New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

On a world map, New Zealand looks like a small dot down under, next to its bigger neighbour Australia. But, this is misleading because with over 600 islands, New Zealand is the 7th largest island on our planet. To get around the main parts you need a well thought out New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

For visitors, the 2 main North Island are separated by the Cook Straight, the South Island, have the biggest draw and are where the majority of Kiwis live. This is where we spent our time touring amazing New Zealand.

With a population of just under 5 million, New Zealand retains an ‘old fashioned’ charm. Offering endless breathtaking landscapes and numerous outdoor activities from cycling to jet-boating the rapids. In fact, you will never be short of exciting things to do in New Zealand.

The Maori culture shaped much of modern life and is an essential part of getting to know today’s New Zealand.

Why Choose a New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary?

An ideal way to experience this country is to do a self-drive. Exploring with a camper van, or Bed and Breakfast/Lodges will give you a pace that matches the culture.

It’s also the best way to meet locals and integrate into small towns and communities for a few days at a time. This itinerary is based on a trip we took during December-January.

A narrow roadway which hugs a coastline in New Zealand. Mountains can be seen on the far side of the inlet and the water is a light blue colour. — Coastal Driving in NZ

How to Get to New Zealand

It’s a long haul for most of us. The shortest distance (air line) between London and Auckland is 11,393.89 mi (18,336.69 km).

We travelled from London via Singapore (refueling stop) to Sydney. Then we switched to a 3 hour flight to Auckland. For those of us in the USA, Qantas is starting a new flight from Dallas to Sydney – 17 hours! If you’ve done this, do let me know!

The good news is that when you finally land in Auckland, it’s only around 20km to the city center. A taxi is the easiest option. We waited to collect our hire car after our time in Auckland (there was a Hertz rental pick up near the hotel, so it was an easy walk).

Best Places to Stay in New Zealand

Please do check current reviews as you decide your accommodation for that amazing tour of New Zealand. Ownership of small properties can change and of course we all have our preferences on facilities and locations.

Sofitel Auckland
Manawa Ridge, Coromandel Peninsula (N Island)
The Resurgance, Abel Tasman National Park
Manukau Lodge, Kaikoura
The Olive Grove, Akaroa & Banks Peninsula
Breakers Seaside Bed and Breakfast Lodge, Greymouth
Evergreen Lodge, Queenstown

How long does it take to Tour New Zealand?

Ideally, if you are flying long haul try to make your trip 3 weeks. Anything less and you will be ‘going at some pace’ as we Scots like to say, or if you have less time, you may have to focus on one island only.

Maybe you’re thinking of combining a tour of New Zealand with a trip to Australia. If so, a week on one island might be a nice balance with a couple of weeks elsewhere. Australia is huge compared to New Zealand so just bear that in mind when thinking about travel there.

For example on one of our trips to Australia, we only did Sydney and Melbourne and the Blue Mountains in between. A fantastic drive between two incredible cities but you need at least a week to do this.

A scenic view of vineyard landscape in North Island of New Zealand Rolling hills with rows of vines and in the distance production buildings.

3 Week New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary Details

Auckland (2 nights), Coromandel Peninsula (3 nights), Abel Tasman National Park (3 nights), Kaikoura (2 nights), Akaroa & Banks Peninsula (2 nights), Wanaka (2 nights) , Te Anua (2 nights), Queenstown (3 nights) + 3-4 days travel time to/from NZ. In a camper van, you can go with ‘your’ heart, adjusting days in any given spot very easily!

A Maori tradition shows a carved statue with traditional gesture. The tongue is extended and eyes wide open.

Things to Do in New Zealand – Auckland, North Island

After a long flight, it’s time to walk and central Auckland is perfect for stretching those legs! Our hotel (Sofitel) was in a great location to explore the Viaduct harbour and downtown.

The city is small enough to easily get your bearings. Try a light meal at a waterfront restaurant like Dr Rudis and explore Queens Street.

Sky Tower is lit up at night with green lights and red at the tip. Other buildings in central Auckland are also illuminated giving the street a orange/reddish glow. — Nightime in Auckland

Next, if you have the energy, head up Sky City, the tallest spot in the city which has been attracting visitors for 25 years. It’s iconic for New Year’s Eve fireworks and offers 360 degree views!

