10 Different New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries with Maps & Attractions

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This blog includes a list of 10 awesome New Zealand road trip itinerary ideas. I’ve included road trip itineraries for both the South and North Islands, varying by the number of days and places visited. These detailed New Zealand road trip itineraries will help you plan your own self-driven NZ road trip!

Road tripping through New Zealand’s stunning landscapes is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have in the country. It’s both the best way to see New Zealand and likely the cheapest!

Having a home on wheels that takes you wherever you want to go is convenient and easy to do in New Zealand. There are thousands of blogs, apps, and info centers that make it a stress-free experience.

However, there is one stressful part of your New Zealand road trip, and that’s picking the best New Zealand self-drive itinerary that suits your timeframe and budget. It means choosing a route that hits every place you’ve dreamed of visiting and more.

For that reason, I want to list 10 different New Zealand self-drive itineraries (routes) to help plan and inspire your trip of a lifetime! Here are my New Zealand road trip itinerary ideas to help plan your New Zealand road trip.

We’ve done van life for an extended period of time, so we really can share with you the truth about what it’s like living in a van. While there are some pros and cons, the freedom and convenience to get around make it so worth it!

Getting Around for your NZ Road Trip

The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)

You can search for rental cars online in advance to compare car models and prices.

You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too! Check out our review of Motorhome Republic for more info.

Personally, we have rented a campervan from the company called Mad Campers before and had a great experience. Mad Campers is for budget travelers and they offer 1 and 2 berth campervans that are very comfortable and perfect for a road trip in New Zealand! You can read our full Mad Campers review for more info!

We also have a discount code for our readers. Use DTRAVEL5 at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental with Mad Campers!

The only downside to Mad Campers is that they have limited inventory and are often fully booked. JUCY is another campervan company in NZ that we love! They have a huge variety of rental vehicles including car, campervans, and even motorhomes! They also have multiple depot locations across the country that makes pick-up and drop-off a breeze! You can check out all that JUCY has to offer here.

Kiwi Motorhomes is another company we personally recommend, but for motorhomes! They offer luxury motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates. Check out our full review on them as well as more info specific on renting a motorhome in NZ!

Kiwi Motorhomes has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DEST5 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental!

I’m not saying these are the only two good companies out there, because there really are lots! But both of these guys are great value and come approved by us – plus you get a discount!

Now that you have your wheels, all that’s left to do is go over your road trip packing list, pack your bags, and hit the road!

New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries on the South Island

If you only want to explore the South Island of New Zealand, I have created 4 different road trip itineraries below. They range in length of time and route. So, depending on what you want to do and how long you have, you can find an itinerary for you below!

1. A 1-Week South Island Itinerary: 6-8 Days

Start: Queenstown or Christchurch

Duration: Fast-paced=6 days, relaxed=8 days+

Distance: 608km (378mi)/ 8 hours of driving total

The Queenstown to Christchurch 1-week South Island itinerary is the shortest road trip itinerary on this list. It’s short but sweet, hitting some amazing locations along the way.

Some of the highlights along this route are adventure activities and tours in Queenstown, a scenic boat ride in Milford Sound, hiking in Mount Cook National Park, and taking in incredible mountain views!

The stops on this self-drive NZ road trip itinerary are:

• Queenstown
• Wanaka
• Mount Cook Village
• Lake Tekapo
• Christchurch

The great thing about this road trip is that you don’t have to loop back to your starting point and instead book your flights and campervan accordingly. It’s perfect for those who don’t have the time for a long road trip.

In 6 days, you could complete this road trip. However, the pace would be quite fast. In 9 days, you could move at a much slower pace, leaving time to both relax and see some pretty amazing sites. Once you reach your final destination, don’t forget to plan extra time to take some day trips from Christchurch and explore the city itself!

Tip: Be sure to do our favorite tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound, as you won’t want to miss this beautiful spot. This tour is on a smaller boat, meaning a more personal experience. On top of that, you’ll stop at all the best places to see on the way to Milford Sound. Oh, and don’t forget all of the amazing things to do and see in Milford!

The drive to Milford is quite long and if this is your first time, I highly recommend taking a tour. The road is pretty narrow and windy, and the views are too good to miss out on! Plus, it takes care of your Milford tour, so it makes the entire day seamless. This experience is $274 NZD and worth every penny in my book!

