Adventures await on the other side of the world. Check out this epic New Zealand road trip itinerary.
Traveling around New Zealand is on many people’s travel wish list, and with good reason. From glaciers and geothermal pools to scenic cruises and the birthplace of bungee jumping, there’s so much to do. And New Zealand is a fairly small country — about the same surface area as Colorado — making it a great place for a scenic road trip.
Not sure where to start? Read on for inspiration and recommendations for a New Zealand road trip itinerary.
New Zealand road trip highlights
Our recommendations
No matter where you decide to go on your tour of New Zealand, there are some incredible sights. As a general rule, the North Island is where you go for beaches, hobbits, and geothermal wonders. The South Island has glaciers, picturesque waters, and more wildlife.
North Island highlights:
- Spectral sights of the Waitamo Caves, just outside of Auckland
- Geothermal attractions of Rotorua, including bubbling mud pools and shooting geysers
- Lake and waterfall at Taupo
- Cafes and restaurants in Wellington, the world’s coolest little capital
South Island highlights:
- Fox and Franz Josef glaciers
- Chance to swim with seals at Kaikoura
- Bungee jumping and other high-adrenaline attractions in Queenstown
- Scenic Milford Sound and the entire Fiordland region
While you might not be able to fit all of these into your New Zealand road trip, it’s definitely recommended to pack in a few of them.
New Zealand road trip itinerary
There are a lot of options for a self-drive itinerary around New Zealand, but to get you started, we’ve created a trip that includes some of the highlights of both islands. If you prefer to stick to one island, simply take half of the route and complete the loop. First stop, Auckland.
Auckland to Rotorua (3 hours)
Starting in the north
Start your trip in Auckland, NZ’s biggest city, and take in the sights. Visit Skytower, the country’s tallest building, take a trip to Waiheke Island, and sample the wine and bites at some of the best restaurants in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pick up your rental car from Auckland and then begin exploring this wonderful country.
Rotorua to Lake Taupo (1 hour)
From natural wonder to natural wonder
Once you’ve dipped your toes in the healing mud of Rotorua and learned about aspects of Maori culture, continue your NZ road trip with a short trip to picturesque Lake Taupo.
Lake Taupo to Palmerston North (3.5 hours)
A lake in a volcanic crater
As well as strolling around the lake itself, give yourself time to visit the magnificent waterfall and take a boat trip out to see ancient carvings in Mine Bay. From here, we continue on to Palmerston North.
Palmerston North to Wellington (2 hours)
The last stop on the North Island
Given its small population — a touch over five million — New Zealand punches above its weight in international sport. The national sport is rugby, and you can learn about the All Blacks men’s national team at the National Rugby Museum in Palmy North. Known as Rose City, Palmerston North comes into full color and full bloom between November and May.
Wellington to Picton (3 hours by ferry)
To the South Island by boat
After sampling the delights of the capital, it’s time to switch islands. To get between the two, you’ll need to take the ferry. This goes from Wellington to the small town of Picton, the perfect starting point to discover the Marlborough region.
Picton to Nelson (2 hours)
The edge of wine country
Before you set off for the vineyards, take the time to explore Picton. Hop on a cruise to tour the incredible Marlborough Sound, hike the Queen Charlotte Track, and take a dip for a chance to swim with dolphins.
After that, we’re heading to the west coast to Nelson.
Nelson to Hanmer Springs (4 hours)
Through the mountain pass
As well as strolling around the lake itself, give yourself time to see the magnificent waterfall and take a boat trip out to see ancient carvings in Mine Bay. From here, we continue on to Palmerston North.
Hanmer Springs to Franz Josef Glacier (5 hours)
From water to ice
After so long on the road, it’s time for a break. Hanmer Springs is the relaxation center of New Zealand, and you deserve a little pampering.
The spa is the center of activities, with 22 pools to enjoy. There’s a mix of geothermal pools and freshwater ones, and some adult-only pools to fully immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere. The naturally heated pools range from 89.6°F to 107.6°F, so many find that winter is the best time to visit this area of New Zealand.
Franz Josef Glacier to Queenstown (5 hours)
To the land of adventures
Along with Fox, the Franz Josef Glacier is one of two such attractions on the west coast. Depending on your budget, you can hike to see the glacier, join an ice climbing tour, or get a helicopter ride to the top. It’s also thought to be one of the best spots in the world to skydive.
Queenstown to Milford Sound (4 hours)
Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world
Queenstown is New Zealand’s centre of adventure. The birthplace of the commercial bungee jump, travelers often make the pilgrimage to Kawarau Bridge, but it’s by no means the only option.
Once you’ve had your fill of thrills, make your next journey to the more relaxing Milford Sound.
Milford Sound to Dunedin (5 hours)
Southern delights
Milford Sound is a nature lover’s paradise and worth the flight to New Zealand on its own. Hike around the stunning sound (or take a boat trip into the waters) and see the fjords, waterfalls, and rainforest.
Dunedin to Christchurch (4 hours)
The final leg
Dunedin, which gets its name from the Gaelic words for Edinburgh, is a city with rich Scottish heritage. Like its Scottish partner town, Dunedin is a creative hotspot and was named a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in 2014.
From there, this New Zealand road trip itinerary has just one more stop: Christchurch. The biggest city on the South Island has an incredible Botanic Garden, the International Antarctic Centre, and an iconic tramway.
And, of course, you can do this New Zealand road trip itinerary in reverse by booking a rental car in Christchurch and driving up to Auckland.
The best time of year for a New Zealand road trip
Plan your perfect trip
Picking the best time to see New Zealand is difficult — or incredibly easy, depending on how you look at it. In reality, no matter when you go, you’ll have a great time.
The New Zealand summer, from December to February, is when you’ll get the best weather. The north is hotter than the south — Auckland averages around 71.6°F through summer, while Dunedin is slightly cooler at around 64.4°F. However, this is also the busiest (read: most expensive) time to travel. New Zealand’s summer school break tend to run from late December to late January/early February, so accommodations and rental cars are in high demand. Check into when the NZ school breaks are so that you can avoid them and snag better deals on accommodations.
In winter, temperatures drop significantly with average lows of 46.4°F in Auckland and 39.2°F in Dunedin. If you want to ski on your trip, the best snowfall is usually in July and August.
Getting around on your NZ road trip
What to expect when hitting the open road
Unlike in the U.S., cars drive on the left of the road in New Zealand. Making this change will take some getting used to, but the roads are well maintained so you can practice in town before heading out into the mountainous areas where, especially on the South Island, the roads get very windy. These mountains can also get snow in the winter. Roads may be closed or unsuitable for some cars to drive on.
If you’re hoping to see both islands, make sure you clear this when you book a car. Not all car rental companies in New Zealand allow you to take their cars across the water.
Some of the distances in this itinerary are quite long. It’s recommended to take breaks at least every two hours. Luckily, New Zealand is a beautiful country so it’s likely you’ll want to stop even more often than this for pictures or to just take in the view.
A road trip in New Zealand is the best way to see as much of the country as possible during a short vacation. With such diverse landscapes and incredible cities, it really does have something for everyone.