The Perfect 3 Week New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re headed to New Zealand and looking for a day-by-day 3-week road trip itinerary then you’ve found the right page. New Zealand is a place where you can look in any direction and see something beautiful, no matter where you are. Far away from the rest of the world, isolated and alone, New Zealand is nature at its finest. 

I lived in New Zealand for two years and drove just about every highway in the country. So on this page I’ve developed the perfect 3 week New Zealand itinerary for you.

Don’t quite have three weeks to take off? No problem, I’ve got you covered with my ultimate 2 week New Zealand itinerary!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent World Nomads, GetYourGuide, Booking.com, or discovercars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

Why Should I Listen to You, American?

I know what you’re thinking. Surely it makes more sense to trust a Kiwi with your New Zealand plans over me, right? But that’s not really the case here. I lived in Wellington – the capital of New Zealand – for two years. In those two years I went just about everywhere there is to go in this beautiful country. 

I’d wager that I’ve seen more of New Zealand than 99% of Kiwis, as New Zealanders typically spend their holidays traveling abroad or going somewhere near where they grew up that they absolutely love going to over and over again. I say this confidently.

I tried to hit every corner of the country while I was there and I was pretty successful in that endeavor. From the south tip in Invercargill to the north tip at Cape Reinga, I’ve seen just about everything New Zealand has to offer, including many things two, three, four, or even five times!

There are few places in the world I’ve been to more than Milford Sound, and I long to go back! So trust me, you’re getting the best advice possible here.

New Zealand Travel – The Basics

Get there

Unless you’ve got your own yacht you’ll be flying to New Zealand. Nearly all international flights will arrive in Auckland, though United announced in 2023 that they will begin a direct flight from the US to Christchurch. So just about everyone starts and ends their journey in Auckland.

Auckland has some of the longest direct flights in the world, including Doha (17 hours 15 minutes), Dubai (17 hours 25 minutes) and New York (17 hours 30 minutes). Flights from every continent other than Australia to New Zealand are expensive. If you can find anything under $1200 you are getting a bargain. 

Once you arrive in Auckland, your adventure will begin. Like most New Zealand road trips, this 3 week New Zealand itinerary starts and ends in the City of Sails.

Lay of the land

New Zealand is composed of two main islands, creatively called the North Island and the South Island, as well as some smaller islands scattered around. Nearly the entire population lives on the North Island, mainly in Auckland.

The North Island has volcanoes, geothermal pools, beautiful beaches and coastlines dotted with vineyards. The South Island is rugged, barren, full of sharp mountains and endless herds of sheep. Both islands are awesome and you’ll spend half your time on each island following this itinerary.  

How to get around New Zealand

This itinerary will involve you renting a car. It is possible to hit all the spots without your own transportation, relying on flights, trains, and organized tours. But my god, that would be a difficult trip to plan and organize! 

This itinerary is written as if you have your own car. You can book your car rental from the Auckland airport here. It’s also possible to do this trip in a campervan, which would save you a ton of money on accommodation.

Campervans are common in New Zealand. Just note that unlike Australia, freedom camping (i.e. parking wherever the hell you want and spending the night) is not legal in New Zealand. You will have to book campsites just like if you were tent camping.

Money

Be prepared to spend a significant amount of money on this trip. This is not Southeast Asia by any stretch of the imagination. You are far from the rest of the world and things are expensive here. 

A burger at a mediocre restaurant will run you at least $25. A nice local beer? Hope you’ve prepared to drop at least $13 on it. Luckily for most other Westerners the exchange rate is pretty good these days. 

So if you’re American, that $25 burger is actually about $18, which is comparable to a burger in the US once you add tax and tip. Keep in mind there is no tipping in New Zealand and tax is included in all prices. 

Still, between the flight, the rental car, hotels/campsites, eating out, and booking some excursions you are going to spend thousands of dollars per person on this trip. But I guarantee you it will be worth it!

Best time of year to visit New Zealand

It will be best if you can make the trip in the southern hemisphere summer (December to February). But this is also the most expensive and crowded time. 

Coming in the winter also offers its benefits. You can see the mountains all encapsulated in snow and avoid large crowds of people. But many of the mountain hikes on the South Island are inaccessible in winter. You might also struggle with the short winter days too. 

Spring and fall offer comfortable weather and less crowds. Visiting in early fall means the mountains haven’t been encapsulated in snow yet, so it’s the best of both worlds. 

If you’re coming all the way to New Zealand you don’t want to be limited by short days and snowfall. So my advice is to visit in the late spring, summer, or early fall and just deal with the crowds.

