New Zealand Driving Routes
Find a driving route for your New Zealand holiday here: your best-fit driving route is only a few clicks away. So sit back in the driver's seat and navigate your way to a holiday that exactly fits your interests, then print a hard copy to guide you while you're on the road.
Note: These are New Zealand self-drive routes. Day stops are not included.
To find out how long it will take to get to your destination, try our Driving Distance and Time Calculator.
Major Centres - Driving Routes
To find your driving route, simply select which major centre you plan to start from. You'll be presented with the recommended routes, followed by a list of other possible routes. Click on the routes to read a summary.
Each route is made up of several days. You can read a detailed description of each day, along with links to available options, like accommodation, attractions and activities, tours, transport and visitor information.
Maps, driving distances and travelling times have been added to help you plan your route.
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Auckland Driving RoutesAuckland is New Zealand's largest city. In just half an hour you can be almost anywhere, trekking through a rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a vineyard. From Auckland, drive to Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Taupo, Whakatane, Waiheke, Kaitaia and Gisborne... (more)
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Wellington Driving RoutesWellington is New Zealand's capital city, also known as our arts and culture capital. Nestled between a beautiful harbour and forested hills, you can explore the North Island directly or the South Island via the Interisland Ferry. From Wellington, drive to Napier, Taupo, Rotorua and Wairarapa, or via the Cook Straight InterIsland Ferry drive to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Greymouth, Nelson and Nelson... (more)
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Christchurch Driving RoutesChristchurch is in Canterbury, the gateway to New Zealand's natural wonders in the South Island, huge panoramas of mountains, great sweeps of pastureland and massive amounts of sky. From Christchurch, drive to Hanmer Springs, Akaroa, Blenheim, Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Fiordland and Milford Sound... (more)
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Rotorua Driving RoutesRotorua is one of the original tourist destinations in New Zealand—it has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years. From the moment you arrive in Rotorua you'll know you're somewhere quite different. From Rotorua, drive to Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Taupo, Waiheke, Kaitaia and Gisborne... (more)
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Queenstown Driving RoutesQueenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four season alpine and lake resort. On the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the Remarkables Range, it's the perfect destination all year round. From Queenstown, drive to Hanmer Springs, Akaroa, Fox Glacier, Fiordland and Milford Sound... (more)
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Lord of the Rings Driving RoutesNew Zealand born Peter Jackson filmed the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in various locations around New Zealand. Drive to the rolling hills of Matamata which became Hobbiton, the volcanic region of Mt Ruapehu transformed into the fiery Mt. Doom, and Queenstown—the scene for the Eregion Hills... (more)
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Specialised New Zealand Driving RoutesDrive the Royal Tour taken by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Peter Greenberg, Chief Correspondent for the Travel Channel—Drive Billy Connolly's New Zealand wide tour spanning from Kaitaia in the far north to Stewart Island down south... (more)
