13 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.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Mon): take a stroll through Devonport and then step off the mainland to explore Tiritiri Matangi Visitor Centre. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Tue): get engrossed in the history at Auckland Museum, then enjoy breathtaking views from SkyTower, and then stop by Pauanesia.

For where to stay, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Auckland road trip planning tool.

Adelaide, Australia to Auckland is an approximately 7.5- hour flight. You'll lose 2.5 hours traveling from Adelaide to Auckland due to the time zone difference. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Adelaide in March: highs in Auckland hover around 22°C, while lows dip to 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Tue) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Rotorua: Taupo (Adrenaline & Extreme Tours & Huka Falls Walkway) and Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera). There's much more to do: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, identify plant and animal life at Redwoods Treewalk, get your game on at OGO Rotorua, and delve into the lush surroundings at Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest.

To find where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua day trip planner.

Drive from Auckland to Rotorua in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Auckland in March: highs in Rotorua hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) to allow enough 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.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sat): go from sight to sight with Wellington Cable Car, then take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, then get engrossed in the history at The Great War Exhibition, and finally examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

For other places to visit and more tourist information, go to the Wellington trip planner.

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. When traveling from Rotorua in March, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Wellington: temperatures range from 22°C by day to 16°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) 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.

Step out of Te Anau to go to Milford Sound and see Bowen Falls, which is approximately 1h 05 min away. On the 25th (Mon), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. There's much more to do: explore the activities along Milford Sound, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk, explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and look for all kinds of wild species at Doubtful Sound.

To find reviews, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Te Anau vacation planning website.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Te Anau in 7 hours. Other options are to ride a ferry; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can catch the 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, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, view the masterpieces at Silver Fern Gallery, and learn about winemaking at Peregrine Wines.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Queenstown trip planning tool.

You can take a bus from Te Anau to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.