New Zealand Road Trip
December 5-December 15, 2025
Let’s Roadtrip around South Island!
Join photographer, Emilie Hofferber, on a road trip of a lifetime?!
Escape to the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand's South Island and embark on an unforgettable trip filled with awe-inspiring landscapes, exhilarating adventures, and warm Kiwi hospitality. On this 11 day excursion, we will be traveling in camper vans, the best way to immerse ourselves amongst the beauty of New Zealand.
With its snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, lush forests, and rugged coastlines, the South Island offers a diverse range of natural wonders that will leave you speechless. Spend time exploring the majestic fjords of Milford Sound, where towering cliffs plunge into the deep blue waters, and go hiking in the Southern Alps with views of glaciers. Our trip is timed in line with the beginning of the summer season to enjoy the meadows of wildflowers.
We’ll visit the vibrant city of Queenstown and experience the warm hospitality of the local communities in smaller towns like Wanaka. Discover the magic of New Zealand's South Island with us and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Each camper van is double occupancy and we have two different styles! Each is equipped with two beds and a small kitchen that will come stocked with enough food to get us started on our adventure!
Day 1:
Hello new zealand!
After you arrive in Christchurch, your driver will be waiting to transport you to a nearby hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you might have a chance to venture out and explore the city!
In the evening, we will meet for dinner! This is our opportunity to get to know each other and get organized for the next day. It’s your choice if you stay in to catch up on some rest after your long flight or check out more of Christchurch in the evening.
If you are flying in a day early and would like assistance in booking a hotel, just let us know!
Meals: Dinner
Day 2:
the tallest mountain in New zealand
We pick-up our camper vans today! You will be given a basic grocery kit to get you started on your trip. We will make a stop at the store on our way out of town to make sure you are ready for a few meals to enjoy in your van. Throughout the trip, you will have the opportunity to stop by restaurants or restock your supply to cook outside at camp.
Once we are situated in our vans, we hit the road and head towards Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to the highest peaks and longest glaciers in New Zealand and is also part of the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world!
We will be staying at our campsite for the next 2 nights so we have time to explore this special area.
After we arrive at camp, get settled in and then you’ll have an opportunity to relax and make dinner. You can take a walk along the path down to the lake for sunset or coming highly recommended is the Hooker Valley Track. It’s about 6 miles, but with very little elevation gain since it winds through the valleys to give you the most amazing view of Mount Cook.
Drive Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Day 3:
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Rise and shine! Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared for you before heading out to explore the park today. There are many trails in the area that range from easy to very difficult. The choice is yours! We will be staying at our campground for a second night so you have the day to explore or find a quiet scenic spot for some respite.
Later that evening we suggest cooking dinner in your van as there is not much in the nearby area, or you can head towards the park to check out the Hermitage Hotel for food and libations.
Recommended hikes: Tasman Glacier Lookout | Sealy Tarns
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
wanaka & stargazing in hot tubs
This is a slow morning! Take your time as you enjoy the drive to Wanaka exploring lupine fields and scenic stops along the way. If you are an early riser, we recommend peter’s lookout for sunrise or just a scenic stop along the way.
Tonight’s accommodations are extra special. Once we arrive to Wanaka, we’ll meet at the top of a hill with stunning 360 views where we will settle in for the evening. Enjoy a charcuterie style dinner as you experience a magical New Zealand sunset. As the dark sky fills the night, warm up your wood-fired hot tub and enjoy an evening soak as the sky above you fills with stars. Soak as long as your fire wood lasts.
Meals: Dinner
Drive Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Day 5:
roy’s peak or choose your own adventure
This is another slow morning and it is a choose your own adventure day!
If Roy’s Peak has been on your bucket list, today is the day! You can also choose an easier hike, take a boat tour to Stevenson’s Island, take a scenic flight, or just chill in town. There isn’t a lack of beautiful places to visit.
If you’re down for a little drive today, we suggest a day trip down the West Coast to explore this unique area, your trip host will have suggestions of places to visit including a couple of waterfalls.
Later in the day, we will meet back up to enjoy a sunset together as a group, location TBD based on weather conditions!
Day 6:
on to queenstown
Today we hit the road again for a scenic drive to the stunning Queenstown. The journey takes you through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful countryside, with plenty of opportunities for photo stops.
Upon arriving in Queenstown, you’ll have some free time to explore the town at your own pace. Take a stroll along Lake Wakatipu, visit the Kiwi Park, enjoy a bite at a local café, or take the gondola up to soak in the breathtaking views that make Queenstown one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
Queenstown also offers lots of outdoor adventures - enjoy mountain biking, whitewater rafting or spend the afternoon checking off another iconic New Zealand hike. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
Recommended hikes: Ben Lomond | Lake Alta
Drive Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Day 7:
next stop, milford sound
Wake up and enjoy breakfast, and maybe even catch a scenic flight! We 100% recommend a flight over the fjords if weather allows.
After checking out, we will take our time getting to Milford Sound! Stopping in Te Anau on the way is a must since it will be our last chance to fuel up and stock up on snacks and groceries. We will be staying in the Milford Sound for two nights so make sure to have everything for your meals and a full tank.
Enjoy the rest of this stunning drive as it winds through some of the most epic scenery you’ll find in all of New Zealand. You’ll end at Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will check into our beautiful campground. Here you can also relax or enjoy a walk to take in all the views.
Drive time: 3 hours and 45 minutes (or more depending on your stops along the way)
Day 8:
milford sound boat tour
Today we get to experience one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand by water. It’s famously referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World” by Rudyard Kipling. Our boat cruise starts at 8am and will last about 2 hours. This area of Fiordland has been carved by glaciers over 100,000 years and has two permanent waterfalls, though many many more appear if our cruise happens to be on a rainy day.
