Explore New Zealand's North and South Islands on a 7-day self-drive holiday, with one-way itineraries connecting Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington. Choose from routes featuring geothermal Rotorua, scenic Taupō, coastal Kaikōura, alpine landscapes and the Cook Strait ferry crossing, depending on your itinerary. Packages include accommodation and rental car arrangements, with hybrid vehicles as standard. All holidays can be customised to suit your travel preferences.
7 Day New Zealand Self Drive Holiday Packages
Choose from four 7-day self-drive holidays connecting New Zealand's North and South Islands. Travel from Auckland to Christchurch, Christchurch to Auckland or Queenstown to Wellington, with itineraries featuring geothermal attractions, alpine landscapes, coastal scenery and the Cook Strait ferry crossing. Each package includes accommodation and rental car arrangements, with hybrid vehicles as standard and fully electric vehicles (EVs) available as an option, subject to availability. All holidays can be customised to suit your travel preferences.
Compare 7 Day North & South Islands Self Drive Holidays
Choose from four seven-day self-drive holidays connecting New Zealand's North and South Islands. Compare routes, accommodation styles and key experiences to find the holiday that best suits your travel plans.
| Self Drive Holiday | Route | Key Highlights | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Day Auckland to Christchurch Essential Highlights Self Drive | Auckland to Christchurch | Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua, Taupō, Wellington, Cook Strait and Kaikōura. | Travellers wanting a north-to-south journey with included cultural experiences, sightseeing and activities. |
| 7 Day Christchurch to Auckland Essential Highlights Self Drive | Christchurch to Auckland | Kaikōura, Wellington, Taupō, Huka Falls, Rotorua and Hobbiton Movie Set. | Travellers wanting a south-to-north journey combining coastal scenery, geothermal attractions and included sightseeing experiences. |
| 7 Day Queenstown to Wellington Highlights Self Drive | Queenstown to Wellington | Queenstown, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikōura and Cook Strait. | Travellers preferring hotel accommodation and a scenic South Island journey with optional sightseeing activities. |
| 7 Day The Interisland Self Drive Experience | Queenstown to Wellington | Queenstown, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, Christchurch, Kaikōura and Cook Strait. | Travellers seeking a similar scenic route with comfortable motel-style accommodation and flexibility to add activities. |
All four holidays include accommodation, rental car arrangements and an Interislander ferry crossing. Hybrid rental vehicles are standard, with fully electric vehicles available as an option, subject to availability. Each itinerary can be customised to suit your travel dates, accommodation preferences and sightseeing interests.
7 Days North & South Islands Holiday Packages
Electric and hybrid vehicles provide another option for a 7-day New Zealand road trip. Hybrid vehicles can help reduce fuel use, while selected electric vehicle itineraries can incorporate charging stops along the route.
What Can You See in New Zealand's North and South Islands in 7 Days?
A 7-day self-drive holiday offers a brief introduction to selected highlights of New Zealand's North and South Islands. Depending on your route, you may experience Rotorua's geothermal landscapes, Māori cultural attractions, Kaikōura's coastal scenery or the alpine landscapes surrounding Aoraki/Mount Cook. With much of the week spent travelling between destinations, these itineraries are best suited to visitors who want to see contrasting landscapes rather than spend extended time exploring individual locations.
Travelling between Christchurch and Auckland can combine destinations such as Kaikōura and Wellington with central North Island highlights including Taupō and Rotorua. These routes provide a broader taste of both islands within a relatively short journey.
For travellers wanting to spend more of the week in the South Island, itineraries between Queenstown and Wellington can combine alpine landscapes, lakes and Aoraki/Mount Cook with destinations further north before crossing Cook Strait. Selected longer alternatives can travel via the West Coast for a different route through the South Island.
Choose from Auckland to Christchurch, Christchurch to Auckland or Queenstown to Wellington itineraries, depending on your preferred starting point and travel plans. All four holidays can be customised, allowing you to add additional nights or destinations if your schedule permits.
Crossing Cook Strait on a 7 Day New Zealand Road Trip
Self-drive itineraries covering both islands generally connect Wellington and Picton across Cook Strait. The ferry crossing links the North Island with Marlborough at the top of the South Island and forms part of the journey on routes travelling between the two islands.
Because time is limited on a seven-day itinerary, the ferry also determines how the route fits together. From Picton, journeys can continue south towards Marlborough, Kaikōura and Christchurch or further into the South Island, depending on the itinerary.
