New Zealand in 1 Week (7 Days): Road Trip Itinerary Both Islands!

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Renting a Car or Campervan for 1 Week in New Zealand

Travelling for one week in New Zealand and looking for the perfect road trip itinerary? Renting a car or campervan is going to be the best way to squeeze everything you want into one week in New Zealand. This means no waiting around for buses and gives you the freedom to hit all the incredible New Zealand destinations listed below.

For a one-week car or campervan rental, consider the following:

• Choose a rental company with a low or no one-way fee. The itinerary below means you will pick up a rental vehicle in Auckland and drop it off in Queenstown. Most car rental companies will charge a one-way fee for this.
• Consider car relocation. See if there are any car relocation deals at your time of travel between Auckland and Queenstown for as little as NZ$1 a day! Power tip; you are more likely to find a car relocation deal if you do this itinerary in reverse, from Queenstown to Auckland. Find out more in our Car Relocation Guide.
• Use a car rental company based at Auckland Airport. And make sure the premium location fee is fair (less than NZ$30) and they offer a free shuttle to their depot.

For a complete comparison of rental companies, check out The Best Car Rental Companies in Auckland and The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in Auckland.

Alternative Transport: 7-Day Bus Tours of New Zealand

For travellers who would rather let someone else sort out the logistics, escorted bus tours are available to take you around New Zealand with like-minded people. Some of the tour companies that offer 7-day tours of New Zealand (but more likely of just one island, as even they aren’t as crazy as you) are listed in The 10 Best 7-Day Tours of New Zealand. Plus, see How to Travel by Bus in New Zealand for more ways to experience the North Island without a car.

© Matt Crawford - Tourism New Zealand

Day 1 – Auckland to Rotorua

Drive time: 2 hrs 50 mins

Welcome to New Zealand and the start of an action-packed road trip! After picking up your rental vehicle, hit State Highway 2 toward Rotorua. On the way, Lord of the Rings nerds have the opportunity to stop in Matamata for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Then, you’ll reach New Zealand’s cultural heart and a hotbed for geothermal activity, Rotorua!

Things to Do in Rotorua

• Geysers, steaming lakes, bubbling mud, silica terraces and so much more can be seen in one of the many geothermal parks of Rotorua
• Catch a Maori cultural performance (if you missed doing so yesterday)
• Do some adrenaline activities: Zorb your way in a giant hamster ball down a hill, go luging from the top of the Skyline Gondola, hike or mountain bike in the Redwood Forest, jet boat or do a freefall experience at the Velocity Valley, and so much more!
• See native New Zealand wildlife at Wingspan or National Kiwi Hatchery (more info on Viator and Klook).

For more recommendations, check out the 25 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.

Accommodation in Rotorua

Budget:

• Holdens Bay Holiday Park
• BKs Rotorua
• Rock Solid Backpackers

For more options, check out the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Rotorua.

Mid-range:

• Kings On Peace
• Silver Fern Rotorua
• Aura Accommodation

See more stays in The 50 Best Accommodations in Rotorua.

Luxury:

• Pullman Rotorua
• Regent of Rotorua
• Ngamihi Lodge

More lavish finds are available in the 20 Best Luxury Accommodations in Rotorua.

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Day 2 – Rotorua to Taupo

Drive time: 1 hour

Not too far from Rotorua is Taupo on the edge of New Zealand’s largest lake! Again, there really is a lot to do here. If you want to skydive and/or bungy jump on the North Island then Taupo is a great place to do it. Plus, there are plenty of options to get out on the lake, relax in hot pools, see raging waterfalls and more!

Things to Do in Taupo

• Take a trip out on New Zealand’s largest lake, whether it’s fishing, kayaking, sailing, cruising or parasailing
• Bungy jump over the Waikato River with Taupo Bungy
• Do a skydive with Taupo Tandem Skydive
• Go on a white water rafting trip on the Tongariro River with Tongariro River Rafting
• Walk along the Waikato River to a natural hot pool at Spa Park, then onto Huka Falls
• Sail to the Maori Rock Carvings with Sail Barbary (more info on Viator and Klook).

For more inspiration, take a look at the 20 Best Things to Do in Taupo.

Accommodation in Taupo

Budget:

• Haka Lodge Taupo
• Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
• Chevron Motel

Check out more options over at the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Taupo.

Mid-range:

• Millennium Hotel Lake Taupo
• Suncourt Hotel
• eMotel

For more, check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Taupo.

Luxury:

• Hilton Lake Taupo
• Huka Lodge
• Flying Trout Boutique Lodge

Discover more upscale finds in the 15 Best Luxury Accommodations in Taupo.

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Day 3 – Taupo to Wellington

Drive time: 4 hrs 45 mins

You have a long drive ahead of you today in order to have a substantial amount of time to enjoy the South Island. (We told you this one-week itinerary for New Zealand would be tough).

Nevertheless, the drive Taupo to Wellington allows you to marvel at the views of the North Island volcanoes as you travel down the Desert Road. Then, you will start passing through some of New Zealand’s quirkiest towns like Taihape, the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand, and Bulls, famous for its puns! Both locations are great places for a coffee break. You’ll then drive down the Kapiti Coast with lots of beaches dotted along the way until you reach the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington. You should have some time to do one of the following activities this evening.

Things to Do on the Road to Wellington

• Stop by Ohakune for its walking and biking trails. Hire a bike and do the 2-hour Old Coach Road or hike in the Mangawhero Forest (1 hour)
• Visit the National Army Museum in Waiouru
• Stop by Taihape, see the giant gumboot and do the short walk to the Mt Stewart Reserve lookout
• Do a quick detour to Palmerston North to check out the Wildbase Recovery Centre, the National Rugby Museum and Te Manawa Museum
• Check out the quirky town of Bulls and spot all the bull-related puns of the town
• Along the Kapiti Coast, stop by one of the beaches like Peka Peka Beach or Queen Elizabeth Park. Or take a tour to Kapiti Island to check out the native bird sanctuary.

