New Zealand Road Trips: Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures

While the drive from Auckland to Cape Reinga takes only about six hours door to door, we recommend making it a 3-7 day loop, allowing yourself time for both play and historical discovery in the Bay of Islands, as well as time for Cape Reinga and some of the cool surrounding activities like sandboarding or driving along 90-mile beach.

Some of the key stops on this itinerary include the Bay of Islands, Karikari Peninsula, Cape Reinga, and the west coast. You will see waterfalls, wildlife, New Zealand culture and history, stunning beaches, the top of the island, spiritual places, massive kauri trees, and much more.

We have driven from Auckland to Wellington many times, using a variety of different routes. The most direct takes about 9 hours by car. However, we generally spend multiple days stopping in exciting spots like Lake Taupo, Rotorua, or Hobbiton. There's even a brewery and a Stonehenge along the way.

Check out all of the options and choose the best route for you. Whether it's hiking, geothermal activity, adrenaline adventure, history, or fun, you might be surprised at some of the off the beaten path finds on the central North Island.

Sometimes we want to go somewhere else, but not that far. If you are based in Auckland or staying here for a few days, check out these Auckland day trips that are within 2 hours of the city.

Ranging from beaches to wineries, the region offers plenty of options for relaxing or adventure.

When you want to go somewhere new, but even two hours feels like a chore, check out this list of 75 things to do, most of them free, within New Zealand's largest city.

Auckland is my home as well as being the port of entry for nearly all international visitors, and worth a stay for a least a night or two.

While it's pretty quick to drive straight through, there are some amazing things to stop and see between Auckland and Tauranga. From natural wonders like Blue Spring to popular attractions like Hamilton Gardens, you are will be spoilt for choice.

And with two primary road options, the loop makes for a great road trip getaway.

It's either a quick 2.5 hour drive or another amazing road trip in New Zealand. While we rotate which stops we make on this journey, our favourites are Blue Spring, Cambridge, and Tirau.

A five-hour trip in a hurry, we usually take at least 3-4 days as there are some cool places along the way, like Hamilton, Cambridges, Rotorua, and Taupo. We highlight our favourite 11 optional stops here. And at the end, we enjoy the Hawkes Bay wine region and the fascinating Art Deco in Napier.

The coastal route from Auckland to the Taranaki region on the west coast is full of surprises, from the enchanting Waitomo Caves to the rugged coastal towns. While this stunning drive took us to waterfalls, caves, and impressive black-sand beaches, the drive itself is part of the charm. And the reward ... New Plymouth, the largest city in Taranaki, is one of my favourite places.

The Coromandel Peninsula is where kiwis go to relax, to play, or to have an adventure. Only a couple of hours drive from Auckland and you will suddenly find one laid-back community after the next, all surrounded by both rugged hills and stunning beaches. A getaway destination, Coromandel is a place to relax and soak in nature. There is everything from natural hot springs and yoga retreats to hiking and adventure.

Tauranga is a popular New Zealand cruise port and a highlight of the Bay of Plenty. The region holds the country's top-rated beach, as well as being the primary kiwifruit growing region. Glowworms and other nightlife make the Bay of Plenty the ideal getaway.

It's also a great base for day trips to nearby Rotorua, Hobbiton, or White Island viewing (currently from a distance only).

The East Cape is off the typical tourist path, yet it's one of the most fascinating road trips we have taken. Here, we found a rural New Zealand interwoven with Māori culture. It's also where we enjoyed the world's first sunrise marking a new day.

Whether you are into wine tasting, Māori culture, hiking, cycle trails, sweeping views, or art deco, you will find what you are looking for in the Hawkes Bay region.

Be sure to leave a day or two for Napier, the self-proclaimed art deco capital of the world. It's a coastal town in the Hawkes Bay region, an area dotted with stunning scenery and interesting artefacts.

Napier to Wellington can be driven in just 4 hours, but then you will miss the best of New Zealand's countryside. We prefer to take it slow and enjoy some of the fascinating things to see in both Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa as State Highway 2 winds its way through a perfect mix of rolling green hills, mountains, quaint towns, vineyards, and farmland.

We have probably done this spectacular drive more than most as used to split our year between the North Island and the Queenstwon-Lakes District. Therefore, our Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary has tons of optional side trips, drive times and suggested activities. We have done them all.

From the garden city to Scottish influenced Dunedin, there is plenty to see and enjoy on the South Island's east coast. From the mysterious Moeraki Boulders to rare penguins and other wildlife, impressive nature surrounds the drive.

Along the way is also Oamaru, a small town loaded with fun ranging from the Victorian precinct to being the country's steampunk capital.

Then there is the west coast of the South Island, the masterpiece of the country. Here, you will find some of the most impressive scenery you have ever seen. From adventure in Queenstown to glaciers, wild coasts, caves, hiking, and just nature at it's best, this drive will not disappoint.

The bottom of the South Island holds a magnificent subtropical rainforest filled with waterfalls and endangered species. While one can drive through the region in just a few hours, it's better to take it slow.

The Milford Highway in Fiordland National Park is the only road from Te Anau to Milford Sound. This scenic alpine road is a popular summertime drive (December to March). Along the way, there are more than enough pretty stops to make a day out of Milford Road alone. 

Although equally as gorgeous in winter, it can be dangerous, with snow and ice on the road and the risk of avalanches.

Way too often overlooked, Stewart Island sits just south of the South Island. An ecotourism hot spot, Stewart Island is home to a plethora of wildlife as well as kiwi birds that are often spotted by visitors.