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New Zealand may be a small country but it packs a lot into the space it's been given. It's best
if you can give yourself at least a month to travel, with 30% of your time in the North and 70% in the South.
There's plenty to do no matter what time of year although high season runs from November to February.
Here are some suggested itineraries for travel to New Zealand:
Two Weeks
You're not giving yourself much time to explore this magnificent country, but here is a whirlwind tour... After arriving
in Auckland, gather your senses and spend a day exploring the outer suburbs of Ponsonby, Parnell and Mt. Eden. Spend a
night out on the town at one of the flash pubs in the Viaduct, then gather your things the next morning and head south.
Stop in Rotorua for some Maori culture, hot spas and bubbling mud pools. If you're up for it, take in a sky dive in Taupo
on your way to Wellington. Check out the Te Papa, the national
museum in the capital city. Catch the ferry to Picton and
explore the South Island. Swim with the dolphins in Kaikoura then visit the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Head to the west
coast by train and head through gorgeous Arthur's Pass. Continue south and climb the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. To get your adrenaline
pumping even more, head to Queenstown, home of the bungy jump. Take a day trip to Milford Sound before heading back to Christchurch
to catch your flight home.
Five Weeks
You can hit the best of New Zealand in just about 5 weeks. Sleep off your jet lag in Auckland then head to the trendy suburb
of Parnell for a good feed and some retail therapy. Check out K Rd if you're looking to party
until dawn. After spending a few days in the city, head up to the Bay of Islands, checking out Northland
along the way. Work your way up to Ninety Mile Beach, which is actually only 65 but
hey who's checking? Snap some pictures of where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet at Cape
Reinga. Head back to Auckland with a stop on the Kauri Coast. Next, Rotorua's geothermal
activity and Maori hangi will make you a happy traveller. Further south, get your blood pumping as you sky dive in Taupo.
Set on New Zealand's largest lake, the city is the adrenaline capital of the North Island. Calm your nerves and head to the Art Deco
town of Napier. Explore the surrounding vineyards and taste some of the country's best wines. Catch
the train the the nation's capital of Wellington. Take in the Te Papa museum before crossing
the Cook Strait to the South Island and the gateway town of Picton.
The Marlborough Sounds offer
stunning sanctuaries for seals, penguins, and dolphins. Head to Kaikoura to swim with dolphins
and the stunning surf. Dry yourself off and head to Christchurch where the British influence
is still ever present. Take a few day trips out to Akaroa and the Banks
Peninsula. After a few days, head south to the university pub town of Dunedin. Explore the
rugged coast of the Catlins before heading back north to Queenstown.
The centre of New Zealand's heart-stopping adventure activities, you can do anything you imagined. Take a daytrip to Fiordland National
Park and the mystical Milford Sound. Nearby Wanaka and
Glenorchy are worth a stop as you head back north to Franz Josef and
Fox Glaciers. Another highlight on the West Coast are the pancake rocks in Punakaiki. Stay a day
in Nelson, one of the country's sunniest cities. Get yourself back to the North Island
and up to Tongariro National Park and the Tongariro Crossing, one of New Zealand's
finest tramps. It's on to Waitomo for abseiling, rafting and glowworms before wearily heading
back to Auckland.
These are just suggested itineraries... feel free to make your own and get off the beaten path!
To get an idea of the temperatures in the country year round,
check out our When To Go Guide!
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