The Crown Range (Queenstown to Wanaka)

The Crown Range road is one of the most scenic and memorable drives in the whole of New Zealand. At just under 70 kilometres, it links Queenstown and Wanaka through stunning mountains, valleys and incredible lakes.

The Crown Range is the highest main road in the country, reaching an impressive 1,121 metres. At this height, the road can become snowy and icy during the winter, so planning ahead is essential. With great height comes magnificent views, however, and the road is famed for its snaking curves and sweeping vistas.

Those lucky enough to experience this drive should look out for the magnificent views of the Remarkables Mountain Range and Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka, bookmarking the start and finish of this epic route. The tranquil and tree-lined historic Arrowtown is also a must-visit outside Queenstown.

The Wild West Coast (Wanaka to Punakaiki)

New Zealand's "Wild West Coast" offers some of the most remote and beautiful coastal scenery anywhere in the world. This stunning drive links the serene Lake Wanaka (home to the iconic "Wanaka Tree" rising from its turquoise waters) with the small coastal community of Punakaiki.

The Punakaiki "pancake rocks" at Dolomite Point allow travellers to experience the sheer exhilaration of the sea bursting through 30 million-year-old rock formations. In between Wanaka and Punakaiki, this snaking coastal route further showcases pristine beaches along the Tasman Sea and picturesque towns, winding rivers, mountain valleys, and temperate rainforests.

Whether you're looking for white water rafting, shimmering lakes, wildlife spotting (including seals, penguins, whales, dolphins), geological wonders, unspoilt nature or welcoming towns with fantastic food and drink – New Zealand's West Coast allows you to experience the very best of the country.

Experience these drives for yourself

Given New Zealand's size, its perfect for touring in a motorhome. Our tours showcase the best of what's on offer in this spectacular country, exploring both North and South islands, from Auckland to Wellington, Christchurch to Invercargill.

New Zealand Discovery

With the New Zealand Discovery drive, you can experience the many diverse delights of this stunning nation.

Start your journey in the beautiful city of Christchurch, nicknamed the "Garden City of the Plains" for its parks and public gardens. From punting on the River Avon to taking in the nearby snow-capped Southern Alps, there's so much to see before the drive even begins.

Start by heading across the Canterbury Plains towards the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo before continuing through the World Heritage-listed Mount Cook National Park. Travel south to the Edwardian coastal city of Dunedin before winding your way towards the West Coast along stunning shorelines, forests and mountain scenery.

Particular highlights of the trip include the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the awe-inspiring Crown Range as well as the bustling atmosphere of Wellington and the geothermal beauty of Rotorua. After enjoying the picturesque Bay of Islands, this journey finishes in the harbour city of Auckland.

Ultimate New Zealand

The Ultimate New Zealand tour encompasses all the highlights of New Zealand's North and South islands. From New Zealand's southernmost city of Invercargill to the northern Bay of Islands (and everything in between), it truly is the ultimate driving experience.

Starting and finishing in Auckland, visitors can experience all the history, culture and culinary delights of New Zealand's largest city. With an initial stop at the idyllic Coromandel Peninsula, the drive continues through the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Reserve, taking in the Art-Deco city of Napier and Martinborough wine country. From there, you'll hop on the Interislander ferry to South Island.

Travelling through spectacular coastal landscapes, soak-in South Island's stunning scenery with UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Mount Cook, Lake Wanaka and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Winding back northwards, the drive finishes with the magnificent three-kilometre beach at Orewa and dolphin-spotting at the Bay of Islands before returning to the laid-back harbour city of Auckland.

Wonders of New Zealand

From the vibrant café culture of Wellington and Auckland to the awe-inspiring scenery of the Southern Alps, this drive is a beautifully relaxed way to experience the diverse landscapes, towns and beaches of New Zealand.

Beginning at Auckland (known as the "City of Sails"), the route heads south towards the geothermal region of Rotorua. With the opportunity to learn about Māori food and storytelling here, you can truly immerse yourself in the history and culture of this great nation.

Further highlights include the fascinating rock formations of the Abel Tasman Walk and the shimmering waters of Lake Wanaka.

The drive then progresses through the Southern Alps and the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown, with opportunities to take in the towering beauty of Milford Sound. The rugged beaches of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula (the only mainland nesting place for the Northern Royal Albatross) are not to be missed. From there, head northwards to end the trip of a lifetime at cultural Christchurch.

South Island Discovery

This epic drive allows travellers to explore all the majestic sights and experiences that New Zealand's South Island has to offer. Where else could you combine the ethereal beauty of icy glaciers with sun-kissed sandy beaches in a single drive?

Beginning at Christchurch, head south towards the city of Dunedin, known as the "Edinburgh of the South" for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture. The Otago peninsula's rugged beaches reveal the Pacific Ocean's sheer power, with opportunities for plenty of wildlife spotting.

Driving towards the West Coast, travellers can take in the stunning scenery of Milford Sound and historic settlements such as Arrowtown and the shores of Lake Wanaka. The route then continues towards the town of Nelson with its subtropical beaches, palm trees and bustling marinas.

Heading down the East Coast, the picturesque coastal town of Kaikoura offers sightings of dolphins, whales and seals before ultimately returning to lively Christchurch.

The Grand New Zealand Caravan Tour

New Zealand's South and North Islands. From ancient glaciers to crystal sands and shimmering lakes, the route displays the absolute best of New Zealand.

Starting your journey amongst the peaceful parks of leafy Christchurch, early highlights include the bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki and the UNESCO World Heritage scenery of Mount Cook. Progressing towards Queenstown (known as the "adventure capital of the world"), adrenaline junkies can make the most of bungee jumping, hiking, and boat rides before immersing themselves in the landscape of the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.

Continuing further north, the tropical beaches of Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park await. The Waitomo glow-worm caves are a particular highlight of the North Island experience, as is a walk past Bilbo Baggins' front door in Hobbiton and Māori culture in Rotorua.

In the final stages of this drive, whale spotting near the picturesque town of Kaikoura is an unmissable treat before returning to Christchurch.

Peter Stannett

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Peter is our content writer and SEO specialist, helping keep our content current and monitoring website traffic.

His content covers all four corners of the globe, across topics like activities, advice, food, culture and history.

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