New Zealand road trip itinerary

Our recommended itineraries, including the must-see sites, stays and activities across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

Updated Aug 3, 2021

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We’ve got three hand-curated New Zealand road trip itineraries ranging from one to two weeks for the ultimate New Zealand holiday.

From mountains to the coast, skydiving to kayaking and wine tasting to movie locations, these itineraries pack it all into easy-to-navigate trips for first-timers in New Zealand.

Searching for trips of just the North or South Island?

View our recommended South Island road trip itineraries

Recommended New Zealand itineraries based on length

3-day Rotorua to Gisborne itinerary
4-day Cape Reinga itinerary
4-day Auckland to Wellington itinerary
5-day Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula itinerary
1-week New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound
10-day New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound
2-week New Zealand itinerary

3-day Rotorua to Gisborne itinerary

Itinerary overview

Distance: 774km, round trip
Highlights and attractions: Tauranga Bridge, National Arboretum, sunrise and wine tasting in Gisborne, Tolaga Bay Wharf, East Cape Lighthouse, White Island
Landscape: Winding hillsides, lakes, coastal and forest views
Recommended vehicle type: Economy to large car

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 270km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 45 minutes	Rotorua to Gisborne Head out early from Rotorua with a quick stop at Whakatane War Memorial Hall or Tauranga Bridge to stretch your legs. Spend the day doing your choice of wine tasting, a walk through the National Arboretum or a surf with the locals.
Day 2 Distance: 305km Approx. drive time: 5 hours 15 minutes	Gisborne to Te Kaha Set your alarm clock for sunrise and be among the first in the world to see in the new day. Today is all about the journey as you wind your way around the East Cape. Jump off New Zealand's longest pier at Tolaga Bay Wharf, visit Tikitiki Church and then take a walk to East Cape Lighthouse, the country's most easterly point. Settle into the small beachside community of Te Kaha for the night.
Day 3 Distance: 199km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 45 minutes	Te Kaha to Rotorua Head straight for Opotoki where you can try your hand at fishing or kayaking. Take a trip to White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano where you might be lucky to spot dolphins and whales.

Day

Itinerary

Day 1

Distance: 270km

Approx. drive time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Rotorua to Gisborne

Head out early from Rotorua with a quick stop at Whakatane War Memorial Hall or Tauranga Bridge to stretch your legs.
Spend the day doing your choice of wine tasting, a walk through the National Arboretum or a surf with the locals.

Day 2

Distance: 305km

Approx. drive time: 5 hours 15 minutes

Gisborne to Te Kaha

Set your alarm clock for sunrise and be among the first in the world to see in the new day.
Today is all about the journey as you wind your way around the East Cape.
Jump off New Zealand's longest pier at Tolaga Bay Wharf, visit Tikitiki Church and then take a walk to East Cape Lighthouse, the country's most easterly point.
Settle into the small beachside community of Te Kaha for the night.

Day 3

Distance: 199km

Approx. drive time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Te Kaha to Rotorua

Head straight for Opotoki where you can try your hand at fishing or kayaking.
Take a trip to White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano where you might be lucky to spot dolphins and whales.

Accommodation recommendations

4-day Cape Reinga itinerary

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 951km, round trip
- Highlights and attractions: Piroa Falls, Waipu Caves, Bay of Islands, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga lighthouse, Te Paki Sand Dunes, Waipoua Kauri Forest, Kauri Museum
- Landscape: Long coastlines, ancient kauri forests, giant sand dunes, white sand beaches
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy, large car or 4WD for beach driving

