29 days in New Zealand Itinerary

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Get outdoors at Milford Sound and Hollyford Track. Explore Te Anau's surroundings by going to Bowen Falls (in Milford Sound) and Milford Foreshore Walk (in Milford). The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Doubtful Sound, get great views at Te Anau Lion Lookout Point, identify plant and animal life at Ivan Wilson Park, and play a few rounds at Te Anau Golf Club.

To see more things to do, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Te Anau vacation planner.

Lihue, USA to Te Anau is an approximately 18.5-hour combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Lihue to Te Anau is 22 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a bus to Queenstown.

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

Get in touch with nature at Coronet Peak and Queenstown Golf Club. Peregrine Wines and Chard Farm Winery are good opportunities to explore the local culture. And it doesn't end there: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, do a tasting at Amisfield Winery, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and fly down the slopes at The Remarkables Ski Area.

To see maps, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Queenstown trip planner .

Take a bus from Te Anau to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Franz Josef.

Located in the World Heritage Site that is home to its eponymous glacier, the town of Franz Josef provides a comfortable and welcoming rest spot for adventurers after a long day out on the ice.

Get in touch with nature at Gillespies Beach and Hooker Valley Track. Do some cultural sightseeing at ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery and River Walk. Get out of town with these interesting Franz Josef side-trips: Fox Glacier (Moraine Walk & Mount Fox Route). There's more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Fox Glacier and trek along Franz Josef Glacier.

To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Franz Josef trip itinerary builder app .

Drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can 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.

Take a break from the city and head to Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Hapuka Estuary Walk. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Wellington Museum are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's lots more to do: take an in-depth tour of The Great War Exhibition, head outdoors with Great Alpine Highway, steep yourself in history at Kotuku School Memorial, and admire the landmark architecture of Old St Paul's.

For photos, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Wellington trip itinerary maker site .

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Franz Josef to Wellington takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight; or do a combination of car and ferry. In September, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 57°F, while at night they dip to 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can travel to Whakapapa.

Get outdoors at Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Horsemtrails. Do some cultural sightseeing at Tongariro Northern Circuit and Mead's Wall.

For photos, maps, ratings, and tourist information, read our Whakapapa trip itinerary planning app .

Getting from Wellington to Whakapapa by car takes about 4.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Volcanic Hills Winery and Buried Village of Te Wairoa. Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village and Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve will appeal to history buffs. Get out of town with these interesting Taupo side-trips: Rotorua (Zipline, Lady Knox Geyser, & more). There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway, look for gifts at Souvenir Outlet, enjoy the sand and surf at Kinloch Beach, and get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To find where to stay, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read Taupo travel planning tool .

You can drive from Whakapapa to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) early enough to travel to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Pompallier Mission and Printery. Visiting Paihia Harbour and Waitangi Golf Club will get you outdoors. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Paihia: Ocean Beach (in Whangarei Heads) and Russell (Omata Estate & Oneroa Bay). And it doesn't end there: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, don't miss a visit to KeriKeri New Zealand, get interesting insight from Tours, and do a tasting at Byrne Northland Wines.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Paihia online travel route planner .

Traveling by flight from Taupo to Paihia takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to travel to Hot Water Beach.

Named after the geothermal springs that supply the coast with pleasantly warm water ideal for swimming and soaking, Hot Water Beach attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sun): explore the galleries of Moko Artspace and then take in the natural beauty of Hot Water Beach.

To plan Hot Water Beach vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

Getting from Paihia to Hot Water Beach by car takes about 5.5 hours. In September, daily temperatures in Hot Water Beach can reach 61°F, while at night they dip to 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.