New Zealand

Day-by-Day Travel Plan

14-Day New Zealand Itinerary

14 days
6 cities — Auckland → Wellington → Queenstown → Rotorua → Christchurch → Napier
Best in Dec, Jan, Feb

The ultimate two-week journey through New Zealand. New Zealand packs an extraordinary range of landscapes into two compact islands — fjords and glaciers, geothermal fields and volcanic peaks, golden beaches and ancient rainforest — all within a day's drive of each other. This itinerary takes you through the highlights — from iconic landmarks to local experiences.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Day 1 — Arrive in Auckland

Auckland

  • ▸ Sky Tower
  • ▸ Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland — New Zealand's largest city, known for its beautiful harbors, vibrant culture, and iconic Sky Tower

2

Day 2 — Explore Auckland

Auckland

  • ▸ Waiheke Island
  • ▸ Auckland Domain
3

Day 3 — Explore Auckland

Auckland

  • ▸ Waiheke Island
  • ▸ Auckland Domain
4

Day 4 — Arrive in Wellington

Wellington

  • ▸ Te Papa Tongarewa Museum
  • ▸ Wellington Cable Car

Wellington — New Zealand's capital, known for its vibrant arts scene, museums, and waterfront attractions

5

Day 5 — Explore Wellington

Wellington

  • ▸ Mount Victoria Lookout
6

Day 6 — Explore Wellington

Wellington

  • ▸ Mount Victoria Lookout
7

Day 7 — Arrive in Queenstown

Queenstown

  • ▸ Lake Wakatipu
  • ▸ Skyline Queenstown

Queenstown — adventure capital of New Zealand, famous for outdoor sports, stunning landscapes, and Lake Wakatipu

8

Day 8 — Explore Queenstown

Queenstown

  • ▸ Shotover River
9

Day 9 — Arrive in Rotorua

Rotorua

  • ▸ Te Puia
  • ▸ Polynesian Spa

Rotorua — geothermal wonderland known for hot springs, geysers, Maori culture, and adventure activities

10

Day 10 — Explore Rotorua

Rotorua

  • ▸ Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest
11

Day 11 — Arrive in Christchurch

Christchurch

  • ▸ Botanic Gardens
  • ▸ Christchurch Gondola

Christchurch — the Garden City, known for its English heritage, parks, rivers, and creative revival after the earthquakes

12

Day 12 — Explore Christchurch

Christchurch

  • ▸ Re:START Mall
13

Day 13 — Arrive in Napier

Napier

  • ▸ Art Deco Walking Tour
  • ▸ National Aquarium of New Zealand

Napier — the 'Art Deco Capital of the World,' rebuilt in a burst of 1930s architecture after a devastating earthquake, now paired with Hawke's Bay wine country

14

Day 14 — Explore Napier

Napier

  • ▸ Hawke's Bay Wine Trail