Great Drives of New Zealand
Hit the road – and make it electric.
Home on the range
Three pot plants, a barbecue and four bikes—we load up Toyota’s fully electric car for a classic southern summer roadie.
Omarama–Oamaru
The drive down the Waitaki Valley from Omarama is flanked by stark high-country scenery and merino runs, but it’s the artificial lakes of the Waitaki hydro scheme that dominate the landscape.
Auckland–Kerikeri
Some Of New Zealand’s earliest history lies in the north. The 1700 km of coastline, 144 islands, sandy beaches and secluded bays make the Bay of Islands a favourite playground for holidaymakers and a centre for big-game fishing From Orewa’s beach north of Auckland, it’s a quick drive to Waiwera with its relaxing natural hot pools, then to Puhoi village with its museum, historic pub, and renowned boutique cheesery. This quirky township has a Bohemian village feel. Kayaks can be rented for the Puhoi River. Further on is Warkworth, with nearby Matakana and its wine trails and Saturday markets, and then SH1 twists north past the bush walks of the Dome Valley to Wellsford with its
Balclutha–Invercargill
The southeast corner of the South Island is a remarkably beautiful area renowned for its coastal forests, wildlife, beaches and scenery. Mercifully, the Catlins hasn’t been subjected to excessive tourism development. What services exist for tourists—the campgrounds, backpackers, homestays and specialist ‘eco-tourism’ operations are small-scale and low impact, and this feels right for the area.
Whitianga–Whangamata
Once a major colonial port supporting the trade in kauri and kauri gum, Whitianga is now a rural service town and holiday resort.
Arthur’s Pass–Greymouth
The painter Petrus van der Velden’s bleak representations of the valley in the 1890s (one of which is hung at Christchurch’s Robert McDougall Art Gallery) will seem familiar when you’ve been here in a storm...
Nelson–Motueka
This drive combines all that makes a visit to Nelson and its surrounding locations so memorable—beaches, forest walks, craft galleries, wineries and cafes.
Christchurch–Akaroa
This rewarding scenic route to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula begins on the Summit Road on Christchurch’s Port Hills. The return journey can be made via the peninsula’s remote harbours and bays on its northern coastline—in total an enjoyable day excursion from Christchurch.
Haast–Wanaka (via Haast Pass)
Haast Pass follows the Haast River to its headwaters, probably the most dramatic of any of the road crossings of the Alps.
Opotiki–East Cape
The drive to East Cape from Opotiki is one of the most memorable in New Zealand. Here, Māori communities have steadfastly maintained links with their culture, history and landscape.
Dargaville–Kaitaia, including Cape Reinga
This leg of the Discovery Highway is equal to anywhere on the South Island’s West Coast.
