The Ultimate Auckland to Wellington Road Trip Itinerary

From majestic landscapes to exciting attractions, New Zealand definitely has so much to offer. If you’re thinking of planning a North Island trip, we’ve put together a guide on how you can self-drive from Auckland to Wellington and make sure you stop at all the best spots! 

A self-drive is a whole different adventure in itself - you’ll get the option to stop whenever, what better way to explore NZ and pack in the most adventure? A drive from Auckland to Wellington lets you explore New Zealand at your own pace and discover places you’ve never been before. 

We’ve listed down a great itinerary for your Auckland to Wellington drive below. Did you know you can now also hire a car on Klook? 

With Klook, you can conveniently book top cars from reputable brands such as Hertz, Alamo, AVIS, Europcar, and SIXT at very affordable prices. From compact cars to SUVs, there’s a vehicle for every need. 

If last-minute emergencies happen before the trip (we hope not!), you can easily cancel your booking for free and receive a full refund in most cases. Klook car rentals are available at several pick-up and drop-off locations across the country and also in Australia. 

After pre-booking your car rental, it’s time to plan the ultimate Auckland to Wellington self-drive road trip itinerary! To save you some time, we’ve listed down the best stops to see all the splendid sights of New Zealand in one trip. 

Of course, it goes without saying that this Auckland to Wellington drive starts in Auckland. You can pick up your car here, and it is also a great starting point for your adventure. Auckland offers plenty of attractions such as cultural immersions, scenic cruises, and jaw-dropping sights!

While at Auckland, make sure to check out the following activities (that you can also book with Klook!):

Film buffs will have a fantastic time at Weta Workshop Unleashed in Auckland! Brace yourself as you step into the magical worlds of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi in this Auckland version of the Weta Cave Workshop in Wellington. 

This “part film set, part creative workshop” is all made possible with special effects and Weta’s creative minds. See three original movie projects in this 90-minute guided tour, where you will be greeted by interactive gizmos, realistic giants, and robots!

Venture into Auckland’s fantastic sights in this 2.5-hour cruise along the harbour that also comes with a delicious 3-course meal! Sit back and relax as you cross the inner harbour and discover why Auckland is fondly known as the “City of Sails.”

Bask in the beautiful Auckland sunset as you feast on a delectable course meal catered by top Viaduct Restaurant Degree holders. A licensed bar is also available onboard, so you can sip from premium New Zealand beers, wines, and other drinks while you take in the city skyline.

See Auckland from a different point of view - at 328 metres above the ground! At SkyTower Auckland, the tallest vantage point in the city, get 360-degree uninterrupted views of the cityscape.

If you’re up for a heart-pumping experience, you can jump off from the sky tower with Sky Jump (at your own expense)! You can also have a wonderful time at its high-end casino or enjoy a magnificent dining experience at Orbit 360.

If you’re into educational eco-tours and grand wine tastings, a visit to Waiheke Island should be on your Auckland to Wellington drive itinerary! Don’t miss the chance to step foot on a tropical paradise of vineyards and sandy beaches, which you can easily reach with ferry cruises from Auckland!

Experience a stress-free round-trip ferry transfer from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island’s Matiatia Bay! Sit back and relax aboard a luxury catamaran, and in just 40 minutes, you’ll be enjoying the fresh ocean breeze. 

For a fantastic tour around Waiheke Island, you can also book an Explorer Bus ticket to enjoy the island’s vineyards and incredible views. At the beach, there are walking trails you can go on to pass the time.

Experience the best of Waiheke Island with a tour of your own choice! 

Art enthusiasts can go on the Art Walk to visit art galleries and studios. On the Bush & Beach Walk, you can see the Te Whau Peninsula, Whakanewha Regional Park, and Rocky Bay area. If you want to see the beautiful ecology of the Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island, we recommend you choose the Double Headland Walk. And, to sample award-winning wines and spend a day lounging at the beach, the Vineyards & Beach Walk is the perfect tour for you!

Take a 40 minute ferry cruise from Waiheke Island to downtown Auckland. Then, do a 3 hour drive from Auckland to Rotorua.

