After spending 15 months in New Zealand and writing a few articles on the subject, I will, in this article, give you all the advice for a successful New Zealand road trip.
We will go through together the formalities for entering the territory, the best ways to travel to New Zealand but also the possible routes and the essentials of a trip to New Zealand.
Direction one of the most beautiful countries in the world, located more than 18 kilometers from France for an unforgettable road trip in New Zealand.
Summary:
> Why a road trip in New Zealand?
> New Zealand: All formalities
> What to book during a road trip in New Zealand?
> Road trip in New Zealand: The plane
> How to get around during a road trip in New Zealand?
> Van and motorhome rental in New Zealand
> Car rental + hotels in New Zealand
> How long for a road trip in New Zealand?
> Itineraries and essentials of a road trip in New Zealand
> When is the best time for a road trip in New Zealand?
> Some advice on driving in New Zealand Book your road trip in New Zealand:
> Find a flight
> Rent a car
> Rent a van or motorhome
> Book a hotel
> Book a youth hostel
Why a road trip in New Zealand?
Let's start with the reasons that could push you to take a road trip in New Zealand?
First of all his landscapes. New Zealand has breathtaking landscapes, some of the most beautiful in the world!
The reputation of New Zealand is well established, this country which wants to be "green" has known, until today, how to preserve its nature in an unprecedented way. In fact, 30% of New Zealand territory is protected. No other country in the world can say the same. Nearly 90% of New Zealand's energy is said to be “green”, coming from wind power, geothermal energy or dams.
New Zealand is a particularly well-preserved territory. Its late discovery explains the extraordinary conservation of its fauna and flora.
It has many endemic species in the country, the most famous of them being the famous kiwi, a bird that does not fly! Unfortunately on the way to extinction due to the introduction of mammals on New Zealand soil several centuries ago.
You are certainly wondering why New Zealand has such sumptuous landscapes? It's very simple, it's its geographical location that makes it special. Straddling two tectonic plates, New Zealand then has a particular relief with a wide mountain range on the South Island, majestic fjords but also an extraordinary geothermal activity which has resulted in many volcanoes and geothermal parks in the colors incredible.
New Zealand is a road trip country. Indeed the wide open spaces, the many spaces equipped to accommodate vans and motorhomes as well as the sympathy of its inhabitants make it a particularly pleasant country for a road trip.
New Zealand: All formalities
Visa and return ticket:
A quick tour of the formalities. For the French, nothing could be simpler. No visa is required to enter New Zealand territory. However, you will need a passport valid for 3 months after your arrival on New Zealand soil.
You can stay 3 months in New Zealand. Attention all the same it will be necessary to justify a ticket of exit of the territory. Regardless of your destination (you do not have to return to France after your road trip to New Zealand) you will have to prove that you intend to leave the country within 3 months. If you have a return ticket, then no worries.
Customs and bio-security:
I draw your attention to New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity. New Zealand being an island with unique biodiversity, the government has put in place very strict restrictions in terms of bio-security.
It is forbidden to carry plants such as plants, fruits or even shells in your belongings. Anything that could weaken or damage the fauna and flora of the country is prohibited. It will thus be necessary to take care not to transport soil either, to clean your hiking shoes, your tents or other hiking accessories perfectly. You will find the list (in English) of prohibited products on this article.
Many checks are carried out with the X-raying of your belongings. If you fail to declare that you are transporting prohibited products, you risk significant fines upon your arrival in the territory. You will be asked to fill out an information sheet on the plane.
What to book during a road trip in New Zealand?
In this paragraph we will see all the things to think about before a road trip in New Zealand. Some things will be expected, in advance and some reservations will be necessary.
About 6 months before your road trip in New Zealand:
The first two things to plan for will be your flight and, if applicable, your vehicle.
- The flight: We will talk about it in the next paragraph but the sooner you are interested in your plane ticket, the more you will be able to seize the good opportunity to find an interesting price. By taking your ticket around 6 months before the start of your road trip in New Zealand, you can benefit from very reasonable prices.
- Your vehicle: Depending on the period in which you want to travel, you will have to do it relatively early to reserve your vehicle, especially your van or motorhome. Some companies are renting their entire van sometimes a year in advance depending on the time of year. The most popular time is around Christmas.
If you are traveling outside of the summer (to New Zealand) then you can do this a bit later. Anyway, if your travel dates are set then book your vehicle as soon as possible, this will allow you to enjoy a wider choice of models. We will talk about this a little further down.
