South Island Food Itinerary: Two Weeks / 14 Days 🥝 [2024]

14-Day Food Itinerary for the South Island

If it’s the aromatic wines that have brought you to the South Island or perhaps the fresh South Pacific seafood, cheese from a renowned dairy industry, or something else tasty, then this itinerary is for you. This South Island food itinerary for two weeks takes you on a gastronomical journey of New Zealand’s South Island incorporating an array of foodie experiences and accommodations.

Plan your food-orientated road trip with this South Island food itinerary for 14 days. Oh, and don’t forget to bookmark The Food Guide to New Zealand – you’re definitely going to need that.

South Island Food Itinerary for 14 Days: Overview

Day 1 – Christchurch Airport to Christchurch
Day 2 – Explore Christchurch
Day 3 – Christchurch to Greymouth
Day 4 – Explore Greymouth
Day 5 – Greymouth to Akaroa
Day 6 – Explore Akaroa
Day 7 – Akaroa to Oamaru
Day 8 – Explore Oamaru
Day 9 – Oamaru to Dunedin
Day 10 – Explore Dunedin
Day 11 – Dunedin to Alexandra
Day 12 – Alexandra to Queenstown
Day 13 – Explore Queenstown
Day 14 – Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

How to Get Around the South Island in Two Weeks

This 14-day food itinerary for the South Island is a self-drive itinerary. However, there are transport alternatives should you not want to drive for the entire two weeks (or at all, for that matter). The ways to get around the South Island include:

Rental car or campervan – There are many vehicle rental companies that have depots in Christchurch, where this itinerary begins, and Queenstown where it ends. Get started on your research with The Guide to Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand.
Train – Part of this itinerary is a return journey between Christchurch and Greymouth which can be travelled via the TranzAlpine train. Find out more on the Train Network in New Zealand.
Akaroa shuttle – Although you can drive to Akaroa from Christchurch, you can also take the daily shuttle. Find out more about the shuttle and book tickets on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Escorted tours – If you would rather not drive around the South Island yourself, escorted bus tours provide an effortless alternative. However, guided tours won’t concentrate as much on foodie experiences as this itinerary does. Check out a range of fully-guided tours in The Best 10-12-Day Tours of the South Island.
Domestic flights – As this itinerary begins in Christchurch and ends in Queenstown, you may need to take a domestic flight to make your connecting flight out of New Zealand. Learn more about domestic flights and local airports in the guide to Domestic Flights in New Zealand and The Travellers’ Guide to New Zealand Airports.

Check out more transport options for this South Island food itinerary for two weeks using What is the Best Way to Get Around New Zealand?

South Island Foodie Itinerary: Two Weeks / 14 Days

Day 1 – Christchurch Airport to Christchurch

Travel time: 15 minutes

Welcome to Christchurch and the South Island! Either pick up your rental vehicle at the airport if you want to have a vehicle for the whole itinerary. Alternatively, take a taxi, shuttle or bus into Christchurch city centre.

Celebrate your first evening in New Zealand by picking up a menu at one of Christchurch’s finest eateries. Choose Gatherings for sustainably sourced Kiwi cuisine or take a trip around the world at Zen Sushi and Dumplings, Bacon Bros Burgers or Thai Orchard. Find out more about these restaurants and more in The Foodie Guide to Christchurch. You’ll have more time to experience the city’s foodie activities tomorrow.

The Best Accommodation in Christchurch with Restaurants

Find out more about our top picks in the 10 Best Accommodations in Christchurch for Foodies.

Day 2 – Explore Christchurch

Make your first full day on the South Island the day that you start discovering New Zealand’s wineries – of which, there are many! Nearby to Christchurch is the Waipara Valley wine region. Either tour the wineries yourself following the 10 Wonderful Wineries in the Waipara Valley or join a wine tour with Cheeky Wine Tours – read reviews, find out more about the tour and book tickets on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Alternatively, try a Maori hangi at Ko Tane Maori Experience or treat yourself to a four-course dinner while sightseeing on the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Food Experiences in Christchurch

Take a tour of the Waipara wine region (more info Viator and Tripadvisor)
Experience Christchurch’s iconic farmers’ markets
Try a Maori hangi with Ko Tane Maori Experience
Enjoy four-course dining while touring in the Christchurch Tram (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Taste and tour The Spirits Workshop Distillery.

