The journey from Christchurch to Auckland — whether you take the ferry across Cook Strait or fly between islands — is the classic New Zealand road trip. Two islands, two completely different landscapes, and enough stops to fill a month. This guide covers the highlights in a practical 14-21 day itinerary that can be done on a backpacker budget.
The Route at a Glance
Christchurch — Kaikoura — Picton — Ferry — Wellington — Tongariro — Rotorua — Taupo — Auckland
Total distance: ~1,400 km (driving) + ferry | Recommended: 14-21 days | Budget: ~NZ-120/day all-in
South Island: Christchurch to Picton (3-4 days)
Start with the east coast run north — Kaikoura for whale watching, Marlborough for wine, and the Marlborough Sounds for kayaking. Full details in our Christchurch to Nelson route guide. From Nelson, backtrack to Picton for the ferry, or head directly from Blenheim.
The Interislander Ferry: Picton to Wellington
The Cook Strait crossing takes 3.5 hours on the Interislander or Bluebridge ferries. Book your van onto the ferry well in advance — vehicle spaces fill up fast, especially in summer.
- Cost: roughly NZ-350 for a campervan depending on size and season
- Crossing time: 3.5 hours (can be rough in bad weather — Cook Strait is one of the world’s most turbulent ferry crossings)
- Book at: interislander.co.nz or bluebridge.co.nz
- Arrive at the terminal 60 minutes before departure with a campervan
The scenery entering and leaving Picton through the Marlborough Sounds is outstanding — worth being on deck.
Wellington (1-2 days)
New Zealand’s capital and cultural centre. Compact, walkable, and consistently rated one of the world’s most liveable cities. Don’t skip it.
- Te Papa Museum: The national museum of NZ — free entry, genuinely world-class. Allow half a day.
- Zealandia: Urban eco-sanctuary with native birds including kiwi. One of the best places in NZ to see wildlife up close.
- Wellington waterfront: Cafes, the Cuba Street arts district, and the best flat white coffee you’ll find in NZ.
- Weta Workshop: The studio behind Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and dozens of other films. Tours available (book ahead).
Van parking: Wellington is a city — paid parking applies. Several holiday parks on the city outskirts. Freedom camping is restricted within the city boundary.
Tongariro National Park (2-3 days)
Drive north from Wellington through the Wairarapa and Manawatu. Tongariro National Park sits at the centre of the North Island — three active volcanoes (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro) in one of the world’s oldest national parks.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Consistently rated one of the world’s best one-day hikes. 19.4 km crossing active volcanic terrain — craters, emerald lakes, lava fields. Allow 6-8 hours. Shuttle from Whakapapa Village required (no parking at the start in summer).
- Whakapapa Ski Area: In winter (June-September), Mount Ruapehu operates as a ski resort. Ski hire and lessons available at the mountain.
- Ohakune: Base town for the mountain, with the Parapara MTB Park for those with bikes.
Freedom camping: DOC sites throughout the national park. Book ahead for summer. The Mangaohane Station area has good freedom camping options nearby.
Rotorua (1-2 days)
Rotorua is geothermal, cultural, and slightly sulphurous — the whole town smells faintly of volcanic activity. It’s also the centre of Maori culture in the North Island and has the country’s best mountain biking.
- Wai-O-Tapu: The most dramatic geothermal park in NZ — technicolour hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and the Lady Knox Geyser (erupts daily at 10:15am, aided by soap). Entry fee applies.
- Whakarewarewa Forest (The Redwoods): 130+ km of mountain bike trails through California redwoods. Free to ride.
- Kerosene Creek: Free outdoor hot pools in a forest setting. One of the great free experiences in NZ — a natural hot stream you can soak in. About 30 min from Rotorua.
- Maori hangi and cultural show: A genuine traditional feast and performance — touristy but worth experiencing once.
Lake Taupo (1-2 days)
Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake — roughly the size of Singapore, formed by a supervolcano eruption 26,000 years ago. The town sits on the lake’s northern shore and is a hub for adventure activities.
- Huka Falls: A short walk from town — the Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge and erupts in turquoise fury. Free, and genuinely impressive.
- Skydiving: Taupo is one of the world’s most popular skydive locations — clear weather, views of the lake and Tongariro volcanoes.
- Maori rock carvings: Accessible only by boat (water taxi from Taupo) — large carvings on a cliff face above the lake. Unique and peaceful.
- Great Lake Trail: 45 km mountain bike trail around the eastern lake shore — one day or split into two.
Freedom camping: Multiple options around the lake. Taupo has some restrictions near the town centre — check CamperMate.
Auckland (1-2 days)
End the trip in New Zealand’s largest city (population ~1.7 million, roughly one-third of the entire country). Built on a volcanic field with 53 cones — you’re never far from a hill with views.
- Rangitoto Island: Ferry from the city to this extinct volcano (return ferry + short hike to summit). Clear day views of the Hauraki Gulf.
- Waiheke Island: Ferry from Auckland — a wine island 35 minutes from the city. Vineyards, olive groves, and beaches. Good half-day trip.
- Sky Tower: 328m observation tower with views over the city and gulf on clear days.
- Auckland Museum: Strong Maori and Pacific collections. Free for NZ residents, entry fee for international visitors.
Van parking: Auckland is expensive for parking. Most holiday parks are 20-30 minutes from the city centre. Freedom camping is restricted within the Auckland region.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Per Day)
- Van hire: shared between 2 = NZ-60/day each
- Fuel: NZ-20/day depending on distance
- Food (self-catering from supermarkets): NZ-30/day
- Accommodation (freedom camping + occasional holiday park): NZ-25/day
- Activities: variable — Tongariro Crossing ( shuttle), Te Papa (free), Wai-O-Tapu ()
- Total: roughly NZ-130/day per person — significantly cheaper than hotels and tour packages
Plan Your Trip
We can help you plan this route, advise on freedom camping spots, and match you with the right van. Pick up in Christchurch, drop off in Auckland — or reverse. Get in touch.
See our full fleet here.
