5 Weeks New Zealand Roadtrip Itinerary and Recommendations
This itinerary is for you if you want to have good time to explore New Zealand and all the best places. It focuses on nature, budget, culture, adventure and fun activities.
This is a packed program, but still with time to relax and process your cool experiences along the way. It's especially good for the adrenaline junkies!
FYI this can be done either way - from North to South or South to North.
Personally I recommend you to do it from North to South as many people find the South Island the most beautiful and the roads are a bit more challenging in the mountains on the South Island😅
I recommend you to bring water and snacks to drives that are 2+ hours as you don't want to sit and get hangry while driving and some distances doesn't have too many cafe's or gas stations to stop by.
I recommend you to rent a car/camper from Travellers Autobarn because they have some good sizes, all automatic, good price and kind people behind - there’s a link under day 3.
1. Auckland
3 nights
My recommendation is to rent the camper in your day 3 so you don’t have to think about parking in Auckland.
Day 1
Settle in, maybe get used to the jet lag and explore the city on foot.
They have a lot of nice shops, restaurants and a beautiful botanical garden.
Visit Sky Tower to get the best view over the big city.
Day 2
Spend a day on Waiheke Island. Try the zip line or enjoy getting to know the New Zealand wines with some wine tastings.
Day 3
Check out and go get your camper from Travellers Autobarn - I recommend getting the Kuga Camper if you’re 2 or 3 people🥰
On your way to Hamilton I would definitely recommend you to spend some time in Hamilton Gardens. They have the most beautiful botanical gardens!! And you can get pretty good ice creams in there as well.
Remember to explore the whole area🤩
2. Hamilton
2 nights
Day 4
If you’re a Lord Of The Rings fan then this is your time to get the real experience in Hobbiton!!
You can spend some hours exploring this beautiful movie set and stand in front of Bilbo Baggins home💛
Day 5
If you have the energy then drive down to Waitomo Cave and experience another world. You will also be able to hike outside in the beautiful area.
If you want to see glow worms in real life but don’t want to pay for it then wait for it and I’ll show you a free place to watch these funny little creatures.
Otherwise go straight to the Coromandel and enjoy the beach! Remember to visit the Cathedral Cove😍 You might be in time for sunset?
3. Coromandel
2 nights
Day 6
Visit the Water Works and Waiau Falls while you’re here but otherwise just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
If you need a bit more movement then consider driving to Coromandel Coastal Walkway🌊
Day 7
Drive straight down to Tauranga (pay attention when driving because they have toll roads).
You can continue driving to Mount Manganui and hike up the mountain to get the most stunning view over the water, beach and the town🤩
Ps. watch out for the sheep shit😅
4. Tauranga
1 night
Day 8
I would personally spend my time in Tauranga on going to the beaches in Mount Manganui, try to surf, go shopoing or just relaxing and getting good food.
So get some rest because Rotorua has a lot to offer - just not shopping and beach wise🙃
Remember to watch the sunset at least once while you’re here!
5. Rotorua
3 nights
Very important heads up is that this town smells a lot like rotten egg some places from the natural hot pools in the area so find a place that doesn't smell too bad or get used to it😆
Day 9
Drive towards Rotorua and consider stopping by Okere Falls and go for a walk in the forest to see even more waterfalls🤩
If you’re in need of a bit of adrenaline then book a river rafting tour on these waterfalls! They have the highest commercialriver rafting drop of 7 meters!
Ps. Might be bit too much if you’ve never tried before.
Hell's Gate is also an option? Don't worry I know how that sounded but it's actually a really nice place.
Check out these amazing hot pools!
If you still have time and energy I would recommend you to book a Maori cultural experience where you learn about the culture and history. It's a really special experience that will give you a better understanding of the culture and country.
Day 10
Spend half a day at Waiotapu where you can explore one of the geothermal areas in Rotorua. Super cool to learn about earth doing it's thing.
Explore the giant trees in Rotorua Redwoods. Go for a hike or simply go there and admire them. It's also possible to go for a walk up in the trees and it's especially pretty during night where everything is lit up!
If you have the money then I would definitely recommend you to visit the active volcano, Mount Tarawera! You can do this by helicopter or simply hike up there.
Day 11
Take some time to relax, go to the movies, or simply do one of the activities from above. If you want to have a chill day but still experience something new you can consinder going up the skyline and try the luge cars. It is a really fun activity that suits all ages.
