18 Days in New Zealand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Aotearoa: New Zealand's North & South Islands

With ample opportunities to taste the flavors of New Zealand, this highlights itinerary is especially suited to travelers keen on culinary experiences. You'll enjoy a gourmet food and wine tour on Waiheke Island, join a Te Pā Tū Māori feast, take a culinary walking tour of Wellington, visit the wineries of Blenheim, and indulge in fresh seafood paired with Marlborough wines on a Marlborough Sounds cruise—in addition to hitting other highlights that include a scenic flight over Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and a visit to Franz Josef Glacier. 

Get acquainted with Auckland on a ride up the Sky Tower, followed by a visit to Auckland War Memorial Museum. Cruise to Waiheke Island for a gourmet food and wine tour, then take in Auckland's natural beauty on a beach and bush tour. Enjoy the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata en route to Rotorua. Witness geothermal activity, including the Lady Knox Geyser, and soak in the thermal pools at the Polynesian Spa. Explore a network of trails, swing bridges, and ziplines set in Rotorua's native forest, then join a night hike at Redwoods Nightlights. Fly to Wellington for a culinary tour and Zealandia night walk.

Take the ferry to Picton, and continue to Blenheim for wine tastings. Learn about seafood farming and feast on fresh seafood paired with Marlborough wine on a Marlborough Sounds cruise, and then watch for dolphins on a scenic train to Christchurch on Day 11. Take a hot-air balloon ride over Christchurch, then tour the city via tram before boarding the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth. Continue to Franz Josef / Waiau, where you'll hike near the glacier. Spend your final days in Queenstown, cruising Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, bungee jumping, and indulging in a tasting tour of the region's best vineyards. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Self-Driving Tour of New Zealand's Nature & Culture: Auckland to Queenstown

Another highlights itinerary that covers a bit more ground as it's suited for road trippers interested in a mix of outdoor and cultural experiences, including observing geothermal wonders in Rotorua, stargazing at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and learning about Māori culture at Ko Tāne Living Māori Village. With the chance for bird-watching in Whakatāne, kayaking into a glowworm cave at Lake Okareka, and wildlife spotting at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve, it's also an excellent choice for wildlife lovers.  

Ease into your journey with a Waitematā Harbour stroll and a seafood lunch at Auckland Fish Market. Then pick up your rental and start your road trip with a dip at Hot Water Beach, followed by a glass-bottomed boat tour at Cathedral Cove. Take the Driving Creek Railway through the native kauri forest to a pottery workshop where you can watch artisans work. Drive to Whakatāne for bird-watching and a tour of Moutohorā / Whale Island. Continue to Rotorua and experience geothermal landscapes, followed by a cultural performance and feast at Te Pā Tū Tamaki Māori Village and a glowworm kayak excursion at Lake Okareka.

Fly to Christchurch and enjoy a Willowbank Wildlife Reserve tour and a historic tram dinner. Continue to Mount Cook Village for a Tasman Glacier Lake cruise and stargazing in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Head to Wānaka and spot wildlife at Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve, then sample Central Otago wines. Continue to Te Anau for a cave visit and a Milford Sound / Piopiotahi cruise. Your final days are filled with outdoor activities in Queenstown, including a hike on the Routeburn Track, a soak in the Onsen Hot Pools, and a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Learn more

Itinerary #3: New Zealand's Ultimate Self-Drive Tour of the North Island

Energetic travelers interested in experiencing the culture, cuisine, and natural wonders of the North Island will appreciate the balance of outdoor adventures on this itinerary. You'll whitewater raft on the Kaituna River and surf in Raglan as well as go wine tasting on Waiheke Island, join a Māori canoe excursion in the Bay of Islands, and see Lake Taupō rock art on a cruise. The inclusion of romantic experiences, such as the sunset dinner cruise in Auckland and the hot pools in Coromandel, Taupō, and Rotorua, makes this itinerary especially suited to couples and honeymooners. 

