21 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips New Zealand route planner
Start: Dubai
Fly to Queenstown, Bus to Te Anau
1
Te Anau
— 3 nights
Bus
2
Queenstown
— 4 nights
Fly
3
Tongariro National Park
— 2 nights
Shuttle
4
Taupo
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Rotorua
— 4 nights
Fly
6
Paihia
— 4 nights
Fly
End: Dubai
Sat, Aug 5 - Fri, Aug 25
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View full calendar
Te Anau — 3 nights
©
Take a break from the city and head to Wild Fiordland and Lake Te Anau. You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. Venture out of the city with trips to Milford Sound (Stirling Falls & Bowen Falls). There's lots more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk, contemplate the waterfront views at Ivan Wilson Park, and stop by Kowhai Gifts & Souvenirs.
To see maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Te Anau tour builder site.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Te Anau is an approximately 23-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference moving from Gulf Standard Time (GST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 8 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to take a bus to Queenstown.
more
To see maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Te Anau tour builder site.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Te Anau is an approximately 23-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference moving from Gulf Standard Time (GST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 8 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to take a bus to Queenstown.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 6 — 9:
Highlights from your trip
Queenstown — 4 nights
©
Shallow Bay
Kids will appreciate attractions like Nature & Wildlife Tours and Spas. Visiting Coronet Peak Ski Resort and Kiwi Park will get you outdoors. There's much more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Remarkables Ski Area, take a memorable tour with Tours, get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, and fly down the slopes at PowderPak Parks.
To see other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Queenstown online road trip planner.
Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Tongariro National Park.
more
To see other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Queenstown online road trip planner.
Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Tongariro National Park.
Find places to stay Aug 9 — 13:
Tongariro National Park — 2 nights
©
Start off your visit on the 14th (Mon): appreciate the history behind Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial, hit the slopes at Turoa Ski Area, admire the sheer force of Mangawhero Falls, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Mounds Walk, and finally hike along Whakapapa Nature Walk. On your second day here, contemplate the geological forces at Mount Ruapehu, admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls, then take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, and finally contemplate the long history of Te Porere Redoubt.
To find photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park trip itinerary builder.
Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Tongariro National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, train, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a shuttle to Taupo.
more
To find photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park trip itinerary builder.
Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Tongariro National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, train, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a shuttle to Taupo.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Aug 13 — 15:
Highlights from your trip
Taupo — 2 nights
©
Great Cloak of Tia
Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): view the masterpieces at Tukairangi Gallery, take in the dramatic natural features at Craters of the Moon, then get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, then take in nature's colorful creations at Lava Glass, and finally trek along Huka Falls Walkway. On the next day, examine the collection at Taupo Museum, then take in the natural beauty of Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, and then get interesting insight from Tours.
To see where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Taupo trip planner.
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. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Rotorua.
more
To see where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Taupo trip planner.
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. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Rotorua.
Find places to stay Aug 15 — 17:
Highlights from your trip
Rotorua — 4 nights
©
Sulphur City
Kids will appreciate attractions like Zipline and Te Puia. Get outdoors at Canyoning & Rappelling Tours and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Take a break from Rotorua with a short trip to Te Awamutu Space Centre in Kihikihi, about 1h 25 min away. Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, steep yourself in history at Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and test the waters at a local thermal spa.
To see maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Rotorua trip maker website.
Getting from Taupo to Rotorua by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In August, daytime highs in Rotorua are 17°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Mon) early enough to fly to Paihia.
more
To see maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Rotorua trip maker website.
Getting from Taupo to Rotorua by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In August, daytime highs in Rotorua are 17°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Mon) early enough to fly to Paihia.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 17 — 21:
Highlights from your trip
Paihia — 4 nights
Take a break from the city and head to Swim with Dolphins and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Do some cultural sightseeing at Waitangi Treaty Grounds and St Paul's Anglican Church. Change things up with these side-trips from Paihia: Russell (Pompallier Mission and Printery & Nancy Fladgate Track). Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour, steep yourself in history at Akeake Historic Reserve Track, take some stellar pictures from Opua Forest Lookout Track, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.
To find traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Paihia trip site.
You can fly from Rotorua to Paihia in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. On the 25th (Fri), you're off to home.
more
To find traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Paihia trip site.
You can fly from Rotorua to Paihia in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. On the 25th (Fri), you're off to home.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Aug 21 — 25:
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.