Things to Do in Wellington

• Visit the Te Papa Museum to learn everything there is to know about New Zealand
• Go to Zealandia to see native New Zealand wildlife
• Do a self-guided Lord of the Rings tour or be guided by Xplor Tours
• Tour the city sights of Wellington from the Waterfront to Cuba Street to the Botanic Gardens to Mt Victoria. Find out more in our One Day in Wellington: City Walking Tour Itinerary…

… And more as listed in the 25 Best Things to Do in Wellington.

Accommodation in Wellington

Budget:

• Microtel by Wyndham Wellington
• The Dwellington
• Trinity Hotel

Need more options? Head to the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Wellington.

Mid-range:

• Willis Village
• U Boutique Hotel
• Quest on Thorndon

Check out The 50 Best Accommodations for all of your best options.

Luxury:

• InterContinental Wellington
• Rydges Wellington
• Sofitel Wellington

See more stays in the 15 Best Luxury Accommodations in Wellington.

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Day 4 – Wellington to Punakaiki

Drive time: 5 hrs 40 mins (plus, 3-hour ferry)

Take an early morning ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton, not only for the price but for the amazing sunrises seen as you sail into the Marlborough Sounds.

Once you hit Picton, you have no time to lose. Head toward the wild West Coast of the South Island. On the way, stop by Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park for some wonderful picture opportunities. Stop by Murchison for a coffee break before driving through the breathtaking Buller Gorge then you will soon hit the Great Coast Road, a scenic journey on the West Coast.

Tonight, you’ll have a well-deserved break in the quiet coastal village of Punakaiki.

Things to Do in Punakaiki

• Do the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
• Visit the Punakaiki Cavern
• Kayak on the Pororari River with Waka Puna
• Experience Barrytown Beach by horse wagon with Golden Sands Horse and Wagon Tours
• Sample the Paparoa Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks.

Learn about all of these activities and more in the 10 Best Things to Do in Punakaiki.

Accommodation in Punakaiki

Budget:

• Te Nikau Retreat
• Punakaiki Beach Hostel

More details on these hostels can be found in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Punakaiki.

Mid-range:

• Punakaiki Beachfront Motels
• Punakaiki Beach Camp

Luxury:

• Tasman Sea Retreat
• Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

© Legend Photography - Tourism NZ

Day 5 – Punakaiki to Wanaka (via Franz Josef and Fox Glacier)

Drive time: 5 hrs 20 mins

Set off early so that you get a chance to check out the glaciers in either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, about 1 hr 30 mins into the journey today. (Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are about 30 minutes apart from each other). You have a huge choice of things to do in both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, so here are your options.

Things to Do in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

• Do a heli-hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides or Fox Glacier Guiding (more info on Viator and Klook)
• Do one of New Zealand’s highest skydives over the glacier and the Southern Alps with Skydive Franz Josef & Fox Glacier (on Viator and Klook)
• Hike to the Franz Josef Terminal Face
• Relax in the Waiho Hot Tubs
• Kayak on the reflective waters of Lake Mapourika with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours (on Viator and Klook).
• Walk to the reflective Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier.

Now continue on your journey through the stunning Haast Pass toward Lake Wanaka. We recommend you stop at Thunder Creek Falls just a minute’s walk from the road. Then, if you have time, walk to the Blue Pools of Haast. This is a 1-hour return walk through the forest to some of the clearest and bluest rivers you will ever see.

This evening you will have the time to relax by the beautiful Lake Wanaka.

Things to Do in Wanaka

• Have a local craft beer or wine at one of the lakefront bars
• Do a stand-up paddleboard or kayak tour on Lake Wanaka
• Visit Puzzling World and get lost in their giant maze
• Skydive over beautiful Lake Wanaka with Skydive Wanaka
• Cruise to a sanctuary island on Lake Wanka with Eco Wanaka Adventures.

Head to the 25 Best Things to Do in Wanaka for more ideas.

Accommodation in Wanaka

Budget:

• Altamont Lodge
• Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
• Mountain View Backpackers

More cheap stays can be found in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Wanaka.

Mid-range:

• Club Wyndham Wanaka, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
• Archway Motels & Chalets
• The Moorings Motel and Apartments

Check out the 20 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Wanaka for more ideas.

Luxury:

• Wanaka Luxury Apartments
• Lime Tree Lodge
• Edgewater Hotel

More recommendations can be found in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Wanaka.

© Shotover Jet - Tourism New Zealand

Day 6 – Wanaka to Queenstown

© Rob Suisted - Tourism New Zealand

Day 7 – Explore Queenstown (or Milford Sound Day Trip)

Depending on what time your flight is, you can squeeze in some short activities in Queenstown from the list above. However, if you have one more full day to spare then this is your chance to visit Milford Sound. We get it, Milford Sound is on almost everybody’s New Zealand bucket list, so this is a way to squeeze the experience into a one-week itinerary for New Zealand. Although you can drive there (8 hours return), we recommend taking a break from driving and taking one of the bus trips to and from Milford Sound with a cruise included.

On the other hand, if you want a break from the road, you have plenty more options for things to do in Queenstown listed above as well as some more inspiration in the 45 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.

Depart from Queenstown

When your trip in New Zealand is all wrapped up, return your rental vehicle to the Queenstown depot then head onto your next adventure! Queenstown Airport is well-connected domestically to the rest of New Zealand, as well as internationally to Australia.