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 245km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 55 minutes	Auckland to Paihia Set out from Auckland early so you have plenty of time to stop along the way. If you've got young ones, a stop at Sheepworld is worthwhile, otherwise head north to Piroa Falls to stretch your legs or have a dip if you're game. Next stop, Waipu Caves to spot glowworms. Make sure you have a torch! Spend some time at stunning Whangarei Falls before your last quirky stop at artsy Hundertwasser Toilets. Get some rest at Paihia, the main town in the Bay of Islands.
Day 2 Distance: 92km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes	Paihia to Karikari Peninsula Spend the day exploring the Bay of Islands with a visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, historic Russell, Haururu Falls, Opua Forest Lookout, Flagstaff Hill or get out on the water. Head to the Karikari Peninsula for the night with a stop at Kerikeri Mission Station and Rainbow Falls if you have time.
Day 3 Distance: 261km Approx. drive time: 4 hours	Karikari Peninsula to Cape Reinga to Kaitaia To make the most of your round-trip drive to Cape Reinga take your pick of stops there and back as you make your way to the famous lighthouse at the top of New Zealand. Choose from popular sights like 90 Mile Beach, Gumdiggers Park, Rarawa Beach and Te Paki Sand Dunes. Settle into Kaitaia for the night.
Day 4 Distance: 353km Approx. drive time: 5 hours 35 minutes	Kaitaia to Auckland Take the Hokianga Vehicle Ferry over to Opononi Village for brekkie and to start your drive down the west coast. Take a walk through the Waipoua Kauri Forest to check out the huge kauri trees. Have a well-earned break at the Kauri Museum before making your way to Auckland.

4-day Auckland to Wellington itinerary

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 867km
- Highlights and attractions: Hobbiton, hot springs at Rotorua, sunset at Lake Taupo, Waipunga Falls, wine tasting around Hawkes Bay, Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
- Landscape: Rolling farmlands, dairy pastures, wineries, geothermal landmarks and mountain passes
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy to large car

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 266km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 40 minutes	Auckland to Rotorua Start in Auckland and head to Hamilton Gardens for a stroll through 18 different themed gardens. Have a picnic or morning tea at Lake Karapiro along the Waikato River. Lord of the Rings fans should make the 30-minute detour for Hobbiton on the way south. The small town of Tirau is great if you need one more stop before you hit Rotorua for the night.
Day 2 Distance: 87km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes	Rotorua to Taupo Take your pick of adrenaline-fueled activities or relaxing in natural hot springs for the day. Fit in time to discover the region's rich indigenous history at the Mitai Maori village. Drive one hour south to catch the sunset over Lake Taupo, stopping at Wai-O-Tapu and Craters of the Moon on the way.
Day 3 Distance: 141km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 50 minutes	Taupo to Napier This stretch of the drive is all about the scenery with a nice easy stop at Waipunga Falls Lookout around halfway. Take some time to drive through the historical town of Eskdale before settling into Napier. Spend the afternoon visiting local wineries, cycling the trails or head to Cape Kidnappers to spot gannets.
Day 4 Distance: 373km Approx. drive time: 5 hours	Napier to Wellington Start off early to make the most of your last driving day with a stop in Woodville for some antique hunting. Animal lovers will enjoy some time at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre to see the world's only white kiwi in captivity. A short detour to Stonehenge Aotearoa is worth it if you have the time or take a break in Greytown for some gourmet eats. Colonial Martinborough is a must to visit the boutique wineries in the area before you reach Wellington.

Accommodation recommendations

5-day Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula itinerary

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 647km, round trip
- Highlights and attractions: Fletcher Bay, Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Opoutere, Whiritoa, Karangahake Gorge
- Landscape: Remote beaches, river valleys, harbourside towns, native forests
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy to large car