Book our favorite Queenstown to Milford tour here with FREE cancellation options.

However, if you’re short on time, consider doing our favorite fly, cruise, fly tour. This tour has you skipping the 3.5-hour drive each way to and from Milford Sound and soaring above Fiordland National Park on a small passenger plane. You’ll get amazing views, still get to enjoy a cruise in Milford Sound, and be back in Queenstown for lunch!

Best of all, you get to take a scenic flight too. All of the logistics of the day are taken care of for you, including your Milford Sound cruise. This experience is a bit pricier at $645 NZD, but great if you have limited time and ample budget!

This tour is likely to sell out – book your flight and cruise at Milford Sound in advance here.

2. A 2-Week Southern Alps Itinerary: 10-14 Days

Start: Can be started from any location on the map but Queenstown or Christchurch are ideal.

Duration: Fast-paced=10 days, relaxed=2 weeks+

Distance: 1,454km (903mi)/ 19 hours of driving total

The Southern Alps explorer is a great road trip idea for those who love the mountains. It’s likely the most popular route, and each destination on the road trip is a tourist hot spot.

The stops are:

• Christchurch
• Punakaiki
• Franz Joseph
• Wanaka
• Queenstown
• Mount Cook village
• Lake Tekapo

On this New Zealand road trip itinerary, you will get to travel the famous Arthur’s Pass, drive the stunningly green West Coast, relax in Queenstown and Wanaka, and explore stunning mountain peaks walking the Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook National Park.

This trip does a complete loop so you can book return flights from one airport and the same with your car rental. This means you can likely save some money on campervan relocation fees and spend it where it counts…on the road!

HOT TIP: While in Queenstown, don’t miss either the Walter Peak TSS Earnslaw Lunch or the dinner option. This is one of my favorite tours in Queenstown and includes two cruises on Lake Wakatipu, a farm demonstration, and a delicious meal. It’s a super fun experience and is quintessential Queenstown! I recommend booking either of these experiences in advance, as it can fill up during peak season.

Check availability and book the lunch cruise here, or secure your dinner cruise here!

This New Zealand road trip can be completed in 10 days but that would make for a very rushed trip. I recommend 12 to 14 days to be able to truly see all the sights and enjoy some downtime. Once again, this tour requires you to do a tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound so you’ll need to allow a day for that.

However, if you have a few extra days, then skip the Milford Sound day tour and drive to Milford yourself spending a night at the Milford Sound Lodge or my second option in Te Anau.

You can then book a cruise that leaves directly from Milford Sound, such as my favorite cruise-only option, the Milford Nature Cruise. This cruise not only takes in the views but also searches for wildlife, including penguins, seals, and dolphins.

If you’d prefer to let a professional take the wheel on the windy road to Milford, you can also book this tour from Te Anau. Te Anau is a great place to visit Milford from, as it’s much closer so it’s not quite as long of a day. This tour also includes your Milford Sound nature cruise, plus all the epic stops along the way to Milford. So it’s a convenient and jam-packed experience!

Both the Milford Nature Cruise and the full-day tour from Te Anau are likely to sell out, I wouldn’t delay in booking!

Check availability on this Milford Nature Cruise (cruise only) or
the full-day tour from Te Anau (including the cruise).

Related Read: The best photo locations in Mount Cook National Park you have to check out while in the area!

3. Northern South Island Road Trip Itinerary: 10-14 Days

Start: Christchurch

Duration: Fast-paced=10 days, relaxed=2 weeks.

Distance: 1,298km (807mi)/ 19 hours of driving

Not everybody comes to New Zealand for the mountains. If that’s you then this stunning New Zealand road trip through the northern part of the South Island is perfect! Some of the highlights include relaxing at the beach, one of my favorite experiences I’ve had in NZ – swimming with wild dolphins, touring vineyards and wine tasting, as well as day walks in Abel Tasman National Park. 

The stops on this New Zealand road trip itinerary are:

• Christchurch
• Kaikoura
• Picton
• Nelson
• Abel Tasman
• West Port
• Punakaiki
• Hokitika
• Christchurch

In these regions, you will find stunning beaches, an array of wildlife including dolphins, lush forests, wineries, and more. This trip also does a complete loop back to Christchurch, or if you are coming from the North Island, you could alternatively take the Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasman route to the West Coast back to Christchurch.

