Top of the South

Savour the Journey

Five regions, one road trip, from the Pacific to the Tasman

Five uniquely different regions packed into one corner of Aotearoa, from dramatic coastlines and alpine passes to native forests, world-class wine and remarkable wildlife. Explore it over a long weekend, nine nights, or a full fortnight to savour it all.

10days9nights1,150km5national parks

Explore the route See the real map

Driving the Top of the South

The Top of the South is a loop, not a line. Leaving Christchurch it runs north through the Hurunui’s vineyards and hot springs to Kaikōura, where a deep-water canyon a few kilometres offshore brings whales in close all year. From there the coast road turns inland into world-class Marlborough wine country and on to the Marlborough Sounds

Over the hill is Nelson Tasman: golden beaches, the country’s most accessible Great Walk, open year-round with gentle walking, and the growers and makers who supply most of what you will eat on this trip. Then south down the West Coast, which is rainforest and glaciers on one side and the stunning Tasman Sea on the other, before the alpine passes bring you home.

Nine nights covers all five regions without hurrying. Fourteen gives Abel Tasman and Golden Bay their own days, adds a second day on the water at Kaikōura, and lets weather have its say in Glacier Country without costing you the glacier.

95 km · 1 hr 20 min
Day 1
Day 01 · Drive
Waipara → Hanmer Springs
Thermal water under alpine air
Up through the Hurunui hills to an alpine village built around hot water. Walk the Conical Hill loop for the view over the basin first, so the pools are the reward rather than the plan.
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & SpaTourist AttractionsBookDefinitely worth the money!! Great day for the winter and used it as the shower day!
- Conical Hill Loop TrackWalking & HikingVery nice and quick walk with beautiful views of the town. Took us 45 mins not an hour! Very easy and lovely!
Paid for each adult - it's really worth it. Lots of different pools. Nice day off camper life :-) Lockers not incl, you have to pay extra fee for each locker for a full day.
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookWelcome to Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park. Our landscaped Park is just 5 minutes - walk from the alpine resort village of Hanmer Spring…
Alpine Holiday Apartments & CampgroundPaid CampsitesBookA spacious complex that offers accommodation varying from unique new timber-lined retreat with fire, to cosy economical kitchen cabins. Sur…
Pines Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookPines Holiday Park is situated easy walking distance from the village centre and Thermal Reserve in Hanmer Springs. All sites are spaciou…
130 km · 1 hr 50 min
Day 2
Day 02 · Drive
Hanmer Springs → Kaikōura
Where the mountains meet the whales
The inland road drops you onto a coast with a kilometre-deep canyon just offshore — which is why sperm whales feed here year round. Walk the peninsula in the afternoon for seals, and eat crayfish out of a caravan on the way in.
- Whale Watch KaikouraWater ActivitiesBookGreat Maori company. Nice people and saw a lot of whales. Watch your stomach!
- Kaikoura Peninsula WalkwayWalking & HikingVery nice, easy walk. Remember sunscreen and sunglasses, maybe binoculars :) stay far enough from the friendly flesh devouring se…
it’s so pretty!!! easy walk you wouldn’t even realize you reached the end bc of how pretty the scenery is!!!
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Alpine Pacific Holiday Park KaikouraPaid CampsitesBookAlpine Pacific Holiday Park in Kaikoura New Zealand offers an excellent range of accommodation styles, something to suit every style of tra…
Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookNestled in one of New Zealand’s most dramatic coastal towns, **Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park** offers sheltered powered and non-powered site…
Kaikoura A1 Motels & Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookWelcome to A1 Kaikoura Motels & Holiday Park. We offer free WiFi. Guests enjoy access to spacious communal areas including BBQ facilities…
128 km · 1 hr 40 min
Day 3
Day 03 · Drive
Kaikōura → Marlborough
Sauvignon country
The coast road runs north past the seal colonies and then turns inland into the Wairau Valley. Marlborough produces nearly two-thirds of New Zealand’s wine and most of its Sauvignon Blanc, and the cellar doors are close enough together to make an afternoon of it.
- Cloudy Bay WineryFood & BeverageThe Cloudy Bay story is one of vision, adventure and captivating flavour. Read on to discover how a single sip of Sauvignon Blanc changed t…
- Wither Hills WineryFood & BeverageFor three decades Wither Hills has been home to a small team of committed winemakers who painstakingly labour over every wine from one vint…
Where to camp tonight3
