Are you planning on traveling to New Zealand any time soon? If the answer is yes, then I must immediately tell you that it’s a marvelous idea. A vast majority of roads in this country are amazing.
But before I provide you with some suggestions when it comes to road trips in New Zealand, I would like to remind you to take your time and focus on exploring smaller regions instead of trying to see the whole country in several weeks.
This way you’ll be in a constant rush and you won’t be able to fully enjoy it. Now, that I covered that part, I would like to move on to suggestions and give you a couple of ones that will make this trip memorable.
1. From Auckland To the Bay Of Islands
This route is intended for those who would like to see highlights of New Zealand as fast as they can become they do not have too much time on their hands. If that’s the case with you, then you should definitely take the Loop of the Bay Islands into account.
If you take this road trip, you will get the opportunity to soak up the beautiful Northern coastline and enjoy the tasty wine on Waiheke island. (you can have a ferry ride from Auckland). Generally speaking, this is a perfect road trip for families or friends because it encompasses the beach, and city, plus you will most likely run into dolphins.
Lucky you! But can you plan this road trip if you do not have a car? Of course, you can! Avid travelers at Mates Rates Car Hire would like to remind you that you can always rent a car if you do not have your own vehicle. And the good news is, you do not need to spend a bunch of cash for these purposes.
In fact, these days, you can come across a plethora of companies that offer these sorts of services at very affordable prices.
2. Fantastic Milford Road
According to seasoned travelers, precisely this road is defined as one of the most wonderful and scenic highways on the planet. The journey starts from Queenstown and ends in Milford Sound, and you’ll be able to see waterfalls, mirror lakes, snow-capped peaks, and most importantly mesmerizing fiords.
If you want to get a birds-eye view of the entire town, then you can do so from Queenstown Hill, which represents the most popular peak. I would also advise you to take a short break in Te Anau and immediately take a tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves to witness something spectacular.
Of course, if you’re not in the mood for that, then you can simply enjoy the views of sensational lakes. Generally speaking, there are various scenic stops before you reach Milford Sound. Once you get there, you will instantly realize why is New Zealand considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world and why this attraction is extremely popular among tourists from all around the world.
Furthermore, if you want to thoroughly enjoy this natural wonder, then one of the best ways to do so is by cruising.
3. Forgotten World Highway
I know that its name may not sound most appealing to you, but believe me, when I say, it’s definitely something that you should add to your itinerary whenever you decide to pay this country a visit.
Namely, this remote, rustic, mysterious North Island road trip covers around 150km, however, I would recommend you split it over two to three days in order to fully enjoy its beauty. This natural rollercoaster is going to take you uphill.
It begins among the lakes, rivers, and volcanic cones of Taumarunui before it continues to Whangamomona. And then you can proceed to Stratford where you’ll come across wonderful glockenspiel clock tower, hiking, and out-of-this-world surfing.
4. Auckland To Napier Through Pacific Coast Highway
Now, here’s something that you simply cannot overlook once you go to New Zealand, especially if you’re fond of the simple things that life has to offer, you should plan your idea trip to New Zealand today. Out there, you’ll get the feeling that you’ve just forgotten all your troubles.
This area reminds you how essential it is to sometimes just relax and unwind and just enjoy the mesmerizing views. The drive from Auckland to Napier is going to bring you to your destination through the Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, and Tauranga.
Generally speaking, the Pacific Coast Highway is an amazing road trip that will make this journey even more spectacular.
I definitely believe that some countries simply must be explored by automobile. And that’s precisely why I decided to write this article because I wanted to show you how many beautiful things you would be able to see in New Zealand if you decided to take a road trip.