Top 10 Scenic Routes for Your Motorhome Adventure in New Zealand

New Zealand is a land of awe-inspiring beauty—majestic mountains, lush forests, turquoise lakes, and winding coastal roads await every traveler. And what better way to explore this stunning country than in a motorhome? With the freedom to stop wherever your heart desires, a motorhome journey through New Zealand is the ultimate adventure.

Here are the top 10 scenic routes you simply must experience on your next road trip across Aotearoa:

1. Milford Road – Te Anau to Milford Sound (State Highway 94)

🛣️ Distance: 119 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~2 hours (without stops)

One of the most dramatic roads in the world, Milford Road weaves through Fiordland National Park, revealing glacier-carved valleys, alpine meadows, mirror-like lakes, and the spectacular Homer Tunnel. Finish your journey with a cruise through the iconic Milford Sound—it’s truly unforgettable.

2. The West Coast Drive – Westport to Haast

🛣️ Distance: 460 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~6–7 hours

Often overlooked but wildly beautiful, this stretch of highway hugs the rugged Tasman Sea coastline. Explore wild beaches, towering cliffs, and natural wonders like the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

3. Queenstown to Glenorchy (Glenorchy-Queenstown Road)

🛣️ Distance: 46 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~1 hour

Short but stunning, this lakeside route along Lake Wakatipu is straight out of a fantasy novel. With snow-capped peaks and reflections that seem painted, this drive is a favorite among photographers and film lovers (yes, it’s a LOTR location!).

4. The Forgotten World Highway – Taumarunui to Stratford (State Highway 43)

🛣️ Distance: 155 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~3 hours

Step back in time as you cruise this heritage-rich route. Expect tunnels carved by hand, remote hills, and a stop at Whangamōmona—a self-declared republic! It’s a quirky, off-the-grid adventure full of surprises.

5. Aoraki/Mount Cook Road (State Highway 80)

🛣️ Distance: 55 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~1 hour

Drive alongside the mesmerizing Lake Pukaki toward New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The turquoise waters and snow-dusted mountains offer unbeatable photo ops. Ideal for stargazers too—it’s part of a dark sky reserve!

6. East Cape Road – Ōpōtiki to Gisborne

🛣️ Distance: 334 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~5–6 hours

Remote and raw, this route hugs the easternmost edge of the North Island. Discover Māori culture, hidden bays, and the first sunrise in the world at the East Cape Lighthouse. Few tourists go this way—perfect for a peaceful escape.

7. The Catlins Coast – Invercargill to Balclutha

🛣️ Distance: 158 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~2.5–3 hours

Wild and windswept, The Catlins is packed with natural treasures: waterfalls, petrified forests, and coastal wildlife like sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins. Slope Point, the southernmost point of the South Island, is worth the detour.

8. Great Alpine Highway – Christchurch to Greymouth (State Highway 73)

🛣️ Distance: 255 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~4 hours

This transalpine journey takes you over Arthur’s Pass, past braided rivers and dramatic gorges. You’ll witness the changing landscapes from Canterbury plains to West Coast rainforest—all in a single day’s drive.

9. Thermal Explorer Highway – Auckland to Napier

🛣️ Distance: 460 km
🕓 Drive Time: ~6 hours

This geothermal trail guides you through the North Island’s volcanic heart. Soak in Rotorua’s hot springs, marvel at geysers, and experience Taupo’s massive crater lake before ending in the Art Deco city of Napier.

10. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway – Auckland to Cape Reinga (Loop)

🛣️ Distance: ~800 km (loop)
🕓 Drive Time: ~10–12 hours (total, not including stops)

Explore Northland’s spiritual and scenic wonders, from the Bay of Islands to the very tip of New Zealand at Cape Reinga. Swim in sheltered coves, hike to giant Kauri trees, and watch the Tasman Sea and