Itineraries, touring routes and road trip information for a New Zealand holiday. Find out about New Zealand road conditions and how to get around New Zealand. Investigate interesting road trip itineraries with their detailed touring route facts and enjoy discovering budget tips for a great New Zealand holiday. Flights, connections frequently asked questions are reviewed.

NEW ZEALAND COUNTRYWIDE ROAD TRIPS
New Zealand is a bucket list destination; a place at the edge of the world; islands in the vast Pacific Ocean. Aotearoa New Zealand’s breathtaking natural spaces deliver 100% pure New Zealand and an opportunity to recharge the senses.
If it is your first time in New Zealand there are several itineraries focusing on the scenery, key attractions, and well known destinations to consider.
TIP
With any proposed destination remember to plan ‘free time’ to pop into the schedule last minute ideas, especially when you arrive and discover something new to consider
New Zealand in one week trip itinerary, a whistle stop touring route
A whistle stop, one week New Zealand holiday. The top sights are the Southern Alps, Rotorua’s unique volcanic activity, Maori cultural activities and a chance to find a unique gift that reflects your trip down under.
learn moreNew Zealand itinerary 2 weeks, 14 days top sights
- Breathtaking scenery, evocative landscapes 100% pure blasts of New Zealand
- Adventure is New Zealand’s DNA, bungy jump, sky dive your choice, your holiday
For visitors who wish to explore New Zealand in detail there are a number of road trips and places to visit off the beaten track. From the top of Aotearoa New Zealand, Northland’s Cape Reinga to the bottom Stewart Island there is a potpourri of attractions for all tastes and interests. Check out detailed day trip and weekend trip holiday itineraries and ideas in your New Zealand travel guide, ITINERARIES – where to go for scenic road trips or heritage wanderings in NEW ZEALAND.

MUST-DO NEW ZEALAND DESTINATIONS
Kick off the holiday with a bang in the largest city Auckland, where nature is not a visitor experience; rather it is Auckland’s backyard. Restaurants, cafes and galleries are often nestled in parks and by the beach. Perfect for stretching the legs in natural spaces. Enjoy exploring three Auckland wine regions.
First time visitors invariably have Rotorua in their sights. Memorising, unique geothermal hot spas, gushing geysers and mud pools is one of the world’s phenomenal sights. Together with a vibrant Maori culture the stage is set for Taupo and the imposing beauty of the Central Plateau and Tongariro National Park.
The cute timber framed homes dotting the hills of Wellington, capital city are bid farewell on the Cooks Strait ferry journey to Marlborough and Nelson. Districts where vineyards compete with beaches and stunning scenery for attention.
Amble into Christchurch with its Avon river, hip galleries and contemporary art scene. Consider taking one of the world’s great train journeys, the Tranzalpine across to the West Coast. The wild west coast with Paparoa National Park and pancake rocks.
Your journey is not complete without the majesty of the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mt Cook and high country alpine tussock beauty of the Power of the Dog film scenery.
Adventure, adrenaline and heritage sums up Queenstown, a fitting end for many first time visitors to New Zealand.


GETTING AROUND NEW ZEALAND WHILE ON HOLIDAY
Getting around New Zealand is effortless. Check out BEST BITS self-drive holidays for inspiration with tips on where to stay for ease of access to top sights and New Zealand highlights.
TIP
Making sure you arrive on time … and where you want to be is the priority. It is your holiday and to miss a bucket list attraction because you were late can ruin a holiday with the weight of disappointment. Here are some tips…
New Zealand flights travel connections
Consider arriving the day before you absolutely have to be there. You can have a delayed flight which causes you to miss your connection with a cruise, a train or pre-booked tour group.
learn moreTIPS ON BUDGETING AND COST SAVINGS FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY IN NEW ZEALAND
Where is the best place to stay in New Zealand?
The answer to the question where to stay in New Zealand is all about location, location, location says it all.
Accommodation, especially if you have one or two days in a place location is critical as you do not want to spend your time traveling to and from places and activities. Hub and spoke travel is a great way to avoid the trap of packing and unpacking every day.
TIP
Plan your holiday in New Zealand with at least two nights in a single location, possibly more to avoid the suitcase hassle. Nothing is worse than leaving your favourite toiletries in the last hotel.
Location versus the cost of the accommodation is the tricky balancing act when you consider your options of getting around a city or town.

