There are some international locations and areas of the world that simply beg to be explored on a highway journey. And I am a agency believer that New Zealand is one in every of these international locations.
I have been to New Zealand half a dozen occasions (and have even lived there!) and am right here to share my model of a excellent 2-week New Zealand highway journey taking within the highlights on each the North and South Islands.
In an excellent world, you’d have the money and time to spend at the least a month in New Zealand with a view to actually respect it. However we do not reside in an excellent world, and I do know that a lot of my fellow People solely get about two weeks of trip time to make use of yearly.
With that in thoughts, this is my suggestion for a 2-week New Zealand highway journey that features all the key must-sees from cities to mountains to hobbit holes to fjords, in addition to some quick hikes and funky actions you may add to make your journey further memorable.
Highlights of this 2-week New Zealand itinerary embody:
- Exploring Auckland
- Wine tasting on Waiheke Island
- A go to to Hobbiton
- Geothermal wonders in Rotorua
- The capital metropolis of Wellington
- The cool and quirky Nelson
- Driving down the West Coast of the South Island
- Glacier climbing in Franz Josef
- Lovely surroundings in Wanaka
- Journey sports activities in Queenstown
- Day journey to Milford Sound
- Seeing Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner
- Visiting Christchurch
- Plus rather more!
First issues first: Automobile vs. campervan
We have already established that highway tripping is the easiest way to see New Zealand. However when planning a NZ highway journey, you could have two predominant modes of transport to think about: a automobile, or a campervan.
The advantages of renting a automobile are that it is often less expensive, automobiles are simpler to deal with on New Zealand’s slender and winding roads, and there is extra stock on each islands.
The advantages of renting a campervan are that you could avoid wasting cash by tenting and cooking your individual meals. Plus, campervanning around New Zealand is an iconic method to discover the nation!
Each are wonderful decisions, and all of it boils right down to your price range and your most popular lodging sort. In case you desire B&Bs and inns, hire a automobile. In case you’re up for sleeping in a van at campsites and vacation parks, then a campervan is perhaps best for you.
For automobile leases, you may compare prices here. For campervans, I like to recommend testing manufacturers like Spaceships for smaller vans (that is who I personally used), and Euro Campers, Britz, or Maui for bigger campers.
Different New Zealand highway journey posts chances are you’ll need to learn:
The most effective time of 12 months for a New Zealand highway journey
You may highway journey New Zealand year-round; I personally have visited the nation in nearly each season! The climate can in fact differ from area to area relying on the season, however you may often entry all the principle stops always of 12 months.
Having mentioned that, although, you may seemingly discover probably the most favorable climate and largest quantity of excursions/sights open in the course of the summer season months (that are typically December-February in New Zealand). The shoulder seasons on both aspect (esp. November and March) are fairly good choices, too.
My favourite month to go to has most likely been November (late spring), for respectable climate, blooming lupins, and fewer crowds than throughout full summer season.
The proper 2-week New Zealand highway journey itinerary
This itinerary is predicated 100% by myself private expertise – I have been to New Zealand 5 separate occasions, have carried out a number of highway journeys there, and even lived in Wellington for some time in 2008!
Spending 2 weeks in New Zealand won’t ever really feel like lengthy sufficient, however I’ve carried out my greatest to distill all of the highlights down into one itinerary.
Day 1 – Arrive in Auckland
Despite the fact that this can be a highway journey itinerary, I really do not suggest choosing up your rental automobile (or campervan, or no matter it’s you are going to hire) till Day 3 of this itinerary. You do not really want a car to get round in Auckland, so save your self a pair days of rental charges!
You may seemingly arrive in Auckland this morning. You most likely will not have the ability to examine into your resort but, however you may undoubtedly drop off your baggage and perhaps change your garments in preparation for a day of exploring Auckland.
Some issues I like to recommend doing immediately embody:
- Going up the Sky Tower for wonderful views of Auckland (buy tickets in advance here)
- Strolling alongside the waterfront from Queens Wharf, previous Viaduct Harbor, and into the Wynyard Quarter
- Getting a flowery ice cream at Giapo
RELATED: The Best Things to Do on Your First Trip to Auckland
By the point you have carried out this (and thrown in some lunch and perhaps a little bit of buying), you’ll head again to your resort to examine in and simply crash.
