The Ultimate New Zealand Adventure: Free Downloadable Maps + 6-Week Road Trip Itinerary

In October and November of 2024, I was fortunate to spend six weeks exploring both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. This was my third visit to the Land of the Long White Cloud—a place that has left an indelible mark on my heart. My journey with New Zealand began in 2016, during my first-ever backpacking adventure, where I spent three unforgettable weeks traveling through this breathtaking country. Just two years later, I returned, this time on a two-year working holiday visa, which gave me the opportunity to delve deeper into its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.

Fast forward to 2024, and I was thrilled to be back once again—this time with my boyfriend, a lifelong Lord of the Rings superfan. While I've already written a blog covering all the incredible LOTR filming locations we visited (check it out here), this post is dedicated to every stop we made during our six-week road trip.

From must-see attractions to hidden gems, I'll be sharing recommendations for activities, campsites, accommodation, hikes, and local food and drink spots. To make your planning easier, I’ve created two downloadable maps—one for each island—that visually highlight all our favorite stops and tips.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first visit, this blog is packed with insights to help you make the most of your New Zealand adventure. The below lists are by no means exhaustive as I wouldn’t have enough space to write everything, but the maps are a lot more detailed for you! Don’t forget to subscribe to receive future travel blogs directly in your inbox and follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more wanderlust-inspiring content!

New Zealand Travel Tips:

🍴 Use First Table to get 50% off at certain restaurants.

🚙 Use the APP Campermate to find campsites.

NORTH ISLAND

Auckland:

🏖️ Visit Bethell’s Beach

⛺ Camp at Takapuna Beach Holiday Park

🍷Day trip to Waiheke Island for wine tasting

Hamilton:

🏠 Stay at Rivendel Gardens Farmstay

🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton Movie Set

Mount Maunganui:

🥾 Hike up to the Mount summit and around the base track

⛺ Camp at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park

💦 Visit Omanawa Waterfalls

Rotorua:

⛺Camp at Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park

🌋Visit the Geothermal Wonderland at Kuirau Park

🌲Visit the Redwoods Forest

Taupo:

💧Visit Huka Falls

⛳ Attempt a hole-in-one at Lake Taupo

Egmont National Park:

⛺ Camp at Durham Lake Holiday Park

🥾 Hike to the Pouakai Circuit Reflective Tarn

🪨 Visit the Three Sisters & Elephant Rock

Tongariro National Park:

🏕️Camp at Whakapapa Holiday Park

🥾 Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

🍺Have a beer at Skotel Alpine Resort

💦 Visit Tawhai Falls

Wellington:

🏕️ Camp at Wellington Top 10 Holiday Parks

🖼️ Visit Wellington Museum: Te Papa

🧌 Visit the Weka Workshop

⛴️ Take the Interislander ferry to Picton and start your South Island journey!

SOUTH ISLAND

Hokitika:

⛺ Camp at Links View Holiday Park

💧 Visit Hokitika Gorge

Franz Josef:

⛺ Camp at Orange Sheep Campervan Park

🐣 Visit the West Coast Wildlife Park

Wanaka:

🥾 Hike Isthmus Peak

⛺ Camp at Hampshire Holiday Park - Glendhu Bay

🥐 Have a pastry from Pembroke Pâtisserie

🌲 Visit That Wanaka Tree

Glenorchy:

⛺ Camp at Mrs Woolly’s Campground

🗻 Visit the Isengard Lookout

Fiordland National Park:

⛴️ Take a trip through Milford Sounds. I booked through Pure Milford, you can check it out and book it here.

🥾 Hike the Kepler Track

💧 Visit Lake Marian

🍕 Eat at Paradiso Pizzeria

⛺ Camp at Cascades Creek Campsite and Tasman Holiday Parks

Queenstown:

🚲 Go to Arrowtown and hire bikes to cycle to the ‘Valley of the Vines’

♨️ Visit the Onsen Hot Pools

⛺ Camp at Hampshire Holiday Parks - Queenstown Lake View

🍔 Grab a burger from Fergburger

🛌 Treat yourself with a stay at Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

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Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park:

🥾 Hike up to and camp at Mueller Hut

📷 Take beautiful pictures on the road in to the park

Lake Tekapo:

🪻See the lupins during lupin season (spring)

⛺ Camp at Lakes Edge Holiday Park

Kaikōura:

🛶 Kayak out at South Bay

🥾 Hike the peninsula walkway

And there you have it—a complete rundown of our 6-week itinerary through New Zealand's stunning North and South Islands! While this guide highlights the most notable stops, it’s just the beginning. For even more details, check out the free downloadable maps I’ve created, and follow me on social media for tons of trip content, behind-the-scenes moments, and tips. Don’t forget to subscribe below to get my latest blogs delivered straight to your inbox!

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