21-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary For Hikers
This 21-day New Zealand South Island itinerary is excellent for anyone looking for an outdoor, hiking-focused, moderate-budget itinerary.
🇳🇿 This post is a part of my New Zealand Travel Guide.
You should be in decent physical shape to attempt most of these hikes, especially the strenuous ones. Don’t hike on trails that become slippery and dangerous when wet. Read all warning signs before starting any trek.
Start early, Leave No Trace, and know your limits. We didn’t get to do a couple of hikes because of the weather, so keep that in mind. Your safety comes first.
This post would be even longer if I included all the hiking track stats, so if you want to know more about any of the hikes, just click the linked name to go to AllTrails.
➡️ Don’t know where to start with packing? Follow my hiker’s packing list for what to pack for 3 weeks in New Zealand. It includes all the gear you’ll need for this campervan itinerary!
Ultimate New Zealand South Island Itinerary Map
I have included all the campsites, attractions, trails, and driving directions on this Google Map. Use it as a guide to follow along as you read more about the day-to-day activities.
Weeks of research went into building this itinerary. The days aren’t unreasonably jam-packed, and there’s room for spontaneity.
Table of Contents:
Jump around to places you want to know more about.
Tips for Your New Zealand South Island Itinerary
Since this 21-day campervan itinerary focuses on New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is the ideal place to pick up your van. The Christchurch airport has more flights than Queenstown, and you don’t need to book the ferry between islands from Auckland.
We actually flew into Auckland from the US and stayed on the North Island for a few days to adjust to the time, and drove a small rental car to get used to driving on the left side of the road.
➡️ Discover my guide on free things to do around Auckland if you’re traveling on a budget (and even if you’re not, who doesn’t love fun, free activities?)
Then, we booked a short flight down to Christchurch to pick up our rental campervan.
➡️ Read my article about renting a campervan in New Zealand. It covers everything from what’s included with most rentals to a helpful packing list and more critical details.
Set Realistic Expectations
There is so much to see and do in New Zealand that I really had to narrow down the list of activities. It’s not possible to visit every city on the South Island in just 3 weeks (unless you’re just driving the whole time). This campervan itinerary is hiking-heavy and focuses on outdoor things to do.
My husband and I were on a modest budget for this trip, cooking most of our meals in the campervan while splurging on a few adventures. We mainly stayed at DOC campsites with occasional holiday park stays sprinkled in.
➡️ Don’t know how to book a DOC campsite? Check out my step-by-step guide on booking DOC campgrounds. Start booking campsites now!
This 21-day New Zealand South Island itinerary offers some flexibility to accommodate weather and modifications. Follow it exactly or make it your own!
New Zealand South Island Itinerary Starts in Christchurch
South Island Itinerary Day 1
Pick Up Your Campervan
Arrive in Christchurch and pick up your campervan. You can likely arrange an airport shuttle from the rental company to come pick you up and bring you to the van rental office.
Spend time in Christchurch buying groceries and stocking up on any gear you need. Drive to the Godley Head DOC campsite to spend the night. I got an email with a gate code. Reserve this campsite in advance to get the code! Explore around the WWII defense battery site with incredible ocean views.
Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall
Arthur’s Pass National Park
South Island Itinerary Day 2
Castle Hill & Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall
There are tons of sheep on the road to Godley Head. We stopped to admire a particularly stunning flock spending time on a cliffside.
It’s about a 2.5-hour drive to the Avalanche Creek Shelter DOC campsite from Godley Head. Grab any last-minute items from the shops in Christchurch and set off to begin your 21-day New Zealand South Island itinerary.
Stop at Castle Hill and stretch your legs while exploring the massive limestone boulders. The Māori consider Kura Tāwhiti to be a place of spiritual significance.
Arrive at Avalanche Creek Shelter. If you have time, hike up to see the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall. It’s a short and easy track. Don’t worry if you can’t fit it in today — there will be another opportunity later.
View at the top of Avalanche Peak
South Island Itinerary Day 3
Hiking Avalanche Peak Track
Hike the Avalanche Peak Track. Warning: this was by far the most challenging hike on this itinerary and should only be attempted by expert hikers. The trail is steep and rough.
