📷 Karora, Public domain
Road trips in New Zealand
36 road trips and 299 hand-picked places in New Zealand, with routes, stops and practical tips for driving and camping.
- Trip guides
- 36
- Places
- 299
Trip guides
Road trips through New Zealand
Classic American drives
From the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga and back
Themed road trips
The Kauri Coast and Hokianga from Kaikohe to Matakohe
Things to do in…
Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri
Photo by Abdul Hayee on UnsplashRV & family trips
Auckland and the wild Waitākere west coast beaches
Photo by RE Walsh on UnsplashRV & family trips
Auckland to Whangārei by the north-east coast
Classic American drives
The Coromandel Peninsula loop from Thames to Waihī
© Daderot · Public domainThemed road trips
Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan
Things to do in…
Two days along the Bay of Plenty from Waihī to Te Kaha
Classic American drives
The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne
Classic American drives
Rotorua, Taupō and Tongariro: a volcanic plateau road trip
National park loops
Tongariro National Park, Whakapapa and Ōhakune in two days
Things to do in…
Waitomo caves and the SH3 coast road to New Plymouth
National park loops
Around Mt Taranaki on the Surf Highway and mountain roads
RV & family trips
The Forgotten World Highway from Stratford to Taumarunui
Themed road trips
The Whanganui River Road from Whanganui to Ōhakune
Photo by Charlie Charoenwattana on UnsplashThemed road trips
Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers
© Karora · Public domainThemed road trips
Wellington to Wairarapa wine country and Cape Palliser
Things to do in…
Taihape to Wellington through Manawatū and the Kāpiti Coast
Classic American drives
From Picton Through the Marlborough Sounds to Nelson
Photo by Carson Vara on UnsplashClassic American drives
Along SH1 from Picton through Marlborough Wine Country to Kaikōura
National park loops
From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South
© Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany · CC BY 3.0Things to do in…
From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge
Photo by Maximilian Brand on UnsplashThings to do in…
Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge
Classic American drives
Christchurch to Greymouth over Lewis Pass with Hanmer Springs
Photo by Michael Sanchez on UnsplashClassic American drives
Greymouth to Christchurch over Arthur's Pass
© Jens Hilligsøe · CC BY 2.0Themed road trips
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to Akaroa
Things to do in…
From Franz Josef and Fox Glacier to Haast and Jackson Bay
Classic American drives
Mackenzie Country lakes and Aoraki / Mount Cook
Things to do in…
Oamaru to Dunedin along the North Otago coast
Photo by Sulthan Auliya on UnsplashThings to do in…
Dunedin city and the wildlife of Otago Peninsula
© Mattinbgn (talk · contribs) · CC BY 3.0National park loops
The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill
Photo by Denise Jans on UnsplashClassic American drives
Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu
Photo by Ian Ward on UnsplashThings to do in…
Crown Range and Lake Wānaka to Cromwell
© Mattinbgn (talk · contribs) · CC BY 3.0Themed road trips
Along the Otago Central Rail Trail by road
National park loops
Te Anau to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel
Themed road trips
Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island
Editor's picks
Places worth the detour in New Zealand
Views
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Nature
Tāne Mahuta, Waipoua Forest
History
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Nature
Rangitoto Island
Nature
Piha Beach and Lion Rock
Nature
Cathedral Cove
Nature
Hot Water Beach
Nature
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Oddities
Hobbiton Movie Set
Views
East Cape Lighthouse
Nature
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Nature
Huka Falls
Nature
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Nature
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Nature
North Egmont and Mt Taranaki
History
Whangamōmona Hotel
Nature
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony
History
Napier Art Deco Quarter
Views
Te Mata Peak
© Karora · Public domainViews
Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Nature
Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve
History
Te Papa Tongarewa
Nature
Point Kean Seal Colony and Peninsula Walkway
Nature
Marahau and Abel Tasman Coast Track Start
FAQs
What are the best road trips in New Zealand?
Popular routes include From the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga and back, The Kauri Coast and Hokianga from Kaikohe to Matakohe, Three days in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi to Kerikeri and Auckland and the wild Waitākere west coast beaches. CampingSpirit has 36 trip guides that pass through New Zealand, each with a stop-by-stop itinerary and a route map.
Which places in New Zealand are worth a detour?
Our editors recommend Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Tāne Mahuta, Waipoua Forest, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Rangitoto Island, Piha Beach and Lion Rock and Cathedral Cove.