15 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips New Zealand holiday planner
Start: Sydney
Fly to Queenstown, Bus to Te Anau
1
Te Anau
— 1 night
Drive
2
Wanaka
— 1 night
Drive
3
Lake Tekapo
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Queenstown
— 3 nights
Fly
5
Picton
— 1 night
Fly
6
Tongariro National Park
— 1 night
Shuttle
7
Taupo
— 2 nights
Drive
8
Rotorua
— 2 nights
Drive
9
Waitomo Caves
— 1 night
Fly
End: Sydney
Tue, Jul 23 - Tue, Aug 6
Edit
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31
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View full calendar
Te Anau — 1 night
©
Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves and then identify plant and animal life at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: see the world from above with a helicopter tour, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Te Anau, then relax and rejuvenate at Fiordland Massage Clinic, and finally get in touch with nature with Wild Fiordland.
To find other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Te Anau online holiday planner.
Sydney, Australia to Te Anau is an approximately 8.5-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Sydney to Te Anau is 2 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can catch the bus to Wanaka.
more
To find other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Te Anau online holiday planner.
Sydney, Australia to Te Anau is an approximately 8.5-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Sydney to Te Anau is 2 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can catch the bus to Wanaka.
Find places to stay Jul 23 — 24:
Highlights from your trip
Wanaka — 1 night
©
Kick off your visit on the 25th (Thu): contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Wanaka, then glide through natural beauty at Snow Farm NZ, then hit the slopes at Wanaka, and finally take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.
For photos, maps, and other tourist information, read our Wanaka trip itinerary planning tool.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Te Anau to Wanaka. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can take a bus to Lake Tekapo.
more
For photos, maps, and other tourist information, read our Wanaka trip itinerary planning tool.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Te Anau to Wanaka. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can take a bus to Lake Tekapo.
Find places to stay Jul 24 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Lake Tekapo — 2 nights
©
On the 26th (Fri), see the world from above with a helicopter tour, take in panoramic vistas at Mount John University Observatory, then explore the activities along Lake Tekapo, then boost your wellbeing at Tekapo Springs, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Good Shepherd. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along Glencoe Walk, hit the slopes at Ski The Tasman, make a trip to Aoraki/Mt. Cook, then explore the activities along Lake Pukaki, and finally explore and take pictures at Peter's Lookout.
To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Lake Tekapo trip itinerary planning site.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Wanaka to Lake Tekapo. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Queenstown.
more
To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Lake Tekapo trip itinerary planning site.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Wanaka to Lake Tekapo. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Queenstown.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 25 — 27:
Highlights from your trip
Queenstown — 3 nights
©
Shallow Bay
Step off the beaten path and head to Queenstown Hill and Coronet Peak Ski Resort. Step out of Queenstown with an excursion to Glenorchy-Queenstown Road in Mount Creighton--about 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: cross one thing off your bucket list with a skydiving experience, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and don't miss a visit to Arrowtown Village.
For maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown vacation planner.
Drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Picton.
more
For maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown vacation planner.
Drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Picton.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 27 — 30:
Highlights from your trip
Picton — 1 night
©
Gateway to the South Island
Kick off your visit on the 31st (Wed): tour the pleasant surroundings at Queen Charlotte Track.
For ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Picton trip maker.
Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Picton takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Picton can reach 14°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can fly to Tongariro National Park.
more
For ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Picton trip maker.
Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Picton takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Picton can reach 14°C, while at night they dip to 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can fly to Tongariro National Park.
Find places to stay Jul 30 — 31:
Highlights from your trip
See timeline
Tongariro National Park — 1 night
©
Start off your visit on the 1st (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Whakapapa Nature Walk, then contemplate the geological forces at Mount Ruapehu, then take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, and finally fly down the slopes at Turoa Ski Area.
To see more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Picton to Tongariro National Park by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can take a shuttle to Taupo.
more
To see more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park trip itinerary planner.
Getting from Picton to Tongariro National Park by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can take a shuttle to Taupo.
Find places to stay Jul 31 — Aug 1:
Highlights from your trip
Taupo — 2 nights
©
Great Cloak of Tia
On the 2nd (Fri), admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway, stop by Huka Honey Hive, find something for the whole family at Mind Junction Activity Park, then have fun at Huka Prawn Park, then take in nature's colorful creations at Lava Glass, and finally cool off at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort. On the 3rd (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the activities along Lake Taupo, then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, then witness a stunning natural landmark at Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, and finally push the limits with an extreme tour.
To see traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Taupo trip itinerary planning site.
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. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to drive to Rotorua.
more
To see traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Taupo trip itinerary planning site.
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. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to drive to Rotorua.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 1 — 3:
Highlights from your trip
Rotorua — 2 nights
©
Sulphur City
Start off your visit on the 4th (Sun): relax in the rural setting at Agrodome, then look for all kinds of wild species at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and finally take a memorable tour with Tours. On the 5th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for all kinds of wild species at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, witness a stunning natural landmark at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, explore the galleries of 3D Trick Art Gallery, then witness a stunning natural landmark at Kuirau Park, and finally test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms.
To find photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Rotorua trip builder.
You can drive from Taupo to Rotorua in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in August, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can go by car to Waitomo Caves.
more
To find photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Rotorua trip builder.
You can drive from Taupo to Rotorua in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in August, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Mon) so you can go by car to Waitomo Caves.
Find places to stay Aug 3 — 5:
Highlights from your trip
Waitomo Caves — 1 night
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On the 6th (Tue), explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then take a memorable tour with Spellbound, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Marakopa Falls.
To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves trip planner.
Getting from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to fly back home.
more
To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves trip planner.
Getting from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to fly back home.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 5 — 6:
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.
