Travel Tips Route

This nationwide tour will take you through all of New Zealand's stunning scenery and visit all the top attractions. In the North Island, you can explore beautiful beaches, kauri forests, caves and geothermal activity. The South Island offers spectacular alpine views, adventure activities, historic buildings and close encounters with wildlife.

Day 1 to Day 4: Auckland and North Island

Drive along the Auckland Harbour Bridge towards the bays and sandy beaches of Auckland's North Shore. The highway takes you all the way north to a tranquil farm with countryside views. Along the way, visit the Matakana Farmers Market and Goat Island Marine Reserve before arriving at Whangarei.

Settle in here or Paihia and continue exploring the Bay of Islands and the Poor Knights Islands, the latter known for its excellent scuba diving(opens in new window) destinations. For a taste of the culture, visit the Waitangi Treaty Treaty site.

Day 5: Spend the day exploring Auckland

Auckland is a vibrant city with many harbours, beaches and islands, and is known as the 'Sailing Capital'. Take a ferry to one of the islands off the city's shores, or take a canoe(opens in new window) for a thrilling experience.

Waiheke Island is famous for its vineyards, white-sand beaches and quirky glaciers, while Rangitoto Island is a dormant volcano with picturesque hiking trails. Most of these islands are less than a 40-minute ferry(opens in new window) from central Auckland.

Day 6: Auckland - Waitomo Caves

The Lake Tekapo Colony is located at the southern end of the lake. Fine rock particles suspended in the water give the lake a translucent blue-green color. There are many aThe Waitomo Caves area is known for its underground wonders. Beneath this ancient limestone region lies a series of massive cave systems dotted with stalactites, stalagmites, and many glowworms(opens in new window). Choose from the level of adventure that suits you, from guided hikes to smooth boat trips, to black water rafting(opens in new window), caving(opens in new window) and abseiling into the abyss.

Day 7: Waitomo Caves - Rotorua

A tour of Rotorua will take you to a number of farmland, lakes and forest areas. Te Kuiti is the only town you encounter on the way, so stop there to pack some picnic supplies for your trip. Professional hikers can visit the beautiful Pureora Forest Park, home to several species of rare birds. Trout lovers can try their luck at Whakamaru Lake.

When you see (and smell) the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Fountain, you know you've arrived in the city of Rotorua. Head to Te Puia(opens in new window) to learn more about Māori culture and handicrafts and the world-famous Puhutu Geyser.

Day 8: Spend the day exploring Rotorua

Rotorua sits smoothly on the Pacific Rim of Volcanic Belt, so you can see the signs of volcanic activity everywhere. Explore the geothermal areas around the area, then relax in the hot springs at night(opens in new window).

Day 9: Rotorua - Taupo

Visit Taupo and explore the Maori stone carvings of Mine Bay. The stone carvings have become iconic cultural attractions in the Taupo region, and they clearly demonstrate how traditional Māori knowledge and skills have been passed down from generation to generation. These stone carvings can only be viewed by boat, preferably up close by canoe.

Day 10: Taupo - Wellington

Travel through the Central Highlands and admire the amazing volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park. In Waiouru, the National Military Museum is worth a visit. Drive south towards Taihape (the rubber boot throwing capital of the world), taking in spectacular views of the many rivers and valleys along the way. You can also take a stroll through the Mangaweka Gorge to see nature at work.

Close to the Waikano shore is Kapiti Island, a nature reserve for up close and personal birdlife. The Kapiti Coast is known for its cuisine, especially cheese; Stop for a bite to eat before continuing your visit to Wellington.

Day 11: Spend the day exploring Wellington

Wellington is located between the harbour and the hills, making it ideal for exploring on foot. Explore the amazing street art and cafes, then visit the nearby film studios. Other notable attractions include the Wellington Cable Car, Houses of Parliament, Zealandia and Wellington Waterfront.

Day 12: Wellington to Marlborough

Welcome to Marlborough, with its neat rows of vineyards, as if to remind you that you are in the middle of a real wine country. There are a number of guided tours that will take you to taste the best local wines and foods. Marlborough is also part of the 380-kilometre Classic New Zealand Wine Route, which connects four wine regions and more than 100 wineries.

