6 New Zealand road trips for wine, beaches and epic scenery

There might be no better way to explore New Zealand than by car or camper van.

Since public transport is limited outside of cities, and since so much of what you’ll want to see and do lies off the beaten track, a road trip here lets you take in the stunning natural scenery at your own pace, as well as the chance to stop for stunning walks, cycle rides, wild swimming or wildlife spotting.

Here are six road trips that let you experience some of what this wonderful country has to offer.

1. Northland loop

Best road trip in the “Winterless North”
Auckland–Auckland (round trip); 650 miles (1050km); a week or more

Kiwis call the regions north of Auckland (Northland and the Bay of Islands) the “Winterless North” because of its year-round subtropical climate. You’ll begin this trip by setting off toward the Bay of Islands, via the surf beaches of Mangawhai and the artsy city of Whangārei, which merits a good day or two of exploring.

Next, drive north and ferry over to the former whaling port of Russell, which matches heritage charm with on-water adventures like sailing, diving, fishing and kayaking. All of these are also accessed from the thriving mainland town of Paihia. Be sure to spend a day at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds learning about the colonial history of New Zealand.

Further north, the attractions are more remote and even more spectacular, leading all the way to the very top of the North Island at Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. On your way, stop for fresh local produce at Kerikeri; chill out in – and feast on seafood at – laid-back Mangōnui; and spend another day at Ahipara, with its surf breaks and nearby sand dunes.

Heading south again, you’ll drive through the incredible Waipoua Forest, where the last giants of the once extensive kauri forests here will take your breath away, and stop at quiet coastal towns with hidden stories of colonization, migration and hard labor.

2. Coromandel Peninsula

Best beach-coming road trip
Thames–Waihi Beach; 190 miles (305km); 1–3 days

Coastal roads weave a magical path on this journey around the compact but colorful Coromandel Peninsula, a favorite holiday spot for residents of nearby Auckland and Hamilton. As well as a gorgeous beach-fringed coastline, the Coromandel also holds the legacy of its gold-mining past in the heritage streets of Thames, Coromandel Town and Waihi.

Start in Thames, then head north to the thriving community of Coromandel Town via the beautiful 64-acre Rapaura Water Gardens estate. Next, detour from Colvile to the rugged northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsula – ideally in summer (December to February) when roads are dry and the pōhutukawa trees are in their crimson glory.

Heading down the other side of the peninsula, you’ll visit Whitianga and the nearby beaches of Mercury Bay. Diving, boating, game fishing and kayaking are the big draws at Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. Further south are natural attractions like the stone arch at Cathedral Cove near Hahei and Hot Water Beach. The latter lives up to its name: dig a pool in the sand and relax in the hot waters that rise up from beneath the surface.

3. Wellington to Rotorua

Best road trip for vineyards and art deco architecture
Wellington–Rotorua; 520 miles (840km); 4–7 days

After a few days exploring the excellent museums, galleries and bars of New Zealand’s compact, boho capital, Wellington, it’s time to hit the road. First, you’ll head north along the Hutt River Valley, detouring into the Martinborough wine region to taste its world-famous pinot noirs. Next, continue on to the Pacific coast, a languid arc combining sandy beaches and spectacular scenery with Māori cultural experiences.

The stretch from Havelock North to Hastings is surrounded by bountiful orchards and much-loved wineries, which can be explored on an organized cycling tour as well as by car. At the southern tip of Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui) lures both golfers (it has a spectacular course) and bird-watchers (there’s a 3000-strong gannet colony on the headland here).

Next, head to the gorgeous seaside city of Napier, which has impressive art deco architecture and foodie-drawing restaurants. The remote East Cape is next. Stop at sun-soaked Whakatāne and the beaches of Ōhope before turning inland to round off this epic circuit at the geothermal hotspot of Rotorua, with its incredible Māori cultural-immersion experiences and host of outdoor activities like mountain biking and luging.

4. Southern Alps loop

Best alpine road trip
Christchurch–Christchurch (round trip); 850 miles (1380km); a week or more

Cruise through varied landscapes including scenic mountains, wild coasts, lush lakelands, and rural highways dotted with tiny hamlets on this grand South Island tour. Starting from Christchurch – with its mix of old England and future-facing Kiwi ingenuity – head to the alpine reaches of Arthur’s Pass National Park, which rises to 2408m (7900ft) at Mt Murchison.

Next, you’ll be meandering along the west coast through historic towns and such artistic communities as Hokitika and Ross. The route rises again at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships, where you have multiple options for glacier viewing (helicopter ride or sky diving, anyone?).

Heading south, the Haast region in Te Wāhipounamu–South West New Zealand World Heritage Area is the place for seabird spotting and perhaps some tree-hugging in the ancient kahikatea swamp forest at Ship Creek. Finally, wend your way to Queenstown via the incredible Lake Wānaka, where paddling, hiking, skiing and climbing are among the outdoor pursuits that have made this region famous.

5. Otago Heritage Trail

Best road trip for goldbugs
Dunedin–Dunedin (round trip); 280 miles (450km); 2–3 days

The discovery of gold in the 1860s led Europeans to migrate to the South Island region now known as Otago, and much of that heritage remains today. Old miners’ trails and abandoned railway lines have been repurposed as leisurely cycle rides and long strolls. Agricultural towns still house historic stone buildings and Gold Rush stories, while colorful deciduous trees, winding roads and romantic old railway bridges all but demand to be photographed.

This driving tour starts in the vibrant city of Dunedin, where warehouses have been converted into hotels and art galleries, and university students pack international restaurants and pubs all week. After exploring for a few days, head south towards Lawrence – the scene of NZ’s first Gold Rush in 1861 – to the historically significant Horseshoe Bend Bridge over Clutha River/ Mata-au, NZ’s second-longest river. Next, you’ll visit the sweet-smelling fruit orchards and vineyards of Central Otago before arriving in Alexander, Clyde or Middlemarch to tackle the Otago Central Rail Trail by bicycle or foot.

For more heritage streetscapes, schedule a stop in Naseby, staying overnight to enjoy a night tour under its brilliant starry skies. Detours from this route will take you into snow-capped mountains, across to the dramatic fjords in the west or to the rugged beauty of the southern coast.

6. Queenstown to Milford Sound

Best road trip for dramatic views
Queenstown–Milford Sound/Piopiotahi; 180 miles (290km); 2 days

Fiordland is arguably New Zealand’s finest outdoor treasure. A landscape hewn in rock and ice, its grandeur can make you feel like a tiny speck in the face of nature – in the best possible way.

Panoramic alpine views characterize this drive as you make your way from Queenstown past Kelvin Peninsula at the foot of The Remarkables, along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu and past the Devil's Staircase and onto Te Anau. Stay overnight and take a tour of the 200m(656ft)-long glowworm caves – filled with strange rock forms, whirlpools and waterfalls – before cruising north past Lake Mistletoe, Mackay Creek, Mirror Lakes and Lake Gunn–Cascade Creek, all stunning spots for stretching your legs and admiring the wilderness.

The final stretch to the majestic Fiordland National Park takes you through Homer Tunnel, a road laboriously cut through the mountains during the Great Depression.