Holiday Planning Guide - 21 Days North and South Islands road
tour. Experience New Zealand with a three week Drive NZ
planned road tour.
You’ve got three weeks off work and its time to hit
the road with a good old fashioned Kiwi road trip. But where
should you go? Experience New Zealand with a 3 week Drive
New Zealand rental cars planned road tour.
Day 1: Auckland at your leisure
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, and definitely
worth at least a day to explore while checking out the
sights, great food, shopping and nightlife.
Get Yourself Some Wheels
The first thing you are going to need for your two week road
trip is a safe, reliable and budget friendly rental car.
Luckily, Drive NZ comes to the rescue with Auckland car
rental. Just minutes from the Airport, they will sort you
out with whatever sized car you need, at the right price.
Go Sightseeing around Auckland
Landmarks, Museums and Parks
Being New Zealand’s main city, Auckland is full of
tourist sites, landmarks, historic museums and parks to
explore. Military buffs can check out the World War II era
caves and gun emplacements at
North Head
and
Bastion Point along with the
Devonport Naval Museum
and
MOTAT II.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
has a full history of New Zealand, with Maori artifacts,
historical Auckland, polynesian history and more. The
New Zealand Maritime Museum
displays New Zealand’s long maritime museum, while
The Museum of Transport and Technology
(There are two sites in Western Springs) has great displays
of machinery, vehicles and more.
Once you are tired of museums go for a walk in the many
parks nearby including
One Tree Hill,
Western Springs,
Auckland Domain & Winter Garden
and the
Parnell Rose Gardens.
Enjoy some Fun Auckland
Activities
Auckland is full of fun activities, including theme parks
such as
Rainbows End
in Manukau, craziness in a former mental hospital with
Spookers
and
Asylum Paintball
in Kingseat and loads of chances to test your fear of
heights with the
Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb and Bungy,
Skytower Skywalk
(or if that's too scary, try out the casino below) and
Sky Screamer
vertical bungy.
If Zoos are more you think make sure you visit Auckland Zoo
in Western Springs or Kelly Tarltons Underwater World near
Mission bay, and amazing underwater aquarium and antarctic
exhibit.
Arty types will enjoy the
Auckland Art Gallery
and theatre at the
Civic.
Wine and Dine in
Auckland’s Cafes and Restaurants
Decades ago many immigrants from former Yugoslavia moved to
Auckland, bringing with them the skills and craftsmanship of
fine winemaking. You’ll find amazing wineries a short
drive (or ferry) away in Kumeu, Matakana & Waiheke
Island. Remember to take a sober driver with you, so you can
enjoy some of the best wine in the upper North Island. Top
wineries include the
Kumeu River Winery
along with
Stoney Ridge
(and home to some great parties too) and
Mudbrick
in Waiheke.
Auckland is also home to some pretty amazing food, with the
top 50 restaurants
being ranked in Metro magazine every year. Treat yourself to
a great feed at
Bracu,
Cibo, or Clooney. For those on more of a budget, make sure you
grab a feed at the fish and chips shop in Mission Bay, or
grab a great burger at one of the many
Burger Fuel
stores, or Ponsonby Favourite - Murder Burger!
Party the Nights Away in Clubs,
Pubs and Nightclubs
Auckland has an awesome music and party scene, whether its
live music, DJs and nightclubs, irish bars, backpackers
spots or something in between - you’ll find something
in Auckland. Get underground upstairs at
Rakinos, drink from teapots with the hipsters at
Cassette #9, confuse yourself with the signage at
Racket
or hang with the Ponsonby set at
Golden Dawn. Backpackers love Globe, while the waterfront area is
popular every weekend if top 40 is more your scene.
Day 2 & 3: Paihia
Its a 4 hour and 15 minute journey from Auckland to Paihia
in your rented car, clocking in at around 240 kilometers.
Learn about Kiwi History
Visit the historic
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
(free entry for Kiwis with valid passport or drivers
licence) and see where modern New Zealand began as well as
the site of New Zealand’s first church at
St Paul’s Church.
Enjoy Nature
Explore the native forest at
Opua Forest
and walk the trails (anywhere from 1-5 hours depending on
difficulty) and check out
Haruru Falls (which are even better at night)
Relax at the Beach
Being the entry point to the Bay of Islands, beaches are
absolutely everywhere. Te Tii is probably the most
well known, with golden sand, pohutukawa trees and calm
water suitable for swimming. The more adventurous can walk
around the corner from Paihia Town Beach at low tide
to
Sullivan’s Beach, a popular “local secret”.
