Who designed this itinerary?

Like all Wilderness itineraries, this guide has been developed using local knowledge from the Wilderness team alongside the expertise of an experienced New Zealand travel writer who's explored these destinations extensively. Every recommendation has been carefully selected to help your family explore the South Island with confidence and at a relaxed pace.

Is it possible to do everything in 22 days?

The itinerary is designed to give you plenty of options rather than a checklist to complete. With manageable driving distances, and some two and three night stays, you can choose the activities that best suit your family. You’ll have time to enjoy each destination at a relaxed pace, without trying to fit everything in.

What can you expect to find in this itinerary?

You'll receive a detailed day-by-day guide featuring suggested driving routes, travel distances, places to stay, family-friendly activities, practical tips for travelling with a toddler, local insights and links to helpful Wilderness travel resources.

South Island with a Toddler Campervan Road Trip Itinerary

Christchurch — Akaroa — Ashburton — Lake Tekapo — Aoraki Mount Cook Village — Wānaka — Arrowtown — Te Anau — Queenstown — Omarama — Timaru

A mighty big adventure for little travellers

The most memorable family holidays are defined by the special times spent together. Watching your toddler try to skim stones on a crystal-clear lake, spotting a curious kea near a mountain highway, and pausing your journey for a while at an unexpected playground.

It's these simple experiences that often become the highlights of a New Zealand motorhome road trip.

Written by Craig McLelland — a dad who has spent plenty of time exploring New Zealand by motorhome with his own child — this thoughtfully planned 22-day campervan itinerary has been created with your young family in mind. It combines many of the South Island's iconic destinations with a relaxed pace that's achievable when travelling with a toddler.

By spending two or three nights in some locations, everyone has time to settle in, explore and simply enjoy being on vacation.

Beginning and ending in Christchurch, you'll discover the French-inspired charm of Akaroa before heading into the Mackenzie Country, where turquoise lakes, star-filled skies and NZ's highest peaks await. From here, relax in the laid-back lakeside town of Wānaka, discover the gold rush history of Arrowtown and experience the breathtaking beauty of Fiordland.

With three nights in Queenstown, there's time to enjoy exciting family-friendly adventures. Then, quieter destinations like Omarama and Timaru offer the chance to see more of the real South Island, well away from the busy tourist centres.

Along the way you'll picnic beside glacial lakes, wander easy walking trails, meet native wildlife and stay in welcoming holiday parks, with practical tips throughout to help make motorhoming with a toddler that little bit easier.

Travelling with a young child means discovering everything with them at a slower pace. You’ll see the world through your toddler's eyes and turn those unexpected moments into the ones your family remembers.

South Island with a toddler road trip itinerary highlights

Margaret Mahy Family Playground
The Giants House
Ashburton Aviation Museum
Lake Alexandrina
Planetarium
Puzzling World
Wānaka Dinosaur Park
Ayrburn
Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
Doubtful Sound
Te Anau Trout Observatory
Bathhouse Playground
Walter Peak Farm
The Wrinkly Rams
Stargazing
Little blue penguins
Caroline Bay
The Port Hills

Why this is one of the best South Island family road trips

Kaikoura sunset & toddler

Travelling by motorhome is one of the easiest and most fun ways to explore New Zealand with young children. You have everything you need close by, the flexibility to stop whenever it suits your family and the freedom to enjoy each destination at your own pace.

This itinerary has been designed specifically for young families with toddlers by:

Keeping average daily driving distances to around 150km
Including some two and three-night stays, so toddlers can settle into a routine
Balancing iconic South Island destinations with quieter hidden gems
Featuring family-friendly attractions, playgrounds, wildlife experiences and easy walks
Sharing practical tips to make campervan travel with a toddler more enjoyable.

Why a Wilderness motorhome is perfectly set up for a trip with a toddler

Every Wilderness motorhome comes with child seats to keep your little ones safe, bedding and linens fully included, and even an activity book to keep small travellers happy on the road.

Here's what makes a Wilderness motorhome so well suited to travelling with a toddler:

Safe travel for the kids: We offer Britax harnessed car seats and booster seats with the easy ClickTight installation system and true side-impact protection, so your child is secure every kilometre.

Warm and comfortable in any weather: Insulation, heating, air-conditioned cabs and insect-screened windows keep the motorhome cosy for naps and easy for early bedtimes.

Everything included: Bedding, a full kitchen, fridge/freezer and cooking gear all come as standard, so there's no juggling extra gear with a toddler in tow.

Freedom to go at their pace: With your own kitchen, beds and bathroom on board, you can stop for snacks, naps or an unplanned playground whenever your family needs to.

A special activity book for little travellers: Every young explorer gets our Wilderness activity book to keep them entertained on the road and make the journey part of the adventure.

Ready to plan your New Zealand South Island family road trip? Simply fill out the form to get your itinerary.

FAQs

: Like all Wilderness itineraries, this guide has been developed using local knowledge from the Wilderness team alongside the expertise of an experienced New Zealand travel writer who's explored these destinations extensively. Every recommendation has been carefully selected to help your family explore the South Island with confidence and at a relaxed pace.
: The itinerary is designed to give you plenty of options rather than a checklist to complete. With manageable driving distances, and some two and three night stays, you can choose the activities that best suit your family. You’ll have time to enjoy each destination at a relaxed pace, without trying to fit everything in.
: You'll receive a detailed day-by-day guide featuring suggested driving routes, travel distances, places to stay, family-friendly activities, practical tips for travelling with a toddler, local insights and links to helpful Wilderness travel resources.

Last updated: 01 September 2026