New Zealand road trips made for adventurers!
Just pack your bags, hit the road and live an experience you'll never forget.
Everyone, yep everyone, including you, at some point needs to take a New Zealand road trip. This country, our home, is built for epic road trips. Great roads, friendly wonderful people, jaw dropping scenery and the home of adventure. What more could you want? Immerse yourself in New Zealand's beauty and take a road trip of a lifetime with us.
In three simple steps we'll have you ready to go - here's how it works...
1. We talk
The most important part
No two road trips are the same and right from the start we want to make sure we get yours just right. Whether by phone, email or chat first we need to talk so we understand what you love and what you don't. There's no obligations, no fees and no pressure.
Let's get started
2. We plan
Time for us to create
Now we have an understanding of what inspires you this is where we go do our thing. Drawing on 15 years of creating New Zealand road trips our team of specialists (based right here in NZ) will create a road trip for you to consider. If it's right then we are on like Donkey Kong and if its not quite there yet then we'll bat it back and forth with you until we have it just right! It's a fun process and a big part of the excitement is in the planning.
3. You road trip!
Let the adventure begin
The plannings done, you're 100% stoked (we know you will be) and you're ready to roll. We'll take care of everything and even meet you at the airport when you land to give you your documentation and send you on your way. This is what we do best and you are in safe hands with our team. We will make it easy, fun and inspiring and we are here on the ground when you're in New Zealand should you need anything.
No two road trips are the same
Being a small country there are so many highlights packed into short distances that being in control of your time means you can truly immerse yourself in the New Zealand lifestyle. Whether it's snow capped peaks with glacier fed lakes, stunning hiking tracks, amazing rail journeys, desolate beaches, adrenaline-packed adventures, delicious local food & wine, distinctive Maori culture or so many others - we know if you do a road trip with us that you will fall in love with New Zealand like we are.
Here's three road trips customers have recently embarked on just to whet your appetite, let's design yours today...
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
A short and sweet North Island road trip
A 7 day central north island road trip full of fun, adventure and beachness.
This road trip takes you through the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, highlighting its incredible diversity. Begin with a local’s favourite, the Coromandel Peninsula – not many tourists get here and that’s perfect! Here you’ll explore Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve and it is seriously stunning. Then it’s on down the Coromandel Peninsula through surf towns and turn towns an onto Rotorua to experience the rich culture of the area with a visit to Mitai Maori Village and Rainbow Springs, plus a full day to explore the thermal wonders. Next stop is Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand where you’ll ride the thrilling Huka Falls Jet Boat. Returning to Auckland you’ll stop at the world famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves for an underground adventure.
Day 1: Welcome to awesome Auckland – settle in, hit the town, relax – it’s road trip time
Day 2: From Auckland cross the mighty Hauraki Plains and skirt the Firth of Thames over to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Stop, get out of the car and smell the sea air, ahhh yes.
Day 3: This morning explore Cathedral Cove (this will blow you away guys, get there early and see the sun rise if you can and take a camera) then drive to the Maori heartland of Rotorua.
Day 4: Explore Rotorua and experience Maori culture this evening at Mitai Maori Village – hey ‘when in Rotorua’...
Day 5: Rotorua to Taupo today and a thrilling jet boat ride at Huka Falls.
Day 6: Taupo to Waitomo and a tour of the famous cave system, then on to Auckland.
Day 7: Depart Auckland
Included on this road trip (besides a lot of ice cream) was:
• Accommodation for 6 nights staying in some sweet local motels
• Rental car hire
• Road trip pack: Includes detailed driving instructions, maps, guide books and much more.
• Private airport transfers – we’ll meet you at the airport!
• Mitai Maori Village and Rainbow Springs ‘Beauty by night’ combo – who doesn’t like a good combo!
• Waitomo glow worm caves
• Cathedral Cove cruise
• Huka Falls jet boat tour – hold on to your hats people
Out of the office
An epic adventure across New Zealand
A two week epic road trip that ensures you see why New Zealand rocks!
