For our honeymoon, SGDF and I decided to do a 2-week road trip in a campervan (ok…we caved and booked some hotels and B&Bs along the way) across NZ. The adventure exceeded our expectations and we cannot thank enough all the friends who sent us their recommendations and guides. The post below is a summarized version of where we went. You can check out North Island details and itinerary for more information. For those planning a NZ trip, it really is incredible and I hope you find this guide helpful (reach out if you have any questions)!

General Tips for a NZ Road Trip 

• Summer Weather: Although it was summer when we went during Christmas, there were some cool and rainy days so pack rain attire and layers just in case.
• What we packed: Daypacks for hiking, converters, car phone holder for driving (super useful), hiking boots, rain jacket, layers, including long sleeves and pants, workout gear, a couple of nicer outfits, and the essentials (e.g., socks, toiletries, pjs). We bought the heavier items such as sunscreen and bug spray there and tried to pack light since we were in a campervan.
• Driving: If you are used to driving on the right-side of the road, then it does take some time to get used to driving on the other side and in the car (e.g., steering wheel and turn signal switch are on the opposite side of the car). We decided to get an automatic car based on friends’ recommendations. If you are a US driver, then the other thing to get used to are the roundabouts. Last thing, in NZ there are many one-way passes so it’s important to follow the signs. Pay attention to the signs with two arrows – the side with the larger white arrow (instead of the smaller red arrow) has the right of way.
• Tipping: Unlike the US, tip is not customary but definitely appreciated.
• Jet lag: One nice thing about flying from San Francisco (or anywhere that is Pacific Time in the US) to NZ is that the jet lag isn’t too bad. NZ is 21 hours ahead of SF so we felt like we were in a similar time zone as home.

Day 1: North Island – near Auckland

• Morning: Ate at Pau Homestead for breakfast. Went to Spaceships to pick up our campervan.
• Afternoon: Drove to Piha Piha Black Sand Beach and Karekare Waterfall and Beach. Had a coffee with a view at Elevation cafe.
• Evening: Got Groceries. Checked into Takapuna Holiday Beach Park. Ate at Tok Tok for dinner.

Day 2: North Island – Waitomo Glowworm and Wairere Falls

• Morning: Drove to Waitomo Glowworm Cave for a pre-booked tour.
• Afternoon: Drove to / hiked Wairere Falls. Drove to / explored Rotorua town, natural hot springs.
• Evening: Drove to / checked into Lake Taupo Holiday Park.

Day 3: North Island – Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike and Wellington

• Morning: Drove to / hiked Tongariro Alpine Crossing (tough hike and requires pre-planning, check out some tips in my North Island post).
• Afternoon: Finished the hike at Tongariro (takes around 6 – 8 hours).
• Evening: Drove to Wellington, stopping by some vista points, had dinner at Rustic Eating House, and went to Waitarere and Waikanae Beaches along State Highway 1. Checked into Thordsen Hotel in Wellington.

Day 4: South Island – Ferry, Okiwi Bay, and French Pass Drive

• Morning: Took the ferry from Wellington to Picton.
• Afternoon: Drove around Blenheim and the wineries. Drove to Okiwa Bay and then Okiwi Bay, stopping by Goat Hill track. Checked into Okiwi Bay Holiday Park. Drove the French Pass.
• Evening: Cooked dinner and caught the sunset at Okiwi Bay.

Day 5: South Island – Abel National Park and Kayak

• Morning: Drove to Nelson. Got açaí bowls at Gre3n Superfood & Juice Bar and coffee at Ragian Roast coffee. Drove to Abel Tasman Kayak.
• Afternoon: Did the kayak tour around Abel National Park, included a boat ride out, lunch on the beach, and kayak tour back. Checked into The Barn.
• Evening: Did a coastal walk near The Barn. Ate at Hooked on Marahau for dinner.

Day 6: South Island – Great Coast Highway and Arthur’s Pass

• Morning: Drove to Swingbridge and stopped by Nelson Lake National Park. Stopped by Berlin’s for a coffee with a view.
• Afternoon: Drove along the Great Coast Road (visited Paparoa National Park and Punakaiki Blow Horns) to get to Arthur’s Pass; late lunch and beer tasting at Monteith’s Brewing Co.
• Evening: Drove the rest of the way to Arthur’s Pass and checked into Arthur’s Pass B&B.

Day 7: South Island – Robert Point Track and Franz Josef Glacier

• Morning: Hiked Devil Punch Bowl walking track and then drove to Lake Mapourika.
• Afternoon: Lunch at Lake Mapourika and then hiked Robert Point Track / Franz Josef Glacier (intense hike). 
• Evening: Checked into Rainforest Retreat Franz Josef and had dinner at Monsoon Bar.

Day 8: South Island – Wanaka, Queenstown, and Drive to Te Anau

• Morning: Breakfast at Full of Beans Cafe in Franz Joseph downtown and then drove to Wanaka, stopping by Lake Hawea Lookout. 
• Afternoon: Lunch at Big Fig and then explored Wanaka (had dessert at Black Peak Homemade Gelato, coffee at Ritual, and meat pies at Doughbin); stopped by the Wanaka Tree (famous tree in the lake, popular for photographers and Instagramers); Drove to Queenstown and explored the town.
• Evening: Dinner at Wok and Goin Queenstown and drove to Te Anau Holiday Park.

Day 9: South Island – Milford Sounds

• Morning: Drove to Milford Sound and stopped along the way for photos.
• Afternoon: Hung out in the cafe since it was raining (no wifi so bring a book if you plan to wait around) and then went for our pre-booked Nature Cruise (2 hours).
• Evening: Drove back to Te Anau Holiday Park and cooked dinner.

Day 10: South Island – Gibbston Valley Winery and NYE Rhythm & Alps

• Morning: Drove to Gibbston Valley Winery for NYE lunch and did wine tasting.
• Afternoon: Hung out at the winery and cheese store. Headed to Rhythm & Alps festival.
• Evening: NYE at Rhythm & Alps and camped there.

Day 11: South Island – Wanaka and Skydiving

• Morning: Headed back to Wanaka for breakfast at Dripping Bowl and coffee back at Ritual.
• Afternoon: Went to Wanaka Skydiving Center for New Year’s Day skydiving session. Went back to Wanaka for lunch at Relishes Cafe. Did target practice at Crossfire Wanaka. Checked into Tempest on Wanaka B&B.
• Evening: Had dinner at Water Bar.

Day 12: South Island – Mount Cook, Lakes, and Stargazing at Lake Tekapa

• Morning: Headed towards Mount Cook and stopped by a few vista points along the way, including Lindis Pass Summit Lookout, Lake Ruataniwha, NZ Alpine Lavender Farm and Shop, and Lake Pukaki (turquoise water).
• Afternoon: Hiked Hooker Valley Track at Mount Cook.
• Evening: Checked into Lake Tekapo Holiday Park, and did some stargazing.

Day 13: South Island – Lyttelton and Christchurch

• Morning: Made breakfast and headed towards Christchurch. Stopped by Lyttelton and had a snack at Lyttelton Coffee Company.
• Afternoon: Headed to Christchurch to drop off the campervan at Spaceships. Checked into Lavender Towers B&B. Explored Christchurch and walked around the neighborhoods, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.
• Evening: Had dinner at OGB Bar & Cafe.

Day 14: South Island – Departure for Fiji

• Morning: Ignored the Fiji cyclone warning and headed to CHC airport to catch a flight to Fiji.