Find Somewhere To Stay
Those on a budget can stay at backpackers like the
Pickled Parrot, Saltwater Lodge and the Mousetrap, while those who
want something high end can stay at the
Paihia Beach Resort, Spa and Hotel (If you’ve
got a spare $450 a night!), of course there are plenty of
options in between if you check with the local visitor
information centre.
Day 4: Whitianga
Its a 7 and a half hour, 450km journey in your rented car
from Paihia to Whitianga in the Coromandel through farmland
and up the coast towards sunny beaches.
Relax on the Beach
Its easy to lose count of all the great beaches nearby, some
of the best include Buffalo Beach,
Flaxmill Bay, Lonely Bay and Cooks Beach. If you feel like driving a little further make sure you
visit Hahei, Cathedral Cove and
Hot Water Beach. Remember to bring a picnic with you
and don’t forget to take all your rubbish with you,
keep our beaches beautiful.
Activities on the Water
There are loads of activities for those who enjoy playtime
on the water including PADI Diving,
Banana Boats, Seafari Windsurfing,
Cave Cruisers and Glass Bottom Boats.
Food & Drink
Food is plentiful in the Coromandel, and Whitianga provides
lots of options for the travelling foodie.
Wild Hogs is great for fast food including burgers
and pizza, Squids is perfect for seafood lovers,
Cafe Nina provides the late breakfast and early lunch
and Tuatua is the place to go for Tapas.
Day 5 & 6: Rotorua
Next you’ve got a 200km journey inland using your hire
car that should take around 3 and a half hours at a decent
speed, watch out for the motorhomes and tourists who can
hold up traffic and be a little dangerous on these roads,
especially as you get close to the city.
Geothermal Wonderland
Rotorua is full of thermal areas, from boiling mud, geysers
and hot pools, its the number one reason people visit the
area. Te Puia is a geyser which erupts up to 20 times a day,
while
Wai-o-Tapu
and
Waimangu
are must visit attractions for bubbling mud, beautiful
coloured lakes and more. Swim in the hot pools at the
Blue Baths &
Polynesian Spa or hit the slides at the
Wet’n’Wild water park. Make sure you also
check out
Kerosene Creek, hidden about 20 minutes down the road on the way to
Taupo, its a great hidden local secret hot pool.
Museums, Maori History and
Culture
Rotorua Museum is located in the heart of the city and is
one of the prettiest buildings in town with its Tudor
architecture, the exhibits inside aren’t half bad
either. The Buried Village shows you what life was like
before a volcanic eruption destroyed the village, preserving
everything as it stood on the day.
Other Activities
Rotorua is full of fun things to do including
Skyline Skyrides
with its gondola up the mountain, restaurant with the best
views in town and high speed luging to get back down. Nearby
you can roll down the hill in a giant inflatable ball, known
locally as the
Zorb, the more adventurous can try it in pairs or full of
water. You can tour the area in a World War II era American
DUKW landing craft with Rotorua Duck Tours or if you
are a 4WD nut hit the hills with Off Road NZ and the
Land Rover Experience. Rock climbers can scale
The Wall, while trout fans only have to check out the
local fishing stores dotted all over the city for the latest
news on local spots on the rivers and lakes (just remember
to get your licence before hand).
Have a Drink
Strangely enough Rotorua seems to be the home of a fair few
imported and craft beer places. Make sure you visit Brew,
Rotorua’s very own microbrewery for some real local
beer including pale ales and more. Pub food and live music
is always on at the Pig and Whistle right next to the
courthouse, while you can get a wide range of imported
Belgian beer on tap and bottled at the creatively named
Belgian Beer Bar.
Finding a Bed
Hotels, Motels and Backpackers are available everywhere on
the “strip” as Fenton street is known by the
locals, with rooms and beds available to suit any budget. If
you are stuck pop into the local
Visitor Information Centre at the start of the street
near the lake.
Day 7: Napier
You’ve got a 223 km journey from Rotorua to Napier in
your car rental, that should take around 4 hours through
rolling hills and farmland.
Go on a winery tour
The Napier, Hastings and Hawkes Bay region are famous in New
Zealand and internationally for their wines. Join an
organised tour or get a designated driver and make sure you
visit top wineries including Craggy Range,
Mission Estate, Trinity Hill,
Te Mata Estate and many more.
Get Cycling
Napier is great for riding, whether it’s between the
wineries or to explore local sights. Make sure you grab a
bike from a local company such as
On Yer Bike, Village Cycle Tours and Hire or
Bike About and hit the road.
A Foodies Dream
Napier isn’t all great wine and pretty buildings,
it's also a foodies dream. Leave the belt at home and
try food out at restaurants and cafes including
Cappadona, Take Five (great if you love a bit
of Jazz) and don’t miss out on the traditional Maori
bread found at Cafe Ujazi. The bars are home to
sophisticated cocktails at Med Bar, club nights at
Harston and numerous Irish bars dotted around town.
