45 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

Take a break from Paihia with a short trip to Bream Head Coast Walks in Whangarei, about 1h 35 min away. Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, look for all kinds of wild species at Paihia Harbour, and get interesting insight from Tours.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Paihia attractions planner .

Sydney, Australia to Paihia is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Sydney to Paihia due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can go by car 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.

Auckland is known for nature, museums, nightlife, parks, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower, brush up on your military savvy at Auckland War Memorial Museum, get your game on at Sky Screamer Reverse Bungy, and get to know the resident critters at Auckland Zoo.

To see other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Auckland holiday maker app .

Traveling by car from Paihia to Auckland takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can drive to Hamilton.

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

On the 16th (Mon), examine the collection at Waikato Museum, then stroll around Hamilton Gardens, and then head outdoors with The Don Rowlands Centre Lake Karapiro.

For traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Hamilton trip maker app .

Getting from Auckland to Hamilton by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to catcht the bus to Waitomo 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.

Waitomo Caves is known for nature, adventure, wildlife, trails, and outdoors. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, admire the sheer force of Marakopa Falls, get outside with Waitomo Clay Birds, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Waitomo Caves trip site .

Traveling by bus from Hamilton to Waitomo Caves takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to travel to Whakapapa.

When in Whakapapa, make a side trip to see River Rafting & Tubing in Turangi, approximately 34 minutes away.

To find where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Whakapapa trip builder app .

Drive from Waitomo Caves to Whakapapa in 2.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Taupo: Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera) and Rotorua (Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Zipline, & more). There's much more to do: get interesting insight from Tours, get in on the family fun at Huka Prawn Park, don't miss a visit to Aratiatia Rapids, and look for gifts at Huka Honey Hive.

To see more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Taupo itinerary site .

You can drive from Whakapapa to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) to allow time 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.

Wellington is known for museums, wildlife, classes, nature, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden, identify plant and animal life at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary, and ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Wellington road trip planner.

Getting from Taupo to Wellington by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. In December, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Christchurch: Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Akaroa) and Little River Gallery (in Little River). There's much more to do: walk around Christchurch Botanic Gardens, take in panoramic vistas at Christchurch Gondola, take in nature's colorful creations at Ohinetahi Garden, and let the kids burn off some steam at Margaret Mahy Family Playground.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Christchurch day trip site .

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Christchurch takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and train. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Christchurch when traveling from Wellington in December, with lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to drive to Fox Glacier.

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

When in Fox Glacier, make a side trip to see Sentinel Rock Walk in Franz Josef, approximately 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Fox Glacier, trek along Moraine Walk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Minnehaha Walk, and see the world from above with a helicopter tour.

To see photos, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Fox Glacier trip builder .

Getting from Christchurch to Fox Glacier by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) so you can drive to Mt. Cook Village.

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

Step out of Mt. Cook Village to go to Lake Tekapo and see Lake Tekapo, which is approximately 58 minutes away. There's much more to do: trek along Hooker Valley Track, fly down the slopes at Ski The Tasman, tour the pleasant surroundings at Kea Point Track, and head outdoors with Aoraki/Mt. Cook.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Mt. Cook Village online tour planner .

Drive from Fox Glacier to Mt. Cook Village in 5.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel to Te Anau.

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.

Change things up with a short trip to Milford Foreshore Walk in Milford (about 1h 15 min away). On the 15th (Wed), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. There's still lots to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, trek along Lake Gunn, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk, and identify plant and animal life at Doubtful Sound.

Find out how to plan Te Anau trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

Explore your travel options from Mt. Cook Village to Te Anau with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) to allow 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.

Queenstown is known for fun & games, adventure, wildlife, nature, and spas. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, see Off-Road Tours, have fun at Break One, and take a memorable tour with Tours.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip itinerary planner.

You can take a bus from Te Anau to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to travel back home.