15 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips New Zealand trip itinerary planner
Start: Sacramento
+2
Train to Richmond Amtrak, Subway to San Francisco, Fly to Rotorua
1
Rotorua
— 2 nights
Drive
2
Tongariro National Park
— 2 nights
Fly
3
Wellington
— 1 night
Fly
4
Queenstown
— 2 nights
Bus
5
Te Anau
— 4 nights
Bus to Queenstown, Fly to Paihia
6
Paihia
— 2 nights
Drive to Kerikeri Airport, Fly to Sacramento
End: Sacramento
Fri, Dec 15 - Fri, Dec 29
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View full calendar
Rotorua — 2 nights
©
Sulphur City
Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get interesting insight from Tours and then get engrossed in the history at Rotorua Museum.
To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua road trip site.
Sacramento, USA to Rotorua is an approximately 21-hour combination of train, subway, and flight. You can also fly. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 20 hours traveling from Sacramento to Rotorua. Traveling from Sacramento in December, you will find days in Rotorua are a bit warmer (71°F), and nights are much hotter (59°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can go by car to Tongariro National Park.
more
To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua road trip site.
Sacramento, USA to Rotorua is an approximately 21-hour combination of train, subway, and flight. You can also fly. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 20 hours traveling from Sacramento to Rotorua. Traveling from Sacramento in December, you will find days in Rotorua are a bit warmer (71°F), and nights are much hotter (59°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can go by car to Tongariro National Park.
Find places to stay Dec 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Tongariro National Park — 2 nights
©
Your day by day itinerary now includes Mead's Wall as well as Mangawhero Falls. On the 19th (Tue), take in the dramatic scenery at Mangawhero Falls and then don't miss a visit to Mead's Wall.
To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Tongariro National Park day trip planner.
You can drive from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Wellington.
more
To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Tongariro National Park day trip planner.
You can drive from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Wellington.
Find places to stay Dec 18 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Wellington — 1 night
©
Harbour Capital
Your day by day itinerary now includes Mount Victoria as well as Weta Workshop. Start off your visit on the 21st (Thu): take some stellar pictures from Mount Victoria, learn something new at Weta Workshop, then look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Wellington sightseeing app.
You can fly from Tongariro National Park to Wellington in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 67°F, and evening lows to 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can fly to Queenstown.
more
To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Wellington sightseeing app.
You can fly from Tongariro National Park to Wellington in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 67°F, and evening lows to 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can fly to Queenstown.
Find places to stay Dec 20 — 21:
Queenstown — 2 nights
Shallow Bay
For where to stay, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown day trip website.
Traveling by flight from Wellington to Queenstown takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. On the 23rd (Sat), you're off to Te Anau.
more
Traveling by flight from Wellington to Queenstown takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. On the 23rd (Sat), you're off to Te Anau.
Find places to stay Dec 21 — 23:
Te Anau — 4 nights
©
Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Te Anau: Milford Sound (Milford sound Hwy & Bowen Falls). Spend the 25th (Mon) exploring at Doubtful Sound. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, stop by Kowhai Gifts & Souvenirs, and look for all kinds of wild species at Ivan Wilson Park.
To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Te Anau tour builder.
Traveling by bus from Queenstown to Te Anau takes 4 hours. On the 27th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Paihia.
more
To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Te Anau tour builder.
Traveling by bus from Queenstown to Te Anau takes 4 hours. On the 27th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Paihia.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Dec 23 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Paihia — 2 nights
©
Kick off your visit on the 28th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Pompallier Mission and Printery, do sightseeing your way with Phantom Sailing, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Rangihoua Heritage Park. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour.
To find maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Paihia tour itinerary builder site.
Do a combination of bus and flight from Te Anau to Paihia in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car. On the 29th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.
more
To find maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Paihia tour itinerary builder site.
Do a combination of bus and flight from Te Anau to Paihia in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car. On the 29th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 27 — 29:
Highlights from your trip
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New Zealand travel guide
Land of the Long White Cloud
Far-flung New Zealand has become known for its astounding topography, singular biodiversity, varied climate, and for marrying native Maori and post-colonial European cultures on its two main islands and the multitude of smaller landmasses dotted around them. Free-spirited New Zealanders cultivate a love of sports, sustainability, and the outdoors. Far from other landmasses, the islands existed for millions of years before being inhabited by humans, so an abundance of species have come to thrive in the thick, wild rainforest, vast and rugged backland, and extensive surrounding marine areas. While much of New Zealand tourism centers around adventures through this spectacular scenery, take time to explore the nation's rich cultural heritage as well. The traditions and history of the Maoris, and the industry and internationalism of the descendents of the first European settlers endure in fascinating attractions, ranging from museums, to farms, to places of worship.