Day 13: Marlborough - Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs(opens in new window) is the perfect place to relax and indulge. Soak in the hot springs(opens in new window) or experience a range of spa(opens in new window) treatments. Outdoor activities are also a feature of Hanmer Springs. There are options for forest hiking, horseback riding, trout fishing, jet boating, bungee jumping and golf. Find out more about the must-see experiences in Hanmer Springs.

Day 14: Hanmer Springs - Christchurch

Christchurch is a fast-growing and vibrant city in the South Island of New Zealand. In this timeless city centre, the contrast between the old English gardens and the new pubs and container shops is a reminder of the city's long road to recovery since the devastating earthquake of February 2011. Popular activities here include a punt ride on the Avon River, a harbour mountain ride, a visit to Sumner Beach or exploring the Antarctic Circle.

Day 15: Christchurch - Dunedin

Head south and enjoy superb views of the Southern Alps along the way. Before arriving in Timaru, you'll pass through Timka, a town that produces high-quality pottery, and if you're looking for some practical souvenirs, check out the Timka Factory Shop.

The town of Oamaru is home to many beautiful historic buildings, as well as its own colony of little blue penguins that stroll along the beach in the evening. Continue towards Dunedin, making sure to stop along the way to see the famous and mysterious Moraghi Pebble.

Day 16: Dunedin - Stewart Island

An hour and a half hike south, you'll find tranquil Lake Waijorah, a popular picnic, yachting and waterskiing destination. Continuing through the Catlins, these winding roads will take you to see seals and sea lions, as well as wild beaches, waterfalls, walking trails and rivers.

From here, visit Invercargill or Bluff and take the ferry to Stewart Island(opens in new window) (Rachiura in Māori). On the way to the ferry, it can be very bumpy at times, and the whole journey takes an hour. Alternatively, you can choose to fly from Invercargill, which takes 15-20 minutes. Much of Stewart Island has recently been designated as New Zealand's newest national park. Visit parts of the island and admire the most pristine natural landscapes.

Days 17 & 18: Depart from Stewart Island and explore the beauty of the fjord

The route to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most scenic roads, so if you're looking to drive in the winter months (July to August), start by knowing more winter driving tips. If you want to take it easy, you can book a bus trip from Te Anau(opens in new window).

The first thing you see is relatively flat farmland, and then you will have easy access to the beech forest close to the entrance to Fiordland National Park. Next, you need to look for the Hidden Mountain Avenue and Mirror Lake. A boat trip to Milford Sound(opens in new window) is a great addition to your Fiordland experience. The spectacular natural beauty is set against a backdrop of vertiginous fjords, spectacular waterfalls and snow-capped peaks.

Day 19: Fiordland - Queenstown

Queenstown's alpine resorts are thrilling and captivating. There's just about any adventure here, including bungee jumping, jet boating, horseback riding, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences – food and wine, spa treatments and golf recreation.

Day 20: Queenstown - Wanaka

The Crown Mountain Highway is the shortest route to Wanaka. The route is challenging, but the scenery along the way is beautiful.

Relatively conservative drivers can choose to travel along the routes of the Shoffawa River, Lake Dunstan and the Clutha River. The vineyards in the Gibbston area and the Kawarau River Bridge bungee jump are fun entertainment on the way. Whichever route you choose, you'll take a flat trail to the charming historic town of Arrowtown.

Day 21: Wanaka - Fox Glacier

You may want to leave early to allow enough time to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery and visit the West Coast glaciers.

Lake Hawea is the first classic you pass on the way, followed by the northern end of Lake Wanaka. Don't miss the famous "Lingerie Wall", which started as a joke and has become a local legend. In the pristine town of Macarola, refuel and stamina before passing through dramatic bends on the Haast Pass. Once you arrive in the rainforest area, you can enjoy the waterfalls and rivers. Stay in the small town of Fox Glacier and from here, take a guided walking tour of the area.

Day 22: Fox Glacier - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch

The classic West Coast rivers and forests will take you all the way east to Christchurch. Rushing rivers, spectacular bridges, and miniature towns take you step by step through the stunning beauty of the Southern Alps. The route, known as Arthur's Pass, was originally used by Maori tribes to cross the west coast in search of Punum (green jade). Today, it is an alpine route of some difficulty, which is remembered for its beautiful scenery and amazing civil engineering.