Aotearoa

Kilometres
0 30 60 90 120 150 180

0 20 40 60 80 180
Miles

Cape Reinga

Te Kao
newzealand.com 1

Karikari Peninsula
Mangonui
Kaitaia
10

Ahipara 1
Kerikeri
Paihia
11

Kawakawa
Opononi
12 1
Poor Knights Island

12 Whangarei
Kaihu 14

Dargaville

Many destinations in New Zealand are just hours from each other. 12
Mangawhai Heads
An extensive network of air, train and road services mean most
Great Barrier
places can be reached by public transport. Buses and coaches Island
link up with rail and ferry operators to take you the length of the Warkworth
country, and air travel is also available to most destinations.
1

16

Whangaparaoa
There are several popular driving routes for visitors who want 17
Coromandel
to explore the country for themselves. These themed highways 18

around New Zealand take in the main highlights but also help AUCKLAND Whitianga
uncover some of the lesser known gems. Most of these highways
25

are signposted but detours are encouraged along the way and Papakura
combining a few routes will ensure a varied experience. Thames
25A
22

Pukekohe
Waiuku 2 26
Whangamata
25
1

THEMED HIGHWAYS - NORTH ISLAND 27

Katikati White Island

 Twin Coast Discovery Highway: Recommend 6 Days
Waihau Bay Hicks Bay
This route begins in Auckland and travels north, tracing both coasts to NORTH ISLAND / TE IKA-A-MĀUI HAMILTON
1B
26
Tauranga
35

Te Araroa
Cape Reinga and back. Driving is easy and interesting. Highlights include a 23
Matamata 29 Te Kaha
24

procession of beautiful beaches, opportunities for fishing, surfing, diving 1

Cambridge
Whakatāne
36
2
39 33
28

and dolphin encounters; cultural experiences at Waitangi; Te Awamutu 34

Ruatoria
5

Forest hikes and craft shopping. 31

Lake 30 Opotiki
3
Rotorua Rotorua Kawerau Te Puia Springs
 Pacific Coast Highway: Recommend 7 Days Tokoroa Tokomaru Bay
Linking the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Eastland with Auckland in the Waitomo 32 30

north and Hawke’s Bay in the south, the Pacific Coast Highway takes you Te Kuiti
38

to spectacular coastal scenery and beaches, forest wilderness and grape

30 30
Tolaga Bay
3
Murupara Te Urewera Te Karaka
growing districts. This route should go down the Pōhutakawa Coast, 5 35
1

through Clevedon and around the Firth of Thames. The cities of Tauranga, Mokau
4 Wairakei Taupō
Manutuke Gisborne
32

Gisborne, Napier and Hastings will satisfy your urge to wine, dine and shop.
TaumarunuiLake
 Thermal Explorer Highway: Recommend 6 days 3
41
Taupō 5
Tuai 2
38

This route runs between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, travelling through the New Plymouth Turangi
volcanic centre of the island. You’ll have the chance to discover the caves Oakura 3A 4 Wairoa Nuhaka
Inglewood 46

around Waitomo in the Hamilton & Waikato region, geothermal areas in National Park
47 2

3 43 Mahia Beach
Rotorua and Lake Taupō, the amazing Tongariro National Park and Hawke’s
Stratford
Bay Wine Country. Expect equal quantities of relaxation and adventure. 45
Ohakune
5
Portland Island
Opunake Raetihi Waiouru
When combined, the Pacific Coast Highway and Thermal Explorer are 49

known as The Great New Zealand Touring Route. Hawera 1 Napier

Hastings Te Awanga
4

 F orgotten World Highway: Recommend 2 Days Taihape

The 150km Forgotten World Highway (State Highway 43) is a memorable Patea 3
50
2

driving journey through stunningly scenic untouched landscapes. Following

ancient Māori trade routes and 19th century bridle paths, the highway Whanganui 3
Waipawa
connects Taumarunui to Stratford. The route wriggles its way over four 1
54
Waipukurau
mountain saddles, through an eerie one-way tunnel and along a sinuous Bulls
Feilding 2

river gorge, passing through the unique Republic of Whangamomona. Gardens Dannevirke
Palmerston North Porangahau
  olcanic Loop: Recommend 5 Days
V
3
57

From the trout town of Turangi, you can circle the volcanoes of Tongariro
56

National Park by following state highways 47, 4, 49 and 1. On a clear day,

you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the volcanic terrain Collingwood
Levin
that surrounds them. The stretch known as the ‘Desert Road’, which cuts
1

Otaki
Takaka
2

across the desolate Rangipo Desert, is particularly memorable.

Paraparaumu Castlepoint
  urf Highway 45: Recommend 2 Days
S 60 Kaiteriteri Upper Hutt Masterton
The 105km highway that traces the Taranaki coast is known as Surf
Motueka Porirua
Highway 45 for the countless surf breaks that can be found at the end of
58

