Trippa

New Zealand Full Loop

Route Overview

The complete New Zealand backpacker circuit, combining both islands into one epic road trip. Starting and ending in Auckland, this route covers the North Island's volcanic plateau, geothermal wonders, and capital city, crosses the Cook Strait by ferry, then loops the South Island's glaciers, fiords, lakes, and mountains. Roughly 3,500-4,000 km of driving, covering the best of both islands in a single journey.

Suggested duration: 4-8 weeks (minimum 3 weeks if moving fast)

Best Direction

Clockwise: Auckland → south through North Island → Wellington → ferry to Picton → south through South Island → up the West Coast → ferry back → Auckland. This direction builds from the cultural and geothermal highlights of the North to the increasingly dramatic landscapes of the South, with Milford Sound and the glaciers as the climax.

Best Time of Year

  • December to March is peak season with the best weather on both islands, all hiking tracks open, and the Interislander ferry at full schedule
  • November and April offer shoulder-season value with decent weather
  • Note: The Coastal Pacific train and some South Island mountain roads are seasonal (October-April only)

    • The Route: North Island Section

    See NZ-North-Island-Loop for full stop-by-stop details.

    Key Stops (North Island)

    1. Auckland -- starting point, 1-2 days

    2. Coromandel -- Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, 2-3 days

    3. Rotorua -- geothermal parks, Maori culture, 2-3 days

    4. Taupo -- Huka Falls, adventure sports, 1-2 days

    5. Tongariro -- Alpine Crossing day hike, 1-2 days

    6. Wellington -- Te Papa museum, Cuba Street, 2-3 days

    The Ferry Crossing: Wellington → Picton

    Interislander Ferry

  • Duration: 3.5 hours across the Cook Strait
  • Foot passenger: $53-158 NZD (~$32-95 USD) depending on season and booking time
  • With a car: From $200-400 NZD (~$120-240 USD) including driver
  • With a campervan: From $250-500 NZD (~$150-300 USD) depending on vehicle length
  • Frequency: 2 sailings daily, 7 days a week
  • Booking: Book online at interislander.co.nz. Peak season (December-January) sells out weeks ahead for vehicle spaces; foot passengers can usually get on more easily
  • The crossing: Often cited as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds

    • Bluebridge Ferry (Alternative)

  • Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Foot passenger: Generally $5-15 NZD cheaper than Interislander
  • Frequency: 2 sailings daily
  • Pros: Often cheaper, newer vessels
  • Cons: Slightly less scenic terminal location in Wellington

    • Tips for the Crossing

  • Book the earliest morning crossing for the best light in the Marlborough Sounds
  • Sit on the upper deck or outdoor areas for the approach to Picton -- it is spectacular
  • Seas can be rough in the Cook Strait; take seasickness medication if prone
  • If driving, arrive at the terminal at least 1 hour before departure (2 hours in peak season)

    • The Route: South Island Section

    See NZ-South-Island-Loop for full stop-by-stop details.

    Key Stops (South Island)

    1. Picton / Nelson-Abel-Tasman -- Abel Tasman kayaking and coastal track, 2-3 days (detour from Picton)

    2. Kaikoura -- whale watching, seal colony, 1-2 days

    3. Christchurch -- rebuilt city, street art, 1 day

    4. Lake-Tekapo -- stargazing, Church of the Good Shepherd, 1-2 days

    5. Queenstown -- adventure capital, 3-5 days

    6. Milford-Sound -- fiord cruise, day trip from Queenstown

    7. Wanaka -- hiking, relaxed lakeside town, 2-3 days

    8. Franz-Josef-Fox-Glacier -- glacier walks, heli-hikes, 1-2 days

    9. Greymouth → Christchurch via TranzAlpine train or Arthur's Pass drive

    Return Ferry: Picton → Wellington

  • Same operators and pricing as above, in reverse
  • From Christchurch, drive or bus to Picton (4.5 hours) or take the Coastal Pacific train (summer only)