This road trip itinerary could be done in 10 days, but allowing 2 weeks is recommended for a more relaxed trip.

While you’re in Christchurch, why not take the time to enjoy this historical tram ride around the city? From just $40 NZD per person, you can hop on and hop off at 18 unique stops, and there’s live commentary along the way!

If you only have a short time to explore Christchurch, this is easily one of the best ways to do so while still getting a great idea of what makes this city so special.

Read HUNDREDS of fantastic reviews and reserve your tickets here!

You’ll also want to allow time to do this whale-watching tour in Kaikoura. Whale watching season in Kaikoura runs all year, however, peak season is from December to March. You can also regularly see orcas in June and July when they visit the area.

Kaikoura is one of the best whale-watching locations in the world, and we had an incredible experience here. If you don’t see a whale (which is quite unlikely) you get an 80% refund, which isn’t a bad deal if you ask me!

Check out the thousands of 5-star reviews and book this whale-watching tour here.

Related Read: One of the best things to do in Marlborough Sounds is take a wildlife cruise that explores the fiord and Moruara Island.

4. Complete South Island Adventure: 21-30 Days

Start: You can start anywhere along this route. Queenstown or Christchurch are great options.

Duration: Fast-paced=3 weeks, relaxed=30 days+

Distance: 2,824km (1,755mi)/38 hours of driving

If you’ve come to New Zealand to do some serious exploring on the South Island then this New Zealand road trip itinerary is perfect for you! This long road trip hits so many amazing spots and covers all of the best places to go in the South Island! This road trip itinerary combines the two above trip itineraries plus more for one epic NZ road trip!

Highlights include exploring waterfalls in the Catlins, wildlife watching, skydiving, wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley, a Milford Sound cruise, various hiking opportunities, exploring the rugged coastline, and hanging out at the beach!

The stops on this New Zealand road trip itinerary are:

• Christchurch
• Kaikoura
• Picton
• Nelson
• Punakaiki
• Franz Josef
• Wanaka
• Queenstown
• Te Anau
• Milford Sound
• Back to Te Anau
• Invercargill
• Curio Bay
• Dunedin
• Oamaru
• Mount Cook Village
• Lake Tekapo

You need at least three weeks for this road trip, but 4 weeks or longer would be ideal and more relaxed. However, if you find yourself ahead of schedule, make the extra trip to Abel Tasman National Park. The only reason I didn’t include it originally is that it adds much more driving to a road trip that’s already huge!

For my fellow wine lovers out there, you can’t go wrong with this full-day wine tour from Picton that’s practically bursting with incredible wines and wineries. I found this trip an amazing and pretty comprehensive look into the wine scene in this lush part of New Zealand (although you might want to take the morning off the next day for a recoup session!).

With tickets starting from around $200 NZD, this 6-hour tour includes round-trip transport to and from Picton, making the whole experience an absolute breeze. Again, even if you only like a glass of wine every now and then, this is a tour not to be missed!

Read HUNDREDS of glowing reviews and reserve your spot here ahead of time!

Another tour I absolutely love on this road trip is the Mount Cook ski plane and helicopter combo tour. There is no other way as unique as a ski plane to explore the Southern Alps! It’s easily one of the best scenic flights in New Zealand in my favorite National Park!

With tickets costing around $499 NZD, this isn’t exactly a cheap activity, but if you’re looking for the highlight tour that will take your trip to the next level (with some amazing photos too!), then this is a truly fantastic option.

You can reserve your spot ahead of time with 24-hour FREE cancellation here!

For more information on many of the stops mentioned above including things to do, check out our guide to planning the best South Island, New Zealand Road trip.

Related Read: Here is how we were able to freedom camp in New Zealand inside out self-contained van!

New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries on the North Island

Below are 4 different road trip itineraries for exploring New Zealand’s North Island. They all vary in length and highlights included. You can connect these itineraries with the “connecting itineraries” in the next section of this blog to make an epic North and South Island road trip in New Zealand!

5. A Taste of the North Island: 7-10 Days

Start: Auckland

Duration: Fast-paced=7 days, relaxed=10 days+

Distance: 722km (449mi)/ 10 hours of driving

Our first New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary is short and sweet. This trip is tailored to those on a short holiday who want to visit some classic sites. Highlights on this journey are Hobbiton (Waitomo area), the famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Piha Beach, and much more.

