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New Zealand Grand Explorer: North to South

A comprehensive 30-day journey spanning both islands. Experience the subtropical North, volcanic heartlands, and the dramatic Southern Alps, concluding with the majestic fjords and coastal wonders of the South Island.

30days
62stops
3542km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Auckland · Paihia · Russell · Te Paki · Opononi · Auckland · Whitianga · Waitomo · Rotorua · Taupo · Ohakune · Havelock North · Wellington · Marahau · Punakaiki · Franz Josef · Wanaka · Queenstown · Te Anau · Dunedin · Oamaru · Mount Cook · Lake Tekapo — start in Auckland, end in Christchurch.

DAY01

Auckland → Sky Tower

0.8 km · 5m driving · Overnight in Sky Tower
  1. 09:00
    Auckland CBD· start
  2. 0.8 km · 5m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Sky Tower· overnight
DAY02

Whangarei → Paihia

162 km · 2h 8m driving · Overnight in Paihia Waterfront
  1. 09:00
    Whangarei Falls· start
  2. 162 km · 2h 8m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Paihia Waterfront· overnight
DAY03

Waitangi → Russell

2.1 km · 4m driving · Overnight in Russell Village
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Waitangi Treaty Grounds· start
  2. 2.1 km · 4m
  3. 12:00
    Russell Village· overnight
DAY04

Cape Reinga → Te Paki

228 km · 3h 43m driving · Overnight in Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Cape Reinga Lighthouse· start
  2. 228 km · 3h 43m
  3. 12:00
    Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes· overnight
DAY05

Tane Mahuta → Opononi

211 km · 3h 39m driving · Overnight in Opononi
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Tane Mahuta· start
  2. 211 km · 3h 39m
  3. 12:00
    Opononi· overnight
DAY06

Muriwai → Auckland

267 km · 3h 52m driving · Overnight in Auckland CBD
  1. 09:00
    Muriwai Gannet Colony· start
  2. 267 km · 3h 52m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Auckland CBD· overnight
DAY07

Cathedral Cove → Hot Water Beach

175 km · 2h 23m driving · Overnight in Hot Water Beach
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Cathedral Cove· start
  2. 175 km · 2h 23m
  3. 12:00
    Hot Water Beach· overnight
DAY08

Hobbiton Movie Set → Waitomo

160 km · 2h 17m driving · Overnight in Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Hobbiton Movie Set· start
  2. 160 km · 2h 17m
  3. 12:00
    Waitomo Glowworm Caves· overnight
DAY09

Te Puia → Redwoods Treewalk

142 km · 1h 59m driving · Overnight in Redwoods Treewalk
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Te Puia· start
  2. 142 km · 1h 59m
  3. 12:00
    Redwoods Treewalk· overnight
DAY10

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland → Lake Taupo

80 km · 1h 5m driving · Overnight in Lake Taupo
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland· start
  2. 32 km · 28m
  3. 12:00
    Huka Falls
  4. 48 km · 37m
  5. 15:00
    Lake Taupo· overnight
DAY11

Tongariro National Park → Ohakune

97 km · 1h 21m driving · Overnight in Ohakune
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Tongariro National Park· start
  2. 97 km · 1h 21m
  3. 12:00
    Ohakune· overnight
DAY12

Napier → Te Mata Peak

192 km · 2h 59m driving · Overnight in Te Mata Peak
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Napier Marine Parade· start
  2. 192 km · 2h 59m
  3. 12:00
    Te Mata Peak· overnight
DAY13

Pukaha National Wildlife Cent… → Wellington

188 km · 2h 26m driving · Overnight in Wellington Waterfront
  1. 09:00
    Pukaha National Wildlife Centre· start
  2. 188 km · 2h 26m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Wellington Waterfront· overnight
DAY14

Te Papa Tongarewa → Weta Workshop

0.2 km · 1m driving · Overnight in Weta Workshop
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Te Papa Tongarewa· start
  2. 0.2 km · 1m
  3. 12:00
    Weta Workshop· overnight
DAY15

Interislander Ferry Terminal → Picton

11 km · 22m driving · Overnight in Picton Foreshore
  1. 09:00
    Interislander Ferry Terminal· start
  2. 11 km · 22m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Picton Foreshore· overnight
DAY16