A few weeks before your departure for New Zealand:
- Accommodation: A few weeks before your departure, you will need to book your accommodation. If you are traveling by motorhome or van, then no worries. You will still have to remember to book accommodation for the day of your arrival if you want to spend a few days in the city of your arrival.
If you are traveling by car and plan to stay in lodges or hotels then, depending on the time of year, you will have to plan several weeks in advance. Accommodation can fill up very quickly in tourist areas, especially during New Zealand school holidays. - Travel insurance : You will also need to worry about taking out travel insurance. This is not mandatory but strongly recommended. Be well informed on this subject because even if you think you are covered by the insurance of your bank card, in reality these cards cover relatively poorly the care that may occur while traveling. The amount is capped, as is the duration of your trip coverage. Travel insurance costs around 60€ for two weeks of travel, the amount is not excessive and could be very useful.
A few days before :
- Your activities : The last thing to book will be your activities. No need to book several weeks in advance, sometimes the same day is enough.
Be careful all the same with the most touristic activities such as Hobbiton, the Waitomo Caves or even Milford Sound. It is strongly recommended to book these activities 1 or 2 days in advance if you are traveling during the summer period. During the winter this should not be a problem but again, if you are sure of your activity dates, book them the day before, this will avoid unnecessary unpleasant surprises.
Road trip in New Zealand: The plane
One of the key points of your trip will be the purchase of the plane ticket. New Zealand being particularly far from France, more than 18 kilometres, it is currently not possible to reach New Zealand from France non-stop. The choices in terms of companies and stopovers will be numerous. Note that, whatever the company, it will not be possible to reach New Zealand in less than 000 hours.
To put it simply, the connections between France and New Zealand can be broken down into 3 groups:
- Gulf companies: Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad Airways. These companies are among the best and highest rated in the market. It will then be necessary to make one or two stopovers, one, of course, in the country of the company, United Arab Emirates or Qatar and, depending on the company, a second stopover (often in Australia). The Emirates company offers one-stop flights via one of the longest flights in the world: Dubai – Auckland in 16 hours.
- East Asian airlines: Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific. These companies also have a very good reputation. These companies, as well as the companies of the gulf offer the shortest flights that exist with one or two stopovers, generally of short duration. On the price side, these companies are not the cheapest but sometimes offer very interesting rates.
- Chinese companies: Chinese companies like China Southern or China Eastern offer very attractive prices. These companies, less known and certainly less well rated are no less safe. The service offered on board may, however, be of lesser quality. Disadvantage of these companies, they often offer at least 2 sometimes long stopovers that can go up to 8 hours, or even more.
Note that the New Zealand national company: Air New Zealand, does not currently serve Europe. However, it is possible that you will end your flight on one of the company's aircraft (or on that of an Australian company such as Qantas).
How to choose your plane ticket to New Zealand?
- Use a price comparator:
For this, two solutions, the first is to find, on your own, a flight that suits you. To do this, you can use flight comparators such as BudgetAir. - Go through an agency to buy your plane ticket:
Second solution, you can turn to an agency that will take care of finding you the tickets for the right dates with several possible options. Indeed it is possible to obtain an option allowing you to change your return date if necessary as well as a long stopover, depending on the duration of your road trip in New Zealand, to make the trip more pleasant but also in take the opportunity to visit a city on your route such as Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore or Dubai.
What mode of travel for a road trip in New Zealand?
After buying the plane ticket, you will have to ask yourself the question of the mode of travel. Indeed during a road trip you will have several choices related to your way of traveling and discovering the country.
- The number 1 choice will be the more “traditional” method which consists of renting a car and then joining, each evening, accommodation such as hotels, lodges, inns or airBnb.
You should know that cities are sometimes rare in New Zealand and are often small in size. Some places may offer a fairly limited choice of accommodation. Even if you will always find a small hotel, lodge or BnB, you should not be too demanding.
Regarding car rental, it happens like in France, be careful though, driving in New Zealand is on the left and most cars have automatic gearboxes. - Choice number 2 (the one I strongly recommend) will be to rent a converted car, a van or a motorhome depending on your budget. Why is renting a converted vehicle, in my opinion, the best way to visit New Zealand?
First of all, because New Zealand is a sparsely populated country, as said above, the choice of accommodation is quite low outside the big cities. In addition, New Zealand has a really large camping park. Campsites of all kinds are spread across the country. You will have the choice between the top-of-the-range campsite equipped with a swimming pool and all the necessary equipment, to the lower-end campsites offering the essentials: Shower, kitchen and free weekends at the campsite, in the heart of nature! To take advantage of these last campsites located in exceptional places for most of them, it will be necessary to be equipped with a vehicle called "Self-Contained", which means having a vehicle which has equipment such as WCs and water reserves. These vehicles are, of course, a little more expensive, but will save you nights of paid camping. This mode of travel is one of the most common for a road trip in New Zealand.
