27 Day North and South Islands Motorhome Tour

Ask our expert Chris Hawkins about the 27 Day North and South Islands Motorhome Tour

Day 1: Auckland
Arrival at Auckland Airport. You’ll take a taxi to the Campervan office. Hand over of the 2WD camper, the travel manual and documents. We recommend staying
for the first night in Auckland.
* Orewa Holiday Park

Day 2: Auckland - Waipoua Forest
Approximate driving time 6.5h, 316 km
You leave Auckland. The first destination is Muriwai Beach and Gannet Colony. Visit the
unique Kauri Museum in Matakohe to be prepared for the Waipoua Forest where you stay
overnight.
*Kauri Coast Holiday Park

Day 3: Waipoua Forest – Hokianga Harbour – Kaitaia - Ninety Mile Beach
Approximate driving time 5h, 160 km
Visit the tallest and oldest Kauri Tree in New Zealand before you take the car ferry from
Rawene across the Hokianga Harbour. If you wish you can drive to Cape Reinga, the most
northern point of New Zealand.
* Ninety Mile Beach/Waipapakauri

Day 4: Ninety Mile Beach – Doubtless Bay - Bay Of Islands
Approximate driving time 4h, 155 km
On your way to the Bay of Islands you will pass beautiful sandy beaches and small fishing
villages. Make a stop in Kerikeri and visit the historic Stone House at the river before you
reach the famous Bay of Islands where you stay for the next two nights in historic Russell.
*Russell Holiday Park

Day 5: Bay Of Islands
There is a lot to do in the Bay of Island. Go swim with dolphins, take a boat trip to the Hole in
the Rock, go fishing or sailing or relax on a beach near Russell. Pay a visit the historic Treaty
House in Waitangi.

Day 6: Bay of Islands – Whangarei – Pakiri Beach
Approximate driving time 5h, 200 km
You head south again along the east coast; past lovely beaches and bays as you head back
towards Auckland. Our suggested overnight stay campground is directly on a kilometre long
beach, not far away from a Goat Island Marine Reserve. Take a diving mask and watch the
fish in the sea.
* Pakiri Beach Holiday Park

Day 7: Pakiri Beach – Auckland - Coromandel Peninsula – Whitianga
Approximate driving time 3.5h, 230 km
Travel along the western shores of Coromandel Peninsula until you reach the turn-off to the
Rapaura Water Gardens. After you cross the peninsula you arrive in Whitianga, a little fishing
resort on the eastern shores. From here it is not far to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
Take a walk to Cathedral Cove and enjoy the clear water and the incredible shaped rock
formations. Dig yourself a thermal pool at Hot Water Beach.
* Harbourside Holiday Park

Day 8: Whitianga – Rotorua
Approximate driving time 3.5h, 237 km
Today you travel to the centre of Maori culture and thermal activities. Visit Whakarewarewa
village, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its gushing geysers and
bubbling mud pools, interesting Maori carvings and a Kiwi House. Acquaint yourself with the
Maori culture by visiting the historical sights. Enjoy a Maori Hangi & Cultural Show, a feast
which will introduce typical Maori cuisine to you.
* Cosy Cottage Holiday Park

Day 9: Rotorua
Visit some of the many natural wonders of this unique area. Take time for the agricultural
show and visit one of the many lakes and forests the region has to offer.
How about a helicopter ride to White Island or Mt Tarawera, the Grand Canyon of New
Zealand? Soak in one of the many thermal pools in the evening.

Day 10: Rotorua – Taupo – Tongariro National Park
Approximate driving time 4h, 220 km
You pass Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and can even visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley on
your way to Taupo. Lake Taupo has many attractions and on a clear day a fantastic view to
the volcanoes. The active volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park change the countryside
all the time and make this park one of the most spectacular and interesting in New Zealand.
Your first night here gives you a chance to do some Kiwi spotting in the wild (season is from
November to March).
* Whakapapa Holiday Park

Day 11: Tongariro National Park – Taranaki National Park
Approximate driving time 5 h, 270 km
On the gravel road of the Forgotten World Highway you will make your way to the city of New
Plymouth. You will get a good view of Mount Taranaki, which was the background for the
movie The Last Samurai. Take an evening stroll along the beach at New Plymouth.
* Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park

Day 12: Taranaki National Park
New Plymouth is famous for its beautiful parks. But the big attraction is Mt. Taranaki. Take a
walk from one of the visitor centres at the mountain. Beaches and bays along the highway
are popular with surfers.

