10 unique road trip experiences in New Zealand guide

Road tripping around New Zealand is an adventure that will take you through winding mountain passes, along coastal highways, and past some of the bluest glacial lakes you will ever see. Without a doubt, the best way to explore New Zealand is by a good old-fashioned road trip.

It’s small, it's beautiful and it's filled with a plethora of unique experiences that will keep you on the edge of your van seat for the whole ride.

Are you ready to explore some of the wonderful, wild, and simply unique spots in New Zealand? Dive right in and keep reading.

1. Step into a real-life movie set

Step into the lush pastures of the shire in the heart of the North Island. That’s right Hobbit fans, don your cape, kick off your shoes, and head for a stein of cider in the Green Dragon pub overlooking the real-life Hobbiton movie set. There is an abundance of magic nestled in the hills here and a guided tour will take you through the hobbit holes, around the village ending at the Green Dragon. During your tour, you will learn all there is to know about the film set, actors, and decade-long dedication to this site.

2. Dig an oceanfront hot pool

A truly unique experience that every kiwi and visitor alike should experience. Within two hours on either side of low tide, Hot Water Beach is vacant and geothermal activity begins. Bring a spade and dig your own spa pool in the sand. All you need to do is sit back and relax as the waves crash around you. The beach is also great for surfing, sweet little cafes, and only a five-minute drive to Coromandel hot spot, Cathedral Cove.

3. Explore a glow worm cave

We’re serious, glow worms are a real thing and you will find them tucked away deep in caverns and the extensive cave network here in New Zealand. Enter a world that glows in the dark and experience the wonders of cave exploration. You can walk, hop in a little boat or throw on a wetsuit and go black water rafting through the caves to see these bioluminescent creatures in their natural habitat. Highly recommended for those looking for an adrenaline buzz on the North Island.

4. Tongariro crossing

New Zealand is renowned for its mountainous backdrops but did you know that it is home to volcanos too? The Tongariro Alpine Crossing winds its way through the country's oldest National Park for a whopping 19.4km. Pass through this unique and dramatic landscape up to the Emerald Pools and down through native bush for the most rewarding and epic day hike on the North Island.

5. See the two oceans meet

Visiting the northern point of New Zealand while in Northland is a must-do. Cape Reinga is a lighthouse that sits at the top of the North Island. A beautiful drive and a short walk will lead you to what feels like the end of the earth. This is where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a swirl of current creating a distinct line in the ocean. At the tip of the Cape is a Pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old. According to Maori history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. It’s where the spirits go home.

6. Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura

Jumping in the ocean surrounded by a huge pod of wild dolphins is both magical and surreal at the same time. The crew at Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura head out into the open ocean and prep you for an encounter with one of nature's finest animals. The dusky dolphins here in Kaikoura are some of the most playful in the world and love to swim, dart, and jump around you in the water. These animals are not baited, nor chased so the chance encounter is a dream come true. If you do one thing in Kaikoura, make sure it is this.

7. Visit Doubtful Sound

We have all heard of Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, but have you thought about taking an adventure deeper into Doubtful Sound? It’s remote, it’s wild, it’s imposing, and the mountains draped in clouds will have you itching to see more. The trip into Doubtful Sound is an adventure in itself; with no direct road access, you will boat, bus and cruise through the second largest Fiord in Fiordland. Enjoy a three-hour boat ride down the arms and out to the Tasman ocean. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, you might see something pretty spectacular.

8. Helicopter onto a glacier

New Zealand was carved way back in the ice age and some of those glaciers are still around today. Many of the glaciers are located near the main divide on the South Island, with Fox and Franz Josef glaciers being two of the largest and most visited. A scenic helicopter ride will have your jaw-dropping as you take in the natural beauty of the landscape below, opt for a scenic flight or join a guided glacier tour over this epic terrain.

9. Make friends with the alpacas

Who can resist cuddly, seriously cute, and very photographic animals? Only an hour from Christchurch you will find the Shamarra Alpaca Farm. Join a tour at the Akaroa Alpaca experience which includes a scenic drive providing breath-taking views of the Akaroa harbour below. Get up close and personal with these interesting and interactive creatures and be sure to bring your selfie stick.

10. Funyak through glacial waters

Start with an exhilarating jet boat ride from Glenorchy, near Queenstown up the Dart River. Fly past the mountains and through the incredible landscape as you head deeper into Mount Aspiring national park. Travel back downstream with an expert guide paddling your very own Funyak (inflatable canoes) work your way through pristine glacial waters enjoying a gourmet picnic along the way. This wilderness location is truly spectacular and not one to be missed.

Have we piqued your interest?

Does the sound of getting lost in truly epic experiences in New Zealand float your boat? Check out the vans in your area and start planning your own New Zealand road trip.