26 days in New Zealand Itinerary
26 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Inspirock New Zealand tour itinerary planner
Start: Auckland
Fly
1
Gisborne
— 1 day
Fly
2
Wellington
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Masterton
— 2 nights
+2
Drive to Wellington International Airport, Fly to Queenstown International Airport, Drive to Te Anau
4
Te Anau
— 4 nights
Bus
5
Queenstown
— 3 nights
Fly
6
Nelson
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Blenheim
— 2 nights
Drive
8
Hawera
— 2 nights
Drive
9
Tongariro National Park
— 4 nights
Drive
10
Taupo
— 4 nights
Fly
End: Auckland
Mon, Mar 1 - Fri, Mar 26
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See full calendar
Gisborne
— 1 day
©
City of Rivers
A holiday in Gisborne incorporates both leisure and culture.Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): learn about winemaking at Millton Vineyards & Winery, take a peaceful walk through Eastwoodhill Arboretum, and then do a tasting at Poverty Bay Wine Estates Ltd Bridge Estate Vineyard.
To find photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Gisborne online trip builder.
Auckland to Gisborne is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) so you can travel to Wellington.
Things to do in Gisborne
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 1 — 2:
Highlights from your trip
Wellington
— 2 nights
Harbour Capital
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 2nd (Tue), look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, admire the striking features of Old St Paul's, then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Keep things going the next day: ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, then admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden, then take an in-depth tour of The Great War Exhibition, and finally stroll through Catchpool Loop Walk.
For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Wellington holiday maker tool.
Explore your travel options from Gisborne to Wellington with the Route module. In March, daytime highs in Wellington are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Masterton.
Things to do in Wellington
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
Masterton
— 2 nights
©
Masterton is a large town in the Wellington Region of New Zealand and the seat of the Masterton District . Kick off your visit on the 4th (Thu): get a tailor-made plan with Martinborough Wine Tours, stop by Peonies Home and Living, and then sample the tasty concoctions at Martinborough Brewery. Here are some ideas for day two: stroll through Greytown Woodside Trail, then do a tasting at Poppies Martinborough, and then identify plant and animal life at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre.
Discover how to plan a Masterton trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.
Traveling by car from Wellington to Masterton takes 1.5 hours. In March in Masterton, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to travel to Te Anau.
Discover how to plan a Masterton trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.
Traveling by car from Wellington to Masterton takes 1.5 hours. In March in Masterton, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to travel to Te Anau.
Things to do in Masterton
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Te Anau
— 4 nights
©
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 1h 5 min away. Spend the 7th (Sun) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 8th (Mon), hike the day away at Hollyford Track. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, identify plant and animal life at Ivan Wilson Park, hike along The Chasm Walk, and explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Te Anau day trip planning app.
The Route module can help you plan travel from Masterton to Te Anau. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) to allow time to take a bus to Queenstown.
Things to do in Te Anau
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 5 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Queenstown
— 3 nights
©
Shallow Bay
Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.Queenstown is known for fun & games, adventure, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, explore the activities along Lake Wakatipu, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and identify plant and animal life at Kiwi Birdlife Park.
For more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip itinerary website.
Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) so you can travel to Nelson.
Things to do in Queenstown
Find places to stay Mar 9 — 12:
Highlights from your trip
Nelson
— 2 nights
Top of the South
Put on your shades to enjoy the sights of Nelson, one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand.Start off your visit on the 13th (Sat): look for gifts at Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith, then get engrossed in the history at Nelson Provincial Museum, then do a tasting at Neudorf Vineyards, and finally kick back and relax at Kaiteriteri Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Sun): examine the collection at World of WearableArt & Classic Car Museum, don't miss a visit to Broadgreen Historic House, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Railway Reserve, then admire the natural beauty at Botanical Gardens, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Queen's Gardens.
To find photos, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Nelson trip itinerary planning app.
You can fly from Queenstown to Nelson in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sun) so you can drive to Blenheim.
Things to do in Nelson
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 12 — 14:
Highlights from your trip
Blenheim
— 2 nights
©
Enjoy a heady holiday in Blenheim, the most populous town in the wine-growing region of Marlborough.On the 15th (Mon), savor the flavors at Food & Drink. Here are some ideas for day two: learn about winemaking at Dog Point Vineyard, learn about winemaking at Framingham Wines, then learn about winemaking at Cloudy Bay, then see the interesting displays at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, and finally do a tasting at Huia.
To find photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Blenheim trip planning tool.
You can drive from Nelson to Blenheim in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In March, daily temperatures in Blenheim can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to travel to Hawera.
Things to do in Blenheim
Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 14 — 16:
Hawera
— 2 nights
Hawera is the second-largest town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island, with a population of. On the 17th (Wed), see the interesting displays at Tawhiti Museum, take in nature's colorful creations at Puketarata Garden, then take in nature's colorful creations at Hollard Gardens, and finally take in the exciting artwork at Fenton Street Art Collective. Here are some ideas for day two: trek along Pouakai Circuit and then take in the awesome beauty at Mount Taranaki.
For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Hawera road trip app.
You can drive from Blenheim to Hawera in 8 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can travel to Tongariro National Park.
For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Hawera road trip app.
You can drive from Blenheim to Hawera in 8 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can travel to Tongariro National Park.
Things to do in Hawera
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Tongariro National Park
— 4 nights
©
Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.On the 19th (Fri), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 20th (Sat), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. The adventure continues: stroll through Tongariro Northern Circuit, take in the pleasant sights at Mead's Wall, trek along Ridge Track, and explore the striking landscape of Te Porere Redoubt.
To see more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park trip itinerary maker site.
You can drive from Hawera to Tongariro National Park in 3.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) early enough to drive to Taupo.
Things to do in Tongariro National Park
Find places to stay Mar 18 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Taupo
— 4 nights
©
Great Cloak of Tia
The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.Get out of town with these interesting Taupo side-trips: Rotorua (Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Te Puia, &more). There's much more to do: stroll through Huka Falls Walkway, don't miss a visit to Aratiatia Rapids, explore the striking landscape at Craters of the Moon, and explore and take pictures at Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve.
To see maps, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Taupo driving holiday planning site.
You can drive from Tongariro National Park to Taupo in 2 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.
Things to do in Taupo
Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 22 — 26:
Highlights from your trip
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