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North Island winter destinations
There’s lots to see and do on a North Island road trip in winter. Here’s a look at some of the hot spots worth adding to your road trip planner.
Waiheke Island
Fancy an island escape this winter? For this one, you won’t even need a passport or plane ticket! Waiheke Island is a short ferry ride from Auckland’s city centre. Think panoramic ocean views, sensational food and wine, art galleries, and boutique shopping. You can even take your campervan with you. Just book in on the Sealink Ferry.
If you are feeling active, then activities like horse riding, sea kayaking or hitching up on the EcoZip will get the blood pumping and boost your appetite for a late lunch. The island is a mix of forest and farmland that produces fine local ingredients showcased in the best of the island's eateries. While there are a number of brilliant restaurants and wineries, we reckon Mudbrick restaurant is hard to beat.
Rotorua
A motorhome holiday in Rotorua is hard to beat in winter. And one of the best things to do in Rotorua is to visit Hells Gate thermal centre. Soak in a rejuvenating mud spa, enjoy delicious delicacies, and watch a traditional carving being created.
If you’ve hired bikes for your road trip, be sure to put them to good use at the Redwoods Forest. With around 150 km of trails, there is plenty to explore. There are lots of great tracks for walking too.
Keen on a little wine tasting? Volcanic Hills is an award-winning winery and a must-do in Rotorua. The tasting room has some of the best views in town too. To get there, you’ll need to take the Skyline Gondola. Of course, while you’re there, have some fun on a luge ride or feel the adrenaline rush of the Skyswing and Zoom Zipline.
A great side trip while you’re in Rotorua – especially if you like fishing – is a visit to Lake Rotoma. The sparkling lake is home to rainbow trout as well as a new hybrid dubbed ‘tiger trout,’ which has distinct tiger-like stripes.
Image: Tourism New Zealand
Hobbiton
Whether you go for the kids, because you’re a LOTR fanatic, or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, Hobbiton is an unforgettable day for everyone. Explore the enchanting world of Middle-earth as you wander through The Shire. Pose outside Frodo’s house or sample Hobbit fare at an evening dinner at The Green Dragon. Second helpings are encouraged! It’s a jaw-droppingly beautiful location guaranteed to brighten up any winter day.
Image: Tourism New Zealand
Taupo
Whatever activity features on your winter wish list, you can be sure to find it in Taupo. Home to New Zealand’s largest lake and surrounded by ancient forests, alpine deserts, and majestic mountains, Taupo is a campervan traveller's dream destination.
One of the top things to do in Taupo is a visit to the incredible Huka Falls. Witness the power and beauty as 220,000 litres of water per second crash over an 11-metre-high waterfall. If you’re keen on a closer look, try a jet boat ride or river cruise. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, take the easy one-hour walk alongside the river.
Another of the top things to do in Taupō is a cruise aboard the Ernest Kemp to see the Māori Rock Carvings. Relax as you cruise along the tranquil waters of Lake Taupo onboard this replica steamboat on a 1.5-hour or 2-hour tour.
Need to warm up? Soak away the day with a soothing spa at Taupō DeBretts Hot Springs. The perfect activity for a chilly day! Taupo DeBretts sits on a prime ‘hot spot’ location – a geothermal spring known as Onekeneke.
If you’re in Taupo during the first half of July, don’t miss the Taupo Winter Festival. There’s loads to do for the whole family!
Image: Tourism New Zealand
South Island winter destinations
A South Island road trip in winter is hard to beat. Here are a few must-see highlights worth adding to your road trip planner.
Hanmer Springs
Nestled among picture-postcard mountains and forestry, the resort town of Hanmer Springs is famous for its fantastic thermal pool complex. Relax in the soothing sulphur pools. Bask in gentle rapids and natural rock pools. Ease those aching muscles with the waterspouts and jets. It’s hard to imagine a more idyllic spot to unwind and warm up as the cooler weather settles in. For an extra treat, book in a massage or facial treatment at the spa.
Hanmer Springs also has a great selection of forest walks including the Forest Amble Walk where you’ll come across large wooden art sculptures along the way.
For the best enjoy the best pizzas in town or a sizzling stonegrill, head to Saints Restaurant.
Kaikoura
If a whale watch is high on your bucket list, then winter is the perfect time to tick it off. And the place to be? The beautiful coastal village of Kaikoura, New Zealand’s top whale-watching spot. Cruise out on a Whale Watch tour into New Zealand’s deepest marine reserve. The reserve is frequented by sperm whales, blue whales, southern right whales and more. During the months of June–August, humpback whales leave the Antarctic and head north to the warmer tropical waters. Whale Watch tours have front-row seats to see the whales as they cruise past the Kaikoura coastline. Chances are you’ll see some pods of playful dusky dolphins out on the water too.
Fiordland
This pristine region of New Zealand ranks as one of the most beautiful. It’s a popular destination for campervan travellers who are treated to waterfalls, serene rainforests, shimmering lakes and ancient glaciers. Fiordland National Park is a World Heritage Site and includes Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds.
The Fiordland Park region is home to three Great Walks of New Zealand including the Kepler Track. Starting and ending in Te Anau, the 60 km Kepler Track loop takes you through the beech-forested shores of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri to the alpine heights of Mt Luxmore. You’ll need to plan 3-4 days to complete the track.
If you prefer a more laid-back winter activity, book yourself into the Te Anau Glowworm Cave Tour. This unforgettable experience begins with a half-hour boat cruise on beautiful Lake Te Anau. You’ll then head underground into a unique 12,000-year-old cave system. Explore the caves both on foot and by boat and discover how they were slowly formed by rushing water. You’ll then glide through the darkness and into the magical glow worm grotto to see a dazzling display of tiny lights. Tours run daily and take two hours and 15 minutes.
Queenstown
Boasting breathtaking alpine scenery, snow-capped mountains and fresh mountain air, Queenstown is New Zealand’s winter playground. Ranked 25th of the 100 most-loved destinations in the world, Queenstown is the perfect winter base to hit the slopes. Choose from Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. The four ski areas feature different terrain and experiences, it’s worth visiting them all!
Looking for your next biking adventure? Queenstown has an extensive network of cycling tracks including the Queenstown Trail, one of New Zealand’s most popular Great Rides. Prefer to hit the trails on foot? No problem, from day walks to multi-day hikes, Queenstown has a variety of easy-to-access walking trails. Take your time and enjoy the stunning scenery including native forests, rivers and waterfalls, lakes, and mountains.
For those looking for a day of adrenaline-fuelled adventure, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy Queenstown at full speed. From white-water rapids and jet boating to bungy jumping and canyon swinging… there’s good reason Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world!
Keen to top off your day with something special for dinner? You’re in luck. There are over 150 bars and restaurants in Queenstown from fine dining to bustling eateries, family-friendly cafes and boutique restaurants.
Image: Tourism New Zealand
Get out of hibernation this winter with Britz
Ready to say goodbye to the winter blues? Whether you’re keen on whale watching in Kaikoura or hitting the ski-fields in Queenstown, there’s no better way to explore New Zealand in winter than with a cosy Britz campervan hire.
Don’t wait till summer to book your New Zealand road trip. Check out our latest deals and start planning your next big adventure today!