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Your guide to New Zealand
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New Zealand trip plans

Road trips, camping bases and time on the trail.

Essentials

15 trip plans in our collection

  • A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.
    Illustrative

    A backpack carried outdoors; location unverified. This is not a retailer or current-stock photograph. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

    Northland

    Whangarei to Kerikeri: Six Days in Eastern Northland

    Duration
    6 days
    Style
    Road trip
    Start / finish
    Whangarei / Kerikeri
    Planning notes

    Move north through Whangarei and Paihia to Kerikeri, leaving space for Puketi and a land-based Bay of Islands day without a Cape Reinga dash.

    Checked 2026-10-01. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • A yellow tent pitched among trees, with another tent partly visible beside it.
    Illustrative

    Pitched tents in Yosemite Valley, United States, not a New Zealand campsite or a pitching demonstration. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Andrew Scofield / Unsplash License / Details

    Otago / Southland

    Otago and the Catlins: Seven-Day Coastal Loop from Dunedin

    Duration
    7 days
    Style
    Road trip
    Start / finish
    Dunedin / Dunedin
    Planning notes

    Travel through Kaka Point and the southern Catlins to Invercargill, then return through Gore with overnight stops separating coast and inland driving.

    Checked 2026-10-01. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.
    Illustrative

    A backpack carried outdoors; location unverified. This is not a retailer or current-stock photograph. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

    Marlborough / Nelson / Tasman

    Picton to Golden Bay: A Seven-Day Top of the South Road Trip

    Duration
    7 days
    Style
    Road trip
    Start / finish
    Picton / Motueka
    Planning notes

    Work west from Picton through Nelson and Motueka, then allow two Golden Bay days before returning to Motueka without a same-day ferry deadline.

    Checked 2026-10-01. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

Plan an island road trip

Start with a realistic route, then choose campsites and walks for each overnight base.

Leave room to change course

These are editorial route suggestions, not booked holidays. Allow extra time for weather, roadworks, rest and the needs of your group. Each overnight stop needs a confirmed booking or verified permission.

Driving in New Zealand

Walking distances and grades belong to the individual route. Check its current notices before adding it to a driving day.

Find walking tracksConditions & alerts