New Zealand 20-Day Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 6 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to New Zealand.
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Travel at your own pace as you explore national parks, like Aoraki / Mount Cook
Map of New Zealand Self-Drive Loop in the South Island - 20 Days
New Zealand Self-Drive Loop in the South Island - 20 Days

Spend 20 unforgettable days driving around one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world: New Zealand's South Island. You'll begin the loop in Christchurch, then continue to scenic Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki for stargazing and outdoor adventures. Visit the Scottish-style city of Dunedin before moving on to the island of Te Anau. Enjoy urban sightseeing in adrenaline-fueled Queenstown before exploring glaciers and hot springs on the island's north end to finish the itinerary.

Explore the remote beaches in Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city
Map of New Zealand Outdoor Adventure: Queenstown to Auckland - 20 Days
New Zealand Outdoor Adventure: Queenstown to Auckland - 20 Days

This epic 20-day journey will take you to the best outdoor attractions of New Zealand's South and North Islands. Begin in Queenstown with a scenic dinner cruise and jet-boating and biking excursions. Next is a road trip, where you'll spot wildlife on Stewart Island and kayak at Franz Josef / Waiau Glacier. Switch your car for the scenic TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch to sightsee and swim with dolphins. Then fly to Rotorua to relax in thermal hot springs before finishing in Auckland with a full-day tour.

Discover geothermal landscapes in Rotorua
Map of Self-Drive & Discover New Zealand’s Landscapes: Winelands, Glaciers, Fjords & Geothermal Wonders - 20 Days
Self-Drive & Discover New Zealand’s Landscapes: Winelands, Glaciers, Fjords & Geothermal Wonders - 20 Days

Explore New Zealand's diverse landscapes on this 20-day tour. Start on the North Island, where the lush vineyards of Waiheke and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua await. Wander Hawke's Bay's beaches and spot kiwi birds at Zealandia before sailing to the South Island. Here, you'll discover the mighty Tasman and Franz Josef glaciers by helicopter and boat, then cruise UNESCO-listed Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. End with a ride on the TranzAlpine, one of the world's most spectacular railway journeys.

Enjoy free time to make detours to places like the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki
Map of New Zealand South Island Road Trip: Christchurch to Dunedin - 20 Days
New Zealand South Island Road Trip: Christchurch to Dunedin - 20 Days

This fast-paced 20-day road trip takes you through the best of New Zealand's South Island for travelers who want to see it all. Tram through Christchurch, relax at a spa in Hanmer Springs, explore the Marlborough wine region, and kayak in Abel Tasman National Park. Then enjoy some trekking at Franz Josef / Waiau Glacier, go skydiving in Wānaka, and try out bungee jumping in Queenstown. You'll also visit Stewart Island, Dunedin, and the Otago Peninsula, before returning to Queenstown.

Spot whales off New Zealand's East Coast in Kaikoura
Map of Auckland to Christchurch Road Trip: Food, Wine & Nature Trail - 20 Days
Auckland to Christchurch Road Trip: Food, Wine & Nature Trail - 20 Days

Get a taste of New Zealand's rich food, wine, and natural wonders on this 20-day adventure. Travel from Auckland to Christchurch, stopping to enjoy food tours and cooking classes, feast on barbecue at a Queenstown farm, and visit Kumeu's world-famous vineyards. Natural highlights include captivating glowworm caves, Rotorua's geothermal landscapes, and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. You'll also take an overnight cruise across the serene waters of Doubtful Sound.

Enjoy a mix of guided excursions and free time to choose your own hiking adventures
Map of Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip & Tekapo Trek - 20 Days
Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip & Tekapo Trek - 20 Days

From glaciers and natural pools to kayaking and whale watching, this epic 20-day road trip through New Zealand has something for everyone. Discover the country's best from north to south, beginning in Auckland and finishing on the island of Te Anau. Highlights along the journey include wineries, wildlife tours, a three-day mountain trek, glowworm caves, lake and fjord cruises, stargazing excursions, and so much more!

Other durations: 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days · 17 days · 19 days · 20 days · 21 days