Art Deco Accommodation
Budget travellers have some of the nicest accommodation
options in Napier with
Criterion Art Deco Backpackers
and the Stables, converted from actual stables. Mid
ranged accommodation is available with loads of motels and
motor inns dotted around the city, while those with more of
a budget can splash out on a night The Crown, The
Art Deco Masonic Hotel or The Country, where
you’ll find style and quality at the right price.
Day 8 & 9: Wellington
Its 323 km from Napier to New Zealand’s windy city and
capital, Wellington, the trip should take no more than 5
hours in a rented car, though you may get held up as you
reach the outskirts of the city. There’s so much to
see and do here two days will barely seem like enough.
Remember your GPS when driving through Wellington as it is
full of one way streets!
Cafe Culture
Wellington’s has the best coffee and cafe scene in New
Zealand, and a trip isn’t complete without checking
out
Cuba Street. Grab a short white or black, kick back and watch the
world go by as you enjoy the creations of New
Zealand’s best baristas. Later on at night Wellington
comes alive with pubs, clubs and bars on
Cuba Street and Courtenay Place.
Movie Madness
Film buffs and Lord of the Rings fans will love Wellywood,
home of
Weta Workshop
and Weta Studios, The Embassy Theatre and
loads of film sets, locations and props dotted around the
city. There are plenty of guided tours available as well.
History and Culture
A trip to Wellington isn’t complete without visiting
Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Walk through the
city streets until you find the
Wellington Cable Car
and Cable Car Museum. Film buffs will love the
New Zealand Film Archive. While culture fans will enjoy the
Wellington Art Gallery
and
National Library of New Zealand.
Nature
Nature buffs will love the bird sanctuary, tuataras and
kiwis at
Zealandia
a few kilometers drive out of town.
Accommodation
Wellington is full of hotels for visiting politicians, but a
personal favourite has to be the
Museum Hotel, with its massive art collection and tastefully decorated
rooms, you’ll be amazed who you will run into in its
hallways, from All Blacks to movie stars. Those on more of a
budget should check out
Wellywood Backpackers,
The Cambridge Hotel & Backpackers
or
Worldwide Backpackers.
Day 10 & 11: Picton,
Blenheim & Nelson
Next up is the
Interislander Ferry
or
Bluebridge Ferry
to cross the Cook Strait in your hired car. Make sure you
book your tickets a day or two in advance as these can
sometimes sell out. Expect the crossing to last about 3 and
a half hours, with a reasonable wait before boarding as
well. There isn’t a lot to do in Picton as its more of
a stopping off point before exploring the South Island or
Marlborough Sounds. If you have time check out the
Eco World Aquarium,
Edwin Fox Maritime Museum or Picton Museum.
Wine Tasting in Marlborough
Next you’ll head off to Blenheim a short 30km, half an
hour drive which will have barely any traffic compared to
the busy roads in the North Island. Blenhiem is fairly quiet
itself, but close enough to the wineries of the Marlborough
Region to keep it interesting. Spend they day touring some
of New Zealand’s top wineries including
Brancott Estate,
Cloudy Bay,
Drylands Winery,
Wither Hills
and
far more
that the region is famous for.
Blenheim Accommodation
There is a wide range of motels and hotels dotted around the
region, while budget accommodation can be found at
Peppertree Lodge.
Drive to Nelson
Nelson is only a short 116 km drive from Blenheim taking you
past Kaikoura, home of some of the best Whale Watching
experiences in New Zealand. Non stop, the journey should
take no more than two hours.
Adventure Activities
Nelson is home to some great adventure activities including
Happy Valley Adventures,
Cable Bay Kayaks
and Simply Wild, ideal for anyone who likes some
rough rivers, flying foxes, mountain biking or wilderness
adventures.
Accommodation in Nelson
Nelson is described as one of the most livable cities in New
Zealand, and is home to great accommodation for travellers
of all budgets. Great hostels include
Paradiso Backpackers, Nelson Beach Hostel and
Tasman Bay Backpackers.
Day 12: Drive to Greymouth
It will take you just under 5 hours for the 300 km journey
using your hire car from Nelson to Greymouth - the biggest
city on the sparsely populated West Coast of the South
Island. With a history of coal and gold mining, you’ll
find attractions like the
Shantytown
and the
History House Museum.
West Coast Food and Drink
The West Coast is known for its “Wild Foods” and
even hosts a wild food festival once a year. Look for where
the locals hang out and grab a West Coast beer and meal at
Frank’s Late Night Lounge, Jones Cafe & Bar or
Ali’s Eating & Drinking.
