Ace Rental Cars Blog

The South Island/Te Waipounamu in New Zealand/Aotearoa is an island filled with plenty of sensational attractions and adventures, many of which you can discover on a five day road trip around the island.

Whether you want to explore bustling cities or natural wonderlands, all you need is your Ace rental car to embark on this ultimate journey. Beauty can be found around every corner of the South Island, so you’ll be sure to finish your trip with many memories you’ll keep with you forever.

Day 1: Christchurch

The best city to begin your five day adventure on the South Island is Christchurch/Ōtautahi. Home to the island’s largest airport, this is a convenient place to pick up your rental car and start exploring the South Island. To make the most of this bustling city, jump aboard the Christchurch Tram. You’ll be whisked along on a scenic tour of the city, visiting the area’s most well-known attractions, like the Botanic Gardens, The Terrace and Riverside Market and New Regent Street. Feel free to jump on and jump off at your leisure to explore the city. To learn more about Christchurch’s arts and culture scenes, check out Christchurch Art Gallery/Te Puna o Waiwhetū. This free gallery is home to some of the island’s most exciting works from Kiwi artists and beyond.

Day 2: Arthur’s Pass National Park

About two hours from Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass National Park/Kā Roimiro delivers views unlike any other. Step into nature with a journey through the park for memory-making adventures. Nestled into the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, there are plenty of hikes and bushwalks to embark on to give you a taste of this natural wonderland. The Historic and Millennium Walks include two accessible walks that will lead you around the village, taking you past waterfalls, forests and native flora and fauna. The Arthur’s Pass Walking Track is another incredible hike. This trail runs through diverse alpine vegetation, including sweeping mountain views. While the walk is a bit longer, it is well worth it for the outlook over the hills.

Day 3: Lake Tekapo

The stunning Lake Tekapo/Takapō is located about a 3.5 hours’ scenic drive through the [Southern Alps]https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/latest/the-southern-alps-a-natural-treasure/)/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana south of Arthur’s Pass. The intense turquoise of the lake is an image that will stay with you long after your travels are over. Explore the fringes of the lake with a walk around its edges or sit down with a picnic at sunrise or sunset for even more magnificent views. Just by the lake is the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. The heritage of this building against the natural history of the lake makes for a great picture. While there’s plenty of beauty at ground level, make sure to remember to look up at the stars. As part of the UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo provides a unique vantage point of the sky that will deliver a nighttime show of infinite sparkling stars.

Day 4: Mount Aspiring National Park

A three hour drive south of Lake Tekapo sits the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park/Tititea. Mount Aspiring combines lush forest with majestic mountains and is best experienced on foot on the network of walking trails. One of the most famous tracks in this area is the trail toward the Blue Pools. As this walk has swing bridges to carry you over the river, the bridges can sometimes be closed for maintenance, so make sure to check before you embark on your journey. Even if you can’t reach the stunning Blue Pools, the walk to the Makarora River will still deliver some sensational pockets of native forest. Another walking trail to try is the Cameron Valley Track. You’ll walk through valleys in the mountains and past waterfalls, with the earth stretching out above and before you. While this track is a bit longer at 7 kilometers one way, you only need to walk a little to get a taste of this incredible environment.

Day 5: Queenstown

From Mount Aspiring, head south two hours toward Queenstown/Tāhuna. This hub of action and adventure sits upon Lake Wakatipu and is a great place to end your road trip. Experience the lake from on the water by having a go at kayaking. This is a great way to experience the environment first hand, as well as burn off some energy. If you’re looking for more ways to spike your adrenaline, white water rafting is a must-do. Queenstown is famous for its rapids and wild waters, combining action-packed adventure with sensational views of the landscape. Finish your travels with a hike up the Queenstown Hill Time Walk. Not only will this deliver stunning panoramic views of the region, but you’ll also be able to learn more about the history of the area with signs along the way.

In your Ace rental car, this five day South Island Road trip will lead you to places unlike any other. Between mountains and rivers, lakes and cities, you’ll finish your travels with memories that will last forever.