Explore New Zealand in your campervan

A 40-day New Zealand itinerary

You really need two or three months to do New Zealand well. But if you only have 40 days, here is a suggested itinerary. Feel free to ask us for help with your planning.

North Island: east coast to Wellington

1. Day 1–2Auckland

   Fly in and catch up on sleep. The next day, take the bus to Tauranga (about 4 hours by bus, or 2.5 hours by car).

2. Day 2–3Tauranga

   Pick up your campervan and spend the night in Tauranga. Visit Mount Maunganui, the beach and the waterfalls.

3. Day 3–4Rotorua

   A 1-hour drive to Rotorua, known as the centre of Māori culture in New Zealand.

4. Day 4–6East Cape

   Drive to Ōhope Beach and stay a night, then go around the East Cape, usually over 2 days, and on to Gisborne.

5. Day 6–8Gisborne & Napier

   It’s a long drive to Napier, so you could stay in Gisborne on the way. Napier is known for its Art Deco buildings.

6. Day 8–11Palmerston North & Wellington

   Stay in Palmerston North if you don’t want the longer drive to Wellington. Spend 1 to 2 nights in Wellington, then take the ferry to the South Island.

South Island

1. Day 11–12Ferry to Picton, then Nelson

   The ferry from Wellington to Picton takes about 3 hours. Then it’s a lovely 2-hour drive to Nelson, where you stay the night.

2. Day 12–14Hanmer Springs & Christchurch

   Drive from Nelson to Hanmer Springs (about 4 hours) and go to the hot pools. They’re not cheap, but they’re very nice. Stay the night, then drive to Christchurch (about 2 hours).

3. Day 14–16Dunedin

   Drive to Dunedin (about 4.5 hours).

4. Day 16–19Arrowtown, Queenstown & Wānaka

   Drive from Dunedin to Arrowtown (about 3.5 hours). This lovely small town can be a better base than Queenstown. Spend two nights here and visit Queenstown (20 minutes) and Wānaka (50 minutes).

5. Day 19–22Te Anau & Milford Sound

   Visit Te Anau and Milford Sound.

6. Day 22–24West Coast

   Drive up the West Coast of the South Island and see the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. There’s a nice campsite at Punakaiki.

7. Day 24–26Nelson Lakes & Abel Tasman

   Head up to the Nelson area, perhaps via Nelson Lakes, and on to Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll want to stay in this area a few nights.

8. Day 26–27Picton

   Drive to Picton, where the ferry leaves, and take the ferry back to Wellington the next day.

North Island: west coast and the far north

1. Day 27–28New Plymouth

   Head up the west coast of the North Island to New Plymouth.

2. Day 28–30Waitomo, Hamilton & Hobbiton

   Drive towards Hamilton. See the kiwi house at Ōtorohanga or visit Waitomo Caves (book ahead). The main thing to see in Hamilton is the Hamilton Gardens. Try to fit in a visit to Hobbiton (book ahead).

3. Day 30–31Whangārei

   Drive to Auckland and on past it to Whangārei.

4. Day 31–34Northland

   Explore Northland.

5. Day 34–37Coromandel Peninsula

   Explore the Coromandel Peninsula.

6. Day 37–38Tauranga

   Back to Tauranga to sell your van back to us.

7. Day 38–40Auckland

   Take the bus back to Auckland and stay there for your last 2 nights.