With soaring skylines and snow-capped mountains, winter makes for one of the most beautiful times to road trip around New Zealand/Aotearoa’s South Island. Pick up your Thrifty rental car from either of the two Queenstown branches and get going on the road with this guide to the ultimate road trip through Te Waipounamu.

Queenstown

There’s no better place to begin your road trip than the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown/Tahuna. With soaring valleys and snow-strewn mountains, you don’t have to look far to find a thrill in this town. Winter makes for the perfect time to stop by Queenstown, with the ski resorts in Queenstown and neighbouring Wānaka suitable for everyone from beginners to pros. Make sure to check out the aptly-named mountain resort, The Remarkables, which includes seven terrain parks to choose from according to your desires and skill set. The fields are family-friendly, so the whole fam is invited! If hitting the slopes isn’t enough of an adrenaline fix for you, be sure to check out any of the thrill-filled water activities down by Lake Wakatipu. There’s everything to get your blood running and pulse quickening, from the Hydro Attack Shark Ride to the Shotover Jet. Queenstown is also home to a range of beautiful walks that capture the picturesque scenery that surrounds the town, so make sure to explore some of the hiking trails that wind their way through the hills and mountains.

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

The next stop on your ultimate road trip should be the unmissable Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Home to the country’s tallest mountain, winter makes for the perfect time to visit Aoraki and explore both the mountains and the valleys of the national park and discover the secrets of the glaciers that are hiding in between and underneath. With permanent snow fields and well-marked hiking tracks, you can traverse Aoraki both on skis or on foot, and both offer some of the most incredible views that the South Island is famous for. The park has ten short walks that begin near the Mount Cook Village, including the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Walk. Strap up those hiking boots and don’t forget your camera—the majestic glaciers that can be found through the national park are sights to behold. For the ultimate experience, take a tour with Glacier Explorers and get up close and personal to the ice sculptures as you weave and dodge them across the Tasman Glacial Lake.

Lake Tekapo 

Just over an hour from Aoraki is the stunning Lake Tekapo/Takapō, fringed by the Southern Alps. The first people to arrive at Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Basin were Māori, so the surrounding areas are filled with a fascinating history of settlement to discover and learn more about. Whilst the lake itself is known for its beautiful turquoise waters, the area that surrounds it has become well enjoyed for its low light pollution and unbelievable night sky. Part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, there’s no better spot for stargazing on the whole of the South Island than right here at Lake Tekapo. What’s more, there’s also not a better time to visit the Dark Sky Reserve than in the cooler months, April to September, as you’ll get the chance to witness the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to the Northern Lights. One of the best places in the country to observe the Southern Lights as they dazzle the sky, for an even better view make sure you head to Mount John Observatory perched high in the mountains for the best way to experience this light show.

Christchurch

For the final destination of your ultimate road trip, finish your trip up at the capital city of the South Island, Christchurch/Otautahi. Situated on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is perfectly positioned to watch whales as they migrate past. Jump aboard a whale watching tour and experience these majestic beasts up close and personal atop a boat as it navigates the oceans alongside the whales. You might even catch a glimpse of fur seals, dusky dolphins or humpback whales, all of which are known to hang out in the area of ocean that surrounds Christchurch. The city is also home to a range of pubs and bars that make for a cosy place to unwind at the end of your road trip. Make sure you check out Smash Palace on High Street, an icon of Christchurch’s food and drink scene. Warm up with a mulled cider by the outdoor heaters in their homely beer garden and relax with one of the best burgers in the city.

Follow this guide to the ultimate winter road trip across New Zealand’s South Island and discover parts of Te Waipounamu that you’ve never seen before. With two handy Thrifty branches in Christchurch, dropping off your rental car is made easy at the end of your trip, allowing more time for you to start planning your next South Island adventure.