Themed Itineraries

Want to create a special focus for your holiday? Delve into unique aspects of New Zealand’s culture, activities and attractions with a themed itinerary.

Culture & Art

Any itinerary should include elements of New Zealand’s remarkable Maori culture. Rotorua is a well-known destination for those seeking to sample from a range of exciting cultural activities. Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands, is another must-visit region – the site where European settlers forged their earliest relationships with the indigenous population. There are also plenty of ways for visitors to indulge in their passion for the arts. Renowned galleries in Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington – including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in the capital – are an excellent introduction to local art history. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious modern art galleries. The Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui and Suter Gallery in Nelson are also renowned, and bookworms should think about including a Writers' Walk in Wellington, Dunedin or Christchurch to their travel plans.

Action & Adventure

New Zealand is widely known for its adventure activities. Hiking is an excellent way to explore the wilderness areas – the Great Walks are regarded as the nation’s premier trails. Visit Queenstown for an adrenaline-pumping adventure and Wanaka, Mt Cook and Methven for memorable alpine experiences. Rotorua in the North Island offers a range of exciting activities such as mountain biking and zorbing.

Wildlife

Incredible wildlife experiences are part of what makes New Zealand unique, and its coastline is the site for unforgettable wildlife encounters. Kaikoura is known for its whale-watching tours; Farewell Spit in the Nelson region is famous for its birdlife. Otago Peninsula, home to an albatross colony, is another must-see, as is the Little Blue Penguin colony at Oamaru. In the North Island, rub noses with marine life while snorkelling in The Coromandel, and make sure you include a gannet safari in your travel plans when visiting Hawke's Bay.

Wine

For lovers of fine wine, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a great starting point for itinerary planning. This signposted 380-kilometre touring route links the major wine-growing areas of Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa in the North Island before crossing to the South Island to visit Marlborough. Visitors following this route will relish the chance to stock their cellars with a great variety of wines, from red wines such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Hawke’s Bay to Pinot Noir in Wairarapa and Marlborough’s famous Sauvignon Blanc.

Food

Fancy a culinary adventure? Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin all boast an excellent array of restaurants from high class to casual. For that local zest farmers' markets, pubs and roadside stalls should also feature in a culinary itinerary. Kiwi flavours and food hotspots from north to south: keep an eye out for Northland's award-winning cheeses and subtropical fruit, and sample fish 'n' chips in Mangonui. Join a cooking class at Auckland's fish market and stop in The Coromandel for scallops, mussels and crayfish. The kiwifruit capital of the world, Te Puke, is another must-do, as is experiencing a traditional Maori hangi in Rotorua. New Plymouth makes delicious black paua (abalone) fritters while Hawke's Bay is renowned for olives. In the north of the South Island, accompany a wine tasting with seafood and try whitebait at the West Coast. Kaikoura is a prime address for crayfish, while Canterbury serves the best rack of lamb. Akaroa offers fabulous French cuisine and, further south, the rivers of the Gore region are teeming with trout. Indulge in Oamaru's award-winning Whitestone cheeses and Bluff oysters in Southland. The perfect dessert for any culinary road trip must be a bar of chocolate (or two) from Dunedin's Cadbury chocolate factory.
 

Around New Zealand are a number of themed highways which are signposted to make navigation easy.

The Twin Coast Discovery Highway

Beginning in Auckland, this touring route takes visitors on a circular route through New Zealand’s subtropical north. Enjoy coastal scenery and a great range of water adventures as you visit Whangarei, the Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway forms the basis for a series of themed trails to suit your interests, from heritage and wine trails, to golf and art trails. www.northlandnz.com

Pacific Coast Highway

If you’re looking to sample New Zealand’s coast and culture, the Pacific Coast Highway is a great option. Beginning in Auckland and following the North Island’s spectacular east coast, you’ll discover wonderful beaches and craft galleries in The Coromandel, surf culture and forest walks in the Bay of Plenty, and wineries and heritage in Eastland and Hawke’s Bay. www.pacificcoast.co.nz

Thermal Explorer Highway

For a journey into the mystical heartland of New Zealand, resonant with Maori culture and geothermal activity, take to the road on the Thermal Explorer Highway. From its beginning in Auckland, this touring route visits some of the nation’s most famous destinations, from the geothermal areas of Lake Taupo, Ruapehu and Rotorua, to the eerie underground world of the Waitomo Caves. (This itinerary may be combined with the Pacific Coast Highway for those with more time to explore.) www.gnztr.com

The Treasured Pathway

Introducing visitors to Marlborough and Nelson in the northern South Island, the Treasured Pathway covers more than 260 kilometres from Picton, through the coves of the Marlborough Sounds, the cultural community of Nelson and the beaches of Golden Bay, to Farewell Spit. A guidebook is available to help you get the most out of the region.

Alpine Pacific Triangle

Blending eco-adventure and indulgence, this touring route links some of the South Island’s most popular visitor destinations – the wildlife of Kaikoura, the wineries of the Waipara Valley and the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs. www.visithurunui.com

Great Alpine Highway

The Great Alpine Highway traverses the South Island from Christchurch City to Greymouth on the West Coast. In just a little over 250 kilometres, drivers will encounter a wide variety of landscapes, from wide-open plains to rugged, snow-capped mountains and rainforest-clad hills. www.greatalpinehighway.co.nz

Southern Scenic Route

If you’re interested in exploring New Zealand’s spectacular wilderness, this touring route is perfect. Beginning in Dunedin, where wildlife such as penguins, fur seals and Royal Albatross are easily accessible, through the magnificent coastal forests of the Catlins and the southern city of Invercargill, it concludes at the lakeside settlement of Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. www.southernscenicroute.co.nz

Other themed highways to explore

Surf Highway 45 and the Forgotten World Highway in Taranaki www.taranaki.co.nz, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail from Hawke’s Bay to Marlborough www.classicwinetrail.co.nz and Inland Scenic Route 72 in Canterbury www.christchurchnz.com. The drive from Haast to Jacksons Bay is a journey rated as one of the top ten road trips in the world by Lonely Planet's Bluelist.