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 168km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 25 minutes	Auckland to Coromandel Head south from Auckland with a stop in Thames for any last-minute supplies. Spend the day adjusting to the slower pace of things in Coromandel with a scenic walk along the Coastal Walkway. Spend your first night in the town where New Zealand's first gold was discovered.
Day 2 Distance: 146km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 40 minutes	Coromandel to Matarangi You'll want an early start today to really enjoy all the sights in the northern tip of the peninsula. Drive up the coastal road to view the beautiful and remote beaches starting off in Port Jackson and ending in Fletcher Bay. Head back towards Coromandel and across to Matarangi through some stunning forest and breathtaking views of the Coromandel Range.
Day 3 Distance: 70km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes	Matarangi to Hahei Take it easy today with some natural sights, starting with a stop for breakfast and a dip at Whitianga. From here, if it's low tide, head to Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own little hot tub. Afterwards, go for a hike or paddle to Cathedral Cove before settling into Hahei for the night.
Day 4 Distance: 67km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 5 minutes	Hahei to Whangamata Start your day with one more hike before heading south to the harbour town of Tairua. Spend most of the day in Opoutere, relaxing in one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. End in Whangamata and try to catch the last wave of the day.
Day 5 Distance: 196km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 45 minutes	Whangamata to Auckland Start off in Whiritoa where you can sample another of the peninsula's best beaches. Take some time to explore Waihi, an important gold mining town. Take a detour to Waihi Beach for your last taste of the coast with some good coastal walks to stretch your legs. Historic Karangahake Gorge is the last stop before arriving in Auckland, where you can explore the walkways and old tunnels or cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail.

Accommodation recommendations

1-week New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 2,258km
- Highlights and attractions: Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Queenstown, Milford Sound
- Landscape: Mountains, glaciers, coastal, lakes
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized/sedan (recommended for winter)

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 228km Approx. drive time: 2 hours and 50 minutes	Auckland to Rotorua Hit the road early in the direction of Rotorua Stop in Matamata to take a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set Once in Rotorua relax in one of the geothermal pools Spend the evening enjoying a cultural Maori show Stay for the night
Day 2 Distance: 82km Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Rotorua to Taupo Head straight to Taupo, NZ’s largest lake Explore the lake by sailing, kayaking or jet boat If time permits you can even skydive Stay for the night
Day 3 Distance: 371km Approx. drive time: 4 hours and 40 minutes	Taupo to Wellington Drive south on Desert Road to the Kapiti Coast and then Wellington It’s a long drive so head out early In the evening, check out the Te Papa Museum Stay for the night
Day 4 Distance: 431km Approx. drive time: 7 hours and 50 minutes (includes 3-hour ferry from North to South Island)	Wellington to Punakaiki Catch the early morning ferry to Picton then head straight to the west coast Make a picturesque stop at Lake Rotoiti Continue along the Great Coast Road to Punakaiki In the evening, do the short Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk Stay for a night
Day 5 Distance: 503km Approx. drive time: 6.5 hours	Punakaiki to Wanaka Get going early for another long drive today Make your first stops at Franz Josef Glacier where you can enjoy the hot springs, heli hike or do the Glacier Valley Walk To see both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier do a helicopter flight with landings on both Make your next stop at Lake Wanaka to see the Blue Pools (1-hour hike) Stay for the night in Wanaka
Day 6 Distance: 68km Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Wanaka to Queenstown It’s a quick drive to Queenstown but you only have one day so get going early Your options are: wine tasting, bungee jumping, Lord of the Rings film locations, skydiving, skiing/snowboarding and more Stay in Queenstown
Day 7 Distance: 575km Approx. drive time: 7.5 hours (if driving yourself)	Milford Sound Opt to drive or do a day trip to Milford Sound Stay a second night in Queenstown

10-day North Island loop itinerary

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 1,797km
- Highlights and attractions: Coromandel Peninsula, Opoutere, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Martinborough wine tasting, Cape Palliser, Wellington, Tawhiti Museum, Waitomo Caves
- Landscape: Thermal parks, remote beaches, pine forests, winelands and lakes
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy to large car