Holiday tips on saving money and cost on your planned budget in New Zealand
Avoid extra cost with the cardinal rule of location, location, location … Accommodation, especially if you have one or two days in a place location is critical as you do not want to spend your time travelling to and from places and activities. That creates extra cost.
learn moreTravel connections — logistics tips for successful trip
Consider arriving the day before you absolutely have to be there. You can have a delayed flight which causes you to miss your connection with a cruise, a train or pre-booked tour group. E
learn moreNEW ZEALAND ROAD CONDITIONS FOR A DRIVING HOLIDAY
New Zealand routes and directions are clearly identified for first time travellers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF A NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP
- Few vehicles on roads outside major metropolitan areas
- Phenomenal scenery with plenty of off road viewpoints to savour the moment
- Modern firm roading system well documented on google maps
- Excellent road mapping system (thank you google maps)
- Well signposted system for directions, heritage sites and tourist routes, colour coded with yellow for directions, heritage places and destinations in brown and distinctive signs for touring routes
- DRIVE ON THE LEFT
Your road trip could be on unfamiliar roads. Here are some tips about getting the most out of your road trip with tips about road conditions and an explanation of the signage used on New Zealand roads. For first time visitors the narrow winding roads could be daunting. Remember to keep left and slow down. The journey is worth it.
New Zealand driving conditions & getting around
New Zealand roadie, blasts of fresh air and where you pick the schedule. Choose when to stop and linger or simply motor through. New Zealand is a country built for a road trip where the itinerary is designed around your interests.
learn moreIt is exciting thinking about a holiday, thrilling looking at the images of the places you are going to visit; let’s make sure you have all the relevant information for an informed choice. Remember to check the New Zealand travel guide as well as checking regional guides for must-go destinations.
TIP
Don’t forget to check HOW TO PLAN YOUR NEW ZEALAND HOLIDAY.
FLIGHTS, CONNECTIONS AND GETTING AROUND – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Making sure you arrive on time … and where you want to be is the priority. It is your holiday and to miss a bucket list attraction because you were late can ruin a holiday with the weight of disappointment. Here are some tips…
Consider arriving the day before you absolutely have to be there. You can have a delayed flight which causes you to miss your connection with a cruise, a train or pre-booked tour group. Even before you arrive you spend your time on the flight wondering how on earth you are going to join the activity you have been planning on for over six months. Travel the day before, chill out and relax. You will have an extra night’s accommodation to pay for, think of the expense as part of your personal travel insurance.


Watch for your airline offering free rebooking of your flight. If they are concerned that they may have to cancel flights, free rebooking of flights is an indication that connections are at risk.
Know that airlines will often take several days to get back to a regular schedule. There will be a backlog of passengers and to make matters worse your booking preference is given to people who have scheduled flights. Cancelled flights means you are on a wait list.
Fly early in the day. If there are delays the earlier flights get preference. And you have a choice of flying later the same day if there are seats available. A plus is to pay for a full fare which is easily transferable to another ticketed flight.
Try to get a non-stop flight. Fewer airports means fewer chances that one is going to suffer weather or technical difficulties. And even worse your suitcases are mislaid in transit stop two.
Get travel insurance. If you had to cancel a trip because of severe weather you obtain a full refund as you are unable to join the trip starting date. Trip insurance should reimburse you if that happens.
TIP
Remember to check policy conditions carefully.
Trains. If you have a choice of arrival airports choose one that has direct train services. Wide lifts and customer service people who are experienced at where to go and explaining details to people dazed by the flight assist in getting you where you want to be.


Trains. Remember to check the train website to view storage facilities onboard the train. As well as catering services.
Rental vehicle. If your rental car agency is not located at the airport check where the collection depot is located. Being put on a shuttle, travelling halfway across a large city to a remote location might not be the ideal start to your holiday.
- Checklist for the rental vehicle agency :
- Opening hours for the rental car depot
- Waivers in the rental vehicle contract for road accidents as well as damage to vehicle
- Fuel fill policy as well as the type of fuel the vehicle uses. Electric location of charge stations on your trip route to be checked beforehand.
- Roadside assist policy
- Child seat availability
Bus services
Australia and New Zealand have well established intercity bus services. Major centres have public buses however in smaller towns the best connection is likely to be a road trip by car.
Day trips and connections
BEST BITS advice do not travel from your accommodation on day trips where 40% plus of the journey is spent in a vehicle getting you to your proposed destination. It is tiring, frustrating and when you arrive you do not have enough time to wander, ponder and soak in the atmosphere of the location you have travelled to see.
The ideal day trip is less than 2 hours one way. Consider the option of an overnight stay for a bucket list destination. If you do not have enough holiday time allocated for your wish list, there is always the option of a return trip.

BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
What do you think about “Itineraries, touring routes in New Zealand, facts and FAQ”?