New Zealand Itinerary

After several years of living in and exploring New Zealand, I’ve designed the perfect New Zealand itinerary for every traveller. I’ll suggest interesting places to visit, how to get there, and how much you can expect to spend on accommodation, activities, and food. I have also created a one week North Island itinerary, and a one week South Island itinerary, so read on for all the latest – updated for 2024! – information.

For a full, wildly comprehensive costs guide including flights, visas, and tips for saving money, head to the full guide to the costs of traveling in New Zealand. If you are looking for more in depth information on the cost of living in New Zealand I’ve got you covered there as well!

New Zealand Itinerary

Whether you’re planning a quick visit to New Zealand, or a longer visit, it’s best to have a plan before you leave home. New Zealand is a small country but it’s not always easy to get around. Whereas in North America, Europe or Australia you might expect to travel 100 kilometres (or 62 miles) in an hour, the narrow, winding roads in New Zealand mostly don’t allow for those sorts of speeds. And there isn’t a great public transport network, either. So know that you’ll move more slowly in New Zealand. Which is lucky, because there are so many beautiful sights to see along the way!

For most people, two weeks’ holiday is usually all their busy lives will allow. If that’s the case for you, I recommend spending one week exploring the North Island, and one week exploring the South Island. Have a look at my 7 day South Island itinerary and my 7 day North Island itinerary below.

Of course, if you have more time available to you, there are plenty of things to see and do in New Zealand to fill your time! It’s a beautiful country filled with great people and diverse scenery, flora, and fauna. New Zealand prides itself on being action-packed, so the longer you stay, the more of those fabulous, thrill-seeking activities you can pack in!

We’re going to start with an itinerary for the South Island because it’s more popular with tourists, then I’ll give you my suggested itinerary for the North Island.

Things to do in New Zealand South Island

• Christchurch.
• Dunedin.
• Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers. Just wow!
• Hokitika Gorge.
• Lake Takapo.
• Milford Sound. Spectacular scenery and 100% worth visiting.
• Mount Cook.
• Queenstown. Awesome for skiing and snowboarding in winter, hiking in summer, and eating and drinking all year round!)
• Wanaka. Whether you’re fishing, heading to the slopes, relaxing, or puzzling at Puzzling World, Wanaka has something for everyone.

South Island New Zealand itinerary (7 days)

Most visitors staying for a short amount of time prefer to focus on the best places to visit in New Zealand, particularly in the South Island.

Why? Because that’s where most of the famous highlights are! People usually prioritise visiting Queenstown, Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo – and for good reason, although I absolutely love the North Island too!

So here’s a very simple itinerary that’s doable in a week.

In this example, you would start in Queenstown and make your way to Christchurch. Be mindful of this as your flights will have different arrival – departure points.

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown. Rent a car at the airport. Go sightseeing, stroll around town and hang out by the lake.

Sleep: Queenstown.

Day 2: Visit Arrowtown for half a day, make your way back to Queenstown and go up the famous Skyline. Check out that view!

Sleep: Queenstown.

Day 3: Start early and drive, or book a day tour to Milford Sound. It’s quite exhausting to do all the driving yourself. If you decide to go on a tour, maybe move day 2 to day 3 so you save some money on the rental car.

It’s a 3.5-hour drive one way but there are many amazing places for quick stops. Once in Milford, take a stroll around the main walkway and then take a 2-hour cruise. Once you are ready to head back, jump in the car and chill in Queenstown for the night.

Sleep: Queenstown.

Day 4: From Queenstown, you’ll make your way to Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park 2.5 hours away. Have an another early start because there’s a lot to see and discover here! After a nature-packed day, head to Lake Tekapo for the night.

Sleep: Lake Tekapo.

Day 5: Take a break and have a chilled morning. The views from Lake Tekapo are just amazing! Even though I’ve visited many times, I still need to pinch myself at the stunning views. There are really nice hot pools in Late Tekapo and St John Observatory, which are worth a visit.

Sleep: Lake Tekapo.

Day 6: Today, you’ll be heading to Christchurch, and I suggest you get an early start. Arrive into Christchurch by lunchtime to senjoy one of Christchurch’s fabulous eateries. Then spend the whole afternoon exploring this beautiful city.

Sleep: Christchurch.

Day 7: Unfortunately, all good things must eventually end. Today you will return your rental car to the airport (just 15 minutes from the city centre) and head home.

Alternatively, if you still have a day to spare, enjoy Christchurch or take a short trip to the Peninsula Banks.