Campervan and campervan hire in New Zealand
Let's take a closer look at this last mode of travel, the motorhome, van or converted vehicle. As you will have understood, there are a large number of different types of vehicles. We will try to see it a little more clearly. What are the different vehicles that it is possible to rent during a road trip in New Zealand?
> Adapted cars
Converted cars – minivan type – will be the most affordable vehicles. Admittedly, a little small, these cars will allow you to sleep rather comfortably for two. These vehicles will not allow you to take advantage of all the free campsites in the country, but you will still be able to benefit from a non-negligible choice of places authorizing this type of vehicle to spend the night. These converted cars are, for the most part, equipped with a "gas cooker" allowing you to cook some food for your meal.
> Vans
More comfortable vans are also very common in New Zealand. They are a very good balance between the relatively sparsely equipped minivan and the sometimes a little expensive motorhome. These vans are of different size and equipment. They can accommodate 2 to 4 people!
For the most spacious, it is possible to stand up, to cook without any problem. Some also have the "Self-Contained" certification, this precious sesame that allows you to take advantage of the many spaces to spend the night completely free. This certification ensures that the vehicle is equipped with a toilet and sufficient water supply (among other things).
> Motorhomes
Now let's move on to motorhomes. It goes without saying that a camping road trip in New Zealand has a completely different taste than in a converted vehicle or a tent. More expensive, they are also much more comfortable. Some are even very upscale with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, storage as well as a dining table, TV, etc.
They can carry up to 6 people.
They will allow you to take advantage of free campsites.
When should I reserve my van or motorhome?
A very important question regarding the best time to hire a motorhome or van in New Zealand. It all depends on when you want to go to New Zealand. The most requested period is December-February. Demand is high and the choice of vehicle is shrinking very quickly. If you want to travel to New Zealand during this period then I advise you to do it relatively early, in June, July or August at the latest. You may not have many choices after this period. If you want to travel outside this period then you can plan a little less time before, but the sooner the better.
How do I book my van or motorhome?
For that, nothing could be simpler, you can go to a comparator which will take care of listing the different van and motorhome rental companies and will take care of the rental for you. Comparing is essential! There are a large number of van and motorhome rental companies in New Zealand and there are many models.
I advise you to use the motorhomerepublic.com site that I myself was able to use to rent a van for two weeks.
Insurance and excess on motorhome and van hire in New Zealand
An important point to pay attention to during your van / motorhome rental in New Zealand is insurance. Several options will be offered to you and you will have to be very careful about them.
You will have the choice not to take out insurance for your rental, however a (significant) deductible will be charged if something happens to the vehicle. This deductible is sometimes taken from your account, sometimes nothing is taken but the sum is blocked (it will therefore be necessary to have the amount on your account), sometimes a loan from your credit card will simply be taken.
You will also be offered to take out insurance, often via 2 formulas. One will halve (or more) the free amount but will be charged a certain amount per day. The higher this amount, the lower the deductible. Insurance can completely eliminate the amount of the deductible, however its price is often high.
How do I find campsites to spend the night during my road trip in New Zealand?
Once you have rented your motorhome or van, let's go for an unforgettable road trip in New Zealand! We will see later the itineraries and unmissable New Zealand but let's talk a little about the "practical" side of the van and motorhome with a question that you will probably ask yourself: How do I find a campsite or a place to spend the night?
For that, nothing could be simpler, I advise you to install an ESSENTIAL application which was of great use to me during my road trip in New Zealand: CamperMate.
This application references the vast majority of campsites in New Zealand, specifying, each time, whether the campsite is part of the top-of-the-range campsites (equipped with shower, kitchen, TV room, WIFI, swimming pool, etc.), "basic" campsites » with only toilets and showers or whether it is a free campsite with dry toilets or not.
In addition, the application specifies a very important point, it will tell you whether or not the campsite welcomes non-self contained vehicles (this only concerns free campsites which are rarer for vehicles of this type).
In addition to locating campsites, the application locates a lot of other very interesting points such as viewpoints, "dump stations" to empty and refill the water in your motorhome, service stations, vending machines tickets etc
Car rental + hotels in New Zealand
The other mode of travel that it will be possible to adopt during your road trip in New Zealand is car rental, which will allow you to move freely wherever you want and to spend your nights in hotels, motels, hostels or even in a tent, in a campsite.
