New Zealand has some wonderful road trip trails that showcase the best that nature has to offer, with pitstops for every kind of traveller.
The best way to discover New Zealand is to take a road trip and make an adventure out of it. The undulating landscape of hills, the scenic rocky coast and the winding mountain roads conspire to create the perfect getaway. Here are three New Zealand road trip itineraries that you can head out on to soak in the landscape of this beautiful country.
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1. Auckland to Cape Reinga
Recommended time: 3 to 4 Days
Some of the best landscapes in New Zealand are located north of Auckland. Head towards the north of Auckland and wind your way down to Paihia, popularly known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands. From Paihia you can drive to the Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga, touching the topmost point of New Zealand.
Suggested itinerary and pitstops
Day 1 – Drive from Auckland to Paihia
Distance – 248 km
Driving time – 3 hours 20 minutes
Pitstops:
• Puhoi
• Whangerei
• Kawakawa
• Paihia
Day 2 – Explore Paihia
Day 3 – Paihia to Cape Reinga
Distance – 212km
Driving time – 2 hours 50 minutes
Pitstops:
• Ancient Kauri Kingdom
• Ninety Mile Beach
• Cape Reinga
Day 4 – Either drive back to Paihia and explore more, or head to back to Auckland.
2. Rotorua to Gisborne
Recommended time: 3 to 4 Days
Rotorua is one of the best off-the-beaten-path routes that you can take. Eastern Rotorua is by and large unexplored by tourists and offers some great views. Drive east to Whakatane town and then head to East Cape towards Gisborne – the place to be for surfing and to see the first sunrise anywhere in the world.
Suggested itinerary and pitstops
Day 1 – Rotorua to Te Kaha
Distance – 195 km
Driving Time – 2 hours 43 minutes
Pitstops:
• Lake Rotoma
• Whakatane
• Opotiki
• Te Kaha
Day 2 – Te Kaha to Tokomaru Bay
Distance – 170 km
Driving Time – 2 hours 30 minutes
Pitstops:
• Te Kaha
• Anglican Church of Raukokore
• Waihau Bay
• East Cape Lighthouse
• Te Araroa
• Tikitiki
• Ruatoria
• Te Puia Springs
• Tokomaru Bay
Day 3 – Tokomaru Bay to Gisborne
Distance – 90.4km
Driving Time – 1 hour 20 minutes
Pitstops:
• Tokomaru Bay
• Anaura Bay
• Tolaga Bay
• Waihau Beach
• Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
Day 4 – Gisborne – Spend day 4 leisurely exploring the lovely town of Gisborne.
3. Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Mount Cook Loop
Recommended time: 4 to 5 Days
Suggested itinerary and pitstops
Day 1 – Set out early in the day and begin driving north-east towards Lake Wanaka
Distance – 55 kms
Driving time – 1 hour
The drive all the way to Lake Wanaka is scenic and quite breath-taking. You may want to consider stopping off at the oldest pub in New Zealand, the Cardrona. Stay the night at Wanaka – you could consider Base Wanaka. Explore Wanaka and indulge in a wide range of sports, including snowboarding and skiing. You can also hire bikes at the long line of rental spaces at the lakefront and go cycling. Hiking up the popular Roy's Peak or heading up to the top of Mount Iron (a short walk) are appealing options too.
Wanaka also has Puzzling World, a great family option, or, if your tastes run to extreme sports, aerobatic flying and skydiving.
Day 2 – Drive north-east to Lake Tekapo
Distance: 255 kms
Driving time: approximately 3 hours
This drive takes you along several winding roads and right though Lindis Pass. You will go past long valleys to the base of the Southern Alps. While on the way to Lake Tekapo, make it a point to stop at Lake Pukaki. Those pristine blue waters are sure to leave some indelible travel memories.
At Lake Tekapo, head to the ice-skating rink or soak in one of the many outdoor hot pools. There is an observatory and you can indulge the inner astronomer in you. Avid trekkers can take the time to hike and explore Mount Cook, the country’s tallest mountain.
Day 3 – Drive to the eastern coastal town of Timaru
Distance – 104.5 kms
Driving time – 1 hour and 15 minutes
The town of Timaru makes for the ideal stopover when on a road trip in this region. Particularly in summer, the beach is inviting and the brunch options plentiful. A little further down the south of the coast you will find the historic town of Oamaru. It almost feels as though you have stepped back in time right into the Victorian Age. The city is lined with cafes and art galleries for you to spend time at. And be sure to visit its famous colony of little blue penguins, which is best visited at night.
Day 4 – Keep driving along the coastline. Make a stop at Moeraki Boulders, which sit in the ocean. This is a great viewing point for giant sea lions.