To be able to fight the jet lag, I like to recommend attempting to remain up as late as doable with none naps. However ordering room service and going to mattress by 8 p.m. tonight is completely acceptable. 😉
Complete driving time immediately: 0 hours
Pattern prices: Sky Tower admission – $41 NZD
The place to remain in Auckland: I really like the Grand Millennium Auckland. This upmarket CBD resort is clear and cozy, and has a stunning employees. There’s an indoor pool, a bar, and two eating places on-site, plus a fairly nice room service menu. You may stroll to the Sky Tower and harbor in about quarter-hour. (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book a room here!)
Day 2 – Waiheke Island
Jet lag will seemingly have you ever up early this morning, so chances are you’ll as effectively benefit from it! There are a lot extra things to do in Auckland, however my high choose is to take a day journey out to Waiheke Island. This island is situated only a 40-minute ferry journey from Auckland, and ferries begin operating pretty early within the morning.
Waiheke Island is understood for its wineries and seashores, and makes for an ideal day journey from Auckland.
Catch the ferry over, after which both use the bus or hire a motorcycle to get across the island (although word that elements of it are fairly hilly!). You may go to white-sand seashores at Oneroa, Palm Seaside, and Onetangi, or go to wineries like Cable Bay, Mudbrick, and Stonyridge.
In case you’d moderately not discover the island by yourself, join a food and wine tour of Waiheke (this can be a fairly whole lot!), or a day trip to Waiheke that features transport from Auckland.
Again in Auckland, have a leisurely night in preparation to hit the highway on Day 3!
Complete driving time immediately: 0 hours
Prices: Ferry to Waiheke – beginning at $38 NZD roundtrip
The place to remain in Auckland: I nonetheless suggest the Grand Millennium Auckland tonight!
Day 3 – Matamata and Rotorua
First up in your New Zealand itinerary immediately: choose up your rental automobile or van!*
Choosing up your automobile or campervan immediately means you may choose up from an Auckland metropolis location versus the airport, which ought to prevent a bit of cash. Enable as much as an hour for pick-up, as among the extra standard rental corporations may be very busy, particularly throughout excessive season.
*Observe for 2023: I’d usually suggest reserving a single one-way rental from Auckland to Christchurch, taking the ferry between the North and South islands with the car. HOWEVER, there have been ferry disruptions this 12 months particularly for these wanting to move autos, so it is perhaps price it to guide two separate automobile rental reservations: one from Auckland to Wellington, and a second from Picton to Christchurch, and simply journey the ferry as a walk-on passenger.
When you’re all set along with your car, it is time to begin you New Zealand highway journey and head south to the farming group of Matamata. You might not be conversant in this city’s title, however you most likely ARE conversant in its high attraction: Hobbiton!
Almost 20 years in the past, a household sheep farm in Matamata was used because the movie set for Hobbiton within the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Lord of the Rings tourism took off in New Zealand after the success of the flicks, and so after they determined to re-build the identical Hobbiton set for the Hobbit trilogy, they constructed it to final.
At this time, you may tour the set of Hobbiton – and it is magical even should you aren’t a Lord of the Rings fan.
It takes about 2 hours to get to Hobbiton from Auckland, so plan for a day tour of the Hobbiton film set. Excursions depart from the Shire’s Relaxation roughly each half hour, however you DO need to guide upfront since excursions usually promote out. (Book a guided tour here.)
You may spend the subsequent 2 hours being guided across the 12-acre film set, taking in all of the hobbit-y particulars and listening to tales about filming. The tour will finish with a drink within the Inexperienced Dragon Inn.
From right here, it is an hour to go to town of Rotorua, the place you may be spending the subsequent couple of nights.
You may seemingly arrive earlier than time for supper, so if you wish to do one thing enjoyable this night, I like to recommend reserving a time slot on the Polynesian Spa. The swimming pools at this spa overlook Lake Rotorua, and are stuffed with geothermal mineral water sourced from two close by pure springs. Positively go for the Deluxe Lake Spa for final leisure.
Complete driving time immediately: 3 hours
Prices: Hobbiton tour – $89 NZD; Polynesian Spa – $50 NZD for the Deluxe Lake Spa (book here)
The place to remain in Rotorua:
- In case you’re touring in a campervan, I like to recommend staying at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park. This vacation park has good widespread areas, thermal swimming pools you should utilize, and even a resident cat to make mates with. It is not inside strolling distance to downtown, nonetheless.
- In case you’re renting a automobile, I like to recommend Aura Accommodation (one of many highest-rated choices on TripAdvisor), or Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel should you’re on the lookout for slightly luxurious.