You can choose to make the track a loop or hike it one-way. We did a loop on Scott’s Track, and I would say it was significantly less steep than the Avalanche Peak Track. If I were to hike it again, I would consider doing Scott’s Track only up and down.
Our moving time alone was close to 5 hours at a moderate pace. Block out the day for this one and start early to avoid afternoon rain. It began to sprinkle as we were almost down to the car park.
We stayed a second night at the Avalanche Creek Shelter DOC site.
Hokitika Gorge
Otira Viaduct Lookout
Franz Josef, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 4
Driving & Hike Hokitika Gorge
If you didn’t have time to hike up to the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall a couple of days before, do that this morning. The falls are tall and impressive up close.
Start driving to Hokitika Gorge, about 2 hours away. We stopped at the Otira Viaduct Lookout for a fantastic view down-valley.
In Hokitika, we stocked up on groceries and then set out for the famous gorge. Unfortunately, it was raining so hard that the water in the gorge wasn’t as electric blue as it would have been on a sunny day.
Drive to the town of Franz Josef, about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Hokitika Gorge. We booked two nights at the Orange Sheep campervan park in Franz Josef.
We took advantage of the free hot showers, coin laundry, free wifi, dump station, and drinking water refill at Orange Sheep. DOC sites don’t usually have many amenities, so this place is a must-stop to refresh during your New Zealand South Island itinerary.
South Island Itinerary Day 5
Relax & Reset
The rain canceled our Franz Josef Glacier heli hike we had planned, so we spent the day doing laundry, showering, catching up on photo editing, etc. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the Orange Sheep Campervan Park, so we had dinner out.
It was nice to have a day to relax and reset. Chances are, you’ll get rained out at least one day on the West Coast, so use this day as a bit of insurance. Rearrange this New Zealand South Island itinerary as needed.
Alex Knob Track
South Island Itinerary Day 6
Hike Alex Knob Track
The weather still wasn’t cooperating, but we decided to go ahead and hike the Alex Knob Track. On a clear day, you are treated to marvelous views of the Franz Josef Glacier. We weren’t so lucky, but the hike was still a gorgeous trek in the forest.
In the afternoon, the clouds cleared out, and we were able to do the Franz Josef Glacier Walk. This is a busy track, as it is short and paved.
➡️ For a complete guide on things to do near Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, see my detailed list.
We left Franz Josef and drove 30 minutes to the town of Fox Glacier. The Fox Glacier Lodge has campervan sites that we booked. Free showers are included with the stay, as well as access to a water fill-up station.
On a whim, we stumbled into the Fox Glacier Guiding office to inquire about any glacier heli hike openings for the next day. They just so happened to have a couple of openings, so we booked them on the spot.
Fox Glacier Heli Hike
Lake Matheson
Fox Glacier, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 7
Fox Glacier Heli Hike & Lake Matheson
Knowing that the heli hike could be canceled up to 15 minutes before we were set to show up, we tried not to get our hopes up too high. The weather looked cloudy, but not as bad as it had been the previous few days.
We returned to the office with our gear, and they told us the flight would be taking off! It was an incredible experience that, if given the opportunity, you should totally book. Neither my husband nor I had ever been in a helicopter — the views of the glacier from above and while hiking were indescribable.
➡️ Read my complete Fox Glacier heli hike review with everything you need to know and what you should bring.
Since we booked a morning heli hike, we had some time in the afternoon. Lake Matheson was on the way to our DOC campsite, Gillespies Beach. We had heard that Lake Matheson is one of the best lakes in New Zealand for mirror reflections.
Eager to check it out, we started hiking around the lake. The wind had picked up, and the clouds were back, obscuring the views of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman. A bit disappointed, we moved on to our campsite for the night.
Suspension bridge on the Copland Track
South Island Itinerary Day 8
Backpacking the Copland Track
When we woke up, the sky was nearly free of clouds besides a few wispy stragglers. Excited, we packed up camp quickly and made our way back to Lake Matheson.
The reflections were well worth the rush. We practically ran to the viewpoint and were greeted with near-perfect mirror images. Seeing the clouds start to move in, we walked back to the Matheson Café and savored some pastries and chai while what was left of the mountain vista faded into clouds.
