Discover New Zealand at your own pace with our recommended self-drive journeys. Each route combines iconic destinations, scenic backroads, Great Ride cycle trails, local food stops, and access to DOC camping and accommodation.
All itineraries are flexible and designed for relaxed touring — with a mix of sealed roads and well-formed gravel suitable for AWD and 4WD vehicles.
Bike hire and rack options are available so you can ride sections of New Zealand’s famous cycle trails along the way.
Icon Key
🗺️ Route Map
🚴 Cycle Trails
🏔️ Scenic Highlights
🛣️ Gravel Roads
🍴 Iconic Eats
🏕️ DOC Camping
⏱️ Suggested Duration
One-way rentals are available between Christchurch, Nelson, and Queenstown.
Christchurch Loop
Alps, Lakes & Milford
⏱️ 10–14 days
🏔️ Mt Sunday • Lake Tekapo • Aoraki / Mt Cook • Milford Sound • Glenorchy • Wanaka
🚴 Alps 2 Ocean • Queenstown Trail • Gibbston Valley rides
🛣️ Danseys Pass • Paradise Road • Mavora Lakes
🍴 Fairlie Bakehouse • Cardrona Hotel • Danseys Pass Hotel
🏕️ DOC camping in Mackenzie Basin & Mavora Lakes
[ View Map ] | Plan This Route
Nelson Loop
Coast, Sounds & High Country
⏱️ 10–14 days
🏔️ Abel Tasman • Golden Bay • French Pass • Marlborough Sounds • Hanmer Springs
🚴 Great Taste Trail • Queen Charlotte Track • Marlborough winery cycling
🛣️ Totaranui Road • French Pass Road • Molesworth* • Rainbow*
🍴 Mussel Inn • The Free House • Marlborough wineries
🏕️ DOC sites at Totaranui, French Pass & Nelson Lakes
*Seasonal Nov–Apr
[ View Map ] | Plan This Route
Queenstown Loop
Fiordland, Catlins & Central Otago
⏱️ 10–14 days
🏔️ Milford Sound • Glenorchy • Catlins • Dunedin • Central Otago • Lake Wanaka
🚴 Clutha Gold • Otago Central Rail Trail • Lake Dunstan • Queenstown Trail
🛣️ Paradise Road • Mavora Lakes • Ida Valley backroads
🍴 Cardrona Hotel • Vulcan Hotel • Royal Hotel Naseby
🏕️ DOC camping across Fiordland and the Catlins
[ View Map ] | Plan This Route
West Coast Loop
Glaciers, Rainforest & Wild Coast
⏱️ 10–12 days
🏔️ Arthur’s Pass • Punakaiki • Hokitika Gorge • Franz Josef • Fox Glacier • Haast Pass
🚴 West Coast Wilderness Trail • Lake Dunstan • Optional Alps 2 Ocean
🛣️ Lake Kaniere Road • Gillespies Beach • DOC coastal access roads
🍴 Woodstock Hotel • Hard Antler • Fairlie Bakehouse
🏕️ DOC campsites throughout the West Coast
[ View Map ] | Plan This Route