6 of the best road trips in New Zealand

In Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand, which is often translated as ‘the land of the long white cloud’), life moves at a slower pace so taking your time while hitting the wide-open road is the best way to experience it. Meander through mountain ranges and past pancake rocks to wineries and whale-watching spots on New Zealand’s wild South Island, while on the North Island, take a leisurely journey around extinct volcanos to secluded beaches, thermal pools and sea life-packed marine reserves, stopping in characterful rural towns along the way. Here are six of the best road trips to plan in New Zealand.

South Island

1. Christchurch to Fox Glacier via Greymouth and Punakaiki
Best for: glaciers

Starting from Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, head west and witness a dramatic change from the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains to the mountainous high country of the Southern Alps. Pass cascading waterfalls and cheeky kea (large green parrots endemic to the alpine region) as you travel over Arthur’s Pass National Park to reach Greymouth, the West Coast’s biggest town.

Try your hand at panning for gold at Shantytown, before taking a short detour north to Punakaiki to see the self-explanatory Pancake Rocks and the tidal blowholes, which blast sea spray through natural holes in the coastal rock formations. Then, head back south to reach Franz Josef and see its legendary glacier — named by geologist Julius von Haast after an Austrian emperor, the 7.5-mile river of ice is New Zealand’s steepest temperate glacier. Finally, it’s less than a 30-minute drive to its big brother, the 8.1-mile-long Fox Glacier, and nearby Lake Matheson, which reflects the snow-capped mountains on its dark, glass-like surface.

2. Christchurch to Nelson via Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura
Best for: vineyards

Head north from Christchurch through Canterbury’s wine region, its countryside strewn with vineyards and plenty of boutique wineries, such as Pegasus Bay and Terrace Edge. Stay overnight and sample the region’s best libations, before taking a detour inland to Hanmer Springs, an alpine village with tranquil geothermal pools tucked into the thick, green forest. Its zigzagging woodland trails are also popular with hikers and mountain bikers.

After a relaxing dip, take the scenic Inland Road (Route 70), which winds east towards the seaside town of Kaikōura. Stop for a whale- and dolphin-watching boat tour with Whale Watch Kaikōura, before continuing along the coastline to Ohau Point, where hundreds of fur seals can be seen sunbathing on the roadside rocks. From there, it’s less than a 90-minute drive to Blenheim, a sun-soaked town at the heart of balmy Marlborough — New Zealand’s largest wine region, and home to over 160 wineries from world-renowned Cloudy Bay to local Hans Herzog Estate. Then, follow State Highway 6 towards Nelson, gateway to Abel Tasman National Park and its eponymous coast track, where golden-sand beaches and bright blue waters tempt hikers and kayakers.

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3. Queenstown to Dunedin via Te Anau and the Catlins
Best for: fiords

Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, is a great starting point for a southern road trip. If you’re feeling brave, begin with a spine-tingling bungee jump at the famous Kawarau Bridge. Then, it’s around a two-hour drive through the rolling mountains to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Cruise across to the western shore of Lake Te Anau and tour the glittering Glowworm Caves, before making your way to Milford Sound — take a boat cruise to see the tranquil fiord, thundering waterfalls and views of the surrounding peaks at their best.

Next, skirt the rugged south coast and the eastern boundary of Fiordland National Park to New Zealand’s southernmost city, Invercargill. Nearby, try plump, sweet oysters fished from the ice-cold Foveaux Strait in the port town of Bluff. From here, it’s easy to explore the windswept landscapes of The Catlins, including the roaring Purakaunui Falls and the steep headland of Nugget Point Lighthouse, en route to Dunedin. The coastal city is known for its eclectic mix of Māori and Scottish heritage, and is home to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle.

North Island

4. Auckland to Cape Reinga via Waitangi and Bay of Islands
Best for: history

Situated between two harbours, Auckland is built on 48 extinct volcanic cones, which make up the unique, hilly landscape of New Zealand’s largest city. Visit the 1,075ft-tall Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city before driving two hours north to Whangārei, where the coastal Pōhutukawa trees (also known as New Zealand Christmas trees) blaze bright red in summer and Whangārei Heads road skirts wild white-sand beaches.

Make a quick detour northeast to Tutukaka, stopping along the way to see the 85ft-high Otuihau Whangārei Falls cascading over basalt cliffs. The sheltered bay of Tutukaka is the gateway to the Poor Knights Islands — a protected marine reserve with crystal-clear water and colourful sea life. Then, continue northbound to the relaxed town of Paihia at the heart of the subtropical Bay of Islands. Cruise to the outer islands for swimming and dolphin-watching or take a ferry to the romantic township of Russell, New Zealand’s first capital.

Be sure to include a stop at Waitangi on your itinerary. The Treaty of Waitangi that laid out the terms by which New Zealand would become a British colony was signed here in 1840 between the British Crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs — it’s one of New Zealand’s most significant sites to learn about the country’s history and Māori culture. Next, weave through the countryside to reach the very top of New Zealand. From here, follow State Highway 1 to the sandy Ninety Mile Beach and the dramatic cliffs of Cape Reinga.

5. Auckland to Whakatāne via the Coromandel and Tauranga
Best for: beaches

Launch off from Auckland and journey southeast to pioneer-style town Thames, built during New Zealand’s gold rush and now part of one of the country’s top cycle routes, the Hauraki Rail Trail. North of the town, follow the rocky shoreline to the laid-back beaches of the Coromandel peninsula. While beach-hopping around the Coromandel, be sure to stop on the east coast of the peninsula to see the awing archways of Cathedral Cove and dig your own pool at Hot Water Beach, where geothermally heated water bubbles up through the sand.

On your way back down south, pause in sandy Whangamatā for a swim or surf, take a trip to Mayor Island, a dormant volcano rising from the seafloor, or head straight to Tauranga where plenty of opportunities to take a fishing charter, snorkelling excursion or dolphin-watching tour await. Nearby, hike up Mount Maunganui, known locally as ‘The Mount’, for unbeatable ocean views. Drive along the Bay of Plenty coastline to one of the sunniest spots in the country, Whakatāne, where the beachside road is bordered by lush cabbage trees and ferns, and dotted with pick-your-own berry farms.

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6. Wellington to Gisborne via Napier and Wairoa
Best for: culture

On your way north after exploring the museums, brewhouses and cafes of New Zealand’s quirky capital Wellington, pass through a series of rural towns to Napier, known for its 1930s art deco buildings — a devastating earthquake in 1931 lead to the city being rebuilt in the style and the town now hosts an Art Deco Festival each February. From here, hike, cycle or drive up Te Mata Peak for sweeping views of Napier and the Māhia Peninsula. Nearby, walk the Cape Kidnappers track along the beach to a gannet colony.

Next, head north to Wairoa, a rural town that serves as the gateway to the rugged hill country of Te Urewera, where nearly all species of the country’s native birds flit through the greenery. Te Urewera is the first natural feature in New Zealand to be recognised by law as a living person — government ownership of Te Urewera National Park was transferred to its legal guardians, the Tūhoe people, in 2014, while the rainforest was officially documented as its own legal entity.

Finally, drive along the fern-shrouded coastal route from Wairoa towards sunny Gisborne, stopping for a dip at the Morere Hot Springs along the way. Gisborne, known to locals as ‘Gizzy’, is the first city in the world to see the sun each morning in the Southern Hemisphere summer, while the rays hit the peak of Maunga Hikurangi, the sacred mountain of the Ngāti Porou people, even earlier.

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