AI-planned road trip
Round trip from Rolleston
“A five-day South Island loop through Dunedin, the Catlins and St Bathans”
5days
1,664 kmDistance
31stops
NZ$3,506Est. cost
Shared by a traveler · city-level only, no dates, private notes stay private
- ~24h 2m driving
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Rolleston → Dunedin
353 km4h 39mDepart 07:00
Day 1
Rolleston → DunedinStart
Rolleston
Drive 114 km in ~1h 26min from Rolleston via SH1 and SH79.
114 km1h 26m
1
FoodGeraldine, New Zealand
The Running Duck
08:26–09:1145m hereNZ$75
Popular café breakfast on the road south
Use the nearby public parking and order from the cabinet for a quick departure; this is a reliable breakfast break before the longer coastal leg.
Drive 105 km in ~1h 21min via SH79 and SH1 through Timaru.
105 km1h 21m
2
FoodWaitaki Bridge, New Zealand
Riverstone Kitchen
11:45–12:451h hereNZ$120
Seasonal North Otago cooking beside country gardens
Reserve a midday table and use the spacious on-site parking; choose a seasonal main so lunch stays efficient rather than becoming a long tasting stop.
Drive 56 km in ~46 min south on SH1, then follow Moeraki Boulders Road.
56 km46m
3
AttractionHampden, New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders Beach
13:31–14:1645m hereNZ$9
Spherical boulders scattered along Koekohe Beach
Park at the café access and check the tide before walking down; lower water reveals more of the boulders and safer beach-level photo angles.
Drive 74 km in ~56 min via SH1 into North Dunedin.
74 km56m
4
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Tūhura Otago Museum
15:20–17:051h 45m here
Otago natural history, Māori heritage and science
Use the museum’s paid lot or wider street spaces north of the campus; prioritise the Southern Land, Southern People and Tangata Whenua galleries.
Drive 3 km in ~10min through central Dunedin; use a surface space rather than a tight garage.
3 km7m
5
FoodDunedin, New Zealand
The Speight's Ale House Dunedin
18:30–19:451h 15m hereNZ$150
Hearty southern pub classics in the historic brewery
Book a standard table and park in the Dowling Street area; the lamb shank or blue-cod dish delivers a straightforward southern dinner.
Drive 1 km in ~5min from the restaurant to the hotel parking entrance.
600 m2m
6
OvernightDunedin, New Zealand
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
20:00–07:0011h hereNZ$340
Central hotel with practical vehicle parking
Reserve a triple or family room with parking and confirm SUV clearance; the central location keeps the evening transfer short and uncomplicated.
Day 2
Dunedin
114 km2h 45mDepart 07:18
Day 2
Dunedin
Leave Scenic Hotel Southern Cross after breakfast and drive 8 km in ~12 min via Blackhead Road.
8 km12m
7
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Tunnel Beach Track
07:30–08:451h 15m here
Clifftop walk above sandstone arches and surf
Leave Scenic Hotel Southern Cross after hotel breakfast, use the upper car park and wear grippy shoes; the steep return is exposed to sun and wind.
Drive 35 km in ~48 min along Portobello Road and Harington Point Road.
35 km48m
8
AttractionHarington Point, New Zealand
Royal Albatross Centre
10:15–11:451h 30m hereNZ$225
Mainland royal albatross colony above Taiaroa Head
Book the first available guided colony tour and arrive before check-in closes; winds can be fierce, but they often improve albatross flight activity.
Drive 12 km in ~16 min back along Harington Point Road to Portobello.
12 km16m
9
FoodDunedin, New Zealand
Augustines of Portobello
12:20–13:201h hereNZ$120
Peninsula restaurant serving unfussy regional dishes
Reserve lunch and park beside the restaurant; seafood chowder or the fish special makes a practical local refuel before the castle visit.
Drive 9.1 km in ~16 min via Highcliff Road and Camp Road.
9 km16m
10
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Larnach Castle
13:45–15:452h hereNZ$150
Victorian mansion and gardens above Otago Harbour
Buy castle-and-garden admission and use the broad visitor lot; tour the decorated rooms first, then take the harbour views from the tower.
Drive 20 km in ~31 min via Highcliff Road and suburban Dunedin.
