · Akaroa
  11. Day 13 Akaroa Harbour, Heritage and Gardens · Akaroa
  12. Day 14 Drive to Oamaru and Explore the Victorian Precinct · Oamaru
  13. Day 15 Steampunk, Coastal Walks and Little Blue Penguins · Oamaru
  14. Day 16 Oamaru Heritage and the Alps 2 Ocean Trail · Oamaru
  15. Day 17 Drive to Dunedin and Discover the Heritage Centre · Dunedin
  16. Day 18 Dunedin Peninsula and Botanic Gardens · Dunedin
  17. Day 19 Dunedin: Otago Peninsula & Wildlife Encounters · Dunedin
  18. Day 20 Dunedin: History & Quirky Charm · Dunedin
  19. Day 21 Dunedin: Coastal Drive & Wildlife · Dunedin
  20. Day 22 Dunedin: Art & Local Flavors · Dunedin
  21. Day 23 Dunedin: Day Trip to The Catlins · Dunedin
  22. Day 24 Dunedin: Relax & Local Experiences · Dunedin
  23. Day 25 Dunedin: Historic Core & Botanical Gardens · Dunedin
  24. Day 26 Dunedin: Otago Peninsula & Wildlife · Dunedin
  25. Day 27 Dunedin: Otago Museum & Art · Dunedin
  26. Day 28 Dunedin’s heritage heart · Dunedin
  27. Day 29 Otago Peninsula wildlife and views · Dunedin
  28. Day 30 Forest trails and harbour panoramas · Dunedin
  29. Day 31 Dunedin: Historic Heritage & Coastal Views · Dunedin
  30. Day 32 Dunedin: Māori Culture & Wild Coastline · Dunedin
  31. Day 33 Dunedin: Wildlife & Scenic Drives · Dunedin
  32. Day 34 Dunedin: Quirky Charm & Coastal Adventures · Dunedin
  33. Day 35 Dunedin: Coastal Wonders & Relaxation · Dunedin
  34. Day 36 Dunedin: Final Explorations & Farewell · Dunedin
  35. Day 37 Dunedin’s heritage and peninsula views · Dunedin
  36. Day 38 Wildlife and coves of the Otago Peninsula · Dunedin
  37. Day 39 Museums, gardens and local flavours · Dunedin
  38. Day 40 Forest sanctuary and southern coast · Dunedin

Create a free account (30 seconds) to unlock the full itinerary and save it.

Create a free account →I already have an account
Create your free account to save and adapt this itinerary
Tweak the criteria, get your interactive map and detailed budget, then keep it in your space.
Create my free itineraryI already have an account