Self Drive Tours & Trips in New Zealand
4.5 stars on(8,109 reviews)- Choose from 31 New Zealand tours
- 16 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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10 best Self Drive New Zealand tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
- Milford Sound Spectacular - 7 Day Self Drive tour
- 5 Day North Island Highlights Self Drive Tour
- Southern Icons - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
- Southern Lakes (with TranzAlpine) - 6 Day Self Drive Tour
- Auckland to Christchurch Highlights - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
- North Island Explorer - 7 Day Self Drive Tour
- Taste of the South - 8 Day Self Drive Tour
- Auckland to Queenstown Highlights - 11 Day Self Drive Tour
- Top of the South Island Loop - 10 Day Self Drive Tour
- West Coast Explorer (with TranzAlpine) - 3 Day Self Drive Tour
Milford Sound Spectacular - 7 Day Self Drive tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The concept is a great stress free way to see all the sites and scenery with minimal planning. Fabulous!!”
Garry, traveled in November
A Toyota Corolla awaits for your 1640km adventure across scenic routes, from Canterbury Plains to Fiordland. Stop at Fleur's Cafe in Moeraki, Wrinkly Rams in Omarama, and savor the freedom to visit Gibbston Valley's wineries.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Moeraki Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$2,319
5 Day North Island Highlights Self Drive Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The New Zealand tour comp did a fine job booking hotels, car rental and activities. Their app was great.”
David, traveled in January
A 758km North Island adventure awaits in your Toyota Corolla. The route winds from Auckland through Waikato's rolling hills, past Huka Falls, and over scenic Rimutaka Range to Wellington, with GPS navigation included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Masterton, Wellington Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$2,005
Southern Icons - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience was seamless from start to finish. The accommodations were simply beautiful, everything we needed and more.”
Barbara, traveled in March
The South Island unfolds before you in a Toyota Corolla Hatch, from Christchurch through Mt. Cook Village to Queenstown. Scenic routes include Crown Range and Arthur's Pass, with time to uncover hidden gems at your own pace.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$3,500
Southern Lakes (with TranzAlpine) - 6 Day Self Drive Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was worth the extra money. The recommended itinerary helped so much and the tour operators couldn't have been more helpful if they tried.”
Jola, traveled in September
The open road beckons in a Toyota Corolla, offering unlimited kilometers and GPS navigation. The highest sealed road at Crown Range, Gibbston Valley wineries, and the magnificent Haast Pass await your arrival.
Duration 6 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$2,025
Auckland to Christchurch Highlights - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Truly central locations, nice, safe and clean places to stay. We had a wonderful wonderful time in beautiful New Zealand.”
Madellaine, traveled in November
Your Toyota Corolla Hatch awaits for an Auckland to Christchurch adventure. Visit Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua's geothermal parks, and Kaikoura Coast. GPS navigation and comprehensive insurance for drivers 21+ included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$3,399
The 770km route in a Toyota Corolla winds from Wellington through Rimutaka Ranges and Hawke's Bay's vineyards to Taupo's geothermal sites. Personal stops available at Craters of the Moon and Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Duration 7 days Destinations Wellington, Napier, Taupo, Rotorua, Auckland Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$2,350
Your Toyota Corolla Hatch carries you through 1,458 km of stunning landscapes from Christchurch to Mount Cook. The Crown Range and coastal highways await, while Tekapo's turquoise lakes and Wanaka's alpine scenery beckon.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Mount Cook, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$3,135
The 1627km route from Auckland to Queenstown reveals New Zealand's finest sights. Your Toyota Corolla takes you through Hobbiton, Rotorua's geothermal parks, along Cook Strait ferry route, past Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook, and through Kawarau Gorge.
Duration 11 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Mount Cook, Queenstown Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$4,515
The 831km coastal journey in a Toyota Corolla Hatch leads from Christchurch to Kaikoura's marine sanctuary. Queen Charlotte Drive's coastal curves, the dramatic Otira Viaduct, and Arthur's Pass's walking trails offer endless possibilities.
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Queen Charlotte Sound, Abel Tasman National Park, Paparoa National Park, Arthur's Pass National Park Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$3,139
West Coast Explorer (with TranzAlpine) - 3 Day Self Drive Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Excellent tour and especially enjoyed the guided tour.”
Audrey, traveled in February
Your Toyota Corolla carries you from Queenstown over Crown Range to Wanaka, through Mt. Aspiring National Park to Franz Josef. Stops include Blue Pools and Hokitika before connecting to TranzAlpine train in Greymouth.
