Of all the 75+ countries I have been to, New Zealand is my all time favourite! This Ultimate New Zealand Travel Itinerary is for those of you wanting to explore the country in-depth. But don’t worry if you have less that 1 month there: feel free to pick the places that interest you the most or just explore the South Island. This itinerary is more suited to people who have bought or are renting their own car/campervan. If you are planing on buying (or renting) a campervan, make sure to check out my guide. And for those of you who aren’t planning on driving themselves, most of these stops are also on the Kiwi-Experience hop-on-hop-off bus (which I did on my first trip here).

Day 1-2: Auckland

Auckland isn’t the most beautiful of cities but it is the biggest city in New Zealand and it’s where most international flights fly into. It is the perfect place to pick up your hire car/campervan and stock up on groceries before your trip of a lifetime.

If you want to hire a campervan, make sure to compare options from multiple companies. Motorhome Republic is the best comparison website I have come across for campervan hires in New Zealand.

Day 1: If you want to explore downtown Auckland, the main shopping street is Queen Street and the famous Sky Tower is a couple of blocks over on the corner of Federal and Victoria Street West. I would also suggest a free walking tour to learn more about the history of Auckland and New Zealand.

Day 2: Depending on how well adjusted you are to the new time zone, you could go on a day trip to Waiheke Island, have a beach day on one of the many beautiful beaches North of Auckland or go for a walk around Eden Park.

Where to stay in Auckland:

Budget Hotel: Imagine Beach Road

Fancier Hotel: Horizon By SkyCity

Day 3: Coromandel Peninsula

In my opinion, the most beautiful beach here is Cathedral Cove. It is featured in the Narnia: Prince Caspian film. Make sure you check the tide times and try and get there for low tide.

Another really unique beach in the area is Hot Water Beach. If you go there in the two hour window either side of low tide, you can dig your own natural thermal pool. The beach sits above two underground geothermal fissures which allows mineral-rich thermal water to bubble up through the sand during this window. It is a really cool experience but do be careful as the water can reach over 60°C.

Drive Auckland → Coromandel Peninsula: 2h45.

Where to stay in The Coromandel Peninsula:

Campsite we stayed at: Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Hotel: Tahiti Lodge Beach Resort

Day 4-6: Hobbiton and Rotorua

Day 4: On your way to Rotorua, make sure to check out Hobbiton! If you are a Lord of the Rings fan then it will already be on your radar but even if you’re not, I would still really recommend going!

Only catch is you HAVE to book multiple months in advance. One of the perks of Kiwi-Experience is they guarantee you a spot but if you are getting there yourself, this is one of the few things you need to book long before you arrive in the country. You can book your tour here.

On my second trip to New Zealand, I went to book almost 2 months before our trip and it was already booked up. But, I diligently kept an eye out every day for 2 weeks before we were due to be in Rotorua and snapped up tickets when there was a last minute cancellation. My story goes to show that even if you think you’re too late to visit this amazing place, there might be a last minute chance for you.

After Hobbiton, when you’re en route to Rotorua, make sure to check out the Blue Springs too. It’s only a 10 minute detour (plus a short 10 minute walk from the car park) so well worth it.

Drive time: Coromandel Peninsula → Hobbiton: 2hr 45. Hobbiton → Rotorua (via blue springs): 1h15

Day 5 and 6: Rotorua is the cultural centre of New Zealand, a chance to learn more about the Maori culture and experience geothermal wonders. You have lots of options of activities. For learning about Maori culture, I would recommend either Whakarewarewa – The Living Maori Village (best if you’re on a budget) or Mitai Maori Village (best if you want a more epic and immersive experience with dinner included). I have done both and really enjoyed them!

To see geothermal activity, Te Puia is the largest Geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. The best part is, if you visit a Whakarewarewa, it is included in your tour. And the best part is, you are pretty much guaranteed to witness it erupt as it erupts every hour.

Other activities include White Water Rafting, Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Zorbing. They all looked super fun but we sadly didn’t have the time to do these.

Where to stay in Rotorua:

Campsite we stayed at: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park. We loved the free naturally heated jacuzzi’s and outdoor swimming pool here.

