24 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.

Take a break from Auckland with a short trip to Kerr Farm Wine in Kumeu, about 36 minutes away. There's still lots to do: make a trip to SkyTower, kick back and relax at Cheltenham Beach, hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, and explore the world behind art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.

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

Sydney, Australia to Auckland is an approximately 7-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 2 hours traveling from Sydney to Auckland. While traveling from Sydney, expect slightly colder days and somewhat warmer nights in Auckland, ranging from highs of 15°C to lows of 15°C. On the 21st (Mon), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Hamilton.

On the banks of the Waikato River lies Hamilton, a pretty, active city on North Island.

Explore Hamilton's surroundings by going to Ed Hillary Walkway (in Otorohanga), Waitomo Caves (Ruakuri Walk, Caveworld, &more) and Raglan (Raglan Rock & Bridal Veil Falls). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Hobbiton Movie Set and take in nature's colorful creations at Hamilton Gardens.

To see other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Hamilton trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Hamilton takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. On the 24th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive 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.

Rotorua is known for nature, adventure, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take a memorable tour with Tours, identify plant and animal life at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, don't miss a visit to Fancy Meow Cat Cafe, and kick your exploration up a notch at Redwoods Treewalk.

To find maps and tourist information, go to the Rotorua route planner.

Traveling by car from Hamilton to Rotorua takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. June in Rotorua sees daily highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Taupo.

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

When in Taupo, make a side trip to see Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park, approximately Tongariro National Park away. And it doesn't end there: push the limits with an extreme tour, stroll through Huka Falls Walkway, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and look for gifts at Huka Honey Hive.

To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Taupo journey planner.

You can drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Napier.

Enjoy the atmosphere and architecture of 1930s design in Napier, one of the best-preserved Art Deco cities in the world.

On the 1st (Thu), observe the fascinating underwater world at National Aquarium of New Zealand, take in the exciting artwork at VIVA Gallery, then do a tasting at Trinity Hill Winery, and finally indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

To find maps, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Napier day trip app.

You can drive from Taupo to Napier in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) 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.

On the 2nd (Fri), identify plant and animal life at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, then get to know the resident critters at Wellington Zoo, and then take some stellar pictures from Mount Victoria. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat): get engrossed in the history at The Great War Exhibition, get a sense of history and politics at New Zealand Parliament, then get great views at Wellington Cable Car, and finally examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Planning Wellington trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

You can fly from Napier to Wellington in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 14°C, and evening lows to 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to travel to Nelson.

Put on your shades to enjoy the sights of Nelson, one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sun): examine the collection at Nelson Provincial Museum, then examine the collection at World of WearableArt & Classic Car Museum, then make a trip to Broadgreen Historic House, and finally sample the fine beverages at Liquid Alchemy.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read Nelson trip itinerary maker site.

Fly from Wellington to Nelson in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) so you can travel to Christchurch.

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

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Mon): take a memorable ride with TranzAlpine Train. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Tue): take in panoramic vistas at Christchurch Gondola, get into the urban bustle at The Arts Centre, then take an in-depth tour of Canterbury Museum, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

To see where to stay, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read Christchurch tour planning site.

Fly from Nelson to Christchurch in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. In July in Christchurch, expect temperatures between 13°C during the day and 1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Lake Tekapo.

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

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Wed): explore the activities along Lake Tekapo, take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Good Shepherd, then enjoy breathtaking views from Mount John University Observatory, and finally view the masterpieces at Burkes Pass Gallery.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Lake Tekapo vacation maker app.

Traveling by car from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can go by car to Queenstown.

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

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Queenstown: Te Anau (Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, &more) and Milford Foreshore Walk (in Milford). Next up on the itinerary: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, explore the galleries of Silver Fern Gallery, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To find photos, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Queenstown trip planner.

Traveling by car from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sun) so you can travel back home.