See the 9 Things to Do in Christchurch for Foodies, for more details on each experience.

Day 3 – Christchurch to Greymouth

Travel time: 3h15mins

You have two options for making the magnificent journey from Christchurch to Greymouth: the TranzAlpine train or driving yourself. Either way, your eyes will feast on mountain and river valley scenery as you travel through Arthur’s Pass. The advantage of the TranzAlpine is that you don’t have to worry about driving. Plus, they specialise in Kiwi cuisine, craft beers and wine onboard. Find out more about the train and book tickets on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook. The advantage of driving yourself, however, is that you’ll be able to walk off last night’s meal by tackling some of the Arthur’s Pass short walks.

As you emerge on the other side of the Southern Alps, your final destination is Greymouth. Start sampling the West Coast cuisine, like whitebait (immature fish which is a local delicacy) or the more sustainable blue cod and venison. Great places to try include the Recreation Hotel, Buccleugh’s on High and Sevenpenny. Check out more recommendations in The Foodie Guide to Greymouth.

The Best Accommodation in Greymouth with Restaurants/Meals/Breakfasts

Check out the 10 Best Accommodations in Greymouth for Foodies for more details on our top picks.

Day 4 – Explore Greymouth

Today is your day to make the most of the distinctive West Coast flavours that typically revolve around whitebaiting, hunting, fishing and beer brewing. Greymouth also offers one of the most regarded brewery tours in the country at Monteith’s Brewery (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor).

If you’ve brought your rental vehicle to Greymouth (or just hire one for the day in the town), take a quick trip to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. No, they are not real pancakes, but foodie or not, who can help but appreciate food-shaped rocks? Alternatively, the neighbouring Barrytown provides the opportunity to make your own knife – a special foodie souvenir if ever there was one!

Food Experiences in Greymouth

Tour the Monteith’s Brewery (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Get raw fresh New Zealand milk from CJ’s Milk
Pick up some gourmet New Zealand meat products from Blackball Salami
Make your own kitchen utensils with Barrytown Knifemaking
Try West Coast delicacies like whitebait, blue cod and venison.

See the 7 Things to Do in Greymouth for Foodies for more details and locations of each experience.

Day 5 – Greymouth to Akaroa

Travel time: 4h10mins

Return to Christchurch today the same way you came, either by train or by car. The train doesn’t depart until the afternoon so you have time to catch up on a few foodie experiences you might have missed yesterday.

If you took the train to Greymouth and back, it’s a good time to pick up a rental vehicle once you arrive back in Christchurch. From there, you can head to your next destination, Akaroa!

On your way into Akaroa, stop by Barrys Bay Cheese to sample handcrafted award-winning New Zealand cheeses and watch the cheesemakers in action through the viewing window of their factory shop. Note that the latter is only available on weekdays.

The Best Accommodation in Akaroa with Restaurants/Meals/Breakfasts

The Wharf Akaroa
Annandale Coastal Farm Escape & Luxury Villa Collection
French Bay House
Beaufort House
Blythcliffe

See the 10 Best Accommodations in Akaroa for Foodies for more information on our top picks.

Day 6 – Explore Akaroa

As Akaroa has a history of French settlement, the passion for fine food has stuck around with cheeseries, wineries, French-style bakeries and more. Jump on The Bonjour Wine Tour to visit some of the boutique wineries in the area. If you’re lucky enough to be in Akaroa on a Saturday between October and April, then don’t miss the artisanal delights of the Akaroa Farmers’ Market.

Food Experiences in Akaroa

Experience the Akaroa Farmers’ Market
Tour the boutique wineries with The Bonjour Wine Tour
Do a private wine tour of the Akaroa Winery
Try award-winning cheeses at Barrys Bay Cheese
Visit the Hikuika Permaculture Hazelnut Farm.

