The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

North Island Highlights

The North Island is where most people start their journey in New Zealand and there is so much to see while you’re here.

Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and the perfect place to start your trip. I’d suggest spending a couple of nights here to get used to the time difference and enjoy the coastal drives and beautiful harbour.

The Bay of Islands should, in my opinion, be on any traveller’s itinerary. If you have the time, Northland is a wonderful part of the country to visit. The sub-tropical climate and relaxed way of life will give you that holiday-mode feeling. 

Rotorua offers geysers, thermal mud pools, and lakes aplenty. The area is a centre for Maori culture, hot springs & spas, and adventure sports. There’s something for everyone!

Wellington, at the bottom of the North Island, is the capital city, and a fine one at that. It’s a relatively small place for a capital (400,000 people) and the weather can be a little windy, but Wellington has plenty of character. Whether you want cultural attractions, cafes and live music, or easy access to some of New Zealand’s beautiful coastlines and mountains, Wellington is the perfect place to end your North Island road trip in New Zealand. 

South Island Highlights

The South Island is larger than the north and takes a bit more time to experience. Prepare to see lots of sheep and epic landscapes and look out for the many points along the coastal roads of the South Island where you’ll find yourself driving with the Southern Ocean or the Tasman Sea to one side and the Southern Alps on your other side. 

Have your camera ready and make use of the rest-stops, picnic areas and lookout points along the way to get the best holiday snaps!

Christchurch is the perfect mix of modern and historic and is the South Island’s largest city. Known as “The Garden City”, I recommend checking out the Botanic Gardens and relaxing along the Avon River, as well as making the most of the art galleries and museums dotted around the city.

Queenstown, known as “The Adventure Capital”, is a tale of two halves. Adventure is easily found around every corner but so are quiet, peaceful moments as you can find beautiful spots easily to while away your time. With great restaurants and bars, you will definitely find something to suit everyone.

Aoraki/Mount Cook is a remote wonderland that is well worth a visit. With many hiking trails and viewing platforms (not to mention incredible views from most accommodations) giving you access to view New Zealand’s tallest mountain “Cloud Piercer”, you may just catch a glimpse of this notoriously shy mountain.

Kaikōura, is famous for the whales and other marine wildlife that visit the shores here year-round. Sperm whales and other species can be seen at any time of year and if you’re visiting in winter (roughly June-September) you might also see migrating species such as humpback whales. 

Fiordland, in the south west corner of the country, is a magical place of waterfalls, wildlife, peaks, and spectacular ocean inlets. This is one of the last great wildernesses in New Zealand, and in fact, the world. Milford Sound is where most visitors will experience the beauty of Fiordland as there is easy road access and there is also Doubtful Sound for those wanting to venture further off the beaten track. 

Check Out: Our Best South Island of NZ Itineraries

What to Expect - Driving in New Zealand

There are a few things to be aware of if you’re visiting New Zealand from overseas and planning on driving: 1In New Zealand, we drive on the left. If you’re from the UK you'll be right at home, however, visitors from the US will have to take care until they get used to it. 

1. In New Zealand, the legal way to park your car at the side of the road is with the car pointing in the direction the flow of traffic - remember to abide by any road signs. 
    
2. We have lots of beautiful, long, straight roads, which are very inviting and speeding can be very tempting. Watch that speed-o as, not only is it incredibly dangerous to speed on our roads, there are also speed cameras throughout the country. 
    
3. Buckle up! Everyone in the vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt.
    
4. Be careful where you overtake – and never do so on yellow lines. Our roads can be very windy and corners can come out of nowhere.     
    
5. To drive in New Zealand you’ll need a valid driver’s licence from your own country in English. An international driving licence permit is only required if your document is not in English.

Make sure you check out our in-depth guide to Driving in New Zealand for more helpful tips!

What to Take on Your NZ Road Trip

If you forget any essentials, don’t panic! You’ll be able to pick up what you need when you arrive. Shops can be few and far between in the more remote areas though so we have put together a list of some items we recommend you remember to pack and have put together a handy packing list to help.

Essentials for a road trip:

●    Sunscreen
●    Sunglasses
●    Hat
●    Reusable water bottle
●    Offline maps - phone coverage can be spotty in areas so make sure you have access when offline
●    Car phone charger

The Most Scenic Roads in New Zealand

If you enjoy driving along open roads with beautiful scenery and light traffic then you’re in for a treat. Even for us Kiwis, long distances aren’t driven at speed. There’s just so much to see. For overseas drivers used to long stretches of boring motorway drives, New Zealand will be a spectacular change. Take it easy and take it all in!

1.  The Great Coast Road - Westport to Greymouth. Resembling the Californian coast at times, this part of the country is lightly populated with people but bursting with wildlife and natural attractions.
    
2.  Marlborough Sounds - The Queen Charlotte drive is a relatively short route of 40km at the top of the South Island. It’s not the first choice of touring visitors but trust us, the scenery is awe-inspiring overlooking the Marlborough Sounds.
    
3. Crown Range Road - The road that connects Queenstown and Wanaka takes around 90 minutes to drive at an easy-going pace. Allow for 2 hours to take some photos and stop occasionally. Equally good in Summer and Winter (but with a little more caution required when it’s icy), the Queenstown-Auckland road takes you up over both towns with fantastic views on either side.
    
