How easy is it to drive in New Zealand? From Auckland-Rotorua, Picton-Christchurch-Queenstown…

Answer 1

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New Zealand is an easy place to drive in, its a first world country. The only thing you have to worry about is the fact that many NZ drivers are half asleep while they are driving

Answer 2

Auckland to Rotorua can be done in around 2.5 hours (via State Highway 27), faster depending on your exact starting point and route, and of course if you intend on travelling via car or if you drive slower in a campervan.

If you follow State Highway 1 and then SH5 it's estimated to take 2.5 hours so it's to you which route you want to take.

As for Picton to Chch following State Highway 1 should take you 3.5 hours.

Chch to Queenstown shoud take you 6 hours sticking to the main roads.

Don't tiki tour.. but if you want to, get a map so you don't get too lost.

Everything is well sign posted. Stay to the left. If you're going under 100kph on the open road pull over every now and again and let the traffic pass you. There are often passing lanes on the State Highways but drivers always appreciate the slow ones letting them get pass.

Source(s):

www.wises.co.nz is a good site for basic driving directions.

I travel Auckland to Rotorua often.

Answer 3

We campervaned both islands and it was pretty easy, but when you get right into the country sometimes they have off road tracks, they call them unsealed so they are pretty tough. And we drive on the left not the right! Its easy, no harder than any other country

Answer 4

No worries! The only thing that was a bit surprising for me was the suddenly one way bridges and such.

Source(s):

Campervan both islands 3 weeks last year.

Answer 5

Difficult, as they drive on the wrong side of the street.