Travel Deal | Epic New Zealand RV Road Trip

9-Day Queenstown, Kaikoura, Wellington, Napier & Rotorua with International Flights from $1,595*

Packages by AboutNewZealand.com, a subsidiary of About Australia a fully bonded and ARC accredited travel company.

Other Departure Cities

Direct International Flights from the following cities are available!

Depart San Francisco from $1,595*

Depart Houston from $1,695*

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Trip Details

Do you dream of the van life?

Having the ocean as your backyard as distant mountains send cool breezes from their snowy peaks?

Dropping everything and traveling the world is the dream, but let’s face it – it doesn’t always come easy.

That’s why we’ve turned your dreams into plans, and plans into reality.

Our Epic New Zealand RV Road trip allows you to see New Zealand the way it’s meant to be seen – taken in with all the senses. We’ve chosen New Zealand’s top road trip destinations and ultimate journeys, and give you the freedom to fill out your own adventures in between.

Get a taste of van life with this Epic New Zealand RV Road Trip Package!

Queenstown

Begin your journey in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Nestled between the stunning Lake Wakatipu and a collection of breathtaking mountain ranges, there’s no better playground than the natural wonders of Queenstown. Though popular across the globe for its heart-pounding adventures – skydiving, bungy jumping, snowboarding and skiing – this small resort town offers a network of hiking, cycling and food and wine trails for travelers of all paths.

Enjoy two nights in a 4-star accommodation, set right on the tranquil lakefront and only a minute’s walk from the heart of Queenstown. You’ll take in the best views of the city on the Skyline Gondola, the town’s iconic cable car ride. Ascending from the city center up to Bob’s Peak, you’ll see all of Queenstown set along glittering Lake Wakatipu and the softly hued Remarkables mountain range. Arriving at the Skyline Complex, you may want to ride your way down the mountain on a thrilling luge ride, or settle in for dinner with a view at the Skyline Restaurant.

Milford Sound

Your second day in Queenstown will reveal the dramatic landscapes New Zealand is so famous for. You’ll venture into Fiordland National Park, where forested mountains rise out of glassy fiords, waterfalls cascading from their misty peaks. A guided, luxury coach trip will take you through the rolling countryside and along spectacular Milford Road, passing through scenic lakes, valleys, and snowy ranges. Then embark on a cruise through majestic Milford Sound, gliding through towering mountains on mirror waters. The scenery will absolutely take your breath away.

Now get ready for your campervan adventure from Christchurch to Auckland

The next day you’ll say goodbye to Queenstown and take a short domestic flight to Christchurch, where you’ll begin your campervan journey across New Zealand. Pick up your RV rental – your new home for the next 6 days – and venture through the raw beauty of the South and North Islands as you make your way to Auckland.

Make your way to Kaikoura from Christchurch on a 2-hour drive filled with road trip hot spots and stunning scenery. Winding through surf beaches and the scenic Canterbury Plains, this road passes through an up-and-coming wine region, splendid cafes and unbelievably photogenic views at every turn. Popular stops include:

• Brickmill Cafe, a popular spot for its all day breakfast menu and excellent coffee in a cozy, rustic setting.
• Nor’Wester Cafe, a destination cafe with a bright menu featuring simple yet delectable dishes with vegetarian and vegan options.
• Little Vintage Espresso, a prime example of why New Zealand’s coffee culture is among the best in the world.
• Pegasus Bay Winery, where $5 dollar tastings for up to 12 wines are waived if you dine at the in-house restaurant.
• Torlesse Wines, where you won’t be judged if you’re no wine expert or think “bouquet” is just a bunch of flowers.

Kaikoura

Arrive at Kaikoura, known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand. Nestled between the snow-capped Kaikoura Range and the Pacific Ocean, this small coastal town is draws travelers from across the globe for some of the world’s best whale watching, swimming with dolphins, spotting seals and meeting penguins. This is also where you’ll find the freshest seafood in the South Island, noted as #7 in Lonely Planet’s top food experiences in the world for its succulent crayfish.

Your day in Kaikoura is free to explore and find the perfect place to park your campervan. You may like to:

• Walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula and spot seals basking on the rocks from the Point Kean Seal Colony.
• Join a whale watching tour for the chance to see sperm whales and migrating humpback, blue and southern right whales.
• Swim alongside dolphins or seals on a marine wildlife swimming tour.
• Get up close to native New Zealand bird life and meet albatross, penguins and petrels on an Albatross Encounter.

Rest in your RV with the gorgeous coast and magnificent mountain ranges as your backyard.

You’ve traversed mountains and alpine landscapes of the South Island – Now get ready for the warm culture and geothermal sights of the North Island

The next day you’ll make your way from Kaikoura to Wellington through Picton, journeying into the North Island on the Interislander Ferry. The scenic 2-hour drive from Kaikoura to Picton passes through Marlborough, New Zealand’s most important wine region. Stop at Villa Maria Winery or Yealands Estate to sample world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noirs before reaching Picton, where you’ll catch the ferry to Wellington.