4. Te Anau to Milford Sound - This is probably the most remote road with the wildest scenery that you’ll see on your trip. It’s one of the most beautiful road trips in New Zealand with one of the country’s top destinations at the end - Milford Sound. Our advice is plan an early start to avoid the crowds on this route.
    
5. Mt Cook Road. The road into Mt Cook National Park is so beautiful we can’t describe it. So we won’t You have to see this one for yourself. Start at Twizel and follow the signs to Mt Cook. Make sure your camera and phone batteries are fully charged.
    
6. Tauranga to Napier. One of the lesser known routes but a favourite of ours. Taking you through the Bay of Plenty to Hawke’s Bay.

Check Out: 14 day New Zealand South Island Itinerary

Some Itinerary Suggestions:

Golf-Themed Self-Drive Itinerary

New Zealand is a golfer’s paradise. We're not afraid to tell you that you'll be blown away by the quality and value-for-money of the  

New Zealand is a golfer’s paradise. We're not afraid to tell you that you'll be blown away by the quality and value-for-money of the courses all over the country.  Many of the best courses are situated on the North Island in particular so I'll concentrate on those. Although, check out some of the South Island Courses on the itinerary linked below!

• Don’t miss Kauri Cliffs for a spectacularly situated championship course ranked in the world’s top 50. Prepare for 18-holes with ocean views visible from almost every point that will have you wanting to play again.
   
• Another great option is the Cape Kidnappers golf course in Hawke's Bay. The course is built beside sea cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, which create stunning views for players. 
   
• The Titirangi Golf Club, west of the city of Auckland, is over 100 years old, and was redesigned by the famous course designer Alister MacKenzie. Set amongst rolling hills and native New Zealand bush, it’s well worth a visit if you have a day spare in Auckland.

Check Out: Our Dream Golfing Itinerary

Adventure Lovers Self-Drive Itinerary

New Zealand is a dream destination for any adventure seeker. There are endless possibilities in this beautiful, uncrowded land of natural and manmade attractions. 

With a huge coastline, and countless lakes and rivers, New Zealand is paradise for water-sports enthusiasts. Head to Northland for sub-tropical sailing adventures and warm-water swimming. Auckland’s harbour teems with boats of all shapes and sizes and the natural harbour and volcanic islands dotted around make for some awesome boating day trips. 

Kiwis have a keen sense of fun that has prompted some truly adventurous activities to come to life. Whether you are 8 or 80 – you’ll be able to find something to get that adrenaline pumping!

Did you know? The bungy jump,  Zorbing, and the jet-boat were all developed in New Zealand. 

Other adrenaline sports and activities:

• White-water rafting - Rotorua, Taupo and Queenstown are hotspots for this
• Skydiving - this can be done all over the country from Taupo to Abel Tasman to Queenstown
• Canyoning - the perfect mixture of scenery and adventure this can be done in Nelson, Wanaka and Queenstown
• Ice-hiking - join an epic heli-hike adventure in Franz Josef or Mount Cook for a chance to do this on a glacier
• Waterfall climb - Wild Wire in Wanaka offers a thrilling waterfall climb for different levels of adventurers

What are the best destinations for adventure lovers?  Rotorua in the North Island and Queenstown in the South Island are our adventure hubs and are the best places to tick off some of those big bucket list activities. 

For those interested in winter sports – New Zealand is the place to be. With ski fields in both the North and South Islands, you can take your pick and find the perfect snow adventure.

Check Out: The Ultimate New Zealand Driving Adventure

Getting to New Zealand

Getting from the United States or the UK to New Zealand is no mean feat, so we'd recommend at least a couple of weeks in the country. And don't let the long flight put you off, it's worth every minute. 

Some things to remember if you're heading down south from the US: 

Some things to remember if you're heading to New Zealand from the Northern Hemisphere: 

1. The seasons are reversed - summer in the United States is winter in New Zealand, and vice versa. Keep that in mind when planning when to travel.
    
2. The time difference can be quite big as New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to experience each newday. For example, midnight in New York is 6pm the next day in Auckland!
    
3. Many US airlines fly direct to Auckland but often there will be a stopover involved to get this far south
    
4. Allow for a period of jet lag after the long flight. Plan for a day of relaxing and minimal activity to let your body acclimatise. We don't recommend driving (often on the other side of the road) directly after a 12-hour flight
    
5. And most importantly, be aware of the road rules and differences in driving in NZ 

Driving in New Zealand is as much about the journey, as it is the destination. We hope you can join us for the ultimate adventure soon!

Self Drive Reviews

Here is a taste of what planning a self-drive itinerary with First Light Travel would look like from our clients first-hand! If you would like to enquire about creating your own customised itinerary click here.

Melissa Bekemeier - USA

"Kirsty worked diligently to create an itinerary that worked perfectly for us. The pacing, activities, accommodations, rental cars, and recommendations were all spot on!"

Michael Perrone - Canada

"I was getting the exact itinerary I was looking for. The tours were fun, the accommodations were great, and the itinerary was perfect with plenty of free time to explore!"

Ashley Stump - USA

"We were able to customize our itinerary and our honeymoon in New Zealand was a dream!"

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