Central Otago Touring Route

Ease into the trip with a coastal and countryside drive that rolls from Nelson’s sunny orchards to Marlborough’s river valleys and on to the Kaikōura ranges meeting the Pacific. With the ocean to your left and mountains rising to your right, it is a fitting first taste of the South Island’s drama.

Where to stop between Nelson and Kaikōura

• Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve: Stretch your legs on lush forest and riverbank tracks and grab a coffee by the water. 

• Havelock: Sample green-lipped mussels in the self-proclaimed mussel capital and browse small-town galleries. 

• Blenheim viewpoints: If time allows, detour for a quick photo among Marlborough’s vine-striped hills.

Things to do in Kaikōura

Kaikōura is all about ocean life and coastal walking. 

Join a whale-watching cruise to seek out resident sperm whales and playful dolphins, or keep things relaxed on the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, where rugged headlands, seabirds, and often fur seals share the shoreline. 

Make time for a simple South Island classic - a crayfish roll or freshly cooked cray straight from Nins Bin, a legendary local caravan right by the beach, where you can have your meal with ocean views.

Where to stay in Kaikōura

Set up at Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park for powered sites, handy facilities, and an easy walk into town. If you prefer to sleep closer to the surf, Peketā Campground offers beachfront powered sites with sunrise over the Pacific.

The Pacific Coast Highway south is a relaxed ribbon of sea views and coastal bluffs. Keep your camera ready for the moments when the rail line, highway, and sea all squeeze into the same dramatic corridor.

Where to stop between Kaikōura and Christchurch

• Gore Bay and Cathedral Cliffs: A short detour from Cheviot leads to striking clay cliffs and a sweeping beach. 

• Waipara Valley: Park up for a leisurely tasting of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Riesling among rolling vineyard hills.

Things to do in Christchurch

Christchurch blends heritage and innovation with leafy calm. Wander the Botanic Gardens and the Avon River paths, then dip into the city’s street art and buzzy food scene at a central market. If you are craving another leg stretch, Hagley Park’s wide lawns and tree-lined avenues make for an easy golden-hour stroll.

Where to stay in Christchurch

Spencer Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park sits near the coast with roomy sites and a relaxed, family-friendly feel. North South Holiday Park near the airport is another camper-friendly option with shady spots and a laid-back vibe.

Today, you leave the coast behind for the wide-open Canterbury Plains and the Mackenzie Country. As the road gently climbs, the Southern Alps sharpen on the horizon, and the colours shift from pasture greens to high-country golds and glacier-fed blues.

Where to stop between Christchurch and Lake Tekapo

Rakaia Gorge: Pull in for a lookout over the braided, ice-blue river threading through a steep-sided canyon. 

Geraldine: Stock the camper with local cheese, preserves, and a fresh coffee for a simple picnic lunch. 

Fairlie: Treat yourself to a famous bakery pie before the final scenic push to Tekapo.

Things to do in Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo’s first impression is unforgettable. Visit the stone Church of the Good Shepherd on the turquoise shore and take a gentle lakeside walk for changing angles on the water and mountains. In the afternoon, head up Ōtehīwai / Mount John for sweeping 360 degree views over the Mackenzie Basin. As night falls, you are in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so consider a stargazing experience or simply step out from your site and look up.

Where to stay in Lake Tekapo

Lakes Edge Holiday Park sits right on the water with powered sites and a panoramic outlook that glows at sunset.

This is one of New Zealand’s great scenic drives. Follow the shoreline of Lake Pukaki, pausing at viewpoints to admire its milky turquoise colour, then turn up the valley toward the cloud-piercing summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook.

Where to stop between Lake Tekapo and Aoraki / Mount Cook

• Lake Pukaki Lookout: Epic photo stop with Aoraki framed across the water. 

• Visit a shop at the canals: Pick up fresh or hot-smoked salmon for lunch with a view.

Things to do in Aoraki / Mount Cook

Choose an easy alpine track to fit the afternoon light. The Hooker Valley Track is a favourite for good reason, with swing bridges, glacier-carved peaks, and an iconic lake at the turnaround point. Kea Point is a shorter alternative with big mountain views for modest effort, and the Tasman Glacier viewpoints offer a glimpse of icebergs on a calm day. If you have time left, the small alpine museum in the village tells the story of early mountaineers and local geology.

Where to stay in Aoraki / Mount Cook

White Horse Hill Campsite places you beneath cathedral-like cliffs, with basic DOC facilities and trailheads right from your site. For powered sites and a few extra comforts, Glentanner Park Centre sits just outside the national park, close to the shores of Lake Pukaki, with stunning mountain views.

Trace the turquoise water back toward the Lindis Pass and into Otago. The scenery evolves from alpine valleys to tawny tussock highlands, then softens again as you near lakes Hāwea and Wānaka.

Where to stop between Aoraki / Mount Cook and Wānaka

• Clay Cliffs Omarama: A short walk among otherworldly pinnacles. Access is via a brief unsealed road that is usually suitable for 2WD in dry conditions. Skip it in wet weather, especially if you’re not in a 4WD and aren’t experienced with driving in this terrain.

• Lindis Pass Summit Lookout: A classic South Island panorama over rolling, golden hills. 

• Tarras or Lake Hāwea: Coffee and a lakeside breather before the final leg.

Things to do in Wānaka

Wānaka invites you to slow down. Stroll the lakefront at golden hour and seek out the photogenic lone willow known as That Wānaka Tree. For a gentle leg stretch with a payoff, walk the Mount Iron Track for big views over both lakes and surrounding ranges. 

