One of the best ways to experience the majesty of New Zealand is to get behind the wheel and embark on an amazing New Zealand road trip. This way you get to gaze in awe at the spectacular mountain scenery, cruise by untouched pristine beaches and drive through flourishing verdant forests all on your own schedule.

Tips for an amazing New Zealand road trip

If this sounds like your ideal holiday, it’s time to stop dreaming and start planning! To get your started, here are five dos and don’ts that will not only keep you safe while you’re on the open road in New Zealand, but help you have the most incredible time ever.

Do hire a campervan

You’ll save a fortune on accommodation and food costs during your road trip by hiring a campervan. These vehicles provide you with everything you need to cook basic meals and get a good night’s rest for a great price. Taking your car and putting up a tent each night is likely to get very old very fast, so much so that you could end up calling it a day and cutting your trip short. So do yourself a favour and just hire a campervan.

Don’t camp wherever you feel like

Freedom camping isn’t allowed everywhere in New Zealand, which means you can’t just pull over and spend the night where you like, even if it looks like the ideal camping spot. Check out the list of places where freedom camping is permitted before you set off and if you’re ever in doubt, as a local.

Do explore beyond the tourist sites

You might think that because New Zealand is so small, there’s not much to see beyond Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, but that couldn’t further from the truth. The little island is brimming with glistening off-the-beaten-track gems, from the charming coastal town of Kaikoura and the volcanic wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu to the rugged beach at New Chum and the bird sanctuary on Kapiti Island.

Don’t underestimate the roads

If you’re not familiar with driving in New Zealand, the roads will take a little getting used to. Expect lots of ongoing winding, tight turns and steep drops that will make you hold onto the wheel tighter than ever before. It’s also likely you’ll come across the odd hitchhiker or herd of sheep crossing the road, so keep an eye out.

Do be careful about where you pull over

New Zealand’s scenery is so stunning you’ll be tempted to pull over almost constantly to take photos. But instead of leaving your car unattended and causing a hazard to other drivers while you snap away, wait until you find a proper place where you can park your car off-road entirely and keep it out of everyone’s way. Better safe than sorry!