9 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 22nd (Sat), get to know the fascinating history of Coast-to-Coast Walkway and then take a stroll through Wynyard Quarter. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun): kick back and relax at Browns Bay Beach, find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Holy Trinity Cathedral.

For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Auckland tour itinerary planner.

Bengaluru, India to Auckland is an approximately 20.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time (IST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 6 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Bengaluru in February: highs in Auckland hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (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.

Escape the urban bustle at Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Redwoods Treewalk and Mt Maunganui Main Beach. Venture out of the city with trips to Papamoa Beach (in Papamoa), Experience Comvita (in Paengaroa) and Mount Maunganui Base Track (in Mount Maunganui). Next up on the itinerary: hike along Blue Lake Track, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, witness a stunning natural landmark at Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Okere Falls Track.

For maps, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Rotorua online trip maker .

You can drive from Auckland to Rotorua in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. Traveling from Auckland in February, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Rotorua, with lows of 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) 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.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Thu): look for all kinds of wild species at Tonga Island Marine Reserve, learn about winemaking at Te Aro Wine, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Saint Mary of the Angels, and finally hike along Wellington City Walkways.

To find photos, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Wellington attractions planning app .

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Traveling from Rotorua in February, you will find days in Wellington are little chillier (24°C), and nights are about the same (17°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to travel 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 28th (Fri): explore the landscape on two wheels at Lake Hayes Walkway, then learn about winemaking at Mt Rosa Wines, then stroll through Tobins Track, and finally take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Queenstown journey planner .

You can fly from Wellington to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of ferry and car. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) to allow enough time to 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 29th (Sat): trek along Rapaki Track.

To find where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Christchurch trip itinerary maker site .

Getting from Queenstown to Christchurch by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In February, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.