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Home/New Zealand Holidays/Best Scenic Drives And Road Trips In New Zealand

Best Scenic Drives and Road Trips in New Zealand

From snow-capped mountains to sparkling coastlines, New Zealand is a country made for the open road. With ever-changing scenery and well-maintained highways, every turn reveals something new a hidden beach, a mirror-like lake, or a village steeped in Maori culture. Whether you’re exploring the North or South Island, these drives showcase the very best of Aotearoa’s natural beauty.

Milford Road – Te Anau to Milford Sound (South Island)

One of the world’s most spectacular alpine drives, the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound cuts through the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland National Park. Journey past glacial valleys, misty rainforest, and mirror-clear lakes before emerging from the Homer Tunnel to your first glimpse of Milford Sound a breathtaking reward for the journey.

Highlights: Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, The Chasm Waterfall, and the towering Mitre Peak.

Experience the Milford Road with our 14 night itinerary – Mountains, Lakes & Sounds of the South Island.

Crown Range Road – Queenstown to Wanaka (South Island)

New Zealand’s highest main road offers an unforgettable mountain-to-lake adventure. Climb through twisting switchbacks and panoramic viewpoints before descending into the charming lakeside town of Wanaka. Stop at the heritage village of Arrowtown or the famous Cardrona Hotel for a taste of gold-rush history.

Highlights: Arrowtown, Crown Range Lookout, Cardrona Valley, and Lake Wanaka.

Experience the Crown Range Road with our 23-night itinerary – New Zealand’s Ultimate Motorhome

Thermal Explorer Highway – Auckland to Napier (North Island)

Travel through the geothermal heart of the North Island, where volcanic landscapes, bubbling mud pools, and vineyards await. From Auckland, journey south to Rotorua to experience Maori culture and geysers, continue to Lake Taupo, and finish in the art-deco charm of Napier’s Hawke’s Bay wine region.

Highlights: Rotorua’s geothermal parks, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, and Hawke’s Bay wineries.

Experience the Thermal Explorer Highway with our 14-night itinerary – North Island’s Natural Wonders

West Coast Drive – Westport to Haast (South Island)

A wild and remote journey down New Zealand’s rugged west coast. Follow the Tasman Sea past cliffs, rainforests, and glaciers as you discover one of the most dramatic coastal routes in the world. Don’t miss the limestone formations at Punakaiki and the chance to walk on the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.

Highlights: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, and Haast Pass.

Experience the West Coast Drive with our 15-night itinerary – Best of New Zealand by Motorhome

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