20 km31m
11
AttractionDunedin, New Zealand
Signal Hill Lookout
16:30–17:0030m here
Wide view over Dunedin and Otago Harbour
Park in the open summit area and keep valuables out of sight; this quick overlook ties together the city, harbour and peninsula route just driven.
Drive 15 km in ~23 min via Ravensbourne Road and SH88.
15 km23m
12
FoodDunedin, New Zealand
Careys Bay Historic Hotel
18:15–19:301h 15m hereNZ$150
Historic harbour pub known for fresh seafood
Reserve a window table and use the roadside parking carefully; order blue cod or seafood chowder for an easy harbour-side finish away from the city centre.
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross · Overnight
Day 3
Dunedin → Invercargill
369 km5h 48mDepart 07:30
Day 3
Dunedin → Invercargill
Check out of Scenic Hotel Southern Cross after hotel breakfast and drive 158 km in ~2h 15min via SH1, Balclutha and the Southern Scenic Route.
158 km2h 15m
13
AttractionNew Zealand
Catlins Forest Park
09:45–10:3045m here
Native rainforest, wetlands and rugged Catlins scenery
Use the signed Florence Hill viewpoint parking and keep to formed tracks; this accessible forest-edge stop introduces the Catlins without a long hike.
Drive 39 km in ~44 min along Papatowai Highway and Purakaunui Falls Road.
39 km44m
14
AttractionPurakaunui, New Zealand
Purakaunui Falls
11:14–12:0450m here
Tiered waterfall framed by native beech forest
Use the DOC car park and take the short forest track to the lower platform; expect mud after rain and avoid climbing beyond the barriers.
Drive 15 km in ~14 min via Purakaunui Falls Road and Pounawea Highway.
15 km14m
15
FoodOwaka, New Zealand
Lumberjack Cafe & Restaurant
12:30–13:301h hereNZ$105
Casual Catlins café with generous local fare
Park on the main street and choose a cabinet meal or burger for quick service; this is the most dependable lunch point before the remote waterfall roads.
Drive 41 km in ~43 min via the Southern Scenic Route and McLean Falls Road.
41 km43m
16
AttractionOtago Region, New Zealand
McLean Falls
14:13–15:281h 15m here
Powerful forest waterfall reached by a scenic track
Park at the road end and allow time for the uneven forest track; sturdy footwear matters because roots and rocks remain slick even in summer.
Drive 36 km in ~40 min via Chaslands Highway and Waikawa-Curio Bay Road.
36 km40m
17
AttractionSouthland Region, New Zealand
Curio Bay Cliffs
16:08–17:231h 15m here
Petrified forest coast with wildlife viewing
Use the main visitor parking and stay off exposed fossil wood; scan from the platforms for dolphins and penguins without approaching wildlife.
18
FoodInvercargill, New Zealand
EUNA Don St.
18:34–19:491h 15m hereNZ$120
19
OvernightInvercargill, New Zealand
The Langlands Hotel
19:50–06:5010h 15m hereNZ$125
Modern central hotel with secure on-site parking
Book a triple room and reserve on-site parking; the central location avoids extra driving while providing a quiet, comfortable reset before the coast.
Day 4
Invercargill → Balclutha
213 km3h 27mDepart 07:14
Day 4
Invercargill → Balclutha
Check out of The Langlands Hotel after hotel breakfast and drive 73 km in ~1h 1min via Gorge Road, Fortrose and Slope Point Road.
73 km1h 1m
20
AttractionSlope Point, New Zealand
Slope Point
08:15–09:0550m here
Wind-battered farmland at the South Island’s southern edge
Park only in the signed area and close every farm gate; the final walk crosses private pasture and may close during lambing or severe weather.
Drive 46 km in ~47 min via Waikawa and the Southern Scenic Route to the signed cave entrance.
46 km47m
21
AttractionOtago, New Zealand
Cathedral Caves
09:52–11:221h 30m hereNZ$45
Vast sea caves accessible only around low tide
Check the official tide opening before departure and pay at the gate; access is possible only near low tide and the steep forest track adds effort.
Drive 39 km in ~40 min via Papatowai and the Southern Scenic Route.