Hotel: Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel

Day 7-9: Taupo

Day 7: En route to Taupo, make sure to stop at Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. It is found halfway through the journey from Rotorua to Taupo and definitely worth checking out. You should also check out Huka Falls which are found just outside of Taupo.

Drive time Rotorua → Taupo: 1hr.

Day 8: Taupo is also a place with plenty of options. It is home to the cheapest place in NZ to skydive. I went with Skydive Taupo and would really recommend. It was was one my all time faviourite experiences! Another option thats more chill (and better for your bank account) is to spend a few hours at some hot springs. Your cheapest option is the Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs. On bookme, you can go there for $9/£4.

Day 9: The Tongariro Crossing. It’s the must-do hike of the North Island as you get to see Mount Doom itself and walk on what feels like Mars. The hike itself will be free until the end of 2027 but you have to book a shuttle bus to the drop-off point and from the pick-up point. Make sure to do this well in advance as shuttle tickets are almost always sold out in the summer.

If coming from Taupo, I would recommend this shuttle. But, if you have a little more time in the North Island, I would recommend driving to the closest town Turangi the day before, parking your car at the end of the hike and booking a this shuttle to the start of the hike. I have done both but preferred the latter as it made the day shorter and more manageable.

The hike itself is 19.4km long with around 800m elevation gain. It takes most people 6-8 hours to complete. I am not a very fit person but managed it in around 6 hours both times. For more information on this hike, make sure to check out my guide.

Where to stay in Taupo:

Campsite: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort. Even if you don’t stay here, I would recommend coming for the day to use the hot springs.

Hotel: Sacred Waters Taupo

Day 10-11: Mt Taranaki

This is the only stop on the North Island that you can’t get to on the Kiwi-Experience. I would still 100% recommend going for this reason…

Drive time Taupo → New Plymouth: 3h45.

Day 11: Another hike day: this time to the Pouakai Tarns (see photo above). We sadly didn’t get to do this due to bad weather and sickness but it seems like such a beautiful photo spot. It’s a 12.4km out and back hike with around 700m elevation gain. Most people manage it in about 4 hours (which includes a long photo stop at the top).

Where to stay in New Plymouth:

Campsite: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park

Hotel: King and Queen Hotel Suites

Day 12- 13: Wellington

The capital city is probably my favourite of the larger cities in New Zealand as it has a certain charm about it. Top things to do include: The WETA Workshop, The Cable Car, Zealandia Bird Sanctuary and the Botanic Gardens.

Drive from New Plymouth → Wellington: 4h30.

Day 13: This is when you will catch the Interislander Ferry to Picton. It usually takes around 3.5 hours to Cross over. There are two main companies: Interislander and Bluebridge. The main thing to be aware of is that during peak season, they sell out really far in advance so make sure to book a couple of months ahead! Bluebridge can be slightly cheaper but there isn’t a huge difference between the two. Once, you have arrived in Picton, it’s a 2 hour drive to Nelson.

Where to stay in Wellington:

Campsites are limited in Wellington but we stayed at: Capital Lodge Motor Inn

Hotel: Ohtel Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary: South Island

Day 14: Nelson

This is the one of the sunniest regions of New Zealand! On Day 14, If you need a rest day, there are lots of beautiful beaches in the area. If you still have plenty of energy, I would recommend combining the sunbathing with hiking through Abel Tasman National Park.

This is officially one of the Great Walks but if you are limited with time, your best option is to get the water taxi to Bark Bay, then hike south to Anchorage (apx 3.5 hours) before getting another water taxi back. If you want a more budget friendly option, park at the main entrance then walk to Apple Tree Bay and back (apx 3 hours). Do allow more time to stop and relax on the golden beaches!

Where to stay in Nelson:

Campsite: Tahuna Beach Holiday Park

Hotel: Tides Hotel

Day 15: Westport

En route towards the West Coast, make sure to check out the Nelson Lakes National Park. The Mount Robert circuit is a 9km loop hike in the park that will take you around 2.5 hours to complete. If you are a bit fed up of hiking and want something easy (but still beautiful), the Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk is your best bet. As for Westport itself, there isn’t much to do here but its the perfect halfway point between Nelson and Franz Josef.