Car rental in New Zealand is like car rental in France and Europe. For that, nothing could be simpler, you can go to a car rental comparator which will guide you in your choice.
In terms of accommodation, you will very easily find accommodation in large cities: hotels, hostels or homestays, such as AirBnB.
Outside the big cities, it can sometimes be more complicated. Hotels will be rare in some places but you can fall back on motels or campsites. These often offer small bungalows, lodges or even motels.
If you have opted for camping in a tent, no problem, you will easily find a campsite nearby. To do this, refer to the paragraph: How to find campsites where to spend the night?
How long for a road trip in New Zealand?
Do you want to go on a road trip in New Zealand but you don't know how long you will need to discover this magnificent country?
The duration is a question that will have to be asked. In view of the distance to be covered and the travel time, the duration of your trip cannot, as you can imagine, be a few days.
Don't forget the jet lag which can sometimes be difficult to overcome for a few days.
With the question of the duration will arise the travel itinerary which we will talk about very soon.
You should know that New Zealand is made up of two main islands. The North Island and the South Island.
To answer the question of travel time you have to ask yourself, in addition to the places you want to see, the pace of travel you want to adopt.
Each island can, theoretically, be visited in 2 weeks if you only want to do the essentials. You can decide to visit only one of the two islands. To discover the essence of the two islands, 3 weeks will be recommended.
Many people visit the essentials of the two islands in 15 days but it will then be necessary to take domestic flights to connect the points of interest. It will be complicated to do everything by car.
To conclude on the ideal duration of a road trip in New Zealand.
– If you only visit one of the two islands, 15 days may be sufficient.
– If you wish to visit both islands, 3 weeks will be strongly recommended.
– It is possible to visit the essentials of the two islands in two weeks provided you take domestic flights and have a steady pace of travel.
Itineraries and essentials of a road trip in New Zealand
Now let's move on to the heart of our trip, the choice of itinerary and places to visit in New Zealand. You can read our article entitled: What to do in New Zealand? to get a more precise idea of the country's must-sees.
We are going to resume the list of the essentials of each of the two islands. You will find on the maps, the places of interest but also the cities accessible by plane.
What to see in New Zealand: the North Island
Here are the essential stages of a road trip in New Zealand on the North Island (classified places from North to South) You can find these places in detail in my article dedicated to the North Island of New Zealand:
Cape Reinga: The northernmost place in New Zealand, a mythical place in Maori culture. Cape Reinga looks like the end of the world, its lighthouse faces the meeting between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Bay of Islands : Place of the greatest importance in the history of New Zealand with Russel, the first capital of the country and Waitangi, place of signing of the founding act of New Zealand. Magnificent beaches with Paihia, its seaside resort.
Auckland : Largest city in the country, Auckland is a modern city between building and omnipresent nature with the wild islands of its bay like Rangitoto. The Sky Tower, the largest tower in the southern hemisphere has become the emblematic place of the city of Auckland.
Coromandel : A peninsula full of heavenly beaches like Cathedral Cove, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country or Hot Water Beach, a beach of hot springs, a must!
Hobbiton : A must for fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the hobbit village is a place not to be missed. Book, in advance, your guided tour of the village because Hobbiton is one of the most touristic places in the country…
Rotorua : A city with strong Maori influence. A visit and an evening in one of the Maori villages is a must when visiting Rotorua. The geothermal parks that surround the city such as Waimangu or Wai-O-Tapu (the most famous) are also unmissable.
Waitomo Caves : Impressive caves where a multitude of glowworms have found refuge, an incredible natural spectacle! Just like Hobbiton, the Waitomo caves are to be booked in advance because the number of entries is limited!
Taupo : Taupo is a city bordered by the largest lake in the country, Lake Taupo. A boat trip on this lake to the famous Maori Carvings Rocks is a must. Its waterfalls, the Huka Falls are also to be seen!
Tongariro National Park : Huge and beautiful Tongariro National Park to visit on a day hike. Discover one of the Lord of the Rings filming locations, Mordor!
Mont Taranaki : Are you passionate about hiking and like challenges? The ascent of Taranaki, this impressive volcano, is made for you.
Napier : The capital of art-deco! A city totally destroyed in the 30s rebuilt in a unique art-deco style!
Wellington : Capital of New Zealand, the city is full of things to see and do such as its impressive Te Papa museum (free) or its botanical garden!
