29 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, get interesting insight from Tours, take in nature's colorful creations at Queenstown Gardens, and look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Queenstown road trip site.

Brisbane, Australia to Queenstown is an approximately 7-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can take a bus to Te Anau.

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 (Fri) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 8th (Sat), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. There's lots more to do: explore the activities along Milford Sound, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and trek along The Chasm Walk.

To find reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Te Anau route tool.

Take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 4 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can catch the bus to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu).

On the 10th (Mon), stroll through Glencoe Walk, get outside with Aoraki/Mt. Cook, then hike along Sealy Tarns Track, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Kea Point Track. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: trek along Fox Glacier South Side Walk, then hike along Minnehaha Walk, then see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and finally contemplate the long history of River Walk.

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) travel route planner.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) takes 7 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) so you can travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Wed): get engrossed in the history at The Great War Exhibition, get a sense of history and politics at New Zealand Parliament, then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car, and finally examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

To see photos, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Wellington journey maker.

Fly from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) to Wellington in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of bus, train, and ferry. In April in Wellington, expect temperatures between 20°C during the day and 14°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Tongariro National Park.

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

On the 13th (Thu), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. And it doesn't end there: appreciate the extensive heritage of Ohakune Old Coach Road, trek along Whakapapa Nature Walk, contemplate the waterfront views at Tama Lakes, and admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls.

To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park trip planning site.

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Tongariro National Park takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) 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.

Taupo is known for nature, adventure, and theme parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway, make a trip to Aratiatia Rapids, relax and rejuvenate at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort, and take in the natural beauty of Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley.

For more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read Taupo trip planner.

Traveling by car from Tongariro National Park to Taupo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) 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.

Change things up with a short trip to Hobbiton Movie Set in Hinuera (about 1h 20 min away). And it doesn't end there: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, experience rural life at Agrodome, contemplate the long history of Te Puia, and push the limits with an extreme tour.

To find other places to visit, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Rotorua trip planner.

Traveling by car from Taupo to Rotorua takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in April, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Tue): explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then Head underground at Caveworld, and then surround yourself with nature on Spellbound Glowworm & Cave Tours.

To see traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Waitomo Caves holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): enjoy the thrill of live dance at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, then make a trip to Alberton, then explore the landscape on two wheels at Nelson Street Cycleway, and finally take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower.

For more things to do, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Auckland route maker site.

Drive from Waitomo Caves to Auckland in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In April, daytime highs in Auckland are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) to allow time to drive 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Paihia: Russell (Phantom Sailing, Tapeka Point Track, &more). There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, hike along Kororipo Pa Historic Walk, admire the sheer force of Rainbow Falls, and steep yourself in history at KeriKeri New Zealand.

For photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Paihia itinerary app.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Paihia takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) so you can travel back home.