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Head south from Auckland then east to The Coromandel. Follow the east coast to Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Follow the wine trail down the east coast to Wellington and the Cook Strait ferry. From Picton, follow the same route as the Southbound Express via Nelson, the West Coast, Wanaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound before returning to Christchurch.
Pick up location: Auckland
Drop off location: Christchurch
This itinerary is recommended by travel guide experts from Best Bits.
Explore our top ten things to do in Auckland — then follow the Pacific Coast Highway to the Coromandel. With rolling hills on one side and rugged coastline on the other, driving up the Peninsula is a spectacular journey. On the west coast there is a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and inlets lined with pohutukawa trees (a red-flowering native of New Zealand). Stop in Thames, known as the gateway to Coromandel, for a mid-morning break. Continue driving up the western side of the Peninsula, through secluded bays and coastal settlements to Coromandel Township. Stop in Coromandel town to soak up some of the small-town atmosphere. Overnight at one of the beautiful spots along the Coromandel Peninsula.
Check out our Auckland motorhome holiday guide and what to see and do in the Coromandel.
181 km
2 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
Today drive across to the Coromandel’s East Coast, either via the 309 Road or on the slightly longer State Highway 25, which takes you past the beautiful beaches of Whangapoua and Matarangi. Arrive in the lively coastal town of Whitianga, a great place from which to enjoy the delights of the Coromandel. Overnight in Whitianga.
Things to see and do on the Coromandel’s East Coast.
43 km
1 hour
Overnight Stay
Depart Whitianga for Tauranga along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through the coastal townships of Tairua and Whangamata, and further south, Waihi and Katikati. Arrive in the Bay of Plenty in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the growing city of Tauranga. This region seems to have it all - a mild, sunny climate, some of the country’s most popular beaches and an abundance of orchards. Overnight in Tauranga.
Activities and attractions in the Tauranga region.
189 km
2 hours, 20 minutes
Overnight Stay
Today depart Tauranga and travel inland to Rotorua, a town famous for its geothermal landscape, adventure activities and Maori culture. As an alternative route and if you’re a movie fan, you might like to travel to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set. Allow 1 hour to travel from Tauranga to Hobbiton, 2 hours for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, and a further 1 hour from Hobbiton to Rotorua. Spend the afternoon enjoying Rotorua. We suggest you take the Skyline Gondola ride up for views of Lake Rotorua and the central city district. At the top take the opportunity to try the luge. Overnight in Rotorua.
For things to do check out our Rotorua motorhome holiday guide.
80 km
1 hour (excluding Hobbiton)
Overnight Stay
The most popular route from Rotorua to Gisborne is via the inland road (SH2). Take State Highway 2 to Whakatane and continue on to Opotiki. Turn inland on to the Waioeka Scenic Highway, a magnificent drive that winds through native forest. The Waioeka Scenic Reserve is a great environment for fishing, river swimming and rafting. Overnight in Gisborne.
273 km
4 hours
Overnight Stay
Spend the day in Gisborne enjoying the many activities and attractions on offer here. Overnight in Gisborne.
Overnight Stay
Continue the journey on the Pacific Coast Highway touring route (State Highway 2) to Napier. Stop en-route at Mahia Peninsula scenic reserve and beach - a great spot for fishing, surfing, swimming and diving. This afternoon explore Napier. Overnight in Napier.
For things to see and do check out our Napier motorhome holiday guide.
215 km
3 hours, 5 minutes
Overnight Stay
Head south on State Highway 2 through the Wairarapa region and into Wellington over the Rimutaka Hill. Options include stopping at the small country towns of Carterton, Greytown, Featherston or Martinborough in the Wairarapa on the way through. If you do stop by the Wairarapa region a vineyard tour is strongly recommended. Overnight in Wellington.
323 km
4 hours, 35 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend the day exploring New Zealand’s capital city. Overnight in Wellington.
For things to see and do, check out our Wellington motorhome holiday guide.
Overnight Stay
Catch the morning ferry service across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton. The three-hour ferry trip offers breathtaking scenery from the rugged rocks and steep cliffs of the Wellington Heads to the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound and the rolling hills of the Marlborough Sounds.
Arrive in Picton and take the short drive to Blenheim. Perhaps savour the flavours of this region during a vineyard lunch while on a tour of the many wineries and breweries, private gardens and craft studios in the area. Overnight in Blenheim.
Things to see and do in Blenheim.
30 km
30 minutes driving
3 hours on the ferry
Overnight Stay
Drive from Blenheim to Nelson this morning via Havelock. Arrive in Nelson and spend the afternoon enjoying this beautiful and popular area. Things to see and do in Nelson. Overnight in Nelson.
Things to see and do in Nelson.
166 km
2 hours, 20 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend another day exploring or relaxing in the Nelson region, or perhaps head into the Abel Tasman National Park. Overnight in Nelson.
