New Zealand road trip 3-week itinerary

The great thing about the Land of the Long White Cloud is that you can see all the highlights in under a month. This 3-week New Zealand road trip itinerary takes you to all the best destinations, sights and attractions - from Auckland in the north to Fiordland in the south and everything in between!

Use this 3-week guide when planning your New Zealand road trip. It can be modified to suit the exact number of days you have available and also includes all the best camping spots. Plus, we’ve thrown in a heap of extra information like drive time, distance, the best season to travel and much more!

Regardless of whether you’re visiting from overseas or locally, this is your chance to take on one of the best New Zealand road trips!

Want to travel in style and comfort? Use Camplify to find the perfect campervan hire in New Zealand.

Best New Zealand road trip 3-week itinerary: 12 places you can’t miss

Total Distance: 2,650 km | Recommended duration: 21 days | Best Time to Visit: Between March and November | Route on Google Maps

1. Auckland

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is a great place for both international and local tourists to start their 3-week road trip. After landing at the international airport , you can pick up your campervan hire in Auckland and begin ticking off some of the top-rated tourist attractions.

Ascend 220m to the top of the Sky Tower and get your bearings with 360-degree panoramic views up to 80km in every direction. Thrill-seekers may want to take the quick way back down with Skyjump , an 11-second freefall bungee that plummets 53 floors at 85kph.

It would be remiss to visit the City of Sails and not spend a day on the water. The Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari is the best way to see the stunning Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Running all year-round, the on-board experts will help you spot the wild whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life that inhabit the waters.

For a waterfront campsite near Auckland, stay at the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park. Located just 15-minutes drive from the city centre, facilities include bathroom blocks, a communal kitchen and laundry.

For more camping ideas, see our list of the top holiday parks and campgrounds near Auckland.

2. Rotorua

Takk off on your 3-week New Zealand road trip and head to Rotorua, famed for its geothermal wonders.

On the way, stop by the Hobbiton Movie Set in the town of Matamata. Join one of the daily tours and explore Hobbit Holes and the Shire Mill before enjoying lunch at the Green Dragon Inn (see our Lord of the Rings road trip around New Zealand for more information).

Visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and enjoy the array of walking tracks (45-90 minutes long) that wind their way through world-famous landmarks such as the Champagne Pool coloured springs, bubbling mud pools, spurting geysers and wide volcanic craters.

Daredevils will want to try ZORB Rotorua - the spot where zorbing was invented and the only place to zorb in New Zealand. Jump inside a giant inflatable ball and go rolling down one of the four tracks, including the Sidewinder, the Big Drop and the Mega Track (the steepest in the world)!

Stay at the All Seasons Holiday Park Rotorua, situated on the edge of Lake Rotorua. This unique campsite is great for families, with 19 life-sized dinosaurs situated around the park and free access to the indoor/outdoor heated pools and spa complex.

For more awesome camping options, see our list of the best holiday parks on the North Island.

3. Lake Taupo

Only a short drive from Rotorua is Lake Taupo, a tourist hotspot famed for its adventure sports, natural wonders like Huka Falls and man-made splendours like the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings.

Adventurous travellers will want to join Tongariro River White Water Rafting on a half-day adventure. Navigate your way over 60 roller coaster rapids with an expert guide and see unspoilt wilderness that can only be accessed via the river.

Soak away stress at the Spa Thermal Park , home to the famous Otumuheke Stream hot pools. Bathe under a waterfall in natural rock spas whilst enjoying views over the mighty Waikato River. Entry is free for both local and international tourists.

Stay at Lake Taupo Holiday Resort, which boasts a thermal pool with a swim-up bar and cafe. Other awesome facilities include BBQ areas, free WiFi, playgrounds with jumping pillows and go-karts, mini-golf, beach volleyball, a tennis court and much more.

Discover more of the best family road trip destinations in New Zealand!

4. Napier (Hawkes Bay)

Continue your 3-week New Zealand road trip southward toward the city of Napier. Sitting on the coast of Hawkes Bay , this place is famous for its world-class Chardonnay and Art-Deco architecture.