The stops on this road trip are:

• Auckland
• Hahei
• Tauranga
• Waitomo
• Raglan

In seven days you could complete this trip fine. It would be slightly rushed but if you stick to visiting one or two places in each area it can be done. For a very relaxed journey, 10+ days will do it.

Another option on this trip would be to skip Tauranga and go to Rotorua instead. Rotorua is a thermal wonderland with tons of things to see and do. One of my favorites is the Kaituna River White Water Rafting. This famous rafting adventure includes the highest commercially rafted waterfall, Tutea Falls.

Having done this for ourselves, we can tell you just how epic it is – it’s really, really epic! It’s short and sweet at just 2.5 hours, so it’s easy to fit into your itinerary. They provide transport from Rotorua and all your rafting gear all for $115 NZD.

Book this record-breaking rafting experience with FREE cancellation options here!

If that sounds too extreme for you, join the Te Pā Tū Maori Experience. Learn about the Maori culture, see traditional dances, and enjoy a delicious hungi – a traditional underground oven used to cook food.

I think this is an essential addition to your itinerary because it gives such an insight to the Maori culture, which is part of what makes New Zealand so special! This experience is 3 hours and includes transportation, dinner, and all the activities at the cultural village!

Check availability and book the Te Pā Tū Maori Experience here.

6. North Island Highlights New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: 14-18 Days

Start: Auckland

Duration: Fast-pace=14 days, relaxed=18 days

Distance: 1,314km (816mi)/ 19 hours of driving

This North Island highlights road trip itinerary hits many of the most popular spots on the North Island. It travels a full circle to stop backtracking and maximize your time seeing the places you’ve always wanted to.

Some of the best things to do on this itinerary include visiting some of the best beaches in the North Island (the West Coast as well as the Coromandel), having a Maori experience in Rotorua, seeing glow worms, exploring Tongariro National Park, and hiking around Mt Taranaki or staying in the Pouakai Hut!

The stops on this road trip are:

• Auckland
• Piha (for the day or stay the night)
• Hahei
• Tauranga
• Rotorua
• Taupo
• Whakapapa
• New Plymouth
• Waitomo
• Auckland

You could cover this road trip in as little as 14 days however that won’t leave much time to spend more than one in most places place. Instead, 18 days will give you plenty of rest days lounging on the beach or hiking in the mountains!

While in Taupo, be sure to book this cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings. It’s a super affordable tour and a great way to get out on the lake and learn about the area. The famous Maori Rock Carvings are super impressive too, and the only way you get up close to them is with a tour. I learned so much about ancient Maori culture, the area’s ecology, and the surrounding volcanos too – all for only $49 NZD!

Don’t miss out on this unique North Island experience – book your cruise here.

Related Read: If you have a couple of nights before or after your road trip here are some additional day trips you can take from Auckland!

Need wheels? For rental cars, I always book with Discover Cars since the website is so easy to use with great prices. For motorhomes and campervans, I really like JUCY because of their huge selection and multiple depot locations that make pick-up and drop-off a breeze. You can browse JUCY’s availability here. Alternatively, you can see all of the different rental companies available in NZ on Motorhome Republic.

7. Journey to the South Road Trip: 8-12 Days

Start: Auckland or Wellington depending on your direction of travel.

Duration: Fast-paced=8 – 9 days, relaxed=12 days

Distance: 950km (590mi)/ 13 hours of driving

Our first New Zealand itinerary to get you to the South Island includes many highlights and is centered around not missing Hobbiton. Other highlights on the trip are the Tongariro Crossing, Hot Water Beach, Waitomo Caves, Muriwai Beach, other West Coast beaches (from Auckland), the Whanganui Journey, Bridal Veil Falls (Raglan), and more.

The stops on the road trip itinerary are:

• Auckland
• Hahei
• Raglan
• Waitomo
• Whakapapa
• Whanganui
• Wellington

This road trip itinerary could be done in as little as 8 days but would be very rushed. If that’s all the time you have, consider skipping Hahei. In 12 days you could really see most of the sights and have a relaxing trip.

While in Wellington, be sure to do my favorite sightseeing tour, the Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour. It visits so many highlights, including WETA Cave, Mount Victoria, and the Wellington Cable Car. This is a fantastic option if you’re short on time because you’ll truly see the most.