I’m sure you’ll love the suggestions and insights I’ve given you into New Zealand’s South Island!

Things to do in New Zealand North Island

• Auckland Sky Tower, Auckland. Located in the North Island’s largest city, the Sky Tower provides an incredible view over the surrounding area. While tall city towers are global, there are very few you can bungy jump from… but here you can!
• Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, Coromandel Coast. In all honesty, pretty much everything on the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula is beautiful, but Marine Reserve is especially so.
• Glow Worm Caves, Waitomo.
• Hell’s Gate, Rotorua. Get up close to some of the most amazing examples of volcanic and geothermic activity in the world. Bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and geysers including one that shoots hot spring water 30m (100 feet) into the air!
• Hobbiton Movie Set, Mata Mata. The real life home of Hobbits! Visit to see where Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee lived. The set was constructed for filming but has been left as a gorgeous tourist attraction. Although the movies never particularly grabbed my attention (sorry!!), I loved visiting Hobbiton. You can even have a drink in the famous Green Dragon Inn afterwards!
• Huka Falls, Taupo.
• Kiwi Hatchery, Rotorua.
• Lake Taupo, Taupo.
• Mount Ruapehu. Amazing place for skiing!
• Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa), Wellington.
• Redwood Forest, Rotorua. If you thought California was the only place to see giant redwood trees, think again! The Redwood Forest in Rotorua is a fantastic spot for a walk, mountain bike ride, Treewalk (more about that later) or a picnic. There’s a whole series of tracks of differing lengths and difficulties to suit people of all ages, stages and abilities. The Treewalk is an exhilarating 700 metre walk set 20 metres above. The walk – without harnesses – traverses a series of suspension bridges through the Redwood Forest that provides a unique perspective for the whole family.
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

North Island New Zealand itinerary (7 days)

For the North Island New Zealand itinerary I’ve selected the most popular and interesting activities and sights. Although it would be great to have 7 weeks in NZ, I’ve got a selection of stunning spots and amazing activities to pack into 7 days. Let’s go!

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland.

If you get in early, go sightseeing! There is SO much to see in Auckland. Are you brave enough to bungee jump from the Sky Tower? Or would you prefer a delicious seafood lunch overlooking Auckland Harbour? Or perhaps marvel at New Zealand’s largest art collection at the Auckland Art Gallery? It is very easy to fill in a day (or more!) in Auckland.

Sleep: Auckland.

Day 2: Auckland + Waiheke.

Start the day with a 40 minute ferry ride east from Auckland to the beautiful Waiheke Island. Whether you’re into wine tasting, tea tasting, white sandy beaches, hikes, or fabulous food, this is the place to be! If you only have a few hours to spare and really want to pack a lot in, I suggest you book a tour. Alternatively, it’s a laid-back place so you can meander your way around and do whatever takes your fancy. Up to you!

Whenever you’re done on Waiheke, take the ferry back to Auckland and explore the city. I personally love the Sky Tower, the Art Gallery, and Viaduct Harbour. If you’re brave, you can climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge!

Viaduct Harbour is a fabulous place to go for dinner. There are loads of restaurants to choose from, each one better than the next – you can’t go wrong.

Sleep: Auckland.

Day 3: Coromandel Peninsula.

Start early. Rent a car and drive 2.5 hours around to the gorgeous Coromandel Peninsula.

There are so many fabulous places to visit on the Coromandel Peninsula! Try Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.

Sleep: Coromandel.

Day 4: Rotorua.

Today you have a 3 hour drive from Coromandel to Rotorua. Rotorua is one of THE most interesting places in New Zealand. The geothermal activity here is off the charts! All year around you will see geysers, bubbling mud pools, and hot springs.

Although you could easily spend 2 or 3 nights here, it’s time to keep going as Taupo also has a wealth of amazing places to visit. I suggest you spend the afternoon in Rotorua and then drive to Taupo – it’s a short 1 hour drive.

Try to get to Lake Taupo in time for sunset. The colours on the lake are beautiful!

Sleep: Taupo.

Day 5: Tongariro National Park.

1.5 hours south of Taupo sits the Tongariro National Park, which is one of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand. If you are up for the challenge, hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Allow 8 hours to complete the 19km (12mi) hike, and make sure you carry water, snacks, and sunscreen with you.

If an all day hike isn’t your jam, there are plenty of shorter walks in the Tongariro National Park. It’s a gorgeous part of the world and no surprise that it’s been listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 6: Taupo.

