What to do on your Queenstown campervan road trip?

There are few places in the world that are quite as spectacular as Queenstown. Situated on the edge of the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the majestic Southern Alps, Queenstown is known for its four distinct seasons, natural scenery and thrilling attractions. From the moment you arrive in your campervan, you’ll see just why Queenstown is New Zealand’s leading visitor destination.

Discover the ultimate adventure

Queenstown has forged an enduring reputation as the adventure capital of the world with more than 200 different adrenaline-pumping activities on offer. Experience some of Aotearoa's most beautiful scenery in thrilling style with skydiving, river surfing, ziplining, white water rafting, and mountain biking – just to name a few!

Queentown’s dramatic alpine ranges are perfect for jet boating and bungee jumping – both of which were pioneered in New Zealand. The iconic Shotover Jet provides you with a world-class jet boating experience as you weave in and out of canyons at breathtaking speed while your pilot pulls 360 degree “jet spins” to keep you on the edge of your seat! Kawarau Bungy Centre is home to the world's first ever bungee jump. Plummet straight down so close to the river below that you can reach out and touch it for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Winter is all about skiing and snowboarding with four excellent ski fields in the Queenstown area. The closest is Coronet Peak, which has been the premier winter playground since 1947 when the first rope lift in New Zealand was installed there. Queenstown's local ski area offers epic views over the Wakatipu basin while the huge variety of mountain terrain caters for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Coronet Peak is also home to the night ski for a unique snow sports experience.

Relax with serene cultural delights

If thrill seeking isn’t your style, there is still so much to experience in Queenstown. Take a stroll through the beautiful and tranquil Queenstown Gardens, relax aboard a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu, or enjoy dinner at the top of the Skyline Gondola with a bird's eye view of Queenstown's unique surroundings. After all that sightseeing, you’ll have earned a soak in the Onsen Hot Pools. Heal your body and mind with the soothing benefits of pure water and panoramic views of the Shotover River.

Queenstown is celebrated for its delicious food, spectacular wines, and vibrant nightlife. The city’s restaurants offer a gastronomic adventure with a wide range of cuisines using the freshest local produce. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal after a day of exploring or a fine dining restaurant, you’ll find something to satisfy every taste and every mood in New Zealand’s ultimate foodie destination.

Explore the stunning South Island

The fun and adventure doesn’t stop at Queenstown with plenty of nearby tours and day trips featuring gorgeous landscapes, calm blue waters and walking trails to explore. Embark on the scenic drive to Glenorchy before visiting the Kiwi Bird Life Park where you can meet New Zealand's beloved animals up close! During the warmer months, travel through the Gibbston Valley which is home to New Zealand’s most famous wine regions. Known as the Valley of Vines, you can enjoy some of the world’s best Pinot Noir at over 75 boutique wineries along with perfectly paired cheeses.

Driving to the top of the Remarkables mountain range and taking the 40-minute hike up to the picturesque, snow-fed Lake Alta is also well worth the trip during summer. Enjoy a romantic picnic by the lake nestled amongst the rugged backdrop of the Remarkables and, if you are feeling brave, a refreshing dip in the icy green waters.

The South Island road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound is considered one the most scenic drives in the world. Located on the Wild West Coast about a 4-hour drive from Queenstown, Milford Sound is an awe-inspiring destination with its rugged cliffs, snow-capped peaks, lush green rainforests and cascading waterfalls that dissolve into mist. You can experience this majestic scenery from helicopter flights, guided kayaking tours, or the popular Milford hiking track.

Whatever you want to do and whatever your style is, Queenstown will feed your imagination, fuel your passions and revitalise your spirit.

Things to do in Queenstown

Heather Schiller / Wednesday, 28 October 2020

/ Categories: NZ blog

6 Most Romantic Destinations in New Zealand

Your guide to the ultimate romantic road trip

Some of the best memories are made on holidays. If you are looking to get away from it all and reconnect with your significant other, a romantic road trip campervanning around New Zealand, driving through luscious green rolling hills, exploring hidden beaches, incredible wineries and taking in the jaw dropping views from the coast is exactly what you are looking for.

Campervan holidays around New Zealand is the best way to explore the most of this incredible destination and with Apollo locations in both Christchurch and Auckland you can fly into one location and out the other allowing you make the most of your New Zealand Trip itinerary. New Zealand is also a free camping nation which means you can pretty much park anywhere (unless signed otherwise) making for an affordable road trip in New Zealand.

So, throw your bags in the campervan, turn up the tunes and get set for an unforgettable romantic holiday as we showcase the 6 Most Romantic Destinations in New Zealand to add to your ultimate NZ road trip!

AUCKLAND

A great place to pick up your motorhome and start your journey, Auckland has everything on offer for a romantic getaway. Enjoy a wide range of cuisine in the city’s diverse cafes and restaurants, explore trendy suburbs like Ponsonby delving through vintage clothing boutiques, take a romantic stroll through the Parnell Rose gardens and drive along the coastal road from the CBD to Mission Bay where you can brunch at seaside cafes, relax on gorgeous beaches, paddleboard or kayak on the calm waters, explore the parks and take a stroll along the paved beach boardwalk.

Waiheke Island is an incredibly romantic spot for couples and only a short car ferry away from Auckland. Visit the Waiheke Community Art Gallery and enjoy a romantic lunch and wine tasting at cellar doors in a gorgeous vineyard with views of rolling hills and the ocean. Our top picks are Mudbrick, Stony Ridge and Cable Bay.

BAY OF ISLANDS

The Bay of Islands is one of the most exquisite romantic locations in New Zealand. A 3.5-hour drive from Auckland via scenic winding roads, Bay of Islands is world away from hustle of the city. Encompassing 144 islands and including the popular boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri, here you can spend your days together exploring seaside walking tracks, watching the sun set from the many secluded beaches, snorkeling or kayaking in the crystal-clear waters.

