New Zealand

Road trip through New Zealand by Campervan: two islands full of nature.

A road trip through New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most beautiful journeys you can make. Think snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, rugged coastlines and endless nature. And all of that within relatively short distances.

Road Trip New Zealand: The Ultimate Route

During my time in New Zealand, I did multiple road trips in my own or a hired Campervan. Additionally, I worked as a tour guide on the South Island, which meant I travelled many different routes. In my view, travelling by Campervan is *the* way to truly experience the country.

Check out 'Roadtrip New-Zealand: complete route for 4 weeks'

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Why a road trip through New Zealand?

New Zealand is made for road tripping. You never have to drive long before encountering something special again. There are many different ways to spend the night and some roads look like they've come straight out of a fairy tale.

What makes a road trip through New Zealand so unique:

Variety between mountains, lakes, beaches and fjords
Short distances, but maximum views. After every bend your jaw drops again
Perfect country for Campervan travel. Camping at a beautiful campsite or free in one of the national parks.
Lots of freedom and flexibility
In most cases cheaper than separate accommodation + hire car

The South Island in particular is an absolute highlight. Sleeping under a magnificent starry sky or among snow-capped mountains. It's all possible here.

How much time do you need for your New Zealand road trip?

This is a question I get asked often. I've done two road trips through New Zealand myself, exploring both the North and South Islands. Both trips lasted about three weeks.

We saw all the highlights during that time, but to do so we had to drive on to the next destination almost daily. Perfectly doable, but if you ask me just a bit too rushed to truly enjoy it.

My advice

2 weeks: South Island or North Island only (faster pace)
3 weeks: South Island + small part of North Island
4 weeks: both islands (faster pace)
6 weeks: both islands at a relaxed pace

Do you want to truly experience New Zealand properly? Then I recommend setting aside at least 4 to 6 weeks for your road trip.

In three weeks you can see both the North and South Island, but that often means you're on the move almost every day. You'll see a lot, but have little time to really stay anywhere, go hiking or do something spontaneous.

With more time you get: