Roadtrip New Zealand, from North to South

Come along on our epic one-month road trip through New Zealand, from north to south.

We started in Auckland and headed south in our 4x4 pickup, stopping first in Hamilton to explore the beautiful Botanic Gardens and a lively food festival. From there, we traveled to Rotorua, where we biked through the Redwoods, rode horses across the countryside, and visited the incredible geothermal areas of Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, and the Lady Knox Geyser. We explored the magical world of Hobbiton, marveled at the glowworms deep inside the Waitomo Caves, and visited a Kiwi bird at a local conservation center.

Our journey continued to Ohakune, and then onto the Forgotten World Highway — a breathtaking route winding through remote hills, old tunnels, historic bridges, and endless green landscapes — leading us to New Plymouth. There, we visited the innovative Green School and enjoyed the coastal beauty before driving to Muhunoa East and finally reaching Wellington.

After crossing to the South Island by plane, we landed in Queenstown for a rush of adventure, including a wild speedboat ride on the river and a visit to see the iconic Kea bird. This was a special moment for us, as our daughter is named Kea and our YouTube channel, “Kea and Co,” is inspired by her. We made our way south to Winton for a special family visit on a dairy farm, where we even helped with the milking. From there, we drove our 4x4 across one of the southernmost beaches in the world, drifting across the sand and soaking up the incredible feeling of being at the edge of the earth.

Heading north again, we stopped in Wanaka for a boat trip across the lake and beautiful hikes in the mountains. We continued to Tekapo, soaking in the stunning scenery, and finished our trip in Christchurch.

From soaring mountains to glowing caves, from lush gardens to steaming geothermal pools, this journey was filled with raw beauty, friendly people, and adventure at every turn.