The Best Road Trips on New Zealand’s South Island

Housed in a colonial-style villa, this boutique hotel has spectacular views over Kaikōura’s coastline. Opt for a waterfront room so you can whale-spot over your morning coffee in bed, and pop into the champagne bar for a glass of local fizz at sundown. Set in the heart of town, you’re a short stroll away from the many aquatic activities of the area, and you shouldn’t leave without sampling them. Crayfish are a local specialty, and Nin’s Bin (which is a short drive out of town) is the best spot to feast on them – they’ve been churning out crayfish from their seafront caravan since 1977.

This is the only sea kayak operator in New Zealand with a marine permit to view whales, dolphins and seals, so this thrilling adventure promises to get you up close and personal with a range of ocean wildlife. There’s a 100% guarantee to see fur seals on the tour, but you’re highly likely to encounter whales and dolphins along the way. With ruddered kayaks, spray skirts and experienced guides, you’re in safe hands – and will remain dry – as you adventure along the craggy coastline. Paddling alongside these ocean creatures as they hunt for octopus around the Kaikōura Peninsula makes for an unforgettable day.

Housed in a mock-Tudor building that was once a motor inn, Sherwood has been revived into an alpine-chic hotspot that has design fans drooling. Rooms lean toward the Scandi side, with shearling pillows, hand-woven wool blankets and blonde wood furnishings. The restaurant is equally worth staying for. With a menu of mainly foraged ingredients from the property’s garden, you’ll be feasting on dishes like whole flounder dripping in seaweed butter while enjoying brilliant views over the lake and surrounding snowy peaks. If you fancy exploring the dramatic landscapes further, a campervan is the best way to the make the most of the awe-inspiring Fjordland National Park, which is nearby.

Let someone else take the wheel on this late afternoon tour around a handful of Central Otago’s renowned wineries. Your guide will drive you from wine cave to cellar door, so you can sample a wide range of wines from the picturesque Gibbston Valley region. Set among the mountains, the topography of this area is truly incredible and makes for jaw-dropping vineyard locations. A cheese board at one of the stops will keep you fuelled for the day, and hotel pick-up and drop-off means you’ll be deposited back to your bedroom with ease.

Hidden among the lush New Zealand bushland, surrounded by ferns and the warbling of birds, Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge has a fairytale feel about it. Your stay includes breakfast and a four-course meal in the evening made with seasonal produce from the lodge’s gardens and served dinner-party style so you can get to know your hosts and fellow guests. Stay in a bush lodge to spend a magical evening soaking in a claw-foot bath with uninterrupted views over the greenery.

Tour this magical part of the world on a small group tour with a maximum of just 11 passengers. You’ll stop at a number of beaches along the way, including the beautiful Kaiteriteri Beach where you’ll take a cruise along the coastline before heading to Golden Bay, which is aptly named for the silky colour of its sand. Moving inland, you’ll travel into the depths of the Abel Tasman National Park, where you’ll visit the magnificent and remote Te Waikoropupu Springs, a sacred Māori spot.