Planning a month in New Zealand by campervan? We break down the ultimate 4-week road trip covering the best of both islands — from Northland beaches to Fiordland fjords.
Throughout our one month New Zealand itinerary we have included recommendations on where to park up for the night, attractions to see and where to eat.
Tips:
If you are looking for somewhere on the road make sure you download the CamperMate app. Look at purchasing a Department of Conservation campsite pass, which allows access to many paid campsites across New Zealand and can be purchased in weekly blocks. Please note this pass is only valid at Department of Conservation sites.
Day 1 - 2: Auckland and Warkworth
Let's kick off in Auckland, our largest city. Arrive at Auckland Airport, make your way to our Auckland base to collect your Cruzen Camper, then head to the open road. Our first stop is the beautiful region of Warkworth, roughly 1 hour north of Auckland, made up of Matakana, Goat Island, Tawharanui and Omaha. Stop in Tawharanui Regional Park overnight, discover the markets at Matakana, enjoy the many coastal walks and snorkel the gorgeous Goat Island Marine Reserve, and dont forget the Leigh fish and chip store for your first Kiwi meal.
Day 2 - 3: Goat Island, Whangarei and Tutukaka
Get to Goat Island in the morning and hire a clear bottom kayak. Snorkel around Goat Island or book a dive. In the afternoon continue north to Whangarei, the biggest city north of Auckland and a great place to pick up supplies. Visit the 26m Whangarei Falls, climb Mt Manaia for spectacular views, or head to Tutukaka to snorkel or dive at the Poor Knights Islands - one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.
Day 3 - 4: Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is made up of three towns: Russell, Paihia and Waitangi. Waitangi is home to New Zealands Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840 between the British Crown and Maori chiefs. There is plenty of history to discover, as well as the Hole in the Rock, wild dolphins, untouched beaches and magical blue ocean. Easily spend a couple of nights here.
Day 4 - 5: Cape Reinga
Make your way to the furthest northern point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. On the way stop at Kerikeri and the Rainbow Waterfall, and the Karikari Peninsula, home of Puheke Beach. Welcome to the northern tip where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide.
Day 5 - 6: Ninety Mile Beach, Sand Dunes and Tane Mahuta
Leave Cape Reinga and stop at Ninety Mile Beach, famous for fishing and the Giant Sand Dunes of Te Paki - grab a boogie board for the dunes. A little over three hours on is Tane Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in New Zealand, estimated to be 1,250 to 2,500 years old. Stretch your legs in the Kauri Forest before heading to Mangawhai Heads or Wellsford for the night, or stop at Kai Iwi Lakes.
Day 6 - 8: Auckland - Piha and Waiheke Island
Head to Piha on Auckland's rugged west coast, a popular surf spot only 45 minutes from the city, where the beaches are black volcanic sand. Or grab the car ferry from Auckland City to Waiheke Island, our island of chill vibes and wine, with plenty of beaches and vineyards to discover. In Auckland itself, visit the Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery or Museum, or climb Rangitoto Island.
Day 8 - 9: Coromandel - Hot Water Beach and Whitianga
Head towards the Coromandel and down the east coast. Visit New Chums Beach near Whangapoua, then Whitianga, the largest town in the Coromandel. At Hot Water Beach, dig your own spa pool in the sand at low tide. Nearby Cathedral Cove — reachable by water taxi or kayak, and on foot when the track is open — is a white sand beach with a beautiful cathedral-like arch.
Day 9 - 10: Whangamata, Tauranga and Mt Maunganui
Whangamata is a popular summer holiday destination. Visit Whenuakura (Donut Island) by kayak or paddleboard. Then head to Mt Maunganui, the beach town near Tauranga, and climb the extinct volcano for 360-degree views of the Bay of Plenty.
Day 10 - 12: Ohope, East Cape and Gisborne
Te Araroa and East Cape is the most eastern point of New Zealand, home to New Zealands oldest Pohutukawa tree and the East Cape lighthouse. Break the journey at Ohope Beach. Visit where the Rocket launchs at Mahia Peninsula. Gisborne, affectionately known as Gizzy, has beautiful white sand surf beaches and is the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day. Check out the Rere Waterfall, a natural rock waterslide.