Day 4 – Rotorua
At this time, spend the day exploring Rotorua. This is likely one of the most geothermally-active areas in New Zealand – and you’ll inform by the whiffs of sulphur you may get all all through town.
Begin your morning off with a go to to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland simply outdoors of town, the place you may see all the things from geysers to boiling mud to neon-green lakes. There are different thermal parks in Rotorua, however this one is my favourite! (Book a ticket here)
The Champagne Pool and Satan’s Tub are undoubtedly must-sees. Enable at the least 2 hours to stroll all of the park’s trails.
Observe: If for no matter motive Wai-O-Tapu is closed or tickets are offered out, the Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve is an effective different.
After getting your fill of geothermal oddities, head to the Redwoods Treewalk, the place you may spend an hour traversing a sequence of suspension bridges excessive up in a grove of redwood timber (as a result of sure, redwoods completely develop in Rotorua!). This can be a very distinctive spot – undoubtedly price a cease!
This afternoon, you may discover a little bit of downtown Rotorua. Seize lunch on Eat Streat (a cool assortment of eating places), go to the Authorities Gardens, and stroll alongside Lake Rotorua. You may see a Skyline Gondola right here above the lake, and it is a extra inexpensive possibility that the one in Queenstown in case you need to check out the luging!
Tonight, I like to recommend splurging on a go to to one in every of Rotorua’s Maori villages. When you can expertise New Zealand’s native Maori tradition all around the nation, Rotorua has among the greatest cultural reveals.
Locations like Te Pā Tū (previously Tamaki Village) and Mitai Village supply nightly dinner-concert packages, which embody a standard hangi dinner (meals cooked in an earthen oven) together with a live performance/present that features conventional Maori songs and dances. These aren’t notably low cost, however it’s vital expertise if it is your first journey to New Zealand.
(And whereas these experiences are undoubtedly touristy, they’re very culturally conventional and offered/carried out by Indigenous peoples.)
Complete driving time immediately: Lower than 2 hours (it takes about half-hour to drive to Wai-O-Tapu from Rotorua)
Prices: Wai-O-Tapu – $32.50 NZD per grownup; Redwoods Treewalk – $37 NZD; Maori dinner present – beginning round $125 NZD per grownup (which incorporates dinner, live performance, and transport out of your lodging)
The place to remain in Rotorua: Once more, I like to recommend staying at Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park should you’re in a campervan, and Aura Accommodation or Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel in case you have a daily automobile.
Day 5 – To Wellington
Day 5 could have you heading to my favourite metropolis in New Zealand: Wellington! It’s kind of of a protracted driving day, however there are some cool issues you may see alongside the best way.
You may cease to see Lake Taupo (the most important lake by floor space in New Zealand), and undoubtedly drive south down Freeway 1, which has a piece referred to as the “Desert Highway,” the place you may get some nice views of the volcanoes in Tongariro Nationwide Park if the climate is obvious.
You must make it to Wellington by dinnertime even with some stops, so I like to recommend checking in to your resort after which heading into town for dinner. Cuba Avenue particularly has some nice meals and leisure choices.
Complete driving time immediately: 6 hours
Prices: No attraction prices immediately
The place to remain in Wellington:
- When you have a campervan, the most effective campsite closest to Wellington might be the Wellington Top 10 Holiday Park, although it is nonetheless 15 km from central Wellington. You would possibly need to take into account staying at a downtown resort for the subsequent 2 nights even in case you have a campervan, just because it is simpler to park and discover Wellington on foot than to drive into town daily.
- When you have a automobile (or simply resolve to remain downtown), my high resort picks are Rydges Wellington and the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay (I’ve personally stayed at each!).
Day 6 – Wellington
You really want a number of days to completely discover Wellington, however you may nonetheless cowl a lot of the metropolis’s highlights in simply at some point.
In case you’re staying on the Copthorne, I like to recommend beginning out with a stroll alongside Wellington’s waterfront since you may be staying proper at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s solely metropolis seashore. You may stroll all the best way from the seashore previous the harbor, after which cross the quirky Metropolis to Sea Bridge to achieve town middle.
Alongside the best way, chances are you’ll need to pop into Te Papa Tongarewa, the nationwide museum of New Zealand. It is situated on the waterfront and is free to go to (or you may pay a small quantity for a guided museum tour). It is an particularly excellent place to spend time should you hit unhealthy climate in Wellington. (Although even should you do not, I nonetheless suggest visiting because it’s a superb museum!)