Take time to understand a little of New Zealand’s history before you start your touring. The Auckland Museum packs a lot in to help orientate you with their national heritage. They also offer fun ‘tours’ like a 1 hour rooftop special, where you get a guided introduction to buildings that make up the city skyline, surrounded by never-ending sparkling waters.

If you walk to the Auckland Museum, you’ll likely pass through a 200 acre public park called the ‘Domain’. Set aside in 1880, it was actually formed as a result of volcanic activity over 140,000 years ago! Today its leafy pathways and open green spaces attract locals and visitors to spend time relaxing within the city.

Take a Local Cruise from Auckland

Being surrounded by water, there are so many activities to enjoy ‘on the water’. A popular kayaking trip is over to Rangitoto Island, where you can hike up an extinct volcano or just sit and watch the sun setting over the water. If kayaking isn’t your thing, there’s lots of other boating options to enjoy.

Tall skyscraper buildings and industrial buildings edge the water at a marina/habour area in Auckland. Ferry boats are moored. — Auckland Skyline

Hop Aboard a Ferry to Waiheke Island

This is an easy day trip from Auckland and more fun than just cruising around the harbour. The 40 mins or so ferry ride offers awesome views of the city as you head over to Waiheke island.

Wooden jetty surrounds a multi-level building with patios on 3 levels. On the bottom level there is a restaurant. The building is next to the calm blue waters of the Marina. In the distance you can see smaller sail boats. — Viaduct Auckland

Once you’re on Waiheke, you can check out its beaches, go hiking or just relax at a cafe. It really is a beautiful way to unwind after a long flight.

We didn’t have time to head up north to the Bay of Islands, but from my research and other travelers’ experience, I would recommend squeezing in a couple of days here. The scenery is stunning and there are plenty of water sports to enjoy its subtropical micro climate. If you’ve been here, let us know how it was.

Once back in Auckland, explore Mission Bay for dinner, where you can find lovely restaurants on the beach.

It would be easy to spend longer in Auckland but we had other places on our list to discover, so our next destination was New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula, famous for its rugged coastline and Hot Water Beach amongst others.

A view of an inlet with small boats sheltering from Waiheke Island on a a tour of New Zealand. There are many wild flowers growing on the cliff top. — View from Waiheke Island to the Bay Below

Drive to Coromandel Peninsula on North Island

Having picked up our hire car in downtown Auckland, we drove the scenic (slower) route from Papakura that goes along the Firth of Thames – such incredible views.

We passed through Kawakawa Bay before climbing up in altitude to forested terrain, then finally staying on a narrow coastal route winding our way through the Coromandel mountains to the east coast.

A road side fence and beyond fields of lush green grass used for grazing. The land is undulating with small hills and valleys, typical of what you will see when Touring New Zealand. — Stunning hiking paths

This peninsula is wild ruggedness at its best. So reminiscent of parts of Scotland at times, with narrow, twisty roads, it was hard to believe this was only a couple of hours from the buzz of Auckland.

Periodically, you see an old hut or buildings that dot the landscape – we learned these were from the mining rush in the late 1800s. Today, it’s more appealing to those who want a quieter lifestyle and to that agenda, it delivers in full!

Go Hiking When Visiting New Zealand

The best way to explore this area is to get your boots on and hike.

The walks around the coastal cliffs are magical as you peer down to empty sandy beaches below.

Take a picnic and just breathe in the freshest of air. It was a little busier when we visited (apparently) due to it being peak season (ie summer in NZ) but honestly it was not crowded at all on any of the beaches or walks.

Hiker enjoying a coastal walk in the Coromandel Peninsular in New Zealand. There is a small dirt path to follow between forested areas. — Views are worth the hike!

Beaches To Visit in The Coromandel

Hot Water Beach is a tourist pull because in low tide you can get your spade out and dig. The hole then fills up with hot water as there is a thermal feed below. A bit overrated if you want my honest view.

As you go from beach to beach, there are small coastal villages and towns that are lovely to stop off for a coffee at and immerse yourself in local life. At times, I felt I was back driving along the Moray Coast in Scotland with its fishing villages – stunning – but it was a wee bit warmer in NZ!

The Geysers of Rotorua

I was always going to stop off at Rotorua because when our parents made a trip to Australia and New Zealand they raved about the geo-thermal activities of the region.

