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Road Trip in New Zealand: A Compact Guide
New Zealand has great distances between the cities and four million people occupying two main islands. As a result, there are many places to explore on a road trip route through the country. However, note that it will be easier to travel during the warmer season between October and March. Colder months may offer activities such as skiing; however, the roads may not be in great shape during the winter period.
You can get a camper van from Wilderness and enjoy the ride, as most spots are remote, thus making public transport very limited.
In this article, we have put together a compact guide for traveling through New Zealand, complete with itineraries and routes.
Land and Explore in Auckland
Once you land in Auckland, you can rent a motorhome from Wilderness Motor Homes in Auckland that's suitable for you. Next, stock up on essentials and explore the city of Auckland. You can then drive to Muriwai beach and pass-through pick-your-own farms blooming with natural beauty. You can then enjoy Muriwai's coastline that has the best sunsets.
Drive and Explore Rotorua
Take a detour to the Coromandel Peninsula, home to many fantastic beaches and woodlands. Make sure to have a picnic at the cathedral cove before driving off to Rotorua, where you can explore New Zealand's Thermal Wonderlands. Here you can pick some sites such as Hell's gate with bubbling Sulphur springs, steaming fumaroles, and a unique cooking pool, amongst others. Also, make it a point to visit the Champagne pool at Wai-O-Tapu that has steam rising from the water.
Get On the Thermal Explorer Highway and Taupo
Drive onto the Thermal Explorer Highway and enjoy thermal pools, geysers, mud pools, hot springs, and bright blue pools on your way to Taupo. Taupo lake was formed after a volcanic eruption, leaving it with Silica terraces and steaming mud pools.
Its shore is bustling with restaurants, bars, and cafes you can eat in. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go for a 17km hike at the Tongariro Alpine crossing instead.
Take a Ferry Via Wellington
After Taupo, you will now enjoy a sonic stretch of highway that winds through a desert, vineyard, field of flowers, and mountains. After that, you can take a 3hour ferry ride after a brunch in Wellington and enjoy the scenic Cook Strait.
Hike and Do Whale Watching in Kaikoura
If you have always wanted to watch whales, this part of your trip will fulfill your dreams, as this is the most popular tourist activity in Kaikoura. After you complete whale watching, you can take a hike on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway. Here you will get to enjoy the golden fields overlooking the azure ocean along with the flora, rare birds, and a colony of seals. After the tiring 3-hour hike. You can try Kaikoura's fresh seafood.
Make a Stop at Arthurs Pass National Park
Arthurs Pass village is in the south of the island, it is surrounded by forests and mountains that offer hiking opportunities. You can make a stop at the park and enjoy the scenery.
As you drive along the Great Alpine Highway, you can enjoy the clouds hovering over mountains. You can also take a walk that gets you over a stone bridge that overlooks an Avalanche Creek waterfall.
Drive and Explore Wanaka
The drive to Wanaka will expose you to empty Riverbeds, purple lupins, daisies, glacial valleys, and villages with populated cottages. You can take a helicopter tour and have a picnic afterward.
Wanaka is an accessible town to explore, and you can go kayaking or sunbathe on the shores of the lake. Before ending the day, you can stargaze at night.
Drive to Queenstown
Get a nice parking spot and wake up to the sight of clouds suspended over lake Wakatipu. You can spend your day bungee jumping and skydiving in Queenstown. Its panoramic points of view and picnics in the countryside will leave you wanting more.
Afterward, you can take a forty-minute drive to Glenorchy, which boasts the famous Lord of the Rings film location. You can venture into Christchurch and spend time walking through Hagley Park to enjoy some great coffee.
Bottom Line
Every road trip lover appreciates scenic views, and New Zealand offers plenty of that. All you need is a camper van, and you can begin your drive in Auckland. After exploring the town, you can drive off to Muriwai's coastline to catch amazing sunsets.
Next, drive to Rotorua and explore Wai-O-Tapu's excellent bubbling sulfur and champagne pool. Get on the Thermal Explorer highway on the way to Taupo and enjoy thermal pools and a lake. After munching on great food at the lake, take a ferry via Wellington and hike in Kaikoura.
You will also get to see flora, rare birds, and golden fields. Make a stop at Arthur Pass National Park and after that drive on a stone bridge overlooking an Avalanche creek waterfall. Complete your drive at Queenstown before going back home. With this guide, you’ll be able to make the most of your New Zealand road trip.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.