Overnight Stay
The road to Greymouth on State Highway 6 follows a series of narrow valleys and saddles, with the highlight being the scenic Buller Gorge. From Westport to Greymouth there is magnificent coastal scenery, including the well known Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki - unusual limestone rock formations with seawater forced skyward through blowholes. Arrive in Greymouth and spend the afternoon exploring. Stay overnight in the Greymouth area.
Things to see and do in Greymouth.
290 km
4 hours, 10 minutes
Overnight Stay
Depart Greymouth for Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. En-route, you could stop by Hokitika, the third largest town on the West Coast. Things to see and do in Hokitika. You can also stop in Ross, a goldmining town that still has working goldmines, including one of the deepest operations in the Southern Hemisphere. Another option is to stop at Whataroa to visit the only nesting colony of the white heron (kotuku) in New Zealand. Overnight in Glacier Country.
177 km
2 hours, 30 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend the day exploring Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and learn about the glaciers. Overnight in Glacier Country.
Things to see and do in the Westland National Park.
Overnight Stay
Depart the Glaciers and continue the journey through Haast to Wanaka. Be sure to stop at Lake Matheson for the perfect scenic photo. The drive from Haast Junction to Wanaka takes approximately two hours. The journey through the Haast Pass is very rugged and scenic, so it is recommended you stop along the way. Things to see and do in Haast. The journey winds around Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before arriving in the Wanaka township mid-afternoon.
The Department of Conservation set up various short walkways along this route that offer visitors an opportunity to get away from the road and visit the beautiful scenery of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and river valleys. Overnight in Wanaka.
264 km
3 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend the day in beautiful Wanaka. Overnight in Wanaka.
Things to see and do in Wanaka.
Overnight Stay
Drive the short distance on State Highway 6 detouring to the old gold mining village of Arrowtown. Spend the rest of the day and evening in Queenstown. There is always something to do in Queenstown, no matter what the season. Overnight in Queenstown.
Check our Queenstown motorhome holiday guide.
117 km
1 hour, 30 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend today in Queenstown. There’s so much to see and do here! Overnight in Queenstown.
Check out our Queenstown destination guide.
Overnight Stay
Leave Queenstown this morning and travel to Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area and the largest national park in New Zealand. The Park covers 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) and has natural wilderness on a grand scale, where waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into pristine, forested valleys, and glacier-carved fiords indent its coastal boundaries. Overnight in Te Anau.
About the Fiordland National Park.
170 km
2 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
Depart Te Anau today for the spectacular drive to Milford Sound. The road to Milford is a wonderful alpine drive. From Te Anau the road winds down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel before being greeted by Mitre Peak towering from the glassy waters of Milford Sound. Arrive around midday or early afternoon. Overnight in Te Anau or Milford Sound – the road to Te Anau is approximately two to 2.5 hours long or, if you don’t want to drive far, you can overnight at Milford Sound.
Things to see and do at Milford Sound.
121 km
2 hours, 20 minutes
Overnight Stay
Today spend another day in the Fiordland National Park exploring Doubtful Sound. The only way to get there is a cruise across Lake Manapouri followed by a coach trip over the Wilmot Pass. Start by travelling the 20km to Manapouri, and visit the Manapouri Visitor Centre, before transferring onto a launch or yacht to cruise across the Lake. Visit the underground hydroelectric generating station before travelling to Doubtful Sound by coach. Overnight in Te Anau.
121 km
2 hours, 20 minutes
Overnight Stay
Take a journey through mountains and alongside lakes on State Highways 94 and 6, arriving in Queenstown late morning. Spend a bit more time in Queenstown enjoying the many activities and attractions in the area. Overnight in Queenstown.
171 km
2 hours, 5 minutes
Overnight Stay
Leave Queenstown in the morning and head along State Highway 6, all the way to Cromwell in Central Otago. Based on the edge of Lake Dunstan, this area of Central Otago is known for its fruit orchards and a growing wine centre. The settlement of Clyde provides an insight into the gold mining heritage of this region. From Cromwell, join State Highway 8 for the journey through Lindis Pass to the Mt Cook area. Overnight in the Mt Cook area.
Things to see and do in the Mt Cook area.
263 km
3 hours, 45 minutes
Overnight Stay
Today travel via beautiful Lake Tekapo to Methven, a great base for outdoor activities. You may wish to stop for lunch and a wander in the country town of Geraldine. Overnight in Methven.
220 km
2 hours, 30 minutes
Overnight Stay
Make your way from Methven to Christchurch today. Join State Highway 1 and travel through Ashburton, the commercial centre of one of New Zealand’s richest agricultural and pastoral regions. Overnight in Christchurch.
Check out our Top 10 Things to Do in Christchurch
96 km
1 hours, 15 minutes
Overnight Stay
Spend the day enjoying Christchurch or perhaps take a drive to the beautiful French settlement of Akaroa, 75km from Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch.
Overnight Stay
Depart Christchurch.
We want to make your trip planning as easy as possible, so please feel free to get in touch. You can ask our motorhome holiday experts anything.
