Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and pick up your rental car at the airport. After settling into your accommodation, take time to get oriented in New Zealand's largest city. Auckland's known as the City of Sails and has the world's largest Polynesian population, so there's a lot of cultural character here. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight and perhaps grabbing dinner somewhere local.
Landmarks/POIs Auckland - Day 2
Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula
Head north to the Coromandel Peninsula. If you've got energy, stop by the War Memorial Museum on Pukekawa Hill before exploring the coast. Hot Water Beach is worth the visit where hot springs emerge at low tide. Cathedral Cove has a natural rock arch that's great for photos, or if you prefer being on the water, a canoe tour along the coast works too. You'll finish the day in Pauanui.
Optional Activities
- War Memorial Museum visit on Pukekawa Hill
- Hot Water Beach bathing in hot springs at low tide
- Cathedral Cove hiking tour
- Coastal hiking trails from Pauanui
- Canoe tour
Landmarks/POIs War Memorial Museum Hot Water Beach Cathedral Cove - Day 3
Coromandel to Rotorua
Drive south and stop in Matamata to see Hobbiton, the original film set from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. From there, continue to Rotorua, which sits in New Zealand's geothermal heartland. You'll find geysers, mud holes, and a vibrant Maori cultural center here. Plan on reaching Rotorua by late afternoon.
Optional Activities
- Hobbiton film set tour in Matamata
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Rotorua - Day 4
Rotorua
Spend the day exploring Rotorua's geothermal features. Te Puia offers spouting geysers and mud pools, or you can hike Waimangu Volcanic Valley's crater trails for something more active. Te Pa Tu Maori Village gives you insight into traditional Maori life. You'll also visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to see New Zealand's national bird. There's plenty to do here, so pick what appeals most.
Included Activities
- National Kiwi Hatchery tour (English speaking)
Optional Activities
- Te Puia thermal area visit with geysers and mud pools
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley hiking tour along crater trails
- Te Pa Tu Maori Village tour of recreated traditional village
Landmarks/POIs Te Puia Waimangu Volcanic Valley National Kiwi Hatchery - Day 5
Rotorua to Napier
Travel past Huka Falls to Taupo, where New Zealand's largest lake sits inside a volcanic crater. A boat trip takes you to see Maori rock carvings on the water. Then continue to Napier on Hawkes Bay. This Art Deco city was rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake and has real character. Cape Kidnappers is home to the world's largest accessible gannet colony if you want to add that.
Optional Activities
- Lake Taupo boat trip to view Maori rock carvings
- Cape Kidnappers gannet colony tour
Landmarks/POIs Huka Falls Lake Taupo Cape Kidnappers Napier - Day 6
Napier to Wellington
Drive through the Manawatu region to reach Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Te Papa national museum is impressive and worth several hours. Take the cable car up to Kelburn Lookout for city views, then explore trendy Cuba Street with its bars and cafes. If Academy Award-winning memorabilia interests you, the Weta Workshop is optional. You'll have a good feel for Wellington's character by evening.
Optional Activities
- Te Papa national museum visit
- Kelburn Lookout cable car ride
- Cuba Street exploration
- Weta Workshop visit
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa Kelburn Lookout Weta Workshop - Day 7
Wellington to Marlborough
Take the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island. The 3-hour crossing often brings dolphins, whales, and seals into view. During good weather, Queen Charlotte Drive provides spectacular views along 35 km of coastline as you approach. You'll arrive in Picton and then head to the Marlborough wine region. The scenery during this crossing is genuinely special.
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing Wellington to Picton (passengers and cars)
Landmarks/POIs Cook Strait Marlborough Sounds Queen Charlotte Drive Picton - Day 8
Marlborough
Explore the wine region around Blenheim, where about 40 wineries offer cellars and tastings. Sauvignon Blanc is what this area's famous for. A bike tour through the vineyards is a nice option if you want to be active. Alternatively, head 120 km south to Kaikoura, which sits between mountains and sea, and take optional whale and dolphin watching tours. Either option gives you a solid day.
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting bike tour through Blenheim vineyards
- Day trip to Kaikoura (approximately 120 km)
- Whale watching tour in Kaikoura
- Dolphin watching tour in Kaikoura
Landmarks/POIs Blenheim Kaikoura - Day 9
Marlborough to Hokitika
Travel via St. Arnaud to the west coast and Paparoa National Park. The Punakaiki Rocks and blowholes are what everyone comes to see here. Wind and waves have carved these formations so they look like stacked pancakes. During high tide and strong westerly winds, seawater shoots up through rock holes like a geyser. You'll settle in Hokitika for two nights.
Optional Activities
- Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Punakaiki visit
Landmarks/POIs Paparoa National Park Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Punakaiki - Day 10
Hokitika
Hokitika's a cool little town that started during the gold rush in 1860. Walk through historic buildings on a town tour and check out galleries specializing in pounamu, which is jade jewelry and artwork. If you're into scenery and have the budget, a helicopter flight over the Southern Alps lets you see six glaciers, crystal-clear rivers, and alpine landscapes from above.