With only two weeks out of the office this is the perfect road trip to ensure you get to experience some of the best spots in each of our islands. From the City of Sails (oh yes the big A), to the golden sand beaches of the Coromandel and the adventure and culture of Rotorua. Then fly south friends to take in the Southern Alps, pristine lakes, extraordinary fiords and unrivalled hospitality. Seriously folks the south island will blow - your - minds so ensure you have maximum storage available on your camera and get your Instagram account ready for some very jealous mates the world over.
Day 1: Welcome to the big A – settle in, hit the town, relax – it’s road trip time
Day 2: Enjoy a full day exploring Auckland's wild side
Day 3: Collect your rental car then head south to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Get your camera ready folks
Day 4: Explore the idyllic beaches, small surf towns and beautiful forests of the Coromandel
Day 5: Travel to the Maori cultural capital of Rotorua
Day 6: Enjoy the geothermal parks and lakes of Rotorua, this evening visit Mitai Maori Village and take in our wonderful culture
Day 7: Today you'll jump on a bird and fly from Rotorua to the adventure capital of Queenstown
Day 8: Well hello Queenstown! Take the day to explore this superb area and then in the evening you’re off across the lake to enjoy a high country station dinner at Walter Peak
Day 9: Explore the breath-taking Dart River in Mt Aspiring National Park – this area will take your breath away both the landscapes and the jet boat!
Day 10: Continue your journey north to Mt Cook National Park – our highest peak and one of our favourite spots
Day 11: Visit the amazing Tasman Glacier (very cool) and taste the massive icebergs
Day 12: Explore the Canterbury Plains as you journey north to Christchurch
Day 13: The day is yours to explore the evolving city of Christchurch
Day 14: Drop your rental car at the airport before heading home and planning your next road trip down under
Included on this road trip is:
• Accommodation for 13 nights staying in lovely boutique lodges & hotels
• Rental car hire
• Tour pack: Includes detailed driving instructions, maps, guide books and much more.
• All breakfasts
• 2 highlight dinners – great feeds
• Private airport transfers
• Taste of Auckland full day tour
• Mitai Maori Village Concert & Buffet Dinner
• Glacier Explorers Tour, Mt Cook National Park
• Dart River Wilderness Safari – your gonna love this people
• TSS Earnslaw cruise from Queenstown and dinner at Walter Peak high country farm
walk the talk
Road tripping NZ southern style
A 14 day road trip that takes you to new heights and will leave you breathless
From Christchurch this road trip travels the Canterbury Coastline through Timaru, Oamaru and Moeraki to Dunedin while exploring the peninsula, its wildlife and its walks. Cross the rich farmland of Southland toward Te Anau and Fiordland National Park where you experience a guided day hike on the world famous Milford Track – you are going to love this! Then venture along the Milford Road exploring the many short trails before spending the night on a boat in Milford Sound - without doubt this will be a highlight of your trip and all your Instagram followers will be seriously jealous. Continue north to the adventure mecca of Queenstown with lots of time to explore the many activities or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere. Next take a fully guided day hike on the incredible Routeburn Track. A short drive over the crown range (the highest sealed road in New Zealand) and onto Wanaka (drop in and see us for a cuppa as our office is
here). On to Mt Cook National Park where you'll enjoy a Glacier Explorer’s trip before an afternoon exploring the area. Continue crossing the Mackenzie high country through Lake Tekapo and back to Christchurch – exhausted, excited and destined to return.
Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch City team road trip, get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
Day 2: Rental car is delivered to you (why thankyou sir) and you’re off south to Dunedin.
Day 3: Enjoy a day on the peninsula. Perhaps take a wildlife tour or enjoy one of the short walks.
Day 4: Enjoy the scenic drive across Southland to Te Anau and Fiordland National Park, windows down, music blaring – roadtrip heaven!
Day 5: Enjoy a guided day hike today on the famous Milford Track – mind blowing time.
