31 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, wildlife, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Park.

To find more things to do, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown journey planner.

Singapore, Singapore to Queenstown is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Singapore Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) to allow time to 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.

Explore Te Anau's surroundings by going to Milford Sound (Bowen Falls & Milford sound Hwy). Spend the 11th (Sun) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 12th (Mon), hike the day away at Hollyford Track. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, tour the pleasant surroundings at Gertrude Saddle, and take a memorable tour with Bushbash - Day Wilderness Expeditions.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, use the Te Anau trip planner.

You can take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu).

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu): Franz Josef Glacier (in Franz Josef) and Fox Glacier (Fox Glacier South Side Walk & Mount Fox Route).

For photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) online trip itinerary builder.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Te Anau to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) to allow time to fly 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 16th (Fri): ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, then take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, then catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

For photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Wellington travel app.

Getting from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) to Wellington by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or ride a ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In December, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to fly to Tongariro National Park.

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

On the 19th (Mon), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The adventure continues: stroll through Taranaki Falls, hike along Silica Rapids Track, take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, and get to know the fascinating history of Ohakune Old Coach Road.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park trip planning website.

Fly from Wellington to Tongariro National Park in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) to allow enough time 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: take a memorable tour with Tours, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, take in the natural beauty of Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, and admire the sheer force of Huka Falls.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Taupo trip itinerary planning app.

Traveling by shuttle from Tongariro National Park to Taupo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) so you can go by car 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.

Step out of Rotorua with an excursion to Hobbiton Movie Set in Hinuera--about 1h 15 min away. There's much more to do: take a memorable tour with Tours, experience rural life at Agrodome, witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and contemplate the long history of Te Puia.

To see traveler tips, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Rotorua tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Taupo to Rotorua takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Rotorua can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Wed): explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then Head underground at Caveworld, then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Ruakuri Walk. Here are some ideas for day two: head outdoors with Waitomo Clay Birds, then skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, then take in the dramatic scenery at Marakopa Falls, and finally snap pictures at Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk.

To see photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Waitomo Caves online visit planner.

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) early enough to 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.

On the 30th (Fri), observe the fascinating underwater world at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, then examine the collection at Auckland Museum, then look for gifts at Pauanesia, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Sky Tower.

To see maps, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Auckland trip planner.

Traveling by car from Waitomo Caves to Auckland takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. December in Auckland sees daily highs of 20°C and lows of 20°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough 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.

When in Paihia, make a side trip to see Pompallier Mission and Printery in Russell, approximately Russell away. Spend the 1st (Sun) observing fascinating marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour. And it doesn't end there: admire all the interesting features of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, look for gifts at Paihia Bookshop, admire the landmark architecture of St Paul's Anglican Church, and savor the flavors at Food & Drink.

For reviews, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read our Paihia day trip planning app.

Getting from Auckland to Paihia by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Tue) to allow time for the flight back home.