There are lots of activities to check out in Taupo, like jet boating and white water rafting. If white knuckle thrills aren’t for you, Lake Taupo is a lovely spot for a walk.

Sleep: Taupo.

Day 7: Waitomo Glow Worm Cave and Hobbiton.

Today is going to be a long – but fun! – day, so start early. Drive 2 hours from Taupo to Waitomo to see the amazing glow worm caves.

After the caves, grab a quick lunch from Waitomo, then it’s a 1 hour 15 minute drive to Hobbiton. Make sure you book tickets in advance.

You can grab a drink and a snack at the Green Dragon Inn before you leave Hobbiton. Drive 45 minutes to Hamilton.

Sleep: Hamilton. (Alternatively, if you have an early flight tomorrow, power on through to Auckland and sleep there.)

Hiking in New Zealand

The hiking (known as ‘tramping’ here!) in New Zealand is arguably some of the very best in the world. The scenery is pristine and gorgeous, and the tracks and trails are well kept, with good signage and public amenities.

One of my favourite hikes is the Queen Charlotte Track which starts just a short boat ride from Picton. If you’re interested in my itinerary, accommodation, and costs, check out my guide about doing the Queen Charlotte Track.

How Much does a New Zealand Trip Cost?

When considering the cost of a trip to New Zealand, there are many factors to include:

• Air fares + travel insurance
• Accommodation
• Activities
• Food
• Car rental (or tourist buses)

Cost of Air fares (+ Travel Insurance) to New Zealand

Without knowing where you’re travelling from and in which season, I can’t predict the cost of your airfares. My best advice is to talk to your travel agent or visit a fare compare website. Be aware of seasonal variations in travel cost, as well as some huge differences between airlines.

In my opinion and experience, travel insurance (including health insurance) is a must. If you miss a flight, lose a suitcase, break your phone, or go to hospital, your insurance will pay for itself. I’ve seen and heard a zillion horror stories about people caught out without travel insurance. Just do it, and thank me later.

Cost of Accommodation in New Zealand

Your own personal preferences, budget and requirements will largely dictate what sort of accommodation suits you. Also, accommodation prices in New Zealand vary considerably by region and season, as they do elsewhere in the world. Below is a rough guide to backpacker, budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation costs in New Zealand dollars (NZD):

Backpacker. Approximately $35 per person per night in a dormitory style room, often with shared bathroom facilities. Prices are higher during peak season, eg in Queenstown during winter. Usually includes free wifi, and *may* include a basic breakfast.

Budget. Approximately $125 per room per night in a private, basic room. Hotels are either in walking distance from the city and/ or major attraction(s), or within easy reach of public transport. The price usually includes free wifi, but does not usually include breakfast.

Mid-range. Expect to pay around $250 per room per night for a comfortable hotel (with room service) in a central location. The price usually includes free wifi, but does not usually include breakfast. Hotels usually have an in-house restaurant and bar, and staff can help book tickets for activitie, and car rentals.

Luxury. The sky is the limit for accommodation in the luxury price range. All major centres (ie, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown etc) have various options for luxury stays in hotels and resorts. High end hotels usually boast five star dining options, and rooms include services like spas, views, and in-room services.

Cost of Activities in New Zealand

New Zealand is famous for its thrill seeking activities, and – in particular – bungy jumping. The cost of the activities that you choose to do in New Zealand will depend upon your personal choice. However, here is a price guide (updated for 2024) to give you an idea for budgeting purposes. All prices are listed in New Zealand dollars (NZD).

• Auckland Sky Tower. $25 entry fee per adult.
• Blackwater rafting. $180 – $300 per adult. Includes abseil, glow worm cave, zipline, underground river, tubing, waterfall climb.
• Bungy jumping. $210 per adult. Includes photo.
• Fox Glacier and/ or Franz Josef Glacier scenic flight. From $300 per adult (includes 10 minute landing on glacier).
• Glow Worm Caves at Waitomo. $75 per adult.
• Hiking. Free! New Zealand is an awesome place for hiking/ tramping. Check out some of my posts dedicated to hiking in NZ.
• Hobbiton. $120 per adult. Make sure to book in advance!
• Jet boating. $160 per adult.
• Kiwi Hatchery. $59 per adult.
• Milford Sound cruise. $90 per adult for the shortest cruise (about 2 hours). Alternatively, for $600 you can stay overnight onboard the boat (includes dinner and breakfast).
• Queenstown Gondola. $60 per adult. Packages available that include luge rides.
• Redwood Forest Treewalk. $40 per adult for 1 daytime walk (approx 40 mins).
• Rotorua Hell’s Gate. $42 entry fee per adult to walk around the geothermal reserve. Alternatively, $105 which includes self-guided walk, mud bath, sulphur spa, and cool plunge pool. Bring swimmers!
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds. $60 entry fee per adult. Valid for 2 days.
• Wellington Cable Car. $12 return per adult.
• White water rafting. Prices start at around $120 per adult, but depends on the length and grade of the trip.
• Wine tasting. Prices start at around $20 per person, but depends on the winery and the types of wine sampled.

