A South Island adventure for anglers, explorers & free spirits.
Imagine waking to birdsong in a quiet river valley, brewing coffee in your camper while trout rise in the mist just metres away. No fixed schedule. No check-out times. Just you, your fly rod, and two weeks to roam one of the most fish-rich and scenic landscapes on earth.
Welcome to the DIY Fly Angler’s South Island adventure – a 14-day self-drive journey from Queenstown to Nelson (or vice versa), created for fly fishers and their families who crave freedom, beauty, and genuine connection with the land.
This isn’t your average campervan trip. It’s a bucket list fly fishing pilgrimage – guided by local knowledge, refined with insider experiences, and designed to keep costs flexible while maximising magic.
Why a Self-Contained Campervan?
New Zealand is built for this kind of travel. With world-class campgrounds, scenic freedom camping spots, and an endless supply of rivers, lakes, and trails just off the highway, a campervan offers you mobility, economy, and immersion in one.
Choose a fully equipped motorhome for comfort, or a simple minivan for agility. Either way, you’ll wake up in places hotels can’t reach – and fish water most people only dream about.
What Makes This Trip Different?
1. Angler-Focused Itinerary (Optional to Follow or Freestyle)
With expert input from our fly fishing advisor Southflyfisher, we’ve hand-picked some of the South Island’s most iconic and lesser-known rivers – each with notes on:
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When to fish and what flies to use
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Suggested access points for camper parking
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Gear essentials and local regulations
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Off-water highlights nearby for non-anglers
2. Luxury Touches Without the Price Tag
Stay at beautifully located DOC campsites or boutique holiday parks, but we’ll still guide you to local culinary gems, thermal pools, wine tasting stops, and scenic detours you’d never find in a guidebook. It’s all about smart splurging – choosing the moments that elevate your trip.
3. Something for Everyone
This journey works equally well for solo anglers, couples, or families. While one of you stalks trout in gin-clear headwaters, the others can hike, swim, paddle, or picnic nearby. And in the evenings? Stories around the van, a local wine, and stars so bright they hurt your eyes.
A Taste of the Route
Here’s a sample of what’s in store:
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Queenstown & Central Otago – Launch your journey with alpine lakes, gold-rush towns, and some of the clearest freestone rivers on earth.
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Mackenzie Country – Fish the legendary canals or explore the braided rivers beneath Aoraki/Mt Cook.
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West Coast – Swap trout for turquoise rivers, ancient rainforests, and sea-run salmon.
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Kahurangi & Nelson Lakes – Wrap up your journey with wilderness camping and wild brown trout that will haunt your dreams.
(Full itinerary coming soon…)
What You’ll Need
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A self-contained campervan or motorhome (we can help you arrange one that suits your needs)
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A New Zealand Fishing Licence (easy to purchase online)
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Basic gear — or you can rent/purchase locally
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A healthy appetite for exploration and a flexible mindset
The Splendid South Difference
What sets this journey apart is what happens between the famous sights – the side tracks, secret river bends, and personal connections. You’ll travel independently, but you won’t be going in blind. With our travel guidance and our expert fly-fishing advisor, Southflyfisher on hand to help. With his ‘on-the-river’ intel derived from 44+ years of fishing the South Island’s backcountry, this is a DIY adventure curated to feel anything but average.
Southflyfisher is on call to steer you onto the best water. But only if you are with Splendid South. He’ll help you sort your Designated Waters and Controlled Fisheries Licences if required and provide advice to make sure you stay within our NZ Fish & Game regulations.
Conclusion: The wild is waiting
This is your chance to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with what matters. Cast a line into a still pool at first light. Let the kids run barefoot through wild tussock. Share fireside meals with locals and fellow travellers. The South Island offers fly fishers – and those who love them – a rare kind of freedom.
So go ahead. Take the road less fished.
