New Zealand Road Trip

Updated January 21, 2024  New Zealand boasts some of the most dramatic natural wonders on earth. From remote glacial fjords among the peaks of the Southern Alps to rolling hobbit hills to hot sandy shores, New Zealand astounds. 

If you love the outdoors, make this trip a priority on your bucket list, and take ample time to explore this amazing country. This post has what you need to plan your own New Zealand adventure, with a detailed itinerary and map of the suggested route and sights.

Land of the Long White Cloud

The Māori call New Zealand “Aotearoa”, which means “land of the long white cloud”. These Polynesians discovered and settled the islands in the early 1300’s. The first indication of land for these early navigators were the long strands of clouds, scraped by the island peaks and streaming out over the south pacific. Europeans landed about 300 years later. Eventually, NZ became a British colony, and a fully independent democratic nation in 1947.

New Zealand is located about half-way between the equator and Antarctica, so its seasons are opposite those in North America and Europe. It maintains sub-tropical weather to the north and more temperate in the south. High volcanic peaks make for Alpine climates in the southern, glacier carved central mountains.

The Great Outdoors

The South Island includes incredibly diverse landscapes. At the southern tip is sub-Antarctic Steward Island, host to many rare birds. To the west is Fjordland National Park, with deep, calm fjord waters miles from any city. In the center is a hiker’s paradise with beautiful lakes and glacier-capped Alpine peaks. At the far north, Abel Tasman Park is a sub-tropical paradise of golden beach fringed with forest. 

The North Island has its own wonders, both natural and man-made. Tongariro National Park is an semi-desert wonderland, and Rotorua brings to mind the geysers of Yellowstone. The beaches of Coromandel have unique and remote beauty.

Wildlife

New Zealand is know for its abundant and unique bird species. Rare little blue and yellow-eyed penguins call the island home, as do many species of unusual birds. Including, of course, the elusive kiwi that lends the islanders their nickname. The now-extinct Giant Moa stood p to 12-feet tall and could weigh over 500 pounds. The only indigenous mammals are fur seals and sea lions, and one tiny bat. 

Human colonization of course brought changes.  The Maori, desperate for meat, hunted the Moa to extinction. Europeans accelerated the process by bringing mammals – dogs, cats, deer, goat, bushtail possum and (unintentionally) rats.  Bird populations dwindled, as they struggled to adapt to the predation and competition for food. It was a similar story in the sea, where whales, fur seals, cod and lobster were harvested to near extinction. But conservation efforts over the last several decades however have stabilized the situation, and the wildlife viewing is unique and wonderful as populations increase. 

Oh, and Wine

New Zealand has some great wines, many of which are never exported. Marlborough is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc whites; lesser known are the excellent Pinot Noirs. Close behind Marlborough is are GIbbston Valley near Queenstown, and on the North Island Martinborough and Hawke’s Bay. But our favorite winery was in Waimea, north of Nelson and not far from the fantastic track in Abel Tasman National Park.

The Road Trip Route

A January start gave us summer on the cooler South Island. We then meandered north to warmer climates in February and March as autumn approached. These months make up prime hiking season, with pleasant weather and long daylight hours to enjoy outdoors.

To really see New Zealand, you need a vehicle, and ample time. Roads are narrow, so a small car is ideal because you are sure to meet an RV or logging truck on those winding mountain roads. You can easily make arrangements for car pick-up / drop off in different locations; our rental even included ferry passage between islands.

Below is our route, which you can view and add as a layer in your own Google Maps. It outlines planned stays, our route, and a few highlights of the trip. There are several hikes, and you’ll note many wineries – two of our favorite reasons to travel!

The Detailed Itinerary

This downloadable PDF itinerary is great starting point for your trip. It includes administrative necessities about visas, currency, and the like. More interestingly, details on the destinations, including what to see and do (with links)!

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Travel Bytes

For more about our crazy journeys, check the Travel Bytes below!