This tour includes transportation, lunch, your amazing guide, and is just a small group all for $194 NZD per person.

Check the dates available and secure your spot before it fills up!

Of course, if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, don’t miss this LOTR guided tour. The tour visits famous locations such as Rivendell, Hobbit’s Hideaway, Helm’s Deep, and more. You’ll also get to tour the famous Weta Workshop and learn a ton of info from your guide. If you came to New Zealand to geek out on LOTR – this tour is your best bet!

Check out the dozens of 5-star reviews and book this tour in advance here!

And as if that weren’t enough options, there are also many great day trips from Wellington!

Related Read: While the Bay of Islands in New Zealand is bit out of the way for most road trips, consider adding it somewhere into your itinerary before you leave.

8. Ultimate Journey to the South Island: 15-20 Days

Start: Auckland

Duration: Fast-paced =15 days, relaxed =20 days

Distance: 1,466km (911mi)/ 21 hours of driving

Our last New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary is a full-on adventure. This trip visits so many amazing places all while getting you to your next adventure on the South Island.

Its highlights include the West Coast beaches not far from Auckland, the Coromandel Penninsula (including Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove), Tauranga, Rotorua Maori Experience, Bridal Veil Falls (Raglan), Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Lake Taupo, Tongariro Crossing, Mt Taranaki (New Plymouth), Whanganui, and Wellington.

Tip: Please note that in summer Hobbiton must be booked in advance!

The stops on this New Zealand road trip itinerary are:

• Auckland
• Hahei
• Tauranga
• Rotorua
• Raglan
• Waitomo
• Taupo
• Whakapapa
• New Plymouth
• Wellington

This road trip will take much more time than the above road trips. 15 days would be rushed and involve lots of driving days. To take it easy, allow 20 days.

By far the most highly rated and popular tour visiting Hobbiton is this full-day experience from Auckland. As you’ve got a little more time on your hands during this road trip, this is a tour you can’t miss out on!

Not only does this tour visit the picturesque town of Hobbiton, but also the Waitomo glow-worm caves, turning this trip into a truly epic adventure. Plus, with round-trip transport, lunch, and your admission tickets are included, the entire trip just feels so seamless.

It’s a must for any fan of LOTR, or even those who have never seen the films or read the books, but just want to visit this amazing New Zealand landmark. Tickets cost $370 NZD per person, but this is a super popular tour, so don’t forget to book in advance!

Grab your tickets with 24-hour FREE cancellation and avoid missing out here!

Related Read: If you’re flying into Auckland here are some great things to do in Auckland within a 48 hour itinerary before or after your epic New Zealand road trip.

South Island AND North Island Connecting Itineraries

The below road trip itineraries connect a trip ending in Wellington to a trip on the South Island. You can use these itineraries to create an epic New Zealand road trip itinerary that includes BOTH islands!

9. South to North Island East Coast Road Trip: 10-14 Days

Start: Queenstown or Picton depending on the direction

Duration: Fast-paced=10 days, Relaxed=14 days

Distance: 945km (587mi) (without the ferry) / 13 hours of driving

Many travelers choose to road trip both the South and the North Islands of New Zealand. So I thought I would include a few New Zealand road trip itineraries to suit this. This first one is the most popular as it visits the Mount Cook area on your way from Queenstown to Picton before continuing to the North Island.

If you need a ferry to the North Island book it in advance online here to secure your departure date!

The stops are:

• Queenstown
• Wanaka
• Mount Cook Village
• Lake Tekapo
• Christchurch
• Kaikoura
• Picton
• Wellington

This would be my recommended route as the highlights of exploring Mount Cook National Park, relaxing on Lake Tekapo, and watching the dolphins in Kaikoura are just too amazing to miss.

This trip could be done in 10 days but that would leave little time in Queenstown and means you would have to time the ferry right with your arrival. However, allowing 14 days would be perfect!

10. South to North Island West Coast Road Trip: 11-15 Days

Start: Queenstown or Picton depending on your direction of travel

Duration: Fast-paced=11 days, relaxed=15 days

Distance: 1,186km (737mi)/ 18 hours of driving without the ferry

The next route from south to north that connects both islands heads up the stunning West Coast. This journey takes a little longer to complete as it heads through the windy roads between Punakaiki and Nelson.

