North Island, South Island - or both?
New Zealand, with its gorgeous landscapes, snow-capped peaks and unspoiled lakes, is the perfect place for adventure seekers and road-trip enthusiasts. When it comes to New Zealand, the question that we're often asked is about which travel route is the absolute best. The truth is, we have more than one great option - but it all depends on how much time you have on your hands, and how far you want to drive. In this blog, we'll compare our favourite road trips through New Zealand: One for North Island, one for South Island, and one that combines both into a true ''Best off'' itinerary. Buckle up as we explore three unforgettable routes that will leave you spellbound.
Road Trip North Island
- Recommended trip duration: around 3 weeks
- Kilometres on the road: about 2700
Let's start off in the north of New Zealand, with this amazing road trip adventure through the North Island. In around 3 weeks you'll get to explore all the cool spots (and trust us, there are many!) in New Zealand's North Island.
Road Trip South Island
- Recommended trip duration: 3-4 weeks
- Kilometres on the road: about 2700
A road trip on the South Island of New Zealand is a breathtaking experience: mountain ranges, golden beaches, glaciers, rainforests, fjords, extreme sports and whale-watching. Get the ultimate South Island experience on this wonderful road trip!
We start our south island drive in Christchurch, known for its beautiful gardens and vibrant art scene. Explore the Botanic Gardens, walk along the Avon River, and visit the Quake City Museum to learn about the city’s resilience after the devastating earthquake in 2011. Leaving the city behind, you'll stop at plenty of spots (we suggest to do at least Kaikoura for the occasional whale watching,, and the Marlborough Wine Region - because who doesn't like a drink) along the road to Abel Tasman National Park. In this coastal paradise, the golden beaches meet lush forests. Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track, kayak in crystal-clear waters, and spot seals and dolphins along the coast.
Slowly but surely making your way south again, you'll come across the Franz Josef Glacier - a stunning icy wonder. Take a guided glacier hike, soak in the Hot Pools after a long day, and marvel at the icy blue masses staring you in the face. Via Wanaka you'll end up in Milford Sound, which is one of the most mesmerizing places on earth. The fjord here is not only surrounded by snowy mountains (part of the year), but also has rainforests, waterfalls, dolphins and penguin colonies. It's hard to top Milford Sound, but your next stop is exciting, as it's the adventure capital of New Zealand, and maybe even the world! Bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge, practice watersports on Lake Wakatipu, and try paragliding here.
Via Invercargill, you get ready to catch a ferry to Stewart Island, a remote gem. The reason to go all this way, is the Rakiura National Park. Here you get fantastic hiking trails, many, many different birds, and a chance to see the elusive kiwi bird (though we have to admit, this is pretty ffin' hard). After seeing what New Zealand island life is like, there are only a few more stops left on the itinerary, with one of them being Dunedin - known for its Scottish heritage and student life. Visit the Otago Peninsula for albatross colonies, penguins, and stunning coastal views. We can see why the Scots liked it here. For your last stop, head inland to Lake Tekapo, which is so blue it almost hurts your eyes. By day, it's incredibly picturesque, while by night we recommend you to Stargaze at the Dark Sky Reserve. It's a peaceful end to your New Zealand journey, but it will leave you wanting more.
Road Trip North & South Island
- Recommended trip duration: minimum 3 weeks, but we recommend a longer stay!
- Kilometres on the road: about 3700
This epic road trip is basically a greatest hits cocktail of the two itineraries above. We'll guide you through all the best New Zealand's 2 main islands has to offer in three weeks or (preferably) more. We've included some of the most major stops on this route, but if you have more than 3 weeks, there's plenty of more to see along the way - or you can simply choose to linger a little longer.