Compact but crammed with outstanding natural beauty, New Zealand is a superb destination for a road trip. Its friendly locals will make you feel instantly at home, while its diverse landscape will have you at 'hello'. Watch rainbows bounce off the waterfalls of Milford Sound, take a tour of Hobbiton, hike on glaciers and relax on the beaches of Coromandel. From North to South, New Zealand is spell-binding.
Why we love New Zealand road trips...
- Peaceful and safe, it's a trouble-free spot for a road trip
- Drive between lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and beaches
- Take the Interislander ferry between the North and South Island
- Hike, cycle, skydive, bungee and kayak in gorgeous surroundings
- Sip locally-produced wines amongst stunning scenery
New Zealand road trip itineraries
Combine both the North and South Islands for the ultimate New Zealand road trip. Travelling between these two islands, you can see everything from steaming geysers, glowworms and glaciers to snow-capped mountains to native forests. On the way, you can stop to follow world-class hiking trails, kayak on mirrored lakes, cycle between vineyards, learn about Maori rituals and bungee jump off bridges. New Zealand's natural beauty is off the scale and driving is by far the best way to explore.
Multi-centre holidays featuring New Zealand road trips
Though it's certainly worth the journey, New Zealand is about as far from the UK as you can get. Depending on your connections, a flight to New Zealand from London can take anything from 24 to 49 hours, so it makes brilliant sense to break up the journey. Why not turn your New Zealand road trip into a multi-centre holiday, adding a couple of stopovers on both legs? It's guaranteed to turn your trip into a real adventure - and reduce the jetlag to boot. Relax on the beaches of the Cook Islands or Tahiti after your road trip, stop to shop in Singapore or spend some time exploring San Francisco. The possibilities are endless.
Round the world holidays with New Zealand road trips
If you're heading for New Zealand, on the other side of the world, why not go all the way around? New Zealand fits naturally into almost any round the world flight ticket, making it easy to put together the trip of a lifetime. Combine your New Zealand road trip with a safari in South Africa, a stint in South America and a stopover in Singapore or add Thailand and Tahiti to your ticket. There are all kinds of way to add a New Zealand self-drive into your round the world adventure, so give us a call on +44 1273 947 314 or email our experts and we'll get to work on your request.
North Island road trips (excluding flights)
New Zealand's North Island offers a heady mix of culture, nature and Hobbit holes. Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands, dig your own personal spa on Coromandel's Hot Water Beach, hike to Emerald Lake in Tongariro National Park sail through the glowworm-filled caves at Waitomo. On your way, you can stop to relax on the shores of Lake Taupo, taste wine in the vineyards of Napier and spend time in Wellington, 'the coolest little capital in the world'. From Maori culture to volcanic mud pools, the North Island is a stunner.
South Island road trips (excluding flights)
New Zealand's South Island is like a little world on one island. Here, you'll find a cluster of stark contrasts, from the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds to the cascades of Milford Sound and the dazzling whiteness of Franz Josef glacier. The South Island is home to almost every landscape under the sun - vineyards, forests, meadows, lakes, mountains and glaciers. Experience changing scenery at every turn, soak up the relaxed vibe of Queenstown, feel the freedom of the open road and toast to your road trip with a glass of local Sauvignon Blanc. Wherever you go, the beauty of this island is bound to blow you away.
