An epic two week road trip itinerary for the North and South Islands
Here’s how to spend 14 days in New Zealand
With two weeks in New Zealand, you can see the highlights of both the North and South Islands.
You could equally dedicate the whole 2 weeks to just one island (the North Island if you love beaches, surfing, and Maori culture, or the South Island for epic landscapes and adventure) but if you’re comfortable with a few long driving days, you can cover a lot in 2 weeks.
A lot of locals will tell you to slow down and focus on spending more time in one region. In principle I agree with the slow travel approach.
But – if this is your once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand, strap in for an epic road trip and you can see most of the top sights across the country.
As a New Zealander, I’ve had the luxury of spending much more than just 14 days exploring the country. If I had to pack it all into 2 weeks though, these are the stops I would make along the way.
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14 days in New Zealand
Because New Zealand is so large, and attractions are so spread out, you’ll probably move almost every day and spend most nights in a new location.
You can expect to drive around 3 hours most days.
This is why New Zealand is such a road trip destination — hopping from one place to the next is the best way to see the country.
You’ll need a rental car or a campervan. For cars, I recommend checking prices on DiscoverCars, and make sure you pick a company which allows you to drop off your vehicle in Rotorua, if you take the internal flight.
This is a day by day breakdown of two weeks in New Zealand. I’ll go into (a lot) more detail for each day below.
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Day 2: Waiheke Island
Day 3-4: Rotorua
Day 5: Fly to Christchurch
Day 6: Drive (or train) to Hokitika via Arthur’s Pass
Day 7: The West Coast & Franz Josef
Day 8: Wanaka
Day 9-11: Queenstown and Milford Sound
Day 12: Aoraki Mount Cook
Day 13: Lake Tekapo
Day 14: Fly out of Christchurch
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This is just one variation of a two-week New Zealand road trip.
If this itinerary doesn’t look quite right for you, get in touch with me to ask about my custom itinerary planning service. We can arrange a call to talk through a trip perfectly tailored to your tastes.
2 week New Zealand road trip itinerary
This itinerary covers both islands, with an internal flight to make the most of your time in New Zealand.
You can also do this trip in reverse, starting in Christchurch and flying up to Rotorua.
Day 1: Arrive into Auckland
After a long flight, and sometimes long Customs queues — we take biosecurity seriously — it’s nice to be able to spend a night in Auckland.
I generally wouldn’t recommend driving on your first day. After a lengthy flight, you’ll want a shower and a bed.
The airport is at least 30 minutes from the centre of the city (more in rush hour traffic) but even so, I wouldn’t try to stay close to the airport.
There aren’t many options in terms of accommodation, and dining options are even more bleak. If you head into the city centre, you’ll be able to have a meal at one of the city’s fantastic restaurants and perhaps head for a drink to toast your arrival.
While Queen Street and much of the CBD is grey and uninspiring, Auckland has some highlights. I love wandering down Karangahape Road for the shops and character, and Ponsonby Road for the buzz in the evening.
Both streets have many great places to eat.
Don’t miss: Climb Mount Eden/Maungawhau for beautiful views of the city.
Where to eat: Some of my favourite restaurants are on Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road; try Otto, Pici, Candela, or Apero.
Where to stay in Auckland: I highly recommend The Hotel Britomart for a unique place to stay, but there are some other lovely accommodation options around the city.
Day 2: Day trip to Waiheke Island
For your first full day Waiheke Island is an excellent destination.
It’s easy to get there — just catch a 45 minute ferry from the downtown ferry terminal. I recommend taking the Island Direct ferry instead of Fullers, as it’s smaller and less hectic onboard, plus you can book a time slot.
Once on the island, you can opt for a wine tour or catch public buses around the island. Visit one or two vineyards (there are several clustered together so you can easily walk between them) and stop for a lavish lunch somewhere.
My personal favourites are Casita Miro and Man O War.
If the weather is on your side, there are lovely walks and beaches to explore around Waiheke as well.
Take a winery tour | The quickest and easiest way to get around Waiheke’s vineyards is to book a wine tour — you can compare prices on Viator.
Day 3-5: Drive to Rotorua (stay 2 nights)
3 hours 30 minutes drive
Go for the Maori culture and geothermal activity
Pick up your rental car and hit the road.
If you can, try and avoid driving around 8am or 3-5pm. Auckland traffic can be a nightmare, made even worse if you’re just getting used to driving on the left side of the road.