Smiths Farm Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookSituated on a working beef farm, Smiths Farm is a modern holiday park, central to Sounds attractions & scenic Marlborough. 4km from Queen C…
Blenheim Spring Creek TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookRecently under new ownership, Spring Creek Campsite is the perfect base to Explore Marlborough's famous vineyards, relax before and after y…
Blenheim Bridges Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookLeon and Min and our team at Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park welcome you to Marlborough where you can indulge your passion for the world's be…
30 km · 25 min
Day 4
Day 04 · Drive
Blenheim → the Marlborough Sounds
A fifth of the country’s coastline
Drowned river valleys, which is why the Sounds have so much edge and so little road. The mail boat is the local answer to that: a working delivery run that takes passengers into bays you cannot otherwise reach.
- Marlborough Sounds Famous Mail Boat Cruise - Pelorus SoundWater ActivitiesBookSuch a wonderful trip, scenic and informative. We did the Sunday trip. This included a lovely Bush walk, a farm visit, mussel and…
- Picton Harbour LookoutWalking & HikingLovely view on a nice day. Worth either the walk or the drive especially if you’re killing time waiting for the ferry.
Der Weg war sehr matschig. Die Aussicht war top!
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Tasman Holiday Parks - Picton Paid CampsitesBookStay at Tasman Holiday Parks - Picton, a welcoming holiday park just steps from the ferry terminal and the gateway to the Marlborough Sound…
Parklands Marina Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookWe warmly welcome you to Parklands Marina Holiday Park, situated near picturesque Picton in the Marlborough Sounds. Our park is set in quie…
Picton Campervan ParkPaid CampsitesBookSELF CONTAINED VEHICLES ONLY NO TENTS, ROOFTOP TENTS OR POPTOP VANS Closest Holiday Park to the Ferry & Town Center. Our great central loc…
110 km · 2 hr
Day 5
Day 05 · Drive
Picton → Nelson
The long way round the water
Queen Charlotte Drive is the slow road and the right one — an hour of bays before the highway. Nelson at the other end is a sunny arts town that thinks hard about what it eats and drinks.
- Centre of New Zealand WalkWalking & HikingAbout 1km one way, steep climb to 135m. Took me 15-20 minutes to walk up with burning legs, 10 minutes to walk back. Nice views b…
- The Free House Food & BeverageSet inside a beautifully restored former church, The Free House is one of Nelson's favourite spots for craft beer. Independent and proudly…
Great 20 minute walk up a steep climb. Wonderful views back over Nelson at the top.
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Kaiteriteri Recreation ReservePaid CampsitesBookWelcome to the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, gateway to the world renowned Abel Tasman National Park and famous for its golden sand, turq…
Abel Tasman Marahau Beach CampPaid CampsitesBookMarahau Beach Camp is located 100 metres from the beach and next to the departure point for water taxi and kayak trips in the Abel Tasman N…
Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookNestled in the heart of Nelson - regularly rated New Zealand’s sunniest city - **Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday Park** gives you a convenient,…
Day 6
Day 06
Nelson
Makers, birds and boutique wine
A fenced sanctuary in the hills above town has brought birds back that most of the country has lost, and the Moutere hills behind it grow the wine and the fruit. Neither is a detour; both are ten minutes out.
- The Brook Waimarama SanctuaryTourist AttractionsNow open 5 or more days a week; during school holidays usually 7 days a week. Check their Facebook or brooksanctuary. Org. Nz for…
- Moutere Hills WineryFood & BeverageMoutere Hills Vineyard is located in the picturesque Sunrise Valley, 2kms from the historic Upper Moutere village near Nelson in the South…
We bought a bottle of wine and freedom camped in their parking lot. It was lovely.
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Kaiteriteri Recreation ReservePaid CampsitesBookWelcome to the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, gateway to the world renowned Abel Tasman National Park and famous for its golden sand, turq…
Abel Tasman Marahau Beach CampPaid CampsitesBookMarahau Beach Camp is located 100 metres from the beach and next to the departure point for water taxi and kayak trips in the Abel Tasman N…
Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookNestled in the heart of Nelson - regularly rated New Zealand’s sunniest city - **Nelson City TOP 10 Holiday Park** gives you a convenient,…
Worth booking nearby3
Grampians WalkwayWalking & HikingThe Grampians Walkway is a popular track in central Nelson, starting at the uphill end of Collingwood Street. The trail climbs the ridge to…
