43 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Auckland is known for nature, museums, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: enjoy breathtaking views from SkyTower, stop by Pauanesia, hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, and explore the world behind art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.

Plan a Auckland trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Manchester, UK to Auckland is an approximately 28-hour flight. You'll lose 12 hours traveling from Manchester to Auckland due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Manchester in June, you will find days in Auckland are a bit cooler (15°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Fri) early enough to drive to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Venture out of the city with trips to Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail (in Kaikohe) and Pompallier Mission and Printery (in Russell). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, play a few rounds at Waitangi Golf Club, and get great views at Opua Forest Lookout Track.

To find reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Paihia online tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Auckland to Paihia by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

On the 7th (Wed), Head underground at Ruakuri Cave, then Head underground at Footwhistle Glowworm Cave, then Head underground at Caveworld, and finally Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 8th (Thu): identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and then pause for some photo ops at Statue of shearer.

To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves road trip planner.

Getting from Paihia to Waitomo Caves by combination of taxi and flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to drive to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Step out of Rotorua with an excursion to Hobbiton Movie Set in Hinuera--about 1h 20 min away. The adventure continues: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, get impressive views of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, learn about winemaking at Volcanic Hills Winery, and test the waters at a local thermal spa.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read Rotorua online trip maker.

Traveling by car from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. July in Rotorua sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Taupo is known for nature, adventure, and theme parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, look for gifts at Huka Honey Hive, admire the sheer force of Huka Falls, and don't miss a visit to Maori Rock Carvings.

To find traveler tips, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Taupo online trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

On the 19th (Mon), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 21st (Wed), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, make a trip to Mead's Wall, and contemplate the waterfront views at Tama Lakes.

To see photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Tongariro National Park route builder app.

Drive from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) to allow time to travel to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

On the 22nd (Thu), get a sense of history and politics at New Zealand Parliament, then get to know the resident critters at Wellington Zoo, then learn about winemaking at Te Aro Wine, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. On the 23rd (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, take an in-depth tour of The Great War Exhibition, then catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, and finally pause for some photo ops at John Plimmer Statue.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Wellington route builder app.

Traveling by flight from Tongariro National Park to Wellington takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In July, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 14°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to travel to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Sat): hop aboard TranzAlpine Train. On the 25th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: enjoy breathtaking views from Christchurch Gondola, then enjoy some diversion at Margaret Mahy Family Playground, then take an in-depth tour of Canterbury Museum, and finally walk around Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

To see more things to do, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Christchurch trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Christchurch takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Christchurch when traveling from Wellington in July, with lows around 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to take a bus to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu).

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu): Fox Glacier (Minnehaha Walk, Helicopter Tours, &more).

To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) trip builder website.

Take a bus from Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) in 4.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to take a bus to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Te Anau: Milford Sound (Milford sound Hwy & Boat Tours & Water Sports). Spend the 30th (Fri) exploring at Doubtful Sound. There's much more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, look for all kinds of wild species at Ivan Wilson Park, stop by Kowhai Gifts & Souvenirs, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mitre Peak.

To find photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read Te Anau trip site.

Take a bus from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) to Te Anau in 7 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to take a bus to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

On the 5th (Thu), dedicate a day to the elevated beauty of The Remarkables Ski Area. There's lots more to do: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and take an exotic tour of Nomad Safaris.

For other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Queenstown trip planner.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.