AI-planned road trip
Round trip from Rolleston
“A 5-day Southern Scenic coastal and Mackenzie Basin loop from Rolleston through Dunedin, the wild Catlins, and Lake Tekapo.”
5days
1,456 kmDistance
24stops
NZ$3,480Est. cost
Shared by a traveler · city-level only, no dates, private notes stay private
- ~20h 6m driving
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Rolleston → Dunedin
340 km4h 27mDepart 09:24
Day 1
Rolleston → DunedinStart
Rolleston
Drive 225 km south from Rolleston along State Highway 1 across the Canterbury Plains to coastal Oamaru.
225 km2h 51m
1
FoodOamaru, New Zealand
Cucina
12:15–13:151h hereNZ$105
Vibrant Italian-influenced bistro in Oamaru's historic precinct
Park on Harbour Street or the wide gravel lot across the road; order the house pasta and fish tacos for a swift, filling family lunch.
Drive 37 km south along the coastline via SH 1 to Moeraki Boulders Road.
37 km29m
2
AttractionHampden, New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders Beach
13:50–14:501h hereNZ$6
Spherical septarian concretions scattered on Koekohe Beach
Use the direct public DOC track from the lower beach car park to skip the cafe honesty box; photograph the huge cracked spheres at low beach tide.
Drive 74 km south on SH 1 through the Kilmog hills into central Dunedin.
74 km56m
3
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Tūhura Otago Museum
16:15–17:451h 30m hereNZ$45
Engaging southern heritage displays and hands-on science centre
Park in the metered bays along Great King Street; explore the Southern Land gallery and the tropical butterfly house with the family.
Drive 2 km east through Dunedin North to Anzac Avenue.
2 km5m
4
FoodDunedin, New Zealand
Emerson's Brewery
18:15–19:301h 15m hereNZ$120
Spacious family-friendly taproom with hearty mains and tasting trays
Park in the brewery's dedicated customer lot off Anzac Avenue; book a booth ahead and try the brewery burger and seasonal draughts.
Drive 2 km southwest via Cumberland Street to Princes Street.
2 km6m
5
OvernightDunedin, New Zealand
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
19:45–09:0011h 30m hereNZ$340
Heritage city hotel with dedicated on-site parking
Pull directly into the valet or ground-floor parking on Princes Street; centrally located for an evening stroll around the Octagon.
Day 2
Dunedin → Tokanui
210 km3h 18mDepart 09:57
Day 2
Dunedin → Tokanui6
AttractionAhuriri Flat, New Zealand
Nugget Point Lighthouse
11:30–12:301h here
Dramatic cliff-edge lighthouse overlooking jagged rock stacks and seals
Park at the road end car park and take the easy 20-minute gravel cliff path; bring binoculars to spot fur seals basking on the rocky islets.
Drive 8.8 km back along The Nuggets Road to Kaka Point.
9 km14m
7
FoodKaka Point, New Zealand
The Point Cafe, Bar, and Shop
12:50–13:501h hereNZ$95
Casual beachside dining room serving fresh southern seafood
Park in the waterfront lot directly across from the cafe; order the blue cod and chips while taking in views across the bay.
Drive 31 km southwest through native bush along Purakaunui Falls Road.
31 km29m
8
AttractionPurakaunui, New Zealand
Purakaunui Falls
14:19–15:0445m here
Iconic three-tiered cascading waterfall framed by native beech forest
Park in the spacious DOC bay; follow the flat 10-minute gravel track through native podocarp forest to the wooden lower viewing platform.
Drive 51 km southwest through Chaslands Highway into the Niagara valley.
51 km54m
9
FoodNiagara, New Zealand
Niagara Falls Cafe
18:00–19:151h 15m hereNZ$110
Historic schoolhouse turned country cafe serving local fare
Park on the grass verges outside; reserve an early evening table to enjoy local Southland lamb burgers and homemade berry pies.
Drive 9 km south via Waikawa-Curio Bay Road to the beachfront motel.
9 km8m
10
OvernightTokanui, New Zealand
Curio Bay Salthouse Motel and Apartment
19:23–09:0010h 30m hereNZ$290
Comfortable coastal motel units right beside the bay
Park right outside your designated unit door; step out onto the front lawn at dusk to watch for rare yellow-eyed penguins returning ashore.
Day 3
Tokanui
231 km3h 51mDepart 09:04
Day 3
Tokanui
Walk 300 meters from the motel across the dunes to the Curioscape centre.
600 m1m
11
FoodWaikawa, New Zealand
Tumu Toka CurioScape
09:05–09:5045m hereNZ$65
Modern interpretive centre cafe overlooking Porpoise Bay
Park in the wide visitor centre lot; grab flat whites, cheese rolls, and warm pancakes before walking down to the petrified forest shelf.
Walk 200 meters down the coastal steps to the intertidal rock platform.
300 m1m
12
AttractionCurio Bay, New Zealand
Petrified Forest Curio Bay
09:51–10:511h here
Jurassic-era fossilised tree trunks and logs exposed on a tidal rock shelf
Walk down the signposted timber boardwalk to the rocky shelf; inspect the 180-million-year-old fossilised fallen trunks embedded in stone.
Drive 14 km southwest on Haldane-Curio Bay Road to Slope Point Road.
