Planning a New Zealand driving holiday itinerary is one of the best ways to explore the country’s natural beauty at your own pace. Whether you start in Queenstown, Christchurch or Auckland, picking up a rental car right at the airport makes it easy to hit the road.

Below, you’ll find three five-day road trips, each a loop that brings you back to your starting point. No campervans here, just you, your rental car and some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.

1. Queenstown Five-Day Itinerary

📍 Pick up your rental car at Queenstown Airport

Day 1 – Queenstown

  • Spend your first night in Queenstown to settle in.
  • Explore Lake Wakatipu, ride the Skyline Gondola, or take a jet boat ride.

Day 2 – Queenstown → Te Anau (170 km, ~2 hours)

  • Drive along Lake Wakatipu and through farmland valleys.
  • Overnight in Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland.

Day 3 – Te Anau → Milford Sound → Te Anau (240 km return, ~3.5 hours driving one-way)

  • Take a day trip to Milford Sound and cruise through dramatic fjords with towering cliffs and waterfalls.
  • Return to Te Anau for the night.

Day 4 – Te Anau → Wanaka (230 km, ~3 hours)

  • Enjoy a scenic drive through Southland and the Crown Range Road.
  • Spend the night in Wanaka, enjoy lakefront walks, and see the famous “Wanaka Tree.”

Day 5 – Wanaka → Queenstown (70 km, ~1 hour)

  • Return to Queenstown. If time allows, stop in Arrowtown, a charming gold-rush village.

2. Christchurch Five-Day Itinerary

📍 Pick up your rental car at Christchurch Airport

Day 1 – Christchurch → Lake Tekapo (230 km, ~3 hours)

  • Depart Christchurch and drive to Lake Tekapo.
  • Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and stargaze under dark skies. Overnight here.

Day 2 – Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook Village (100 km, ~1.5 hours)

  • Drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
  • Short hikes: Hooker Valley Track or Tasman Glacier Lookout. Overnight in the village.

Day 3 – Mount Cook → Wanaka (210 km, ~3 hours)

  • Scenic Lindis Pass route.
  • Spend the night in Wanaka.

Day 4 – Wanaka → Tekapo or Geraldine (250 km, ~3.5 hours)

  • Return east via Cromwell and Omarama. Overnight either in Tekapo or Geraldine for variety.

Day 5 – Geraldine/Tekapo → Christchurch (140–230 km, 2–3 hours)

  • Circle back to Christchurch. Stop at Rakaia Gorge or Ashburton en route.

3. Auckland Five-Day Itinerary

📍 Pick up your rental car at Auckland Airport

Day 1 – Auckland → Rotorua (230 km, ~3 hours)

  • Drive south via Hamilton.
  • Explore geothermal wonders, Maori culture, and hot pools. Overnight in Rotorua.

Day 2 – Rotorua → Taupō (80 km, ~1 hour)

  • Visit Huka Falls and enjoy lakefront activities. Overnight in Taupō.

Day 3 – Taupō → Napier (140 km, ~2 hours)

  • Cross the Ahuriri Valley into Hawke’s Bay wine country.
  • Overnight in Napier, known for its Art Deco architecture.

Day 4 – Napier → Hamilton (270 km, ~3.5 hours)

  • Scenic drive back north. Consider stopping at Lake Waikaremoana if you have extra time.
  • Overnight in Hamilton.

Day 5 – Hamilton → Auckland (125 km, ~1.5 hours)

  • Return to Auckland. Optional detour to Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata.

Ready for an adventure?

You can, of course, stay longer in each destination to get more from your trip! 

For more travel ideas beyond these five-day loops, explore our blogs on experiencing New Zealand and how to drive safely in the country. 

Whether you begin in the South Island’s alpine wonderland or the North Island’s cultural heart, renting a car in New Zealand opens the door to adventures that are flexible, memorable and uniquely yours.

Start your journey! Book with RentalCars247 today.