OUR FAVOURITE ROAD TRIPS
Need some more ideas? The NZ House & Garden team share their most enjoyable journeys behind the wheel
QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA (1 )
Cassie Doherty, sub-editor
Wanaka is an extremely pretty place to set off to, and Crown Range Rd provides soaring views on the way. No wonder, as it’s the highest main road in the country. The longer but easier way back is a lot closer to sea level, via the equally charming Cromwell (pictured).
MARUIA SPRINGS TO HANMER SPRINGS VIA LEWIS PASS (2)
Elaine Millar, advertising manager
After staying at Maruia Hot Springs (pictured) the scenery on the drive across the Southern Alps to Hanmer Springs was spectacular, with beech forest, alpine peaks and boulders the size of buildings. We truly were in awe of the southern landscape.
AUCKLAND TO WAITOMO CAVES
Richard Brunton, art director
I’ve always loved this return day trip from Auckland through the lush and rolling countryside of the Waikato and King Country regions, giving you a taste of rural New Zealand. The Waitomo glowworm caves are world-renowned, an enchanting natural wonder formed 30 million years ago.
WELLINGTON TO WHITIANGA (3)
Susan Thomas, designer
Every Boxing Day we would have to put aside our new presents and jostle for the window seats on the trip to Uncle Shag and Auntie Doff’s. The Desert Rd was exciting, in case we saw tanks or wild horses, and in Rotorua we’d stop to visit Auntie Hilda who had her own private indoor stinky hot pool.
BRIGHTWATER TO ST ARNAUD VIA GOLDEN DOWNS (4)
Sally Butters, food editor
Nelson Lakes National Park is where I’ve holidayed all my life so this trip is always a happy one. The best part is when you’re hurtling down the final straight, with the St Arnaud range on your left and Mt Robert looming ahead. Pure alpine magic.
CHRISTCHURCH TO WEST COAST VIA ARTHUR’S PASS (5)
Sharon Newey, associate editor
The craggy rocks and golden grasses of Arthur’s Pass are magical even in a torrent of rain. Wind raged and water gushed over the Otira viaduct. We stopped to check the surfboards were secure then dried out over a pie at the rustic pub at Kumara.
MOTUEKA TO MARAHAU
Bridie Chetwin-Kelly, staff writer
This is part of a bigger trip, Christchurch to Nelson, but it’s these last 30 minutes that really set the tone with sleepy baches right on the waterfront. It’s a long, winding hill down past the chaos of Kaiteriteri Beach. Then the traffic thins, your phone reception drops out and all you can see is water.
OPOTIKI TO TOKOMARU BAY (6)
Naomi Larkin, editor
Home to rugged coastline, glorious beaches, beloved marae and tiny towns, the East Coast is the mano o te whenua (heartland) of New Zealand and this stretch is a favourite with my daughter and me. Our progress is slow; we pull over often to take in the view. It’s all just so darn lovely.