38 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips New Zealand itinerary planner
Start: Charlotte
Fly
1
Paihia
— 5 nights
+2
Taxi to Whangarei Airport, Fly to Hamilton Airport, Taxi to Waitomo Caves
2
Waitomo Caves
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Rotorua
— 4 nights
Drive
4
Taupo
— 5 nights
Shuttle
5
Tongariro National Park
— 4 nights
Fly
6
Wellington
— 2 nights
Fly to Queenstown, Bus to Te Anau
7
Te Anau
— 5 nights
Bus
8
Queenstown
— 4 nights
Drive
9
Fox Glacier
— 3 nights
Bus to Hokitika i-SITE, Fly to Auckland
10
Auckland
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Charlotte
Thu, Mar 23 - Sat, Apr 29
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Paihia — 5 nights
©
You'll find plenty of places to visit near Paihia: Russell (Pompallier Mission and Printery & Tapeka Point Track). Spend a day of island exploring on the 25th (Sat) at Urupukapuka Island. Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, indulge your senses at Bay Of Islands Tours, admire the landmark architecture of The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, and let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.
To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Paihia trip builder.
Charlotte, USA to Paihia is an approximately 25.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 17 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can travel to Waitomo Caves.
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To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Paihia trip builder.
Charlotte, USA to Paihia is an approximately 25.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 17 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can travel to Waitomo Caves.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 24 — 29:
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Waitomo Caves — 2 nights
©
Start off your visit on the 30th (Thu): explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then Head underground at Caveworld, then get interesting insight from Tours, and finally hike along Ruakuri Walk. Here are some ideas for day two: Head underground at Ruakuri Cave, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then head outdoors with Waitomo Clay Birds.
To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Waitomo Caves trip planner.
Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Paihia to Waitomo Caves takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) to allow time to drive to Rotorua.
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To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Waitomo Caves trip planner.
Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Paihia to Waitomo Caves takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) to allow time to drive to Rotorua.
Find places to stay Mar 29 — 31:
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Rotorua — 4 nights
©
Sulphur City
Change things up with a short trip to Hobbiton Movie Set in Hinuera (about 1h 15 min away). There's lots more to do: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, contemplate the geological forces at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, take a memorable tour with Tours, and take in the natural beauty of Te Puia.
To find reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua day trip planning tool.
You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 73°F in March, and nighttime lows around 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) so you can go by car to Taupo.
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To find reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua day trip planning tool.
You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 73°F in March, and nighttime lows around 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) so you can go by car to Taupo.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Mar 31 — Apr 4:
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Taupo — 5 nights
©
Great Cloak of Tia
Taupo is known for nature, theme parks, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: hike along Huka Falls Walkway, make a trip to Maori Rock Carvings, get interesting insight from Tours, and take in the natural beauty of Spa Thermal Park and Riverbank Recreational and Scenic Reserve.
For more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Taupo visit planner.
Drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park.
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For more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Taupo visit planner.
Drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park.
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 4 — 9:
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Tongariro National Park — 4 nights
©
On the 10th (Mon), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There's lots more to do: stroll through Tongariro Northern Circuit, hike along Rotopounamu Track, admire the sheer force of Tawhai Falls, and explore the activities along Tama Lakes.
For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park journey builder app.
You can take a shuttle from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to fly to Wellington.
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For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park journey builder app.
You can take a shuttle from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) early enough to fly to Wellington.
Find places to stay Apr 9 — 13:
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Wellington — 2 nights
©
Harbour Capital
Kick off your visit on the 14th (Fri): identify plant and animal life at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, then get a sense of history and politics at New Zealand Parliament, and then admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden. On your second day here, take an in-depth tour of Wellington Museum, get a sense of history and politics at The Supreme Court of New Zealand, then take some stellar pictures from Wellington Cable Car, then pause for some photo ops at John Plimmer Statue, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
To see reviews, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Wellington vacation website.
Getting from Tongariro National Park to Wellington by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In April, plan for daily highs up to 63°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to travel to Te Anau.
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To see reviews, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Wellington vacation website.
Getting from Tongariro National Park to Wellington by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In April, plan for daily highs up to 63°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to travel to Te Anau.
Find places to stay Apr 13 — 15:
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Te Anau — 5 nights
©
Explore Te Anau's surroundings by going to Milford Sound (Milford sound Hwy & Bowen Falls). Spend the 19th (Wed) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 16th (Sun), hike the day away at Kepler Track. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk, explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and trek along Lake Marian Track.
To find other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read Te Anau trip planner.
Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Te Anau takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) to allow time to take a bus to Queenstown.
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To find other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read Te Anau trip planner.
Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Te Anau takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) to allow time to take a bus to Queenstown.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 15 — 20:
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Queenstown — 4 nights
©
Shallow Bay
Queenstown is known for fun & games, wildlife, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, push the limits with an extreme tour, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Wakatipu, and get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour.
To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Queenstown itinerary builder.
You can take a bus from Te Anau to Queenstown in 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Fox Glacier.
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To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Queenstown itinerary builder.
You can take a bus from Te Anau to Queenstown in 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Fox Glacier.
Find places to stay Apr 20 — 24:
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Fox Glacier — 3 nights
©
Get out of town with these interesting Fox Glacier side-trips: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Hooker Valley Track, Glencoe Walk, &more). The adventure continues: enjoy the sand and surf at Gillespies Beach, trek along Minnehaha Walk, steep yourself in history at River Walk, and stroll through Moraine Walk.
Klarna Trips's itinerary builder makes planning a Fox Glacier trip simple and quick.
You can drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Auckland.
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Klarna Trips's itinerary builder makes planning a Fox Glacier trip simple and quick.
You can drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Auckland.
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 24 — 27:
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Auckland — 2 nights
©
City of Sails
Start off your visit on the 28th (Fri): stroll through Pakuranga Rotary Walkway, then examine the collection at New Zealand Maritime Museum, then explore the world behind art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Tower. On the 29th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: learn about all things military at Auckland Museum, walk around Auckland Domain, and then head off the coast to Rangitoto Island.
To see maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read Auckland journey planning site.
You can do a combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Auckland in 8.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of car and ferry. In April, daytime highs in Auckland are 66°F, while nighttime lows are 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to fly back home.
more
To see maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read Auckland journey planning site.
You can do a combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Auckland in 8.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of car and ferry. In April, daytime highs in Auckland are 66°F, while nighttime lows are 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to fly back home.
Find places to stay Apr 27 — 29:
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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.
