There could also be no larger possibility to find New Zealand than by automotive or camper van.
Since public transport is proscribed exterior of cities, and since quite a lot of what you’ll have to see and do lies off the overwhelmed monitor, a road journey proper right here permits you to take inside the stunning pure environment at your private tempo, along with that likelihood to stop for stunning walks, cycle rides, wild swimming or wildlife recognizing.
Listed below are six road journeys that mean you can experience just a few of what this wonderful nation has to provide.
1. Northland loop
Most interesting road journey inside the “Winterless North”
Auckland–Auckland (spherical journey); 650 miles (1050km); per week or further
Kiwis identify the areas north of Auckland (Northland and the Bay of Islands) the “Winterless North” attributable to its year-round subtropical native climate. You’ll begin this journey by setting off within the route of the Bay of Islands, by means of the surf seashores of Mangawhai and the artsy metropolis of Whangārei, which deserves an excellent day or two of exploring.
Subsequent, drive north and ferry over to the earlier whaling port of Russell, which matches heritage attraction with on-water adventures like crusing, diving, fishing and kayaking. All of these are moreover accessed from the thriving mainland metropolis of Paihia. You may wish to spend a day on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds learning regarding the colonial historic previous of New Zealand.
Further north, the sights are further distant and far more spectacular, principal all the best way wherein to the very prime of the North Island at Cape Reinga, the place the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. In your method, stop for modern native produce at Kerikeri; chill out in – and feast on seafood at – laid-back Mangōnui; and spend one different day at Ahipara, with its surf breaks and shut by sand dunes.
Heading south as soon as extra, you’ll drive by the unbelievable Waipoua Forest, the place the ultimate giants of the as quickly as intensive kauri forests proper right here will take your breath away, and stop at quiet coastal cities with hidden tales of colonization, migration and onerous labor.
2. Coromandel Peninsula
Most interesting beach-coming road journey
Thames–Waihi Seaside; 190 miles (305km); 1-3 days
Coastal roads weave a magical path on this journey throughout the compact nevertheless vibrant Coromandel Peninsula, a favorite trip spot for residents of shut by Auckland and Hamilton. Along with a shocking beach-fringed shoreline, the Coromandel moreover holds the legacy of its gold-mining earlier inside the heritage streets of Thames, Coromandel Metropolis and Waihi.
Start in Thames, then head north to the thriving group of Coromandel Metropolis by means of the attractive 64-acre Rapaura Water Gardens property. Subsequent, detour from Colvile to the rugged northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsula – ideally in summer season season (December to February) when roads are dry and the pōhutukawa bushes are of their crimson glory.
Heading down the alternative aspect of the peninsula, you’ll go to Whitianga and the shut by seashores of Mercury Bay. Diving, boating, recreation fishing and kayaking are the huge attracts at Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. Further south are pure sights identical to the stone arch at Cathedral Cove near Hahei and Scorching Water Seaside. The latter lives as a lot as its title: dig a pool inside the sand and relax inside the scorching waters that arise from beneath the ground.
3. Wellington to Rotorua
Most interesting road journey for vineyards and art work deco construction
Wellington–Rotorua; 520 miles (840km); 4-7 days
After just some days exploring the excellent museums, galleries and bars of New Zealand’s compact, boho capital, Wellington, it’s time to hit the road. First, you’ll head north alongside the Hutt River Valley, detouring into the Martinborough wine space to type its world-famous pinot noirs. Subsequent, proceed on to the Pacific coast, a languid arc combining sandy seashores and spectacular environment with Māori cultural experiences.
The stretch from Havelock North to Hastings is surrounded by bountiful orchards and much-loved wineries, which will probably be explored on an organized biking tour along with by automotive. On the southern tip of Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui) lures every golfers (it has a spectacular course) and bird-watchers (there’s a 3000-strong gannet colony on the headland proper right here).