Drive time: Nelson → Nelson Lakes NP: 1hr 15. Nelson Lakes NP → Westport: 2h15

Where to stay in Westport:

Campsite: Carters Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Hotel: Central Studios

Day 16-17: Franz Josef Glacier

Drive time: Westport → Franz Josef: 3h45

Make sure to stop off at Pancake Rocks and Hokitika Gorge en route to Franz Josef.

Franz Josef may be a small town known for it’s rainy weather but it’s definitely worth visiting! The famous Heli-Hike is the number 1 activity. It is, sadly, very expensive at $800-900NZD so for those of you on a budget, I would recommend saving your money as there are other beautiful glaciers you can hike on for much cheaper, like The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentinian Patagonia. I did, however do this experience on my first trip to New Zealand back in 2019 and absolutely LOVED IT!

I was booked onto the first helicopter of the day and due to the weather turning bad, only 2 helicopter loads were able to fly out so we were very lucky. On top of that, as our hike on the glacier was cut to about 40 minutes because of the bad weather (instead of the usual 2.5 hours), the company refunded us about 75% of the cost of the experience. This meant I got 2 helicopter rides and a 40 minute walk on a glacier for super cheap!! So if you are in two minds about whether or not to book this experience then go for it!

If you don’t want to do the full Heli-Hike, there are lots of options of helicopter rides that include glacier landings. Or, for those of you who didn’t go skydiving in Taupo, you could do it here. They offer New Zealand’s highest free-fall at 18,000 feet with views spanning the ocean, rainforest, and glaciers.

For those of you who just want to see the glacier by hiking to a free viewpoint, The Sentinel Rock Walk is your best bet. It’s a rather steep 900m return journey but I think it’s better than the The Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk as it offers a better, high angle view.

The reason I left an extra day here is to have a buffer day incase the weather is bad. A good rainy day activity is to visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre: the countries largest kiwi-hatching facility.

Where to stay in Franz Josef:

Campsite: Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park

Hotel: Rainforest Retreat

Day 18-20: Wanaka

The drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka is, in my opinion, along the best road in the entire country. You will wind through mountain roads spotting glaciers, mirror lakes, rivers and waterfalls.

Drive time: Franz Josef → Wanaka: 4h (with no stops)

First stop is Fox Glacier where you can walk the scenic loop around lake Matheson and have lunch at Matheson Café.

Next up is Thunder Creek falls and Fantail Falls. These waterfalls are close to the road so definitely worth stopping for.

If you have more time on your hands, stop in Haast for some nearby hikes e.g. to the Brewster Hut. Just beware of the sandflies- apparently there are a lot of them in this area.

Wanaka is full of amazing hiking opportunities. For those of you up for an intense full day hike, Roy’s Peak is the most famous option. It’s a 16km out and back journey that will take you 5-7 hours (as it’s 1258m of elevation gain). It’s well worth it though as you will be rewarded with some insanely beautiful views. If you want less crowds, Isthmus Peak is apparently just as beautiful.

For a shorter, less demanding but almost as beautiful hike, you should do the Rocky Mountain Summit. It’s a 3 hour hike with only 500m elevation gain.

For less physically demanding activities, you could visit the famous Wanaka Tree, go to Puzzling World or Paddleboard on the lake.

Mount Aspiring National Park is also just 1 hour away from Wanaka. If you have a 4×4 and don’t mind driving on gravel road, then this is the place for you. Hikes like the Rob Roy Glacier (easier) and Liverpool Hut (difficult) hike are found here.

Where to stay in Wanaka:

Campsite: Hampshire Holiday Parks- Glendhu Bay. It’s slightly outside the main town but great locations for the hikes.

Hotel: Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka

Day 21-24: Queenstown (including Milford Sound and Glenorchy)

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world- there is so much to see and do here! Make sure to check out my guide for the top activities to do in Queenstown on a budget for a more in-depth look at the various things you can do.

Drive time: Wanaka → Queenstown: 1h

From bungee jumping to hiking to luge rides to steamship cruises: Queenstown has it all. It’s also home to great food (Ferberger claim to sell the best burgers in the world and several of my friends agree).

Where to stay in Queenstown:

Campsite: Hampshire Holiday Parks- Queenstown Lakeview

Hotel: The Dairy Hotel Queenstown

There are also plenty of hiking options: Queenstown Hill is a 2 hour hike and Ben Lomond is a 7-8hour hike (that can be shortened by using the cable car).

