4-Week New Zealand Grand Tour — North & South Island Return

Sights along the way

Sight photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons — see individual post credits.

Why a 4-week loop beats a one-way trip

With 28 days you can see both islands properly, avoid rushing between highlights, and skip one-way rental fees by returning your car to the same depot. This itinerary starts and ends in Auckland.

Week 1 — Northland & Auckland loop

• Days 1–2: Auckland (Waiheke day trip — see our Waiheke Island guide)
• Days 3–5: Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga
• Days 6–7: Back via Waipoua kauri forest to Auckland

Full details in our Northland road trip guide.

Week 2 — Central & Lower North Island

• Day 8: Auckland → Coromandel
• Day 9: Coromandel → Rotorua
• Days 10–11: Rotorua & Taupo
• Day 12: Tongariro Crossing
• Days 13–14: Wellington via Napier (wine + art deco)

Week 3 — Upper South Island

• Day 15: Cook Strait ferry → Marlborough Sounds
• Day 16: Wine tasting in Marlborough
• Days 17–18: Abel Tasman
• Day 19: Nelson → West Coast
• Days 20–21: Franz Josef & Fox glaciers

Week 4 — Southern Alps loop & back

• Day 22: Wanaka
• Days 23–24: Queenstown (see our Auckland to Queenstown scenic route)
• Day 25: Milford Sound
• Day 26: Queenstown → Mt Cook via Lindis Pass
• Day 27: Mt Cook → Christchurch → ferry back
• Day 28: Wellington → Auckland (fly or drive back overnight)

The distance

~5,600 km over 28 days = an average of 200 km/day — comfortable. All Nomado rentals include unlimited kilometres, so no per-km charges.

Which car?

• Couples: Mid-size SUV — comfort for long days, roof rack for gear
• Families / groups of 4–7: 7-seater SUV
• Budget solo/couples: Economy hatch — cheapest fuel bill

Related reading

• 2-week Auckland to Christchurch itinerary
• Best apps for a NZ road trip
• NZ road trip cost calculator

Book your 4-week rental — from $29/day with a long-stay discount over 21 days.