Subsequent, head to the engaging seaside metropolis of Napier, which has spectacular art work deco construction and foodie-drawing consuming locations. The distant East Cape is subsequent. Stop at sun-soaked Whakatāne and the seashores of Ōhope sooner than turning inland to spherical off this epic circuit on the geothermal hotspot of Rotorua, with its unbelievable Māori cultural-immersion experiences and host of out of doors actions like mountain biking and luging.
4. Southern Alps loop
Most interesting alpine road journey
Christchurch–Christchurch (spherical journey); 850 miles (1380km); per week or further
Cruise by varied landscapes along with scenic mountains, wild coasts, lush lakelands, and rural highways dotted with tiny hamlets on this grand South Island tour. Starting from Christchurch – with its combination of earlier England and future-facing Kiwi ingenuity – head to the alpine reaches of Arthur’s Transfer Nationwide Park, which rises to 2408m (7900ft) at Mt Murchison.
Subsequent, you’ll be meandering alongside the west coast by historic cities and such artistic communities like Hokitika and Ross. The route rises as soon as extra at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships, the place you might need quite a lot of decisions for glacier viewing (helicopter expertise or sky diving, anyone?).
Heading south, the Haast space in Te Wāhipounamu–South West New Zealand World Heritage House is the place for seabird recognizing and possibly some tree-hugging inside the historic kahikatea swamp forest at Ship Creek. Lastly, flip your choice to Queenstown by means of the unbelievable Lake Wānaka, the place paddling, mountaineering, snowboarding and climbing are among the many many outdoors pursuits which have made this space well-known.
5. Otago Heritage Path
Most interesting road journey for gold bugs
Dunedin–Dunedin (spherical journey); 280 miles (450km); 2-3 days
The invention of gold inside the 1860s led Europeans to migrate to the South Island space now typically known as Otago, and much of that heritage stays instantly. Earlier miners’ trails and abandoned railway traces have been repurposed as leisurely cycle rides and prolonged strolls. Agricultural cities nonetheless residence historic stone buildings and Gold Rush tales, whereas vibrant deciduous bushes, winding roads and romantic earlier railway bridges all nevertheless demand to be photographed.
This driving tour begins inside the vibrant metropolis of Dunedin, the place warehouses have been remodeled into resorts and art work galleries, and school school college students pack worldwide consuming locations and pubs every week. After exploring for just some days, head south within the route of Lawrence – the scene of NZ’s first Gold Rush in 1861 – to the historically necessary Horseshoe Bend Bridge over Clutha River/ Mata-au, NZ’s second-longest river. Subsequent, you’ll go to the sweet-smelling fruit orchards and vineyards of Central Otago sooner than arriving in Alexander, Clyde or Middlemarch to take care of the Otago Central Rail Path by bicycle or foot.
For further heritage streetscapes, schedule a stop in Naseby, staying in a single day to benefit from a night tour beneath its wise starry skies. Detours from this route will take you into snow-capped mountains, all through to the dramatic fjords inside the west or to the rugged improbable factor in regards to the southern coast.
6. Queenstown to Milford Sound
Most interesting road journey for dramatic views
Queenstown–Milford Sound/Piopiotahi; 180 miles (290km); 2 days
Fiordland is arguably New Zealand’s most attention-grabbing outdoors treasure. A panorama hewn in rock and ice, its grandeur may make you’re feeling like a tiny speck inside the face of nature – in the very best method.
Panoramic alpine views characterize this drive as you make your method from Queenstown earlier Kelvin Peninsula on the foot of The Remarkables, alongside the jap shore of Lake Wakatipu and former the Devil’s Staircase and onto Te Anau. Hold in a single day and take a tour of the 200m(656ft)-long glowworm caves – full of uncommon rock varieties, whirlpools and waterfalls – sooner than cruising north earlier Lake Mistletoe, Mackay Creek, Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn–Cascade Creek, all stunning spots for stretching your legs and admiring the wilderness.
The final word stretch to the majestic Fiordland Nationwide Park takes you through Homer Tunnel, a road laboriously reduce by the mountains by way of the Good Melancholy.
