The Ultimate Guide to South Island (Aotearoa, NZ)
Table of contents
The Ultimate Guide to South Island (Aotearoa, NZ)
We chose the South Island for its mountains, rivers, and Great Walks. Our summer trip was a mix of hiking and rafting—an adventure in every sense. Whether your journey is short or long, the beauty of this island lies in its endless options, all within close proximity.
Our route was a bit of a zigzag due to booking availability, so rather than a strict day-by-day breakdown, here’s a week-by-week itinerary!
Cam & Elise (Co-Founders)
Enjoy x
Trip Overview
Week 1: Queenstown, Glenorchy & the West Coast
Map: Google Maps Link
- Caples Track → A scenic riverside hike ending with a raft back.
- Hokitika River → A challenging hike in, followed by rafting through Class 2+ rapids.
- Mataketake Hut → A tough backcountry trek with steep climbs, epic sunset views, and encounters with cheeky Kea.
Week 2: Great Walks - Fiordland National Park
Map: Google Maps Link
- Kepler Track (2–3 days) → One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, featuring alpine ridges and lush beech forests.
- Routeburn Track (3 days) → Another stunning Great Walk, with dramatic mountain scenery and crystal-clear rivers.
Week 3: Mt Cook, Aspiring Valley & Wanaka
Map: Google maps link
- Mueller Hut Track (Overnight) → A steep trek with 360-degree views.
- Mount Aspiring (Day hike) → A rewarding trek into alpine terrain.
- Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain Track (2 hours)
- Rafting → Hawea River to Albert Town Bridge.
-
Blue Pools → A short, scenic walk leading to stunning turquoise waters.
Each hike had its own unique draw, from rugged mountain terrain and backcountry huts to exhilarating river journeys and breathtaking alpine vistas.
Each Week in Detail
Week 1: Queenstown, Glenorchy & the West Coast
📍Greenstone Roadend to Mid-Caples Hut
Distance: 8.9km | Elevation Gain: 199m | Time: ~2h 23m (one way)
A stunning riverside walk with epic mountain views and crystal-clear water—perfect for beginners. The Caples Valley is beautiful, winding through grassy flats bordered by beech forests and the towering Humboldt and Ailsa mountains.
Halfway, you’ll find a great swimming spot, with the hut just after a short bridge over the canyon. There’s another excellent swimming spot and rock jump accessible via the river back at the head of the canyon. Camping options include Mid Caples Hut (pre-booked) or free camping nearby (check DOC rules). Don’t miss the evening sight of geese swimming up the gorge. Sandflies can be brutal, so pack repellent.
We woke up by the river and packed our gear into the rafts. The river picks up to Class 2+ rapids for rafting, or you can enjoy the Caples Track as an out-and-back hike that links with other trails.
📍 Hokitika River (Whitcombe Pass to Rapid Creek Hut)
Distance: 8.9km | Elevation Gain: 261m | Time: ~2h 27m
This challenging terrain is recommended for experienced trampers, following the Hokitika River from Whitcombe Road to Rapid Creek Hut (first-come, first-served). It was our second packrafting river, with Class 2++ rapids that required careful scouting before running.
The walk-in was stunning, with rocky riverbanks leading into lush forest. A suspension trolley crossing added a fun, novel touch! The hut was full, so we camped by the river near our rafting put-in spot, surrounded by scenic views of smooth river rocks and towering peaks. The rafting itself was intense, with more water flow and technical rapids, but I was relieved to see the calm, blue waters of Hokitika Gorge at the end!
📍Mataketake Hut
Distance: 16.6km | Elevation Gain: 1,378m | Time: ~5h 45m
A challenging backcountry tramp with stunning views from the mountains to the sea! We’d been hearing about Mataketake Hut for years and finally made it. Opened in February 2021 and built by the Andy Dennis Trust, it’s a newer hut that’s definitely worth the effort.
The climb is tough, but the sunset views at the top are absolutely unreal, offering panoramic vistas from Mt. Cook all the way to the West Coast. Keep an eye out for cheeky Kea—they’re known to steal your shoes at night! On the way back, we took a detour for a refreshing dip in the lake. The route descends steeply before leveling out, with a few landslips to navigate.
