How many days do you need in Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington?
- Most travelers spend 8-10 days in Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington combined
- Visiting Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington in 7 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Queenstown, Napier, and Tongariro National Park
How Many Days to Spend in New Zealand
Recommended Itineraries for Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Auckland, Explore | Auckland |
| Day 2 | Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton | Rotorua |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Waitomo | Rotorua |
| Day 4 | Explore Rotorua: Te Puia & Māori Villages | Rotorua |
| Day 5 | Drive From Rotorua to Wellington | Wellington |
| Day 6 | Wellington: Full-Day The Lord of the Rings Tour | Wellington |
| Day 7 | Wellington: Museum Tour & Wildlife Sanctuary | Wellington |
| Day 8 | Depart Wellington |
Experience the highlights of New Zealand's North Island on this 8-day self-drive adventure from Auckland to Wellington. Explore national parks and hot springs, see real Hobbit homes, and immerse yourself in the rich indigenous culture and history. This journey includes many options for an adrenaline rush, as well as relaxing spa treatments to unwind and rejuvenate. This is the best way to see the North Island at your own pace! Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
8-Day Itinerary Including Queenstown
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner & Farm Tour | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 2 | Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Flight & Cruise Tour | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 3 | Queenstown Free Day | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 4 | Fly to Wellington, Visit Museums & Wellington Cable Car | Wellington |
| Day 5 | Drive to Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland | Rotorua |
| Day 6 | Polynesian Spa & Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience | Rotorua |
| Day 7 | Drive to Auckland via Waitomo Glowworm Caves | Auckland |
| Day 8 | Depart Auckland |
For those that like a trip to include thrills, food, and natural wonders, this eight-day itinerary should check off all the boxes. New Zealand is known for its hospitality, and you'll experience the very best of it at a mountaintop farm, a lakeside spa, and a multicourse Māori feast. Along the way, you'll get to see a fjord from a plane, glowworms from a boat, and Wellington's cityscape from a century-old funicular railway. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Christchurch & Queenstown
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Queenstown, Ride the Skyline Gondola | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 2 | Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Full-Day Adventure | Queenstown (NZ) |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Christchurch, Explore | Christchurch |
| Day 4 | Free Day in Christchurch | Christchurch |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Wellington via Picton | Wellington |
| Day 6 | Explore Wellington, Visit the Te Papa Museum, Ride the Wellington Cable Car | Wellington |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Rotorua, Relax at a Polynesian Spa | Rotorua |
| Day 8 | Te Puia Tour & Māori Arts Experience | Rotorua |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Auckland, Explore | Auckland |
| Day 10 | All Blacks Rugby Experience, Ride the Sky Tower | Auckland |
| Day 11 | Depart Auckland |
This fun and fast-paced tour takes you across New Zealand's South and North Islands for a wide range of epic landscapes and distinct activities. Kick off the trip in Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of the world, and cruise through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Then hit the highlights in Christchurch and Wellington before heading north through geothermal wonders and glowworm caves. Ride to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower in time for a sunset drink to finish the adventure. Read more
How to travel between Auckland, Rotorua & Wellington
Auckland and Wellington are at opposite ends of New Zealand's North Island, about 400 miles (640 kilometers) apart. Getting between the two major cities is very straightforward, and there are many options. Here's how to get from Auckland to Wellington. Read more
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