NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIPS & ITINERARIES
Guides for self-driving tours of New Zealand.
In my work as a travel writer (and in my constant pursuit of hikes, sunsets, and beautiful beaches) I have driven all over New Zealand.
I’ve pulled together some of my favourite road trips and itineraries into the guides you’ll find on this page.
Browse itineraries across both North and South Islands
Explore North Island road trips
Find your perfect South Island road trip
Travelling New Zealand by campervan
The beauty of travelling in a campervan is the freedom it allows you. No need to book accommodation each night; you can make it up as you go.
Campervans also give you the chance to stay in some of the wildest and most remote parts of New Zealand, where the only other accommodation option, if any, is a tent.
Hiring a campervan makes for the ultimate New Zealand road trip.
It does cost a little more to rent a campervan than a car, but the overall experience is different. If you want to be closer to nature and have more spontaneity in your travels, rent a motorhome/campervan.
Road trip routes around New Zealand
New Zealand has some of the greatest scenic drives in the world; it’s the ideal country for a road trip.
Whether it’s driving down the West Coast of the South Island, stopping to look at the rock formations in Punakaiki or glaciers in Franz Josef. Or, driving from Christchurch to Queenstown past Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Or making your way to the tip of the North Island to Cape Reinga and the point where two oceans meet.
These itineraries cover some of New Zealand’s key highlights. They are all self drive options, so you will need a rental car or a camperven.
Get a personalised road trip itinerary
If you’re overwhelmed planning your New Zealand road trip, and don’t know where to start — or you just need to sense check your route — I might be able to help.
Road trip maps
Road trip FAQs
Planning a road trip around New Zealand can be difficult when you don’t know the lay of the land — these are some of my best tips for first time visitors.
How many days do you need for a road trips around New Zealand?
You could go on an epic road trip in one week — I’ve done as little as five days between Queenstown and Christchurch. But, to really get the most out of your trip, I recommend at least two weeks.
How much should you budget for a road trip in New Zealand?
Your main costs are going to be your rental vehicle (a campervan is much more expensive than a car), accommodation (cheaper to camp, but you can find budget motel rooms for around $120 a night, or mid-range rooms for around $200 a night), and food.
On top of that, you have to factor in petrol, which costs a lot in New Zealand, and any activities. Hiking and beaches are free, but you could easily spend several hundred dollars a day on bungy jumps, jet boats, or heli flights.
Overall, you should budget at least $200 a day if you want to travel with a degree of comfort and enjoy occasional meals out and paid activities.