Guide to Road Trips in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the best countries in the world to enjoy a road trip. After all, what could be better than driving through breathtaking landscapes that have changed little in millions of years?

However, before you jump in the car and hit the open road, there are some things you should do to prepare yourself for the adventure. This ultimate guide to road trips in New Zealand tells you everything you need to know to make your travel experiences as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

1. Hire a vehicle or get yours serviced

You can’t do a road trip if you don’t have a vehicle. So, one of the first things you will need to do if you are a tourist is to hire one, which you can do from Go Rentals' car rentals in New Zealand.

Depending on where you intend to visit, it is a good idea to book a 4WD, as this type of vehicle will help you go off-road and better navigate any challenging road conditions you might encounter.

If you own a vehicle, consider servicing it before you set off. That way, you will have the confidence and peace of mind of knowing that it should last the journey. The last thing you’ll want is for it to conk out halfway through your trip.

2. Decide where you want to go

With the car sorted, you can devise a road trip itinerary. By definition, traditional road trips involve the unknown. You just get in the car and drive where the mood takes you. But in a country like New Zealand, with notable landmarks and highlights, it would pay to have at least a basic outline of where you want to go.

This will depend on your starting point and the time you have available. However, you must decide whether to visit the North or South Island.

There is plenty to see in either destination, so this isn’t an easy choice. For instance, on the North Island, you can check out the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Napier, Cape Reinga, Wellington, and Taupo. While in the South Island, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fiordland, Christchurch, Mount Cook National Park, and Milford Sound can all be considered ‘must-visits’.

When drawing up your itinerary, it is worth taking a less is more, qualitative over quantitative sightseeing experience. Also, remember the time it will take to get from one destination to another.

3. Make sure you know the road rules

If you live in New Zealand, you’ll already know the country's road rules. But if you don’t, you should familiarise yourself with them because they can be very different from what you are used to back home.

For example, the national speed limit on most main rural highways is 100 km/h, which differs from the 105 km/h (65 mph) and 112 km/h (70 mph) you might use in the USA and UK, respectively. They also drive on the left-hand side of the road in New Zealand, which could be challenging for those visiting from the USA or many parts of Europe where they drive on the right.

4. Pack for all weather conditions

New Zealand's weather can change very quickly, so when you're on your road trip, you’ll want to make sure you have easy access to the most suitable clothing for the conditions.

Therefore, it's a good idea to bring clothes you can wear in layers. If you plan to hike, you’ll also need some decent footwear. Other things you should bring with you are a first aid kit, food and water, a blanket, and a phone. It is worth getting a local SIM card in case you need to make calls.

5. Pre-book Overnight Accommodation

When road-tripping, you must decide whether to camp or get a hotel in New Zealand. If you choose the hotel, you are well advised to pre-book overnight accommodation.

The last thing you will want to do is drive around as darkness falls, desperately trying to find somewhere to stay for the night or being forced to pay inflated prices.

Thankfully, pre-booking your accommodation is easy online through sites like booking.com, and you can do this at most places you go. There are plenty of hotels, hostels, guest houses, and holiday rentals.

For those who prefer to camp, apps like CamperMate and Rankers NZ will help you find the nearest available sites. Whenever you do pre-book accommodation, look for somewhere that offers free cancellation. That way, you have the peace of mind of knowing you have somewhere to sleep in the evening but still have a degree of flexibility to go elsewhere.

6. Download other travel-related apps

Talking of apps, there are a few other ones you should download onto your phone before setting off on your trip. One of the best is the Met Service NZ Weather, which can advise on the current forecast and the possibility of impending snow, storms, or hail.

It is also worth downloading Gaspy, which will tell you where the nearest petrol station is, and ChargeNet, which will do the same for EVs.

Toilet Finder and The Coffee App are other useful apps for your device, while GrabOne Discount NZ can help you save money on goods and services at several places. Talking of saving money. Here are some other travel hacks you can employ to do that.

6 Tips for Going on a Road Trip in New Zealand