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New Zealand is a country that begs to be explored via road trips. It’s small, has well maintained roads, and cars or campervans are cheap to rent or even easy to buy. Most importantly, New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery – all in an extremely compact area. Drive for three hours and you’ll pass white sand beaches, thick rainforest, glaciers, and towering snow-capped peaks.
While New Zealand isn’t a cheap place to travel to, a road trip is by all standards a pretty budget friendly activity. The views are free and will defiantly last a lifetime. If you’re backpacking or traveling around New Zealand, these are five of the best drives that I don’t think you can miss.
1) The Rugged West Coast from Westport to Greymouth
The SH6 skirts the rugged and wind-swept West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island and along the way passes some of the greatest scenery in New Zealand. If coastal drives are your thing, then you definitely won’t be disappointed after driving from Westport to Greymouth.
Along the way you’ll have the mighty Tasman Sea pounding the coast on your right and the majestic snow-capped Southern Alps on your left. Aim for a sunny day, yet be flexible and realize that this is the one of the wettest areas of New Zealand. If you’re keen to wait for the sun (and you should), break up the journey and spend the day in Punakaiki where you can check out the fascinating Pancake Rocks which (as the name suggests) appear to be layered pancakes.
When you get to Greymouth, you can continue on the SH6 down to the Franz Josef Glacier or hop on the Trans Scenic Railway which crosses the Southern Alps on the way to Christchurch.
2) Te Anau to Milford Sound Highway
This is often described as one of the greatest drives in the world. After driving the two hours from Te Anau to Milford Sound, you’ll understand why. The road cuts through thick rainforest, passes mirror lakes and towering, moss-covered mountains, and runs along sheer cliff faces. They measure rain in meters in this area of New Zealand, so don’t be surprised if it rains for a week. The drive is equally impressive after a rain as from the heights of the mountains come some truly amazing waterfalls.
One of the most impressive parts of the drive is the section right before you enter the 1200 meter long Homer Tunnel. As you sit at what must be the world’s most remote traffic light, you realize you’re in a massive glacier carved amphitheater with towering, sheer rock cliffs on either side of you.
3) Wanaka to Queenstown via the Cardrona Pass
This drive is in the Southern Lakes region of the South Island – it’s New Zealand’s playground with skiing, white-water rafting, bungy jumping, and other adventure sports all on offer. The drive from Wanaka to Queenstown over the Cardrona Pass is one of the South Island’s best.
Leaving Wanaka, the road slowly climbs before passing through picturesque Cardrona which is home to the most photographed pub in New Zealand. The Cardrona Hotel is featured on a Speights advert with dozens of sheep outside the front door. As you leave Cardrona the road becomes steeper, twists and turns and soon you’re granted a stunning view with Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables mountain range in the distance.
Take some pictures before conquering the road which seems to drop off the side of the mountain. And go slow if you sampled a Speights at the Cardrona Hotel.
4) Christchurch to Marlborough Wine Country
The drive from Christchurch to Marlborough isn’t one that would probably get picked by most as one of the best drives in New Zealand, yet I’m convinced it should be. Leaving the “Garden City” of Christchurch, you’ll pass through flat Canturbury countryside with some great views of the Southern Alps which split the South Island in half. The road eventually makes its way to the Pacific Ocean and skirts the coast into Kaikoura. Pull over a have a look around the rocks and you stand a great chance of seeing some New Zealand fur seals.
Stay the night in Kaikoura before going on a whale watching tour where you’re almost guaranteed to see gigantic Sperm Whales. Continue on then along the coast before entering the arid and Napa Valley like region of Marlborough where you can sample some of the world’s best Souvignon Blancs.
5) Thames to Coromandel Road
The only North Island drive on this list is an excellent one that should be part of your New Zealand travel plans. The Coromandel Region of New Zealand is a chilled-out, relaxed place with mountains, sandy beaches, green rolling hills, and picturesque bays. The drive from the small town of Thames to the smaller village of Coromandel is an epic one.
The narrow roads twists and turns along the coastline of the Hauraki Gulf – an inlet off the Pacific. This drive is most impressive either at sunset or in December when the pohutukawas (New Zealand Christmas tree) are in full bloom. This road eventually climbs and you’re granted some superb views of the island-dotted Coromandel Harbor.
With such amazing scenery tucked into a country so small, New Zealand is ideal for a driving based visit. Rent a car or a campervan and set off to explore New Zealand’s many hidden treasures.
Have you driven around NZ? Leave your favorite New Zealand drive in the comments section below.
Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:
- Traveling the North Island with Stray New Zealand
- Kawhia: New Zealand’s Best Kept Secret
- North Island or South Island New Zealand?
- NZ Must Do: Experiencing the Waitomo Caves
Backpacking Matt 
We rented a Jucy campervan and drove from Auckland to Queenstown. The West Coast on the South Island was our highlight – especially Glacier Country. Best way to see New Zealand for sure!
@Cam The West Coast is a pretty special place, especially when the sun is out! It rains there like nowhere else I’ve seen on Earth.
@Greg NZ will be here when you get back! And still the youngest country on earth! Enjoy Europe.
@ayngelina If you slept for an hour you could miss three distinctly different landscapes!
@Laura It isn’t cheap, NZ. But it can be done on a budget. Think Wwoofing, camping, hitchhiking, and hikes instead of skydives. Let me know if you want tips!
@Emily Thanks! Photo credit on the pics goes to @Nicole Graham. Well worth a visit NZ, I doubt you’d be disappointed!
@Amanda Off to read Roads less traveled now …
@Fiona NZ is a photographers dream – great shots around every corner. You get to the point where you have to stop taking photos as you don’t get anywhere on the road trip!
@Adam Thanks mate! Let me know if you’d like advice as you plan your trip.
@Erica Excited to hear about burning man! Thanks for the comment.
New Zealand is definitely on my list of countries to go too. But it’s too close to home right now (Aus), I’m focusing on Europe first.
Nice overview. I traveled New Zealand by bus and never had any rest as I was constantly looking out the window. Such a beautiful country.
I love road trips so this is right up my alley! New Zealand is definitely on my travel list- now only if it were a little more budget friendly 😉
Absolutely gorgeous pics! I didn’t realize how many landscapes you could cover in one quick drive. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but it’s very high on my list. Can’t wait to go there and do a road trip now!
First of all, awesome photos!
Secondly, Matt you totally read my mind with this post! I’m currently working on a “5 NZ roads less traveled” post for later this week. Luckily, there’s not too much overlap with yours. (I’ll have to link back to this, though!) Great minds…
Nice, hope I can one on my next trip back to NZ.
Some great suggestions here…and I’ve always found New Zealand to be so photogenic too!
Thanks for this article! Some great ideas for when I head over to New Zealand in October. Wanaka to Queenstown and Te Anau to Milford Sound Highway just shot up to the top of my to do list!
I love road trips (obviously as I am currently on one) and the more I drive and see amazing sights, the more I fall in love with the road. Hopefully one day I will be able to experience these!
Great post! I loved the west coast route! The road down to Milford Sounds was beautiful as well, but what I remember the most was all the poor bees crossing the road to get Manuka honey (slamming against the windows…!)
And here’s my similar list: 5 Roads Less Traveled in New Zealand
http://wp.me/p10Ebd-HX
Dude!
We’ve been following your blog for ages and this post is EXCELLENT as we’re picking up our camper from XChurch in about 14 days!
Thanks!
@Thom and Sean Oh sweet! Enjoy your roadtrip, give us a shout if you come to Queenstown.
@Gail The North Island has plenty of draws as well, but for road trips the South is the place to be!
@Suzy If Coastal Drives are your thing, than you better get to New Zealand sooner rather than later! Another great one is a drive along the Catlins Coast … an area of the South Island often (unfortunately) skipped over.
This is a lovely post with a good representation of the diverse scenery we have in New Zealand.The Coromandel is a wonderful road trip….but there are others in the North Island that are also “up there”. Northland including the Hokianga and Waipoua Forest. Through the central North Island and National Park. Round the East Cape to Gisborne.
The South Island is spectacular….but the North Island has many magnificent views.It is just a different kind of scenery.
Stop torturing your readers with these photos! I love a good coastal drive and it sounds like New Zealand has more than a few for me.
Great post again Matt!
The drive through Tongariro National Park is also a great one in the North Island! 🙂
@Cailin Thanks. Plenty to write about in NZ! You’re right. I’d recommend driving South from Taupo. It’s a beautiful drive along the lake before you slowly climb up into the National Park.
Matt,
Another great article….
Thought i would add this.. To anyone who is travelling up/down the west coast of the south Island, don’t just stop at Wesport! While it is a pain to get to as the road leads up and you must come back down, Karamea is AWESOME. The oparara basin and the Heapy track are some of the most beauitful spots in NZ.
Keep writing Matt. Hope all is well
@Dave Cheers mate. I’ve heard great thing about Karamea, unfortunately I never made it that far north on the West Coast.
