19 Days in New Zealand - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: New Zealand North to South Road Trip: Local Food, Wine, Culture & Nature

Foodies and nature lovers alike will enjoy this Auckland to Queenstown road trip. You'll cover classics like the bubbling landscapes of Rotorua in addition to highlights such as wine tasting on Waiheke Island, a glowworm kayaking excursion at Lake Okareka, a Māori feast at Te Pā Tū, a trek along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, dinner aboard a historic tram in Christchurch, stargazing with an astronomy expert in Aoraki / Mount Cook, and a boat ride at Milford Sound / Piopiotahi.

Your New Zealand adventure begins in Auckland, where you'll catch a ferry to Waiheke Island and spend the day wine-tasting at three local vineyards. Alternatively, join a self-guided island tour using the Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus. Following this, you'll pick up a rental car and head to Rotorua. Here, you'll observe the 100-foot (30 m) tall Pohutu Geyser, then spot glowworms on an evening kayaking excursion to the Lake Okareka caves. Next, you'll drive to Lake Taupō for a yacht trip to see Māori rock art. You'll also have the option of traversing alpine and volcanic landscapes on the 12-mile (19.4 km) Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 

Continue to Napier on Day 8 for a progressive Hawke's Bay winery tour; you'll indulge in three courses of locally sourced food and wine. Afterward, fly to Christchurch and embark on another foodie adventure—dinner aboard a historic dining tram. In Aoraki / Mount Cook, an evening under the stars with an astronomy expert awaits. Your next stop is Queenstown for a soak in the Onsen Hot Pools and a dinner showcasing local meat and produce at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Lastly, take a boat tour to see the waterfalls, mountains, and rainforests around Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Learn more

Itinerary #2: New Zealand Self-Drive Wilderness Tour

This New Zealand wilderness tour is ideal for outdoorsy travelers eager to experience the country's natural environment. You'll walk amid kauri trees in Auckland, admire volcanic rock formations on a glass-bottom boat ride in Cathedral Cove, tackle a challenging trek up Mount Ruapehu, enjoy free time to explore Abel Tasman National Park's trails and beaches, kayak alongside dolphins and other wildlife in the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, visit ice caves in Franz Josef / Waiau, and pass waterfalls and ancient beech forests while hiking a section of the Routeburn Trail.

Start in Auckland with a dinner cruise from Waitemata Harbour, followed by a bush and beach tour that includes a rainforest walk amid kauri trees in the Waitakere Ranges. Hop in your rental car and hit the road to the Coromandel Peninsula, where you'll visit the volcanic rock formations and observe marine life on a glass-bottom boat ride in Cathedral Cove. Next, you'll drive to Tongariro National Park to trek up Mount Ruapehu and an optional whitewater rafting expedition on the Tongariro River. Continue to Wellington on Day 8 and enjoy city and harbor views on a cable car ride to the Carter Observatory.

Cross to the South Island so you can choose a hike or beach day in Abel Tasman National Park before spotting dolphins, penguins, and other marine life while kayaking in the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Your next stop is souvenir shopping in Hokitika, a town known for its Māori jade and bone carving. You can also enjoy a walk along the Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy at the West Coast Treetops Walkway before venturing to Franz Josef / Waiau for a helicopter ride and excursion through the ice caves. Cap off your journey with a Routeburn Track hike that passes waterfalls and ancient beech forests. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Active Trekking Tour of New Zealand: North & South Islands

Avid hikers will appreciate this active trekking tour of both islands. You'll have three days of coastal walks in Bream Head, take a rainforest walk at Arataki Visitor Centre, soak in the geothermal mud and waters at Hell's Gate, spot nocturnal creatures on a night walk at Zealandia, tackle a four-day hut-to-hut hike on the Kepler Track, go mountain biking in Wānaka, and unwind in the hot pools with views of Shotover River.

On arrival in Auckland, you'll drive to Bream Head, where you'll start with a gentle walk in the Bream Head Scenic Reserve, followed by a refreshing swim at Smugglers Bay. In the morning, pack a picnic lunch and hit the trails again—choose either the leisurely Coastal Walk across farmlands and dunes to the beach or a more challenging trek through rainforests and along a Māori trail. Then, you'll head to the Arataki Visitor Centre for a rainforest walk and history lesson. Continue to Rotorua for a Māori performance and a visit to Hell's Gate, where you can soak in the mineral-rich mud and waters.

Your next stop is Tongariro National Park for a trek up Mount Ruapehu and a picnic lunch with views of the emerald-colored Crater Lake. Following this, you'll drive to Wellington for an evening visit to search for nocturnal birds and reptiles at Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary and forest. Catch a flight to Queenstown on Day 11 and enjoy views of the city on a ride on the Skyline Gondola. Then, you'll board a bus to Te Anau, the starting point of your four-day Kepler Track hike that takes you through beech forests, gorges, and groves of ferns. Wrap up your adventures with a day of mountain biking in Wānaka. Learn more

More Great New Zealand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to New Zealand? Check out these other New Zealand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

A note on diacritical and retroflex markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.