    • Return to Auckland

  • InterCity bus Wellington to Auckland: 10-11 hours, from $35-55 NZD (~$21-33 USD)
  • Flight Wellington to Auckland: 1 hour, from $50-120 NZD (~$30-72 USD)
  • Northern Explorer train: 11 hours, from $79-159 NZD (~$47-95 USD), 3 times per week

    • Transport Options Compared

    InterCity FlexiPass (Whole Country)

  • 40 hours: From approximately $359 NZD (~$215 USD)
  • 60 hours: From approximately $499 NZD (~$299 USD)
  • 80 hours: From approximately $641 NZD (~$385 USD)
  • Includes Interislander ferry -- can use FlexiPass hours for the crossing
  • Pros: One pass for the whole country, valid 12 months, flexible
  • Cons: Need to plan hours carefully; activities and short local trips not included

    • Kiwi Experience National Pass

  • Full national loop (e.g., "Whole Kit & Caboodle"): From approximately $1,500-1,900 NZD (~$900-1,140 USD), often on sale for $1,200-1,500 NZD
  • Minimum travel time: 25+ days
  • Valid: 12 months
  • Includes: Ferry crossing, hop-on hop-off flexibility, guided commentary
  • Pros: Social, covers both islands, all logistics handled, meets other backpackers
  • Cons: Party atmosphere, fixed route, limited side trips

    • Stray (Hop-On Hop-Off)

  • National pass: Similar pricing to Kiwi Experience
  • Pros: Slightly more off-the-beaten-path stops, smaller groups
  • Cons: Less frequent departures

    • Self-Drive (Full Loop)

  • Car rental (Auckland, return to Auckland): From $35-60 NZD/day (~$21-36 USD). For 4 weeks: $980-1,680 NZD
  • Campervan (4 weeks): From $60-120 NZD/day, $1,680-3,360 NZD
  • Fuel (full loop): $400-600 NZD (~$240-360 USD)
  • Ferry (with vehicle): $200-500 NZD each way ($400-1,000 total)
  • Pros: Total freedom, camp anywhere (in self-contained vehicles), side trips to Abel Tasman, Mt Cook, etc.
  • Cons: High total cost for solo travellers, ferry vehicle booking essential in summer

    • Budget Comparison (Full Loop, 4 weeks)

    MethodApproximate Cost (NZD)Approximate Cost (USD) InterCity FlexiPass (60 hours) + ferry$600-750$360-450 Kiwi Experience national pass$1,200-1,900$720-1,140 Self-drive car (shared between 3)$600-900 per person$360-540 Self-drive campervan (shared between 2)$1,500-2,500 per person$900-1,500

    Tips & Warnings

  • Ferry booking -- vehicle spaces on the Interislander sell out in summer. Book as early as possible for December-February crossings. Foot passengers have more flexibility
  • One-way car rentals -- some companies charge extra for inter-island drop-offs. Consider returning the car on one island, walking onto the ferry, and renting a new car on the other side -- sometimes cheaper
  • Kiwi Experience vs InterCity -- if you are social and want a guided experience, Kiwi Experience is hard to beat. If you want flexibility and lower cost, InterCity FlexiPass gives you independence
  • Abel Tasman detour -- worth the side trip from Picton or Nelson. The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a Great Walk but you can also do day walks and kayak trips from $90-150 NZD
  • South Island distances feel longer -- roads are winding and mountainous. Allow more time than Google Maps suggests
  • Weather changes fast -- especially on the South Island. Carry layers and rain gear even in summer
  • DOC campsites -- Department of Conservation runs excellent basic campsites across both islands, typically $8-15 NZD per person per night. Book Great Walk huts well in advance (up to 6 months for Milford Track)
  • Working holiday -- if on a WHV, consider breaking the loop with work stints. Queenstown (hospitality), Bay of Islands (seasonal tourism), and Hawke's Bay (fruit picking) are popular WHV work bases

    • Related Routes

  • NZ-North-Island-Loop -- detailed North Island breakdown
  • NZ-South-Island-Loop -- detailed South Island breakdown