South Island Road Trip

Our group photo in Queenstown, courtesy of Jam Jacob.

If you plan on visiting Christchurch and Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, you might as well drive from one city to the other, like what we did last year. Ditch the plane. Driving from Christchurch to Queenstown (or vice versa), you’ll get to see Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Lake Wanaka and Mount Cook. I promise you, the road trip is worth it because the views will take your breath away.

This post covers the leg of our road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown.

We rented two cars in Christchurch and began our road trip by heading southwest. If I haven’t mentioned it before, driving in rural New Zealand is so pleasant compared to the Philippines. Once you get the hand of driving on the right side of the road, everything else becomes easy. No tricycles that jump out of nowhere; no foolhardy pedestrian dashing across the street; and no reckless truck or bus drivers on the road. 

View from YHA Lake Tekapo

We left Christchurch at 11am. Stopped in the town of Asherton to have lunch. Proceeded with our journey and arrived in Lake Tekapo at 3pm. We checked in at what I believe is the backpackers/hostel with the best window view in the entire world--YHA Lake Tekapo.

View from Mount John Observatory. Photo courtesy of Giulia Soria.

The town of Lake Tekapo as seen from Mount John Observatory.

At 4pm, we drove up to Mount John Observatory. On a clear night, I was told you can see thousands of stars up in the sky. Mount John also offers a great view of Lake Tekapo.

The Church of the Good Shepherd next to Lake Tekapo.

Afterwards, we visited The Church of the Good Shepherd next to the lake. I imagine the church as a venue of many destination weddings here. The view of the church with the lake as a background is just spectacular.

Lake Tekapo in the morning.

Giulia and I obstructing the beautiful view of Lake Pukaki.

The next day, we continued with our South Island road trip. Our first stop for the morning was Lake Pukaki. It’s another beautiful lake, mirroring the snowcapped mountains of the southern alps. Ang ganda talaga. Parang postcard. I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to sit on a rock, drink a cup of hot coffee, and enjoy the view.

South Island Road Trip. Photo courtesy of Jam Jacob.

From the lake, the group drove up Mount Cook National Park. We stopped at the Hermitage resort and went on one of the suggested quick hikes of the area. There are other treks available, including a hike up to the peak, but those take longer.

Nice and easy walk around Mount Cook National Park

Clowning around at Kea Point

View from Kea Point

We walked 30 minutes to Kea Point. When we got there, we had our lunch and posed for a group photo with the mountain range on the background. And then we walked back to our cars. From there, we proceeded south, passed by the town of Twizel and crossed Lindis Pass.

Enjoying coffee with Kristine at Lake Wanaka.

Our next stop was Lake Wanaka. This is a great place to skydive as the jump offers a fantastic view of the lake and the snow-capped mountains. I was supposed to skydive here in 2013, but it was cancelled due to the strong winds. Que sera sera.

View from Crown Range Road. Photo courtesy of Jam Jacob.

Anyway, from Lake Wanaka, we drove up the Crown Range Road—reputedly the highest and scariest highway in New Zealand. It's high up the mountains with winding curves along cliffs--really scary for a driver.

With Mau at Arrowtown.

We passed by Arrowtown--the site of the first gold rush in New Zealand, way back in the early 1800s. The town looks like a movie set for one of those old western films.

At our backpackers in Queenstown, Pinewood Lodge.

And then we proceeded to our final destination for this road trip--the picturesque tourist destination of Queenstown. What a road trip. One of the best.