22 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

Take a break from Te Anau with a short trip to Bowen Falls in Milford Sound, about 1 hour away. Spend the 18th (Sat) exploring at Doubtful Sound. There's much more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, Head underground at Te Anau Glowworm Caves, trek along The Chasm Walk, and stroll through Lake Gunn.

For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Te Anau visit planner.

Bremen, Germany to Te Anau is an approximately 37.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also fly. You'll lose 11 hours traveling from Bremen to Te Anau due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) 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.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Tue): relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, then get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, then identify plant and animal life at Kiwi Park, and finally have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown. On your second day here, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Wakatipu and then whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For ratings, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown visit planner.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, take an in-depth tour of Wellington Museum, catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, then pause for some photo ops at John Plimmer Statue, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

For reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Wellington trip planner.

Getting from Queenstown to Wellington by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in February, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) so you can fly to Tongariro National Park.

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

On the 26th (Sun), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 24th (Fri), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Silica Rapids Track, go for a walk through Mead's Wall, and trek along Whakapapa Nature Walk.

For more things to do, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, read our Tongariro National Park trip itinerary app.

Fly from Wellington to Tongariro National Park in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to take a shuttle 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, theme parks, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway, find something for the whole family at Huka Prawn Park, don't miss a visit to Aratiatia Rapids, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

To find photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Taupo trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Tongariro National Park to Taupo by shuttle takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) to allow enough time 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.

Rotorua is known for nature, adventure, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, take a peaceful walk through Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, and identify plant and animal life at Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Rotorua trip planning site.

Drive from Taupo to Rotorua in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in March, and nighttime lows around 18°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Paihia.

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.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sun): identify plant and animal life at Opua Forest Lookout Track, then contemplate the long history of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Mon): play a few rounds at Waitangi Golf Club, fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Paihia Harbour.

To find where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, use the Paihia visit planner.

Fly from Rotorua to Paihia in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to fly 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 7th (Tue), stroll around Auckland Domain, learn about all things military at Auckland Museum, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Tower.

To find where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Auckland trip planning website.

Traveling by flight from Paihia to Auckland takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in March, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can fly back home.