Subsequent, it is up the hill with the Wellington Cable Automobile, which takes you from Lambton Quay (town’s predominant buying road) to Kelburn Station on the Wellington Botanic Backyard. From the higher station, you get the most effective views out over Wellington.
(You may even pre-book your cable car tickets if you need, although you do not have to.)
Within the afternoon, you could have a few choices. Both you may proceed wandering across the downtown space (Cuba Avenue is nice for folks watching, and Courtenay Place can be full of life), or you can also make a visit out to Weta Workshop in Miramar.
Weta Workshop is the place the place film artwork, results, and props have been created ever for the reason that Lord of the Rings trilogy put New Zealand on the movie-making map. The behind-the-scenes Weta tour is tremendous fascinating even when your aren’t a giant fan of hobbits and orcs. (Book an entry ticket here, or a ticket with transfers here.)
In case you’re up for yet one more epic view of town, you can also make your manner by automobile or bus as much as the point of view atop Mount Victoria round sundown. It is virtually all the time tremendous windy on the high, however the views out over Wellington are gorgeous.
RELATED: 15 Essential Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand
Complete driving time immediately: 0 hours
Prices: Cable automobile – $9 NZD for a roundtrip ticket; Weta tour – $90 NZD for a tour with transfers
The place to remain in Wellington: Once more, I like to recommend Rydges Wellington and the Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay for staying downtown, or the Wellington Top 10 Holiday Park should you’re on the lookout for a superb campsite.
Day 7 – Ferry to South Island / Nelson
After almost per week on the North Island, it is time to wave goodbye to the hills and put together to say good day to the mountains! Take a late morning ferry from Wellington throughout the Prepare dinner Strait to Picton.
You could have two ferry choices: the Interislander and Bluebridge. Each ferries are comparable in value and facilities, so that you would possibly simply resolve who to sail with based mostly on their timetables. (Positively guide forward, although, since you may be taking a car!)
This ferry journey often takes at the least 3.5 hours, however the ferries that run this route are massive with comfy lounge chairs, massive home windows, and often at the least one cafe. Be certain that to exit on deck when you attain the Queens Charlotte Sound, because the surroundings is fairly spectacular!
When you disembark in Picton, it is a 2-hour drive to town of Nelson.
Nelson is understood for its artsy vibe and placement on Tasman Bay. In case you arrive early sufficient, I like to recommend visiting the WOW Museum (which shows items from the annual World of Wearable Artwork occasion) and the Nelson Basic Automobile Assortment.
Complete driving time immediately: 2 hours
Price: A one-way ferry journey with a automobile + 2 folks begins round $225 NZD (and also you do need to guide forward!)
The place to remain in Nelson:
Day 8 – West Coast
I will not sugarcoat it: immediately goes to be a really lengthy day of driving; there’s simply no manner round it. However no New Zealand highway journey can be full with out driving down the wild West Coast, so hopefully you are up for the journey!
Get an early begin immediately so you can also make just a few stops alongside the best way. From Nelson, take Freeway 6 south. After which simply keep on 6 principally the entire day!
Your first main cease might be in Punakaiki on the sting of Paparoa Nationwide Park. This is likely one of the most gorgeous elements of the West Coast, and in Punakaiki you may discover the well-known Pancake Rocks.
These aren’t simply a few flat rocks, although – the realm is filled with stacks of the issues, together with pure blowholes and a few very Jurassic Park-esque surroundings.
After you spend a while on the loop path right here, Punakaiki is an effective spot to cease for lunch.
From Punakaiki, proceed south to town of Greymouth, the most important metropolis on the West Coast. Greymouth is dwelling to Monteith’s Brewery, one of many high craft breweries in New Zealand. In case you time it proper, you may take a brewery tour here (shoot for the three p.m. or 4 p.m. tour). If not, you may nonetheless cease in for a tasting.
From there, it is a couple extra hours to the small city of Franz Josef Glacier.
Complete driving time immediately: 7 hours
Price: Monteith’s Brewery tour: $25 NZD
The place to remain in Franz Josef:
- If touring with a campervan, take a look at the Rainforest Retreat, which provides all the things from campervan websites to luxurious treehouses.
- If touring with a automobile, Aspen Court is the top-rated motel in Franz Josef with massive rooms inside strolling distance to all the things on the town. In case you’re on the lookout for a extra luxurious spot to spend a pair nights, go for the Glenfern Villas, that are little additional outdoors the city middle.
