New Zealand · 21 days · 2,400 km · One-way
Auckland to Queenstown — the North-to-South traverse
The great classic Kiwi route. North Island plus South Island in a motorhome, including the inter-islands ferry, geothermal landscapes, Marlborough wines, glaciers and Queenstown adventure.
Highlights
- Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings set)
- Rotorua (geothermal and Māori culture)
- Wellington
- Picton ferry (Cook Strait)
- Marlborough (sauvignon blanc)
- Kaikoura (whale watching)
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Queenstown
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1
Auckland → Coromandel
Auckland → Whitianga · 200 km
- · Hot Water Beach at sunset
- · Cathedral Cove
Overnight: Whitianga TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 2
Coromandel → Hobbiton → Rotorua
Whitianga → Rotorua · 230 km
- · Hobbiton movie set tour
- · Arrival in Rotorua
Overnight: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
-
Day 3
Rotorua — full day
Rotorua · 30 km
- · Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- · Hangi dinner and haka show
Overnight: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
-
Day 4
Rotorua → Lake Taupo
Rotorua → Taupo · 80 km
- · Huka Falls
- · Tongariro National Park from the lake
Overnight: Taupo TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 5
Taupo → Wellington
Taupo → Wellington · 380 km
- · Travel day
- · Arrival in Wellington
Overnight: Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 6
Wellington — free day
Wellington
- · Te Papa Museum
- · Cuba Street
- · Mount Victoria at sunset
Overnight: Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 7
Ferry Wellington → Picton + Marlborough
Wellington → Blenheim · 30 km
- · Inter-islands ferry (3.5h)
- · Sauvignon blanc tasting at Cloudy Bay
Overnight: Blenheim Bridge TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 8
Marlborough → Kaikoura
Blenheim → Kaikoura · 130 km
- · Sperm whale watching
- · Seal colony at Point Kean
Overnight: Kaikoura TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 9
Kaikoura → Christchurch
Kaikoura → Christchurch · 180 km
- · Cathedral Square
- · Re:START Mall
Overnight: Amber Park Christchurch
-
Day 10
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo · 230 km
- · Church of the Good Shepherd
- · Dark Sky Reserve
Overnight: Lake Tekapo Holiday Park
-
Day 11
Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook
Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook Village · 100 km
- · Hooker Valley Track
Overnight: Glentanner Park Centre
-
Day 12
Mount Cook → Wanaka
Mount Cook Village → Wanaka · 200 km
- · Lindis Pass
- · Wanaka Tree
Overnight: Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park
-
Day 13
Wanaka — free day
Wanaka
- · Roy's Peak hike (5h)
- · Cinema Paradiso (retro cinema)
Overnight: Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park
-
Day 14
Wanaka → Queenstown — drop-off
Wanaka → Queenstown · 70 km
- · Drop-off in ZQN ($270 location fee)
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.