National Touring Routes

The array of exciting activities and spectacular scenery in New Zealand is unmatched anywhere in the world. Here’s how to plan an itinerary that will give your clients the chance to really look around.

The following itineraries are suggested as a guide to help you plan journeys that will introduce your clients to the best of New Zealand. If your clients have limited time in New Zealand they might stick closely to a day-by-day itinerary, while those who have more time might stop for longer at each place and perhaps add interesting diversions along the way – for more ideas, see the regional section. A popular option for visitors wanting to see the whole country is to arrive in Auckland, travel south by road and finish in Christchurch before flying back to Auckland. These national itineraries take in sights and attractions from one end of New Zealand to the other, providing a comprehensive view of the country. In the North Island your clients will discover vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, Kauri forests and geothermal activity. In the South Island they can enjoy mountain scenery, adventure activities, historic architecture and wildlife encounters. By the end of their holiday, your clients will know New Zealand from top to bottom.

Planning Tips:

When arranging your clients’ New Zealand itinerary, consider the following points.

Getting between the islands
The North and South Islands are separated by a body of water called Cook Strait. There is no bridge, but there are several ferry services for passengers and cars. Please ensure that your clients’ ferry journeys are booked well in advance. Sailings fill up quickly, particularly during New Zealand Public and School Holidays, and the timing of your clients’ Cook Strait crossing can have a major influence on their itinerary.

Deceptive distances
Although New Zealand is a relatively small country, distances are longer than they may appear on a map. You cannot, for instance, comfortably travel by road between Queenstown and Auckland in a day. Because roads are generally not multi-lane roadways (discussed further below), and may be steep or winding, driving in New Zealand requires careful concentration. When planning itineraries, it is therefore important to allow time for regular rest breaks along the way – a perfect excuse to stop and admire the scenery!

Highways and by-ways
If your clients will be driving in New Zealand, please advise them that the roads may be very different from what they are used to. You can expect highways between main centres to be sealed and well-maintained, but they are not usually multi-lane roadways. There is usually only one lane in each direction and drivers will need to take great care in overtaking or wait until they reach a passing lane. Drivers must remember to keep left at all times.

18 days +
Start: Auckland
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Day 2 Bay of Islands - Kaitaia
Day 3 Kaitaia - Auckland
Day 4 Auckland - Waitomo Caves
Day 5 Waitomo Caves - Taupo
Day 6 Taupo - Palmerston North
Day 7 Palmerston North - Wellington
Day 8 Wellington - Kaikoura
Day 9 Kaikoura - Christchurch
Day 10 Christchurch - Dunedin
Day 11 Dunedin - Invercargill
Day 12 Invercargill - Te Anau
Day 13 Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Day 14 Te Anau - Queenstown
Day 15 Queenstown - Wanaka - Franz Josef Glacier
Day 16 Franz Josef Glacier - Punakaiki Rocks
Day 17 Punakaiki Rocks - Hanmer Springs
Day 18 Hanmer Springs - Christchurch

Route 1 Island Explorer

From Auckland, explore the beaches and harbours of the Bay of Islands. Return to the sophisticated city life of Auckland before visiting Kaitaia for history and tranquillity. Take a day trip to the magical Waitomo Caves. Rejuvenate in the lakeside town of Taupo. Enjoy the gardens of Palmerston North. Indulge in the rich culture of Wellington, then cross to the South Island and enjoy the wildlife and seafood of Kaikoura. Visit the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin for retail therapy and rich heritage. Restore your spirit amongst the rainforests of South Westland. Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown and Wanaka. Commune with nature in the West Coast’s glaciers, wild beaches and rock formations. Pamper yourself in Hanmer and come to rest in Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’.

22 days +
Start: Auckland
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Day 2 Bay of Islands - Kaitaia
Day 3 Kaitaia - Auckland
Day 4 Auckland - The Coromandel
Day 5 The Coromandel - Bay of Plenty
Day 6 Bay of Plenty - Rotorua
Day 7 Rotorua - Taupo
Day 8 Taupo - Tongariro National Park - Taupo
Day 9 Taupo - Waitomo
Day 10 Waitomo - New Plymouth
Day 11 New Plymouth - Wellington
Day 12 Wellington - Marlborough
Day 13 Marlborough - Kaikoura
Day 14 Kaikoura - Christchurch
Day 15 Christchurch - Dunedin
Day 16 Dunedin - Invercargill
Day 17 Invercargill - Stewart Island
Day 18 Stewart Island - Te Anau
Day 19 Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Day 20 Queenstown - Wanaka - Franz Josef Glacier
Day 21 Franz Josef Glacier - Greymouth
Day 22 Greymouth - Christchurch

Route 2 Coast to Coast

From Auckland, head north to the Bay of Islands. Visit Kaitaia, the base for Cape Reinga. Enjoy the beaches and the arts and crafts of the Coromandel. Relax in the laidback Bay of Plenty. Discover the rich Maori culture and thermal pools of Rotorua. Visit Taupo and Tongariro National Park. See the Waitomo Caves and the picture-perfect cone of Mt Taranaki. Enjoy the café culture of Wellington before crossing to the South Island. Explore Marlborough and Kaikoura. Soak up the atmosphere of Christchurch and Dunedin. Visit Stewart Island, explore South Westland, and then head for adventure towns Queenstown and Wanaka. Drive north along the West Coast and finish in Christchurch.

24 days +
Start: Auckland
Finish: Christchurch

Day 1 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Day 2 Bay of Islands - Kaitaia
Day 3 Kaitaia - Auckland
Day 4 Auckland - Hamilton - Waitomo
Day 5 Waitomo - The Coromandel
Day 6 The Coromandel - Bay of Plenty
Day 7 Bay of Plenty - Rotorua
Day 8 Rotorua - Taupo
Day 9 Taupo - Tongariro National Park - Taupo
Day 10 Taupo - Napier
Day 11 Napier - Wellington
Day 12 Wellington - Marlborough
Day 13 Marlborough - Nelson
Day 14 Nelson - Greymouth
Day 15 Greymouth - Franz Josef Glacier
Day 16 Franz Josef Glacier - Wanaka
Day 17 Wanaka - Queenstown
Day 18 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Day 19 Te Anau - Invercargill
Day 20 Invercargill - Dunedin
Day 21 Dunedin - Cromwell - Mt Cook
Day 22 Mt Cook - Christchurch
Day 23 Christchurch - Kaikoura
Day 24 Kaikoura - Christchurch

Route 3 Four Corners

Travel north to the subtropical Bay of Islands. Return to Auckland and continue to Waikato and Waitomo. Relax on the beaches of the Coromandel, then find even more beaches in the Bay of Plenty. Explore the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. Discover the lakeside beauty of Taupo and the scenery of Tongariro National Park. Move on to the architecture and vineyards of Napier. Experience art and culture in the galleries of Wellington, before crossing to the South Island. Explore the wine-growing areas of Marlborough and Nelson. On the West Coast, admire glaciers and untamed beaches. In Central Otago experience Wanaka and Queenstown, then head for South Westland. Experience the warm hospitality of Invercargill, the history of Dunedin and the lush Cromwell region. Visit New Zealand’s highest peak, Mount Cook. See the coastal scenery and wildlife of Kaikoura and end your journey in Christchurch.