28 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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 8th (Thu): contemplate the long history of Wellington Cable Car, thenexplore the activities along Oriental Bay, and then examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. On your second day here, head outdoors with Great Alpine Highway, get a taste of the local shopping with Cuba Street, and then get outside with Bruce Bay.

To find where to stay, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington holiday planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from your home destination to Wellington. In August in Wellington, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sat) so you can travel to Stewart Island.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Sat): take a memorable tour with Tours and then step off the mainland to explore Ulva Island. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get interesting insight from Tours and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Rakiura Track.

For reviews, photos, and tourist information, use the Stewart Island trip maker app.

Explore your travel options from Wellington to Stewart Island with the Route module. On the 12th (Mon), you'll 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.

Shop till you drop at Silver Fern Gallery and Amisfield Cellar Door. Get outdoors at Coronet Peak and Adrenaline & Extreme Tours. There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at The Remarkables Ski Area, get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, view the masterpieces at Artbay Gallery, and explore the galleries of The Ivy Box.

To see reviews, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Queenstown road trip planning site.

Explore your travel options from Stewart Island to Queenstown with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) to allow time to travel 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Taupo Bay Beach and Scuba & Snorkeling. The adventure continues: stop by The Cabbage Tree Shop, admire the sheer force of Haruru Falls, head off the coast to Urupukapuka Island, and identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Paihia trip itinerary maker site.

You can fly from Queenstown to Paihia in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and car. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) 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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Mon): kick back and relax at Piha Beach, thentake a stroll through Devonport, and then take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower. On the 20th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get impressive views of Rangitoto Island and then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Auckland Zoo.

To find more things to do, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Auckland trip planner.

Traveling by car from Paihia to Auckland takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to °C, and evening lows to °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Manukau.

Manukau City is a former territorial authority district in Auckland, New Zealand, that was governed by the Manukau City Council. Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Rainbow's End Theme Park. Head to Clevedon Village Farmers Market and The Coromandel Smoking Co.for plenty of shopping. Escape the urban bustle at Whangamata Beach and Rotoroa Island. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Manukau: Nikau Cave (in Waikaretu), Spookers Haunted Attractions (in Karaka) and Thames (Thames Society of Arts & Miranda Hot Springs). The adventure continues: walk around Ambury Regional Park, get outside with Driving Range, relax in the rural setting at Close Encounters Farm Experience, and contemplate the long history of Stockade Hill.

To find more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Manukau online tour itinerary planner.

Manukau is just a stone's throw from Auckland. Traveling from Auckland in August, plan for little chillier nights in Manukau, with lows around °C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) so you can 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.

On the 25th (Sun), relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, thenHead underground at Ruakuri Cave, thenexplore the fascinating underground world of Caveworld, and finally explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves. On your second day here, relax in the rural setting at Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm, thenexplore the fascinating underground world of Footwhistle Glowworm Cave, thenadmire the sheer force of Marakopa Falls, and finally take in the views from Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Waitomo Caves online travel route planner.

Drive from Manukau to Waitomo Caves in 2.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) to allow 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.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Happy Ewe Cycle Tours as well as Skyline Rotorua. Get outdoors at Kinloch Beach and Te Puia. The adventure continues: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, get interesting insight from Tours, experience the excitement of 3D Trick Art Gallery, and identify plant and animal life at Redwoods Treewalk.

For ratings, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Rotorua itinerary planning website.

Getting from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to °C, and evening lows to °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) to allow time to 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.

You've now added Taupo Bungy & Swing to your itinerary. Start off your visit on the 30th (Fri): push the limits with Taupo Bungy & Swing, thentake an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, thentake a memorable tour with Tours, and finally admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway. On the 31st (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the natural beauty of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave and then tee off at Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read Taupo attractions planner.

You can drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Tongariro National Park.

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

Escape the urban bustle at Mount Ruapehu and Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu. On the 3rd (Tue), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There's more to do: trek along Horsemtrails.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Tongariro National Park online travel route planner.

You can drive from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in 2 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a shuttle. On the 4th (Wed), you're off to home.