This curated road trip is designed for you to enjoy the best that New Zealand has to offer. You will travel down the country, as you enjoy activities among New Zealand's beautiful scenery. A short flight between the North and South Island will cut down some of the driving time.
New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, will welcome you as you explore the area for 2 days. A visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum is recommended for those who wish to learn about New Zealand's history and the indigenous Māori culture. A visit to Auckland's many beaches is a must, with brunch at a seaside café.
Before you leave the Auckland region, you travel via ferry to the beautiful Waiheke Island for 1 night. The island has many activities to offer, from wine tasting 🍷, to sailing, to art galleries and more.
On your way to your 2 night stay in Rotorua, we recommend that you visit the magical Hobbiton TM in Matamata. A visit to Rotorua would not be complete without a visit to the geothermal park Wai-o-Tapu where you will see otherworldly landscapes, perfect for passionate photographers. From Rotorua you can take a day trip to see glow worms ✨ at Waitomo Caves. Stay in the township to visit the kiwi sanctuary and ride the gondola at Skyline Rotorua.
A short drive further down the country will take you to Lake Taupo, which is so large that it looks like an ocean 🌊. Here you will stay 1 night to give you the opportunity to explore an easy walking trail, take a boat tour, or even bungy jump. Make sure to book a relaxing visit at a hot spring, you won't regret it!
Jump back into your car to drive to the capital city, Wellington, to stay for 1 night. Here there are many free activities: take a tour of Parliament, explore the national museum Te Papa, or the Botanical Gardens. Don't forget to enjoy Wellington's award winning coffee roasters ☕and breweries 🍺.
A short plane ride will take you to the South Island's largest city, Christchurch, for 1 night. It is a romantic city with rose gardens🌹and bridges. Take the day to walk around and visit the museums and memorials to learn about the city's poignant history.
Then you will drive to the dreamy Lake Tekapo, our favourite destination. Part of New Zealand’s largest “dark sky preserves” ✨, where breath-taking photos of the Milky-Way and southern lights can be taken. During the day, explore the lake's beautiful flowers either on foot, by boat, or even helicopter. Stay for 2 nights to enjoy at your own pace.
Finally, you will drive to Queenstown, where you can explore the lake, or take day trips to the Milford Sounds for a boat tour, or an unforgettable helicopter 🚁ride to Franz Josef Glacier. Take 2 nights as there are so many activities to choose from!
New Zealand might be quite a journey from your home country, but once you get here, you can relax. New Zealanders or “Kiwis”, are one of the friendliest people in the world and we’ll look after you 😃.
Read our article “New Zealand, the friendliest country“ to learn more.
📍Tips
🏨Accommodation:
Mix up your accommodation types to get the full New Zealand experience. For example, glamping in the Bay of Islands, a farm stay on Waiheke Island, and even a night at a luxury spa resort in Queenstown.
🎟️Culture and museums
Most museums in New Zealand are free and they are a great place to learn about the Māori culture.
🍽️Food and drink:
New Zealand is an agricultural country and its food is one of the best and freshest in the world. Whether your favourite drink is coffee ☕, wine 🍷, or beer 🍺; there is a local producer in most towns. Go out and explore all the delicious and award-winning food and drink that New Zealand has to offer.
🚗Transport:
A compact country, travelling between New Zealand's destinations and activities can usually be done by car (on the left side of the road). Of course there are flights available between major travel destinations. To get between islands, travellers can either fly or take a ferry. Public transport, via trains and buses, is available within cities, but cars or tour coaches are recommended for travel between cities.
🧳Before you pack your bags:
New Zealand is famous for its unique animals and untouched landscapes. To preserve this beauty New Zealand has biosecurity measures that you should consider before you start packing. Check out this short video .
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