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 217km Approx. drive time: 3 hours	Auckland to Whitianga Spend the day exploring the best of the Coromandel Peninsula. Stop into Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove before spending the night in the popular resort town of Whitianga.
Day 2 Distance: 174km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 40 minutes	Whitianga to Tauranga Head south to Tauranga with a stop in the beach town of Opoutere, the scenic playground of Whangamata and the historic mining city of Waihi. Stay overnight in Tauranga.
Day 3 Distance: 83km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 15 minutes	Tauranga to Rotorua Indulge in some food and wine tasting or a day at the spa before setting off towards Rotorua. Stop in either Te Puke or Okere Falls before settling in for the night.
Day 4 Distance: 83km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes	Rotorua to Taupo Spend a day or two experiencing all the cultural and natural activities on offer including Hangi and Maori performances and geothermal marvels. Take the short drive to Taupo with a stop at Huka Falls on the way.
Day 5 Distance: 141km Approx. drive time: 2 hours	Taupo to Napier Taupo's abundance of natural activities alongside New Zealand's largest lake should have you set for most of the day. Save some time for the popular Maori rock carving site before heading to Napier for the evening.
Day 6 Distance: 274km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 25 minutes	Napier to Martinborough Once you've explored Napier, head south to Martinborough with optional stops at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre and Stonehenge Aotearoa. Base yourself here for some wine tasting or a day trip to the stunning Cape Palliser.
Day 7 Distance: 81km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 10 minutes	Martinborough to Wellington You could spend days exploring the galleries and museums of Wellington and you should if you have time! Lord of the Rings fans can take a guided tour of famous shooting locations and animal lovers should visit Zealandia.
Day 8 Distance: 361km Approx. drive time: 4 hours 40 minutes	Wellington to New Plymouth Head out early from Wellington, stopping by the Kapiti Coast, Bason Botanical Garden, Tawhiti Museum and New Plymouth where you'll spend the night.
Day 9 Distance: 180km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 25 minutes	New Plymouth to Waitomo Take a walk through the Egmont National Park before setting off to Waitomo. Alternatively, a quick detour and a spare five hours mean you can hike the Whitecliffs Walkway.
Day 10 Distance: 203km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 40 minutes	Waitomo to Auckland A cave tour in Waitomo is a must before leaving for the day. Auckland is not too far off and a stop at Hamilton Gardens is a good place to stretch your legs halfway.

Accommodation recommendations

10-day New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound

Itinerary overview

Distance: 2,418km
Highlights and attractions: Bay of Islands, Hobbiton Movie Set, Mount Cook, Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound
Landscape: Islands, coastal, mountains, glaciers, lakes
Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized/sedan (recommended for winter)

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 455km Approx. drive time: 6 hours	Auckland Take a day trip before you begin your journey south to the Bay of Islands Head to Paihia for a half-day Bay of Islands tour Another option is to do a trip to the Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms In the evening, enjoy dinner on a harbour cruise Stay for 1 night
Day 2 Distance: 250km Approx. drive time: 2.5 hours	Auckland to Rotorua Head south to Rotorua with a stop in Matamata to tour the Hobbiton Movie Set In Rotorua in the evening, relax in one of the geothermal pools or watch a cultural Maori show Stay for the night
Day 3 Distance: 82km Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Rotorua to Taupo Drive to Taupo, NZ’s largest lake See the lake by sailing, kayaking or jet boat Go skydiving if time allows Stay for 1 night
Day 4 Distance: 141km Approx. drive time: 2 hours	Taupo to Napier Drive straight to Napier to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in one of NZ’s best regions Stay for a night
Day 5 Distance: 321km Approx. drive time: 4 hours	Napier to Wellington After a half-day drive enjoy the sites of Wellington on a hop-on, hop-off city tour Stay for the night
Day 6 Distance: 439km Approx. drive time: 8 hours and 15 minutes	Wellington to Christchurch Take the early morning ferry from Picton Continue to Christchurch and join a city tour Stay for the night
Day 7 Distance: 380km Approx. drive time: 4 hours and 50 minutes	Christchurch to Franz Josef Head south to Queenstown, making a stop at Mount Cook to do the Hooker Valley trail (4–5 hours) Continue to Franz Josef to enjoy the hot springs Stay for 1 night
Day 8 Distance: 350km Approx. drive time: 4 hours and 40 minutes	Franz Josef to Queenstown Do a heli hike or Glacier Valley Walk to see Franz Josef Glacier To see both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier do a helicopter flight with landings on both Continue to Queenstown for the night
Day 9 Distance: 0km Approx. drive time: 0	Queenstown Opt to spend the day doing adventure activities: bungee jumping, skydiving, skiing/snowboarding and more Or do a half-day of wine tasting Stay another night in Queenstown
Day 10 Distance: 575km Approx. drive time: 7.5 hours (if driving yourself)	Queenstown to Milford Sound Do a day trip to Milford Sound Stay a third night in Queenstown

