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Great Kiwi Road Trips

Pack up the car, fill up the tank and get on the road to explore New Zealand from top to bottom with AA Travel’s Great Kiwi Road Trips. Over the whole length of the land, from Northland to Invercargill, our beautiful country has the most breathtaking scenery, beaches and activities.

AA Travel has created 23 incredible road trips to choose from; each one has been pieced together to ensure you will encounter every essential New Zealand experience along the way.

North Island Trips

Northland to Auckland

Begin in Paihia for this exploration of the tip of New Zealand; start by heading north towards Cape Reinga, then following the West Coast back to Auckland. Essential pit stops along the way include a visit to Kerikeri’s Kemp House, Mangonui’s famous fish and chip shop, sand-dune riding at Ninety Mile Beach, and a relaxing stroll along Orewa Beach before arriving in Auckland City. View trip.

Auckland to New Plymouth

The 584km journey from Auckland to New Plymouth takes a recommended three days and travels through Hamilton City, Otorohanga, Waitomo and Awakino before arriving at your destination of New Plymouth. Along the way, make sure you visit the country’s national icon, the kiwi, at the Kiwi House in Otorohanga and the glowworms at Waitomo Caves! View trip

Whakatane to Auckland

This essential road trip commences in Whakatane and travels up and down the Coromandel Peninsula before reaching Auckland, with many beaches and bush walks to enjoy along the way. Hot spots include Hot Water Beach near Hahei, and the ‘world-famous in New Zealand’ town of Paeroa, the home of L&P. View trip

Taranaki Loop

The Taranaki Loop Great Kiwi Road Trip circles the Taranaki region (as you would expect), travelling along Surf Highway 45 and the Forgotten World Highway. The two-day trip is 181km long and takes you through Whangamomona, Stratford, Opunake and Oakura. Get the best view of the region by scenic flights over Taranaki. View trip

Wellington to Napier

Wellington to Napier is a recommended three-day Great Kiwi Road Trip that travels through Martinborough, Castle Point and Masterton. Before departing the Capital City check out highlights such as Te Papa and Zealandia. Wine tastings and vineyard tours along the way will be well deserved after a day of driving! View trip

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South Island Trips

Picton to Christchurch

Picton to Christchurch‘s three-day road trip will expose the country’s best wine regions, Kaikoura’s whale and dolphin adventures and Hanmer’s thermal pools and spas, before arriving in Christchurch. Then get the best view of Christchurch City from a hot-air balloon. This journey is all about wine, wildlife and water! View trip

Christchurch to Dunedin

The sights you will encounter while travelling from Christchurch to Dunedin will take your breath away. Travelling from the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch over the Canterbury Plains, you will have the Southern Alps peaks as a distant backdrop. There will be no dull moments throughout this journey as you travel through Ashburton, Oamaru and Port Chalmers before arriving in Dunedin. View trip

Queenstown to Milford Sound

Queenstown to Milford Sound is a two-day, 302km trip that weaves through stunning scenery and is not short of things to observe and experience. If you’re willing to add another three days to your journey, take on the Routeburn Track. To complete your Great Kiwi Road Trip, go for a cruise at Milford Sound and admire Mitre Peak. View trip

Dunedin to Te Anau

Dunedin to Te Anau is a fantastic road trip around the southern coast of the South Island. This journey includes a wide variety of wildlife encounters such as spotting the rare yellow-eyed penguins, seal pups and lazy sea lions as well as the only mainland colony of northern royal albatrosses in the world! This road trip will take two days for the 444km journey. View trip

Haast to Karamea

Travelling up the west coast of New Zealand from Haast to Karamea will take you past the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, through Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the most astounding landscapes on Earth! View trip

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