Hailed a hero after the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, New Zealand is a destination like no other. Quietly modest but overwhelmingly beautiful, it’s a tale of two islands each with a unique personality yet sharing many similarities. New Zealand’s compact size makes it appealing as a self-drive destination, allowing you to explore every nook and cranny without excessive costs or hassle. If you are thinking of embarking on such an adventure, we’ve compiled and answered some FAQs about a self drive holiday in New Zealand. So, without further ado….
What is a self drive holiday?
It’s a holiday where by you arrange to hire a vehicle and drive yourself to the destinations you most want to see! You won’t be following a set itinerary and can tailor your trip completely to your tastes whilst travelling around New Zealand in a cost effective way.
What are the benefits of a self drive holiday in New Zealand?
There are many, many benefits to a self drive holiday in New Zealand! We touched upon them in the question above, but essentially it gives you endless freedom. You will have your own vehicle that you won’t be sharing with 40 other people on a guided tour. You can pick and choose which areas of the country you visit, how long you spend in each destination, where you stay and enjoy the freedom of spontaneity when unplanned events, attractions and activities present themselves. Plus, on a ‘simple-things’ scale, you can choose your own music and set the climate control!
You can get off the beaten track and truly immerse yourself in New Zealand, get to know the locals and find your very own hidden gems. If you are a keen photographer, it also means you can pull over whenever the stunning scenery inspires you. A self drive holiday is by far one of the most popular ways to experience this fascinating and beautiful destination.
How do I plan a self drive holiday in New Zealand?
First things first, start by researching which major cities, towns and attractions you want to visit during your time in New Zealand. Next you’ll need to decide how long you want to spend in each destination. Once you’ve established this, book your flights and start planning your route. Google maps is a really useful resource for this, as it allows you to plot your start and end points and provides an estimation of driving distance and journey time, as well as the estimated fuel cost.
Next up, it’s time to book your hire vehicle. Lastly, you will want to look at accommodation options. There can be some flexibility with this as you may change your mind as to how long you want to stay in each place. It’s usually a good idea to have at least one night booked in advance in each destination, however. Do remember that New Zealand is segregated into the North Island and South Islands therefore you will need to book a ferry crossing to transport you between Wellington and Picton.
For more ideas on planning the best route for you check our our top ten experiences in New Zealand!
When is the best time of year to have a self drive holiday in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a fabulous year round destination as it is as beautiful during the winter as it is in the summer. One thing to note however is that the seasons are in reverse to our seasons in the UK. As such, December through to February will be summer and June through to August will be winter. Obviously temperatures will be higher during the summer months perfect for outdoor activities, beach trips and more. If you are keen to experience the many winter activities available including excellent skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps however then naturally the winter months will be the best option for you. As such, there is no definitive answer to this question; it’s simply a case of where your priorities lay.
We pick out a few of our favourite tips in our New Zealand holiday guide, take a look for some for more advice on how to make the most of your trip!
Which side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, you should drive on the left hand side of the road and give way to all traffic coming from the right. There are few motorways in New Zealand and not a huge amount of traffic so you should find driving in New Zealand a relatively simple and enjoyable experience.
What are the most iconic sights I should include in my New Zealand self drive holiday itinerary?
How long is a piece of string? There are hundreds of fantastic things to see and do in New Zealand. For many people however some of the highlights include the bustling city city Auckland on the North Island where you can partake in the bridge climb, experience the bustling streets and sample the local vino in the nearby wine regions. Rotorua is another highlight, famed for its hot water beaches, hot springs and bubbling mud pools. Don’t miss out on glacier hikes, the stunning Milford Sound, unforgettable Arthur’s Pass and the world’s adrenaline capital, Queenstown, among plenty more.
Where can I find more information about a self drive holiday in New Zealand?
Active travel forums such as Trip Advisor are excellent resources for gaining itinerary advice and suggestions from others who have travelled there and experienced a New Zealand self drive holiday first hand. Furthermore, utilise online travel guides to gather ideas and inspiration to help you plan your very own route. We also have some information on our website which will come in use to you, including a guide to driving in New Zealand detailing speed limits and plenty more!
Armed with this information, you should find a self drive holiday in New Zealand to be both fun and easy to plan. It will be nothing on the actual experience however; prepare yourself for a holiday that you will never forget!
Do you have any other questions that you would like to know about self drive holidays here? Or, perhaps you have your own tips to share. We’d love to hear from you so leave a comment below.
Very well spotted Iain, we were testing you! :-)This mistake has now been fixed!
Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment; New Zealand is definitely worth visiting, it’s a beautiful country!
Hi, thanks for an interesting article. I’d love to visit NZ some day. But “the capital city Auckland”? Auckland might be the biggest city, but Wellington is the capital!