21 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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

Dolphin & Whale Watching has been added to your itinerary.

To see traveler tips, photos, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Christchurch trip planning site.

If you are flying in from United Kingdom, the closest major aiport is Christchurch International Airport. In February, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 13°C. On the 26th (Sun), you're off to Greymouth.

Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council. To find maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Greymouth trip site.

Drive from Christchurch to Greymouth in 3.5 hours. You'll set off for Franz Josef on the 27th (Mon).

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.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read Franz Josef online vacation planner.

You can drive from Greymouth to Franz Josef in 2.5 hours. You'll have a few hours on the 28th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling to Queenstown.

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

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Queenstown trip builder.

You can drive from Franz Josef to Queenstown in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. You'll set off for Wellington on the 3rd (Fri).

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.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Wellington takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In March, daytime highs in Wellington are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. On the 5th (Sun), you'll travel to Napier.

Enjoy the atmosphere and architecture of 1930s design in Napier, one of the best-preserved Art Deco cities in the world.

Plan my trip to Napier with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Getting from Wellington to Napier by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. You will leave for Rotorua on the 7th (Tue).

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.

To see other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Rotorua trip planner.

You can drive from Napier to Rotorua in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In March, daytime highs in Rotorua are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 18°C. On the 10th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

To see reviews, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read our Waitomo Caves travel planner.

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can go by car 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.

To see traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Auckland visit planner.

Getting from Waitomo Caves to Auckland by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. In March, daily temperatures in Auckland can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. You'll set off for home on the 14th (Tue).