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, then explore the activities along Oriental Bay, and then examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. On your second day here, shop like a local with Cuba Street and then get outside with Bruce Bay.

To see reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Wellington visit planner.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Wellington. In August in Wellington, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 9°C at night. Finish 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 Artbay Gallery. 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, look for gifts at Amisfield Cellar Door, and kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

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 fly 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 Nature & Wildlife Tours. The adventure continues: stop by The Cabbage Tree Shop, take in the dramatic scenery at Haruru Falls, step off the mainland to explore Urupukapuka Island, and discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see photos, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, read our Paihia online road trip planner.

You can fly from Queenstown to Paihia in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Mon): kick back and relax at Piha Beach, then take 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 flight from Paihia to Auckland takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 14°C, and evening lows to 14°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 Miranda Hot Springs. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Manukau: Thames Society of Arts (in Thames), Nikau Cave (in Waikaretu) and Spookers Haunted Attractions (in Karaka). The adventure continues: walk around Ambury Regional Park, step off the mainland to explore Rotoroa Island, contemplate the long history of Stockade Hill, and relax in the rural setting at Close Encounters Farm Experience.

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 9°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, then Head underground at Ruakuri Cave, then explore 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, then explore the fascinating underground world of Footwhistle Glowworm Cave, then admire 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 in touch with nature at Kinloch Beach and Redwoods Treewalk. There's lots more to do: make a trip to Te Puia, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, view the masterpieces at 3D Trick Art Gallery, and witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

To find where to stay, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Rotorua trip itinerary planning site.

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. August in Rotorua sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough 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, then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, then take 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 find where to stay, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read Taupo route maker.

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Taupo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can take a shuttle 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 Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It doesn't end there: hit the slopes at Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu and stroll through Horsemtrails.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by shuttle from Taupo to Tongariro National Park takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. You'll set off for home on the 4th (Wed).