Distance from Auckland: 228 km

After a great day at Waiheke Island, head back to downtown Auckland via a 40-minute ferry cruise. There are plenty of ferry rides you can book from such as SeaLink and Fullers360, but all take you through pleasant sights of the Hauraki Gulf and neighbouring islands. 

Once back at Auckland, you can now start your drive for Rotorua. It’s an excellent stop in your Auckland to Wellington drive as you explore hot springs and geysers and discover a lot about Maori culture.

Aside from popular Rotorua stops such as Te Puia and the Hobbiton Movie Set, make sure to stop by the Secret Spot Hot Tubs for that well-deserved pamper session after all that driving!

Immerse yourself in nature as you bask in the magnificent surroundings of the Whakarewarewa forest in this unique bath experience! Bathe in one of The Secret Spot’s 12 six-seater hot tubs and enjoy your choice of local wine, craft beers, or ciders.

1 hour drive from Rotorua

Distance: 80 km

Less than an hour from Rotorua, you’ll soon find yourself in a thrillseeker’s Mecca. If you love the adrenaline rush, we suggest you stop by Taupo on your Auckland to Wellington drive and go skydiving or bungee jumping! You can also enjoy the magnificent scenery of New Zealand’s largest lake as you sip on a cup of coffee inside a cosy cafe.

One of the most unique activities you can do on your Auckland to Wellington drive is to set sail aboard NZ’s only electric yacht! 

Choose from a day or evening cruise and visit the Mine Bay rock carvings as you learn more about Maori culture. You can even learn how to sail the yacht or simply relax during the cruise. All safety equipment is included onboard, plus you get complimentary tea or coffee too!

2.5 hour drive from Taupo

Distance: 170 km

Get the best of both land and coastal views at Hawke’s Bay! We highly recommend you leave your car at your accommodation and hire a bike to discover the area’s world-class wineries and vineyards. 

Immerse yourself even more with nature and get magnificent views of the region when you reach Te Mata Peak at 399 metres! To start your hike, head to Te Mata Park, where most of the hiking and biking trails to the summit begin. Check out a map here.

You can also go on an art deco architecture tour at Napiers or visit NZ’s National Aquarium.

4.5 hour drive from Hawke’s Bay

Distance: 325 km

This Auckland to Wellington drive concludes at the “windy city.” Wellington packs a ton of wonderful activities you can try once you reach this seaside city. From fantastic dining experiences to historical adventures, you’ll definitely have plenty of fun before heading back.

Learning about the geography and culture of New Zealand as well as the colourful history of the Maori people at Te Papa Museum.

Cover all essential bases and facts in this 1-hour guided introduction tour around the museum. After which, you’re given time to freely roam around the museum at your own time and pace. You can also book early bird access to the exhibition Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War, where you can enter the exhibit an hour before it opens to the public. 

Take a ride on New Zealand's only running funicular railroad! You can catch sight of well-known Wellington landmarks such as the Botanic Gardens, Cable Car Museum, Space Place, and Zealandia! The cable car also stops at Lambton Quay, Clifton, Talavera, Salamanca, and Kelburn Lookout, so make sure to pack your cameras to take photos!

Experience 225 hectares of the world’s first urban ecosanctuary at ZEALANDIA! 

With Klook, you can book a 2.5-hour night tour, where you’ll explore the sanctuary by torchlight to see the Little Spotted Kiwi, glowworms, and other native wildlife. The ZEALANDIA Twilight Tour (available from November to February) can also be booked via Klook. You can experience the day transform to night as you listen to the majestic sounds of endemic NZ birds on this tour.

A great follow-up to your Auckland Weta Workshop Unleashed experience is Wellington’s Weta Hands-on Workshops! Take your pick from three different intro classes: Intro to SFX Make-up, Intro to Sculpting, and Intro to Leather & Chainmaille.

With the Weta costume crew, you will learn how to make fake blood and create realistic wounds from silicon gels. In Intro to Sculpting, you will bring a fantastical creature to life using modelling clay. You can also create your own keyring and keychain using Weta’s tried and tested crafting techniques if you go on the Leather & Chainmaille class.