Isolation

For many people, New Zealand is a dream destination. It’s strikingly beautiful from north to south. But most people don’t realize just how far New Zealand is from the rest of the world. 

Think Australia is close? Only if you consider a 4 hour flight across the Tasman Sea “close.” For Americans it means an 11-12 hour flight across the Pacific from the west coast, on top of whatever you need to get to the west coast (an additional 6 hours if you live in Boston for example). For Europeans, make that two 11-12 hour flights. For Asians, at least 10 hours unless you live in Papua New Guinea. 

But if you are willing to make the journey you will be rewarded with an epic holiday that you will tell your friends about for years to come.

Travel insurance

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance when road tripping around New Zealand so that you’re protected in case of unexpected circumstances or illness. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. Word Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.

The Most Amamzing 3 Week New Zealand Itinerary

Coming to New Zealand for three weeks gives you time to really hit all the country’s highlights. The itinerary is summarized in the table of contents at the beginning of this article. You can click on a day of the itinerary to skip to that day.

The Google Map below shows you the exact route you’ll take on this epic 3 week New Zealand itinerary. It’s a lot of driving, but my god will it be awesome!

Day 1: Coromandel Peninsula

Arrive in Auckland, pick up your rental car, and hit the road towards the Coromandel Peninsula. I absolutely love this area of New Zealand. There are so many things to do here. You won’t have time to see everything, so book a holiday home in Tairua for two nights.

Arriving there the first day, just enjoy the views. Take a short walk to the top of Mount Paku or head down to Tairua beach. While the South Island does not have too many amazing beaches, the North Island is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all over the place, especially in the northern part of the island. This is a very residential area but there are a few dining options in town so you won’t go hungry.

Day 2: Cathedral Cove and Tairua

Today you will take a day trip to Cathedral Cove, one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand (and one of the only free things to do in this itinerary). With sharp cliffs and rocks sticking out of the shoreline, it’s a pretty popular place for locals and visitors alike.

To get to Cathedral Cove, leave Tairua early and park in the Cathedral Cove parking lot. In the summer you might have to wait for someone to leave to get a spot. From there it’s about a 45 minute walk along the coast to the beach. The beach here is gorgeous, but beware the water is damn cold! Pack lunch and enjoy the day at Cathedral Cove. 

If you’re up for swimming in some geothermal hot springs head a bit north of Cathedral Cove into the town of Whitianga, where you’ll find The Lost Spring. Here you can relax in some natural hot pools. Though the pools themselves are manmade and well manicured, the water comes from the geothermal hot springs in the area.

If you’d prefer a more natural option, check out Hot Water Beach on your way back to Tairua. Whatever else you might choose to do in this region will be spectacular as well.

Day 3: Tauranga and Rotorua

Today you’ll head to New Zealand’s geothermal playground: Rotorua. But first, stop by Tauranga and Mount Maunganui to check out New Zealand’s 5th most populated city.

From the beach town of Mount Maunganui you can take a short hike to the top of the actual Mount Maunganui to get a great view of the coast and the city of Tauranga. Have lunch in Mount Maunganui or Tauranga and then get back on the road towards Rotorua. 

Rotorua is the southern hemisphere’s answer to Yellowstone. There are geysers, hot springs, mud volcanoes, and green lakes scattered all around. Unlike Yellowstone though, most of these are privately owned and charge individual admission fees.

There are some geothermal features you will randomly find around the actual city of Rotorua though, such as the Kuirau Park Mud Pools, but they’re not that great. Save the big geothermal adventure for tomorrow and if you’re up for it, book an evening dinner and Maori cultural experience at Takaki Maori Village.

Day 4: Rotorua

Today you will explore the geothermal paradise of Wai-O-Tapu, just south of Rotorua. Some of the geological formations here are just nuts. Neon green lakes and boiling pots of mud are a common sight. 

Plan about a half day here as there is a lot to see. If you haven’t had your fill of boiling lakes and geysers yet, head on over to Waimangu Volcanic Valley to see some stunning turquoise blue lakes. Just don’t jump in them because you know, they’re still boiling. 

When you’re ready to move on from geothermal wonders you will head southeast to Hawke’s Bay. Book a cottage near Bay View and enjoy a peaceful evening on a unique black sand beach.

Day 5: Hawke’s Bay

Wake up early to catch sunrise over the bay then head into the city of Napier for breakfast. Napier has an interesting history and the city’s architecture is Art Deco. It’s like the Miami Beach of New Zealand, architecturally speaking.