On arrival in Auckland, tour Wētā Workshop, the film effects company known for their work on the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Get active with a climb up Mount Victoria, followed by the All Blacks rugby experience. Indulge in wine and whiskey tastings on Waiheke Island, then enjoy a meal at Orbit 360° Dining, a rotating restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower. Head to the Bay of Islands, where you'll learn traditional paddling and chants on a Māori waka (canoe) tour, snorkel at Deep Water Cove, and cruise past the Hole in the Rock. Immerse yourself in the Waitakere Ranges on Day 7 by walking on the Arataki Nature Trail.

Continue to Coromandel Peninsula for a cruise and snorkeling at Cathedral Cove. Drive to Tauranga, where you'll join a glowworm kayak tour before heading to Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort for a soak in the mineral hot pools. On Day 12, tackle the Kaituna River rapids on a whitewater rafting excursion, then admire Māori rock art on a Lake Taupō cruise. Next is Rotorua, where you'll take a geothermal hike at Hell's Gate and a guided bush walk in the Mitai Māori Village. Enjoy dolphin watching in Whakatāne and surfing or paddleboarding in Raglan before capping off the trip with a sunset dinner cruise in Auckland. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Active Road Trip on New Zealand's South Island

This active itinerary covers New Zealand's South Island and is ideal for adventurous travelers keen on a road trip focusing on New Zealand's wildlife and natural environment. You'll heli-hike the Tasman Glacier, spot penguins and other wildlife on the Otago Peninsula, learn about glaciation at Lake Matheson, bike along native forest trails in Hokitika, bungee jump in Queenstown, and more. 

Check out Christchurch's sites and green spaces before driving to Lake Tekapo for a scenic 4WD tour of the Mackenzie Country. Trek the Tasman Glacier Lake trail at Aoraki / Mount Cook, then heli-hike the Tasman Glacier. Continue to Dunedin for a tasting at Speights Brewery, followed by a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula. Your next stop is Te Anau for a catamaran cruise at the Glowworm Caves, a hike along the Milford Track, and a fjord cruise on Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Head to Queenstown, where you'll learn about conservation efforts at Kiwi Park and zip along the Shotover River in a jet boat.

Journey to Wānaka on Day 10, where you'll take a scenic bike ride before driving to Franz Josef Glacier for a heli-hike. Learn about glaciation and geology on a Lake Matheson Eco Tour, then it's off to Hokitika for a canopy experience on the West Coast Treetops Walkway and a bike ride through native forest on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Return to Christchurch via the scenic TranzAlpine train and celebrate your South Island adventure with dinner aboard a historic tram, a harbor cruise, and a visit to Akaroa, where you can do some souvenir shopping and spot dolphins, penguins, and other wildlife. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Discover Sydney (Australia) & New Zealand

Travelers eager to combine New Zealand's cuisine, culture, and outdoor activities with a taste of Australia will enjoy this two-country itinerary. See the sites in Sydney, then do some wine tasting in Hunter Valley and hiking in the Blue Mountains before experiencing some of the highlights of New Zealand, including adrenaline-filled adventures in Queenstown, arts and wildlife in Wellington, geothermal wonders in Rotorua, and elevated and fresh food and wine in Auckland. This itinerary is best for those that prefer a combination of private drivers, guides, and flights rather than self-driving.  

Experience Sydney's sites with a city tour, an afternoon at Bondi Beach, and a sunset cruise. Head to Hunter Valley for wine and cheese tasting, then meet kangaroos, koalas, and more at Calmsley Hill before checking out some of the best viewpoints on a hike in Blue Mountains National Park. Catch a flight to Queenstown (New Zealand), where you can choose your adventure, such as sky diving, river rafting, or bungee jumping. Next, see Fiordland National Park on a boat cruise followed by a scenic flight. Make your way to Bannockburn on Day 7 for wine tasting, then continue to Glenorchy for a 4WD safari.

Fly to Wellington, where you can admire local art at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata and tour the sites, including Mount Victoria. Catch a flight to Rotorua and embark on a night walk at Redwoods Nightlights, then check out geological formations and geothermal activity at Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. Stop by the Hobbiton movie set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films en route to Auckland. End your trip on a high note with a bush and beach tour in Auckland, followed by a three-course farewell dinner of locally-sourced ingredients at Sky Tower. 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.

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