39 km40m
22
FoodOwaka, New Zealand
Catlins Hotel
12:45–13:451h hereNZ$105
No-frills country pub serving filling classics
Use the open street parking and order a pub main rather than lingering over courses; it is a practical warm stop between two exposed coastal walks.
Drive 22 km in ~25 min via Owaka Highway, Ahuriri Flat Road and The Nuggets Road.
22 km25m
23
AttractionAhuriri Flat, New Zealand
Nugget Point Lighthouse
14:10–15:251h 15m here
Clifftop lighthouse overlooking the rocky Nuggets
Park in the upper lot and keep to the fenced lighthouse path; carry a wind layer and watch the rocks below for seals and seabirds.
24
FoodBalclutha, New Zealand
The Gate
18:15–19:301h 15m hereNZ$135
Relaxed local restaurant with dependable hearty meals
Confirm Christmas Eve hours and reserve a table; choose a simple grill or fish dish, as dining options become limited later in the evening.
Drive 3 km in ~5min via Clyde Street and SH1.
2 km3m
25
OvernightBalclutha, New Zealand
Rosebank Lodge Motor Hotel
19:33–06:4511h 5m hereNZ$151
Comfortable roadside lodge with easy SUV parking
Reserve a family room and an evening parking space directly outside; this practical location gives a clean start onto the inland return route.
Day 5
Balclutha → Rolleston
615 km7h 23mDepart 06:55
Day 5
Balclutha → Rolleston
Check out of Rosebank Lodge after hotel breakfast and drive 58 km in ~45 min via SH1 and SH8.
58 km45m
26
AttractionLawrence, New Zealand
Historic Chinese Camp, Lawrence
07:40–08:2040m here
Gold-rush settlement remains beside the Clutha route
Check out after hotel breakfast and use the signed roadside parking; the surviving buildings provide a concise introduction to Central Otago gold history.
27
AttractionBurkes Pass, New Zealand
Burkes Pass
12:18–12:4830m here
Tiny heritage settlement on the Mackenzie route
Park in the wide roadside area and take a short walk among the heritage buildings; it breaks the inland drive without committing to a long detour.
28
FoodKimbell, New Zealand
Silverstream Hotel
12:58–13:581h hereNZ$120
29
FoodFairlie, New Zealand
Fairlie Bakehouse
18:00–18:4040m hereNZ$60
Well-known bakery for substantial South Canterbury pies
Verify Christmas Day opening and pre-order if available; otherwise carry a backup dinner, because most Fairlie kitchens will be closed this evening.
Drive 127 km in ~1h 32min via SH79, Inland Scenic Route 72 and Rakaia Gorge Road, then drive 58 km in ~50min to Rolleston after the stop.
127 km1h 32m
30
AttractionMount Hutt, New Zealand
Rakaia Gorge Lookout
20:12–20:3220m here
Roadside panorama across the turquoise Rakaia River
Pull fully into the signed lookout and keep clear of fast traffic; the late summer light gives one final alpine-river view before returning home.
65 km48m
Finish
Rolleston
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Book the Royal Albatross Centre tour and Larnach Castle entry within the next week.
- 2Check Cathedral Caves tide access for Christmas Eve and adjust the morning only within the required stop order.
- 3Fill the SUV in Invercargill before the southern headlands and again near Alexandra before St Bathans.
- 4Photograph Moeraki Boulders near lower tide and Nugget Point in the softer afternoon light.
- 5Confirm every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meal directly; carry a full backup lunch and dinner.
- 6Download offline maps for the Catlins and St Bathans, where mobile reception is intermittent.
Good to know
- 1Cathedral Caves opens only around low tide and can close for swell, flooding or unsafe track conditions.
- 2Slope Point crosses private farmland and may close for livestock operations or severe weather.
- 3Catlins gravel access roads can be corrugated, narrow and slippery after rain; reduce speed and avoid road edges.
- 4No tolls, vignettes or low-emission zones apply on this New Zealand loop.
- 5Summer wind can make exposed headlands hazardous, particularly Taiaroa Head, Slope Point and Nugget Point.
- 6Christmas Day fuel, food and visitor services will be sparse between Balclutha, St Bathans and Fairlie.
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