New Zealand's South Island Road Trips

Lonely Planet: The world’s leading travel guide publisher


Discover the freedom of open roads with Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips, your passport to uniquely encountering New Zealand’s South Island by car. Featuring four amazing road trips, plus up-to-date advice on the destinations you’ll visit along the way, you can enjoy whale watching along the Kalkoura Coast or absorb stunning lake scenery at Milford Sound, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to New Zealand’s South Island, rent a car, and hit the road! 


Inside Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips:

Lavish colour and gorgeous photography throughout

Itineraries and planning advice to pick the right tailored routes for your needs and interests

Get around easily - easy-to-read, full-colour route maps, detailed directions

Insider tips to get around like a local, avoid trouble spots and be safe on the road - local driving rules, parking, toll roads

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Useful features - including Detours, Walking Tours and Link Your Trip 

Covers Christchurch, Canterbury, Marlborough, Queenstown, Wanaka, Blenheim, Nelson, Kalkoura Coast, Southern Alps, Milford Sound, Te Anau, and more


The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island Road Trips is perfect for exploring New Zealand’s South Island via the road and discovering sights that are more accessible by car.


Planning a New Zealand South Island trip sans a car? Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island guide, our most comprehensive guide to New Zealand’s South Island, is perfect for exploring both top sights and lesser-known gems. 


Looking for a guide focused on New Zealand’s North Island? Check out Lonely Planet New Zealand’s North Island guide  for a comprehensive look at all New Zealand’s North Island has to offer, or the New Zealand guide for all New Zealand has to offer, or for your next tramping adventure try Hiking & Tramping in New Zealand.


There’s More in Store for You:

See more of Europe’s picturesque countrysides and have a richer, more authentic experience by exploring Europe by car with Lonely Planet’s European Best Trips guides to Italy, France, and Ireland or Road Trips guides to Italy, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Châteaux of the Loire Valley, Normandy & D-Day Beaches, and Provence & Southeast France.


Also, check out Lonely Planet’s USA Best Trips guides to USA, California, New England, Southwest USA, New York & the Mid-Atlantic, Florida & the South, and The Pacific Northwest and Road Trips guides to Route 66, San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country, New England, the Civil War Trail, San Antonio, Austin & Texas backcountry and Pacific Coast Highways for more road trip inspiration.


Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet.


About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travelers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.