We made a quick stop at the Fox Glacier Viewpoint on our way to the Copland Track. Now, don’t do what we did and start hiking the Copland Track at noon. There was a little confusion about the track distance. We thought the reported kilometers were round-trip, not one-way…
Finding out that the track was actually 17 km (10.6 mi) one-way was a devastating realization. We considered turning around, not wanting to be caught hiking in the dark, but ultimately decided to push onwards.
The Welcome Flat Hut came into view just as the sun began to set. Exhausted and hungry, our first priority was dinner. You do need a reservation to camp outside the hut or to stay in a bunk room inside.
➡️ Want to know more about backcountry huts in New Zealand? Read my comprehensive post.
South Island Itinerary Day 9
Soaking in the Hot Pools
One of the best parts of the Copland Track is the hot pools at the Welcome Flat Hut. Since we arrived so late the day before, we took our opportunity to soak the next morning.
It was only the hut warden and us in the pools that morning. I recommend soaking early and, as a result, having the place all to yourself. Having soaked the day before, most people were busy packing up and heading out.
The hut warden told us that many people only book one night at the hut, but he really encourages two nights. I wholeheartedly agree. Staying two nights would have afforded us more time to explore the valley and the pools, and to take our time.
If you’re backpacking the Copland Track, build in an extra day to this 3 week New Zealand South Island itinerary. You’ll be glad you did!
After returning to the car park, it’s only a 35-minute drive to the Lake Paringa DOC site. Though the water was cold, we took a plunge into the lake to wash off — extremely refreshing.
Monro Beach
Tree Pigeon
More on the West Coast
South Island Itinerary Day 10
Monro Beach Walk
Just 15 minutes farther down the road is the Monro Beach Walk. The boardwalk was well-maintained, and we reached a beach littered with smooth, oval, white stones.
Waves crashed on interesting rock formations out in the surf. We saw tree pigeons perched on branches in the forest leading up to the beach.
You may see Fiordland Crested Penguins if you’re lucky. Their breeding season is July – November, and they come to moult their feathers on the beach in January and February. We didn’t see any, but it was still a gorgeous place to check out.
Continue driving just over an hour away to the Pleasant Flat DOC site. Stop at Roaring Billy Falls on the way and walk to an impressive waterfall. Rest up for the adventure tomorrow.
South Island Itinerary Day 11
Brewster Hut
Unfortunately, it was raining this day, and it’s not advisable to cross the stream at the beginning of the Brewster Hut Track during or after rain. The water can become dangerous. This is a rough enough hike without the peril of getting swept away.
If it’s a sunny day for you, go for it! Our original plan was to hike to the hut and then camp at the nearby Cameron Flat DOC site.
We had to make some adjustments to our itinerary. The Fantail Falls Walk leaves from the same car park as the Brewster Hut Track, so we walked in the rain to witness the flowing falls.
It was a cloudy 1-hour drive to our last-minute accommodation. The Lake Hāwea Holiday Park is just outside of Wānaka. Situated right on the shores of the stunning lake, it was just what we needed — and one of the prettier campsites on this New Zealand South Island itinerary.
They have free hot showers and access to a coin laundry. We spent time doing a “reset” and enjoyed slowing down. Later, as the sun set, we wandered along the lake and watched the mountains light up in the evening glow.
Wānaka Lavender Farm
Wānaka, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 12
Explore Wānaka
It is about 15 minutes to downtown Wānaka from the Lake Hāwea Holiday Park, or still a manageable 1-hour drive from the Cameron Flats DOC site.
We spent time walking around downtown Wānaka, popping into shops. There are kayak rentals down at the beach that look awesome. If you’re itching to get on the water, definitely add kayaking to your New Zealand South Island itinerary.
We wanted to go check out the Wānaka Lavender Farm. I had seen pictures online, and if it were even half as beautiful in real life, we’d be pretty happy with it.
The farm does have an entrance fee, but it was well worth it!
➡️ Read details about the Wānaka Lavender Farm, Roy’s Peak, Onsen Hot Pools, the Queenstown Gondola, hiking the Ben Lomond Track, and more on my post about outdoor things to do near Wānaka and Queenstown.
After homemade lavender ice cream, we headed back into town for lunch. Big Fig Wānaka offers fresh, healthy options for everyone, from meat-lovers to vegans and those with gluten sensitivities. We left very full and satisfied.
