New Zealand 12-Day Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 6 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to New Zealand.

Explore the gorgeous landscapes of New Zealand with these 12-day self-drive itineraries with fun adventures along the way. If you're interested in exploring the North and South Islands, consider something like this comprehensive journey from Auckland to Queenstown, with pit stops to enjoy geothermal wonders in Rotorua and Lake Tekapo's hot springs. For those who'd prefer to explore the North Island thoroughly, consider a road trip like this Auckland to Wellington itinerary, where you can kayak in glowworm caves and hike through the emerald landscapes of Tongariro National Park. Alternatively, adventure seekers might prefer a route like this Otago and Southland itinerary, allowing you to ski at Cardrona Alpine Resort and watch blue penguins on the Oamaru shores.

See more New Zealand Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries.

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Driving towards Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak
Map of New Zealand: Ultimate South Island Road Trip - 12 Days
New Zealand: Ultimate South Island Road Trip - 12 Days

Explore New Zealand's South Island in style on this unforgettable 12-day road trip. Starting and finishing in the alpine adventure capital of Queenstown, this route circumnavigates the Southern Alps as you drive through a land of dramatic peaks, ancient glaciers, and pristine lakes. By day you'll embark on adventurous excursions and discover spectacular scenery, while nights are spent relaxing in a series of luxurious boutique hotels and lodges.

Overlooking Lake Tekapo
Map of New Zealand's North & South Islands: Auckland to Queenstown - 12 Days
New Zealand's North & South Islands: Auckland to Queenstown - 12 Days

Discover a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers on this 12-day tour through New Zealand's North and South Islands. Take a cruise across Auckland's scenic harbors, enter the magical world of Hobbiton, and stand in awe at Rotorua's geysers. Experience the remarkable stillness of Milford Sound, then head into the backcountry to find Lake Tekapo and take a zip line ride over Wanaka before heading back to civilization in the second city of Christchurch.

The Southern Alps overlooking Lake Tekapo
Map of New Zealand's Natural Wonders: Auckland to Queenstown - 12 Days
New Zealand's Natural Wonders: Auckland to Queenstown - 12 Days

Experience what New Zealand is known for—its natural beauty—on this luxurious 12-day road trip. View gulfs and glaciers from seaplanes and helicopters, and breathe in the sulfurous fumes of Hell's Gate Thermal Valley in Rotorua. Hike between towering volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park before soaking in mountain-water hot tubs with nothing but the birds, mountains, and lakes for company. Finish off your stay in one of the world's top lodges overlooking the snowcapped Southern Alps.

Wind through the hills of Rotorua
Map of New Zealand North Island Road Trip: Auckland to Wellington - 12 Days
New Zealand North Island Road Trip: Auckland to Wellington - 12 Days

Journey the length of New Zealand's North Island on this self-drive road trip from Auckland to Wellington. In between kayaking with glowworms, exploring the Pacific "Ring of Fire" in Rotorua, sitting down to a Maori feast, and stepping into the worlds of Middle-earth and Hobbiton, this whimsical 12-day adventure leaves you with plenty of time to relax on the Bay of Islands' beaches and sample some of the country's best pinot noirs.

The Church of the Good Shepherd with the Milky Way in the background.
Map of South Island Self-Drive City & Nature Highlights - 12 Days
South Island Self-Drive City & Nature Highlights - 12 Days

There's no shortage of iconic destinations on New Zealand's South Island, from nature reserves to bustling metropolises. Explore a few of the best spots on this 12-day, self-drive itinerary across the island. Get your fill of cosmopolitan cafés, museums, and architecture in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown, and connect with nature and the boundless night sky at Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, and the Otago Peninsula.

Full moon rising over Soho Basin at Cardrona Alpine Resort at sunrise
Map of South Island Self-Drive Tour & Ski Adventure: Otago & Southland - 12 Days
South Island Self-Drive Tour & Ski Adventure: Otago & Southland - 12 Days

Take to New Zealand's South Island on a road trip from Queenstown, the country's adventure capital. Drive along the rocky bluffs of the Southern Scenic Route, take a pit stop to bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge, and cross the highest sealed road in the country as you make your way around the Otago and Southland regions to the ski field at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

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