16 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

On the 2nd (Thu), kick back and relax at Cheltenham Beach.

For other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Auckland trip maker .

Nashville, USA to Auckland is an approximately 22-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of flight and bus. Traveling from Nashville to Auckland, you'll lose 18 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Nashville in January, you will find days in Auckland are somewhat warmer (66°F), and nights are warmer (66°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can drive to Whangamata.

The town of Whangamatā is sited on the southeast coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Whangamata trip planning tool .

Traveling by car from Auckland to Whangamata takes 2.5 hours. While traveling from Auckland, expect somewhat warmer days and little chillier nights in Whangamata, ranging from highs of 74°F to lows of 61°F. On the 4th (Sat), you're off toWaitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

On the 4th (Sat), trek along Ruakuri Walk, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, and then identify plant and animal life at Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the sheer force of Marakopa Falls, then Head underground at Caveworld, then explore the fascinating underground world of Ruakuri Cave, and finally Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Plan my Waitomo Caves trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Explore your travel options from Whangamata to Waitomo Caves with the Route module. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

For other places to visit and more tourist information, read Rotorua day trip planning site .

Getting from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Rotorua can reach 74°F, while at night they dip to 61°F. You'll set off for Taupo on the 6th (Mon).

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

On the 6th (Mon), get interesting insight from Tours, then kick back and relax at Kinloch Beach, then admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Lava Glass. On your second day here, view the masterpieces at Tukairangi Gallery and then make a splash at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort.

For maps, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read Taupo trip itinerary planner .

Take a bus from Rotorua to Taupo in an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. On the 7th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Picton.

Take photo after stunning photo in Picton, the gateway to South Island.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read our Picton attractions planning site .

You can fly from Taupo to Picton in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and ferry; or do a combination of flight and bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 70°F, and evening lows to 59°F. You'll set off for Abel Tasman National Park on the 8th (Wed).

Pristine blue water, immaculate white sand, and a thick, temperate rainforest make Abel Tasman National Park a natural jewel on the northern coast of Tasmania's South Island.

On the 8th (Wed), stroll through Wainui Falls Track, explore the fascinating underground world of Rawhiti Cave Track, then learn about winemaking at Neudorf Vineyards, then head outdoors with u-fly extreme, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Kaiteriteri Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: trek along Abel Tasman Coast Track.

To see where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read our Abel Tasman National Park vacation planner.

You can take a bus from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park in 5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can travel to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): look for all kinds of wild species at West Coast Wildlife Centre and then explore the striking landscape at Franz Josef Glacier.

To see maps, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, read Fox Glacier travel app .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Abel Tasman National Park to Fox Glacier. On the 10th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Mt. Cook Village.

Siting under towering peaks of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): stroll through Glencoe Walk, look and learn at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, and then stroll through Kea Point Track.

To find maps, photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our Mt. Cook Village trip itinerary planner .

Getting from Fox Glacier to Mt. Cook Village by car takes about 5.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Wanaka.

Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the Otago region, Wanaka has become a popular ski and summer resort area, owing to its extensive views of the lake and its proximity to some of the best slopes in the country.

On the 12th (Sun), see the interesting displays at National Transport and Toy Museum, then learn about winemaking at Rippon Vineyard, and then glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

To see traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Wanaka route planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Mt. Cook Village to Wanaka. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can take a bus to Lake Tekapo.

Located in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo offers evenings of stargazing and days of long walks.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Mon): take in panoramic vistas at Mount John University Observatory, browse the exhibits of Burkes Pass Gallery, then look for all kinds of wild species at Gem Alpaca Stud, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Tekapo, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Good Shepherd.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Lake Tekapo trip itinerary planning app .

Traveling by bus from Wanaka to Lake Tekapo takes 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and finally learn about winemaking at Stoneridge Estate & Bald Hills Cellar Door. Here are some ideas for day two: get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, then learn about winemaking at Chard Farm Winery, and then do a tasting at Peregrine Wines.

Plan trip to Queenstown with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

You can drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.