Top 15 Scenic Highways and Drives in New Zealand

Twin Coast Discovery Highway Road Trip: 6 Day Itinerary

Plan a Twin Coast Discovery Highway road trip: a 6-day itinerary with Tāne Mahuta, Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach and Bay of Islands.

Pacific Coast Highway New Zealand Road Trip: 7 Day Itinerary

Pacific Coast Highway road trip: Auckland to Napier in 7 days via Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach & East Cape. Your perfect NZ itinerary.

Thermal Explorer Highway Road Trip: 6 Day Itinerary

Plan the Thermal Explorer Highway in 6 days: glowworm caves, Hobbiton, Rotorua geysers, Tongariro and Hawke’s Bay wine, plus tips.

Forgotten World Highway: 2-Day Road Trip Guide

Plan a 2-day Forgotten World Highway road trip from Taumarunui to Stratford. See the Moki Tunnel, Whangamomona and more.

Volcanic Loop Highway: 5-Day Tongariro Road Trip Guide

Plan a 5-day Volcanic Loop Highway road trip around Tongariro National Park, from Tūrangi to Ohakune and the Desert Road.

Surf Highway 45: 2-Day Taranaki Coastal Road Trip

Plan a 2-day Surf Highway 45 road trip from New Plymouth to Hāwera with Taranaki’s best surf spots, beaches and history.

Manawatū Scenic Route: 2-Day Country Road Trip

Plan a 2-day Manawatū Scenic Route road trip from Mangaweka to Ashhurst through the Pohangina Valley, gardens and bush.

Classic New Zealand Wine Trail: 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Plan a 7-day Classic New Zealand Wine Trail road trip through Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Wellington and Marlborough.

Alpine Pacific Touring Route: 3 Ways to Drive the Loop

Whales, hot pools or Pinot? Find the best way to drive the Alpine Pacific Touring Route from Christchurch for your travel style.

Inland Scenic Route 72: Canterbury Back Roads Locals Love

Skip State Highway 1 and drive Inland Scenic Route 72, the Canterbury back road past Rakaia Gorge, Methven and Geraldine.

Great Alpine Highway: Drive or Train Over Arthur’s Pass?

Cross the Southern Alps in a day on the Great Alpine Highway. Compare driving Arthur’s Pass with the TranzAlpine train.

Great Coast Road: 10 Best Stops From Westport to Greymouth

The Great Coast Road takes 90 minutes to drive, but its best stops deserve a full day. Pancake Rocks, seals and more.

Glacier Highway NZ: A Rain-or-Shine Guide to Glacier Country

Sun or rain, the Glacier Highway delivers. Plan your Franz Josef, Fox and Hokitika trip with a plan for every kind of weather.

Central Otago Touring Route: Follow the Gold Rush Trail

Follow the gold rush trail on the Central Otago Touring Route, from Dunedin to Queenstown via old mining towns and Pinot Noir.

Southern Scenic Route Wildlife: Penguins, Seals and More

A wildlife spotter’s guide to the Southern Scenic Route. Where to see penguins, sea lions, dolphins and albatross in the south.