6 New Zealand road trips for wine, beaches and epic scenery
Aug 21, 2024 鈥 6 min read
A road trip in New Zealand lets you take in the country鈥檚 majestic scenery at your own pace. Ramiro Torrents/Getty Images
There might be no better way to explore New Zealand than by car or camper van.
Since public transport is limited outside of cities, and since so much of what you鈥檒l want to see and do lies off the beaten track, a road trip here lets you take in the stunning natural scenery at your own pace, as well as the chance to stop for stunning walks, cycle rides, wild swimming or wildlife spotting.
Here are six road trips that let you experience some of what this wonderful country has to offer.
1. Northland loop
Best road trip in the 鈥淲interless North鈥
Auckland鈥揂uckland (round trip); 650 miles (1050km); a week or more
Kiwis call the regions north of Auckland (Northland and the Bay of Islands) the 鈥淲interless North鈥 because of its year-round subtropical climate. You鈥檒l begin this trip by setting off toward the Bay of Islands, via the surf beaches of Mangawhai and the artsy city of Whang膩rei, which merits a good day or two of exploring.
Next, drive north and ferry over to the former whaling port of Russell, which matches heritage charm with on-water adventures like sailing, diving, fishing and kayaking. All of these are also accessed from the thriving mainland town of Paihia. Be sure to spend a day at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds learning about the colonial history of New Zealand.
Further north, the attractions are more remote and even more spectacular, leading all the way to the very top of the North Island at Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. On your way, stop for fresh local produce at Kerikeri; chill out in 鈥 and feast on seafood at 鈥 laid-back 惭补苍驳艒苍耻颈; and spend another day at Ahipara, with its surf breaks and nearby sand dunes.
Heading south again, you鈥檒l drive through the incredible Waipoua Forest, where the last giants of the once extensive kauri forests here will take your breath away, and stop at quiet coastal towns with hidden stories of colonization, migration and hard labor.
2. Coromandel Peninsula
Best beach-coming road trip
Thames鈥揥aihi Beach; 190 miles (305km); 1鈥3 days
Coastal roads weave a magical path on this journey around the compact but colorful Coromandel Peninsula, a favorite holiday spot for residents of nearby Auckland and Hamilton. As well as a gorgeous beach-fringed coastline, the Coromandel also holds the legacy of its gold-mining past in the heritage streets of Thames, Coromandel Town and Waihi.
Start in Thames, then head north to the thriving community of Coromandel Town via the beautiful 64-acre Rapaura Water Gardens estate. Next, detour from Colvile to the rugged northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsula 鈥 ideally in summer (December to February) when roads are dry and the p艒hutukawa trees are in their crimson glory.
Heading down the other side of the peninsula, you鈥檒l visit Whitianga and the nearby beaches of Mercury Bay. Diving, boating, game fishing and kayaking are the big draws at . Further south are natural attractions like the stone arch at Cathedral Cove near Hahei and Hot Water Beach. The latter lives up to its name: dig a pool in the sand and relax in the hot waters that rise up from beneath the surface.
3. Wellington to Rotorua
Best road trip for vineyards and art deco architecture
Wellington鈥揜otorua; 520 miles (840km); 4鈥7 days
After a few days exploring the excellent museums, galleries and bars of New Zealand鈥檚 compact, boho capital, Wellington, it鈥檚 time to hit the road. First, you鈥檒l head north along the Hutt River Valley, detouring into the Martinborough wine region to taste its world-famous pinot noirs. Next, continue on to the Pacific coast, a languid arc combining sandy beaches and spectacular scenery with M膩ori cultural experiences.
The stretch from to Hastings is surrounded by bountiful orchards and much-loved wineries, which can be explored on an organized cycling tour as well as by car. At the southern tip of Hawke鈥檚 Bay, Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-M膩ui) lures both golfers (it has a spectacular ) and bird-watchers (there鈥檚 a 3000-strong gannet colony on the headland here).
Next, head to the gorgeous seaside city of Napier, which has impressive art deco architecture and foodie-drawing restaurants. The remote East Cape is next. Stop at sun-soaked Whakat膩ne and the beaches of 艑hope before turning inland to round off this epic circuit at the geothermal hotspot of Rotorua, with its incredible M膩ori cultural-immersion experiences and host of outdoor activities like mountain biking and luging.
4. Southern Alps loop
Best alpine road trip
Christchurch鈥揅hristchurch (round trip); 850 miles (1380km); a week or more
Cruise through varied landscapes including scenic mountains, wild coasts, lush lakelands, and rural highways dotted with tiny hamlets on this grand South Island tour. Starting from Christchurch 鈥 with its mix of old England and future-facing Kiwi ingenuity 鈥 head to the alpine reaches of Arthur鈥檚 Pass National Park, which rises to 2408m (7900ft) at Mt Murchison.
Next, you鈥檒l be meandering along the west coast through historic towns and such artistic communities as Hokitika and Ross. The route rises again at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships, where you have multiple options for glacier viewing (helicopter ride or sky diving, anyone?).
Heading south, the Haast region in is the place for seabird spotting and perhaps some tree-hugging in the ancient kahikatea swamp forest at Ship Creek. Finally, wend your way to Queenstown via the incredible Lake W膩naka, where paddling, hiking, skiing and climbing are among the outdoor pursuits that have made this region famous.
5. Otago Heritage Trail
Best road trip for goldbugs
Dunedin鈥揇unedin (round trip); 280 miles (450km); 2鈥3 days
The discovery of gold in the 1860s led Europeans to migrate to the South Island region now known as Otago, and much of that heritage remains today. Old miners鈥 trails and abandoned railway lines have been repurposed as leisurely cycle rides and long strolls. Agricultural towns still house historic stone buildings and Gold Rush stories, while colorful deciduous trees, winding roads and romantic old railway bridges all but demand to be photographed.
This driving tour starts in the vibrant city of Dunedin, where warehouses have been converted into hotels and art galleries, and university students pack international restaurants and pubs all week. After exploring for a few days, head south towards Lawrence 鈥 the scene of NZ鈥檚 first Gold Rush in 1861 鈥 to the historically significant Horseshoe Bend Bridge over Clutha River/ Mata-au, NZ鈥檚 second-longest river. Next, you鈥檒l visit the sweet-smelling fruit orchards and vineyards of Central Otago before arriving in Alexander, Clyde or Middlemarch to tackle the by bicycle or foot.
For more heritage streetscapes, schedule a stop in Naseby, staying overnight to enjoy a night tour under its brilliant starry skies. Detours from this route will take you into snow-capped mountains, across to the dramatic fjords in the west or to the rugged beauty of the southern coast.
6. Queenstown to Milford Sound
Best road trip for dramatic views
Queenstown鈥揗ilford Sound/Piopiotahi; 180 miles (290km); 2 days
Fiordland is arguably New Zealand鈥檚 finest outdoor treasure. A landscape hewn in rock and ice, its grandeur can make you feel like a tiny speck in the face of nature 鈥 in the best possible way.
Panoramic alpine views characterize this drive as you make your way from Queenstown past Kelvin Peninsula at the foot of , along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu and past the Devil's Staircase and onto Te Anau. Stay overnight and take a tour of the 200m(656ft)-long glowworm caves 鈥 filled with strange rock forms, whirlpools and waterfalls 鈥 before cruising north past Lake Mistletoe, Mackay Creek, Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn鈥揅ascade Creek, all stunning spots for stretching your legs and admiring the wilderness.
The final stretch to the majestic takes you through Homer Tunnel, a road laboriously cut through the mountains during the Great Depression.
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