If you want to just get straight to it then drive to Taupo and visit the Maccas airplane.
6. Taupo
2 nights
Day 12
Here you will find the most amazing fall!
Drive to Huka Falls and go for a walk along the river.
You can also see Huka Falls from another point of view if you take a jet boat on Waikato River.
Spend the rest of the day near the water, getting a delicious meal, shopping or relaxing in your camper with a view over Lake Taupo.
Otherwise I recommend you to book a tour out on the water and get a close up on the Maori rock carvings.
Day 13
I recommend you to find lunch in Taupo before heading to Tongariro National park.
There isn't too many restaurants or cafe's here, so come prepared or drive a bit to find a cafe.
Otherwise go to Ohakune which is a very cute little town not too far away where you can find a grocery store and eateries.
7. Tongariro Narional Park
2 nights (FYI this is to do the Tongariro Crossing so if you're not into hiking then skip these two nights)
Day 14
Get ready to wake up early and do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing where you will come across these beautiful blue pools on the top of the mountain. If the wheater won't allow you to cross today then you have tomorrow to try again.
Day 15
Get ready for the long drive down to Wellington where you can stop in Taihape or Levin for lunch.
8. Wellington
3 nights
Day 16
Casual day to just relax and explore the city.
You can drive around the peninsula (Massey Memorial to Ataturk Memorial) for the most scenic drive - and maybe stop on the way.
At night you might also be lucky to spot some penguins!
If you are a Lord of the rings fan then visit weta cave.
You can visit for free, but you can also buy a ticket if you want to get the full tour.
Day 17
Spend some time in the National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa. It's so beautiful and you can learn so much about their history as a country. One of the things that surprised me the most was learning about the native animals and all the animals that men have brought with them to the country.
Treat yourself to some good food as Wellington is one of the best places to be in New Zealand if you're a foodie!
Or visit Zealandia, where you can spot some of the native birds. Consider taking a guided tour to get the full experience.
Day 18
Take the ferry to the South Island.
I would recommend you to bring som snacks from Wellington otherwise you can buy food on board.
When you arrive to the South Island I recommend you to find some food in Picton and maybe go for a stroll on the harbour.
If you have the time and energy they do also have some nice small hikes like the snout or Bobs Bay Beach.
9. Blenheim
2 nights
Day 19
Blenheim will give you the golden opportunity to do some wine tasting from Marlborough. You can even take a bus to visit multiple wineries.
If you're not really into drinking today then maybe you'd enjoy going shopping a bit?
Otherwise you can spend the day getting ready to some exciting days ahead! Well exciting if you love marine animals😅
Day 20
Drive directly down to Kaikoura - one of my favorite towns in New Zealand!
On the way you can stop at Ohau Lookout to spot heaps of seals
Go for a stroll in the town, do some shopping, go to the beach, or go to South Bay and look for marine animals. You can also drive up to the lookout point and get one of the best views from land over Kaikoura.
These two places are also the best to catch the sun setting!
10. Kaikōura
2 nights
Day 21
Spend the day spotting a whale or two! And heaps of dolphins. You can do it by boat, airplane, or helicopter. The biggest difference is that by boat it can get a bit crowded but you get so much closer where as from the air you will be able to spot it from above seeing all of it, and you can move quick if someone else spots a whale further away! But if you're nearsighted then maybe go for the boat.
There is also a price difference of course where the price by boat is definitely the cheapest and helicopter the most expensive.
If you feel like a free activity then go to Kaikoura Peninsula and do the walk. Start with going uphill for the view and then go down along the beach on the way back where you get close to the seals, but remember to keep a safe distance!
On the way back you can stop at Kaikoura Seafood BBQ to taste some crayfish or get a delicious ice cream right next to the seafood kiosk!
If you're not into animals like that then you can try EcoZip where you'll get the most amazing view over Kaikoura.
Day 22
Before you leave you have the opportunity to swim with dolphins in the morning where you'll catch the most stunning sunrise. It's a very speciel experience, and since they don't attract the dolphins there's no way to guarantee you will get to swim with them, but there's so many that the odds are very high!
I found it to be one of the most incredible experiences ever tbh.
On your way up to Abel Tasman you can stop and get some lunch in Blenheim or Nelson.
If you're a big fan of peanut butter then you have to stop at Pic's PB World!