Day 9 – Franz Josef
This a part of the West Coast is much more wild and distinctive than what you noticed yesterday, thanks largely to the glaciers that snake down from the mountains into the temperate rainforest on the coast. There are two glaciers within the space: Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier.
Sadly, each glaciers have retreated lots in recent times, and since their terminal faces are unstable, the one method to hike on both glacier now could be by doing a heli-hike. A glacier heli-hike is an EPIC expertise: you get right into a helicopter and fly excessive up onto the blue-white glacier, and then you definitely get out, don ice crampons, and hike round on the ice for a pair hours earlier than flying again down once more.
In case you can afford a heli-hike, undoubtedly guide one; that is the most effective glacier expertise to have in New Zealand, and I do not assume you may remorse it.
HOWEVER, it is price noting that each Franz Josef and Fox glaciers exist inside a rainforest. And when it is too wet/cloudy, the helicopters will not fly. So, even should you do guide a heli-hike, there’s actually solely a few 50/50 likelihood that you’re going to rise up on a glacier. I like to recommend reserving one for Day 9, with the morning of Day 10 as your back-up.
If you cannot do a glacier hike immediately, another quick walks you are able to do within the space embody:
- The loop round Lake Matheson, the Mirror Lake (1.5 hours)
- Hike into the Franz Josef Valley and up the riverbed to the face of the glacier (however NOT onto it) (1.5 hours)
- Do a brief stroll via the forest to Peter’s Pool (half-hour)
- See glowworms after darkish on the Minnehaha Walk in Fox Glacier city (20 minutes)
It doesn’t matter what you find yourself doing immediately, I like to recommend going for a night soak within the Glacier Sizzling Swimming pools. In case you do a heli-hike, entry might be included along with your ticket and you may welcome the soothing water after hours on the ice. And should you do not hike a glacier however do another walks as a substitute, you may nonetheless most likely take pleasure in a superb soak, particularly if it has been a moist day.
Complete driving time immediately: Perhaps an hour or so if you find yourself driving to do a few of these quick hikes
Price: Heli-hikes may be as a lot as $450 NZD; Glacier Sizzling Swimming pools – $28 NZD for the principle swimming pools
The place to remain in Franz Josef: Once more, the Rainforest Retreat, is an effective possibility for campervans (or different kinds of rooms), and Aspen Court is the top-rated motel in Franz Josef.
Day 10 – To Queenstown through Wanaka
In case your glacier heli-hike acquired canceled on Day 9, see should you can reschedule it early on Day 10. If that’s the case, go and get on that ice this morning! In case you went climbing yesterday or the glacier hikes get canceled once more immediately (which might occur!), it is time to transfer on from the West Coast.
From Franz Josef, you may proceed south on Freeway 6 alongside the coast till you get to Haast. From there, you may head inland and go over the Haast Move, which is fairly gorgeous!
When you have time, I like to recommend stopping in Makarora to do the Blue Pools walk. This quick stroll contains traversing via a mature beech and podocarp forest, after which crossing two suspension bridges to see the attractive clear blue swimming pools.
(And I can say from expertise that even when it is raining and even when the swimming pools aren’t blue as a result of there’s been flooding within the space lately, this hour-long hike continues to be very fairly!)
From the Blue Swimming pools, you may quickly be driving alongside the northern finish of Lake Wanaka, adopted by the west aspect of Lake Hawea. These lakes are completely stunning, and you may undoubtedly need to pull over at at the least just a few of the viewpoints for some images.
Whether or not you are coming straight from Franz Josef or have spent your morning and afternoon stopping for hikes and viewpoints, I like to recommend stopping within the lakeside city of Wanaka for some sightseeing and dinner.
Wanaka has develop into Instagram-famous in recent times for each its Roy’s Peak hike, and for That Wanaka Tree, which grows out of the lake.
You will not have the ability to hike to Roy’s Peak in simply a few hours, however on the very least it’s best to have time to walk alongside the lakeshore and see the Wanaka Tree, after which head again to town middle for dinner (there are many good eating places to select from).
From Wanaka, it is slightly over an hour to Queenstown.
In case you’re touring within the late spring, summer season, or early autumn, I like to recommend taking the Crown Vary Highway to Queenstown. The highway takes you over a twisty mountain go, however provides you unimaginable views as you head down into Queenstown. (I do not suggest taking this highway within the winter, although, should you’re not comfy driving on doubtlessly snowy/icy roads.)