Kaiteriteri → Marahau

9.3 km · 17m driving · Overnight in Marahau
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Kaiteriteri Beach· start
  2. 9.3 km · 17m
  3. 12:00
    Marahau· overnight
DAY17

Buller Gorge Swing Bridge → Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

162 km · 2h 24m driving · Overnight in Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
  1. 09:00
    Buller Gorge Swing Bridge· start
  2. 162 km · 2h 24m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pancake Rocks and Blowholes· overnight
DAY18

Hokitika → Franz Josef

115 km · 1h 35m driving · Overnight in Franz Josef Glacier Village
  1. 09:00
    Hokitika Gorge· start
  2. 115 km · 1h 35m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Franz Josef Glacier Village· overnight
DAY19

Lake Matheson → Wanaka

214 km · 3h 2m driving · Overnight in Wanaka Lakefront
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Lake Matheson· start
  2. 28 km · 32m
  3. 12:00
    Haast Pass Lookout
  4. 185 km · 2h 30m
  5. 15:00
    Wanaka Lakefront· overnight
DAY20

Roys Peak Track → That Wanaka Tree

6.6 km · 7m driving · Overnight in That Wanaka Tree
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Roys Peak Track· start
  2. 6.6 km · 7m
  3. 12:00
    That Wanaka Tree· overnight
DAY21

Arrowtown → Skyline Queenstown

59 km · 1h 1m driving · Overnight in Skyline Queenstown
  1. 09:00
    Arrowtown Historic District· start
  2. 59 km · 1h 1m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Skyline Queenstown· overnight
DAY22

Kawarau Bridge Bungy → Queenstown

24 km · 28m driving · Overnight in Queenstown Gardens
  1. 09:00
    Kawarau Bridge Bungy· start
  2. 24 km · 28m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Queenstown Gardens· overnight
DAY23

Glenorchy → Queenstown

47 km · 49m driving · Overnight in Queenstown CBD
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Glenorchy Wharf· start
  2. 47 km · 49m
  3. 12:00
    Queenstown CBD· overnight
DAY24

Lake Te Anau → Te Anau

173 km · 2h 10m driving · Overnight in Te Anau Glowworm Caves
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Lake Te Anau· start
  2. 173 km · 2h 10m
  3. 12:00
    Te Anau Glowworm Caves· overnight
DAY25

Eglinton Valley → Te Anau

119 km · 1h 47m driving · Overnight in Te Anau
  1. 09:00
    Eglinton Valley· start
  2. 53 km · 43m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Milford Sound
  4. 66 km · 1h 4m
  5. 15:00
    Te Anau· overnight
DAY26

Nugget Point Lighthouse → Dunedin

236 km · 2h 56m driving · Overnight in Dunedin Octagon
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Nugget Point Lighthouse· start
  2. 236 km · 2h 56m
  3. 12:00
    Dunedin Octagon· overnight
DAY27

Moeraki → Oamaru

75 km · 59m driving · Overnight in Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Moeraki Boulders· start
  2. 75 km · 59m
  3. 12:00
    Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony· overnight
DAY28

Lake Pukaki → Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

157 km · 1h 55m driving · Overnight in Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
  1. 09:00
    Lake Pukaki Viewpoint· start
  2. 157 km · 1h 55m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Aoraki / Mount Cook Village· overnight
DAY29

Hooker Valley Track → Church of the Good Shepherd

3.3 km · 7m driving · Overnight in Church of the Good Shepherd
  1. 09:0011:00
    ⭐ Hooker Valley Track· start
  2. 3.3 km · 7m
  3. 12:00
    Church of the Good Shepherd· overnight
DAY30

Christchurch

226 km · 2h 54m driving
  1. 09:00
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens· start
  2. 226 km · 2h 54m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Christchurch City Centre
Heads Up
  • Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry well in advance if traveling with a vehicle.
  • Check the NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) website for real-time road closures and alpine conditions.
  • Many popular trailheads and Great Walks require pre-booked parking or shuttle transfers.
  • Weather can change rapidly; always carry layers and waterproof gear regardless of the season.