22 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.

Plan a trip to Auckland easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

Sydney, Australia to Auckland is an approximately 7-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 2 hours. When traveling from Sydney in December, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Auckland: temperatures range from 20°C by day to 20°C at night. You will leave for Rotorua on the 1st (Wed).

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.

Rotorua Canopy Tours has been added to your itinerary. Go for a jaunt from Rotorua to Hinuera to see Hobbiton Movie Set about 1h 20 min away. And it doesn't end there: take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, contemplate the long history of Te Puia, and take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

To see where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Rotorua planning site.

You can drive from Auckland to Rotorua in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. When traveling from Auckland in December, plan for a bit warmer days in Rotorua, with highs around 25°C, while nights are a bit cooler with lows around 17°C. On the 6th (Mon), you'll 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.

Go for a jaunt from Waitomo Caves to Pukeatua to see Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari about 52 minutes away. There's still lots to do: explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, tour the pleasant surroundings at Ruakuri Walk, head outdoors with Waitomo Clay Birds, and scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour.

To find maps, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Waitomo Caves online trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Taupo: River Rafting & Tubing (in Turangi), Ridge Track (in Whakapapa) and Tongariro National Park (Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Te Porere Redoubt, &more). The adventure continues: get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, look for gifts at Souvenir Outlet, take in the dramatic natural features at Craters of the Moon, and trek along Huka Falls Walkway.

To see other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Taupo trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Taupo in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can travel to Queenstown.

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

Change things up with a short trip to Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Wanaka (about 1h 10 min away). There's lots more to do: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, and take in nature's colorful creations at Queenstown Gardens.

For maps, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip planner.

You can fly from Taupo to Queenstown in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) to allow enough 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.

Go for a jaunt from Te Anau to Milford Sound to see Boat Tours & Water Sports about 1 hour away. On the 20th (Mon), hike the day away at Hollyford Track. Spend the 21st (Tue) exploring at Doubtful Sound. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, stroll through Lake Marian Track, and trek along Lake Gunn.

For traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Te Anau online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau by bus takes about 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) to allow enough time to travel back home.