North Island | Auckland to Bay of Islands Road Trip Itinerary North Island | Auckland to Bay of Islands Road Trip Itinerary If this is your first or only trip up North, this is for you – hell, do it twice! It’s a 14-day highlights package of FOUR themed highways in the North Island. Tom Lanauze / Monday, 10 May 2021 0 14534 Article rating: No rating This road trip is thousands of years in the making. If you're looking to make the most of your North Island holiday, 14 days gives you just the right amount of time to explore the variety of sites, tastes and adventures the North has to offer! This route takes in the best of the best from not one but FOUR themed highways of the North Island as you visit the Norths iconic attractions. From one of the best day hikes in the world, the great Lake Taupo and Rotorua, to the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Islands, the sparking living stars of Waitomo and so much more, every day is an adventure. Visit the coastal jewels in the crown of the Twin Coast Highway as you take in the wonderous sites of the Bay of Islands, the beating heart of Aotearoa and the world famous Tutukaka Coast along with the ancient forests of the Kauri coast. Join on to the Pacific Coastal Route and visit the world-famous highlights of the Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach along with the other amazing coastal sites of the wonderful Coromandel peninsula. The Thermal Highway and the Volcanic Loop provide you the amazing sites and experiences of the thermal capital of New Zealand at Rotorua, along with our largest lake at Taupo and of course one of the world's premier day hikes – the mighty Tongariro Alpine Crossing. From great walks and hard yards to utter decadence and relaxation, this trip will showcase Maori culture, pristine beaches, delectable food and wine and a post card perfect view every day, all on a timetable that won't see you driving all day and all night. Relax with a touch of adventure on this unmissable journey of North Island exploration. Read more
South Island | Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary South Island | Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary Visit the South Island ski fields, glaciers, dark sky reserve and alpine spa towns as you travel along the most amazing road trip routes of the south Tom Lanauze / Monday, 10 May 2021 0 71047 Article rating: No rating For a lot of people, New Zealand is a bucket list destination and this 14-day winter itinerary will showcase why. Aotearoa is home to some wonderful areas of natural beauty and what's more, you can even ski and snow board down a lot of them! If you’re a winter sports fan, take it from us when we say this is one trip not to be missed! We have included over 60 highlights, stops and viewpoints for you to enjoy so you can pack it all in for an action-packed holiday or pick and choose what sites you visit as you set your own pace. Read more
South Island | Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary South Island | Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip Itinerary Get off the beaten track and enter the wilderness! Your journey takes you along the untouched, untamed east coast of the South Island Tom Lanauze / Monday, 10 May 2021 0 14486 Article rating: No rating Visit New Zealand's blue penguin parade at Oamaru before trying out the amazing food at Rick Steins favourite resturant in Moeraki. Gaze upon New Zealand's largest castle and the most photographed building in the Southern Hemisphere in Dunedin and the wonderous wildlife of the Otago Peninsula. Feel the spray on your face at Purakaunui falls as you head into the wild Catlins. Watch out for New Zealand’s rarest penguin, swim with tiny dolphins or just sit back, relax and soak in the true wonders of the south. This coastal route is full of scenic view points and walks around every corner including to hidden away waterfalls and beaches. This is the great ocean road – kiwi style. Wondrous wildlife awaits you on this journey down the east coast to the bottom of the South. From little blue penguins to the massive royal albatross and ever present seals and sea lions, the iconic kiwi and our own alpine parrrot, this trip will introduce you to some of Aotearoa's feathered and furred friends. You can visit castles and heritage buildings before seeing the amazing coastline mother nature built, complete with towering waterfalls, sea caves and prehistoric beaches. As you continue your journey, swap the coast for lakes and alps as you travel through the iconic adventure capital of New Zealand at Queenstown as you travel through the lakes district before stretching your legs at the amazing walks that Mt Cook has to offer. Your final night will be spent in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve around Mt Cook and Tekapo for some epic stargazing before this loop itinerary takes you back to Christchurch via the VERY best pie shop in New Zealand. Read more
North Island | Auckland to Lake Taupo Road Trip Itinerary North Island | Auckland to Lake Taupo Road Trip Itinerary This winter roadie will take you to the amazing Central plateau ski area and the iconic NZ attractions in Rotorua, Hobbiton, Taupo and the Coromandel. Tom Lanauze / Sunday, 9 May 2021 0 16681 Article rating: No rating While the South Island may be home to the Southern Alps, the North Island is home to the equally amazing Central Plateau. It is New Zealand’s volcanic, cultural and thermal capital, home to a plethora of adventure activities, along with one of the world's only super volcanos! Between the snowcapped volcanos, lakes and native forest, it is a wonderous winter road trip landscape that this itinerary makes the most of! Read more
North Island | Auckland to Napier Road Trip Itinerary North Island | Auckland to Napier Road Trip Itinerary From the land of the living stars of Waitomo, the great Lakes and volcanoes of the central plateau to the thermal capital of Rotorua, this route is amazing Tom Lanauze / Saturday, 8 May 2021 0 13364 Article rating: No rating New Zealand is a country made up of many worlds and on this journey, you will experience them all! Travel through the cultural and thermal heartland of the country with this route linking Auckland in the North to Hawkes Bay in the South. You get a fantastic snap shot into Maori and Pacifica culture and even get to spend some time with Frodo and his friends at the Hobbiton movie set all while taking in the thermal capital of Rotorua. Have you heard of Papatūānuku? You might know her by another name – mother nature! On this trip you will see some of her finest work. From the underground stars of the Waitomo glow worms to one of New Zealand’s best preserved wild life sanctuaries at Mountain Maungatautari. Then of course you have the amazing sites that give this highway its name. With towering super volcanoes and massive geo-thermal lakes, to geysers exploding, steam vents rising and mud bubbling in every direction. You can literally feel the heat coming out of the ground into your feet! It’s not over yet! If you want to get the heart racing even more, this is an adrenalin seekers paradise! You can do a sky dive over a super volcano, jetboat tours or you can even raft and drop down the 7 METERS high Tutea waterfall on the kaituna river if you're feeling brave! To top it off, Hawkes Bay is a foodie destination for the ages, with fresh produce, sea food and world class wines in abundance. Napier itself is home to some of the most unique art deco architecture in the world and is even home to our national aquarium. Camper life gives you flexibility to holiday how you like. You can do this as a loop route back to Auckland via Waitomo or join on to the Pacific Coast Highway to see the amazing Coromandel Peninsula and much more. Read more