14 km15m
13
AttractionSlope Point, New Zealand
Slope Point
11:06–12:061h here
The absolute southernmost point of New Zealand's South Island
Park in the designated gravel farm bays; walk 20 minutes across sheep paddocks past wind-sculpted trees to reach the famous yellow mileage post.
14
AttractionOtago Region, New Zealand
McLean Falls
12:54–14:091h 15m here
Spectacular 22-metre waterfall cascading into deep mossy plunge pools
Drive carefully along the unsealed 3 km access road to the spacious lot; hike the shaded 40-minute return track along the Tautuku River.
Drive 33 km south via Chaslands Highway and Waikawa back to Porpoise Bay.
33 km36m
15
ActivitySouthland Region, New Zealand
Porpoise Bay
14:45–16:001h 15m here
Sweeping golden sand beach frequented by rare Hector's dolphins
Park directly on the grass by the beach access; stroll the sheltered curve of the bay and scan the shallows for endemic Hector's dolphins.
Drive 67 km northeast along the Southern Scenic Route to Owaka.
67 km1h 3m
16
FoodOwaka, New Zealand
Lumberjack Cafe & Restaurant
18:45–20:001h 15m hereNZ$115
Lively forestry-themed timber restaurant with hearty family options
Park in the roadside bays on Saunders Street; book ahead for Christmas Eve dinner and try the oven-roasted ribs and salmon steak.
Curio Bay Salthouse Motel and Apartment · Overnight
Day 4
Tokanui → Lake Tekapo
453 km5h 29mDepart 10:14
Day 4
Tokanui → Lake Tekapo17
FoodClyde, New Zealand
Olivers Restaurant
13:15–14:301h 15m hereNZ$135
Historic stone homestead dining in the heart of Central Otago
Park on Sunderland Street; book well in advance for Christmas Day lunch and enjoy roasted meats with local Central Otago stone fruit salad.
Drive 96 km north along SH 8 through Tarras and up the winding Lindis Pass highway.
96 km1h 8m
18
AttractionLindis Pass, New Zealand
Lindis Pass Viewpoint
15:38–16:0830m here
Dramatic alpine saddle wrapped in golden tussock-clad ridges
Pull into the designated high-altitude summit car park; walk 5 minutes up the ridge steps for commanding views across the golden slopes.
19
FoodLake Tekapo, New Zealand
Mackenzies Cafe Bar & Grill
18:45–20:001h 15m hereNZ$130
Rustic stone dining room with sizzler hot-stone steaks and lake views
Park in the village centre lot off State Highway 8; order the sizzling stone-grill ribeye and a warm sticky date pudding.
Drive 500 meters down State Highway 8 to the hotel entrance.
200 m1m
20
OvernightLake Tekapo, New Zealand
The Godley Hotel
20:01–09:3010h 30m hereNZ$360
Classic alpine hotel set directly in Lake Tekapo village
Park in the hotel's spacious rear lot; step outside after dark to experience the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
Day 5
Lake Tekapo → Rolleston
222 km3h 1mDepart 09:31
Day 5
Lake Tekapo → Rolleston
Check out and drive 9.6 km up Mount John via Godley Peaks Road to the observatory summit.
10 km14m
21
FoodLake Tekapo, New Zealand
Astro Cafe
09:45–10:451h hereNZ$65
Glass-walled hilltop cafe on Mount John with panoramic basin views
Pay the small road access fee at the toll gate; park at the summit lot and order flat whites and artisan muffins overlooking the entire lake.
Drive 10 km down Mount John to Pioneer Drive on the Tekapo lakefront.
10 km14m
22
AttractionLake Tekapo, New Zealand
The Church of the Good Shepherd
10:59–11:4445m here
Historic stone chapel on the rocky shores of Lake Tekapo
Park in the public bus and car bays on Pioneer Drive; admire the heritage stonework and the famous altar window framing the mountain ranges.
23
AttractionGeraldine, New Zealand
Barker's Foodstore & Eatery
12:50–13:3545m hereNZ$15
Riverside showcase tasting room and pantry for South Island jams and preserves
Park in the visitor lot off Talbot Street; try the free condiment tasting bar and pick up local blackcurrant syrups before the drive home.
114 km1h 27m
Finish
Rolleston
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Check tide charts for Curio Bay before heading out: the petrified forest shelf is best viewed within 2 hours of low tide.
- 2Fill your fuel tank completely before leaving Balclutha or Gore, as fuel stations in the Catlins are sparse and automated.
- 3Reserve dinner spots for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in advance, as small-town kitchens book out quickly in high season.
- 4Mount John access road to Astro Cafe charges an $8 vehicle fee at the boom gate, payable by contactless card.
Good to know
- 1Fuel desert in the Catlins: there are no full-service fuel stations between Owaka and Tokanui, only a single card-operated pump at Waikawa.
- 2Gravel road hazards: McLean Falls and Slope Point require driving on unsealed gravel access roads; maintain a 50 km/h speed limit and watch for loose stones.
- 3Severe coastal wind gusts: Slope Point and Nugget Point feature steep unfenced cliff drops and abrupt ocean gales; keep children close to the formed paths.
- 4Public holiday closures: On December 25 and 26, some regional retail stores and cafes observe restricted holiday hours or apply a 15% surcharge.
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