Hire a bike and ride the Hawkes Bay wineries trail, stopping at 9 cellar doors to try some of their award-winning red wines and delicious food. Other famous wineries in the area include Te Mata Estate (New Zealand’s oldest barrel hall) and Mission Estate (New Zealand’s oldest winery).

Try to time your trip so that you can visit the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Markets , open every Saturday morning at Clive Square (8.30 am - 12.30 pm). This is the perfect place to try some of Napier's locally farmed citrus fruits, vegetables, meats, breads and preserves - straight from the producer to the consumer.

Stay at the Hawkes Bay Holiday Park, which boasts over 50 sheltered and unsheltered camping sites amongst lush grounds. Plus they offer awesome facilities and bike hire (perfect for those wanting to try the wineries cycleway).

Want to see more around Napier? Check out our guide to the best road trip around Hawkes Bay!

5. Wellington

Wellington has long been regarded by Lonely Planet as the “coolest little capital in the world” thanks to its vibrant food, creative culture and flashy entertainment scene. This is the last time you’ll see the North Island on your 3-week New Zealand road trip, so make the most of it!

Don’t miss the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum - New Zealand’s national museum and art gallery. Recognised as the best museum in the country, you’ll lose yourself in its cutting-edge interactive exhibitions and vast collection of both traditional and modern artwork. Entry is free for both local and international visitors.

Movie buffs will want to take a tour of the Weta Workshop , where much of the post-production work was done for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and District 9. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the props, costumes, creatures and sketches that brought the movies to life!

Stay at the Wellington Top 10 Holiday Park, which offers spacious campgrounds just outside the city centre. Some of the family-friendly facilities include a bouncing cushion, playground, games room, go-karts and private spa.

Want to explore more of the North Island? See this guide to the ultimate North Island road trip!

6. Marlborough

Cross the Cook Strait via ferry and continue your 3-week New Zealand road trip through the South Island. You’ll be brought ashore in the town of Picton , set smack-bang in the heart of the stunning Marlborough Sounds.

Hire a kayak along the shorefront and spend the day paddling around the gentle waters and exploring different nooks and crannies. Alternatively, drive to nearby Havelock and jump aboard the Pelorus Mail Boat , where you can spend the day cruising around the remotest parts of the Marlborough Sounds and deliver mail to isolated residents.

Food and wine lovers should hire a bicycle and ride the Golden Mile trail that links many of the best seafood restaurants and vineyards in the Marlborough Region (famous for producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc ).

Stay at the Picton TOP 10 Holiday Park, which offers sealed and grassy camping sites near the harbour. They’ve got a range of family-friendly facilities, including a spa, kids playground with trampolines, bike hire, swimming pool and much more.

Gather even more ideas with our North to South Island road trip guide!

7. Nelson

Follow the coast around to the sunny city of Nelson, an artistic hub and gateway to some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders - Nelson Lakes National Park and Abel Tasman National Park.

Line your stomach with a visit to the Farmers Markets (open Wednesday mornings) or the Nelson’s Saturday Market (open Saturday mornings). And you can’t leave the world’s ‘Best Cider City’ without riding the Nelson Craft Beer Cycle Trail.

Stay at the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park near Nelson City Centre. Take your pick from over 850 campsites spread across 54 acres of parkland, with beach views and its very own mini-golf course.

For more ideas, see our guide to the best road trip around Nelson or the best road trip around Abel Tasman.

8. Franz Josef

Continue your 3-week New Zealand road trip down the West Coast of the South Island , a natural wonderland of epic sights!

Drop by Paparoa National Park and take the 20-minute loop walk around the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Nearby is Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve , which also has an easy 1-hour walk with a 90m suspension bridge that crosses the blue-green waters of the river below.

Stop once you reach the cosy little town of Fox Glacier, where you can take a guided hike up the glacier and ascend into the amazing temperate rainforest that sits 300m above sea level. Not far away is the similarly stunning Franz Josef , where you can kick back and relax in the Glacier Hot Pools.