Wellington

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is a small coastal town with a vibrant food, coffee and craft beer culture among the world’s best destinations for foodie experiences. It’s also highly regarded as New Zealand’s music and arts capital, with an array of museums, art galleries, theaters, and live music venues to explore. With a highly walkable CBD area strewn with hidden laneways, discovering Wellington’s hidden gems is best done by foot.

• Take in the best views of the city at the Mt. Victoria Lookout. A scenic walk to surmount, take a picnic lunch to enjoy at the top with the whole city as your view.
• Explore the European-like laneways, where you’ll find the best of Wellington’s three C’s: cafes, craft beer and coffee.
• Discover Maori treasures and modern masterpieces at Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum of New Zealand.
• See the handcrafted props, detailed costumes and collectibles from films such as Lord of the Rings at the Weta Cave.

Park your campervan at freedom camping sites along scenic bays, or find a cozy holiday park close to the city center to rest up before your journey to Napier.

Napier

The 4-hour road trip to Napier is winds through Martinborough and the Wairarapa region, the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine trail. Meander at wineries of Martinborough before stopping at Pukaha National Wildlife Center to see rare kiwi birds and native reptiles.

As you set foot on the streets of Napier, you’ll feel as though you’ve traveled back in time. The glitz and glamor of the dirty 30’s lives on in the stunning Art Deco architecture lining the heart of the city. Set in the splendor of Hawke’s Bay, if the scenery doesn’t make you fall in love with this region, its wine definitely will. With more than 70 wineries in Napier and its surroundings, a wine tasting tour is a must. Other things you might like to do include:

• Explore the Marine Parade lining the coast, with viewing platforms jutting over black rock beach and into the sky blue ocean.
• Wander along the beautifully preserved architecture of downtown Napier, showcasing the Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical styles of the 1930’s.
• Visit the world’s largest gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, where a walking track reveals striking views across the ocean from green clifftops.
• Learn about Napier’s tumultuous earthquake history at MTG Hawke’s Bay, a museum, theater and gallery all in one.

Settle into your campervan with the ocean right at your doorstep or find a holiday park to camp for the night.

Rotorua

The 2-hour road trip to Rotorua from Napier passes through Taupo, marked by unusual volcanic features, rivers and mighty waterfalls. Stop on the drive to Taupo and walk over the Huka Falls lookout bridge, or take a jet boat ride to experience the scenery of the mighty Waikato River and the stunning Tutukau Gorge. 

You’ll catch a scent of Rotorua before you see it. This is the famous sulfuric smell emanating from Rotorua’s unique geothermal features, sprouting from mineral hot springs, bubbling mud pools and active geysers. This is New Zealand’s top place to immerse yourself in Maori culture, rich with history, traditions and warm hospitality.

And what better way to soothe your travel-weary body than with a warm soak at Rotorua’s famous Polynesian Spa? Your 2 nights in Rotorua includes a 1 day entry to the Polynesian Spa, where you’ll enjoy the relaxing mineral rock pools overlooking Lake Rotorua.

You’ll then visit one of Rotorua’s most famous attractions – Te Puia Institute. This is where New Zealand’s rich Maori culture comes to life, set among the geothermal wonders of the region.

• Watch as Maori students hone their skills in producing magnificent Maori woodworks and weaving crafts.
• See great eruptions of steam blasting forth from the famous Pohutu Geyser.
• Explore and array of bubbling mud pools and steaming hot pools used for Ingo, a unique cooking style where fresh ingredients are lowered into the boiling waters in woven baskets.

Rest before your last day in New Zealand, where still more adventure awaits.

Hobbiton

You can’t leave New Zealand before seeing Middle Earth.

From Rotorua you’ll make your way to Auckland, where you’ll catch your flight back home. But before you say farewell to this gorgeous country, you’ll stop at Hobbiton to experience the Shire of The Lord of the Rings film franchise. You’ll walk through the twelve-acre site and explore the Shire on your guided tour. Colorful Hobbit holes overrun with verdant vines and gardens, bright flowers and shrubs growing over fences – this set is straight out of a fairy-tale.

You’ll see Frodo and Bilbo’s Hobbit holes, as well as Samwise Gamgee’s. Spot the Bag End Party Tree, decked with hand-crafted artificial leaves. Stop in at the Green Dragon Inn for a pint or a bite to eat – what better place to eat, drink and be merry on your last day in New Zealand than in Hobbiton?

Don’t just dwell on dreams of seeing the world – you’ll wake up one day and realize there’s no time left to travel. 

An epic campervan adventure awaits, made easier with planned out destinations and included experiences.

We think that once you get back from your trip, you’ll be ready for anything. The best part? You didn’t have to add any extra stress by planning a thing.

Putting all the parts of a trip around the world in motion can be tough. From booking flights and finding things to do, making sure everything is perfect can be a full-time job.

Luckily, that is our full-time job! Give us a call today at 888-359-2877 (M – F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and let us send you on the adventure of a lifetime.

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