New Zealand road trips are the ultimate way to see the best of what the North and South Islands have to offer. While many of the country's hot spots - Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Marlborough, Christchurch and Queenstown - don't require four wheels to discover, the real benefit of a self-drive adventure is that you can explore the lesser-known areas where you’ll often find the most incredible, untouched nature - all without seeing another living soul. The country’s luscious landscapes are ideally suited to an active getaway with a bounty of hiking, climbing and kayaking adventures to be had across both islands, but there’s also plenty of opportunity for relaxation, whether it’s at a secluded beach or during a wine tasting tour through the famous Marlborough region. Some must-dos on your road trip around New Zealand include visiting the fjords of Milford Sound, watching the penguins on the coast between Dunedin and Invercargill, and get seriously adventurous by bungee jumping at Lake Wanaka.

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