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.

To find photos, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read Auckland road trip planning tool.

Adelaide, Australia to Auckland is an approximately 8-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: Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera) and Taupo (Adrenaline & Extreme Tours & Huka Falls Walkway). Next up on the itinerary: take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, identify plant and animal life at Redwoods Treewalk, and take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback.

For where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Rotorua driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Rotorua takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. When traveling from Auckland in March, plan for somewhat warmer days and a bit cooler nights in Rotorua: temperatures range from 26°C by day to 18°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Fri) early enough 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.

To find more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington trip planner.

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. 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 5 min away. On the 25th (Mon), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. There's much more to do: explore the activities along Doubtful Sound, explore the fascinating underground world of Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and hike along The Chasm Walk.

To find more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Te Anau day trip planning website.

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Te Anau takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a 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: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, take in the exciting artwork at Silver Fern Gallery, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read Queenstown vacation maker.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.