32 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Pompallier Mission and Printery are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Step out of the city life by going to Dolphin & Whale Watching and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Go for a jaunt from Paihia to Opononi to see Tane Mahuta Walk about 1h 30 min away. The adventure continues: get interesting insight from Tours, admire the sheer force of Haruru Falls, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Paihia trip builder .

Tokyo, Japan to Paihia is an approximately 17-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference moving from Japan Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 3 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

On the 6th (Mon), Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, then explore the fascinating underground world of Ruakuri Cave, and finally hike along Ruakuri Walk. On the 7th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: snap pictures at Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, then admire the sheer force of Marakopa Falls, then Head underground at Caveworld, and finally relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

For reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Waitomo Caves holiday planning website .

Getting from Paihia to Waitomo Caves by combination of taxi and flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Whakapapa.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Taranaki Falls are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Step out of the city life by going to Horsemtrails and Tongariro Northern Circuit. When in Whakapapa, make a side trip to see River Rafting & Tubing in Turangi, approximately 34 minutes away.

To find other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Whakapapa online journey planner .

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Whakapapa in 2.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can travel 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.

Escape the urban bustle at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Adrenaline & Extreme Tours. Change things up with these side-trips from Rotorua: Taupo (Fishing Charters & Tours & Huka Falls Walkway). There's much more to do: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, look for all kinds of wild species at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, learn about winemaking at Volcanic Hills Winery, and take in the natural beauty of Te Puia.

To see more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Rotorua online trip itinerary maker .

Drive from Whakapapa to Rotorua in 2.5 hours. In January in Rotorua, expect temperatures between 27°C during the day and 19°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Thu): look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary, then look for all kinds of wild species at Tonga Island Marine Reserve, and then examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

For reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Wellington online journey planner .

Fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. In January, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can travel to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Get in touch with nature at Franz Josef Glacier and Gillespies Beach. There's still lots to do: explore the wealth of natural beauty at Fox Glacier, trek along Fox Glacier South Side Walk, look for gifts at ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery, and stroll through Fox Glacier Hiking Trails.

To see maps, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Fox Glacier online road trip planner .

Getting from Wellington to Fox Glacier by combination of flight and bus takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and car; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to drive to Mt. Cook Village.

Siting under towering peaks of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt.

Get outdoors at Hooker Valley Track and Aoraki/Mt. Cook. There's much more to do: hike along Kea Point Track, tour the pleasant surroundings at Governors Bush Walk, hit the slopes at Ski The Tasman, and contemplate the waterfront views at Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks.

To see reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Mt. Cook Village day trip tool .

Drive from Fox Glacier to Mt. Cook Village in 5.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time to 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.

Get outdoors at Milford Sound and Hollyford Track. Step out of Te Anau with an excursion to Milford Foreshore Walk in Milford--about 1h 15 min away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Doubtful Sound, hike along The Chasm Walk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Lake Gunn, and look for all kinds of wild species at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.

To see reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Te Anau online trip itinerary maker .

Explore your travel options from Mt. Cook Village to Te Anau with the Route module. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) to allow 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.

Get in touch with nature at Zipline and Kiwi Birdlife Park. Peregrine Wines and Fallen Soldiers Memorial are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's lots more to do: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, see Off-Road Tours, get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, and hike along Ben Lomond Track.

For photos, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Queenstown holiday app .

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 3.5 hours. You will have some time to spend on the 1st (Sat) before leaving for home.