The best places to visit in New Zealand
The regions worth building a motorhome trip around — what each is like, what to do there, and how it fits with the stops on either side.
North Island
Auckland
Largest North Island depot. Start of every classic North Island loop (Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Tongariro).
See the regionBay of Islands
Subtropical Northland — beaches, dolphins, Waitangi history. 3-4 hours north of Auckland.
See the regionRotorua
Geothermal heartland — geysers, hot pools, Māori cultural experiences. 2.5 hours from Auckland.
See the regionTongariro National Park
Three active volcanoes and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing — NZ's most famous day hike.
See the regionWellington
Capital city and Cook Strait ferry port. The pivot point between islands.
See the regionSouth Island
Christchurch
Largest South Island depot. Best base for Banks Peninsula, Arthur's Pass, Lake Tekapo, and the West Coast.
See the regionQueenstown
Southern Lakes depot. Closest pickup for Milford Sound, Wanaka, Glenorchy, and the Southern Scenic Route.
See the regionPicton
Marlborough Sounds gateway and South Island ferry terminus. First stop after the Interislander.
See the regionNelson
Sunny South Island top — Abel Tasman, Marlborough wine, golden beaches.
See the regionKaikoura
Whale watching and crayfish on the East Coast — between Picton and Christchurch.
See the regionWest Coast
Wild glaciers, rainforest, and pancake rocks. Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Punakaiki.
See the regionLake Tekapo
Turquoise alpine lake under a dark sky reserve. Mid-South Island stargazing.
See the regionMount Cook / Aoraki
NZ's highest peak. Hooker Valley track and Tasman Glacier viewpoint.
See the regionWanaka
Smaller, quieter alternative to Queenstown. Roy's Peak, lone tree, Mt Aspiring National Park.
See the regionMilford Sound
Fiordland's most-photographed fiord. Day cruise or overnight from Te Anau or Queenstown.
See the regionDunedin
Scottish-heritage university city. Otago Peninsula wildlife — penguins, albatross, sea lions.
See the regionWant a route that strings the best places together?
Tell us how long you have and which of these you can't miss. We'll build a motorhome route that connects them without burning your days behind the wheel.