NZ Road Trip Websites and Apps to Help Get You on Your Way
Road tripping around New Zealand will provide an unbelievable adventure with memories to last you a lifetime. From the ancient volcanic remains of the North Island to the tumbling cliffs and epic scenery of the South Island, there’s plenty to explore behind the wheel of your car.
The Best Websites and Apps for the Road
First things first - when you touch down in New Zealand, you’ll need to collect your road trip vehicle. The Ace website will provide you with all the information you need to know about hiring a rental car, as well as the locations you can pick it up from - whether it be from Auckland airport, Queenstown airport, or any of the other eight pick-up locations in between. Once you have your car sorted, you’ll be well on your way to exploring all that New Zealand has to offer.
To first help you on your journey, make sure to have a look at the NZ Transport Agency’s website page about visiting New Zealand. This provides a great overview of the country’s roads, as well as helpful tips that explain how New Zealand’s roads may differ from the ones you are used to back home.
A great app to have handy as you’re travelling around New Zealand is Gaspy. This free app is a community-driven platform in which users report the cheapest prices of petrol at petrol stations across the country. If you’re embarking on a big road trip, it’s always helpful to know where you can save some dollars on filling up the tank.
The Best Apps for Planning Your Route
Now that you have your car sorted, it’s time to get out on the road. One of the most-recommended apps for road trippers travelling around New Zealand - even suggested as a top app by New Zealand’s tourism body - is the Roady app. This platform contains a wide range of information that spans from local knowledge, walks and waterfalls to scenic viewpoints, favourite spots and must-know key points of an area. Plus, it’s a New Zealand-specific app, so rest assured there’s plenty of important and reliable information about travelling the country to help you plan your journey effectively.
Another travel app to try is the Kruse GPS Travel Guide. This app is a great platform to learn more about New Zealand’s history, from Māori to European settlement. Created as a personal audio travel guide, the app’s storytelling will provide both entertaining and informative tales as you road trip through exciting new territory.
The Best Websites and Apps for Hikes and Activities
An important part of any road trip - especially across the tumbling hills and dramatic scenery of New Zealand - is making the most of the activities on offer. Whether you’re keen to hike across beautiful landscapes or get amongst the city life, these apps and websites are best to keep in your pocket as you travel.
Adventurers with an interest in nature will love both the Great Walks App and the Great Rides App. These New Zealand-based platforms provide a network of top hikes and bike rides across both the South and North Island. You’ll even be able to follow the maps offline, so no need to worry if you find yourself deep in the forest without reception.
If you’re looking to discover the best activities and adventures in the places you road trip between, Get Your Guide is a helpful website and app that features a wide range of things to do. From bar-hopping in the city to walking tours in small towns, the activities on offer are great for when you want to let an expert lead you the way.
BookMe or RedBalloon are other fantastic websites for booking adventures. Consisting of a range of discounts for activities - like sky diving or sail boating - this is a great way to explore a region at a cheaper rate.
The Best Websites and Apps for Camping and Accomodation
As you road trip around New Zealand, you’ll want to find the best accommodation, whether it be in hotels, houses or camping grounds. Trip Advisor is a great tool for comparing the prices of different kinds of accommodation, as well as recommending activities suited to the region you’re exploring.
If camping is more your speed, make sure to download the Rankers Camping NZ or CamperMate apps. Both of these platforms contain information on camping locations, as well as nifty tips on enjoying the area’s activities.
Road tripping around New Zealand in your Ace rental car is an adventure like no other. This guide of handy apps and websites will help you make the most of your travels as you explore this vast and beautiful country.