It was around a 3 hour drive from Coromandel, passing by the stunning Lake Rotorua. If you have time, make a stop at the lake too. It’s not a quiet stop though! Expect a lot of activities on the lake, and buses stopping with camera clutching tour groups.

Keeping going we arrived in the country’s central plateau area, a major tourist draw.

Visiting Rotorua was a little more ‘organized’ than when we visited the geo-thermal areas of Iceland, but nonetheless, it was a fascinating day. The aroma of hydrogen gas releasing from so many fissures hit us immediately.

We took a tour to understand more about how this site was viewed by the large, local Maori population. Talking to them was enthralling both from a historical perspective but also to enjoy some of their contemporary arts and dance performances. If you have experienced the All Blacks ‘Hakka’ in person before a game – you know what we mean! Amazing energy!

Where to Stay in Rotorua on a Tour of New Zealand

There is accommodation, a spa, and over 18 lakes nearby to cycle, hike or just picnic around.

So Rotorua is a possible 2 night stopping point if you enjoy these activities. There’s every type of place to say from camping to 5-star resorts.

A Day Hike the Tongararia Crossing

Situated in a World UNESCO Heritage park this is a very popular trek, ranked in the Top 10 of Day Treks.

The Tongararia Crossing hike is unique in that the 12 mile (19.4km) route crosses over an active volcano in New Zealand’s oldest national park.

On this hike you’ll pass by the peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu. Stunning views await you and it is also possible to hike this in the winter months too. Great photos from our nephew Matty from his trek.

To book this trek you have to use a system run by the Department of Conservation. It’s free but they need you to book because there is a shuttle bus system that takes you to the start and collects you within the park.

Here’s Tongararia National Park’s Site with links to an online booking form and more information for visitors. Remember this is hiking across a live volcano so pack accordingly, especially sturdy hiking boots and layers and it’s an alpine altitude here. Tour Guides are available to book

Wine Tasting in Napier

YES!!!! We drove south east from Rotorua, through Taupo, to the town of Napier. An Art Deco delight, nestled into a vibrant wine region, we were ready to sample of the the famous labels.

We pre-booked onto a tour and I would recommend this because you can visit 2-3 different vineyards and no-one needs to worry about driving.

On another day here we drove to the vineyard and then took a bike tour around. It was excellent and because many of the wineries are close together, it’s easy to visit a couple.

Woman cycling through wineries on a bicycling. Lavender bushes are in bloom with purple flowers the right side of the pathway she is cycling down. — Cycling in Vineyards

Head South to Wellington on Your Best Places New Zealand List!

This is one of my favourite capital cities in the world. It may be the seat of government but it’s like visiting a small town – no aires and graces! We had some time here before catching a flight to the South Island and so we explored downtown.

Firstly, there are so many coffee shops – how they all keep going with a small population I don’t know. But Wellington has the accolade of being one of the Top 10 cities in the world for coffee!

So, fueled with more than usual caffeine levels, we set off and walked around the main streets, taking in the city life. It felt very bohemian and artsy.

A man is lying between larger than life replicas of characters from Lord of the Rings. The films were partially filmed in this location in New Zealand — Weta Workshop

Unfortunately, we had a flight to catch so it was a fleeting visit (like I said, we had to prioritize our stops!).

But if you have time, make a stop off at the Weta Workshop for all things Lord of the Rings!

Our flight to Nelson from Wellington was quite an experience! Having tasted some great wines in Napier we were advised by folks “ in the know”, that we would be able to take a crate (12 bottles) with us on the flight.

At the airport, we checked in our bags, and an agent took a cursory glance at our wines. We were expecting him to ask us to re-package them, or insist we left them, but no. It was, “Got any good wines in here? Let’s have a look?” What fun!

Things To Do In New Zealand South Island – Nelson

At the departure lounge, we sat and waited. Then a small turbo prop plane taxied up. A wheelbarrow was pulled up next to the plane and a few bags unloaded. Then came our call to board – the pilot popped his head into the waiting room – very efficient!.

Our plane had 4 seats across and perhaps 14 rows. The overhead bins were probably big enough for a coat and a really small backpack. There was no way our wine or bags would fit. “Don’t worry, just hold the wine on your knees. Keep a tight hold while we take off!”

