16 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

On the 19th (Fri), look for gifts at Bay of Islands Honey Shop and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour, then contemplate the long history of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

For traveler tips, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Paihia online route planner.

Sydney, Australia to Paihia is an approximately 8-hour flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) so you can drive to Auckland.

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.

On the 21st (Sun), awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area, then brush up on your military savvy at Auckland Museum, and then take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Auckland visit planning website.

Getting from Paihia to Auckland by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. In February, daytime highs in Auckland are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) 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.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): take a memorable tour with Tours, take in the natural beauty of Te Puia, and then take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback. On your second day here, get impressive views of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, then take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, then kick your exploration up a notch at Redwoods Treewalk, and finally take a peaceful walk through Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest.

For ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read our Rotorua trip planner.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Rotorua takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Auckland in February, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Rotorua, with lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) to allow 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: take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway, make a trip to Maori Rock Carvings, push the limits with an extreme tour, and take in the natural beauty of Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley.

To find photos, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Taupo trip planner.

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Taupo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) so you can drive to Tongariro National Park.

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

On the 27th (Sat), hike along Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Here are some ideas for day two: go for a walk through Mead's Wall, hike along Ridge Track, then trek along Silica Rapids Track, then trek along Whakapapa Nature Walk, and finally admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls.

For ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Tongariro National Park online trip maker.

Getting from Taupo to Tongariro National Park by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sun) early enough 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 1st (Mon), see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car, then ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Old St Paul's.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Wellington trip planner.

Getting from Tongariro National Park to Wellington by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In February, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) to allow time to travel 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.

Go for a jaunt from Te Anau to Milford Sound to see Bowen Falls about 1h 5 min away. Spend the 3rd (Wed) exploring at Doubtful Sound. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, look for all kinds of wild species at Ivan Wilson Park, get great views at Te Anau Lion Lookout Point, and explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

For more things to do, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the Te Anau route maker.

Do a combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Te Anau in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Fri): get interesting insight from Tours, then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown.

For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip planner.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. You'll have a few hours on the 6th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling home.