If you plan on visiting Hobbiton, you can go via Matamata and do the movie set tour.
Rotorua itself isn’t the most impressive town. It’s fairly touristy and like a lot of New Zealand towns doesn’t have a great deal of character.
New Zealanders sometimes call it “Roto-vegas”, which gives you a hint as to how tacky it can be.
What makes Rotorua well worth spending a few days is the impressive geothermal activity in the area. It’s one of the most unique parts of New Zealand and is also a hub of Maori culture.
On your first evening, you can stroll around Kuirau Park and see your first glimpses of simmering mud pools and steam vents. It’s free to enter.
Stay for a couple of nights and you can visit one of the geothermal parks, enjoy a Maori cultural experience, and walk around the Redwoods. Visiting the Redwoods at night is also a surreal experience — the Nightlights tree walk leads you along a suspended walkway through an illuminated forest of mighty trees.
You’ll want at least one full day to experience one of the parks. I loved Wai O Tapu, which is where you can see the Champagne Pool, a large turqoise and orange pool, as well as other technicolour pools.
If you go there, you’re already part way to Taupo, so you can scoot down to the lake after. I stopped at Kerosene Creek on the way, which is a popular spot for swimming in naturally heated waters (for free).
Huka Falls is an impressive pit stop in Taupo, and I loved stopping in at the nearby Hipapatua Reserve for a swim in the crystal clear, bright blue river (just follow the road to the swimming hole at the end).
ROTORUA MUST DOS
The one thing you have to do in Rotorua is bathe in thermal waters. Try Secret Spot for a fun experience, Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools for lakeside pools, or for a free hot lake swim check out the Tarawera Trail.
WHERE TO EAT IN ROTORUA
ANI’s Gin Bar & Tapas serves uniquely New Zealand food.
WHERE TO STAY IN ROTORUA
Staying in Rotorua vs Taupo: Rotorua is a bit more touristy than Taupo, and Taupo is quite pretty with its lakeside location. But, a lot of the things to do in Taupo are similar to the activities in Rotorua. I think you can easily cover Taupo in a day, and don’t need to spend a night there if you’re short on time.
Something special | A little outside of Rotorua is Oakridge Glamping, if you want something rustic and close to nature.
Campervan | Orakei Korako offers camping in their carpark for free, if you pay to visit the park. You can park here overnight and visit the park first thing in the morning.
At the Waikite Valley Hot Pools, a similar deal applies — there is a fee for camping, but this includes entry to the hot pools and you even get access to the hot pools before they are open to the general public.
Day 5: Fly from Rotorua to Christchurch, stay the night
1 hour 55 minute flight with Air New Zealand
Explore Christchurch on the hop on hop off heritage tram
Visit the Botanic Gardens, or go punting on the Avon
The most time efficient way to see both islands is to fly from Rotorua to Christchurch.
Obviously, this doesn’t work if you have a campervan. In that case, you should drive down to Wellington and get the ferry to the South Island.
One internal flight can save you hours of driving though, and with the cost of petrol and the ferry between the islands, you will end up spending the same amount or less on a flight.
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. It’s a good place to stop for a night and enjoy the parks, restaurants, and lively city centre.
If you’re visiting New Zealand for the natural beauty, one afternoon and evening in Christchurch is enough.
Go for a stroll around the city centre, and check out the pastel buildings of New Regent Street. Christchurch has some great street art and a cool urban vibe.
WHERE TO EAT IN CHRISTCHURCH
Twenty Seven Steps — an awesome restaurant
Rollickin’ Gelato — make a late night dessert stop here
Grizzly Baked Goods — pick up road trip snacks, or just coffee and pastries for your morning stroll
WHERE TO STAY IN CHRISTCHURCH
Something special | The Observatory Hotel is absolutely stunning, and a top choice if you want to splurge.
Mid range | Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square is right in the middle of town, on the edge of Cathedral Square. I’ve stayed here before and loved being so central.
The only thing to note is parking is a nightmare in the middle of the city. I picked up my rental car after leaving this hotel, so I didn’t have to manage parking, but it did mean going back out to the airport.
Budget | Last time I was in Christchurch, I stayed at The Bealey Quarter which was perfectly fine — nothing fancy but everything I needed. I also really liked that I could park for free here and walk into the centre, which was around 15 minutes.