What to see in New Zealand: the South Island
Here are the essential stages of a road trip in New Zealand on the South Island (classified places from North to South) You can find out more about these places by reading our article dedicated to the essentials of the South Island in New -Zealand:
Parc national Abel Tasman : Named in honor of the Dutch explorer who discovered the region in the XNUMXth century, the park is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. Its beaches and wildlife make this park a must on a New Zealand road trip.
Kaikoura : Located on the east coast of the South Island, Kaikoura is known for its magnificent landscapes but it is above all its inhabitants who have made its reputation. Kaikoura is a unique place to discover seals, dolphins but especially whales that live in New Zealand. A cruise or a flight over the region is something not to be missed without any pretext.
Christchurch : Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. The city was the victim of a terrible earthquake in 2011 which destroyed almost the entire city and caused many victims. The city is currently undergoing reconstruction. Christchurch is nicknamed the city of parks in connection with the large number of parks in the city.
Akaroa: Akaroa, the most French of New Zealand towns! A story that almost made Akaroa a French city. A magnificent little coastal town which plays with this French history but which is also home to atypical inhabitants since off the coast of the town are obscure dolphins, the smallest dolphins in the world!
West Coast & Glaciers : Let's now move on to the east coast to discover the splendid landscapes with the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers in particular! A hike on these glaciers is an unforgettable and unmissable activity!
Mont Cook & Hooker Valley : Not far from the West Coast, in the middle of the chain of the Southern Alps is Mount Cook, the highest peak in the country. Its valley, the Hooker Valley, is full of hikes, each more stunning than the next.
Lake Tekapo : A lake that has an incredible color in the middle of the mountains of the South Island. Its church and its sky also make it famous!
Wanaka and its lake: Wanaka, a small town on the edge of a lake offering an incredible view of the surrounding mountains! Many hikes and outdoor activities! Its famous tree, The Lone Tree is one of the most photographed landscapes in the country.
Queenstown : True capital of adventure Queenstown is truly a must on a road trip in New Zealand. A city that looks like a ski resort, set between the mountains, bordered by a lake! Queenstown is full of activities of all kinds, hiking, skiing, bungee jumping, jet boating, there is something for everyone.
Milford Sound : Undoubtedly the most beautiful landscape in the country, Milford Sound is perhaps the must-see number 1! An impressive fjord, among the most beautiful in the world! A breathtaking spectacle as the dimensions of this fjord are impressive. A cruise of one to two hours is necessary to visit and discover one of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand!
When is the best time for a road trip in New Zealand?
Now let's move on to the best time to do this road trip in New Zealand. You are probably aware that New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed.
Even if the climate is milder than here, milder in winter and more temperate in summer, the downside in New Zealand is undoubtedly the rain.
Winter, from June to September is often very rainy. The best months for a road trip in New Zealand will be the summer months (so winter for us), between November and March.
December and January will be the months to favor although, from mid-December to mid-January, school holidays take place, which results in a higher rate of occupancy of accommodation and activities. Be sure to book your accommodation and activities in advance.
To learn more about things to book before a road trip in New Zealand, refer to our paragraph dealing with the subject.
Some advice on driving in New Zealand
Let's look at one of the points of vigilance of this road trip in New Zealand: driving.
It's something to be careful of, many things differ from the behavior you're used to in France.
- The first big difference is none other than the direction of driving. In New Zealand, we drive on the left (with the steering wheel, on the right). No particular worries to have, even if it can seem a little unsettling at the beginning, it will quickly seem natural to you. Be careful, however, when leaving the car park or after a crossing to put yourself on the right side of the road, for this a very simple reminder that works regardless of the country: the driver must always be in the center of the road!
- Another slightly destabilizing little thing that you will quickly develop a taste for, automatic gearboxes. Almost all vehicles in New Zealand are equipped with an automatic gearbox. If you've never driven a vehicle with this type of gearbox, you'll see, it's great!
- Regarding the roads, in New Zealand you will find very few highways. A few around Auckland, Wellington or Tauranga but they are rare. The vast majority of roads are made up of roads with one traffic lane on each side. These are limited to 100km/h. Attention, the roads of New Zealand follow the relief, very few bridges or tunnels, this results in roads which slalom somewhat, which climb and sometimes descend significantly. Signs will indicate the speed to keep at the entrance to the main bends.
- Apart from a few rare sections (4 to be precise), the roads of New Zealand do not have tolls. If you encounter any, they will be marked with “Toll Road” signs. They are far from what we know in France, since these tolls are nothing but large gates under which you pass without even realizing it. These scan your plate, you just have to go to the site https://tollingonline.nzta.govt.nz/#/purchasetrips/prerequisites, enter your license plate and then pay (usually around $2 NZ).