The next day was going to be an early wake-up call, so we took it easy that afternoon. Checked into the Mt. Aspiring Holiday Park and went to bed at a reasonable time, setting the alarm for 2:15 a.m.
Roy’s Peak at sunrise
South Island Itinerary Day 13
Roy’s Peak Sunrise Hike
A sunrise hike might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I highly encourage you to push yourself outside your comfort zone to do the Roy’s Peak Track. It was pitch-black and chilly when we pulled into the car park around 3:30 a.m.
I had read that the car park can fill up fast, even in the early morning, and people will get ticketed if they park out on the street. There was still a decent number of parking spots when we arrived, but they were starting to fill up.
The sunrise was slated for a bit past 7 o’clock. That gave us 3.5 hours to get to the top. We surprised ourselves with our pace and made it up in a little over 2 hours. The nice part was that we were able to find a place to sit among the growing crowd. The bad part was that we had to wait over an hour in the wind and dark for the sun to rise.
Eventually, the sun crested the horizon, and we watched as the surrounding mountains turned pink. The low-lying clouds created scenes I had never encountered before. Truly magical.
We were making our way down as plenty more people were making the trek up. I was glad we did the slog in the cool darkness because there is zero shade on this track.
It was time to check into the Glendu Bay Holiday Park and take a nap in the van.
Onsen Hot Pools
Queenstown, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 14
Wine Tasting and Onsen Hot Pools
We were ready for the relaxing day we had planned. Before leaving Wānaka, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Burrito Craft food truck. Fantastic flavors in a serene setting — the most beautiful food truck park I’ve ever seen.
We were searching for a vineyard with wine tasting and gorgeous views. I’m not a huge fan of red wine, so we also wanted somewhere that served more than just reds. One hour from Wānaka, Mt. Rosa Wines fit the bill.
The vibes were on point. All of the staff were very friendly and answered any questions we had. The setting was comfortable and laidback.
There are many unique wine tours in Queenstown you can book if you’re looking for something more than a tasting. We saw people biking around from winery to winery. Some tours offer lunch, cheese tastings, and a hop-on, hop-off bus.
After a 30-minute drive, we were in the heart of Queenstown. There are loads of shops and restaurants to check out. We spent time wandering around the shopping district set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
Next, we had reservations at Onsen Hot Pools. This popular hot pool destination does fill up in advance, so we made our bookings weeks ahead of time online. The views lived up to the hype!
A Note on Queenstown Camping
Queenstown was the most challenging place to find camping during the whole trip. We planned to stay at the 12 Mile Delta Campground, which is first-come, first-served. Before driving the 15 minutes outside of town to the campground, we decided to call ahead to check whether there were any spaces available.
The campground host informed us that they were booked for the night, and so we called a few more campgrounds and holiday parks in town. Everyone was full. We turned to our CamperMate app and started searching for freedom camping spots.
Finally, after driving around late at night, we found a spot literally on the side of the road where other people had also parked. Not ideal with the road noise, but we made do.
Let Queenstown be the one place you NEED to make reservations at a holiday park. We had no idea it would be so busy.
View from the Gondola
South Island Itinerary Day 15
Skyline Gondola & Ben Lomond Track
Parking near the Queenstown Skyline Gondola can fill up, so we got going to find a decent spot. I had also read that the queues to get tickets could be long. At around 10:30 in the morning, there were still some parking spots and hardly a queue — we basically got right on the gondola.
Our objective for the day was to hike the Ben Lomond Track. Taking the gondola significantly shortens the elevation gain on this already steep trek. As I mentioned in my post about things to do near Queenstown, the gondola ticket is justified if you’re going to hike or ride the luge. But if you’re only going up and coming back down, I personally don’t think it’s worth the ticket price.
As we started to climb, we realized we probably weren’t going to make it to the summit. Our energy levels were low, but still enough to make it to the saddle — a challenge in itself.
The views of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown were terrific from the saddle. If you’re not going for the summit push, at least make it to the little pit toilet on the ridge.
Since it looked like we weren’t going to be able to stay at a holiday park this evening either, we started searching for somewhere to get a shower. Hot tip: The Queenstown Aquatic Centre offers cheap showers with unlimited water. Very van life friendly!
We found another freedom camping spot for the night and prepared for a longer drive the next day.
