Great scenic routes through New Zealand - back
Beautiful scenic routes link many New Zealand towns and cities. You cross brilliant green plains, rushing
rivers, mountain passes. It's great scenery and it changes often.
On DayOut, we've highlighted some of the most scenic roads. Our pick of them all is the grandeur of the
scenery on the road to Milford Sound. A close second, on a clear day, is the approach to Mt Cook. Some
Scenic Routes are in the air. You can take flights from Lake Tekapo and Wanaka over the Southern Alps and
Milford.
Others are by ferry or rail. The ocean-going Wellington Picton ferry passes through the Marlborough Sounds
while the Trans Alpine Rail trip traverses the South Island from the flat Canterbury landscape through alpine
scenery to the narrow West Coast. The Taieri Gorge Railway takes you inland from Dunedin.
An urban route is the Christchurch Tramway circuit. Near Christchurch is the Summit Road circuit with its
views of the city and Alps. The Wellington round the bays trip explores the contrasts in that city's marine
frontage.
South Island mountain passes such as Arthurs and Haast have dramatic scenery, but it's almost impossible to
single out the best routes with sea views: coastal roads from Northland to the Catlins in the deep south offer
stunning views. A notable route close to the sea is the trip to Cape Reinga along 90-mile Beach
We leave you to make your picks!