Day 6: Drive the famous Milford Road to Milford Sound and take your place on board an overnight cruise.
Day 7: Overnight cruise returns this morning and then onto Queenstown.
Day 8: The day is yours to discover all the scenic spots and find all the fun activities on offer in Queenstown – jump off a bridge, drop off on the world’s largest swing or taste off at the wineries – that kinda thing.
Day 9: Take a full day guided tour on the famous Routeburn Track – prepare for beauty overload.
Day 10: Queenstown to Wanaka, explore the towns many activities or enjoy the walking tracks – drop in an nz road trips office and trade stories over a cuppa.
Day 11: Leaving Wanaka you'll cross the Lindis Pass towards the Mackenzie Country and the imposing Mt Cook.
Day 12: This morning take the glacier explorers trip and in the afternoon enjoy one of the many walks unless you’re walked out – then just hang out in the village.
Day 13: Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive past the crystal blue alpine lakes and through the Canterbury Plains.
Day 14: Depart Christchurch today, buts it’s not goodbye as you haven’t done the North yet!
Included within this package:
• Accommodation for 13 nights staying in Motels.
• Rental car hire.
• Tour pack: Includes detailed driving instructions, maps, guide books and much more.
• Private airport transfers.
• Glacier Explorers Tour in Mt Cook National Park.
• Routeburn Track Guided Day Hike.
• Milford Track Guided Day Hike.
• Real Journeys Milford Sound overnight cruise.
We absolutely fell in love with your country and 17 days was not long enough! Paul and I would like to thank you and your company for an amazing vacation! We were so impressed with the detailed copy of our itinerary with driving instructions and the wonderful New Zealand photo atlas and guide book, which will make a lovely keepsake and help us plan for our next vacation in NZ.
Candis and Paul
About NZ Road Trip
Let's go on a road trip
Famous for its beauty, its people and its laid back lifestyle, New Zealand is the road trip destination of a lifetime.
For over 14 years we have been designing road trips around this extraordinary country for people the world over. New Zealand is our home and we are thankful every day that it is. Not only will we create the perfect road trip but we are here on the ground to make sure everything runs smoothly while you're on the road. Our team of 30 road trippers immerse themselves in everything this country has to offer - from our majestic mountains, to our crystal clear lakes and our stunning coast.
Since 2004 our focus has been on quality and great value and we ensure the services we use, the accommodation we recommend, the car rental companies we book with and the activities we suggest to you for your road trip all offer a truly great experience.
We take this combination of experience, knowledge and passion and wrap it up in the
perfect road trip for you. Get in touch today and we can start planning yours today - let's go on an adventure.
“It’s a dangerous business Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road and if you don’t keep your feet there’s no telling where you might be swept off to.”
Hit the road
Your adventure awaits
Choosing a road trip means you are in control. Even though we will help organise your itinerary and places to stay you can still decide when and where to stop along the way. Part of being on any road trip is having the freedom to change your mind about a planned route and take your own path, to explore at your own pace and to immerse yourself in whatever or wherever takes your fancy. After all sometimes the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination. It’s getting there.
Custom made just for you
Do it once and do it right we say
There are so many amazing options for road tripping around New Zealand and the good news is our team have pretty much done them all! Armed with this intimate knowledge our focus right from the start is to customise a road trip that is perfect for you in every way. We will work with you to choose the best route, the right car, the perfect style of accommodation and of course nail all the things on your 'must do' list. Together we will create a one off road trip designed just for you.
Life is too short to live the same day twice
Be spontaneous and be it today
Been recommended a great walk? A cool local pub? A must see waterfall? or a perfect photo spot? Met someone along the way who knows of an amazing scenic flight? With a road trip you can afford to be spontaneous. And you should - that's what makes it a trip of a lifetime. We are here in New Zealand on the ground and can help change things when needed. That's just how we roll. So should you - hey its a bucket list experience so lets fill that bucket!
