AI-planned road trip
Round trip from Rolleston
“A 5-day loop from Rolleston through the Otago Peninsula, the rugged Catlins coastline, and inland Central Otago.”
5days
1,651 kmDistance
23stops
NZ$2,553Est. cost
Shared by a traveler · city-level only, no dates, private notes stay private
- ~23h 31m driving
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Rolleston → Dunedin
346 km4h 37mDepart 08:00
Day 1
Rolleston → DunedinStart
Rolleston
Drive 262 km south from Rolleston along SH 1 across the Canterbury Plains through Timaru and Oamaru.
262 km3h 19m
1
AttractionHampden, New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders Beach
11:19–12:191h here
Spherical septarian concretions scattered along Koekohe Beach.
Park at the DOC public carpark on Moeraki Boulders Road to skip private cafe access fees. Wear shoes suitable for wet sand and time your visit around low tide.
Drive 5 km south via Moeraki Boulders Road and Moeraki Village Road into the small fishing harbor.
5 km8m
2
FoodMoeraki, New Zealand
Fleurs Place
12:30–13:301h hereNZ$105
Renowned rustic seaside eatery serving freshly caught local fish.
Reserve ahead for lunch. Order the catch of the day pan-fried with wild herbs and pick a table overlooking the historic jetty.
Drive 76 km south via SH 1 down the coastal hills and directly into central Dunedin.
76 km1h
3
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Tūhura Otago Museum
14:45–16:301h 45m hereNZ$45
Vibrant museum showcasing Southern Māori taoka and natural science.
Use the Great King Street pay-and-display parking. Head straight to the Tangata Whenua gallery to inspect ancestral carvings and southern waka.
Walk 1.1 km south down Anzac Avenue towards the Dunedin rail yards.
2 km5m
4
FoodDunedin, New Zealand
Emerson's Brewery
18:15–19:301h 15m hereNZ$120
Bustling craft brewery and taproom with hearty gastropub meals.
Book an evening table online. Try the house-made venison burger or fish and chips paired with a fresh tap tasting flight.
Walk 900 m southwest along Princes Street to the hotel lobby.
2 km6m
5
OvernightDunedin, New Zealand
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
19:45–07:3011h 30m hereNZ$143
Historic landmark hotel in Dunedin's heritage precinct.
Pull into the High Street entrance for valet or secure garage parking. Heritage rooms offer quiet stays close to the Octagon.
Day 2
Dunedin → Kaka Point
290 km4h 47mDepart 08:05
Day 2
Dunedin → Kaka Point
Drive 30 km northeast from the hotel along the scenic, winding waterfront of Portobello Road to Taiaroa Head.
30 km40m
6
AttractionHarington Point, New Zealand
Royal Albatross Centre
08:45–10:001h 15m hereNZ$165
Only mainland breeding colony of northern royal albatross.
Check out after hotel breakfast and pre-book the morning observatory tour. Park in the visitors lot and bring a windbreaker for the windy headland.
Drive 110 km southwest via SH 1 across the Taieri Plains to Balclutha, crossing the iconic concrete arch bridge.
110 km1h 41m
7
FoodBalclutha, New Zealand
Rosebank Lodge Motor Hotel
12:15–13:151h hereNZ$75
Comfortable country dining room serving classic Southland fare.
Ample parking on site. Order the Southland cheese rolls and a ribeye steak sandwich for quick, energizing fuel before the forest roads.
Drive 79 km southwest along the Southern Scenic Route through Owaka into Tautuku forest.
79 km1h 12m
8
AttractionNew Zealand
Catlins Forest Park
14:27–15:421h 15m here
Lush temperate rainforest canopy filled with native silver beech.
Park at the Tautuku educational camp trail lot. Take the short river boardwalk to spot bellbirds and wood pigeons under massive podocarp trees.
Drive 39 km northeast via Chaslands Highway and Purakaunui Falls Road on sealed rural gravel connectors.
39 km44m
9
AttractionPurakaunui, New Zealand
Purakaunui Falls
16:26–17:1650m here
Iconic three-tiered cascade hidden within beech forest.
Park at the designated DOC car park. The easy fifteen-minute track through native bush brings you directly to the lower timber viewing platforms.
Drive 31 km east along Purakaunui Road and Kaka Point Road to the coastal village.
31 km29m
10
FoodKaka Point, New Zealand
The Point Cafe, Bar, and Shop
18:00–19:151h 15m hereNZ$90
Oceanfront cafe famous for blue cod and sweeping coastal views.
Book ahead during summer. Order the pan-fried Stewart Island blue cod with salad and enjoy views across the rolling southern surf.
Drive 1 km south along Esplanade to the motel reception.
400 m1m
11
OvernightKaka Point, New Zealand
Kaka Point Motel
19:30–08:0011h 15m hereNZ$178
Coastal motel perched above the beach overlooking the southern ocean.
Park in your designated motel bay directly outside your unit. High-speed morning departures allow early access to southern wildlife.
Day 3
Kaka Point
208 km3h 28mDepart 08:31
Day 3
Kaka Point
Drive 58 km southwest from Kaka Point via Owaka along the Southern Scenic Route to Rewcastle Road.
