If you are planning to travel to New Zealand, be ready. Yes, be ready because you are about to fall in love with the most beautiful place on Earth.
The great thing about Kiwi Land is that the country is a natural beauty (which means that you don’t need to pay to enjoy its magnificence).
Of course, you can pay for extras here and there, but you can be pleased without spending all your money!
During our trip to New Zealand, we used different types of transportation. We had a bus pass (10 trips), we rented two cars and we hitch-hiked once.
Taking a bus is easy, and you don’t have to worry too much(you can even sleep!). But that also means that you can’t stop along the road.
So, if you manage to spot an awesome hidden spot, well, you’ll have to enjoy it from the comfort of your seat. We were backpacking in New Zealand for a month, so buying a car wasn’t a clever option.
So, we managed to find two cheap rental cars and we certainly enjoyed our time driving in New Zealand.
Day 1 Auckland – Rotorua
- Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes
- Distance: 228 km
Our New Zealand self-drive itinerary starts on the North Island, in Auckland. Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand and a great place to start your trip.
That said, Auckland is also popular for expats because it’s one of the best cities to live in New Zealand. Before you hit the road, check out Mount Eden.
Mount Eden is the highest natural point in New Zealand. It is a dormant volcano, which is incredible to see, and bonus, you have terrific views of the city.
In the afternoon, it’s time to start our journey. We’ll drive from Auckland to Rotorua, which takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Rotorua is one of the most famous spots on the North Island. It is known for being a colorful, geothermal hot spot. You will find a variety of hot springs, in various colors along with hot mud springs.
Rotorua is influenced by Maori culture. Maori people were the first settlers in New Zealand. You can experience their culture by visiting the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village. It is the last Maori village, and locals lead you on tours of their public sights.
- Time: ~1 hour 2 minutes
- Distance: 82 km
- *Stop in Taupo*
- Taupo → Napier
- Time: ~ 1 hour 54 minutes
- Distance: 142 km
The first stretch of the day will be driving from Rotorua to Taupo, which takes just over 1 hour. Taupo is a beautiful place to stop, enjoy the outdoors, and stretch your legs.
The lake itself is gorgeous, along with the surrounding area, which is filled with green hills. You can explore the lake by renting a kayak or a canoe. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can look into bungee jumping or skydiving over Lake Taupo!
The second stretch of the day will be driving from Taupo to Napier, which takes just under 2 hours. Napier is known for its delicious food and wine, so it is a great spot to stop for the night and unwind with some drinks!
Napier is known as the Art Deco capital of the world. You have to explore the amazing architecture, and if you’re lucky enough, you might be there for the annual Art Deco weekend festival.
Day 3 Napier – Wellington
- Time: ~4 hours 15 min
- Distance: 324 km
If you arrived in Napier too late yesterday, make sure to check out the Art Deco buildings before you go! You can drive by them on your way out, as we head to Wellington. The drive to Wellington will take us about 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, and there is tons to explore.
To learn more about New Zealand, you should check out the Te Papa Museum, which covers all things NZ. From history to art to nature – it’s a one-stop-shop to learn about the fantastic country.
Wellington is known for its craft beer scene, and there are plenty of cool places to relax and have a beer. You should take a walk down Cuba Street, which is a famous and charming street filled with unique, independent shops.
Day 4 Wellington – Nelson
- Time: 5 hours 15 min
- Distance: 237 km
- *Includes a ferry*
We leave the capital city and head to the South Island to the city of Nelson. This journey takes us 5 hours and 15 minutes and includes a ferry.
Nelson is situated on the coast, surrounded by mountain views. Nelson has a great arts and crafts scene. Every Saturday, a market is held in the center of town.
The market is filled with local produce, artwork, and crafts from local crafters. It’s a great place to walk through and get a feel for the atmosphere of Nelson.
For a cool museum experience, check out the World of Wearable Art & Classic Car Museum, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Nelson.
The museum is home to wearable art garments, along with vintage and classic cars. The museum combines design and innovation and provides a unique experience for its visitors.
Day 5 Nelson – Christchurch
- Time: 5 hours 19 min
- Distance: 415 km
Day five of our New Zealand self-drive itinerary takes us to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Christchurch displays one of the strongest English influences in the country and offers so much to explore.
The Botanic Gardens is a great place to start. There are ten gardens, including exotic and native plants. The gardens are home to flowers, trees, and conservatories. It’s a stunning place to experience.
Christchurch is known for its street art. Walking through the city, you’ll see tons of murals and paintings on the buildings. After the earthquake in 2011, artists started creating art on the destroyed buildings, to help boost the moods of the city and its people.
You can find guides online that lead you on tours of the street art – it’s a great way to explore the city and take in the magnificent sites!
Day 6 Christchurch – Queenstown
- Time: 6 hours 10 min
- Distance: 484 km
This is the longest drive on our New Zealand self-drive itinerary, from Christchurch to Queenstown. Christchurch to Queenstown is a beautiful drive, with plenty of gorgeous scenery to take in along the way. The journey takes about 6 hours.
Queenstown is home to commercial bungee jumping. For the thrill-seekers, check out AJ Hackett. AJ Hackett made bungee jumping popular.
They offer a few sites in Queenstown to try out bungee jumping, catapults, or ziplines, for the more adventurous travelers. There are also a couple of swing sites, where you can swing over epic views of Queenstown.
Day 7 Queenstown
The last day of our New Zealand self-drive itinerary is spent in the breathtaking Queenstown. A great place to end the trip, as there is so much to do in Queenstown!
Take the Skyline gondola to the top of the city. You’ll get a great view of Queenstown on the way up, and take in unbelievable panoramic views from the top. The fun does not stop there, as you can take a thrilling luge ride down the mountain.
For a taste of the beautiful nature, Queenstown offers, check out Lake Wakatipu. It is the longest and third largest lake in New Zealand. It’s a stunning site for a picnic, or to walk or cycle through.