Forty minutes later, we landed in Nelson, South Island. The pilot offloaded our checked bags into a wheelbarrow cart. Once they were at the terminal doorway, he signaled for us to disembark. It was so casual and relaxed! Wine intact, off we simply walked across the room to the car rental desk, and 5 minutes later we were on our way.

Low tide exposes soft sand in sheltered coves of the northern tip of the southern island of New Zealand. There is a ring of green trees and foliage skirting the waters up from the beach. — Stunning Coastal Scenery

Abel Tasman National Park, Tasman Bay

The smallest of all the national parks in New Zealand, this park has 23,000 hectares of stunning coastline. It’s certainly worth planning to spend a few days here.

If you are a serious hiker, trek part of the Abel Tasman Coastal track (3-5 days). Kayaking here also gets you into the nooks and crannies that are impossible by road. There are great picnic areas where you can simply pack a lunch, sit, munch and enjoy nature.

The Jelly Fish Restaurant Is a great spot to relax, enjoy the views and have a bite to eat. We were pleasantly surprised to find a piper here helping everyone to celebrate the new year!

Two sail boats are anchorage in an inlet and beyond are layers of colors of green, pale orange and pink as the sun sets.

Continue to Blenheim (vs Queen Charlotte Drive)

From Abel Tasman, it was a gentle drive of around 2 hours to Blenheim. We decided to detour via Queen Charlotte Drive.

Although it’s not possible to drive to the landing site but easy to book a boat trip from Queen Charlotte.

Woman sitting on a wall in a park area in Queen Charlotte. There are fjord type mountains in the background dropping down to the waters. Near to the park a number of sail boats are anchored . — Queen Charlotte Drive

A boat trip from here takes you to the Meretoto/Ship Cove which was a favourite stopping point for Captain James Cook and where he first landed in 1770. It is also an important Maori site and was a landing point for Polynesian sailors in past centuries.

A landing site of Captain Cook, an early visitor and an interesting place to sail to on your tour of amazing New Zealand. — Captain Cook Landing Site

This area is great for short hikes and the weather was perfect for being outdoors. Continuing on, as we got closer to Blenheim and the Wairau Valley, vineyard signs started appearing and the green lush farming landscapes filled in around us. Which to visit first is probably your biggest challenge of the day 🙂

Marlborough Vineyards

Rural area with rows of vines growing on a plateau area. Beyond are high mountain ranges.

Blenheim is a small town but the entryway to New Zealand’s largest wine making area, the well known and much loved, Sauvignon Blanc!

We headed to the Brancott Visitor Center first to get a bit of an education on the history and local ways of cultivation. With over 80 wineries in this valley, it’s a hard choice on which to visit.

We settled on a range that included Cloudy Bay, Highfield Estate and Villa Maria. I loved Cloudy Bay; the setting was simply stunning and as you sat in their gardens sipping on a chilled glass, the peaks in the distance were suddenly recognizable.

An entrance door made from wood and glass panels with a pagoda style entry for shade. The black board advertises wines and the name above the door says Hunters Wine Cellar.

A sign in concrete and marble for a famous winery in New Zealand called Cloudy bay. Green Ivy grows around the sign.

Continue your tour of New Zealand to Kaikoura

After a couple of nights, we pulled ourselves away from indulging in Blenheim to carry on our drive down the east coast towards Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, inland to the Kaikoura range. This drive passes by many caravans that offer cooked crayfish.

Seafood is what this region is famous for! Being between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura in Maori – Kai (food) and koura (crayfish).

Snow peaked mountains lead down to glacier fed inlets with azure waters.

We learned local oceans stir cool and warm waters together resulting in high nutrients levels, attracting huge pods of dolphins, seals and more sealife.

This area of New Zealand is between Picton and Christchurch. Here the peaks with snow contrast with the ocean and like we enjoyed in Alaska, offer a stunning combination. Perfect for whale watching, dolphin watching and a mecca for those who enjoy bird-watching.

Read Our Anchorage Without a Car Guide if you’re interested in visiting Alaska.

Drive West to Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers

We decided not to take the drive to these glaciers as we’ve lived in Alaska and seen a lot of glaciers up close and personal!

However, if you haven’t seen a glacier, then I would suggest you put this on your itinerary and have at least a couple of nights on the South Island’s west coast.