Drive down the coast to check out the seriously underrated Hawke’s Bay wine region. The vineyards are right on the coast here and that gives them a unique charm.

Be sure to check out my full guide to the amazingly underrated Hawke’s Bay region.

After lunch, get back on the road and head south. It’s about a four hour drive to Wellington on twisting turning picturesque New Zealand roads. Arrive in the capital in time for dinner on the bay. 

Day 6: Wellington

Take a day to rest and enjoy the wonderful city of Wellington. I called this city home for two years, and while there certainly are pros and cons of living in Wellington, I miss it every day.

No 3 week New Zealand itinerary is complete without it. With one day in town walk around the city center and climb some of the hills that give splendid views of Wellington bay. Since you have a car you might as well drive up to Mount Victoria Lookout for a great view of the city.

Have some Thai food for dinner – seriously the best Thai food I’ve ever had including my time in Thailand- and go out for a drink along Courtenay Place. New Zealand makes some of the best beer in the world and stopping by a local brewery or craft beer bar will top off a great day in the city.

Spend the night at the James Cook Hotel in central Wellington if you can. You’ll be safe from any overnight earthquake there, as I personally designed and managed the extensive seismic retrofit to the old hotel in 2015!

Day 7: Marlborough Sounds and Nelson

Time to catch the ferry to the South Island. The Wellington to Picton ferry takes about 4 hours and is not cheap, but it’s the best option for this road trip. Arriving in Picton you’re in the heart of Marlborough Sounds, a region of rugged green mountainous coastline. Take a scenic drive through the sounds and arrive into Nelson in time for dinner. 

The Nelson region is known for its hops, as in hops that are needed to make beer. The best hops in the world grow in Nelson and I do not say that lightly. All the best IPAs you will ever taste are made with Nelson Hops. 

I don’t know what it is about this region but the hoppy beer that comes from these hops is second to none. Don’t leave Nelson with some beer tasting at one or two of the local breweries. Kombucha Brothers is the best local microbrewery, so try to make it there if you have time.

Day 8: Nelson Lakes National Park

From Nelson, head south on Highway 6 towards the west coast and stop in St Arnaud for some light hiking at Nelson Lakes National Park. This isn’t the most beautiful part of the South Island yet, but it’s still pretty nice. 

Take a nice relaxing day with some flat, easy walks, as this is an intense itinerary. When satisfied with the park, continue on to Charleston, where you will spend the night.

Day 9: Glowworm Cave Tubing

Today you will get a unique New Zealand experience: tubing through a glowworm cave. The main tubing outfitter here is Underworld Adventures. I don’t have any personal experience with them as the outfitter I used back in the day has gone out of business, but they have great reviews.

They will take you tubing down a river and through a glowworm cave (spoiler alert, they’re not actually worms, just larvae, but they do glow in the dark). 

There are many locations throughout the country to see glowworm caves, but only this area will let you float on a tube through it. These tours usually take about 4 hours and could run you up to $200 NZD. But it’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else, so it’s a very cool thing to do when you’re there. 

After your glowworm cave tubing experience you’ll head south to Franz Josef Glacier, a drive of about 3.5 hours. There are two massive glaciers down here, Franz Josef and Fox.

The road to Fox Glacier was destroyed by a landslide a few years ago and there are no immediate plans to rebuild it. There is still a road to Franz Josef though, so you’ll head there instead. Spend the night in the small village just outside the glacier also called Franz Josef.

Day 10: Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Today’s highlight will be viewing Franz Josef Glacier up close and Fox glacier at a distance. The unique thing about these glaciers is that they are in the middle of a rainforest. Not where you typically find glaciers!

These glaciers have carved their way through this temperate rainforest for millenia. A few years ago you used to be able to book a tour that took you on a hike onto Fox Glacier. You could walk on it, and I have. But those days are over now.

To conserve the glaciers, people are no longer allowed to walk on them unless you book a helicopter tour, where they will set you down high up on the glacier, where the ice is not quite as fragile, and let you walk around. Some helicopter tour options with GetYourGuide are shown below. Be sure to book in advance! 

If you’re not willing to drop $350 for the helicopter tour, the closest you can get is the viewpoint on the trail. Set out in the morning to see Franz Josef glacier and drive to the end of the road. There is ample parking in the lot. 

The trail to the foot of the glacier is easy and will take maybe 45 minutes or so. After you’re satisfied with Franz Josef, you can head to Fox Glacier, just be prepared to not get a great view due to the road closure. 