Milford Sound, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 16
Drive to Milford Sound
It’s a little over 3 hours from Queenstown to the Cascade Creek DOC site. If you want to stretch your legs before the drive, the Lake Alta Track is short with alpine views. The track starts at the base of the Remarkables Ski Area.
We drove to Te Anau and took a break from driving to poke around the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The track begins with a gentle walk through the forest and opens up to lake views.
The Cascade Creek DOC site was home for the night! This is the closest DOC site to Milford Sound, just under an hour from the water.
Milford Sound Boat Cruise
Lake Marian
South Island Itinerary Day 17
Milford Sound Boat Tour & Lake Marian Track
We booked the earliest morning boat cruise at Milford Sound, so we got up and drove in the dark. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the Sound from Cascade Creek. You’ll likely want to stop a couple of times to take in the scenery.
➡️ I’ve got all the details for booking a Milford Sound boat tour on my informative post. Trust me, you’ll want to give this a glance before booking anything.
It had rained all night, and the conditions were perfect. All the temporary waterfalls had come to life with the influx of water. We couldn’t have dreamed of better timing.
After the cruise, we hiked the Lake Marian Track. There are a couple of tricky scramble spots up and down slick tree roots, but overall, it’s a lovely hike. The clouds obscured most of the mountains above the lake. We waited for pockets in the clouds to appear so that we could get a look at the landscape beyond.
That evening, we had booked the Upper Eglinton DOC site, but I’d recommend just booking Cascade Creek for two nights. Eglinton is tiny with room for maybe a handful of campervans and one toilet.
Gertrude Saddle Track
Kea with waterfall
South Island Itinerary Day 18
Gertrude Saddle Track
Yet another challenging hike on this 21-day New Zealand South Island itinerary — are you even surprised? The Gertrude Saddle Track should only be completed in dry conditions. The smooth, steep rocks are grippy when dry, and your worst nightmare with a bit of rain.
You’ll find thick cables in particularly steep sections to aid with the climb. On the way up, we saw a group of Kea, the world’s only alpine parrot. Keep an eye on your belongings, as these are curious, cheeky little birds. Don’t feed them! Kea are endangered and need to be left alone to thrive.
At the top of the saddle, you can see the water in the Sound and get a better idea of the scale of the surrounding peaks. Absolutely stunning.
Start the hike early to have time to drive to the Henry Creek DOC site in the evening. It’s about a 1-hour drive from the Gertrude Saddle Track car park.
The Henry Creek site was one of my favorite places we camped. Right on Lake Te Anau, the sunset was pure magic. Arrive as early as you can to get a coveted forest parking spot within steps of the water.
Hooker Valley, New Zealand Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 19
Te Anau Glow-worm Cave Tour & Drive to Hooker Valley
On a whim, we booked a Glow-worm Cave Tour with RealNZ in Te Anau. We had seen countless advertisements for the Waitomo Caves on the North Island and didn’t realize there was a glow-worm cave on the South Island.
The 30-minute boat ride to the cave on Lake Te Anau was scenic. You can’t take pictures in the cave, so unfortunately, I don’t have any to share.
I’ll be totally honest here, it was underwhelming. The images online of glow-worm caves make it look like the whole cave is lit up with blue stars. In reality, the “worms” (they are actually fly larvae) are about the size of a pin prick and aren’t very bright.
There is a part of the tour where you board a little boat and get paddled into the “Glow-worm Grotto.” I thought, “This is it! This is where all the glow-worms will be lighting up the ceiling and walls.” There was a patch, maybe a square meter, where the glow-worms were concentrated.
I was looking around in the dark for more, thinking to myself — this is what all the hype was about?
After the tour, we listened to a presentation to learn more about the glow-worms before boarding the big boat back to Te Anau. The presentation was informative and well-given, but we couldn’t help feeling a little swindled.
If you simply must see the famed glow-worms for yourself, go for it, but just know you’re not missing very much if you decide to skip the tour.
The rest of the day is spent driving the 5.5 hours to Hooker Valley. We made another stop at the Queenstown Aquatic Centre for a refreshing shower on the way. The White Horse Hill DOC site is basically the car park at Hooker Valley.
