Plan Trip To New Zealand – This blog contains a list of 10 great road trip ideas in New Zealand. I have included itineraries for both the South and North Islands that vary in number of days and locations. These detailed New Zealand road trip plans will help you plan your NZ self-drive road trip!
Driving through New Zealand’s stunning scenery is one of the best experiences you can have in the country. This is the best way to see New Zealand and possibly the cheapest!
Plan Trip To New Zealand
Having a motorhome that takes you wherever you want to go is easy and convenient in New Zealand. There are thousands of blogs, apps and information centers that make it a stress-free experience.
New Zealand Maps Out Border Reopening Plan
Pouakai Hut Mt Taranaki – This should be done and included in some of our North Island itineraries.
However, there is one stressful part of your New Zealand road trip and choosing the best New Zealand self-drive tour that fits your time and budget. That means choosing a route that touches every place you’ve ever dreamed of going and more.
For this reason, I would like to list 10 different self-drive routes (routes) in New Zealand to help you plan and inspire the trip of a lifetime! Here are my New Zealand road trip ideas to help you plan your New Zealand road trip.
We’ve lived the van life long enough to be able to share with you exactly what it’s like to live in a van. While there are pros and cons, the freedom and ease of getting around makes it worth it!
New Zealand Travel Guide
The first step in planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Many people rent a campervan or motorhome to travel, but you can just rent a regular car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping).
You can do the same for motorhomes and campervans on a website called MotorhomeRepublic. It shows all the campervans and motorhomes available for the specific dates of your New Zealand road trip. You can also compare prices and company reviews here!
First and had a good experience. Mad Campers is for budget travelers and offers 1 and 2 berth campervans that are very comfortable and perfect for road trips in New Zealand! You can read our full Crazy Campers review for more information!
We also have a discount code for our readers. Use DTRAVEL5 at checkout to get 5% off your camper van with Mad Campers!
Planning A Trip To New Zealand
There is another company we personally recommend, but it’s for cars! They offer luxury motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable prices. Check out our full review of them and more information on renting a motorhome in NZ!
Kiwi Motorhomes has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use code DEST5 at checkout to get 5% off your car rental!
I’m not saying that these are the only two good companies, because there really are many! But both of these guys are great value and approved by us – and you get a discount!
Now that you have your wheels, all that’s left to do is cross off your road trip packing list, pack your bags, and hit the road!
The Ultimate New Zealand Vacation Road Trip
If you want to explore the South Island of New Zealand, I have created 4 road itineraries below. They vary in time and length of route. So, depending on what you want to do and how much time you have, you can find your itinerary below!
Queenstown to Christchurch 1 Week South Island Itinerary is the shortest trip on this list. It’s short but sweet, hitting some amazing spots along the way.
Some of the highlights of this route are adventure activities and tours in Queenstown, spectacular boat rides in Milford Sound, hiking in Mount Cook National Park, and amazing mountain views!
Ideas to expect on a South Island New Zealand tour! This photo of Bailey was taken on the road to Milford Sound.
Different New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries With Maps & Attractions
The best part about this road trip is that you don’t need to return to your starting point and instead book your flights and your camper van accordingly. Perfect for those who don’t have time for a long road trip.
In 6 days you can complete this road trip, however, the pace will be very fast. At 9 you can travel at a much slower pace, leave time to rest and see the most beautiful sites.
Tip: Take a day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sounds, you won’t want to miss this beautiful spot. There are so many amazing things to do and see in Milford!
The Southern Alps Explorer is a great road trip idea for mountain lovers. This is probably the most popular route and everywhere on the road trip is a hot spot for tourists.
Lonely Planet New Zealand’s Best Trips 2 2nd Ed.: 25 Amazing Road Trips: Atkinson, Brett, Bain, Andrew, Dragicevich, Peter: 9781786570888: Books
On this New Zealand road trip, you’ll travel the famous Arthur’s Pass, travel the stunning west coast, relax in Queenstown and Wanaka, and travel the spectacular Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook National Park. He explores the mountain tops.
This trip makes a complete loop so you can book return flights from one airport and the same with your car rental. This means you can save some money on campervan relocation fees and spend it on the road where it counts!
This New Zealand road trip can be completed in 10 days, but it will go by much faster. I recommend 12 to 14 days to see all the sights and have time to enjoy. If you have a few extra days skip the Milford Sound Day Tour and drive to Milford and spend the night at the Milford Sound Lodge (they have campsites for $35 NZD per person).
Related Read: Best Photo Spots in Mount Cook National Park You Must Check Out While You’re There! 3. North Island Road Trip: 10-14 days
New Zealand Tours, Bus Passes & Travel Planning » Planit Nz Travel
Not everyone comes to New Zealand for the mountains. If that’s you, this amazing New Zealand road trip through the northern part of the South Island is perfect! Some of the highlights include relaxing on the beach, swimming with wild dolphins, visiting vineyards and wine tasting, and day trips to Able Tasman National Park.
In these regions, you will find amazing beaches, an array of wildlife including dolphins, lush forests, wineries and more. The trip is also full return to Christchurch, or if you are coming from the North Island, you can take the Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasman route back to Christchurch from the west coast.
This road trip can be done in 10 days but it is recommended to allow 2 weeks for a comfortable trip.
Related Reads: One of the best things to do in the Marlborough Sounds is to take a wildlife tour exploring the fjord and Morera Island. 4. Complete the South Island Adventure: 21-30 days
The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary
If you’ve come to New Zealand to do an in-depth exploration of the South Island, this New Zealand road trip itinerary is for you! This long road trip takes in many amazing places and includes all the best places to visit in the South Island! This road trip itinerary includes the two itineraries above as well as some of NZ’s most popular road trips!
Highlights include exploring Caitlins Falls, wildlife viewing, sky diving, wine tasting in Gibbston Valley, Milford Sound cruises, various hiking opportunities, exploring the rugged coastline and beachcombing!
You need at least 3 weeks for this road trip, but 4 weeks or more would be fine and more comfortable. However, if you find yourself early, make an extra trip to Abel Tasman National Park. The only reason I don’t add it in the beginning is because it adds a lot of driving to an already long road trip!
For more information on the many stops mentioned above including things to do, check out our guide to planning the perfect South Island, New Zealand road trip.
New Zealand 4g Travel Sim Card
Related Read: Here’s How We Made it to Freedom Camp Inside a Self-Driving Van in New Zealand! North Island New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries
Below are 4 itineraries for exploring New Zealand’s North Island. All height and contrast are included. You can combine these itineraries with the “connecting itineraries” in the next section of this blog to create an amazing North and South Island tour in New Zealand!
Our first New Zealand North Island Road Trip is short and sweet. This tour is perfect for those on a short vacation who want to visit some ancient sites. Highlights of this tour include Hobbiton (Waitomo area), Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Piha Beach, and more.
In seven days you can complete this journey. It will be quick but doable if you stick to visiting one or two places in each area. For a more comfortable trip, 10+ days will do.
Self Drive New Zealand: Essential Driving Tips For New Zealand
This is in the north