Week 2: Fiordland National Park
📍Kepler Track
Distance: 58.6km | Elevation Gain: 2,178m | Time: 3 days
This was our first time on a Great Walk, and now I totally get the hype! The trail takes you past beech-forested shorelines of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, then onto tussock-covered ridgelines with breathtaking alpine views.
After an epic day on the ridgelines, we camped the first night at Luxmore Hut Flat, grateful to rest our legs after a steep descent to camp. Day two began with a chilly dip in the river, and although we’d planned to stay at Iris Burn Hut, the weather was turning, so we decided to push on.
My favourite part? Walking the ridgeline with panoramic views and watching the clouds dance over the mountaintops.
📍Routeburn Track
All trails
Distance: 31.5km | Elevation Gain: 1,484m | Time: 3 days
This might have been my favorite hike... The Routeburn Track, known as "the ultimate alpine adventure track," winds through meadows, beech forests, and vast mountain ranges. Starting at Routeburn Shelter, the trail follows a forest track, with a perfect swimming spot at Sugarloaf Stream (don’t miss it!). A swing bridge leads you to open grass flats, where you’ll find the Routeburn Flats Hut and Campsite. Due to availability, we camped at Routeburn Flats for two nights and did a day mission to Lake Mackenzie. The out-and-back along the ridgline was pretty grueling, but worth it. The campsite was unreal, and by day three, we were feeling incredibly grateful.
Week 3: Mueller Hut + Day Hikes
📍Mueller Hut Track
All Trails
Distance: 9.7km | Elevation Gain: 1,056m | Time: ~3h (one way)
A last-minute addition to our itinerary, and I’m so glad we did it! Starting at the Mount Cook car park, this route offers a 360-degree panorama of glaciers, ice cliffs, and New Zealand’s highest peaks.
Sleeping in the mountains, we could hear distant glacier avalanches. Waking up to the sunrise glow over the peaks, we saw other trampers lined up on the ridge, coffee in hand, soaking in the view. Unforgettable.
📍 Mount Aspiring Valley (Day hike)
All Trails
Distance: 9.2km | Elevation Gain: 197m | Time: ~2h
Another favorite! The views on this track are unbeatable! Located in the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park near Wanaka, this short scenic tramp takes you from Raspberry Creek Carpark through the Matukituki Valley to the historic Aspiring Hut. We took it slow and enjoyed a swim along the way. If you have time, I highly recommend turning it into an overnight adventure and continuing on to Liverpool Hut.
📍 Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain Track
DIstance 7.6 km Loop | Elevation Gain: 489 m | Time: ~2h
Kickstart your day with this scenic 7.6 km loop near Wanaka, Otago—featuring epic views over the lake! Here are a few snaps from our first NZ meet-up.
Helpful Tips
Here are a few things we learned along the way that might help you plan your own adventure. From booking hikes to navigating the roads and packing for unpredictable weather, these tips made our South Island trip smoother—and a whole lot more enjoyable!
Booking Hikes
New Zealand’s Great Walks must be booked in advance via the DOC website, and most huts and campsites also require reservations. Plan ahead, as spots fill up quickly, especially in peak season.
Getting Around
Renting a car is your best bet for flexibility, with plenty of hire options near the airport. All the hikes we did were accessible with a regular vehicle, but always check road conditions in advance—some access roads are prone to flooding.
Navigation: We used the AllTrails app for tracking routes, checking recent trail conditions, and finding hike details like distance and elevation. If you have a subscription, you can download maps for offline use—super handy in remote areas without reception. Just remember to pack a power bank!
Gear & Weather
Alpine environments can be unpredictable—sunshine one day, snow the next. Be ready for sudden changes in weather by packing plenty of layers, along with enough food and water. But with the right gear, you can enjoy the adventure no matter the conditions. For a full breakdown of our packing list, click here: Ultimate Pack List for a Backpacking & Rafting Adventure.
If you have any questions or need more details—just reach out!
Accommodation & Food Recommendations
Glenorchy:
Wanaka:
- Relax: Secret Sauna
- Food: Big Fig
- Coffee: Scroggin
Makarora (Near Blue Pools)
- Stay: Wonderland A-Frames
Queenstown:
- Food: Tanoshi Ramen
- Coffee & Breakfast: Bespoke Kitchen
West Coast:
- Stay: Off-Grid Cabin
- Near Franz Josef: West Coast Airbnb
- Best roadside ice cream: Bruce Bay Beach