Hooker Valley Track
Tasman Lake
South Island Itinerary Day 20
Hooker Valley Track OR Mueller Hut Route
At this point in the trip, we wanted to finish off with a more leisurely hike. The Hooker Valley Track is pretty flat and not too long, while the Mueller Hut Route is a difficult-rated trek with lots of elevation gain.
If your heart is set on doing both of these tracks, consider adding an additional day to this New Zealand South Island itinerary. Hooker Valley was one of the more crowded places we visited — my advice: wake up early and complete the track while the sun is rising.
We watched the growing alpenglow on the mountains from the car park. I wish we had started hiking earlier to have a better vantage point for the show.
Also note that there were throngs more people hiking in as we were hiking out. If you’re looking for more solitude on this track, the earlier the start, the fewer the crowds.
We finished hiking at Hooker Valley and wanted to drive out as quickly as possible. The car park was getting insane, and we wanted to find a quieter place for lunch. Luckily, we spotted the Tasman Glacier View Track on the map.
After lunch, we hiked up to the Tasman Glacier View and marveled at the powder blue lake that formed from the melting glacier. Icebergs dot the lake’s surface. It was sad to discover that only about 50 years ago, there wasn’t a lake at all. Global warming from climate change is melting the Tasman Glacier at an alarming rate.
From there, we drove for about 1.5 hours to Lake Tekapo. The famous lupin flowers were past-peak, but we still enjoyed walking around and admiring the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Start Driving Towards Christchurch
Now you’ve got a choice. It’s a 15-minute drive to the Lake Alexandrina Campground from Tekapo. That means you’ll drive 3 hours and 15 minutes to Christchurch the next day.
We wanted to get closer to Christchurch on our last night to make the next day feel less rushed. So we drove 2.5 more hours to the freedom camping spot at Chamberlains Ford. There are toilets, rubbish bins, and recycling bins. Note: the campground is closed from April 1 to October 31.
In the end, we were glad we got closer to Christchurch!
End of New Zealand South Island Itinerary
South Island Itinerary Day 21
Return the Campervan
Since we didn’t stay at a holiday park the night before, we had to find somewhere to dump the campervan’s tanks. We called around various holiday parks along the way to Christchurch to ask if we could dump there.
Finally, we found one that would let us empty our tanks for a fee. Not ideal, but we were grateful to have found somewhere. Next, our problem was finding a petrol station that filled LPG gas bottles.
We were led around in a wild goose chase from petrol station to petrol station. One attendant would tell us that the station down the road for sure had LPG filling, only to find out they didn’t. The clock was ticking because we had to return the van by a specific time that afternoon.
Just as we were starting to get desperate, a petrol station we called said they did have LPG filling, and an attendant even came out to fill the bottle for us when we arrived. We made it back right on time for the complimentary shuttle from the van rental company to our hotel next to Christchurch Airport.
This last day was more stressful than we thought it would be. If you want an easier time, book a holiday park closer to Christchurch, use their dumping facilities, and ask where to fill LPG bottles.
Day 22 — Fly Out
We stayed at Lylo Christchurch, a budget hostel with private rooms or dorm-style rooms. We opted for a private room. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it did feature an ensuite bathroom and was within walking distance of the airport, a few restaurants, and a Woolworth’s.
Having a proper room to repack our bags, shower, and just generally decompress was the move. If we had to drop off the van and immediately get on a flight, the stress levels would have been higher than they already were.
Even with all of our bags, it wasn’t too far to walk to the airport. Plus, a bonus, we didn’t have to pay for an Uber.
Things to Keep in Mind During Your 21-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary
- Be conscious of how much fresh water you have. Fill up bottles and tanks whenever possible, even if they’re not entirely empty.
- Empty the toilet whenever possible. We had a cassette toilet that needed to be emptied every few days. To make it less messy for ourselves, we only went number one in the van and used outside facilities for number twos. No one wants to deal with an overflowing toilet.
- Know how far apart grocery stores are. We stocked up at chain stores like Woolworth’s and New World. We were able to get a visitor discount card at New World.
- To keep costs low, we mainly stayed at DOC sites. That meant we frequented laundromats and public showers. Holiday parks usually have laundry and showers if you want to keep it simple.
- The earlier in the day you can start, the fewer the crowds there will be! That goes for tours, hiking trails, restaurants, etc.
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