For more details on each experience, see the 6 Things to Do in Akaroa for Foodies.

Day 7 – Akaroa to Oamaru

Travel time: 4 hours

As you make your way from Akaroa to Oamaru today, stop by Ashburton and Timaru for their wonderful selection of cafes.

Once you reach Oamaru, you have the choice between a cheese factory tour (see on Viator and Tripadvisor), artisan goods in the Victorian Precinct, a confectionary factory and, yes, another wine region!

We’ll go over the food tours and experiences tomorrow. Until then, dining recommendations include Cucina for their artful plates of Italian and South American cuisine and the Riverstone Kitchen where their own produce is grown on-site. See The Foodie Guide to Oamaru for more recommendations.

The Beach Accommodation in Oamaru with Restaurants/Meals/Breakfasts

See the 10 Best Accommodations in Oamaru for Foodies for more information on our top picks.

Day 8 – Explore Oamaru

So what does Oamaru have to offer you tastebuds? Whitestone Cheese is a good place to start for comprehensive tours of their cheese factory. Learn more about the tour with Whitestone Cheese on Viator and Tripadvisor.

You can always travel part-way up the Waitaki Valley to pop into its boutique wineries like River-T Estate and Ostler Wines. Or stay in town and browse the Victorian Precinct with its hidden brewbars, scout out homemade artisan products at the Riverstone Larder, and indulge at the European-style Harbour Street Bakery. The white limestone architecture of the Victoria Precinct is pretty impressive too.

Food Experiences in Oamaru

Tour a cheese factory complete with tastings (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Try some craft beer in the Victorian Precinct…
… Then pick up a pie, ice cream and artisan goods in the Victorian Precinct
Venture to the Waitaki Valley wine region
Get some naughty snacks for the road from Rainbow Confectionery.

Take a look at the 7 Things to Do in Oamaru for Foodies for more details on each experience.

Day 9 – Oamaru to Dunedin

Travel time: 1h35mins

Head south today to the city of Dunedin, perhaps stopping by the perfectly spherical natural wonders of the Moeraki Boulders at low tide?

You’ll most likely have plenty of time to do some of the foodie tours in Dunedin once you arrive. But, as always, we’ll discuss some of the activities tomorrow. For now, book a table at Moiety for its fine dining plates of New Zealand fare in a casual setting. You might also like Bracken which gets you into the Scottish heritage spirit of Dunedin with farm-to-table dining. Find out more in The Foodie Guide to Dunedin.

The Best Accommodation in Dunedin with Restaurants/Meals/Breakfasts

For more details on each accommodation, see the 10 Best Accommodations in Dunedin for Foodies.

Day 10 – Explore Dunedin

Dunedin is kinda famous for its beers. It’s home to one of the most popular brands of New Zealand beer, which is found in every supermarket. Speight’s Brewery offers its own tour of where they make the good stuff in New Zealand’s oldest operational brewery (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor). You can also do a chocolate factory tour at OCHO Chocolate Factory (on Viator and Tripadvisor) or treat yourself to high tea at Larnach Castle (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Food Experiences in Dunedin

Tour the Speight’s Brewery with beer tastings (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Browse the Otago Farmers’ Market
Join a chocolate factory tour (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Drink real cow’s milk at Windy Ridge Dairy or Holy Cow
Indulge in high tea at Larnach Castle (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

For more information on each activity, head to our 8 Things to Do in Dunedin for Foodies.

Day 11 – Dunedin to Alexandra

Travel time: 2h20mins

Today’s pitstops include Milton and Lawrence, the latter being a popular stop of the Clutha Gold Trail for its quaint cafes and must-visit chocolate shop, The Lawrence Mint. The Gabriels Gully Walk among a historic gold mining site is pretty cool too. You’ll also find plenty of walks in Roxburgh on your way to Alexandra.