For an extra special romantic adventure, charter a yacht for just the two of you sailing along the calm and pristine waters, pulling up at your own private beach for the afternoon, enjoying a picnic lunch and each other’s company.

COROMANDEL PENINSULA

Think pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls, trendy cafes and a friendly relaxed vibe, you can easily spend a few quality days together exploring the beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula, a 2.5 km drive from Auckland. Walk hand in hand from the north end of the Hahei Beach as it takes you to Cathedral Cove, where a naturally formed, cathedral-like tunnel separates two secluded white sand beaches. Hire a kayak and paddle the crystal-clear waters, just offshore you will find a protected marine reserve where you can spot seals, dolphins and colourful fish. On the southern end you will find Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own hot pool for 2 in the sand and relax in the bubbling thermal spring waters metres away from the Pacific Ocean – awesome!

Explore the Pinnacles on foot via the spectacular Pinnacles Track which will see you climbing through ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges on an overnight adventure giving you another aspect of the Coromandel to enjoy. Climb to the summit early in the morning taking in the awe inspiring 360-degree views of the Coromandel as the sun rises.

QUEENSTOWN

A tourist hotspot during the ski season in winter, Queenstown, located 6 hours south of Christchurch, promotes itself as the adventure capital of the world, with an abundance of daredevil sports on offer but there is so much more to experience with gorgeous landscapes, calm blue waters and numerous walking trails to explore.

During the warmer months explore the scenic Gibbston Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of Vines’ where you can enjoy some of the world’s best Pinot Noir at over 75 boutique wineries along with delicious cheese which are a great addition to your picnic basket. Driving to the top of the Remarkables and taking the 40-minute hike up to the picturesque snow-fed crystal-clear Lake Alta is also a well worth the trip during summer. Enjoy a romantic picnic by the lake nestled amongst the rugged backdrop of the Remarkables Mountain range and if you are game, a refreshing dip in the icy green waters.

MILFORD SOUND

Located on the west coast of the South Island, a 4-hour drive from Queenstown, Milford Sound with its snow-capped peaks, lush green rainforests and waterfalls that dissolve into mist offers an experience that is guaranteed to leave you both lost for words and spell bound. If you both enjoy hiking, the Milford Track, a 53 kilometre journey that begins at the head of Lake Te Anau and leads you across suspension bridges, board walks, a mountain pass to feel the misty breath of Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand, will be a highlight.

Best travelled in the warmer months, the journey to Milford Sound is equally spectacular as you journey into the heart of the Fiordland National Park. As you pass through the Homer Tunnel and into the Cleddau Valley you will find one of the most impressive photo spots along the Milford Road – The Chasm – a series of gushing waterfalls just a short walk from the road.

CHRISTCHURCH

The vibrant and creative Christchurch city is a great inclusion as the last leg of your journey so you can drop off your motorhome and explore the city by foot, double-decker bus or tram. Take in the incredible street art, enjoy a bite to eat at eclectic cafes like The Caffeine Laboratory, relax in hot pools and spend a relaxing afternoon walking through the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Punting along the picturesque Avon River on handcrafted flat-bottomed boats is an incredibly romantic experience in any season and an enjoyable and relaxing way to enjoy Christchurch together from a different perspective.

Visit our itineraries for Christchurch to Auckland travel routes and further travel inspiration.

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Beaches to the Mountains

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Where to stay with your campervan in Queenstown?

There are plenty of accommodation options for campervan travellers in Queenstown with excellent holiday parks and camping grounds close to the town’s centre.

Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park is located just 15 minutes from Coronet Peak and 15 minutes from the Queenstown CBD making it perfectly placed to enjoy the various adventure activities and spectacular scenic spots.

New Zealand is also a free camping nation which means you can park where you want and stay the night (unless signed otherwise). Freedom camping is a great way to see New Zealand on a budget, but it’s not for everyone and you need to ensure that you have a certified self-contained vehicle. This means it must have an on-board toilet, fresh water storage, waste water storage and a rubbish bin with a lid.

As you continue your South Island road trip, Glendhu Bay Motor Camp is an idyllic campsite nestled right on the edge of the beautiful Lake Wanaka – about an hour’s drive from Queenstown. It is conveniently located next to the Roys Peak track head along with the access road to Treble Cone ski fields (30 minutes) and only a short drive (1 hour) to the Cardrona resort.

Whether you choose to stay at a Queenstown holiday park or take advantage of freedom camping sites, a campervan road trip to New Zealand’s adventure capital is sure to provide a memorable experience.

Why choose Apollo for campervan rental in Queenstown?

You can depend on Apollo for the best campervan rentals in New Zealand. We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit any budget and group size, so you can hit the open road and explore Queenstown and the spectacular South Island.

Our premium quality rental campers are custom built for New Zealand's unique climate by leading RV manufacturers. With quality furnishings and appliances, our vehicles come with all the comforts of home.

Whether you are an intrepid explorer, an adrenaline junkie, or prefer a more sedate pace, you can enjoy absolute confidence travelling in a rental campervan from New Zealand's most modern fleet. Contact our friendly team at Apollo today!

Inspiration for your Queenstown campervan rental

From pure natural landscapes and adventure activities to world class wineries and abundant wildlife, the South Island is a must do for every New Zealand traveller. There is no better way to experience this awe-inspiring region than a road trip with an Apollo campervan! Start your holiday in Christchurch and explore everything the South Island has to offer, including the thrills and sights of Queenstown, with these tried and tested New Zealand campervan itineraries.

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