New Zealand 9-Day Self-Drive Tours & Itineraries

Explore 4 self-drive trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to New Zealand.
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Cape Reinga in New Zealand's Bay of Islands
Map of Unwind in New Zealand's Winterless North - 9 Days
Unwind in New Zealand's Winterless North - 9 Days

Experience the best of New Zealand's North Island, known for its rich Maori culture, subtropical beaches, and buzzing city life. Launch your nine-day tour in Auckland with a bungee jump off the Sky Tower and a dinner cruise around its twinkling harbor. Then road trip your way north to the tropical paradise of the Bay of Islands to discover pristine beaches, charming coastal towns, and the magical Waipoua Forest.

A winding road in the Marlborough Sounds
Map of New Zealand Ultimate North to South Island Road Trip - 9 Days
New Zealand Ultimate North to South Island Road Trip - 9 Days

Brimming with adventure, spectacular nature, and lively cities, this nine-day road trip dives into the best of New Zealand's North and South Islands. Visit cosmopolitan Auckland and sample Waiheke Island's best beaches and wineries, then head to Rotorua for thrill-seeking activities, Maori villages, and natural hot springs. After a breathtaking ferry ride across Marlborough Sounds, your trip ends with whale watching and a scenic drive along the Kaikoura Coast to Christchurch.

Maori house in Rotorua
Map of New Zealand North Island Explorer - 9 Days
New Zealand North Island Explorer - 9 Days

Ideal for adventure lovers and active travelers, this nine-day, self-drive itinerary features the best of New Zealand's North Island. Board an ocean safari for dolphin watching in the Bay of Islands, explore New Zealand's rich Maori history, and experience the mighty power of the Pacific Ocean at Cape Reinga. After beachcombing and snorkeling time at Snells Beach, head inland to Rotorua for rejuvenating geothermal pools, a Maori cultural dinner, and sparkling glowworm caves.

Head north to see the white-sand beaches of Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula
Map of New Zealand Active North Island Road Trip: Auckland, Coromandel & Rotorua - 9 Days
New Zealand Active North Island Road Trip: Auckland, Coromandel & Rotorua - 9 Days

Nine days is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the North Island's cities, beaches, and geothermal wonders. This adventurous and active itinerary starts in Auckland, with dinner atop the Sky Tower and a whale and dolphin watching cruise. Then, start your road trip north to the Coromandel Peninsula, where you'll dig holes at the beach to reach a hot spring and go sea kayaking around Cathedral Cove. End with a scenic drive south to Rotorua, famous for its volcanic activity and Maori culture.

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