New Zealand Motorhome Adventure

This revitalised city, which is the third largest in New Zealand, welcomes with wide open spaces, modern architecture and heritage buildings, not to mention a diverse natural playground. Christchurch has a long hitlist of attractions within the evolving city limits and surrounds. Beautifully restored heritage tramcars trundle through the city allowing you to access numerous points of interest from 18 stops.

Leave the ‘garden city’ behind as you take to the open road, and head for the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Southern Alps. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoy star gazing if the night skies are clear.

See Lake Pukaki and take a walk in the Hooker Valley. This is New Zealand’s highest peak and where Sir Edmund Hillary undertook much of his training before his ascent on Mount Everest.

Travel through the centre of the South Island, including the Lindis Pass to the alpine town of Queenstown.

Options today include a visit to Arrowtown, exploring the wonderful wineries of the Gibbston Valley or follow the road around Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy. The lake and rugged mountain views are spectacular.

Head for the township of Te Anau. Gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

Either follow the scenic Milford Road to Milford Sound for a scenic cruise. Or join a guided tour of Doubtful Sound, Milford’s larger but quieter big sister.

Retrace your drive through Central Otago through Queenstown and onwards to Wanaka. This peaceful lakeside town is surrounded by the Mount Aspiring National Park and home to the much-photographed ‘Wanaka Tree.'

From Wanaka your drive takes you via the Haast Pass to the wild west coast. Stop for waterfall walks and explore deserted beaches as you drive northwards to Franz Josef.

Head north to Hokatika, filled with jade carving shops, and if time allows visit Hokitika Gorge. From here continue to Punakaiki, home to the Pancake Rocks and blowholes.

Travel via Westport and the Buller Gorge, take time to stop at the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge before continuing to Nelson. This coastal town is filled with artisans, art galleries and studios and a delightful place to explore.

From Nelson continue to Picton for the Interislander ferry crossing to Wellington, on the North Island. The start of the journey sails through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, before heading out across the Cook Strait. Spend this evening in Wellington.

Begin your journey north, starting in Napier, home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. Explore the wineries and stop at the numerous roadside stalls to pick up the abundant local produce.

Swap vineyards for bubbling mud pools, geysers, and steaming lakes as you make your way to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal heartland. Take time to immerse yourself in the exceptional cultural experiences available here.

Head east to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Home to lush forest, stunning beaches and the Driving Creek Railway, a narrow-gorge historic mountain railway.

Highlights to discover include Cathedral Cove, a marine reserve featuring a vast natural rock arch and white sand beaches. A kayak tour is a wonderful way to explore. Or head for Hot Water Beach, a geothermal spot where at low tide you can dig your own warm spa pool in the sand.

Your final day of open-road adventure ends in the harbour-side city of Auckland.