Stay at The Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef, which offers a bar, restaurant, sauna and spa surrounded by lush greenery. It’s not hard to see why it’s rated as one of the best campsites in New Zealand.

Alternatively, you can stay at one of the other best West Coast campsites.

9. Queenstown

It’s time to have some fun in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. This is a paradise for adrenaline junkies, with plenty of opportunities to go jet boating, bungee jumping, skydiving and mountain biking.

If you’re looking for thrills, you can’t miss Kawarau Bridge Bungy, the place where bungy jumping was invented in 1988. This famous 43m jump is nestled on the side of a rock face and plunges into the Kawarau River below.

Take a ride on the Skyline Gondola , the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. Jump off at Bob’s Peak and zoom back down the mountain on the Queenstown Luge, taking your pick of the leisurely track or the steeper green track.

Stay at the Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde, located close to the city centre and packed with facilities including a sauna and spa bath. We consider it to be one of the best caravan parks on the South Island.

10. Fiordland

As you approach the bottom of the South Island, you’ll get your chance to visit New Zealand’s highest-rated tourist attraction - Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park.

If you want to experience Fiordland by foot, take on one of the three Great Walk tracks that traverse the park’s fjords, glaciers, cascades and rainforest. Then descend under the earth with a tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves , a mysterious underground cavern lit by hundreds of luminous glow worms.

Thrill-seekers should see Fiordland from a different angle and take a ride on the Fiordland Jet. During the two-hour tour, the jet boat speeds along the crystal-clear waters of the Waiau River. Your guide will also take you on a walk amongst an ancient beach forest, which few other tourists ever get to visit.

Stay at the Rainforest Campervan Park, the only campervan park inside Milford Sound. Nestled in the heart of the world-heritage Fiordlands rainforest, it offers powered sites surrounded by wilderness, wildlife and waterfalls.

For more info on this section of the adventure, check out our Te Anau to Milford Sound road trip!

11. Dunedin

Trace the bottom of the South Island around the Catlins Coast until you reach the city of Dunedin - known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Along the way, take some time to admire the iconic natural wonders on offer around The Catlins and the Otago Peninsula.

You can learn more about the city’s Scottish history at Larnach Castle , the only castle in New Zealand and a great spot for high tea. Take a tour and learn about the Larnach family's scandalous history before strolling around the gardens (recently selected as Gardens of International Significance).

Visit the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Centre and watch as the birds soar around and show off their monstrous 3-metre wingspan. On the beach below, you’ll also see crowds of sea lions, fur seals and rare penguins splashing around on the foreshore.

Stay opposite the beach at Dunedin Holiday Park, conveniently located close to the city centre and the major attractions. Facilities include free unlimited wifi, a TV room, a children’s playground and asphalt roads perfect for bikes and scooters

12. Christchurch

The city of Christchurch is the last stop on your 3-week New Zealand road trip itinerary. Its major airport makes it a convenient option for international and local tourists alike.

But before you leave, take the Christchurch City Tram Tour and jump off at some of the major attractions including the Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens. The kids will love Orana Wildlife Park on the outskirts of the city, where you can see giraffes, rhinos, lions, kiwis and more at the country’s only open-range zoo.

In your campervan, take a short 2-hour road trip through the dramatic landscape of Arthur’s Pass. Known as the heart of the Southern Alps, you’ll find a range of easy walking tracks that deliver waterfalls, wetlands, forests and stunning mountain views (such as the Devil’s Punchbowl).

Stay at the Riverlands Holiday Park and camp on the edge of the Waimakariri River. Sporty campers can hire a set of golf clubs from the front desk and play the caravan park’s 9-hole golf course.

Want to extend your South Island road trip? Arrange further campervan hire in Christchurch! Or holiday for longer on the ultimate New Zealand road trip over 4 weeks!

Hire a van for your 3-week New Zealand road trip

You’re almost set to take on this terrific New Zealand road trip itinerary for 3 weeks. All that’s left to do is to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

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Need to arrange campervan hire on the North Island? Or maybe you want to reverse the itinerary and start with campervan hire on the South Island?

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