Complete driving time immediately: 5 hours
Price: None, except you are doing all of your heli-hike immediately
The place to remain in Queenstown:
- In case you’re campervanning it, my choose is the Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park, which is situated simply outdoors of Queenstown in Arthurs Level. This vacation park has very good services, and better of all has a shuttle to/from downtown Queenstown. It may be very difficult to seek out parking in Queenstown, so I like to recommend making the most of this service!
- In case you’re renting a automobile, I like to recommend staying proper in downtown Queenstown – however know you are seemingly going to need to pay further for parking. My high picks are the Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Remarkables Park for a extra budget-friendly possibility, or the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa should you’re trying to splurge.
RELATED: Travel Guide: Top Things to See and Do in Queenstown
Day 11 – Queenstown
We’re dedicating immediately to Queenstown, New Zealand’s “journey capital.” How a lot journey you are up for completely relies on your price range and most popular quantity of adrenaline, however I will lay out just a few choices that I take into account to be must-dos for you.
If you are going to courageous a bungee bounce in New Zealand, that is the place you need to do it. Industrial bungee jumping was “invented” proper right here in Queenstown, and I like to recommend the Kawarau Bridge as the perfect first-bungee spot (that is really the place the primary business bounce came about within the Nineteen Eighties).
You may both drive out to the bungee web site your self, or get a free journey from The Station in downtown Queenstown (I like to recommend reserving forward and taking the free shuttle from city).
After your bounce, why not maintain the adrenaline flowing? The opposite must-do in Queenstown is jet boating, which was additionally invented right here. Jet boats use know-how just like jet skis/seadoos to skim excessive of water, that means they’ll function within the shallow rivers discovered within the south of New Zealand.
The most effective introduction to jet boating comes from the Shotover Jet, which operates on the Shotover River and travels via the slender Shotover Canyon. This can be a tremendous quick and tremendous enjoyable journey. (Book in advance here.)
(And if bungee leaping and jet boating are slightly *too* adventurous for you? One other nice possibility in Queenstown is to sail on the historic TSS Earnslaw ship throughout Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Excessive Nation Station for lunch. Book that tour here.)
After this, I like to recommend taking a while to discover downtown Queenstown. This resort city on the shore of Lake Wakatipu is tremendous cute it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you are visiting. Chances are you’ll need to take the Skyline Gondola up the mountain for the most effective views out over town.
This night, courageous the crowds to strive a huge burger from the well-known Fergburger. (Or, order on-line for pickup and keep away from having to attend in line.)
Complete driving time immediately: Doubtlessly 0 should you benefit from free shuttles
Price: Kawarau Bridge bungee – $205 NZD per grownup; Shotover Jet – $149 per individual; Skyline Gondola – $46 NZD for simply the gondola
The place to remain in Queenstown: The Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park for campervans, and the Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Remarkables Park or the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa should you’ve acquired a daily automobile.
Price range tip: As you should have realized by now, New Zealand isn’t a really low cost place to journey, particularly if you wish to take part in all these journey actions. A technique you may doubtlessly get monetary savings (different than simply skipping the dear stuff) is to begin scouting bookeme.co.nz earlier than your journey to see should you can rating extremely discounted tickets to among the dearer actions.
Day 12 – Milford Sound
At this time it’s best to head out to New Zealand’s #1 vacationer attraction: Milford Sound. This mis-named fjord is beautiful in any climate, and is an absolute must-do to your first journey to New Zealand.
You could have a number of choices on the subject of visiting Milford Sound in simply at some point.
- You may self-drive to avoid wasting cash.
- You may guide a round-trip bus tour from Queenstown.
- You may fly to/from Milford Sound from Queenstown.
I really suggest a mixture of these choices.
Whereas self-driving is the most cost effective, the drive is lengthy (roughly 5 hours every manner), and the roads may be difficult if the climate is unhealthy. Additionally, should you’re driving, you will not have the ability to correctly benefit from the epic surroundings alongside the Milford Highway via Fiordland Nationwide Park!
I like to recommend taking the bus a method and flying the opposite. This fashion you get to see the Milford Highway AND the Southern Alps from the air, and it means you will not spend as much as 12 hours on a bus in at some point. (Book a tour like this here.)
When you get to Milford Sound, you may cruise on the well-known fjord on a medium-sized boat for as much as 2 hours, taking within the towering cliffs and hovering waterfalls.
You might also have the ability to spot wildlife like New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and perhaps even little blue penguins.
In case you handle to hit a transparent day, flying again from Milford Sound over the snowy Southern Alps is nothing wanting magical. (Although word that Milford Sound sees way more wet days per 12 months than sunny ones!)
RELATED: New Zealand Fjord Smackdown: Milford Sound vs Doubtful Sound
In case you do the coach-cruise-fly possibility and get again earlier than dinnertime, it additionally means that you could slot in yet one more particular factor in Queenstown. Contemplate reserving a personal scorching tub on the Onsen Sizzling Swimming pools out at Arthurs Level tonight. This was one of many extra romantic issues my husband and I did on our New Zealand honeymoon!
Complete driving time immediately: 10 hours should you drive to Milford Sound your self
Price: Milford bus journey with cruise and included lunch – wherever from $165-$245 NZD; Onsen Sizzling Swimming pools – $165 NZD for two adults within the night (you MUST guide this one far upfront, because it’s tremendous standard!)
The place to remain in Queenstown: Once more, the Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park is sweet for campervans, and the Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Remarkables Park or the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa are good should you’ve acquired a daily automobile.
Day 13 – Central Otago and Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner
Many individuals select to finish their New Zealand highway journeys in Queenstown, however I feel you would be lacking out on top-of-the-line elements of the South Island should you had been to cease now. At this time you are going to drive via the small cities of Central Otago, finally ending up at New Zealand’s tallest mountain: Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner.
From Queenstown, you may head again out in the direction of the Kawarau Gorge (the place you might have gone bungee leaping on Day 11) after which proceed on Freeway 8. Some locations you would possibly need to cease alongside the best way embody Cromwell to see the city’s big fruit, and on the viewpoints on the Lindis Move.
Finally you may attain Twizel and Lake Pukaki, which is the place you would possibly get an superior glimpse of Aoraki. Lake Pukaki is a glacially-fed lake, and the colour of it’s virtually all the time a milky-blue.
You may drive alongside Lake Pukaki till you attain Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner Village.
This drive does not really take that lengthy, so this afternoon I like to recommend occurring a brief hike close by. My choose is the Hooker Valley Track, which is a comparatively flat and simple path that takes you to the iceberg-filled Hooker Lake. On a transparent day, you may have views of Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner virtually the entire manner.
The hike takes 3-4 hours, making it an ideal afternoon stroll.
Complete driving time immediately: 3.5 hours
Price: None
The place to remain in Aoraki/Mount Prepare dinner Village: There aren’t a ton of choices on this tiny village. If you wish to camp, there is a Division of Conservation web site with good views and fundamental services referred to as the White Horse Hill campsite. In case you’re on the lookout for a resort right here, probably the most iconic one is The Hermitage Hotel.
Day 14 – To Christchurch
At this time you may be heading to Christchurch, the most important metropolis on New Zealand’s South Island. Get an early begin this morning so you can also make some stops alongside the best way.
The principle must-see cease is Lake Tekapo, one other mountain-fed lake that’s usually a milky-blue shade. From mid-November till the New Yr, you’ll find 1000’s of lupins blooming on the shores right here.
When you get to Christchurch, there’s a lot to discover. Despite the fact that town middle continues to be exhibiting the results of the destruction of two main earthquakes again in 2010 and 2011, enterprise goes on as ordinary in most elements of town.
If the climate is good, undoubtedly take a stroll via the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (and even go punting down the Avon River!). If it is not so good, the Christchurch Artwork Gallery is nice, or you may fake you are going a lot additional south by visiting the Worldwide Antarctic Centre.
You can even simply stroll the streets to buy and spot some cool road artwork.
Complete driving time immediately: 4.5 hours
Price: Worldwide Antarctic Centre – $59 NZD for adults
The place to remain in Christchurch:
Day 15 – Time to move dwelling
It is the tip of your 2-week New Zealand highway journey, and time to move dwelling. Since Christchurch is likely one of the bigger cities in New Zealand and has a global airport, it is easy to drop off your rental automobile or campervan right here after which catch a flight. You may most likely fly again to Auckland earlier than connecting in a foreign country.
Be ready, although, that you’re going to already be including issues to your “subsequent time” record earlier than your aircraft even takes off! One New Zealand journey isn’t sufficient.
Remember you may get a printable model of this itinerary (with a packing guidelines) here!
When you have extra time…
Like I discussed already, two weeks is not almost sufficient time to completely discover New Zealand. Placing this itinerary collectively was extraordinarily tough, as a result of I needed to lower out some superb locations with a view to make room for much more superb locations.