If you are in the mood for a tasting with a view, Rippon’s lakeside vines deliver exactly that. Families can add a playful hour at Puzzling World before dinner in town.

Where to stay in Wānaka

• Mt Aspiring Holiday Park offers spacious powered sites, mountain views, and easy access to walking trails. 

• Hampshire Holiday Parks – Wānaka is another centrally located option just a short stroll from the lakefront.

Where to stop between Wānaka and Queenstown

• Cromwell: Perched next to Lake Dunstan, with history dating back to the 1800s

• Arrowtown: Stroll the heritage main street and wander the river trail under autumn-hued trees.

Things to do in Queenstown

Start with a ride on the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for the postcard view over Lake Wakatipu. Back at lake level, walk the Frankton Track boardwalks or relax in the Queenstown Gardens among towering conifers. Food-wise, Queenstown rewards both casual and special-occasion appetites. If wine is calling, plan a late-afternoon tasting in nearby Gibbston Valley, where rugged schist hills and tidy rows of vines define Central Otago’s wine story.

Where to stay in Queenstown

Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde is an in-town favourite with quirky art touches and excellent camper facilities. Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park in Arthurs Point offers a quieter base, a short drive from the centre and close to riverside walks.

With no fixed driving today, you can savour the region’s mix of alpine energy and lakeside calm. Spend the morning on the water with a relaxed lake cruise or hire bikes for a gentle spin on the Queenstown Trail, pausing at riverside bridges and shaded picnic spots. 

After lunch, head out to Gibbston again to linger over tastings and cheeseboards, or return to Arrowtown to explore the restored Chinese Settlement and the easy Arrow River walk. As dusk arrives, find a lakeside bench for sunset colours on the Remarkables.

Where to stay in Queenstown

Stay a second night at your chosen Queenstown holiday park for convenience and an unhurried rhythm.

Where to stay: Beach Road Holiday Park

This short hop shifts the focus from alpine lakes to sun-baked gold country. Follow the Kawarau Gorge past rocky bluffs, turquoise rapids, and a pioneering bungy bridge into a region dotted with fruit stalls, vines, and relics of the 1860s gold rush.

Where to stop between Queenstown and Central Otago

• Kawarau Bridge: Watch bungy jumpers and take in the river’s colour from the old suspension span. 

• Roaring Meg Lookout: Quick pull-off for photos of the gorge and its vivid water. 

• Gibbston cellar doors: One last tasting flight before you roll into Cromwell.

Things to do in Central Otago

Base yourself in Cromwell or Bannockburn and divide your afternoon between heritage and wine. The Cromwell Heritage Precinct recreates an old main street on Lake Dunstan’s edge, with period facades, artisan stores, and a lovely lakeside path. 

A few minutes up the road, Bannockburn’s slopes host world-class Pinot Noir producers. For a scenic amble, the Bannockburn Sluicings Track loops through honeycombed cliffs and old water races carved by miners. Grab seasonal stone fruit from roadside stalls and consider a sunset picnic by the lake.

Where to stay in Central Otago

Cromwell Holiday Park provides powered sites and mature trees for shade, close to Lake Dunstan and the heritage precinct. For a quieter village feel, Clyde Holiday Park is a charming alternative near historic streets and the Clutha River / Mata-Au.

Point the camper south through orchard country and open plains toward Southland. The road glides past river towns and rolling farmland before delivering you to New Zealand’s southernmost city.

Where to stop between Central Otago and Invercargill

• Clyde or Alexandra: Coffee on the historic main street, then a quick look at the river from the bridge. 

• Roxburgh: Pick up a hot pie or fresh fruit to enjoy beside the Clutha River Mata-Au. 

• Gore: Stretch your legs downtown and, if time allows, learn a little local lore at a small museum.

Things to do in Invercargill

Invercargill’s green heart is Queens Park, where themed gardens and mature trees make for a peaceful wander after the drive. Motoring fans should not miss Bill Richardson Transport World, a vast and beautifully curated collection, and the Burt Munro exhibits that celebrate the World’s Fastest Indian story. If your timing coincides with Bluff oyster season, consider a short side trip to Bluff for a taste of Southland’s famed delicacy at its source.

Where to stay in Invercargill

Invercargill Kiwi Holiday Park, just north of the city, is a friendly, spacious base to wrap up your South Island odyssey.

FAQs and quick answers

1. Is Arthur’s Pass scary to drive?
   Arthur’s Pass is not usually scary for confident drivers on a fine day, but it does demand care. The road is alpine, winding in places, and can be affected by snow, ice, slips, and towing restrictions in poor weather, so it is best to check NZTA conditions before you go.

2. Is it worth going to Invercargill?
   Yes, especially if you enjoy gardens, heritage, and classic motoring. Invercargill is a worthwhile stop for Queens Park, Bill Richardson Transport World, motorcycle history, and as an easy gateway to Bluff and Southland’s wider scenery.

3. How many days do you need in the Catlins?
   You can see some highlights in a long day trip, but 2 days is a much better amount of time if you want to enjoy the Catlins properly without rushing. That gives you more breathing room for waterfalls, wildlife stops, coastal lookouts, and short walks.

4. What is Invercargill best known for?
   Invercargill is best known for its motoring heritage, especially Burt Munro and its standout vehicle collections, along with Queens Park and its status as New Zealand’s southernmost city. 

Ready to begin your Central Otago campervan adventure?

From teal-blue lakes and snow-dusted peaks to vineyard lunches and heritage streets, this itinerary strings together the South Island’s classic highlights at a refreshingly unhurried pace. When you are ready, you can easily book your Britz camper online and pick it up from your closest Britz branch before hitting the road.