Cost of Food in New Zealand

Food tends to be somewhat expensive in New Zealand, not least because anything imported has a looooong way to travel. Having said that, there are some local eats and treats that New Zealand excels at. For example:

• Lamb. New Zealand is known around the world for its superb lamb, and lamb is one of the country’s main exports. Kiwis LOVE a good roast lamb dinner!
• Seafood. New Zealand is a small country surrounded by ocean, so they have incredibly fresh and delicious seafood. Particularly good are the crayfish, whitebait, oysters green lipped mussels. Fresh and delicious!
• Maori hangi. A traditional method of cooking in underground pits using hot rocks. Now mainly used for ceremonial purposes, but if you get a chance to try food cooked in a hangi, definitely do so!
• Desserts/ sweets. The Kiwis insist that they invented the magnificent pavlova. (Australians disagree!) So while you’re in NZ, try the pav: a meringue base topped with whipped cream and piled with seasonal fruit. New Zealanders have also perfected hokey pokey ice cream. That is, (usually) vanilla ice cream laced with little lumps of honeycomb. It’s soooo good!
• Wine. New Zealand produces some of the best wine in the world. My personal favourite is the light and refreshing sauvignon blanc (white) from the Marlborough region. The Husband’s favourite is a full bodied merlot from the North Island.

Although the things listed above are New Zealand’s specialties, it does NOT mean those things are cheap, even by local standards.

For a main meal in a mid-range restaurant, you can expect to pay $25 – $45. For a main meal in a high end restaurant, expect to pay $45 – $150.

If you want to save some money on food costs, book accommodation that includes a small kitchen. That way, you can buy milk and cereal at the supermarket and make your own breakfast etc. Along the same lines, you can buy snacks from the supermarket that require very little preparation, and work out cheaper (and healthier!) than buying ready-made snacks from convenience stores.

Cost of Car Rental In New Zealand

The easiest way to travel around New Zealand is in a rental car. There are tourist buses, but they are not as frequent as you’d like them to be. I will talk more about them in a minute. For now, let’s focus on car rentals.

Generally speaking, cars are easy to rent in New Zealand. However, like elsewhere, the laws of supply and demand apply. Therefore, it’s cheaper and you have more options for car rentals in larger cities than smaller towns. Also, it’s much cheaper if you intend to drop the car back to the same location you rented it from. There is a (large!) fee to return the car to a different location.

My parents visited me in New Zealand recently and we rented a car on Waiheke Island, and one in Queenstown. We spent far more in Waiheke than in Queenstown because of supply and demand. There isn’t much demand in Waiheke, so the prices are much higher. In Waiheke, the car rental company charged NZ$89 per day, whereas in Queenstown it was NZ$400 for an entire week.

Petrol (ie, gas) is expensive in New Zealand at approximately NZ$2.85 per litre. (Updated for 2024.)

And as for the tourist buses I mentioned earlier? There are tourist buses in New Zealand – either hop-on/ hop-off buses, or bus tour companies. The hop-on/ hop-off buses have a backpacker vibe and are reasonably priced. However, the timetable is somewhat limited, especially in the off-season.

New Zealand Itinerary Summary

As you wrap up your New Zealand itinerary, it’s clear why this country captivates travellers. From Auckland’s energy and Rotorua’s geothermal wonders in the North Island to Queenstown’s adrenaline rush and Milford Sound’s serenity in the South Island, every moment has been unforgettable.

My guide simplifies all aspects of your trip to ensure you stay on budget. Whether you stay in cosy hostels or luxurious lodges, and explore vibrant cities or pristine wilderness, New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and warm hospitality make a lasting impression.

I hope these itineraries inspire your own adventure. Kia ora and safe travels on your unforgettable New Zealand journey!

New Zealand Itinerary Frequently Asked Questions