17 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.

To find ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read our Auckland trip planner .

Buenos Aires, Argentina to Auckland is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone difference moving from Argentine Time (ART) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 15 hours. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Buenos Aires in February: highs in Auckland hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 26°C. On the 15th (Fri), you'll travel to Whangamata.

The town of Whangamatā is sited on the southeast coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. Venture out of the city with trips to Hahei (Cathedral Cove Walk & Hahei Beach Walk), Thames (Thames School of Mines and Mineralogical Museum & RAPAURA Watergardens) and Hot Water Beach (in Hot Water Beach). There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Mount Paku, enjoy the sand and surf at Whangamata Beach, explore the world behind art at Waihi Arts Centre & Museum, and hike along Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway.

To find other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Whangamata day trip planner.

You can drive from Auckland to Whangamata in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Auckland in February, expect slightly colder with lows of 19°C in Whangamata. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Tauranga.

The largest city in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga features extensive sandy beaches, well-maintained hiking paths, and a good range of accommodations.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Mt Maunganui Main Beach. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sat): get interesting insight from Tours and then look for all kinds of wild species at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Keep things going the next day: get your game on at Zorb Rotorua, take in the natural beauty of Te Puia, and then take a peaceful walk through Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest.

To see maps, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read Tauranga road trip app .

Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Tauranga takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of car and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in March, and nighttime lows around 18°C. On the 4th (Mon), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.

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

On the 21st (Thu), tour the pleasant surroundings at Huka Prawn Park, then admire the sheer force of Huka Falls tracks, and then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Taupo day trip planning site .

Traveling by car from Tauranga to Taupo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can 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 (Fri), catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, then admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden, then take some stellar pictures from Mount Victoria, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa).

For more things to do, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Wellington trip itinerary site .

You can fly from Taupo to Wellington in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. February in Wellington sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) so you can travel to Abel Tasman National Park.

Pristine blue water, immaculate white sand, and a thick, temperate rainforest make Abel Tasman National Park a natural jewel on the northern coast of Tasmania's South Island.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sat): hike along Abel Tasman Coast Track. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a memorable tour with Tours.

For maps, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Abel Tasman National Park journey maker website .

Explore your travel options from Wellington to Abel Tasman National Park with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Franz Josef.

Located in the World Heritage Site that is home to its eponymous glacier, the town of Franz Josef provides a comfortable and welcoming rest spot for adventurers after a long day out on the ice.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Tue): explore the striking landscape at Franz Josef Glacier and then stroll through Hooker Valley Track. On the next day, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Fox Glacier.

For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Franz Josef travel app .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Abel Tasman National Park to Franz Josef. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Wed) to allow time for the car ride to Queenstown.

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

Start off your visit on the 28th (Thu): explore the galleries of Queenstown Arts Centre and then take a memorable tour with Tours. Keep things going the next day: take a memorable tour with Tours and then have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Queenstown trip itinerary maker app .

Traveling by car from Franz Josef to Queenstown takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Fri) early enough to travel back home.