58 km59m
12
AttractionOtago Region, New Zealand
McLean Falls
09:30–10:401h 10m here
Dramatic twenty-meter cascade falling over terraced rock ledges.
Depart after breakfast in your unit. Follow the well-formed bush track past mossy boulders to the upper footbridge for unobstructed photos.
Drive 26 km southwest along Chaslands Highway towards the Waikawa inlet.
26 km29m
13
FoodNiagara, New Zealand
Niagara Falls Cafe
11:30–12:301h hereNZ$85
Historic converted schoolhouse offering artisan lunches and baking.
Park in the grass bay. Order the homemade smoked salmon tart or slow-cooked lamb pie accompanied by locally roasted espresso.
Drive 9.5 km south along Curio Bay Road to the rocky headland platform.
10 km9m
14
AttractionCurio Bay, New Zealand
Curio Bay
12:45–14:051h 20m here
Jurasssic petrified tree trunks and yellow-eyed penguin habitat.
Park at the Curio Bay Living Forest car park. Inspect the million-year-old stone logs exposed at low water, staying outside yellow penguin zones.
Drive 15 km west via Haldane-Curio Bay Road and Slope Point Road across wind-bent coastal farmlands.
15 km16m
15
AttractionSlope Point, New Zealand
Slope Point's End
14:35–15:401h 5m here
The absolute southernmost point of New Zealand's South Island.
Park at the end of Slope Point Road. Walk twenty minutes across open private sheep pasture following yellow marker poles to the yellow distance signpost.
Drive 83 km northeast along the Southern Scenic Route back through Waikawa and Tokanui into Owaka.
83 km1h 19m
16
FoodOwaka, New Zealand
Lumberjack Cafe & Restaurant
18:00–19:151h 15m hereNZ$105
Welcoming timber eatery serving hearty steaks and local seafood.
Book an early evening table. Try the venison steaks with berry jus or garlic prawns after a blustery afternoon on the cliffs.
Kaka Point Motel · Overnight
Day 4
Kaka Point → Ahuriri Flat
117 km2hDepart 08:20
Day 4
Kaka Point → Ahuriri Flat
Drive 56 km southwest via Owaka and Chaslands Highway directly to the gate car park.
56 km55m
17
AttractionOtago, New Zealand
Cathedral Caves
09:15–10:451h 30m hereNZ$30
Soaring thirty-meter sea-carved caverns accessible at low tide.
Check out after breakfast in Kaka Point. Entry requires a cash coin fee at the gate. Wear sandals or reef shoes for wading shallow sandy pools.
Drive 39 km northeast back along the Southern Scenic Route into central Owaka.
39 km40m
18
FoodOwaka, New Zealand
Catlins Hotel
11:45–12:451h hereNZ$65
Casual township pub offering classic burgers and basket meals.
Convenient street parking outside. Grab the tavern beef burger or a warm ham and cheese toastie for efficient midday dining.
Drive 22 km east via Kaka Point Road and The Nuggets Road along the exposed seaside bluff.
22 km25m
19
AttractionAhuriri Flat, New Zealand
Nugget Point Lighthouse
13:10–14:251h 15m here
Perched nineteenth-century beacon above jagged wave-washed rocks.
Park in the upper viewpoint lot. The twenty-minute path along the ridge reveals fur seal colonies basking below the wave stacks.
Day 5
Ahuriri Flat → Rolleston
690 km8h 39mDepart 08:14
Day 5
Ahuriri Flat → Rolleston20
FoodRanfurly, New Zealand
Floral and Feast Kitchen
10:58–11:4345m hereNZ$90
21
FoodFairlie, New Zealand
Fairlie Bakehouse
15:00–15:5050m hereNZ$55
Famed rural bakery renowned for gourmet South Island meat pies.
Park on Main Street. Order their signature pork belly pie topped with crackling and apple sauce, alongside a custard slice.
Drive 142 km northeast following Highway 79 and Route 72 via Geraldine and the Inland Scenic Route.
142 km1h 47m
22
ActivityWindwhistle, New Zealand
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
17:37–18:1740m here
Spectacular glacial gorge view where turquoise braided waters flow.
Park at the upper bridge reserve lot. Walk the short trail onto the bluff for views over the river terraces and the foothills.
67 km51m
Finish
Rolleston
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Check Cathedral Caves tide charts online prior to Day 4 as the gate strictly opens only two hours before low tide
- 2Fill your fuel tank whenever reaching half in Balclutha, Owaka, or Roxburgh as rural pumps are sparse
- 3Southern summer days feature daylight past 21:30, giving ample evening time for relaxed cliff walks
- 4Carry NZD coins for remote gate honesty boxes and gravel parking lots in the southern reserves
Good to know
- 1Unsealed gravel roads connect several Catlins falls and coastlines; maintain 50 km/h and watch for loose stones
- 2December 25 (Christmas Day) sees many New Zealand businesses closed; ensure fuel and takeaway supplies are secured early
- 3Sandflies thrive near Catlins waterfalls and bush trails; keep car doors closed when parked under forest canopies
Plan your own road trip in seconds
Tell the AI where you're headed — get a real day-by-day route with genuine stops, photos, costs and live guidance.
Free · no account needed