23 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

On the 1st (Sun), enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Tower, take in the waterfront activity at Viaduct Harbour, and then get impressive views of Mount Eden. Keep things going the next day: contemplate the geological forces at Rangitoto Island.

For photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Auckland online trip itinerary planner.

Manchester, UK to Auckland is an approximately 27-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 12 hours traveling from Manchester to Auckland. Traveling from Manchester in January, things will get much hotter in Auckland: highs are around 22°C and lows about 22°C. On the 3rd (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Whitianga.

Whitianga is a town on the Coromandel Peninsula, in the Waikato Region of New Zealand's North Island. On the 3rd (Tue), enjoy the sand and surf at New Chums Beach.

To see ratings, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Whitianga online visit planner.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Whitianga takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Traveling from Auckland in January, you will find days in Whitianga are somewhat warmer (26°C), and nights are slightly colder (19°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can drive to Whangamata.

The town of Whangamatā is sited on the southeast coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. Before you visit Whangamata, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by car from Whitianga to Whangamata takes 1.5 hours. In January, daily temperatures in Whangamata can reach 27°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. On the 5th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

On the 5th (Thu), relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour and then explore and take pictures at Te Puia.

To see other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Rotorua online trip maker.

Drive from Whangamata to Rotorua in 2.5 hours. In January, daytime highs in Rotorua are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. You'll have a few hours on the 6th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Fri): take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Taupo.

For where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Taupo tour itinerary builder site.

Getting from Rotorua to Taupo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Tongariro National Park sightseeing planner.

Getting from Taupo to Tongariro National Park by shuttle takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight 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.

On the 8th (Sun), examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and then take some stellar pictures from Mount Victoria. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Mon): ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, then take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, and then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car.

For photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Wellington trip itinerary maker app.

Traveling by flight from Tongariro National Park to Wellington takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in January, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) early enough to ride a ferry to Picton.

Take photo after stunning photo in Picton, the gateway to South Island.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Picton sightseeing planner.

You can ride a ferry from Wellington to Picton in 4 hours. In January, daytime highs in Picton are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. You will have some time to spend on the 10th (Tue) before leaving for Kaiteriteri.

Kaiteriteri is a town and seaside resort in the Tasman Region of the South Island of New Zealand. Start off your visit on the 11th (Wed): identify plant and animal life at Riwaka Resurgence, then take in the dramatic scenery at Wainui Falls Track, then stroll through Kaiteriteri Beach, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Split Apple Rock.

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

You can drive from Picton to Kaiteriteri in 3 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to drive to Nelson.

Put on your shades to enjoy the sights of Nelson, one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, use the Nelson trip maker.

You can drive from Kaiteriteri to Nelson in 1.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Thu) to allow time for the car ride to Hokitika.

Hokitika is a township in the West Coast region of New Zealand's South Island, 40km south of Greymouth, and close to the mouth of the Hokitika River. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Fri): contemplate the long history of Shantytown Heritage Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Hokitika Beach, identify plant and animal life at Westcoast Treetop Walk & Cafe, then don't miss a visit to Pioneers of the Frontier Statue, then view the masterpieces at Wilderness Gallery, and finally identify plant and animal life at Hokitika Gorge Walk.

To find maps, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Hokitika day trip website.

Getting from Nelson to Hokitika by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can go by car to Franz Josef.

Located in the World Heritage Site that is home to its eponymous glacier, the town of Franz Josef provides a comfortable and welcoming rest spot for adventurers after a long day out on the ice.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sat): tour the pleasant surroundings at Fox Glacier South Side Walk and then stroll through Franz Josef Glacier.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Franz Josef trip builder site.

You can drive from Hokitika to Franz Josef in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Wanaka.

Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the Otago region, Wanaka has become a popular ski and summer resort area, owing to its extensive views of the lake and its proximity to some of the best slopes in the country.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Wanaka online trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Franz Josef to Wanaka with the Route module. You will leave for Lake Tekapo on the 15th (Sun).

Located in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo offers evenings of stargazing and days of long walks.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at The Church of the Good Shepherd, explore the activities along Lake Tekapo, then boost your wellbeing at Tekapo Springs, then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, and finally browse the exhibits of Burkes Pass Gallery.

For more things to do, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Lake Tekapo visit planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Wanaka to Lake Tekapo. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Queenstown: Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve (in Glenorchy) and Milford Sound (in Te Anau). And it doesn't end there: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, take in nature's colorful creations at Queenstown Gardens, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and hike along Ben Lomond Track.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Queenstown holiday maker.

You can drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.