The Ultimate NZ Road Trip Itinerary for Working Holidaymakers

Most working holidaymakers don’t do one long road trip — they work for months, then travel in blocks. Here’s how to structure that travel time so you actually see the country instead of rushing it.

How long to take

The time needed depends on your route, pace, transport and how long you want to stop. Treat the routes below as examples, not a promise that every stop fits a set number of days. Mountain roads, weather, roadworks and closures can add time; check live conditions and leave flexibility. See our North Island vs South Island guide.

A realistic South Island route

One possible loop starting and ending in Christchurch:

1. Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook — a short first leg, and your introduction to the Southern Alps.
2. Mount Cook → Wanaka → Queenstown — base here for 3–5 nights; it’s the region’s hub for adventure activities and easy day trips.
3. Queenstown → Te Anau → Milford Sound → Te Anau — plan a separate day for Milford and consider staying in Te Anau. A Queenstown–Milford return is about 600 km and 12–14 hours of driving, before stops or a cruise. See our Queenstown & Milford Sound guide.
4. Te Anau → Queenstown → Wānaka → Franz Josef / Fox Glacier — check current road conditions and allow time for the route over Haast Pass.
5. Glaciers → Hokitika → Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) → Christchurch — closing the loop up the West Coast and back over Arthur’s Pass.

A realistic North Island route

One possible route starting in Auckland (the Bay of Islands section is an out-and-back before continuing south):

1. Auckland → Bay of Islands → Auckland — allow for the return drive before continuing south.
2. Auckland → Rotorua → Taupō — geothermal attractions and Lake Taupō; the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a separate, weather- and booking-dependent hike, not a guaranteed day trip from Taupō.
3. Taupo → Wellington — the capital, with a food and culture scene worth 2–3 days, and the ferry crossing point to the South Island if you’re continuing.

Getting around

Car, campervan, coach and public-transport combinations can all work, depending on the route. Check operator schedules, vehicle costs, ferry availability and local overnight rules before committing. See our campervan vs car guide and budget travel guide.

Timing around work

If your travel plans include ski season or fruit-picking work along the way, check our seasonal work calendar before you lock in dates — some regions are worth timing your arrival around.

What trips people up

Trying to fit both islands into a short trip can leave too little time at each stop. Choose a route that matches your available days, leave space for bad weather and delays, and check current road conditions before each long drive. For seasonal work, verify actual vacancies and dates rather than assuming a region will be hiring.