Duration 3 days Destinations Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth, Christchurch Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operator Discover New Zealand From
- NZ$1,025
What people love about Self Drive Tours in New Zealand
- Auckland to Christchurch Highlights - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
Thank you for all your help with our NZ itinerary and making all the bookings for us. Your quick response to the little snafu with the rental car was commendable and truly appreciated. With the exception of the Scenic Suites in Queenstown, we were very happy with the lodging accommodations. Truly central locations, nice, safe and clean places to stay. It was probably a blessing in disguise that there was no availability at the Hermitage inside Mt. Cook National Park because it allowed us to do other things outside the national park as well. And we actually loved staying at the Lake Tekapo area. How gorgeous is that lake! The Scenic Suites in Queenstown, while the location was good we didn't like the place at all. We had a wonderful wonderful time in beautiful New Zealand. Your responsiveness from the very beginning is truly great customer service and the portal made communication very easy. Thank you again for making our NZ trip seamless and enjoyable. We would definitely highly recommend Tour Radar.
- Southern Lakes (with TranzAlpine) - 6 Day Self Drive Tour
This is an incredible tour to take. There are so many options in New Zealand and potentially a bit overwhelming when trying to plan it yourself. It's a lot of driving over the 6 days and sometimes you don't feel like you've had much time to take it all in. I would however, still recommend this tour. Having never been to NZ, I didn't know where to go or even where to start. The hotels were all in excellent locations. I would go for the upgrade for the car hire & hotels. It was worth the extra money. The recommended itinerary helped so much and the tour operators couldn't have been more helpful if they tried. They were amazing! I would suggest getting up as early as you can and grab breakfast and find somewhere to watch the sunrise each day. I found myself getting to the next destination mid-afternoon so still had plenty of time to take it all in and explore each city. It was perfect. I loved every minute. Genuinely the drive of my life.
- Southern Icons - 9 Day Self Drive Tour
Accommodation was great and staff were really friendly. No issues with checking in. Suggestions were helpful. It would be nice to see some not so touristy location like Glenorchy included in the suggestion.
What our customers ask about Self Drive Tours & Trips in New Zealand
What is the best time of year to do a self-drive tour in New Zealand?
season runs from December to February during the Southern Hemisphere summer with reliable weather and longer daylight hours. The South Island's Franz Josef region is particularly accessible during these months while autumn (March-May) transforms routes like the Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka into corridors of gold and red. Winter driving from June to August requires more preparation especially on mountain passes but rewards travelers with snow-dusted landscapes along Arthur's Pass. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We had perfect weather conditions driving through the South Island in March with clear views of Mt. Cook and comfortable temperatures for exploring."
What kind of accommodation can I expect on a New Zealand self-drive tour?
Self-drive tours typically combine stays at quality motels hotels and boutique lodges positioned in key locations. Properties range from the waterfront Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier to the centrally located Quest Hotel in Queenstown near Lake Wakatipu. Many accommodations like the Punga View Motel in Franz Josef include kitchen facilities for self-catering. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The accommodations were perfectly positioned for exploring each region though quality varied between cities. The Queenstown hotel was particularly memorable with amazing lake views."
What are the must-see highlights on a New Zealand Self Drive tour?
Key destinations include Rotorua's geothermal areas the fjords of Milford Sound and the coastal beauty of Bay of Islands. Most routes incorporate stops at Lake Tekapo known for its bright blue waters Franz Josef Glacier and Napier's art deco architecture. Tours often arrange stays at well-located properties like the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier and The Park Hotel Ruapehu near Tongariro National Park. According to TourRadar travelers: "The route was super with all important highlights of the South Island beautiful hotels great rental car and prompt support for questions and problems."
What type of vehicle is recommended for a New Zealand Self Drive tour?
Mid-size SUVs or sedans work best for New Zealand's diverse roads. Standard vehicles like the Toyota Corolla Hatch automatic offer comfort for both urban and countryside driving. Rentals come equipped with unlimited mileage GPS navigation and comprehensive insurance coverage. The vehicles handle well on common routes such as Queenstown to Te Anau (180km) or Auckland to Bay of Islands (240km). Tour operators like DERTOUR provide reliable vehicles with 24-hour roadside assistance.
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive New Zealand Self Drive tour?
A complete exploration of both islands works best with 14-21 days on the road. Standard itineraries such as "A Taste of New Zealand" cover the essentials in 14 days from Auckland to Christchurch. More detailed experiences like "Discover New Zealand" span 22 days allowing deeper exploration of each region. Tours include nights at select properties like M'Social Hotel Auckland and Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel with daily drives averaging 200-300km.
How difficult is driving in New Zealand for international visitors?
New Zealand offers straightforward driving conditions with good road maintenance and clear signs. Left-side driving becomes natural quickly especially in automatic vehicles like the Toyota Corolla Hatch. Popular routes such as Auckland to Rotorua (234km) or Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (350km) feature good signage and scenic stops. Tours provide GPS systems and detailed directions with overnight stays at convenient locations like Heartland Hotel Queenstown or Scenic Hotel Cotswold Christchurch to break up longer journeys.