Auckland to Christchurch in 21 Days by Campervan

Quick summary: Three weeks is enough to see the best of both islands in one unforgettable campervan or motorhome road trip. This one-way itinerary runs from Auckland through Waitomo, Hobbiton, Rotorua, Taupō and Tongariro to Wellington, crosses Cook Strait by ferry, then sweeps through Marlborough, Kaikōura, the West Coast glaciers, Wānaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mount Cook before finishing in Christchurch. It covers around 3,100 km of driving, plus the ferry crossing.

At a glance
Trip length	21 days
Pick up and drop off	Auckland to Christchurch (one-way)
Total distance	Around 3,100 km plus the Cook Strait ferry
Total driving time	Around 43 hours
Longest driving day	Day 7, around 340 km to Wellington
Highlights	Waitomo, Hobbiton, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington, Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs, the glaciers, Wānaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo
Best for	Travellers who want both islands in one trip

Why does this itinerary work?

Because it follows the natural flow of the country from north to south without backtracking, apart from the drive to Milford Sound. It focuses on the North Island’s central highlights, then gives the South Island the extra time its scenery deserves. Flying into Auckland and out of Christchurch makes the most of every day. See our guide to one-way trips.

North Island: Days 1–7

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo

Distance: around 200 km, around 2 hours 45 minutes. Pick up in Auckland, stop at Hamilton Gardens, and take an evening glowworm cave tour. Overnight: Waitomo.

Day 2: Waitomo to Rotorua via Hobbiton

Distance: around 185 km, around 2 hours 30 minutes. Blackwater rafting in the morning, then a Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Evening hāngī and cultural performance. Overnight: Rotorua.

Day 3: Rotorua

Distance: minimal driving. Geysers at Whakarewarewa or Te Puia, the Redwoods forest and a geothermal hot pool. Overnight: Rotorua.

Day 4: Rotorua to Taupō

Distance: around 80 km, around 1 hour. Wai-O-Tapu, Huka Falls and a Lake Taupō cruise. Overnight: Taupō.

Day 5: Taupō to Tongariro National Park

Distance: around 100 km, around 1 hour 20 minutes. Walk to Taranaki Falls and prepare for the Crossing. Overnight: National Park Village or Whakapapa.

Day 6: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Distance: no driving; use a shuttle. One of the world’s great day walks. Overnight: National Park Village or Whakapapa.

Day 7: Tongariro to Wellington

Distance: around 340 km, around 4 hours 30 minutes. Via Taihape and the Kāpiti Coast. Evening on the Wellington waterfront. Overnight: Wellington.

Crossing to the South Island: Day 8

Day 8: Wellington to Blenheim by ferry

Distance: around 28 km after the ferry. Visit Te Papa in the morning, then sail across Cook Strait through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton, around 3.5 hours, and drive to Blenheim. See our Cook Strait ferry guide. Overnight: Blenheim.

South Island: Days 9–21

Day 9: Blenheim to Kaikōura

Distance: around 130 km, around 1 hour 45 minutes. A morning among the Marlborough vineyards, then down the coast past the Ōhau Point seal colony. Overnight: Kaikōura.

Day 10: Kaikōura to Hanmer Springs

Distance: around 130 km, around 2 hours. Whale watching or a dolphin swim in the morning, then the inland road to the alpine village of Hanmer Springs and its thermal pools. Overnight: Hanmer Springs.

Day 11: Hanmer Springs to Hokitika over the Lewis Pass

Distance: around 250 km, around 3 hours 30 minutes. Cross the Southern Alps on the Lewis Pass, through beech forest, to Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika. Overnight: Hokitika.

Day 12: Hokitika to Franz Josef

Distance: around 135 km, around 1 hour 50 minutes. Hokitika Gorge in the morning, then south to the glaciers. Evening glacier hot pools. Overnight: Franz Josef.

Day 13: Franz Josef to Fox Glacier

Distance: around 25 km, around 30 minutes. A glacier heli-hike or scenic flight, then Lake Matheson at sunset. Overnight: Fox Glacier.

Day 14: Fox Glacier to Wānaka over the Haast Pass

Distance: around 260 km, around 3 hours 45 minutes. Knights Point, Ship Creek, the waterfalls and Blue Pools of the Haast Pass. Overnight: Wānaka.

Day 15: Wānaka to Queenstown

Distance: around 70 km, around 1 hour. Over the Crown Range via Arrowtown. Afternoon jet boating or gondola. Overnight: Queenstown.

Day 16: Queenstown

Distance: minimal driving. A Glenorchy trip, a TSS Earnslaw cruise or a Gibbston wine tour. Overnight: Queenstown.

Day 17: Queenstown to Te Anau

Distance: around 170 km, around 2 hours 15 minutes. Evening glowworm caves. Overnight: Te Anau.

Day 18: Milford Sound

Distance: around 240 km return, around 4 hours. The Milford Road and a Milford Sound cruise. Overnight: Te Anau.

Day 19: Te Anau to Cromwell

Distance: around 220 km, around 2 hours 50 minutes. Back past Lake Wakatipu, then through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell and Lake Dunstan. Overnight: Cromwell.

Day 20: Cromwell to Aoraki/Mount Cook

Distance: around 210 km, around 2 hours 40 minutes. Over the Lindis Pass and along Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village. Afternoon Hooker Valley Track. Overnight: White Horse Hill Campground.

Day 21: Aoraki/Mount Cook to Christchurch

Distance: around 330 km, around 4 hours 15 minutes. Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, then across the plains to Christchurch to drop off.

How can you adjust this itinerary?

To add Northland or the Coromandel: extend to four weeks; see our whole of New Zealand in 4 weeks.
To add Nelson and the Abel Tasman: replace Kaikōura and Hanmer with the Nelson and Golden Bay and Buller and Paparoa routes.
To finish in Queenstown: drop off after Day 18 and skip the final three days.

Do you need to change RVs between the North and South Islands?

It depends on the hire company. Some let you take the same campervan or motorhome across on the Cook Strait ferry, while others ask you to drop one vehicle in Wellington and collect another in Picton, travelling across as a foot passenger. Check before you book the ferry.

Which route guides does this itinerary use?

Start this trip from Auckland

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Auckland

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 weeks enough to see New Zealand by campervan?

Three weeks is enough to see the highlights of both islands on a one-way trip from Auckland to Christchurch, though some regions, such as Northland and the Catlins, need extra time.

How far is it from Auckland to Christchurch by campervan?

This itinerary covers around 3,100 km of driving plus the Cook Strait ferry. The most direct route between the two cities is much shorter, at around 1,000 km plus the ferry.

Should you go from north to south or south to north?

Both work. North to south, as here, saves the South Island’s dramatic scenery for the second half. Check one-way hire options and fees for each direction.

How do you get the motorhome between islands?

On the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington to Picton, a crossing of around three and a half hours. Book early, especially in summer, and check your rental terms allow the crossing.

What is the longest driving day on this itinerary?

Day 7, from Tongariro National Park to Wellington, is around 340 km and around 4 hours 30 minutes of driving.