The Whole of New Zealand in 4 Weeks by Campervan
Quick summary: Four weeks in a campervan or motorhome is the New Zealand trip of a lifetime: enough time to travel almost the full length of the country at a relaxed pace. This one-way itinerary runs from Auckland north to the Bay of Islands and the kauri forests, around the Coromandel, through Rotorua, Taupō and Tongariro to Wellington, across Cook Strait to Nelson and the Abel Tasman, down the wild West Coast to the glaciers, and through Wānaka and Queenstown to Milford Sound. It covers around 3,250 km plus the ferry.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Trip length | 28 days |
| Pick up and drop off | Auckland to Queenstown (one-way) |
| Total distance | Around 3,250 km plus the Cook Strait ferry |
| Total driving time | Around 47 hours |
| Rest or tour days | Days 2, 10, 13, 15 and 18 |
| Highlights | Bay of Islands, Waipoua Forest, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Tongariro, Wellington, Abel Tasman, Punakaiki, the glaciers, Haast Pass, Wānaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound |
| Best for | Travellers who want to see the whole country without rushing |
Why take four weeks?
Because New Zealand rewards slow travel. With four weeks you can include the far north and the Abel Tasman, which shorter trips often skip, and still have rest days to wait out the weather, take tours and simply enjoy the places you love. Daily drives are mostly well under 250 km.
North Island: Days 1–15
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland to Paihia | Around 230 km | Whangārei Falls |
| 2 | Bay of Islands | Minimal | Waitangi, Hole in the Rock cruise, Russell |
| 3 | Paihia to the Hokianga | Around 90 km | Kerikeri, Hokianga Harbour |
| 4 | Hokianga to Dargaville | Around 95 km | Tāne Mahuta, Kai Iwi Lakes |
| 5 | Dargaville to Auckland | Around 180 km | Matakana or northern beaches |
| 6 | Auckland to Coromandel Town | Around 170 km | Thames Coast, mountain railway |
| 7 | Coromandel Town to Hahei | Around 80 km | Cathedral Cove by boat or kayak |
| 8 | Hahei to Mount Maunganui | Around 160 km | Hot Water Beach, Mauao summit |
| 9 | Mount Maunganui to Rotorua via Hobbiton | Around 125 km | Hobbiton Movie Set, hāngī |
| 10 | Rotorua | Minimal | Geysers, Redwoods, hot pools |
| 11 | Rotorua to Taupō | Around 80 km | Wai-O-Tapu, Huka Falls |
| 12 | Taupō to Tongariro National Park | Around 100 km | Taranaki Falls walk |
| 13 | Tongariro Alpine Crossing | Shuttle | One of the world’s great day walks |
| 14 | Tongariro to Wellington | Around 340 km | Taihape, Kāpiti Coast |
| 15 | Wellington | Minimal | Te Papa, cable car, Zealandia |
South Island: Days 16–28
| Day | Route | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Ferry to Picton, then Nelson | Around 110 km | Marlborough Sounds, Pelorus Bridge |
| 17 | Nelson to Kaiteriteri | Around 60 km | Māpua, Kaiteriteri Beach |
| 18 | Abel Tasman National Park | Minimal | Kayaking, water taxis, coastal walking |
| 19 | Kaiteriteri to Murchison | Around 125 km | Buller Gorge Swingbridge |
| 20 | Murchison to Punakaiki | Around 155 km | Buller Gorge, Cape Foulwind seals |
| 21 | Punakaiki to Hokitika | Around 85 km | Pancake Rocks, Hokitika Gorge |
| 22 | Hokitika to Franz Josef | Around 135 km | Ōkārito, glacier hot pools |
| 23 | Franz Josef to Fox Glacier | Around 25 km | Glacier heli-hike, Lake Matheson |
| 24 | Fox Glacier to Wānaka | Around 260 km | Haast Pass, Blue Pools |
| 25 | Wānaka to Queenstown | Around 70 km | Crown Range, Arrowtown |
| 26 | Queenstown to Te Anau | Around 170 km | Te Anau glowworm caves |
| 27 | Milford Sound | Around 240 km return | Milford Road, fiord cruise |
| 28 | Te Anau to Queenstown | Around 170 km | Drop off in Queenstown |
What are the highlights of each stage?
The far north (Days 1–5)
The Bay of Islands combines history at Waitangi with sailing, dolphins and island cruises. On the west coast, Waipoua Forest is home to Tāne Mahuta, the largest living kauri. A coach tour to Cape Reinga can be added on Day 2 or 3. See our Northland route guide.
The Coromandel and Bay of Plenty (Days 6–8)
Winding coast roads, Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and the summit walk at Mount Maunganui. See our Coromandel route guide.
The volcanic heartland (Days 9–14)
Hobbiton, Rotorua’s geysers and Māori culture, Huka Falls and Lake Taupō, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. See our Rotorua and Taupō and Tongariro to Wellington guides.
Wellington and the crossing (Days 15–16)
A day in the capital, then the ferry through the Marlborough Sounds. See our Cook Strait ferry guide.
The top of the South (Days 16–19)
Nelson’s arts and sunshine and the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman. See our Nelson and Golden Bay route guide.
The West Coast (Days 19–24)
The Buller Gorge, the Pancake Rocks, Hokitika and the glaciers, then the Haast Pass. See our Buller and Paparoa, West Coast glaciers and Haast Pass guides.
The southern lakes and Fiordland (Days 25–28)
Wānaka, Queenstown and the drive to Milford Sound. See our Queenstown Lakes and Fiordland and Milford guides.
Is it comfortable to travel in an RV for four weeks in New Zealand?
Yes, with the right vehicle and rhythm. Choose a size with a little more room than you think you need, plan a holiday park night every few days for laundry and long showers, and build in rest days. Many travellers find the campervan or motorhome feels like home by the second week.
How can you adjust this itinerary?
- To include Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo: finish in Christchurch instead of Queenstown, adding two to three days via the Lindis Pass and the Mackenzie Country.
- To add Kaikōura: after the ferry, head south via the Marlborough and Kaikōura route instead of Nelson, crossing to the West Coast on Arthur’s Pass.
- To add the deep south: from Te Anau, continue through the Catlins to Dunedin.
Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Auckland
Frequently Asked Questions
Four weeks is enough to see the highlights of both islands at a relaxed pace, from the Bay of Islands to Milford Sound, though some regions, such as the East Cape and the Catlins, would need extra time.
This itinerary covers around 3,250 km of driving plus the Cook Strait ferry, or around 47 hours behind the wheel over 28 days.
Finishing in Queenstown after Milford Sound avoids a long drive back north. To include Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, finish in Christchurch instead and add two to three days.
Both work. North to south saves the South Island’s alpine scenery for the second half, while south to north suits travellers arriving in Christchurch or Queenstown. Check one-way hire options for each direction.
It includes five days with little or no driving, in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington and the Abel Tasman, plus several short driving days.