Enjoy an evening in the more off-the-beaten-track foodie’s paradise of Alexandra (or the neighbouring town of Clyde). Speaking of Clyde, Olivers is a must-try eatery, or should we say three eateries! We also like Paulina’s Bar pioneering railroad theme combined with Spanish, Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Food Experiences in Alexandra and Clyde

Tour the boutique wineries of Alexandra
Sample craft beer at the local breweries
Pick your own raspberries or enjoy afternoon tea at Monte Christo Raspberry Cafe
Check out the Alexandra Friday Food and Produce Market
Enjoy local cuisine at the restaurants and cafes.

Check out the 5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies for more details on each experience.

The Best Accommodation in Alexandra and Clyde with Restaurants and Vineyards

Stay at one of the wineries overnight, ideal for true wine lovers.

Grey Ridge Vineyard Experience
Olivers Central Otago Lodge & Stables
Centennial Court Motor Inn
Omakau Commercial Hotel
Hawkdun Rise Vineyard & Accommodation

For more details on our top picks, check out the 10 Best Accommodations in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies.

Day 12 – Alexandra to Queenstown

Travel time: 1h10mins

Your final destination today is Queenstown but not without passing through one last wine region on the South Island, the Otago wine region. Your first port of call is Cromwell, proving its fruit-producing superiority with a giant fruit sculpture. You can stop by a few more wineries here, but we recommend waiting to take a wine tour from Queenstown (more info on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook) so you don’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

After passing by the vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, take a quick detour to Arrowtown for its charming historic buildings, candy shops and ice cream parlours lining the town.

Queenstown is then your final destination on this foodie itinerary. Celebrate your amazing journey with a meal at the back alley-eatery of The Bunker. They specialise in game meats and cocktails. Or, let’s be honest, you just want to see what this “Fergburger” hype is about, so call in early to avoid the long queue. Check out The Foodie Guide to Queenstown for more suggestions.

The Best Accommodation in Queenstown with Restaurants

Find out more about each place to stay in our 10 Best Accommodations in Queenstown for Foodies.

Day 13 – Explore Queenstown

Kick-off your day by exploring the Gibbston Valley wineries, whether it’s by bike (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) or on a small-group driving tour (on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook). Or, for something a little different, we recommend a gourmet Kiwi barbecue on the high country farm at Walter Peak (on Viator, Tripadvisor, Klook and KKday).

For your final night in New Zealand, treat yourself to a progressive dinner tour with Alpine Wine Tours. Try sparkling wine, craft beer and food pairings overlooking the Shotover River before doing some wine tasting and dinner in the Gibbston Valley. You’ll wrap up the evening with dessert in Arrowtown by a roaring fire. Find out more about the tour and book tickets on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Food Experiences in Queenstown

Tour the Gibbston Valley wineries (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Do a craft brewery tour (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Cruise across Lake Wakatipu and indulge in a gourmet barbecue at Walter Peak (on Viator, Tripadvisor, Klook and KKday)
Go on a progressive dinner tour (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
Try a famous oversized burger.

For more information on each activity, check out the 10 Things to Do in Queenstown for Foodies.

Day 14 – Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

Travel time: 10 minutes

Now’s your last chance to pick up an artistic doughnut ball from Balls and Bangles, an oversized burger from Fergburger, or a deep-fried kiwifruit from Erik’s Fish & Chips before heading to Queenstown Airport.

Should you need to pick up some last-minute souvenirs, there are some popular Queenstown brands at the airport including The Remarkable Sweet Shop and Patagonia Chocolates.

From there, it’s time to catch your flight, whether it’s connecting to Christchurch, Auckland or Australia and beyond…

More About a South Island Food Itinerary for Two Weeks / 14 Days

That’s it for our South Island food itinerary for two weeks (14 days). If this itinerary didn’t quite suit you, perhaps you’d be more into these alternatives:

Finally, get more advice for planning an entire trip to New Zealand surrounding culinary experiences in The Foodie Guide to New Zealand.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

Contact Laura About Our Team