The stops on this New Zealand road trip itinerary are:

• Queenstown
• Wanaka
• Franz Josef
• Punakaiki
• Abel Tasman National Park
• Nelson
• Picton

Although not my first choice, this road trip is still stunning! If you still want to see the dolphins on the east coast you could always take Arthur’s Pass over to the east coast to explore Kaikoura.

Plus, this helicopter flight over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier is a pretty epic memory! These glaciers are insanely beautiful, and seeing them from the sky simply shows how large they are. I thought the pilot’s commentary was the most interesting part as we learned how old the glaciers are too! It’s $327 NZD for a 20-minute flight, and although short this was definitely a bucket experience of mine that I wholeheartedly recommend.

Book this glacier helicopter flight with reserve now, pay later options!

To allow for the windy roads and the slightly longer distance you need to allow 10 days at a minimum to complete this road trip. This would still be very rushed so 15 days would be ideal.

Related Read: Have the perfect afternoon exploring New Zealand’s blue pools.

Important Tips and Info for Planning your NZ Road Trip

Now that you have chosen one of the different New Zealand road trip itineraries and have the route all planned out, there are a few other things you need to do to prepare for your road trip to New Zealand! I’d recommend checking out our blog on the best time to visit New Zealand to plan what time of year you want to go as well as other important information below to help you out!

Packing for an NZ Road Trip

Packing the right items for your New Zealand road trip is super important. Some items often forgotten are:

• Travel adaptor – Try to get one with the USB plugins as well as a standard power plug.
• Flynet – In the South Island, the sandflies are bad. Getting a fly net for your face will protect it during your road trip from nasty bites that can last weeks.
• Lifestraw drink bottle – On many of the hikes in the New Zealand the water is generally safe to drink. However, to be sure a Life Straw Water Bottle is a, well, lifesaver!
• Reef-safe sunscreen – Protecting New Zealand’s pristine waterways is super important. Reef-safe sunscreen is a great way to do your part.
• Sand-proof towel – These towels are amazing. I can’t go back to a normal beach towel anymore.
• DEET-free bug repellent – The main ingredient in New Zealand bug repellent is DEET. It’s really bad for both humans and bugs and DEET-free options are just as effective.
• Road trip food – Make sure to pack some great snacks and easy food to make for your road trip. Stop at a grocery store before you hit the road and load up!

Booking accommodation in New Zealand

Would you believe it I told you Bailey and I have made over 250 hotel bookings since we started blogging! That’s a lot of bookings!

We could literally recommend any booking site and make a commission, however, the only website we use to make bookings is Booking.com (aside from the odd booking on Hostelworld).

They are the best in our opinion and their price match guarantee (we have used this before) means you’ll always get the best deal. If you’re planning your New Zealand road trip and need a place to stay (we all need some luxury here and there!) or campground Booking.com is the best way!

Insurance

• Travel insurance – Travel insurance to cover yourself in case of injury is very important in any country and New Zealand is no different. Travel insurance can also cover your bags, tech, and gear so if you want to stress less about your valuables this is the way to go to put your mind at ease.
• Car rental insurance – Did you know you can now get insurance for your rental excess? This new insurance is especially needed for campervans or motorhomes as the excesses on these vehicles can be $8,000 +.

Booking the Inter-Island Ferry

Booking your Inter-Island Ferry in advance is a great way to save money and hassle during your New Zealand Road trip.

You can book the inter-island ferry here – one less thing to worry about later!

Booking Flights

A great company to book flights to and from New Zealand and internally is Kiwi.com. We have used them many times and find them to be one of the cheapest.

Thanks for reading!

From the North Island to the South Island the places to visit are endless. These New Zealand road trip itineraries don’t cover every possibility but are a great start to planning your own unique road trip. Regardless of the road trip you choose, an adventure through New Zealand is a great idea and one you won’t regret.

Now, all that’s left to do is pack all of your road trip essentials and hit the road!

If you found this article helpful or have any questions please leave them below in the comments section and we will get back to you.

If you need help planning your NZ trip, contact us today! We can create some amazing itineraries and can even secure discounts for our readers!

If you liked this post be sure to check out all our NZ content from our New Zealand page along with some of our most popular posts below:

How to experience Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel

How to save money on a campervan rental

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