New Zealand is a country whose beauty is best explored by road trips. Owing to its small size, well-maintained roads, and cheap car hires, it’s a great destination to explore by road. New Zealand might not be the cheapest place to travel to, but a road trip is quite easy on any budget with all the car rentals that are available in this country. The real wealth here is the view, which would last a lifetime with anyone. Get yourself a cheap and reliable rental car, and you’re good to go. Here are the top three routes to take while you’re in New Zealand, to experience a truly unforgettable visit:
1. West Coast – from Westport to Greymouth
The rugged West Coast highway of New Zealand’s South Island is situated along some of the greatest scenery that New Zealand has to offer. If you’re a fan of coastal drives, then this route is for you, with a windswept stretch of tarmac. Along the way, there’ll be the Tasman Sea on your right and the Southern Alps on your left. The best time to drive is on a sunny day, for the best views. Another travel option is to take a detour and spend the rest of the day in Punakaiki, where you can visit the Pancake Rocks.
2. Te Anau to Milford Sound Highway
Considered by many to be one of the greatest drives in the world, the route from Te Anau to Milford Sound is awe-inspiring. The road cuts through the dense rainforests and imposing mountains, and runs along sharp cliff faces. Although it rains here quite frequently, but the drive is equally impressive, if not better after the rains. Another exciting part of the route is the section that comes just before the Homer Tunnel, where you’re suddenly faced with the reality of being in a massive glacier, with rock cliffs on both of its sides.
3. Wanaka to Queenstown via the Cardrona Pass
Located in the Southern Lakes region of the South Island, the drive from Wanaka to Queenstown over the Cardrona Pass is overwhelming. Once you leave Wanaka, the road begins to slowly climb until you reach Cardrona. As you set off from there, the road becomes steeper and begins to twist and turn to reveal a stunning view of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables mountain range in the distance.
