Wellington Driving Routes, Self-Drive Tour
Experience New Zealand your way. Our experienced team will create a sensational customised New Zealand self-drive holiday around your interests and travel preferences. Book your best car hire, accommodation and activity options in one go!
Start your New Zealand holiday in Wellington and take a self-drive tour of New Zealand. From Wellington, you could drive to many key areas like Mt Cook, Queenstown, Greymouth, Nelson, Napier and Taupo.
View the recommended routes listed below. Click on the routes to read a summary.
Each route is made up of several days. You can read a detailed description of each day, along with links to availaible options, like accommodation, attractions and activities, tours, transport and visitor information.
View more driving routes:
One-Way Trip From Wellington - Driving Routes
Wellington - Mt Cook - Queenstown (4 Days)
Start Wellington / Finish Queenstown
This four day journey includes some of the South Island's most impressive landscapes and wildlife experiences.
Includes: Wellington, Cook Straight Interisland Ferry crossing, Picton, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook Village, Twizel, Omarama and Queenstown
Wellington - Greymouth - Queenstown (5 Days)
Start Wellington / Finish Queenstown
Take the west coast route from Wellington to Queenstown - you'll discover glaciers, gold towns, rainforest and wild beaches.
Includes: Wellington, Cook Straight Interisland Ferry crossing, Picton, Nelson, Westport, Punakaiki, Greymouth, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Haast, Wanaka and Queenstown
Return Trip From Wellington - Driving Routes
Wellington - Nelson - Wellington (3 Days)
Start Wellington / Finish Wellington
This short excursion to the South Island gives you a taste of wine, art and alpine adventure.
Includes: Wellington, Cook Straight Interisland Ferry crossing, Picton, Nelson, Murchison and Blenheim.
Wellington - Napier - Wellington (5 Days)
Start Wellington / Finish Wellington
Beginning in Wellington, this lower North Island route delivers a cross-section of attractions - from vineyards to boiling mud pools.
Includes: Wellington, Martinborough, Masterton, Hastings, Napier, Taupo, Turangi and Palmerston North.
Wellington - Taupo - Wellington (7 Days)
Start Wellington / Finish Wellington
Drive the loop from Wellington to Taupo and back to discover some of the lower North Island's most interesting places.
Includes: Wellington, Martinborough, Masterton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Waitomo Caves, Taupo and Turangi.