11. Abel Tasman
2 nights
Day 23
Spend the day hiking in Abel Tasman - little tip is getting the water taxi out and walk back. I recommend you to only do a part of it as most of the route is in the forest and anyways. Consider doing it from Torrent bay or Anchorage for a shorter but still good walk.
Otherwise spend the day kayaking with seals and maybe you'll be lucky and other marine animals will show up!
If you have energy and want to see it all then go for a long drive so you can make it to the most incredible place at sunset. It's still amazing if you come during day tbf.
Day 24
You have a long drive ahead of you so get some good breakfast and snacks before driving to Hokitika.
On the way down I recommend you to stop at Punakai to see the pancake rocks. The place speaks for it self and I have never seen anything like it before! I would say it isn't hyped enough so enjoy while it's not too over crowded.
12. Hokitika
2 nights
Another of my favorite towns in New Zealand. The town is really underrated and you can do so many things here and in the area.
Day 25
Spend the best day in Hokitika where you visit Lake Kaniere, Dorothy Falls, Hokitika Gorge and Glow Worm Dell.
Start with driving to Lake Kaniere and take some stunning pictures of the lake. Then drive to Dorothy Falls, and then Hokitika Gorge. Walk all the way out to the end, to see the "old" bridge.
Bring some snacks as there's not really any cafe's around.
Rest and wait until it gets dark so you can go and see the glow worms in glow worm dell. The whole day will be a really eventful, beautiful and FREE! Well at least activity wise ;)
Day 26
On your way down to Wanaka you can cross of a bucket list activity which is Franz Josef snow landing. It's an amazing experience and so beautiful! If you're a bit more hardcore then I would definitely recommend you to try heli-hiking!
13. Wanaka
2 nights
Day 27
Spend the day exploring this little cute town. Most people come to see 'That Wanaka Tree' which is a beautiful tree standing in the water so you can get the most beautiful picture with the water reflecting the tree and mountains in the background.
Day 28
Luckily todays drive isn't too long. Otherwise if you're into adrenaline you can start the day out with bungy jumping 137 meters.
If you're a Lord of the Rings fan then driving out to Glenorchy might be a better start on the day as there's a few different places they've filmed big scenes.
14. Queenstown
3 nights
Queenstown is know to be adrenaline city of New Zealand so this is the place to tick off your bucket list.
Day 29
Day to relax and explore maybe do some (recycling) shopping.
If you're looking to get some adrenaline out of the day you can book a paragliding tour, zip line, jet boat, sky diving, or quadbike etc.
Day 30
Today I recommend you to either drive down to Milford Sound (4 hours) or book a tour with a cruise included. This is one of the most incredible national parks and the only place where I would wish for heavy rain.
The mountains will light up with waterfalls all around you. It's just so stunning that you almost can't miss it.
Day 31
Drive to Lake Tekapo where you will have a rest in this cute little town. Enjoy the view over the lakes and this is the most beautiful place to be in December and that time a year.
15. Lake Tekapo
2 night
Known to be one of the best places to stargaze, so stay up a bit later than usual!
Day 32
Today I recommend you to visit Tasman Glacier.
This is one of the most stunning places in New Zealand in my opinion. You have to visit and walk up to the lake.
If you don’t want to walk too much then head directly to Lake Tasman otherwise you can go all in and hike up to the top where you’ll get the best view over the lake and mountains🏔️🩵
Day 33
The last big drive before the end of the trip.
On the way up to Christchurch I recommend you to stop by clay cliffs which is completely different from the rest of New Zealand’s landscape.
16. Christchurch
2 nights
Day 34
When visiting Christchurch there's two things you need to do to prove that you've been here.
First is to watch the tram drive by while you're shopping or eating in town. You can also go all in and take a ride.
Next is to visit the Botanic Gardens - don't underestimate the size of the park!
This city reminds me of England sometimes and two of the places where I really feel like I could be in England is Riverside Market (and the ally from the main walkway) and the Arts Centre building.
If you still have the camper you could also spend tomorrow sight seeing and today on visiting Akaroa or Lyttelton if you are up for a last challenge.
Both towns are the center of an erupted volcano - don't worry it's not active anymore.
Day 35
Ready to end this adventure?
I hope you really enjoy your time in New Zealand and hopefully this guide will help you to get a great memories!
If you have any questions or need more recommendations then let me know and I will gladly help you.
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