Day 13: Taranaki National Park - Wellington
Approximate driving time 6 h, 355 km
The contrast from the National Park to today’s destination is a dramatic. Drive along the
Kapiti Coast to Wellington the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is a vibrant city and a visit
to the new exciting National Museum Te Papa is a must. Stroll along Cuba Street in the
evening and have a meal at Courtney Place.
 * Hutt Park

Day 14: Wellington – Picton – Abel Tasman National Park
Approximate driving time incl. ferry 6.5h, 180 km
You take your motorhome on the ferry to the South Island. The journey takes you through
picturesque Marlborough Sound to Picton. From there you drive on the Queen Charlotte
Drive along the bays and beaches of the Marlborough Sound. Enjoy sunny Nelson, with its
local art scene before you continue to Marahau in Abel Tasman National Park.
* Marahau Beach Camp

Day 15: Abel Tasman National Park
The park offers a wide array of activities and plenty of walks. You can take a water taxi to
one of the bays and walk back to another bay where you can catch the boat back. Or just
walk from your accommodation to the next bay or take a kayak along the coast on your own
or with a group. Or simply relax on the golden sands of Kaiteriteri beach.

Day 16: Abel Tasman National Park – Hanmer Springs
Approximate driving time 6h, 350 km
After a relatively short drive you arrive in Nelson Lakes National Park. A special track with
some river crossings takes you from St. Arnaud to Murchison. After lunch return to the
Hinterland. Travel on remote gravel roads through dense beech forest and cross the main
divide via the Lewis Pass before civilization catches up with you again in Hanmer Springs.
Relax in the thermal pools under the sky or take a walk, bike or a bungy jump.
* Mountain View Holiday Park

Day 17: Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura
Approximate driving time 2.5h, 127 km
Kaikoura lies beautifully at the sea with snow capped mountains in the background. Here you
can swim with dolphins and seals and watching whales in their natural environment. Try
some of the local seafood specialities like lobster and crayfish.
* Kaikoura Holiday Park

Day 18: Kaikoura – Canterbury
Approximate driving time 4h, 250 km
Spend the morning in Kaikoura and take the opportunity to swim with dolphins or drive inland
to Methven. This area is especially well known for the salmon and trout fishing
* Methven Camping Ground

Day 19: Canterbury - Lake Tekapo – Mt Cook
Approximate driving time 5h, 330 km
Today you drive back to the centre of the South Island. You pass the Canterbury Plains and
reach the Southern Alps. Driving over a pass, you will reach McKenzie Country and the
turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo. Take a scenic flight over Mt. Cook, the highest mountain of
New Zealand. Today’s destination is Glentanner near Mt Cook.
* Glentanner Park

Day 20: Mt. Cook - Central Otago – Queenstown
Approximate driving time 4.5h, 330 km
You drive through the vast of Central Otago under the big sky. This region was once the
centre of the gold rush and you will see reminders of the glorious past along the way. In the
evening you arrive in Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of New Zealand, where you stay
for 3 nights.
* Creekside Holiday Park

Day 21-22: Queenstown – Doubtful Sound / Milford Sound
You have the choice of driving via the Homer Tunnel to the famous Milford Sound or book a
Doubtful Sound excursion. Enjoy all Queenstown has to offer, like the jetboating, rafting on
the Shotover River, bungy jumping, hiking, walking, golfing - the possibilities are countless!
* Creekside Campervan Park

Day 23: Queenstown – Wanaka - Haast
Approximate driving time 6h, 275 km
You drive across the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest official pass, past the popular
Cardrona ski field to Wanaka. Continue across the Haast Pass, past little rivers and
waterfalls with some interesting walks. You will stay overnight on the West Coast. Take an
eco-friendly jet boat ride up the Waiatoto River and experience the awesome nature of Mount
Aspiring National Park first hand.
* Haast Beach Holiday Park

Day 24: Haast - Westland National Park/Fox Glacier
Approximate driving time 2h, 120 km
You will be impressed by the breathtaking beauty of the West Coast. This is the wildest part
of the country and the combination of high mountains, glaciers, rainforest and the pounding
sea is unique in the world. The well marked highlights along the coast are well worth
stopping for. We recommend a walk to Monro Beach from Lake Moeraki where you might be
lucky to see some penguins (seasonal) or you could take a walk around Lake Matheson.
Sightseeing flights over the glaciers with glacier landing are offered too.
* Fox Glacier Holiday Park

Day 25: Fox Glacier – Franz Josef - Greymouth
Approximate driving time 3h, 194 km
A side trip north of Franz Josef takes you to Okarito Lagoon, a very special place by the
coast. Explore the lagoon by kayak or boat and watch the bird life. Be captured by the beauty
of this special place. Drive to Hokitika or Greymouth and visit a jade factory. Today’s
destination is Greymouth.
* Greymouth Seaside Holiday Park

Day 26: Hokitika/Greymouth – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch
Approximate driving time 4.5h, 260 km
Depending on your flight departure you have the choice of either traveling further north to
visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks or driving via Lake Brunner to Arthur's Pass. This is your last
crossing of the Alps and the road follows the famous Tranzalpine rail track to Christchurch
where your tour ends.
* Amber Holiday Park

Day 27: Christchurch
Vehicle drop off. Departure.

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