@Don You’ve got to get back and check out the Catlins Coast, the Otago Peninsula, the drive North along the sounds from Picton, and the Napier – Gisborne Road if you’re after some seaside drives!
@Leslie It’s a backpackers and road trippers dream. Cheers for the comment!
Haven’t done drives 4 or 5, but loved 1, 2, and 3.
Number 2 though, Te Anau to Milford Sound Highway, truly ranks as one of the great drives of the world, a must for any visitor or resident of New Zealand.
New Zealand needs more seaside drives. Highways seem built to bring farm products or lumber to market, but not so often to show off New Zealand’s fantastic coastline. For example, you can drive from Dundee to Christchurch or from Greymouth to Fox Glacier and hardly glimpse the sea.
Nevertheless, drives like 1, 2, and 3 go a long way toward making up for this deficiency!
Great post! It brings back the memories of my RTW trip. We rented a campervan and drove across the north and south islands. NZ is incredibly scenic and a great backpacker destination 🙂
Thanks, Matt. Will be back for sure.
Very much enjoyed the Otago Peninsula, absolutely awesome, with Elm Wildlife Tours, but time ran out for the Catlins Coast and so much more. Next time!
Wow, amazing photos. Thanks for this great information. NZ is the first top on our RTW itinerary. I’m saving this post so that we can try out these drives first hand. Thanks for the great tips.
You missed the most AWEOME drive of all…..The Forgotten Highway on the North Island! Talk incredible. Take a deep breath and go for it! The west coast of the North Island also awesome.
@Connie & Bruce I’ve heard it’s a great one … unfortunately, I’ve yet to drive it – yet!
Very South Island-heavy list there, but I’ve got to agree with it. I may be a tad biased because I come from New Zealand (Whangarei) but it really is one of the great countries to drive through. I recommended people should road-trip through the entire country North-South or South-North and see how very much the terrain changes.
@Simon – I agree, it’s pretty South Island heavy; alas, this is where I’ve spent most of my days in NZ. What would you suggest from the North Island?
Many thanks Matt for the advise on the “5 Best drives in New Zealand”. We just returned from a 3 week trip there and completed 4 of the drives – fantastic suggestions to capture the beauty of this great land.
Sweet as! Glad you enjoyed!
Hi Matt, fantastic list of routes. I’m from the UK and planning on going down to the south island December time and I do like a good road to drive on makes the trip 100 times better will defiantly be trying to do all 5!
Thanks James, enjoy your road trip!
Impressive & informative.
Unfortunately I didn’t bump into your website before my trip to NZ in dis recent summer.
But will definitely check out your tips here for future trips.
Tengs Matt.
Yeah btw, I’ve experienced 8 hours non stop driving from Christchurch to Queenstown late night. (7.45pm – 3.00 am driving) due to our flight unable to land at Queenstown airport and need to re-route to Christchurch. The best part was – I didn’t study any Christchurch route since our plan was to fly directly tot Queenstown as we only have short trip in NZ. 😉 Luckily we managed to reached Queenstown safely at 3.00am … hi hi hi…
Ah yikes! Yes it’s often hard to fly into Queenstown if the weather is bad … glad you made it in the end!
Hi Matt. You seem experienced with self-drives on NZ roads. Could I ask for your opinion on driving along the south in mid to end May? Would be my first time to NZ so appreciate your advice! 🙂
Hey Isabel. Are you travelling solo? If so you might be better off on a hop on / hop off bus pass with someone like Stray. Book your pass on Planit NZ!
Matt,
Just saw some GREAT airfare rates to NZ, so am wondering if hubby and I can swing a trip this spring (your autumn). I’ve been to NZ once, with a 3 day stopover from Australia back to the US. My son and I drove the Thames/Coromandel and back to the Auckland airport. I was SMITTEN! Will never forget it! I so desperately want to bring my husband back for the experience. 🙂
We are backpackers and cyclists. Would welcome your help and insights! Not sure if we want to campervan it, or mix of tent/hostels. Since I would likely be doing most of the driving, I don’t want to rent a monster van, as I remember VERY WELL the roads! LOL
Not sure about the time frame for north island/south island, but would love to see both. We’re not city people, so I can give Auckland a pass and not feel I’ve missed out. 2 weeks is probably our goal, but we are retired so could extend it longer. Also, looking at late April or early May, to help take advantage of weather AND shoulder season prices. Thoughts?
Hey Sandy, apologies missed this comment! Did you book flights?