BUT, in case you have greater than 2 weeks to highway journey round New Zealand, listed here are some extra locations I additionally extremely suggest visiting.
1. Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula lies to the southeast of Auckland on the North Island, and is understood for its nice seashores and native forests. Right here you may dig your individual scorching tub at low tide at Sizzling Water Seaside, do a morning hike to the well-known Cathedral Cove*, stroll alongside an outdated mining railway path in Karangaheke Gorge, plus rather more.
If the climate cooperates, one of many extra standard issues to do is to kayak to Cathedral Cove from Hahei, or take a boat cruise here.
*Observe: As of late 2023, Cathedral Cove stays closed resulting from an ongoing rockfall; examine for updates earlier than you propose to go to.
How lengthy to spend: 1 or 2 nights
The place so as to add it in: It is a 2.5-hour drive from Auckland, so I’d make this your Day 3/4, and proceed on to Hobbiton and Rotorua afterwards.
The place to remain: For tenting, I appreciated the Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, which is inside strolling distance to Sizzling Water Seaside. If you need a resort, take a look at the Beachfront Resort, the top-rated resort within the city of Whitianga that’s certainly proper on the seashore.
2. Tongariro Nationwide Park
Tongariro Nationwide Park is New Zealand’s oldest nationwide park and likewise a twin World Heritage web site. Right here you may discover three of the nation’s most well-known volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu, together with the most well-liked day hike in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
In case you’re a hiker in any respect, then doing the Tongariro Crossing ought to undoubtedly be in your to-do record. This 19.4-kilometer trek is pretty difficult, however provides up superb surroundings of the Purple Crater, Emerald Lakes, and Mount Ngauruhoe (which was Mount Doom within the Lord of the Rings motion pictures).
I like to recommend permitting two days to do this hike, as unhealthy climate usually makes the observe harmful and/or not price doing (for my part) since you may’t see something.
The place so as to add it in: Between Rotorua and Wellington
What number of days: 2 or 3 nights
The place to remain: Elliot and I spent two nights tenting on the Plateau Lodge (which provides a shuttle for the Tongariro Crossing). When our deliberate climbing day acquired rained out, we went and had afternoon tea at Chateau Tongariro, which is likely one of the nicer inns within the space.
3. Abel Tasman Nationwide Park
One other nationwide park price visiting in case you have the additional time is Abel Tasman National Park on the high of the South Island. This nationwide park could also be New Zealand’s smallest, however it’s undoubtedly one of the crucial memorable.
Abel Tasman is understood for its stunning seashores and climbing trails – a preferred exercise is to mix climbing and kayaking alongside the coast in case you have at the least one full day to spend right here. (Scenic cruises are additionally obtainable.)
The place so as to add it in: The day after you are taking the ferry from Wellington
What number of days: 1 or 2 nights
The place to remain: We beloved the Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park not removed from Abel Tasman for our campervan. For these on the lookout for inns, take a look at the Split Apple Lodge.
4. Kaikoura
Additional up the east coast of the South Island lies Kaikoura, a small seaside city that actually packs a punch on the subject of marine wildlife. As a result of there is a deep sea trench not far off the coast from Kaikoura, you may see marine life like whales, dolphins, and seals just about year-round right here. (Together with whale watching, you may additionally swim with wild dolphins and get up close with fur seals.)
I additionally love Kaikoura as a result of it is a spot the place the mountains meet the ocean, which I all the time discover actually stunning.
RELATED: 4 Reasons You Should Visit Kaikoura, New Zealand
The place so as to add it in: After Christchurch, because it’s about 2 hours up the coast to the north
What number of days: 2 nights
The place to remain: For tenting, go for the Kaikoura Top 10 Holiday Park. For different lodging, take a look at the Kaikoura Boutique Hotel or the Bendamere House Bed and Breakfast.
Different superb spots I have been to that did not make it into this itinerary embody: Northland and the Bay of Islands; Mount Taranaki; the Southern Scenic Route; Mount Aspiring Nationwide Park; Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula; and Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula.
There are just too many superb locations to see in New Zealand! I’ve visited the nation many occasions and nonetheless have not seen/carried out all the things I’ve wished to!
However hopefully this helps you get a superb begin on planning your individual excellent New Zealand highway journey itinerary, even should you solely have 2 weeks in New Zealand.
READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Campervan Road Trip in New Zealand
Extra important data
Have you ever ever carried out a highway journey in New Zealand? If not, are you able to plan one now?
Pin it for later:
