When most people think of New Zealand, they probably think of scenic National Parks, geysers, Lord of the Rings, and adrenaline-filled adventure. However, this is one of the most diverse and unique countries in the world and is very easy to fall in love with.
Made up of two main islands, New Zealand has a fantastic range of breathtaking scenery, from beaches and forests in the North to glaciers, lakes, fjords and beautiful rolling green pastures in the South. Few destinations boast such a staggering number of natural wonders within their borders.
That’s why ETW Travel recommended taking an ultimate road trip to capture the true essence of this land seen on movie screens worldwide. Rail travel is limited in New Zealand, and there are only three main scenic train journeys – two in the North and one in the South. Air travel is the quickest way to get between major hubs and smaller outposts, but to experience the genuine magic of everything New Zealand has to offer, whether by coach, motorhome or self-drive car, taking the road less travelled leads you to all the delights and experiences that this beautiful country can provide. With clear road signs and well-maintained roads, you can get close-up to some of the most stunning views on the planet, and driving on the left-hand side is another bonus!
From the North Cape of the North Island to the South-West Cape of Stewart Island, the country stretches nearly 1,000 miles by air and double that by road, but you can take sections from this road trip to tailor your journey through New Zealand.
Most visitor’s arrival point is Auckland, which many people take time to explore. It has its attractions, but there’s little reason to delay because beyond its boundaries lie untold wonders to discover.
It’s only a 3-hour drive north from Auckland to the 140 subtropical atolls of the Bay of Islands, where a relatively idyllic climate supports untouched beaches. Take a break at out-of-the-way Russell, a small seaside town with whitewashed houses and white picket fences, lying on what is considered the forgotten shore of the Bay of Islands. It’s a lovely town, and you can wander around the little church and be surprised by seeing bullet holes in the cemetery walls, apparently from a fight between the Maori residents and the British Navy in 1844. The town’s waterfront features cafes and restaurants. The coffee is excellent, but surprisingly, the wine is not. Leaving that for the Matakana Coast Wine Country further south is best. You may stumble across The Vintry Wine Bar in Matakana, a shared cellar door for all the local wineries. It seems like a great idea. Less driving, more sampling!
Passing back around the outskirts of Auckland, your next destination is Matamata, where the world knows its near neighbour from its time on screen. Hobbiton: The Lord of the Rings Movie Set is a hugely popular attraction. It is immaculately laid out on the Alexander family’s beef farm, creating a memorable collection of movie moments from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The view of all The Hobbit holes is impressive, as is the attention to detail. Drop into the Green Dragon Inn on-site pub for some welcome refreshments to end your visit.
After a further hour’s drive, you’ll arrive in Rotorua to take in the spectacular lake views and clouds of steam rising from multiple geysers across the region. There are plenty of touristy things to do in this area, but you’ll want to stay here for the geysers. It’s one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, and New Zealand is one of only ten countries with active geysers. You first notice the pungent smell of sulphur, but you’ll quickly get used to it. Pohutu is the largest and erupts around twenty times a day, so to pass the time, wander through a bizarre landscape of bubbling mud pools and steaming vents.
Taking a side-step from your route, drive a couple of hours to the Waitomo Caves, which attracts thousands of visitors every year to view the famous glowworms that line the ceiling of various caverns. They aren’t worms but fly larvae emitting a phosphorescent glow that lights up the ceiling. The experience is beautiful and remarkably captivating as your skiff drifts on the water under the thousands of glowing larvae. The accompanying illuminated stalactites and stalagmites surrounding the area are just as breathtaking.
Today, your ultimate destination is Napier, but you’ll want to pass Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake en route. Close to the town of Taupo is one of the country’s biggest attractions—the Huka Falls. Huka in Maori means “foam,” which is the best way to describe this huge deluge of water running through a narrow gap in the river. The raw power and the deafening sound while the turquoise-coloured river careers down the gorge are quite an experience.
The Mission Wine Estate in Napier is the birthplace of New Zealand wineries and is a must-do stop. Established in 1851 by French missionaries, this is a stunning place, like going back in time, where the wine is nothing less than wonderful. Well, it would always be good after 150 years of trying.
Back on the road, the long drive passes through some of the finest farmland in the country before crossing the Rimutaka Ranges and into Wellington. You’ll want to take a short stop at historic Greytown, home to New Zealand’s most complete street of wooden Victorian buildings, where you’ll be surprised by the quality of the designer boutiques and quirky little stores. Reaching Wellington, often compared to Melbourne because of its vibrant cultural hub, small city centre, art galleries, alleyway cafes and delis, delight in exploring the Weta Workshop, the design studio for Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
You’ll want to reach the South Island because this is where the fun starts. The 3-hour Interislander ferry takes you to the picturesque town of Picton through the beautiful and spectacular views of Marlborough Sound.