After our tour, there are many options to explore this amazing area. We will recommend hikes based on difficulty level and there will definitely be a sunset adventure, weather permitting.
Recommended hikes: Gertrude Saddle | Lake Marian
Day 9:
Back to queenstown
Today we drive from Milford Sound to Queenstown!
There are plenty of adventurous hikes around Queenstown, breweries to explore, and in the evening you can join Emilie on a sunset adventure, location to be determined based on weather.
We also recommend signing up for the Skyline Gondola or visiting the Onsen Hot Pools! If you have other bucket list activities to check off, let us know!
Drive Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Day 10:
tekapo & star gazing
We have a short drive to Tekapo today. You will have the day to explore the town and surrounding area. On our way to Tekapo, we will see Lake Pukaki, one of the bluest lakes in New Zealand. You can take your time to stop for all the photos along the way, or head straight to Tekapo and check out the cafes, shops, hiking trails and other surrounding lakes.
It’s our last night together so around 6 p.m. we’ll meet up at the campground for what we like to call an empty the fridge dinner. Then later that night we are in for a special treat! We will experience the only guided hot pools and stargazing tour in New Zealand! This 1.5 hour experience begins at 10pm so we can make the most of the night sky. Once we’ve finished the stargazing tour, we’re rewarded with a long soak in a floating hammock for a feeling of immersing yourself in the stars. Please keep this in consideration when you make arrangements for travel back home. We recommend you book a late afternoon or evening flight.
Drive Time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
Day 11:
Farewell New Zealand!
We leave early in the morning for Christchurch to return our home on wheels and head to the airport. You will have transportation from the van drop-off location to the airport. If your flight is later in the day, you can opt to have some time in Christchurch before heading home.
If you need to stay another night due to flight times, we can help secure hotel arrangements if needed.
Drive Time: 3 hours
Questions? Please reach out to info@womenwhoexplore.com
Meet Your Trip Host
emilie Hofferber
Hi! My name is Emilie and I've been taking photos since I was in high school. In 2021 I decided it was time for me to *try* going full time with photography and am now entering my fourth year of taking photos of pretty places for a living! During my first year, I lived in a 13 year old Subaru Outback to figure out how to make my dreams come true. I now live in a van that allows me to feel truly at home anywhere I go.
Last December, I solo roadtripped around the North and South Islands of New Zealand and absolutely fell in love with everything about NZ. It had been such a bucket list trip for me and I want to experience the magic of it all over again—but with **YOU**
If you like taking photos and traveling to new places and making friends with likeminded women, this trip is for you! There is no requirement to come with a professional photo setup, any camera will do! If you are new to taking photos or you’re a seasoned professional, this trip is about experience first and capturing the magic through the moments rather than all the technical stuff. Photography can be so intimidating at times but I really just want this to be fun for everyone! The best photos come when you’re experiencing life at its fullest and New Zealand is the best place to do that. :)
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$3,795 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy upgrade is $1,995.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.
We will do our best to match you with a driving partner if you request a partner at booking. If the other spot is unable to be filled, you will be required to to purchase the single occupancy upgrade since all prices are based on double occupancy. We will reach out to you to discuss your options should this situation arise.
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• One night in a hotel near the airport in Christchurch, double occupancy.
• 10 days/9 nights accommodations in a camper van rental with two beds, kitchen, table, cooking utensils, linens, etc.
• Private transfers to and from airport, hotel and camper van rental company on arrival day.
• 10 nights camper van holiday park reservations in a private site
• 3 hour guided boat tour of the Milford Sound
• Guided star gazing tour during hot pool soak in Lake Tekapo
• Visit the Milford Sound, a Unesco World Heritage site
• Entrance to the Kiwi Park in Queenstown
• Free time to explore Queenstown, Tekapo, Wanka, and Christchurch
• Meals include a welcome dinner, one group breakfast at the holiday park, charcuterie board dinner, and a bag with basic groceries at the beginning of trip
• Women Who Explore trip leader with you and available for support 24/7
• Travel checklists, detailed packing list and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and WhatsApp groups
• Detailed map of the South Island with points of interest along the route
• WWE Swag to make your heart happy!
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• International flights to/from Christchurch, New Zealand
• Airport transfers if arriving outside of designated arrival and departure dates and locations as noted
•Airport transfer on departure date.
• Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks and meals as noted above
• Tips and gratuity for local guides and driver (at the discretion of the guest)
• Any additional excursions or optional activities not included in the above
• The NZeTA (New Zealand electronic Travel Authoricy) and the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), both paid at the same time here.
• Any travel related medical expenses such as immunizations, vaccinations, or required Covid-19 testing (not required for New Zealand as of 5/2023)
• Travel insurance (required, see below)
• Additional driver for the van
• Fuel for the camper van
• Additional vehicle insurance outside of the Basic Coverage
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, souvenirs, etc.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please share any food allergies/sensitivities at the time of booking or reach out to share with the trip host. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of attendees to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support.
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Please see our Terms of Service for our full Cancellation Policy.
All deposits are non-refundable at the time of booking, but may be transferable if done so within the timeframe outlined in the Terms of Service. Please make sure you are purchasing adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in case you need to cancel.Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description. Please make sure to refer to the full Terms of Service to make sure you understand fully the Cancellation Policy of each trip.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
If you purchase a Travel Select plan within 15 days of your initial trip deposit made (and insure your full trip cost), you would have two added eligible benefits for no additional premium: financial default and the pre-existing conditions waiver.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.