17 days in North Island Itinerary

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 5th (Wed): get engrossed in the history at Wellington Museum, then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car, then ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, and finally test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms. On the 6th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: identify plant and animal life at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, then admire the landmark architecture of Old St Paul's, then appreciate the history behind John Plimmer Statue, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

For ratings, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Wellington trip planning site.

Brisbane, Australia to Wellington is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 2 hours traveling from Brisbane to Wellington. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Brisbane in April: high temperatures in Wellington hover around 20°C and lows are around 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can go by car to Whanganui.

Venture out of the city with trips to Ohakune Old Coach Road (in Tongariro National Park), Tawhiti Museum (in Hawera) and Ohakune (Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial & Mangawhero Forest Walk and Rimu Walk).

Plan my trip to Whanganui with suggested itineraries provided by Klarna Trips.

Drive from Wellington to Whanganui in 3 hours. In April, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to New Plymouth.

Where other cities run, New Plymouth prefers to stroll.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): see the interesting displays at Richmond Cottage.

To find ratings, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, use the New Plymouth trip itinerary site.

Getting from Whanganui to New Plymouth by car takes about 2.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Hamilton.

On the banks of the Waikato River lies Hamilton, a pretty, active city on North Island.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Tue): examine the collection at Waikato Museum, admire the natural beauty at Hamilton Gardens, then walk around Victoria on the River, and finally stroll around Swarbricks Landing. Keep things going the next day: admire nature's wide array of creatures at Hamilton Zoo, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and then make a trip to Hobbiton Movie Set.

To find photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Hamilton driving holiday planning website.

Getting from New Plymouth to Hamilton by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) so you can fly to Whangarei.

Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Bream Head Coast Walks, then take a stroll through Town Basin, and then admire the natural beauty at Whangarei Quarry Gardens.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Whangarei attractions planning site.

You can fly from Hamilton to Whangarei in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to drive 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. Go for a jaunt from Kerikeri to Russell to see Pompallier Mission and Printery about 1h 10 min away. Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the long history of Waitangi Treaty Grounds, admire the sheer force of Rainbow Falls, trek along Kerikeri River Track, and don't miss a visit to KeriKeri New Zealand.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, use the Kerikeri route maker tool.

Traveling by car from Whangarei to Kerikeri takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough to drive to Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. On the 18th (Tue), take some stellar pictures from Cape Reinga Lighthouse.

For other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Cape Reinga trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Kerikeri to Cape Reinga takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Auckland is known for sightseeing, nature, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to Sky Tower, admire the striking features of Alberton, stop by Pauanesia, and stroll through Pakuranga Rotary Walkway.

For ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, use the Auckland trip itinerary maker.

Drive from Cape Reinga to Auckland in 6 hours. April in Auckland sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can fly back home.