31 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

Change things up with a short trip to Bowen Falls in Milford Sound (about 1 hour away). Spend the 4th (Sun) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 5th (Mon), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. And it doesn't end there: explore the activities along Milford Sound, hike along Kepler Track, stroll through Gertrude Saddle, and get great views at Te Anau Lion Lookout Point.

For photos, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Te Anau trip itinerary builder site.

Mumbai, India to Te Anau is an approximately 24.5-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Mumbai to Te Anau is 6.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) so you can catch the bus to Queenstown.

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: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, push the limits with an extreme tour, view the masterpieces at Silver Fern Gallery, and indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

To find maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read Queenstown trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Fox Glacier is known for trails, sightseeing, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: hike along Fox Glacier South Side Walk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Gillespies Beach, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and go for a walk through Tatare Tunnels Walk.

To see maps, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Fox Glacier vacation builder tool.

Drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) to allow time to 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.

On the 13th (Tue), get a sense of history and politics at New Zealand Parliament, take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, then steep yourself in history at Wellington Cable Car, and finally examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Wellington sightseeing app.

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Wellington takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In December in Wellington, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Tongariro National Park.

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

On the 17th (Sat), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 15th (Thu), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. There's much more to do: explore the activities along Tama Lakes, hike along Taranaki Falls, take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, and stroll through Silica Rapids Track.

To see ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park online visit planner.

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 17th (Sat) so you can 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: push the limits with an extreme tour, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, and take in the natural beauty of Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve.

To see traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Taupo trip planner.

Getting from Tongariro National Park to Taupo by shuttle takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) to allow enough 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 these side-trips from Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera), Hamilton Gardens (in Hamilton) and Alexander Organics (in Cambridge). There's still lots to do: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, get impressive views of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

To find maps, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Rotorua trip itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Taupo to Rotorua takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Rotorua, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) early enough to 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 (Sun): Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, explore the fascinating underground world of Ruakuri Cave, then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and finally stroll through Ruakuri Walk.

For where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read Waitomo Caves trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) so you can 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Paihia side-trips: Phantom Sailing (in Russell), Whangarei (Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve & Bream Head Coast Walks) and Mount Parihaka War Memorial (in Whangarei Heads). There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, do a tasting at Ake Ake Vineyard, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, and play a few rounds at Waitangi Golf Club.

For maps, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Paihia online trip itinerary builder.

Getting from Waitomo Caves to Paihia by combination of taxi and flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Fri): admire nature's wide array of creatures at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, then brush up on your military savvy at Auckland Museum, then stop by Pauanesia, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Sky Tower.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Auckland route website.

Traveling by flight from Paihia to Auckland takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 20°C in December, and nighttime lows around 20°C. You'll set off for home on the 31st (Sat).