The most scenic route out of Picton is along the coastline towards Havelock and Nelson, and the never-ending winding road takes your full attention. Nelson is noted for its many artists and has a couple of art trails, while the nearby Abel Tasman region has golden sandy beaches and some of the country’s finest walking tracks. There is plenty to keep you occupied in the surrounding area, especially as Nelson is considered one of the sunniest places in New Zealand.
Continuing your journey southward takes you through some spectacular scenery before heading through Arthurs Pass National Park to Christchurch. This city has not been lucky over the years, especially since the 2011 earthquake destroyed the centre. Over 1 billion dollars have been spent on the rebuilding project. However, there are still many empty parking lots and open spaces, and sadly, despite the funding, the most famous building of all, Christchurch Cathedral, is in danger of being mothballed indefinitely because of foundation problems.
On the next stage of your trip, you’ll cross the vast Canterbury Plains along the inland scenic route and head into the high-country plateau through Burkes Pass, where you’ll find the picturesque small settlement of Lake Tekapo. Stop at the little Church of the Good Shepherd, standing like a lone sentry in this vast landscape as it looks up the lake towards the mountains. The combination of the building and the view is both dramatic and enigmatic at the same time. A wooden cross frames the window with the light blue lake as a backdrop. It makes you want to offer thanks for the uplifting view.
Another 30 minutes and one of the most iconic sights in New Zealand comes into view as you look along Lake Tekapo towards Mount Cook, rising majestically in the distance. On a calm day, the mountain’s reflection in the lake’s still waters provides a mirror image of the scene, as if doubling the pleasure.
The 50-minute drive to Mount Cook Village along the lakeside is stunning, as the crystal-clear waters seem to enhance the colours of the pristine shoreline. Overnight here, and in the morning, you’ll be rewarded with a sunrise like no other, as the tips of the mountain peaks turn into golden reflections of the sun.
You’ll find leaving difficult as you head back along the shoreline to the head of the lake and onto the quaintly named town of Twizel, one of the locations for Lord of the Rings, before the three-hour drive along the coastline through Palmerston to Dunedin. Known as the Edinburgh of the South, the city has a vast Scottish influence, and the University town bustles with life. Street art adorns many of Dunedin’s buildings, and the many wine bars and cafes give the place a European feel with a Scottish twist highlighted by having its castle built in 1871.
Your final destination is Queenstown, but first, drop into the famous Cloudy Bay Winery. It has a beautiful Cellar Door café amid canopied gardens and a large pond overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Queenstown is a place for which you’ll develop a great deal of affection. The town has maintained its character and has a sensational setting among the surrounding mountains of the Remarkables Range. The little Steamship TSS Earnslaw earns its keep, sailing up and down lengthy Lake Wakatipu while the cable car still rises steeply to the incredible viewing platform at the Skyline Bar towers above the town. You can watch skydivers swirl around the cliff’s edges and gently land outside the town. Although classed as the adventure capital of the world, the area has so much more going for it, although there isn’t room in this article to list all its attractions. If you only do one thing, then the Jet-ride on the Shotover River is the number 1 attraction. Whether young or old and so long you don’t have a bad back, it is the most exhilarating 30 minutes you will experience.
You can decide to drive the 4 hours to the famous Milford Sound or the even longer trip to Doubtful Sound or splash out on a scenic trip by air across the mountains, which includes a two-hour cruise on Milford Sound. It’s an incredible and memorable experience. Flying gives you an astonishing close-up of the still snowy peaks before flying over the last mountain with the water far below and a spectacular landing at the little airstrip at the head of Milford Sound.
You’ll then enjoy a spectacular cruise, with sheer cliffs towering above you and hundreds of waterfalls cascading over the clifftops to the water below. In contrast to the flight from Queenstown requiring good weather, here in Milford Sound, the opposite applies. There are fewer waterfalls on sunny days, so a significant downpour and the streams are complete, allowing water to cascade from the sky-high cliffs everywhere. No wonder Tom Cruise chose to film the start of “Mission Impossible – Fallout” here. Your return flight is just as exciting as you fly along Lake Wakatipu, just as the TSS Earnslaw far below makes its way back to Queenstown after a day sailing on the lake.
New Zealand is slightly larger than the UK but sustains a population of merely a tenth. So nowhere is overcrowded, although you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve returned in time in parts of the country. But that is a good thing. Less traffic, less crowds and wide-open landscapes make for a memorable experience at the end of the world.
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