32 days in New Zealand Itinerary
32 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Inspirock New Zealand tour itinerary planner
Route & dates
32 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Start: Tokyo
Fly:
16h 45min
1
Paihia
— 3 nights
Find places to stay »
+2
taxi + Fly + taxi:
3h
2
Waitomo Caves
— 2 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
2h 15min
3
Whakapapa
— 4 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
2h 15min
4
Rotorua
— 4 nights
Find places to stay »
Fly:
3h
5
Wellington
— 1 night
Find places to stay »
+2
Fly + foot + bus:
8h 15min
6
Fox Glacier
— 3 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
5h 30min
7
Mt. Cook Village
— 3 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
5h 15min
8
Te Anau
— 4 nights
Find places to stay »
bus:
3h 15min
9
Queenstown
— 5 nights
Find places to stay »
Fly:
16h 45min
End: Tokyo
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3
nights
Paihia
3
nights

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.
Things to do in Paihia
Side Trips
Kororipo Pa Historic Walk, Pompallier Mission and Printery, Tane Mahuta Walk
Find places to stay Jan 2 — 5:
Highlights from your plan

Waitangi Treaty Grounds
10:00am, Sun Jan 5
Dolphin & Whale Watching
12:30pm, Fri Jan 3

Paihia Harbour
4:30pm, Thu Jan 2
2
nights
Waitomo Caves
2
nights
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.
Things to do in Waitomo Caves
Find places to stay Jan 5 — 7:
Highlights from your plan
River Rafting & Tubing
3:00pm, Tue Jan 7

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
10:00am, Mon Jan 6

Ruakuri Walk
5:30pm, Mon Jan 6
4
nights
Whakapapa
4
nights

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.
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.
Things to do in Whakapapa
Side Trips
Tongariro National Park, River Rafting & Tubing
Find places to stay Jan 7 — 11:
Highlights from your plan

Tongariro Alpine Crossing
10:00am, Wed Jan 8

Horsemtrails
12:00pm, Thu Jan 9

Taranaki Falls
4:30pm, Wed Jan 8
4
nights
Rotorua
4
nights

Sulphur City
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.
Things to do in Rotorua
Side Trips
Taupo, Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Find places to stay Jan 11 — 15:
Highlights from your plan

Huka Falls Walkway
1:30pm, Mon Jan 13

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
10:00am, Wed Jan 15
Zipline
3:30pm, Sun Jan 12
1
night
Wellington
1
night

Harbour Capital
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.
Things to do in Wellington
Side Trip
Tonga Island Marine Reserve
Find places to stay Jan 15 — 16:
Highlights from your plan

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
4:00pm, Thu Jan 16

Tonga Island Marine Reserve
1:30pm, Thu Jan 16

ZEALANDIA Sanctuary
10:00am, Thu Jan 16
3
nights
Fox Glacier
3
nights

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.
Things to do in Fox Glacier
Side Trip
Franz Josef Glacier
Find places to stay Jan 16 — 20:
Highlights from your plan

Franz Josef Glacier
1:00pm, Mon Jan 20

Fox Glacier
1:30pm, Sun Jan 19

Gillespies Beach
12:00pm, Sat Jan 18
3
nights
Mt. Cook Village
3
nights

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.
Things to do in Mt. Cook Village
Side Trip
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Find places to stay Jan 20 — 23:
Highlights from your plan

Hooker Valley Track
12:00pm, Tue Jan 21

Kea Point Track
11:00am, Wed Jan 22

Sealy Tarns Track
12:30pm, Wed Jan 22
4
nights
Te Anau
4
nights

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.
Things to do in Te Anau
Side Trips
Fiordland National Park, Milford Foreshore Walk
Find places to stay Jan 23 — 27:
Highlights from your plan

Milford Sound
1:00pm, Fri Jan 24

Doubtful Sound
2:30pm, Sat Jan 25

Kepler Track
12:30pm, Sun Jan 26
5
nights
Queenstown
5
nights

Shallow Bay
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.
Things to do in Queenstown
Find places to stay Jan 27 — Feb 1:
Highlights from your plan

Skyline Queenstown
11:30am, Tue Jan 28
©
Zipline
3:00pm, Tue Jan 28

Kiwi Birdlife Park
10:00am, Tue Jan 28
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