Travelling from Auckland to Christchurch maximises your time in New Zealand. You can head north from Auckland first and then head south and take the ferry across the Cook Straight and explore the South Island and return your camper van to Christchurch.
This itinerary will work in reverse and if you are travelling from Queenstown to Christurch we have listed below the top sites to visit on your way.
More information on how to plan your trip can be found on our NZ Road Trip Planner page
Auckland to Christchurch Road Trip Itinerary including overnight stops:
Week 1: Northland and Auckland
Auckland to Bay of Islands: Distance - 220 km (137 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 3 hours
Exploring Bay of Islands: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Bay of Islands to Waipoua Forest: Distance - 170 km (106 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 2.5 hours
Exploring Waipoua Forest: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Week 2: Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty
Waipoua Forest to Coromandel Peninsula: Distance - 280 km (174 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 4 hours
Exploring Coromandel Peninsula: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Coromandel Peninsula to Bay of Plenty: Distance - 180 km (112 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 2.5 hours
Exploring Bay of Plenty: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Week 3: Rotorua, Taupo, and Tongariro National Park
Bay of Plenty to Rotorua: Distance - 80 km (50 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 1 hour
Exploring Rotorua: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Rotorua to Taupo: Distance - 80 km (50 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 1 hour
Exploring Taupo: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Taupo to Tongariro National Park: Distance - 130 km (81 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 2 hours
Exploring Tongariro National Park: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Week 4: Wellington and Marlborough Sounds
Tongariro National Park to Wellington: Distance - 330 km (205 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 4.5 hours
Exploring Wellington: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Wellington to Marlborough Sounds: Distance - 120 km (75 mi) + Ferry Crossing, Driving Time - Approximately 2 hours (plus ferry time)
Exploring Marlborough Sounds: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Week 5: Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, and West Coast
Marlborough Sounds to Nelson: Distance - 130 km (81 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 2 hours
Exploring Nelson: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park: Distance - 60 km (37 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 1 hour
Exploring Abel Tasman National Park: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Abel Tasman National Park to West Coast (Punakaiki): Distance - 260 km (162 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 4 hours
Exploring West Coast (Punakaiki): Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Week 6: Franz Josef Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, and Fiordland
West Coast (Punakaiki) to Franz Josef Glacier: Distance - 210 km (130 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 3 hours
Exploring Franz Josef Glacier: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Franz Josef Glacier to Wanaka: Distance - 285 km (177 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 4 hours
Exploring Wanaka: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Wanaka to Queenstown: Distance - 70 km (43 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 1 hour
Exploring Queenstown: Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
Queenstown to Fiordland (Milford Sound): Distance - 290 km (180 mi), Driving Time - Approximately 4 hours
Exploring Fiordland (Milford Sound): Various locations, Driving Time - Flexible
New Zealand campervan hire from Maui, Britz, Star RV, Apollo.
Compare campervans, motorhomes and camping cars for hire in New Zealand.
We list the best campervans and motorhomes in New Zealand by size and price.
Compare prices. We show you all the daily rates of every campervan and motorhome.
There are many optional extras to add including insurance options and we list them.
Each type of campervans, motorhomes, camping cars, SUVs, truck campers, 4x4 campers are illustrated with lots of images.
Check the age of the campervans as some are nearly new to quite old. It makes a big difference to the quality of your rental.
Cheap Campervans are older with higher mileage. New to near new are luxury campervans or motorhomes fully equipped.
Check the bed sizes - some are large and some are compact to ensure a trouble free holiday.
Check the interior height to make sure you can stand up inside.
One-way rentals from the South Island to the North island. Reverse the route to see if you get a better deal. Don't forget to pre-book the ferry during the peak season.
All top rental companies are listed on our booking engine including Maui, Britz, Apollo, Spaceships, Star RV - see the full list below.
Rent either an automatic or manual (stick-shift).
Campervan and motorhome hire New Zealand: Auckland
Campervan Hire in Auckland is the most popular starting point for a tour of New Zealand
Auckland has over 30 different rental companies offering their own range of campervans, motorhomes, sleeper cars and camping cars.
Choose a campervan that has enough seat belts and enough beds for each passenger. If there are six people and you rent a 4-berth, the rental will not go ahead. Safety is paramount in New Zealand. Compare our Campervans and Motorhomes for hire in Auckland
Most of the rental depots are located close to Auckland airport and free transfers are usually included. We suggest that if you arrive after a long-haul flight then stay a night at one of the Auckland airport hotels. Or, you can collect your campervan and head to the nearest campsites and rest up there.
North of Auckland airport is Auckland city, by-passed by a motorway. Drive north on State Highway 1 to the Bay of Islands and Northland with all its beautiful beaches, sub-tropical rainforests and giant kauris. There are plenty of campsites to choose from. Pre-book the first few nights while you wind down into your holiday.
Driving south of Auckland takes you to the rest of the North Island. Check out our Trip Planner pages to see our recommendations of what to see and do.
Choosing the Best campervans and motorhomes to rent in New Zealand.
The top-of-the-range luxury six-berths are modern, top quality, comfortable motorhomes. There is a choice of bed layouts. Three doubles, two double beds and two single beds. Perfect for a group of friends travelling together or a family.