When you’ve had your fill of glaciers it’s time to head to Queenstown, New Zealand’s recreational playground. Arrive in Queenstown in the evening or night and check in to your accommodation.

Day 11: Queenstown

Take some time to relax today and enjoy the scenic beauty of Queenstown. Walk around the town (it’s small) or if you’re up for it take a hike to the top of Queenstown Hill for a great view of the town and The Remarkables, the mountain range to the south.

For dinner head downtown where there are a ton of restaurants for you to choose from. I don’t have any specific recommendations as none of them really stand out. All I will say is I never got what all the fuss is about with Fergburger. People come from all over and wait in line for hours to get a burger here. I did it once and was sufficiently disappointed. My personal recommendation is to not waste your time, but plenty of other people will tell you differently.

If you’re interested to learn a little about New Zealand’s gold rush in a well-preserved historic village, spend the afternoon in Arrowtown, a short drive away.

Or if you’re interested to try some adventure sports, why not book a bungee jumping experience with the guys who invented it? Or perhaps a jet boat ride through a rugged canyon? There is something to do in Queenstown for every type of traveler!

Day 12: Milford Sound

Today you’re visiting one of the most beautiful places in the entire world: Milford Sound. It’s a 3 hour drive from Queenstown so it will be a long day, but it’s worth it. For detailed information be sure to read my entire post on Milford Sound here.

Book your fjord cruise online in advance and allow an entire day for this journey. By the time you get back to Queenstown you’ll be exhausted and ready to hit the hay. Should you have some more energy, take the Skyline gondola up to the observation deck for another great view of the area.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid 6 hours more of driving, there are tons of organized tours that will take you from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back. The benefit of these is that everything is booked for you and you have limited work to do. The downside is that you get to Milford Sound at the most crowded time of the day.

There are a few tours on GetYourGuide offering essentially the exact same thing. One such tour you can read more about here.

Day 13: Mount Cook National Park

Get an early start and leave Queenstown on your way to Mount Cook National Park. It’s about 3 hours on the road, not accounting for stops for photos, and you’ll want to get to the park by noon so you have time to explore. On the way there are some great views along the shores of Lake Pukaki. 

There are various hikes you can do around the park, with the main one being the Hooker Valley track. This is a good place to start. It’s mostly flat and at the end you are right in front of Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand. Spend the rest of the day exploring the park. There are a number of lodging opportunities in the park for all budgets, just be sure to book in advance. 

Day 14: Mount Cook and Kaikoura

Take some additional time to enjoy Mount Cook National Park this morning. The weather here is hit or miss so hopefully you get some clear skies. When I first went to Mount Cook the rain was absolutely miserable the first day, I couldn’t even see the mountain. The next morning though? Clearest skies I’ve ever seen.

Make sure to check out Tasman Lake and Tasman Glacier and aim to get on the road by noon at the latest because it’s about 6 hours to Kaikoura, a funky peninsula that juts out of the east coast.

Once you pass Oaro the drive along the coast on Highway 1 is simply stunning. Kaikoura is the whale-watching capital of New Zealand. It’s small and there are not many places to stay so be sure to have something booked already. Before dark make sure to drive to the end of the peninsula and see the Kaikoura seal colony, a large colony of seals that have found a home here.

Day 15: Kaikoura and Blenheim

Your whale watching trip will start in the morning and run about three hours. The main tour agency is Whale Watch Kaikoura and they are so confident you’ll see a whale that they offer an 80% refund if you don’t. It’s also possible to do a short whale watching flight if you want quicker satisfaction.

There are also other marine adventures such as swimming with seals or swimming with dolphins if you’d rather do that. If none of that sounds great then just get on the road and head to Blenheim/Renwick for extra time tasting sauvignon blanc in one of the world’s most famous wine regions.

Assuming you’ve done one of the morning adventures in Kaikoura you will arrive to the Marlborough wine region in mid to late afternoon. Most wineries close at 5:00 so you’ll only really have time to hit one of them before the day is over. But don’t worry, you’ve got a full day of wine tasting tomorrow. 

Blenheim is a happening little town and due to its proximity in the heart of the Marlborough wine region, there are ample lodging and dining opportunities. If you’d prefer an even smaller town, Renwick is tiny and closer to more wineries.

Day 16: Marlborough Wine Region

Today you are waking up in the world famous Marlborough wine region. When you hear about New Zealand wines, they come from here. Of course there are numerous wine regions in New Zealand, but the only one that produces wine for international consumption is right here.

This area is particularly famous for its sauvignon blanc, which you probably already know since that’s usually the only type of New Zealand wine you can get around the world.

