60 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: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, take a memorable drive along Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, read our Queenstown tour planner.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Queenstown is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Queenstown is 4 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can catch the 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Te Anau: Milford Sound (Bowen Falls & Milford sound Hwy). Spend the 9th (Sun) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 10th (Mon), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. And it doesn't end there: explore the activities along Milford Sound, trek along The Chasm Walk, explore the landscape on two wheels at Lake 2 Lake Trail, and explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

For ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Te Anau trip itinerary tool.

You can take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 4 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can catch the bus to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu).

Change things up with these side-trips from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu): Sentinel Rock Walk (in Franz Josef) and Fox Glacier (Fox Glacier Hiking Trails, Moraine Walk, &more).

To find maps, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) trip itinerary planning app.

Take a bus from Te Anau to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) in 7 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can catch the bus to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

Venture out of the city with trips to Akaroa (Saint Peter's Anglican Church & Dolphin & Whale Watching) and Little River Gallery (in Little River). On the 20th (Thu), spend the day riding on TranzAlpine Train. And it doesn't end there: walk around Christchurch Botanic Gardens, take in panoramic vistas at Christchurch Gondola, explore the galleries of Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna o Waiwhetu), and take an in-depth tour of Canterbury Museum.

For photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Christchurch route planner.

You can take a bus from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) to Christchurch in 4.5 hours. In May in Christchurch, expect temperatures between 17°C during the day and 5°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) 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.

Get out of town with these interesting Wellington side-trips: Southward Car Museum (in Paraparaumu) and Marlborough Sounds (in Picton). And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, explore the striking landscape at Pinnacles Track, head off the coast to Kapiti Island, and ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament.

For ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Wellington tour itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Christchurch to Wellington takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Christchurch in May, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Wellington, with lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) 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 29th (Sat), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Spend the 31st (Mon) exploring nature at Active Outdoor Adventures. There's still lots to do: appreciate the extensive heritage of Ohakune Old Coach Road, trek along Silica Rapids Track, stroll through Rotopounamu Track, and admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls.

To see reviews, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Tongariro National Park online route planner.

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 3rd (Thu) 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.

Taupo is known for nature, adventure, and theme parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway, make a trip to Aratiatia Rapids, witness a stunning natural landmark at Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see other places to visit, maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Taupo 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. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Wed) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera) and Hamilton Gardens (in Hamilton). There's still lots to do: take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, look for all kinds of wild species at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, test the waters at a local thermal spa, and explore the striking landscape at Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Rotorua travel planner.

Getting from Taupo to Rotorua by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. In June in Rotorua, expect temperatures between 18°C during the day and 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time 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.

When in Waitomo Caves, make a side trip to see Timber Trail NZ in Pureora Forest Park, approximately Pureora Forest Park away. Next up on the itinerary: Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, hike along Ruakuri Walk, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and head outdoors with Waitomo Clay Birds.

For where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves road trip planning site.

Getting from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) 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.

When in Auckland, make a side trip to see Wine Tours & Tastings in Waiheke Island, approximately Waiheke Island away. There's still lots to do: take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower, stop by Pauanesia, step off the mainland to explore Tiritiri Matangi Visitor Centre, and explore the world behind art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Auckland online holiday planner.

Getting from Waitomo Caves to Auckland by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In June, daytime highs in Auckland are 15°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) so you can travel to Kerikeri.

Kerikeri, the largest town in Northland New Zealand, is a popular tourist destination about three hours drive north of Auckland, and 80 km north of the northern region's largest city, Whangarei. Venture out of the city with trips to Russell (Phantom Sailing, Nancy Fladgate Track, &more). And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, take some stellar pictures from Opua Forest Lookout Track, tour the pleasant surroundings at Kerikeri River Track, and get in on the family fun at Action World.

For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Kerikeri driving holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Auckland to Kerikeri takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Tue) so you can travel back home.