A great day trip from Queenstown is Glenorchy. It’s just 1 hour away from Queenstown and well-worth the visit.

Visiting Milford Sound from Queenstown in one day requires a lot of driving (4+ hours one way) so I recommend to go on a tour. This is what I did on my first trip there. If you have some time on your hands and are super keen to drive, I would recommend to drive to Te Anau- it’s the halfway point between Queenstown and Milford Sound. Make sure to check my Te Anau to Milford Sound Road Trip Guide for more information on this epic drive.

Then, you can book a tour departing from Te Anau or drive up yourself the next day. If you drive yourself, you will only have to book the boat tour. If you are wondering whether or not it’s worth it, I’ll let my photos do the talking. Grown men have told me they cried on the drive up, thats how overwhelmingly beautiful this place is.

If you want an even more remote and wild experience, then a Doubtful Sound Tour is the experience for you.

Day 25-26: Mount Cook National Park

Drive time: Queenstown → Mt Cook NP: 1h

Make sure to stop at some viewpoints on the drive down. Peter’s Lookout was my favourite but there are lots of great spots along Lake Pukaki.

Another mind blowing place to visit! Countless beautiful hikes to do. Sadly the famous Hooker Valley Track (10km, 3 hours) has been closed recently but it’s due to reopen August 2026 so you should get the chance to do it. When we went in March 2026, we managed to walk to the 2nd suspension bridge. Other famous hikes include Kea Point (2.8km, 1-2 hours), Sealy Tarns Viewpoint (5.8km, 3-4 hours) and Mueller Hut (10.4km, 6-8 hours, advanced).

Where to stay in Mt Cook:

Campsite: We stayed at Glentanner Park Centre. It’s the only option unless you stay at the DOC site at White Horse Hill (which is closer to the hikes but no running water/showers).

Hotel: The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook. If you’re staying at a hotel here, make sure to book well in advance as options in the village are very limited.

Day 27: Lake Tekapo

Drive time: Mt Cook NP → Lake Tekapo: 1h15

Make sure to book accomodation early as it’s a small town but a popular place to visit. If there are no options left here, you could always stay in Twizel or Farilie. Check out the cutest church and go for a stroll around the lake.

If the sky is pretty clear, it’s also worth going stargazing as Lake Tekapo is part of the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere so worth going stargazing if the sky is clear. We hiked up to the Mount John Summit Viewpoint to catch the sunsent and look at the stars.

Where to stay in Lake Tekapo:

Campsite: Lake Edges Holiday Park

Hotel: Galaxy Boutique Hotel

Day 28-29: Kaikoura

Drive time: Lake Tekapo → Kaikoura : 5h

A long drive but well worth it to see dolphins, seals and whales before leaving the country. If you want the amazing experience of swimming with dolphins, make sure to book well in advance. Other activities include Whale Watching Boat Tours, Kayaking Tours and Scenic Flights. If you want a free activity, go for a walk around the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway at low tide to spot seals, dolphins and whales from land.

Where to stay in Kaikoura:

Campsite: Alipine-Pacific Holiday Park. Very cool hot tubs here!

Hotel: The Pier Hotel

Day 30: Christchurch

Drive time: Kaikoura → Christchurch: 2h15

Christchurch is the biggest city in the South Island so rental companies often allow their campervans to be dropped off here if you pay a fee. Once you’ve dropped your car off, it’s time to head to the airport and say goodbye to this beautiful country.

Things I learnt whilst in New Zealand

• Distances are often further than they look due to winding roads.
• Fuel up before long drives.
• Parking is almost always free: the only places we had to pay was in Downtown Queenstown and at Milford Sound.
• If you have a self-contained campervan and want to stay at free or off-the beaten track campsites, make sure to download the CamperMate App.
• Most tours need to be booked 2-3 months in advance.
• Drones are forbidden in all the National Parks.
• The cheapest supermarket is Pak’NSave then Woolworths then New World.
• Café kitchens often close between 3-4PM.

I hope that this New Zealand Travel Itinerary has been useful to you! Make sure to check out my New Zealand Page and do let me know if you have any further questions about this beautiful place.

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