Karamea Lower 53
Martinborough
almost every road that leads to the coast. The top spots have fascinating NelsonHavelockPicton Hutt
names - the Kumara Patch, Graveyards, Secret Spot, and Green Meadows Richmond
WELLINGTON
6

to mention a few, and they are handily punctuated by cosy cafés feeding 1

Renwick Blenheim
surfers and adventurers alike. 6

  anawatu Scenic Route: Recommend 2 Days

M
63
Cape Palliser
Westport
67

A scenic alternative to State Highway One, this route takes you on journeys Rotoroa
between the highways through rural landscapes. Discover hidden places 6 Murchison St Arnaud Ward THEMED HIGHWAYS - SOUTH ISLAND
Charleston
and tucked away treasures ranging from country cafés and pubs; heritage 69
  lpine Pacific Touring Route: Recommend 4 Days
A
sites, galleries and gardens, to scenic reserves, day walks, swimming 65 1 The Alpine Pacific Touring Route takes you to the wine and food experiences
holes, glow-worm caves, picnic areas, and camping spots. Meet the locals Punakaiki Reefton
of Waipara, the spa delights of Hanmer Springs and the marine mammal
and enjoy world-class scenery from the roadside.
7

encounters of Kaikoura. Between destinations, you’ll enjoy beautiful

  lassic New Zealand Wine Trail: Recommend 7 Days
C Kaikoura country scenery.
Weaving through three major wine regions, the Classic New Zealand Wine Greymouth 7
 T he Inland Scenic 72 Route: Recommend 4 Days
Trail serves up unforgettable wine and food experiences along the 380km Moana Springs
The perfect road journey for travellers who like to get off the main highways
route, spanning the North and South Islands. This self-guided drive takes and find real rural life. The route starts at Amberley, in the north of the
Hokitika
70

visitors through Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Marlborough, home to 73

Culverden Canterbury region, and runs to Winchester, where it links to State Highway
some 230 wineries. At the heart of the trail lies Wellington, New Zealand’s 7 Cheviot 1. There are fabulous views of the Southern Alps on one side of the road,
capital, the perfect place for a culinary and cultural stopover. Arthur’s Pass 1 complemented by the green serenity of the Canterbury Plains on the other.
6

The Great Alpine Highway: Recommend 2 Days

Harihari Amberley This coast-to-coast route traverses the Southern Alps. From Christchurch,
Okarito Castle Hill
Whataroa 73
Rangiora the 255-kilometre route follows State Highway 73 west across river plains
Franz Josef Glacier Kaiapoi before rising to traverse through Porters Pass and Arthur’s Pass National
Darfield Park. Highlights include the impressive Waimakariri and Otira River gorges,
Fox Glacier CHRISTCHURCH driving along the Otira Viaduct and exploring natural wonders like the
6
Rolleston
Methven Castle Hill Rocks and Cave Stream Reserve.
Aoraki/ Mt Somers 77 1

Mount Cook 75  Great Coast Road: Recommend 3 Days

The Great Coast Road stretches from Westport down to Kumara. It
Haast Ashburton
meanders alongside the ancient limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park,
Jackson Bay Lake
80
Pukaki Tekapo Geraldine where the world’s smallest penguin resides, through Charleston and down
to Punakaiki, home to the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Driving it
79
8

in one go only takes about 90 minutes, but it’s best to slow down, enjoy the
6

Temuka
8

Twizel SOUTH ISLAND / TE WAIPOUNAMU ride and explore some of New Zealand’s small towns.
1
Timaru   lacier Highway: Recommend 4 Days
G
Lake
Wanaka Lake Omarama The Glacier Highway hugs the coastline from Kumara, through Hokitika and
Hawea 8

all the way down to Glacier Country. This 300-

83

Otematata
Wanaka Kurow Waimate kilometre journey is surrounded with dense coastal scrub and West Coast
Milford Sound
rainforest, making it one of New Zealand’s most scenic routes. It passes
82
8A

Glenorchy Duntroon
Cardrona 83
Glenavy through a national park, seal colonies, beaches, lakes, and as its namesake
Arrowtown 6
Naseby states, mighty glaciers.
Queenstown
94
Cromwell
85

Ranfurly Oamaru  Southern Scenic Route: Recommend 7 Days

Lake 8
Wakatipu Ophir Starting in the historic city of Dunedin, this route follows the wild southern
Alexandra 85
coast to Invercargill, then continues west and north to Te Anau before
Moeraki
Te Anau
Lake
Te Anau
Middlemarch
1
DRIVE TIMES (hours) ending at Queenstown. Highlights include wildlife encounters along The
Catlins coast, the classic motors of Invercargill, cruising Fiordland, walking
Athol Palmerston
95 Roxburgh 87 the Milford Track and the southern local delicacies found throughout.
Manapouri 94 6
Whangarei Westport
OTHER SCENIC ROUTES
97

Mossburn
Lumsden Wellington Wanaka

Riversdale
94
8

Tapanui Mosgiel DUNEDIN Whitianga Te Anau These routes are not specifically signposted but are still popular routes to
90
reach some of New Zealand’s famous landmarks.
Whanganui Queenstown
1

Milton  T reasured Pathway: Recommend 5 Days

Winton Gore
96
1

Tuatapere Mataura 96 93 Balclutha Thames Picton Enjoy a mix of history, hiking and hedonism as you discover heritage sites,
6
99
Edendale vineyards, national parks and fabulous beaches. The Treasured Pathway
Riverton 98 Kaka Point Tauranga Nelson runs across the top of the South Island, from the seaport town of Picton to
Invercargill Owaka
the sand dunes of Farewell Spit. The city of Nelson provides a dash of urban
Taupo Aoraki / Mt Cook
fun in the middle of the journey.
1

Bluff Rotorua Milford Sound  Southern Heritage Route: Recommend 7 Days

Palmerston North Invercargill Head inland to Mount Hutt ski field, then travel south to Geraldine, pausing
at Lake Tekapo to see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue
Ulva Island New Plymouth Haast through Twizel, then on to Mount Cook Village for alpine adventures.
Stewart Island Drive on to Wanaka or Queenstown, then loop back to see the heritage
Napier Greymouth
architecture of Dunedin.
Taukihepa/
Big South Cape
Island Port Pegasus/
Pikihatiti
Kaitaia Franz Josef

Hamilton Dunedin 1 State Highway

Gisborne Christchurch
Main Road
STEWART ISLAND / RAKIURA Railway
Auckland Blenheim Ferry Route