New Zealand is an amazing country with so much to see and do here. We highly recommend that since you're coming all this way that you see and experience as much of it as possible. Below are a couple options of how you could do that.
Travel with us!
We're road tripping from Auckland to Queenstown over two weeks after the wedding. Join us for scenic views, great food, and an epic adventure.
Plan your own adventure!
Keen to explore at your own pace? We've listed some favourite spots and activities below to help out. Reach out if you'd like any tips or advice.
Want to road trip across NZ with us?
TRIP OVERVIEW
Join for a day, a week, or the full three weeks, whatever fits your schedule. Each week ends in a city with return flights to Auckland, so you can join or leave at any stage.
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
These are a few of the activities we will be doing on the road trip. Feel free to join, or do your own thing. To help you pick which activities you'd like to do, we've added optional things to do in each itinierary step in the section below.
ITINERARY
Want to plan your own adventure?
We've compiled activities across the North and South Islands for you to look through, but reach out if you'd like some help planning!
North Island Experiences
Just outside of MataMata, the movie set of the Lord of the Rings is seriously awesome. We highly recommend you stop by and do a tour.
One of New Zealands best gardens, it is certainly worth a visit if you find yourself passing through or near Hamilton.
An ancient subterranean world in the heart of New Zealand’s central North Island, the Waitomo Cave system is a series of fascinating and dramatic natural wonders
Rotorua is home to some of the most geothermal activity in NZ, from walks to mud baths you will have experienced the full Rotorua here.
If you're interested in learning more about Maori culture in NZ, this is the place to go.
A really magical part of Rotorua, the redwoods house art installations, zip lining, mountain biking and walks.
Just a really fun thing to do in Taupo, the Huka falls are incredible by themselves and getting on a jet boat on them makes it a lot of fun.
World renowned and one of NZ's great walks, if you can fit it in, you will certainly be taken away by this walk. It's incredible to do and gives a real sense of achievement at the end of the day.
Located in Wellington, it feels like you're a world away, from native parrots the Kaka to living dinosaurs, the Tuatara, this place is incredible to walk around.
One of the best Museums around, there's always something awesome here to see, from original Maori Waka to Moa recreations and other great exhibits. It's not to be missed.
The team that did all the VFX for the lord of the rings, this is a really cool place in Wellington to check out.
If you're feeling keen you can make your way west to New Plymouth and walk up Mt Taranaki which is an active volcano!
Rupert is from Hawkes Bay, this trail ride will take you past some of NZ's best winery's. It's definitely worth doing if you find yourself this way.
The most northern part of NZ. I've never here so if you make your way up north of Auckland, let us know how it is.
From Hahei beach you can do a really nice walk here along the coastline and it is rated one of the best beaches in the world.
If you're feeling keen you can make your way west to New Plymouth and walk up Mt Taranaki which is an active volcano!
Just past Whangarei, north of Auckland lies New Zealands best dive site. If you're going this way it could definitely be worth a visit.
Tauranga is really accessible just south of Auckland and has some of our best beaches. Walking up the mount (Mount Maunganui) is really popular to do too.
South Island Experiences
Kaikoura is one of the wildest parts of NZ, Driving the coast road is not to be missed. Then stopping in the town and kayaking with dolphins will really make it an amazing trip.
One if New Zealands best glaciers, it's a really cool walk to do to see it. Driving along the south island west coast of NZ can be a wild experience as well.
Biking from the Gibbston Valley to Arrowtown on an E-Bike is amazing. The trail is fun, but not too challenging and you cross some amazing briges along the way.
If you want to fully appreciate the Remarkables in Queenstown, this is where to go. With a cafe at the top it's a really fun thing to do.
One of the most spectacular places on earth. You will feel as if you have been transported back in time here, with huge waterfalls and towering mountains.
The Dark Sky region is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky with the least amount of light polution. Located around Tekapo.
Tekapo in general is one of the most beautiful places in NZ. It's surrounded by mountains and crystal clear lakes. These hot pools make an excellent place to stop and check it out.
Mt Aoraki is NZ's tallest mountain at 3,724m. There are so many ways to experience it. Hooker track is a great way and you can stay at the Heritage hotel.
New Zealand's only castle, located in Dunedin it's a beautiful old building with heaps of interesting history and Dunedin is also worth exploring.