22 days in New Zealand Itinerary

Where other cities run, New Plymouth prefers to stroll.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Thu): stroll around Tupare. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Opunake Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Oakura Beach, and then take in the pleasant sights at New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the New Plymouth vacation builder tool .

Brisbane, Australia to New Plymouth is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Brisbane to New Plymouth due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Auckland.

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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Sky Tower and New Zealand Maritime Museum. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Piha Beach and Arataki Visitor Centre. And it doesn't end there: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, stroll around Cornwall Park, explore the world behind art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Auckland Zoo.

For other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Auckland online tour itinerary maker .

You can do a combination of flight and bus from New Plymouth to Auckland in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In June in Auckland, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 15°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) 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.

Bring the kids along to Mt Maunganui Main Beach and Hamilton Zoo. Explore hidden gems such as Agrodome and Volcanic Hills Winery. Explore Rotorua's surroundings by going to Huka Prawn Park (in Taupo) and Waitomo Caves (Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Nature & Wildlife Tours). The adventure continues: trot along with a tour on horseback and look for all kinds of wild species at Redwoods Treewalk.

To find photos, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Rotorua trip itinerary website .

Getting from Auckland to Rotorua by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or fly. Traveling from Auckland in June, expect a bit cooler with lows of 9°C in Rotorua. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Sat) early enough to travel to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Explore hidden gems such as Staglands Wildlife Reserve and Space Place at Carter Observatory. Bring the kids along to Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Wellington Museum. And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Oriental Bay, get engrossed in the history at The Great War Exhibition, get to know the resident critters at Wellington Zoo, and take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden.

To find traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Wellington trip maker .

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 15°C in June, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to travel to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Margaret Mahy Family Playground and Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Explore hidden gems such as Orana Wildlife Park and Velocity Karts. Change things up with these side-trips from Christchurch: Akaroa (The Giant's House, Dolphin & Whale Watching, & more). Next up on the itinerary: get to know the resident critters at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, go for a walk through Banks Peninsula, make a trip to 185 Empty White Chairs - Earthquake Memorial, and examine the collection at Quake City.

To see photos, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Christchurch holiday planner.

You can fly from Wellington to Christchurch in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and train. Traveling from Wellington in June, Christchurch is little chillier at night with lows of 2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Dunedin.

With its history proudly stemming from the Scottish settlers who came here during the colonial era, Dunedin's streets are lined with well-preserved examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, while a new culture of nightlife and fine dining takes hold around them.

On the 20th (Sat), trek along Tunnel Beach Track, admire the natural beauty at Dunedin Botanic Garden, then get curious at Otago Museum, then steep yourself in history at Olveston Historic Home, and finally don't miss a visit to The World's Steepest Street. Keep things going the next day: take some stellar pictures from Flagstaff lookout and Hotere Garden, then identify plant and animal life at Penguin Place, then see the interesting displays at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Speight’s Brewery.

For photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Dunedin trip planner .

You can drive from Christchurch to Dunedin in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Snow Farm and Fallen Soldiers Memorial. Go for a jaunt from Queenstown to Te Anau to see Milford Sound about 1h 45 min away. Next up on the itinerary: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, stop by The Remarkable Sweet Shop - Arrowtown Shop, enjoy some diversion at Break One Clay Target Shooting, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Coronet Peak.

To find traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Queenstown tour itinerary builder website .

Traveling by car from Dunedin to Queenstown takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can travel back home.