Day 6: Drive (or train) from Christchurch to Hokitika
3 hour 15 minute drive
There is also the option of taking the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth, then picking up a rental car and continuing to Hokitika from there
Stop in Arthur’s pass for short walks and kea
From Christchurch, one option you can add to your trip is the Tranz Alpine train journey to Greymouth.
If you enjoy train journeys, this is the best scenic rail trip to take in New Zealand. It’s hard to beat the epic alpine scenery, and it makes a nice break from driving.
You can pick up another rental car at the Greymouth train station, and then carry on to Hokitika from there.
If you choose to drive across from Christchurch, a lot of people like to stop at Castle Hill, which is a good spot to stretch your legs. But, if you only want to stop in one spot for a walk, I prefer Arthur’s Pass.
Arthur’s Pass is a lush, green, often wet stop with keas calling from the low mists. I loved the small former tunneller’s cottages that line the road through the pass.
There’s a nice short walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfalls.
The drive down to the West Coast is incredible and throws into sharp relief the differences in climate between both coasts of the South Island. Leaving the golden, arid plains behind you’ll find yourself in the thick forests of the West Coast.
Hokitika makes a great place to stop for the night. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a sunset on the driftwood strewn beach.
A quick note — if there has been heavy rain in the previous day or two, you might want to skip Hokitika Gorge. The water won’t be bright blue but a raging torrent of brown if this is the case. I went right after a few days of downpour and it wasn’t worth the detour, as the blue water is what makes it so special.
Where to eat: Hokitika is home to the wild pie, so make sure you try one. It’s one of the most iconic dishes in New Zealand.
Day 7: Head to Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
A guide walking on Franz Josef
Visit the Hokitika Gorge in the morning. The loop track is easy and not too long.
After visiting the gorge, start making your way down to glacier country.
Most people opt to stay in Franz Josef, as the town is more set up for tourists. There are more big hotels in Franz, and more options for eating.
Fox Glacier is a smaller town, which feels more like a typical New Zealand village.
No matter where you choose to base yourself, the premier activity here is taking a heli-hike on one of the glaciers.
Both Franz Josef glacier and Fox glacier are equally impressive, and you can easily see both via short walking tracks.
Just check your expectations — there’s a good chance it will be rainy or cloudy and the glaciers will be hiding from view.
This is the wettest part of the country after all.
Even if you can’t see them, enjoy short walks in the area. The forest here is incredible, rich in undergrowth and emerald moss. It has a truly enchanted feel, as if nymphs and fairies are hiding behind every mossy log.
If you have an extra day in glacier country…
It’s a slight detour, but I recommend stopping by Okarito.
It’s one of my favourite places on the West Coast, and it’s hard to explain why. Maybe it’s the white herons that are cast like ghosts in the dark waters of the lagoon, or the sleepy nature of a tiny coastal town.
I think it has something to do with the wild feeling of the place, which is unique as it’s one of the only places where the mountains flow to the sea uninterrupted by human activity.
The Okarito walkway is a stunning walk, and if you loop back along the beach you might see Hector’s Dolphins.
If you have enough time, try kayaking on the lagoon to spot birds.
Don’t miss: The short walk around Lake Matheson is stunning, and there’s a roadside lookout nearby where you can see Fox Glacier.
Where to stay: If you’re in a campervan, I can recommend either the Orange Sheep Campervan Park in Franz Josef, for a beautiful spot tucked into the forest, or Gillespies Beach Campground near Fox Glacier.
Day 8: Drive to Wanaka
4 hours driving from Franz Josef to Wanaka
Stop in Wanaka for iconic walks to mountain peaks
From Franz Josef, it’s almost 4 hours to drive to Wanaka.
You could push on to Queenstown, but having done that drive before I don’t recommend it. It’s a long day and all I remember is arriving into Queenstown tired and miserable.
Stopping 45 minutes short in Wanaka will give you a little more time to enjoy the drive.
The road cuts through Mount Aspiring National park on the way through Haast Pass, with a number of stunning short walks and lookouts along the way,
Check out the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, and Wilson’s Creek.
I also love the part of the road where you’re driving along the edge of Lake Wanaka, then take a left and crest a small hill to be greeted with the sight of Lake Hawea.
You could skip Wanaka if you’re not big on hiking
The main things to do around Wanaka involve walks and hikes, and generally exploring the outdoors. There are also lake cruises, but you might find that these are a little more impressive in Queenstown.
If you would prefer to be in a more lively town with more activity options, skip Wanaka and spend an extra night in Queenstown.
