New Zealand in One Week: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Auckland to Rotorua

Drive Time: 2h48min

Welcome to New Zealand and the start of an action-packed road trip through New Zealand! 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

• Relax in a natural geothermal hot pool. There are paid options, such as the Polynesian Spa (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), or go find some of the 5 Free Natural Hot Pools in Rotorua
• See an evening cultural performance at one of the Maori attractions. We list most of the options in 10 Places to Experience Maori Culture in New Zealand
• Visit a geothermal park. Geysers, steaming lakes, bubbling mud, silica terraces and so much more can be seen in one of the many geothermal parks of Rotorua.
• Do some adrenaline activities. Zorb your way in a giant hamster ball down a hill (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), go luging from the top of the gondola (on Viator and Tripadvisor), mountain bike in the Redwood Forest (on Viator and Tripadvisor), jet boat or do a freefall experience at the Velocity Valley (on Viator and Tripadvisor), and so much more!
• See native New Zealand wildlife at Wingspan or Rainbow Springs (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Accommodation in Rotorua

Budget:

• All Seasons Holiday Park
• Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park
• Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
• Crash Palace
• Funky Green Voyager

Mid-range:

• Millennium Hotel Rotorua
• Sport of Kings Motel
• Quest Rotorua Central Apartment Hotel

Luxury:

• Jet Park Hotel Rotorua
• Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

See more options in The 50 Best Accommodations in Rotorua.

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 than 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
• Do a skydive (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Go on a white water rafting trip on the Tongariro River (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Walk along the Waikato River to a natural hot pool at Spa Park, then onto Huka Falls
• Get more inspiration from 10 Amazing Things to Do in Taupo.

Accommodation in Taupo

Budget:

• Silver Fern Lodge
• Haka Lodge

Mid-range:

• Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
• Lake Taupo Top 10 Holiday Park
• All Seasons Kiwi Holiday Park
• Quality Suites Huka Falls

Luxury:

• Hilton Lake Taupo
• Tauhara Sunrise Lodge

Day 3 – Taupo to Wellington

Drive Time: 4h45min

You have a long drive ahead of you today so that you still 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 in Wellington

• Visit the Te Papa Museum to learn everything there is to know about New Zealand
• 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
• Grab some local cuisine. Check out The Foodie Guide to Wellington for ideas
• Hit the nightlife scene of Wellington.

Accommodation in Wellington

Budget:

• Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers
• The Dwellington
• Nomads Capital
• Trek Global
• Cambridge Hotel

Mid-range:

• Rydges Wellington
• Apollo Lodge Motel
• Quest on Lambton Serviced Apartments
• West Plaza Hotel

Luxury:

• InterContinental Wellington
• Sofitel Wellington

See more options in The 50 Best Accommodations in Wellington.

Day 4 – Wellington to Punakaiki

Drive Time: 5h40min (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 (20-minute loop)
• Visit the Punakaiki Cavern (just off the side of the state highway)
• Horse trek into the Paparoa National Park
• Check out the stunning overhang and waterfall onto the beach on the Truman Track (15 minutes one way).

Accommodation in Punakaiki

Budget:

• Te Nikau Retreat
• Punakaiki Beach Hostel

Mid-range:

• Punakaiki Beachfront Motels
• Punakaiki Beach Camp

Luxury:

• Tasman Sea Retreat
• Punakaiki Resort

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

Drive Time: 5h20min

Set off early so that you get a chance to check out the glaciers in either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, about 1h30min 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 on either Fox or Franz Josef Glacier (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Skydive over the glaciers (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Hike to the glaciers’ terminal face
• Relax in the Glacier Hot Pools in Franz Josef
• Kayak on the reflective waters of Lake Mapourika near Franz Josef (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Walk to the reflective Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier
• Go horse trekking in the West Coast wilderness.

Now continue on your journey through the stunning Haast Pass toward Lake Wanaka. We recommend you stop at Thunder Creek Falls just a minutes walk from the road. Then, if you have time, walk to the Blue Pools of Haast. This is a 1-hour return walk through 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 (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Visit Puzzling World and get lost in their giant maze (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Do a skydive if you missed the chance in Franz Josef (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Accommodation in Wanaka

Budget:

• YHA Wanaka
• Wanaka Backpackers Bothy
• Mountain View Backpackers

Mid-range:

• Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
• Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels

Luxury:

• Wanaka Luxury Apartments
• Lime Tree Lodge
• Edgewater Hotel

Day 6 – Wanaka to Queenstown

Drive Time: 1 Hour

Time to hit the Adrenaline Capital of the World! Take the Cardrona Valley route to be the best views on the way to Queenstown. Once there you have so much to do! Take a look at The Complete Guide to Queenstown or the list below.

Things to Do in Queenstown

• Do a bungy jump you have three to choose from in Queenstown
• Do a skydive (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Go skiing or snowboarding in winter
• Do a jet boat tour
• Go white water rafting (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Visit the Lord of the Rings filming locations
• Go up the Gondola and do some luging/mountain biking/eating/sightseeing (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• See native wildlife at the Kiwi Birdlife Park (on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Party at the bars and clubs
• Do a wine-tasting tour
• Treat yourself to these Cheap Eats in Queenstown.

Accommodation in Queenstown

Budget:

• Absoloot Value Accommodation
• JUCY Snooze Queenstown
• Nomads Queenstown
• Adventure Queenstown
• The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
• Sir Cedric Tahuna Pod Hostel

Mid-range:

• Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park
• Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
• Queenstown Holiday Park & Motel Creeksyde

Luxury:

Day 7 – Queenstown (or Milford Sound)

Drive Time: 0 Hours

Depending on what time your flight is, you can either 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 in 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.

With towering mountains, untouched rainforest and unbelievable scenery, Milford Sound is an unforgettable journey. To have a break from driving, we recommend taking one of the many bus tours to Milford Sound then boarding a cruise of the fiord. Bus trips give you plenty of opportunities to hop off the bus and do multiple short walks on the way. For more information, get your head in Guide to Milford Sound and the Milford Road.

However, 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 10 Queenstown Must-Dos.

When your trip in New Zealand is all wrapped up, return your rental vehicle to the Queenstown depot then head onto your next adventure!