Accommodation recommendations

2-week New Zealand itinerary

Itinerary overview

Distance: 2,814km
Highlights and attractions: Coromandel Peninsula, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set, Tongariro National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Franz Josef Glacier, Queenstown, Milford Sound
Landscape: Coastal, mountains, lakes, glaciers, islands
Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized/sedan (recommended for winter)

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 168km Approx. drive time: 2 hours and 20 minutes	Auckland to Hahei Head southeast then north to the Coromandel Peninsula to see Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach or drive yourself Stay for 1 night
Day 2 Distance: 237km Approx. drive time: 2.5 hours	Hahei to Waitomo Break up your drive to Waitomo with a stop halfway at Karangahake for a hike Continue to Waitomo to explore the Glowworm Caves Stay for the night
Day 3 Distance: 178km Approx. drive time: 2.5 hours	Waitomo to Rotorua In the morning, try caving through the Glowworm Caves Depart to Rotorua with stops at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata and at the Arapuni Swing Bridge Once in Rotorua catch a cultural Maori show Stay for one night
Day 4 Distance: 88km Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Rotorua to Taupo Spend most of the day in Rotorua checking out the thermal park or whitewater rafting Afterwards, head to Taupo for an afternoon of sailing or kayaking on the lake Stay overnight in Taupo
Day 5 Distance: 60km (if not taking the shuttle) Approx. drive time: 50 minutes	Taupo (Tongariro National Park) Opt to drive or take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park to tackle one of NZ’s Great Walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Spend a second night in Taupo if you take the shuttle or stay in Tongariro if driving yourself
Day 6 Distance: 331km (372km from Taupo) Approx. drive time: 4 hours (4 hours and 45 minutes from Taupo)	Tongariro National Park (Taupo) to Wellington It’s a half-day drive to Wellington so break it up with stops in Ohakune for more hiking or biking and along the Kapiti Coast at beaches Once in Wellington take a city tour Stay for 1 night
Day 7 Distance: 210km Approx. drive time: 5 hours and 20 minutes	Wellington to Nelson Get going early so you have time for activities Stop in Havelock for a boat cruise to see the Marlborough Sounds or kayak down Pelorus River (a filming location for The Hobbit) Or drive straight to Nelson to do a relaxing half-day winery tour Stay for the night
Day 8 Distance: 131km Approx. drive time: 2 hours and 10 minutes	Nelson (Abel Tasman National Park) Spend a full day in Abel Tasman National Park exploring by cruising and walking, kayaking and walking or biking and kayaking Stay in Nelson for a second night
Day 9 Distance: 265km Approx. drive time: 3.5 hours	Nelson to Punakaiki On your way to Punakaiki make a short detour to Nelson Lakes National Park to complete a short hike around one of the lakes Once in Punakaiki do the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk or do part of the Paparoa Track (one of NZ’s Great Walks) Stay for the night
Day 10 Distance: 217km Approx. drive time: 2 hours and 50 minutes	Punakaiki to Franz Josef Drive to Franz Josef and experience the glacier by heli hike, a Glacier Valley Walk, kayak by the glacier or see it from a scenic helicopter flight In the evening relax at the hot springs Stay for 1 night
Day 11 Distance: 286km Approx. drive time: 3 hours and 40 minutes	Franz Josef to Wanaka On your way to Wanaka make stops at Thunder Creek Falls and do a short hike to the Blue Pools along the Haast Pass Once in Wanaka join a photo safari, explore Lake Wanaka by kayak or just chill out Stay for 1 night
Days 12 and 13 Distance: 68km Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Wanaka to Queenstown For your first day in Queenstown try out some adventure activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, zip-lining, the Nevis Swing or skiing/snowboarding On your second day go wine tasting or check out some Lord of the Rings filming locations Stay for 2 nights
Day 14 Distance: 575km (if not doing the tour) Approx. drive time: 7.5 hours	Milford Sound Drive yourself or take a day trip to Milford Sound Return to Queenstown for a third and final night

