The South Island Wine Trail by Campervan: Picton to Queenstown in 10 Days

Quick summary: This one-way campervan wine trail runs the length of the South Island’s wine country, from Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough to Pinot Noir in Central Otago. Collect your campervan or motorhome in Picton, spend two nights among the vines around Renwick, follow the coast to Kaikōura and the Waipara Valley, then head south to Oamaru and inland through the Waitaki Valley and over the Lindis Pass to Cromwell and Queenstown. It’s around 950 km over ten days.

At a glance
Length	10 days, one-way
Start and finish	Picton to Queenstown
Total driving	Around 950 km
Wine regions	Marlborough, Waipara Valley, Waitaki Valley, Central Otago
Tasting days off the road	Marlborough, Waipara, Bannockburn, Gibbston
Longest day	Around 310 km, Waipara to Oamaru

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Day 1: Picton to Renwick (around 40 km)

Arrive on the ferry from Wellington and collect your campervan in Picton. Stock up in Blenheim and drive on to Renwick, in the heart of the Wairau Valley, for two nights. See picking up in Blenheim and Picton.

Day 2: Marlborough tasting day (no driving)

Hire bikes in Renwick and ride between the cellar doors, or join a Marlborough wine tour. See Marlborough by campervan.

Day 3: Renwick to Kaikōura (around 140 km)

Drive south through the Awatere Valley vineyards and down the coast, where the mountains meet the sea, to Kaikōura. Spend the afternoon on the Peninsula Walkway and stay the night.

Day 4: Kaikōura to the Waipara Valley (around 125 km)

Take a morning whale-watching trip, then follow the coast and the Hundalee Hills south to Waipara. Park up for two nights.

Day 5: Waipara tasting day (no driving)

Join a Waipara Valley wine tour or book lunch at a vineyard restaurant within walking or taxi distance. See the Waipara Valley by campervan.

Day 6: Waipara to Oamaru (around 310 km)

The longest drive, skirting Christchurch and crossing the Canterbury Plains to Oamaru. Explore the Victorian precinct in the late afternoon, and watch the little blue penguins come ashore at dusk.

Day 7: Oamaru to Kurow (around 70 km)

Head inland on State Highway 83 into the Waitaki Valley, stopping at Elephant Rocks and the Takiroa rock art. Settle in at Kurow, then walk or take a short taxi ride to a nearby cellar door in the afternoon. See the Waitaki Valley and Oamaru.

Day 8: Kurow to Cromwell (around 180 km)

Follow the hydro lakes to Omarama, then cross the Lindis Pass, through golden tussock country, to Cromwell. Park up for two nights.

Day 9: Bannockburn and Cromwell tasting day (no driving)

Take a local tour of Bannockburn and the Cromwell Basin, then explore Old Cromwell Town on foot. See Central Otago and Gibbston by campervan.

Day 10: Cromwell to Queenstown (around 60 km)

Drive through the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown and return the vehicle. Finish with a Gibbston tour from Queenstown in the afternoon, now that the driving is done. See Queenstown wine tours.

Is ten days enough for an RV wine trail through the South Island?

It’s enough to enjoy each region without rushing, with four tasting days when the vehicle stays parked. Adding two or three days lets you include Nelson, Wānaka or a night in the Marlborough Sounds. If you’re short of time, skip Kaikōura and drive from Renwick straight to Waipara, around 260 km.

How can you extend the trip?

• Add Nelson at the start, with our Marlborough and Nelson in 5 days.
• Add Wānaka at the end, as in our Central Otago wine loop.
• Start in the North Island, following our three-week New Zealand wine trail.

For the coastal driving route, see our sister site’s Marlborough and Kaikōura route.

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Frequently Asked Questions