Optional Activities
- Hokitika town tour with historic buildings
- Pounamu (jade) galleries and artwork browsing
- Helicopter flight to Southern Alps with glacier views
Landmarks/POIs Hokitika Arahura River - Day 11
Hokitika to Methven/Rakaia
Travel over Arthur's Pass, the highest and most spectacular crossing through the Southern Alps. This engineering feat includes viaducts, waterfalls, and rocky outcrops that are genuinely dramatic. Stop for short hikes to experience the landscape as vegetation transitions from dense rainforest to extensive beech forests. The scenery changes noticeably as you climb and descend.
Optional Activities
- Short hiking stops along Arthur's Pass
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Southern Alps - Day 12
Methven/Rakaia to Lake Tekapo/Twize
Cross the farmland of the Canterbury Plains heading toward Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. You'll pass Lake Tekapo on the way. This massive park covers 70,000 square kilometers with over a third being snow and ice. More than twenty peaks here exceed 3,000 meters. Choose accommodation near Twizel or Lake Tekapo depending on your preferences.
Landmarks/POIs Canterbury Plains Lake Tekapo Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park - Day 13
Lake Tekapo/Twize to Queenstown
Start by checking out Clay Cliffs near Omarama, where high rocky peaks are separated by narrow gorges. Omarama holds the title of world's gliding capital. Cross the scenic Lindis Pass with its golden hills, then pass through Arrowtown, a gold mining town that's been lovingly restored. From there, it's on to Queenstown.
Optional Activities
- Clay Cliffs stop near Omarama
Landmarks/POIs Clay Cliffs Omarama Lindis Pass Arrowtown Queenstown - Day 14
Queenstown
Queenstown's the South Island's most visited resort, surrounded by high mountains. It was founded during the 1860s gold rush, and the surrounding valleys still have profitable mining areas. Try a jet boat trip on the Shotover or Kawarau rivers, take a helicopter flight, cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard a historic steamship, or ride the gondola up Bob's Peak for panoramic views. Winter transforms it into a major ski destination.
Optional Activities
- Jet boat trip on Shotover River
- Jet boat trip on Kawarau River
- Helicopter flight
- Steamship 'Earnslaw' cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Bob's Peak gondola ride with panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Queenstown Shotover River Kawarau River Lake Wakatipu Bob's Peak - Day 15
Queenstown to Te Anau
Drive through Gibbston Valley wine region, which is known for excellent Pinot Noir, along picturesque Lake Wakatipu. Stop at Devil's Staircase Lookout to see the lake and surrounding mountains before heading to Te Anau. If you want to add something, take a boat tour to the Glowworm Caves. The drive itself is scenic.
Optional Activities
- Glowworm Caves boat tour from Te Anau
Landmarks/POIs Gibbston Valley Lake Wakatipu Devil's Staircase Lookout Te Anau Glowworm Caves - Day 16
Te Anau
Enter Fjordland National Park, the largest and most spectacular national park in New Zealand. The park has numerous glacier fjords, lush coastal rainforests, snow-capped mountain ranges, and deep valleys. Travel on the only public land connection to the fjord landscape and experience Milford Sound by boat or kayak, surrounded by waterfalls and mist-covered mountains.
Optional Activities
- Milford Sound boat tour
- Milford Sound kayak trip
Landmarks/POIs Fjordland National Park Milford Sound - Day 17
Te Anau to Dunedin
Drive through hilly farmland past Lumsden to reach Dunedin, a Scottish town founded in 1847. The 1860s gold rush caused a boom here, and the town's full of Victorian architecture from that era. Visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only historic castle, for views of Otago Bay. The Scottish heritage is evident everywhere.
Optional Activities
- Larnach Castle visit with Otago Bay views
Landmarks/POIs Lumsden Dunedin Larnach Castle Otago Bay - Day 18
Dunedin to Christchurch
Travel to Oamaru and explore the historic town center with its well-preserved white sandstone buildings. The Victorian quarter around Harbour-Tyne Street has small stores and cafes worth browsing. Check out the Steampunk Museum and head to the harbor to observe little penguins and yellow-eyed penguins. From there, continue to Christchurch, a tranquil city with green spaces, art galleries, museums, and a mix of historic and modern architecture.
Optional Activities
- Oamaru historic town center exploration
- Victorian quarter around Harbour-Tyne Street
- Steampunk Museum visit
- Oamaru harbor penguin observation
Landmarks/POIs Oamaru Steampunk Museum Christchurch - Day 19
Christchurch
Your tour ends today. Return your rental car or arrange an individual extension to keep exploring New Zealand. You'll have covered substantial ground across both islands and seen everything from geothermal wonders to fjords to wine regions.
Optional Activities
- Individual extension arrangements
Landmarks/POIs Christchurch
