Everyone has their own dream drive. Some people would like to drive on the USA’s long interstate highway. Some people would like to go on an off-roading adventure on their trucks. And if you are in New Zealand or a New Zealander/Kiwi, then you may have already heard of the Volcanic Loop Highway.
For locals and tourists, this drive is a must to see what the country has to offer. The total driving time is close to 10 hours, but you will be spending at least seven days at different sites. This is something that all locals and tourists should do at least once in their life.
So how can an individual or group plan for such a trip?
Preparing your car for the week-long drive
This drive will start in Auckland and will head all the way to Rotorua on the last day. After this, you would then head back to Auckland via the Hobbiton route. That is more than 700kms worth of driving. So you will need to prepare your car for it.
Of course, you would need to schedule your car for maintenance and servicing a few weeks or so before the trip. Your vehicle needs to be in its best shape for the drive. You would not want to get stuck in the middle of the road with a broken car.
If needed, you will also need to change your tires – especially if your current ones already have signs of wear. While there are car-free travel options available, driving the route itself is part of the fun. And if you are looking for a car that can handle such a long trip, then you do not need to look any further.
You can find dealerships that offer brands like Land Rover for sale in Auckland, New Zealand.
Planning the trip’s itinerary
On New Zealand’s own website, there is already a pre-made itinerary that you can follow. You only need to stick to the guide’s instructions to get the most out of the trip. But, in some cases, you may not be able to try some of the things listed in the guide. It could be because of financial constraints.
In other cases, other people will not want to try the whole itinerary because of personal reasons. For example, not all people would want to jump out of a plane at 15,000ft in Taupo. In other cases, some people will want to squeeze in as most activities as they can on the trip.
So before you leave Auckland, you should have a detailed itinerary to follow.
Bring the right gear
The Volcanic Loop has dozens of activities to offer. And to try them all, you need to bring the right gear for the trip. For most of the trip, you are in the outdoors. You will tackle water rafting, volcanic cones, trekking, and so much more. So make sure you pack the right clothes for the trip.
This is a trip that not too many people take. So you need to bring a camera along for the drive. The photos you will have of you, and your friends will be something to look back to for years to come. And if you are travelling solo, then you can always bring a tripod and set a timer to get a photo of yourself.
The Loop is something that all tourists and locals should try at least once. In more-or-less seven days, you get to squeeze in as many activities as you can on the northern island of the country. So get your Land Rover (and your wallet) ready for this amazing trip!
