12 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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, nature, spas, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: have some family-friendly fun at Skyline Queenstown, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, do a tasting at Peregrine Wines, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at The Remarkables Ski Area.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Queenstown online itinerary creator.

Dunedin to Queenstown is an approximately 3.5-hour car ride. You can also take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to travel to Auckland.

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.

On the 19th (Sat), stop by Pauanesia and then don't miss a visit to Sky Tower.

To see where to stay, ratings, photos, and tourist information, read Auckland tour planner.

You can fly from Queenstown to Auckland in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, ferry, and car. In August in Auckland, expect temperatures between 13°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sun) early enough to drive 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tours (in Hinuera) and Huka Falls tracks (in Taupo). Spend the 23rd (Wed) immersed in therapeutic waters at a local thermal spa. There's still lots to do: take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, make a trip to Te Puia, and whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For reviews, photos, maps, and more tourist information, read our Rotorua itinerary builder.

Drive from Auckland to Rotorua in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Auckland in August, expect slightly colder with lows of 7°C in Rotorua. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (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 24th (Thu): catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, admire the natural beauty 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. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire nature's wide array of creatures at Wellington Zoo, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Old St Paul's, and then look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary.

For traveler tips, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Wellington travel planner.

Getting from Rotorua to Wellington by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In August, daytime highs in Wellington are 15°C, while nighttime lows are 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Blenheim.

Enjoy a heady holiday in Blenheim, the most populous town in the wine-growing region of Marlborough.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Sat): do a tasting at Cloudy Bay, then examine the collection at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, and then see the interesting displays at Omaka Classic cars. Here are some ideas for day two: trek along Queen Charlotte Track.

To find ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Blenheim holiday planner.

Fly from Wellington to Blenheim in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. In August in Blenheim, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 8°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) to allow time to travel back home.