You’ve probably seen Matua and Oyster Bay at your local supermarket. While these mass produced wines are everywhere in this region, you can also find small local wineries without the international clout.

Most wineries are open for tastings from 10-5. There is a fee for tasting at most of the wineries, usually $5-15, but if you buy a bottle that fee will be deducted from the cost of the bottle.  

Rent a bike and hit the road for a day of biking around and tasting the world’s best savs. While a full list of the best vineyards in the region is beyond the scope of this post, one of my personal favorites is Brancott Estate. It is one of the mass produced ones but the estate is stunning. There is no shortage of beautiful vineyards in this region so no matter where you end up you will not be disappointed. 

Day 17: Paraparaumu

Back to the North Island we go. The ferry leaves Picton at 10:45 so by the time you get back to the North Island the afternoon will be half over. Head on up Highway 1 to Paraparaumu, where you’ll find my favorite brewery in the whole world, Tuatara (named after a funky lizard indigenous to New Zealand). 

The brewery is in the industrial part of town, so no amazing views or anything, but the beer is just fantastic. Stay somewhere along the southwest coast of the North Island and enjoy the sunset on the coast. 

If you’re not a fan of amazing beer, just spend the evening relaxing at your accommodation, as it’s been a super busy trip so far and it’s only going to get more intense.

Day 18: Tongariro National Park

Enjoy the rare day to sleep in and get a late start to the day. Today you are heading to Tongariro National Park, which looks pretty much like what you’d imagine the surface of the moon to look like. This national park has multiple active volcanoes and very little vegetation.

The tallest mountain in the park is Mount Ruapehu, and if it’s a clear day you will have views of the peak from all over the place. There’s a little ski resort called Whakapapa that will get you the closest to the peak that you can get by vehicle. There are also a few hikes that will take you around the mountain, but you’ve got a long hike tomorrow so enjoy an easy day today.

Spent the night in the tiny town of National Park (that’s the name of the town). It’s basically just a bunch of lodges and campgrounds. The town is solely catered to travelers heading to Tongariro National Park.

Day 19: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Today you will embark on The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is probably the most famous hike in New Zealand and one of the most famous hikes in the world.

People come from all over the place to do this hike, and it’s especially popular because it’s doable in 4-6 hours and you can get a shuttle back to your car (since it’s 20km one way). The hike takes you up into the volcanos and treats you to views of hot spring mountain lakes and rocky slopes.

Schedule a shuttle to pick you up from National Park and take you back once you’re done and get started on the hike first thing in the morning. The trail will be busy, so be prepared to be slow moving in some locations of the hike, as some treacherous parts of the trail are very narrow.

I completed the hike in about four hours when I did it. This was mainly because I barely stopped due to the weather. It was absolutely miserable that day and visibility was about 10 feet. Unfortunately, that type of weather is pretty common in Tongariro. If you get a clear day, consider yourself lucky. It’s best you manage your expectations by coming prepared for horrid weather.  

Stay another night in National Park and celebrate that all your hiking for the trip is done. You’ve seen some amazing things from the trails!

Day 20: Auckland

It’s about four hours back to Auckland if you head straight there so get going relatively early. Or if you’re a fan of The Hobbit, take a little detour to the Hobbiton Movie Set. You have to book an organized tour so book in advance.

It takes about two hours so you will still have time to drive back to Auckland for a nice dinner along the water in the City of Sails. If you skip Hobbiton and head back to Auckland early take a walk around the Auckland Domain or head to the top of the Sky Tower before dinner.

Day 21: Waiheke Island

Your last day in New Zealand. You’ll be in Auckland all day so it’s sort of a choose your own adventure type day. There are a number of things to do in Auckland, but if you’re not sick of spending money yet, take the ferry over to Waiheke Island.

The ferry to Waiheke is quite expensive for a 45 minute hop over to the island with a car, but this island is magical. It’s a playground for Auckland’s rich and famous, but also raw and local. Drive around and enjoy the beaches and boutique wineries.

You can see downtown Auckland from the island, but you’ll think you’re a world apart. Drive to the far east, isolated side of the island and have a glass of wine at Man O’War vineyards. When you’ve sufficiently explored Waiheke, head back to Auckland and have a nice last meal in New Zealand. You’ve earned it! 

3 Week New Zealand Itinerary: The End

What an epic three weeks you’ve just had in New Zealand. Even though you just scratched the surface of all the amazing things to see and do in New Zealand, you’ve really hit the main highlights. Head back home and give the credit card a rest!