Other popular driving routes in New Zealand

North Island: Manawatu Scenic Route (Mangaweka to Ashurst)

How long is the drive? 94 km
How long do I need? One to two days including stops for hikes
Must-sees along the way: Rangiwahia Hut Track, Pohangina Valley, Manawatu River

The route from Mangaweka to Ashurst on New Zealand's North Island takes you past ancient native bushland, gorges, gardens and natural swimming spots. You can be as lazy or as active as you like on this journey. Soak up the views from the car window or park up to tackle hikes like the hilly Rangiwahia Hut Track.

South Island: The Great Alpine Highway (Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass)

How long is the drive? 245 km
How long do I need? Three days
Must-sees along the way: Christchurch, Arthur's Pass National Park, Greymouth

This 245-kilometre route snakes its way from coast to coast on New Zealand's South Island, taking you through national parks, past mirror-like lakes and via extensive forests.

Take a break to go punting on the Avon River in Canterbury and don't miss Arthur's Pass National Park, a mesh of shingle-filled riverbeds and vast beech forests.

North Island: The Forgotten World Highway (Taumarunui to Stratford)

How long is the drive? 150 km
How long do I need? Three days
Must-sees along the way: Taumarunui, Mount Damper Falls, Whangamomona, Stratford

On the map, the line of this road looks like it's been drawn with a shaky hand. It stretches for 150 kilometres between Taumarunui and Stratford in the heart of New Zealand's North Island.

Die-hard road trippers will love the fact that this route follows the colonial bridle paths of the 19th century. It's rugged, twisty and often described as a "natural roller-coaster" of a road.

Need a car? Book a ride now

New Zealand overview

Weather: Weather varies across the two islands with the north of the North Island experiencing a subtropical climate and the South Island having proper winters that reach as cold as -10°C inland. Most of the population and sites are along the coasts which means that temperatures are mild (15°C average for the North Island and 9°C for the South Island). There is a lot of sunshine and moderate rainfall.
Best time to visit: Opt to travel around New Zealand during summer. (December to February) for sightseeing as the weather is warm.
Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized/sedan (recommended for winter)

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Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).

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New Zealand road trip itinerary

Our recommended itineraries, including the must-see sites, stays and activities across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

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Searching for trips of just the North or South Island?

Recommended New Zealand itineraries based on length

3-day Rotorua to Gisborne itinerary

Itinerary overview

Accommodation recommendations

4-day Cape Reinga itinerary

Itinerary overview

4-day Auckland to Wellington itinerary

Itinerary overview

Accommodation recommendations

5-day Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula itinerary

Itinerary overview

Accommodation recommendations

1-week New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound

Itinerary overview

10-day North Island loop itinerary

Itinerary overview

Accommodation recommendations

10-day New Zealand itinerary: Auckland to Milford Sound

Itinerary overview

Accommodation recommendations

2-week New Zealand itinerary

Itinerary overview

Other popular driving routes in New Zealand

North Island: Manawatu Scenic Route (Mangaweka to Ashurst)

Manawatu Scenic Route map

South Island: The Great Alpine Highway (Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass)

The Great Alpine Highway driving route map

North Island: The Forgotten World Highway (Taumarunui to Stratford)

The Forgotten World Highway driving route map

New Zealand overview

Car hire deals in New Zealand

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