The Suter Art GalleryCultural PlacesFREE ENTRY - ALL YEAR ROUND The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū is the public art gallery for the Nelson Tasman region. Located besi…
Waahi Taakaro Reserve / Sunday Swimming HoleScenic SpotsWaahi Taakaro Reserve / Sunday Hole is a popular swimming spot located in the Maitai Valley, Nelson, New Zealand. The reserve is home to a…
65 km · 1 hr
Day 7
Day 07 · Drive
Nelson → Abel Tasman
Golden sand, granite and clear water
Home to New Zealand's most accessible Great Walk, open year-round with gentle walking. Walk a section of the Coast Track and water-taxi back, or paddle out to Split Apple Rock.
- Abel Tasman Coast TrackWalking & HikingDid a trail run from Marahau to Torrent bay with a detour to Watering Cove beach before heading back. Stunning views, awesome lis…
- Split Apple RockScenic SpotsThis was super cool. We were the only ones there, and no boats inside. Very beautiful.
Nice spot to go, 15-20 min walk to the beach. Good views and the split apple is awesome. Some locals said: its pacmans resting place
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Pohara Beach TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookIt's time to relax at the water's edge at Pohara Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park overlooking the calm sea of Golden Bay. Enjoy safe swimming, bea…
Motueka TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookDiscover the beauty of Motueka and the Abel Tasman National Park whilst staying at the Motueka TOP10 Holiday Park. Hiking and Tramping is…
Tahuna Beach Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookBeachside memories since forever Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park is located 4.5 kilometres from Nelson city centre and adjacent to the long welc…
330 km · 4 hr 30 min
Day 8
Day 08 · Drive
Golden Bay → Punakaiki
Onto the wild coast
A long drive south onto a coast that is rainforest on one side and Tasman Sea on the other. The Pancake Rocks are limestone stacked like a deck of cards, and at high tide with a westerly running the blowholes make the point.
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & BlowholesScenic SpotsReally beautifull and a nice little easy walk around. Crazy what the nature can create.
- Monteith's Brewery Tour Dining and Brewery tourFood & BeverageTried a few beers, a bit pricey at 15$ for 3 but delicious beer and great atmosphere!
A very beautiful walk, even in the rain. Paid parking at $5 per hour. Incredible view, we even saw dolphins!
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Greymouth Seaside TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookGreymouth Seaside TOP 10 Holiday Park is situated running parallel to the Tasman Sea in serene Greymouth, a part of the beautiful and unspo…
Hokitika Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookHokitika Holiday Park offers a variety of accommodation options. All options have access to all facilities. Please let us know if you have…
Lake Brunner Motor CampPaid CampsitesBookSituated in the heart of Moana township, overlooking beautiful Lake Brunner on New Zealand's West Coast, our motor camp/holiday park has ev…
140 km · 1 hr 50 min
Day 9
Day 09 · Drive
Punakaiki → Hokitika
Pounamu, gorges and glow worms
Hokitika is the pounamu town, and the gorge above it runs an improbable milky turquoise off the glacial flour in the water. Short walk, short drive, and the best sandwich on the coast waiting when you get back.
- Hokitika Gorge WalkWalking & HikingGreat hike! Easy with magnificent scenery. Worth it even in the rain, although the water remained a beautiful blue.
- Hokitika Sandwich CompanyFood & BeverageThis isn't just any ordinary sandwich and coffee shop. We believe the secret to a great sandwich is great ingredients. Our bread is baked…
Easy walk. Have to keep going to second bridge, it then loops back to carpark.
— CamperMate traveller
Where to camp tonight3
Hokitika Kiwi Holiday Park & MotelsPaid CampsitesBookAll new variety of self-catering and serviced accommodation options set on spacious grounds with modern, large facilities. Suitable for sin…
Ross Beach TOP 10 Holiday ParkPaid CampsitesBookReady to spend the evening drifting off to sleep listening to the sounds of the Tasman Sea? Pay just 1 price: includes lashings of hot wa…
Shining Star Beachfront AccommodationPaid CampsitesBookThe Shining Star provides beachfront accommodation with great views of the sea and impressive West Coast sunsets. We offer a variety of acc…

The road, for real

Every marker is a real place from the CamperMate map — the route and drive times are computed live.

There's more to the map than the stops

CamperMate maps every kind of place along this loop — campsites, swimming holes, walks, cultural sites, tours and more. Here are the top-rated in each.

821 on the route

Scenic Spots137

Hurunui Kaikoura Marlborough Nelson Tasman West Coast