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New Zealand trip plans

Road trips, camping bases and time on the trail.

Essentials

4 trip plans in our collection

  • A stony shoreline and rippling Lake Te Anau beneath mountain silhouettes and an evening sky at Henry Creek.
    Illustrative

    The lake outlook from Henry Creek Campsite, as identified by DOC. Surrounding scenery only: camping pitches are not visible. Photograph date not supplied. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Samm Bell / CC BY 4.0 / Details

    Fiordland / Southland

    Fiordland: Three Days Based in Te Anau

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Te Anau / Te Anau
    Planning notes

    Keep a Te Anau camp for a conditional Milford Road day and a separate low-level Kepler walk, leaving room to swap the outings or omit Milford.

    Checked 2026-09-26. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • Campervan, camp sign and gravel access beside the water at Momorangi Bay Camp.
    Illustrative

    The waterfront camping area at Momorangi Bay on 27 November 2011. This historical photograph does not establish today's layout, facilities or availability. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Mattinbgn / CC BY 3.0 / Details

    Marlborough

    Marlborough: Three Days of Picton and Sounds Walks

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Picton / Picton
    Planning notes

    Stay in Picton for a harbour arrival, a Tirohanga lookout day and a shorter Momorangi forest visit, with no ferry or Queen Charlotte Track dependency.

    Checked 2026-09-26. 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

    Nelson / Tasman

    Nelson Tasman: Three Days from Motueka

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Nelson / Motueka
    Planning notes

    Make Motueka the base for a waterfront afternoon, a self-contained Marahau day walk and a flexible Kaiteriteri outing without a boat-dependent return.

    Checked 2026-09-26. 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

    The Catlins: Three Days Around Kaka Point and Owaka

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Kaka Point / Kaka Point
    Planning notes

    Explore the northern Catlins from one Kaka Point camp, separating Nugget Point from an Owaka and Purakaunui Falls day instead of rushing the whole coast.

    Checked 2026-09-26. 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.

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