Day 9: To Queenstown
1 hour drive from Wanaka
On the drive through to Queenstown, you can stop by Cardrona, Arrowtown, or at any of the wineries in the Kawerau River Gorge.
The wine here is spectacular, but obviously if you’re tasing any of the vintages, don’t drive afterwards. The vineyards are also great for food.
By the time you arrive into Queenstown, it will probably be time for you to check in and then you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town or one of the walks nearby.
Day 10: Visit Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a full day trip.
It is strongly recommended to do this on a tour, as it’s a solid 4 hour drive each way.
You could easily spend four days exploring all of the stops along the road to Milford Sound, but if you just want to get the highlights, a tour is a good way to do it.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about parking at Milford.
Day 11 & 12: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
3 hours 30 minutes driving time
Stop by Lake Pukaki on the way
Go to Mount Cook to see glaciers and snowy mountain peaks up close
It will take the better part of a day to drive to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park from Queenstown.
Along the way, stop at Lindis Pass and maybe Omarama Clay Cliffs if you want to stretch your legs.
You’ll want to stop at Lake Pukaki too. This lake is perhaps the most scenic in the whole South Island.
It’s an impossible, icy blue and the shimmering spire of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, rises into the clouds at the far end of the lake.
The drive along the edge of Lake Pukaki and into Mount Cook Village is a stunning stretch of highway.
I highly recommend staying overnight in Mount Cook Village — you should book early to secure a room.
It’s magical staying somewhere so remote and beautiful and waking up to the bowl of mountains.
You can walk the Hooker Valley Track in the afternoon, or if you prefer to be on the track when there are fewer people around set your alarm for early the next morning.
If you go early, you have a good chance of having the hike to yourself.
Catching a glimpse of the highest mountain peak in New Zealand is certainly a highlight of a road trip around the country.
One thing to note about Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is that is one of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand.
This means a couple of things:
Accommodation is hard to come by. You’ll need to book well in advance — as much as six months in advance if you want to travel during the busy summer period.
I did get a spot in the White Horse Hill campground last minute at the end of March, but even the campground will get booked up in the peak travel season.
If you miss out on rooms in Mount Cook Village, you can search for accommodation in Twizel instead. Twizel itself isn’t that special, but it’s conveniently located less than an hour from Mount Cook, and there are great places to eat (check out Mint Folk & Co), petrol stations, and supermarkets.
The carparks in Mount Cook are jam packed, especially the carpark at the start of the Hooker Valley Track. Just be prepared to park on the roadside, or park near the visitor centre and walk and extra 40 minutes (it’s a nice walk).
You’ll see people standing in the middle of the road to take photos. Please don’t do this. I feel like I shouldn’t need to explain that it’s dangerous but… it’s dangerous.
Day 13: Tekapo
1 hour 30 minutes to drive to Tekapo
Go on a stargazing tour
Lake Tekapo is pretty but quickly seen. You don’t need much time to wander around the waterfront, and the town itself doesn’t have a lot to keep you there.
I honestly find the lakefront a little scruffy, and there are always a lot of people crowded around the tiny church.
It’s mostly a convenient pit stop on the way to Christchurch.
That said, I love the drive between Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo — you’ll have the Southern Alps on your left, so on clear days the views on the drive are stunning.
In the evening, you may want to take a stargazing tour if the weather is on your side.
Stay the night, and the following morning head up to the Mount Saint John Observatory to enjoy views and coffee at Astro Cafe (just note it costs $8 to drive up to the observatory — walking up is free).
WHERE TO STAY IN TEKAPO
Something special | Alpine Lodges have wood-lined interiors, a fireplace and an open-plan kitchen flooded with natural light. For a cosy stay with stunning views, this spot is hard to beat.
Budget | Haka House Lake Tekapo is located right on the lakefront.
Day 14: Fly out of Christchurch
3 hours driving from Tekapo to Christchurch
It’s a 3 hours drive from Tekapo to Christchurch, which will likely take a lot longer by the time you factor in stops.
Burke’s Pass is a curious place to stop and examine trinkets and signage from days gone by, while Fairlie is a locally famous road trip stop —you can’t leave town without stopping by the Fairlie Bakehouse for a pie, a New Zealand favourite.
If you arrive into Christchurch in the late afternoon or evening, you can drop off your hire car and enjoy a nice meal for your final evening.