The drive from Greymouth down to Fox Glacier looks amazing!! Like Alaska, these glaciers hug the coast and are in fact the closest to the sea in this latitude.

You can take flights over the glaciers, hike, camp, bike and of course enjoy the water. Also you can hike on the glaciers, something I would recommend if you haven’t done this!

Final Stop Queenstown – The Action Town of NZ!

Woman standing next to the marina in Queenstown — Queenstown Waterfront

This world renowned town was our last port of call before heading to Australia. It is known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’ and is always buzzing with life.

Roses are growing amongst vines in a southern New Zealand region renowned for Pinot Noir wines. — Central Otago

Its location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is serene as you stroll the waterfront and look out at the marvel of the ‘Remarkables’ mountains. Of course, it’s also a great place to chill, enjoy a glass of Central Otago’s best Pinot and be grateful that you made it to NZ!

A reflection of mountains, trees and yellow shrubs in clear waters.

No sky diving, jet boat racing or bungee jumping (sorry adrenaline junkies!). But we did have an amazing adventure in Milford Sound, experiencing the wild beauty of Fjordland National Park.

We saw so much wildlife, crashing waterfalls and towering peaks rising up from the banks.

Fjords and mountains visible from a small plane. A small part of the wing of the plane is visible. — Take a flight over the Fjords

Stunning South Island Glacier Flight

As we were in Queenstown and needed a little adrenaline rush, we decided to take a ‘tiny’ plane ride back from here to Queenstown over glaciers and mountain peaks.

Yes, it was us and of course a pilot! What a treat as we got a birds eye view, flirting with the peak tops, finally descending through valleys, following rivers until we returned to Queenstown airport.

Seals sunbathe on the rocks in South Island New Zealand. — Seals, New Zeland

A tour boat sailing in the Milford Sound area of New Zealand and is sailing past a large waterfall.

The following day we returned to our odessey of wine tasting our way through NZ. We set off to Central Otago renowned for its Pinot Noir and we were not disappointed.

We decided to bike to a few vineyards, have lunch and then return to our guest house just a little uphill from the harbour’s edge. What were we thinking? After two stops, it was clear that wine and cycling were not a match. We should have learned from our Northern Island escapades!

Luckily, we called up the bike rental company and a lovely chap came to meet up and ushered us to our final stop with the bikes firmly secured in the back.

A paddle steamer boat is docked in Queenstown New Zealand. It has a large funnel and rigging and the deck area is open for tourists. The outside of the hull is black and white. — TSS Earnshaw at Queenstown NZ

We couldn’t leave Queenstown without taking ‘TSS Earnshaw’ across the lake to a sheep farm, a major industry of the country.

Yes, it was touristy, but we soaked in beautiful views sailing across the calm waters back as the sun set.

Foodies – You’ll Love Visiting New Zealand

We found an abundance of fresh local food across our travels in New Zealand. Whether you stop at a road-side stand or indulge as part of wine tour, we never had a bad meal.

We also loved the range of home-made jams and preserves, reflecting a culture of making the most of what is grown locally.

Green mussels with an orange sauce served on a white plate. — Green Mussels

Display of fruits at a market out our tour of amazing New Zealand — Freshest Local Produce

🎒TPOP Tip: Do consider booking your accommodation at bed and breakfasts. Often these are set in rural areas with large gardens full of fresh fruits and veggies.

Picking fruit off the tree for breakfast was a big memory of staying with some fantastic New Zealanders. Many make their own wine, so it’s extra special when they open one of their own bottles for you to sample!

Wrap Up: Tour Of New Zealand

New Zealand will always be in my top 20 places that we urge people to see in their lifetimes. The scenery, the food, the wine, the hikes, the wildlife but most of all the people!

I left a sweater at one of our bed and breakfasts. When we arrived in Queenstown, would you believe there was a parcel waiting for me. It was my jumper. The owner knew where we were heading next and had called them to double check our forwarding address. What a gesture of kindness!

So, reluctantly we left New Zealand and headed to Sydney, Australia.

If you love the idea of discovering an island country by car, why not think about touring Sri Lanka for 10 Days. Although very different, and perhaps one where you might hire a driver and car, we think there’s something quite magical about islands and why not add another one to your list!