Day 12 - 14: Napier, Hastings, Castlepoint and Wellington
Make your way to the Hawkes Bay region. Napier is known for its art deco architecture - do an art deco tour, visit Napier Prison, go on a wine tour or climb Te Mata Peak. Continue to Castlepoint Lighthouse, then on to Wellington to catch the Interislander ferry to Picton. The ferry crossing takes around three hours through the Marlborough Sounds.
Day 14 - 16: Marlborough Sounds, Nelson and Abel Tasman
Picton and Nelson sit on the Marlborough Sounds, with wineries, kayaking, walking and cycling. Take your pick of the short walks on the Queen Charlotte Track, then head to Abel Tasman National Park, stopping at Split Apple Rock. Stay at Totaranui Campground - a great base for the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Visit the Te Waikoropupu Springs and Wharariki Beach.
Day 16 - 18: Westport, Greymouth and the Glaciers
On the way to Westport, see the Buller Gorge swing bridge and the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Stop at Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) on the way to Greymouth, an old gold mining town now known for pounamu (greenstone). Continue down the coast to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Across the Alps stands Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain at 3,724m
Day 18 - 20: Haast, Wanaka and Queenstown
Head through Haast to the Blue Pools on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. Stop in Wanaka to see the Wanaka Tree and Roys Peak. Then on to Queenstown, New Zealands adventure capital, on the edge of Lake Wakatipu - home of the famous Ferg Burger, the Nevis Bungy, the Skyline luge and the Shotover Jet.
Day 20 - 21: Milford Sound
Drive from Queenstown to Te Anau on the edge of Fiordland National Park, then along the Milford Road to Milford Sound. Spend the night and take a cruise or kayak through one of the most spectacular fiords in the world. Epic multi-day hikes here include the Milford Track and the Routeburn Track.
Day 21 - 22: Invercargill and Bluff
Head through Invercargill towards Bluff, at the bottom of mainland New Zealand, well known for its oysters. When in Rome - give the oysters a go and take a selfie at the Stirling Point sign.
Day 22 - 23: Dunedin and Oamaru
Make your way up the east coast of the South Island. Dunedin is home to Larnach Castle (New Zealand's only castle) and the famously steep Baldwin Street. Stop at the Moeraki Boulders before heading to Oamaru, known for its blue penguins.
Day 23 - 25: Twizel, Lake Tekapo and Christchurch
Head through Twizel towards Lake Tekapo to see the Church of the Good Shepherd and the glacier-fed lakes, before continuing to Christchurch. Day trip to Arthurs Pass and Castle Hill, or take the Christchurch Gondola up Mt Cavendish.
Day 25 - 26: Kaikoura and Blenheim
Head up the coast along the Alpine Pacific Touring Route. Kaikoura is the best place in New Zealand to see whales, and you can swim with dolphins or soak in the Hanmer Springs hot pools. Continue to Blenheim, the heart of Marlborough wine country, or catch the ferry back to Wellington.
Day 26 - 28: Wellington and Taranaki
Explore Wellington - Te Papa Museum, the Wellington Cable Car, Weta Cave, Mt Victoria and Cuba Street. Then head to Taranaki along the famous Surf Highway. Mount Taranaki is where The Last Samurai was filmed.
Day 28 - 30: Taupo and Rotorua
Lake Taupo is New Zealands own supervolcano. Relax in the hot springs, then visit Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon. Rotorua is the Maori cultural hub - visit geysers and mud pools, experience a hangi and Maori performance, see a kiwi at Rainbow Springs, or ride the Skyline luge.
Day 30 - 31: Hobbiton, Raglan and Auckland
No trip is complete without visiting Hobbiton near Matamata to discover the world of The Lord of the Rings. Then either visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, or head to Raglan for one last surf on the black sand, before returning to Auckland Airport.
You made it! We hope you have enjoyed your New Zealand adventure - you have packed a lot into one month. If you are still looking for the perfect camper for your trip, be sure to check out our fleet.