New Zealand is a land of unparalleled beauty, with its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and friendly locals. This country has something for everyone – from hiking and skiing in the Southern Alps to cruising in Milford Sound or exploring the geothermal areas of Rotorua. New Zealand is a paradise for outdoor adventurers, offering an array of activities such as bungee jumping, mountain biking and sailing. With its breathtaking scenery and friendly locals, it’s no wonder why New Zealand is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
We travelled by Air New Zealand via Singapore as it is renowned for its good connectivity to and from Auckland and Christchurch to the rest of the world. It provides passengers with an excellent level of comfort and hospitality, offering generous legroom in its economy class seats.
New Zealand
Discover the Best of New Zealand: A Scenic 11-Day Road Trip Itinerary
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit New Zealand depends on what you’re looking for. With four distinct seasons, each season brings something unique and special to the table. If you’re looking for the best time to visit New Zealand in terms of weather and activities, then the summer months from December to February are your best bet. During this period, temperatures are mild and the days are long which makes it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quieter experience with fewer crowds, then spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) may be better options as they have fewer tourists compared to summer. As New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, its seasons correspond with those of Europe and North America but reversed – so winter is from June-August instead of December-February.
Renting a Car in New Zealand
Renting a car is a popular and convenient way to explore New Zealand, and there are many car rental companies to choose from. Here are some tips to help you navigate renting a car in New Zealand:
- Driving in New Zealand is on the left side of the road, speed limits are to be adhered in every corner of the country.
- Book the rental car in advance always to get a reasonable price. You will need a different car for North Island and South Island. We booked a Toyota Highlander from Hertz and had an amazing experience.
- Minimum driving age is 21 years. Your driving license should be in English, else an International Driving License might be required.
- Purchase a full coverage insurance from the rental car company including roadside assistance as well.
“Our road trip buddy – Toyota Highlander”
DAY 1 – Arrive in Auckland
After a long and tiring flight from India, we finally arrived in Auckland! First we collected our rental car and proceeded to the hotel. We experienced heavy jet lag due to the long journey, so it was very important to rest before beginning our exploration of Auckland.
DAY 2 – Explore Auckland City
On our second day in Auckland, we started with exploring the Rangitoto Island and then in the evening we visited the SKYCITY Sky Tower.
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island known for its unique volcanic landscapes and stunning views. To get to Rangitoto Island, we took a ferry from Auckland’s central ferry terminal. The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes, and there are several ferry services available throughout the day.
“At the Volcanic Wonder – Rangitoto Island”
When in Auckland, how could we miss the Sky Tower! The Sky Tower is an iconic symbol of Auckland, standing tall at 328 meter’s above sea level. From here you can get amazing 360 degree views of the city and its surroundings. There is also a bungy jump from the top, if you’re feeling adventurous. Or if that’s too daring, just enjoy the stunning views from up high!
“The Auckland Sky Tower”
DAY 3 – Drive from Auckland to Rotorua
On Day 3, we drove from Auckland to Rotorua. While the drive takes around four and a half hours, there are plenty of stops along the way to break up the journey. While there is no mobile network in between the towns, the scenery along this route was such that you cannot take your eyes off it!
“A scenic drive: Auckland to Rotorua”
Enroute we visited the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It’s quite an unique experience to see the underground caves that are home to thousands of glowworms. We took a boat ride in the caves to see these glowworms lighting up the cave ceilings like stars in the night sky.
“Magical Journey through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves”
DAY 4 – Explore Rotorua’s Geothermal Wonders
On day 3 of your exploration of Rotorua, we started with a viewpoint at Lake Rotorua. There are several stunning spots which offer incredible views of the lake – The Redwoods, Mount Ngongotaha, Kuirau Park, Hamurana Springs and Sulphur Point. You can take a boat ride on Lake Rotorua and witness its amazing geysers and bubbling mud pools.