Accommodation on the Coast
There isn’t a lot of options for accommodation in
Greymouth compared to other larger cities, but you’ll
easily find beds at places like
Duke Hostel
or
Noahs Ark Backpackers.
Day 13, 14 & 15 Queenstown
& Wanaka
Queenstown and its smaller partner in crime Wanaka are two
of New Zealand’s adveture and winter sports
playgrounds. It will take you a 9 hour, 470 km drive via
Franz Josef Glacier
and Twizel to get to Wanaka. Then you’ve got a
two hour, 120 km drive from Wanaka to Queenstown.
Sightseeing
The area is full of picturesque movie locations that need to
be seen to be believed. Make sure you try the
Skyline Gondola
for an aerial view of Queenstown. Drive further out into
Arrowtown to check out the old
Chinese Settlement from the gold rush days. Military
buffs will love the Warbirds & Wheels museum, and
if you are there in time
Warbirds Over Wanaka.
Winter Sports
The mountain ranges such as the
Remarkables
deserve their namesake and along with Cardrona are great
places for skiing and snowboarding.
Snow Farm New Zealand
provides cross country skiing and
Coronet Peak
is the oldest ski field in the region.
Food & Drink
Beer lovers have to check out the local brewery at
Wanaka Beerworks
for locally brewed lager, black beer and pilsner.
Gibbston Valley Wines
are a must visit for wine lovers wanting locally grown wine.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation in the area, with thousands
of tourists in the area, but in peak season book ahead. Make
sure you check out Bumbles Backpackers in Queenstown
and Base in Wanaka.
Day 16 & 17: Te Anau &
Milford Sound
Drive to Te Anau your entrance to (a 2 hour drive) Milford
Sound, which should take you around 2 and a half hours. Find
somewhere to stay a wide variety of motels offering
accommodation to trekkers.
Trekking Milford Sound.
Milford Sounds is one of the most beautiful places in all of
New Zealand. There are many ways to explore the glaciers,
waters, hills and native forest including glass roofed
coaches, kayaks, plane and helicopter trips, cruises -
whatever your budget allows. Just make sure you get some
photos of the stunning
Mitre Peak.
Accommodation
With half a million visitors each year - accommodation can
book out in peak season so make sure you book it early if
you are travelling between December and February. We
recommend staying in Te Anau at one of the many Motels which
aren’t too expensive.
Day 19 & 20: Christchurch
Christchurch was New Zealand’s second largest city
(now its Wellington) until it was struck by an earthquake
that levelled most of the central city. You should get there
in just over 7 hours for the 490 km journey.
Right now its in the process of being rebuilt, stronger than
ever (There's even a mall made out of shipping
containers - Re:Start). Its one of the older cities
in New Zealand so expect to see some very British style
buildings and gardens as you drive around, you’ll also
find it great to cycle and walk if you get the chance.
Sightseeing
Make sure you check out New Zealand’s only official
Wizard
at Cathedral Square. Art & history lovers are
best to check out the Art Gallery. Movie buffs can venture
out into the Canterbury plains and see Lord of the Rings
film sets used for Edoras.
Activities
Christchurch is the international launchpad for many
countries into Antarctica, and you can check out the goings
on at the
International Antarctic Centre. Wildlife lovers check out Orana Park Wildlife Sanctuary
Food & Drink
Food lovers are best to check out the top food market in New
Zealand at the
Christchurch Farmers Market. Craft beer can be found at
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn and
Cassels & Sons Brewery. Bodhi Tree is
getting a strong reputation for, strangely enough Burmese
Food.
Winnie Bagoes
is of course the best place to get a Pizza in town.
Christchurch Accommodation
Theres plenty of great accommodation in Christchurch, but in
this case theres one place that you absolutely must stay -
Jailhouse Accommodation, an 1870s era prison that closed down in the late 90s.
Where else can you stay you spent the night in jail without
getting arrested!
Heading Back North
The drive from Christchurch to Picton should take you around
five hours for the 330 km journey. Try and cross back into
Wellington for the night, as the nightlife is much better!
Day 21: Wellington to Auckland
Its a long all day 700 km journey back to Auckland via State
Highway One so make sure you pack some snacks for the trip
in your rental car. Stop off along the way at the
Waiouru Army Museum
and check out a piece of NZ history including our Victoria
Cross medals on display, or jump on top of a tank for some
great holiday photos!
Once you are back in Auckland, catch up on any sights that
you missed on day one or two, before dropping your car back
off at Drive NZ Rental Cars - your Auckland Car
rental agency.