Tips and resources for planning your 14 day New Zealand itinerary
1. Where to start your New Zealand itinerary
Most international flights land in Auckland Airport, with a handful heading straight to Christchurch or Wellington.
If you want to cover both islands, it’s most likely easiest to start from Auckland and fly back from Christchurch.
Heading south from Auckland will take you past highlights like Hobbiton and Rotorua.
This gives you a chance to get your bearings and recover (slightly) from the jet lag. Having to jump straight onto a domestic flight is possible, but after a long trip it can be quite stressful.
Plus, you don’t know how long it will take to get through Customs and Immigration (the biosecurity line can take a while). The last time I arrived into New Zealand, people were anxiously trying to cut ahead of everyone in the line to make their domestic flight.
It’s also safer to rest before driving, as fatigue after a long flight has caused some tragic road accidents in New Zealand.
My advice: If you do spend a night or two in Auckland before setting off, pick up your car or campervan when you plan to leave the city, rather than when you arrive.
Parking is a nightmare and you will probably end up paying for a day or two when you aren’t using the car, for example if you take the ferry across to Waiheke Island.
2. The best way to get around New Zealand
The best way to see the most of New Zealand is to rent a car or a campervan. This itinerary wouldn’t be possible on public transport.
You can choose to rent a campervan or a car. Campervan travel is popular in New Zealand and it’s a great way to get off the beaten track and stay there.
A campervan will give you access to more remote areas and camping grounds.
A car can work out cheaper, especially during peak season, and you get to stay in rooms where you’ll enjoy a bit more comfort than sleeping in a vehicle.
3. Getting from the North Island to the South Island
You have two options for going North to South; take a flight or take the ferry.
In this itinerary, I’ve suggested you fly to Christchurch from Rotorua so you can maximise your time.
Another option is to drive down to Wellington and catch the ferry across to Picton, but this adds at least another whole day into the trip (the ferry alone is 4 hours).
4. Finding places to stay
I use Booking.com to find hotel rooms and hostels, or the Rankers or Campermate apps to find campsites.
Airbnb also works well in New Zealand — you can find some truly unique stays.
Bookabach (owned by Expedia) is another local site for booking holiday homes, great for finding cute places and sometimes cheaper than Airbnb.
5. How much time do you need in New Zealand?
Two weeks is an optimal amount of time to spend in New Zealand, which is why I’ve shaped this itinerary to cover 14 days of travel.
Anything less than one full week and you’ll just want to base yourself in one place (Queenstown or Auckland, most likely) and stick to day trips.
Day tours run from both cities to places like Rotorua and Milford Sound, so you can cover a lot even if you’re not driving yourself.
If you have more than two weeks, you could still do the same activities I’ve listed here, but spread them out so you’re travelling at a more relaxed pace, instead of trying to fill the extra time with more activites.
This itinerary doesn’t cover multi-day treks like the Great Walks, or overnight trips like the one to Doubtful Sound. So if these are on your list of New Zealand must-dos, you’ll need to carve out extra space for them.
You can see a lot of New Zealand in 2-4 weeks – but even then, you can expect several long travel days and big chunks of driving.
A lot of the magic in New Zealand is in the views and landscapes, as much as the big ticket items like helicopter flights.
So, penciling in time to enjoy coffee by a lake in the morning is always going to be a good idea.
A lot of people (particularly locals) will tell you not to try to do too much, and while this is well-intentioned advice, for those of us who live here we have many opportunities to travel New Zealand.
If you only have two weeks, pack in as much as you feel comfortable. Some people find driving exhausting, others find constant activities exhausting — there is really no one size fits all.
6. There’s no bad time to visit New Zealand
You should be able to do this itinerary at any time of the year. With the exception of hikes in alpine areas — like the Tongariro Crossing — the places on this list are great to visit even in the depths of winter.
In some cases, like for Aoraki Mount Cook, you might even be treated more spectacular landscapes than in the summer.
More New Zealand itineraries
There are many, many different combinations of destinations for a two week trip around New Zealand.
Here are a few other itineraries I have crafted, to give you a sense of alternative routes:
New Zealand essentials
SIM CARDS: I recommend getting a Skinny SIM card when you arrive
FIND WALKS AND HIKES: The DOC website is the best resource for all trails, scenic campsites, and mountain huts
BEST APPS: Campermate for finding campsites, Gaspy for saving money on petrol
LANGUAGE: English but be prepared for some local quirks
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this itinerary gave you an idea of how you can best spend your time if you only have two weeks.
AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
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