“Captivating the Beauty of Lake Rotorua”
Then we visited the thermal valley at Te Puia Rotorua which is home to some of the most spectacular geysers in New Zealand. This is an experience like no other, and it’s amazing to see what nature has to offer!
“Geyser Springs at Te Puia”
DAY 5 – A scenic drive from Rotorua to Wellington
The drive from Rotorua to Wellington takes approximately 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and stops along the way. We took a stop at Lake Taupo where lots of people come to enjoy water sports. What was unique is people carried their own boats and tents and stayed on the shores like a picnic!
“At the scenic Lake Taupo”
On arrival in Wellington, we took the cable car from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn and enjoyed panoramic views of the city and the harbour.
“Panoramic views of Wellington”
DAY 6 – North Island to South Island by Ferry
On Day 6 of our journey, we dropped off our rental car at Wellington before boarding the ferry. We booked the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton and crossed over to the South Island. The ferry offered comfortable passenger lounges with food and beverage options and outdoor viewing decks.
The ferry ride took approximately 3 hours through the mesmerising Marlborough Sounds. Once we arrived at Picton, we picked up a new rental car which we used for the rest of our journey through the South Island.
“Arrived in Picton – Onto South Island”
We started our journey to Kaikoura which is a two-hour drive from Picton. The drive is incredibly scenic, with views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Kaikoura Ranges on the other.
“Soaking in the Beauty of Kaikoura”
DAY 7 – Explore Kaikoura and drive to Lake Tekapo
On Day 7 of our tour, we explored Kaikoura’s beauty and in no time it became our favourite destination we ever visited. From whale watching to scenic walks, there are plenty of things to do in Kaikoura .
“Playful Seals at Kaikoura”
Then, we drove to Lake Tekapo through the Canterbury Plains. It took us about 5 hours to reach. We drove through rolling hills, farmland, mountains, and turquoise-coloured lakes. Enroute we took a stop at Christchurch to visit the Canterbury Museum.
“Canterbury Museum, Christchurch”
On arriving in Lake Tekapo, we were awe-inspired by the views of the lake and witnessed such unparalleled beauty! Just couldn’t take our eyes off the colours.
“Turquoise Blue Waters of the Serene Lake Tekapo”
Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its clear skies and low light pollution. The Mt. John Observatory offers guided stargazing tours that provide a unique perspective on the night sky.
“Stargazing at Mt John Observatory”
DAY 8 – From Lake Tekapo to the adventurous Queenstown
It was now time for our last and the most visited destination in New Zealand – Queenstown. The drive took about 4 hours and we travelled through the beautiful Wanaka region of South Island.
“The Jewel of South Island – Wanaka”
DAY 9 – Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a stunning fjord located on the southernmost tip of the Earth above Antarctica. We started early in the morning as the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes about 4 hours. The drive takes you through the Southern Alps and one of the best driving routes in the world, that is, Te Anau to Milford Sound.
“Scenic Route to the Milford Sound”
Once we arrived at Milford sound, we took the boat cruise through the fjord. It took us through stunning waterfalls, mountains and endless horizons with a close view of the fjords. After the cruise, we again drove back to Queenstown.
“Milford Sound Fjord”
DAY 10 – A day full of adventure at Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. There are plenty of activities to do and we chose Bungy Jumping at Kawarau Bridge and Sky Diving at NZone SkyDive.
“Kawarau Bridge Bungy”
“Ready for Skydive at NZone”
DAY 11 – Return from Queenstown
On our last day, we took a flight from Queenstown to Auckland and then boarded our flight back home. If you wish to add a few more days to this itinerary some suggested destinations are the village of Hobbiton, Mount Cook National Park, and the Bay of Islands.
WHERE TO STAY IN New Zealand?
Auckland – Waldorf St Martins Apartment Hotel
Rotorua – Lake Rotorua Hotel
Wellington – CityLife Wellington
Kaikoura – The Fairways at Ocean Ridge (link to blog)
Lake Tekapo – Peppers Bluewater Resort
Queenstown – The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments (link to blog)
08/05/2023
