Road trip by car and campervan in New Zealand

Haere Mai, welcome to Auckland!

Upon arrival, a shuttle takes you from the airport to your accommodation in the city center. Nicknamed the Auckland, Auckland is the largest city in Nouvelle-Zélande. It is also home to a significant population from the Pacific Islands.

Depending on your arrival time, discover the city on foot or by public transport. You can climb Mount Eden to admire the view, visit the Auckland Museum and the Parnell neighborhood, or take a stroll at Mission Bay to the marina where the last America's Cup took place. Another option: take the ferry to Devonport and enjoy the view over the bay from its two peaks.

This morning, pick up your rental car in downtown Auckland, then take Highway 1. You drive through the Bombay Hills before entering the agricultural region of Waikato.

At Matamata, discover Hobbiton, the movie set of the Hobbits' village preserved after the Lord of the Rings films. An included guided tour allows you to explore the site and learn more about the filming secrets.

You then continue on the road to Rotorua and its lake, in a volcanic region.

From Rotorua, head towards Taupo. On the way, stop at the geothermal park of Wai-O-Tapu, known for its colours. Entrance is included.

Continue towards Huka Falls, then reach Lake Taupo. You then follow the lake to Turangi, before entering Tongariro National Park. The park offers easy walks and more challenging hikes, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

From the Tongariro National Park, head south along increasingly lush landscapes. You skirt the Kapiti Coast before reaching Wellington, at the southern tip of the North Island.

Nicknamed Windy Wellington for its frequent winds, the capital spreads around its harbour. To admire the city and its bay, you can climb Mount Victoria. The city centre is easy to explore on foot, with restaurants, cafés, shops and art galleries. Among the places to discover are Parliament, Old St Paul Church, the national museum Te Papa, the Maritime Museum and the Botanic Garden, accessible by cable car.

Present yourself at the Wellington ferry terminal at least one hour before departure. You will board for a crossing of approximately 3 h 15 to the South Island.

The ferry skirts Wellington Bay, crosses the Cook Strait, then sails through the Marlborough Sounds, between fjords bordered by verdant hills. You disembark at Picton.

Two nights in a hotel or motel in Picton.

From Picton, cross the wine region of Blenheim, then head down the east coast to Kaikōura, between sea and mountains. The town stretches along a peninsula populated with seals. Its landscapes still bear the traces of the 2016 earthquake.

The name Kaikōura means "crayfish meal" in Māori. Take advantage of this stop to taste seafood, particularly fresh crayfish offered by food trucks set up by the seaside. A cruise also allows you to observe whales and sperm whales present year-round.

From Kaikōura, take State Highway 1 heading south. On the coast, keep your eyes open: seals sometimes rest on the rocks and dolphins may be spotted offshore.

The road then crosses hills and plains. North of Christchurch, you pass through the Waipara vineyards, which feature approximately 75 wine estates at the foot of the Canterbury Hills.

In Christchurch, return your rental car and collect your campervan near the airport before 4 p.m. You are then free to organize your own movements; the rest of the itinerary is given as an indication only.

Camping night not included.

From Christchurch, head inland. At Geraldine, you can taste local cheeses and jams. After Fairlie, you enter Mackenzie country, a vast farming region.

You then reach the village of Lake Tekapo, on the shores of its turquoise lake, with its chapel and the Southern Alps as a backdrop. The color of the lake comes from fine mineral particles in suspension, called "stone flour".

To admire the Tekapo and Alexandrina lakes, climb Mt John, on foot or by car. The region, classified as an International Dark Sky Reserve, is also ideal for observing the southern sky.

Night at camping not included.

Head to Dunedin via Lake Pukaki, with Aoraki/Mt Cook (3,724 m) as a backdrop. Stop at Oamaru, a town of Victorian architecture, then at Moeraki to discover its spherical rocks on the beach and its fishing village.

You then arrive at Dunedin (Ōtepoti), a city of Scottish influence built on the seaside, perched on volcanic hills. The Otago Peninsula is home to albatrosses, sea lions, penguins and fur seals.

In town, you can explore the Otago Museum, the historic railway station, Baldwin Street, street art, as well as breweries and cafes. Our local agency is also based in Dunedin.

Camping night not included.

From Dunedin, follow the coastal road to Tunnel Beach. A short but steep walk takes you to the beach and offers panoramic views of the cliffs and ocean.

Continue south to Balclutha, then cross the Southland plains towards Gore. In this rural landscape, you'll likely encounter sheep, of which there are more than 30 million in Nouvelle-Zélande. The region is also renowned for trout fishing.

You arrive at Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

Night in camping (not included).

The road takes you from the fiords to the Southland plains, where thousands of sheep graze. Further on, the Lake Wakatipu marks your entry into the Otago region.

You reach Queenstown, nicknamed the adventure capital. Dominated by the Remarkables mountain range, the town attracts travelers in summer and winter alike. We recommend spending two days there to explore its surroundings, particularly Glenorchy and Arrowtown.

Night in camping (not included).

Departing from Queenstown, take a break in Arrowtown, a former gold rush town. Then head to Wanaka via the Cardrona valley, where you'll find a hotel dating back to the gold rush, or via Gibbston Valley and its vineyards, along Lake Dunstan.

The route to the West Coast runs along Hawea and Wanaka lakes, then crosses the Haast Pass and its dense vegetation. After the Alps, you reach the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Weather permitting, take a walk around Lake Matheson for about 1 hour 30 minutes, with views of the mountains and glaciers.

Night in camping (not included).

Continue your journey along the West Coast, between dense forests and pastures of dairy farms. Take a break in Ross, a former gold prospector village, where remnants still bear witness to that era.

At Hokitika, visit a pounamu factory, the jade of Nouvelle-Zélande harvested from the rivers of the region. You will discover the craftsmanship of this stone and can, if you wish, bring back a souvenir.

Night in camping (not included).

Cross the Alps via the Arthur's Pass road. In the village, you can observe the keas, mischievous mountain parrots, or walk to the Devils Punchbowl waterfall, which stands 130 meters high.

Continue to Kura Tawhiti (Castle Hill) to discover its rock formations, then descend to the lush plains of Canterbury until you reach Christchurch.

Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is the largest city on the island, with approximately 380,000 inhabitants. Nicknamed the "Garden City," it is distinguished by its green spaces, multicultural character, and Victorian-style architecture.

Night in camping (not included).