34 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

Wellington is known for museums, sightseeing, parks, wildlife, and nature. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary, take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, and get great views at Mount Victoria.

For reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Wellington trip itinerary builder.

The Route module shows you travel options from your home to Wellington. In August, daytime highs in Wellington are 15°C, while nighttime lows are 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Hobbiton Movie Set Tours (in Hinuera) and Huka Falls tracks (in Taupo). Spend the 20th (Sun) immersed in therapeutic waters at a local thermal spa. And it doesn't end there: witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, take a peaceful walk through Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, explore the world behind art at Rotorua Museum, and take an in-depth tour of Bibleworld Museum and Discovery Centre.

To find more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Rotorua itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Rotorua takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. August in Rotorua sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can drive 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Auckland: Orewa Beach (in Orewa) and Piha Beach (in Piha). There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to Sky Tower, look for gifts at Auckland Fish Market, step off the mainland to explore Tiritiri Matangi Island, and enjoy the thrill of live dance at Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Auckland trip builder.

Getting from Rotorua to Auckland by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. When traveling from Rotorua in August, plan for little chillier days in Auckland, with highs around 13°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Mon) early enough to drive to Paihia.

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.

Paihia is known for parks, nature, adventure, wildlife, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, steep yourself in history at The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station 1822, relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, and look for gifts at The Cabbage Tree Shop.

To see photos, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our Paihia custom trip planner.

Traveling by car from Auckland to Paihia takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and taxi; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Fri) to allow time to travel to Dunedin.

With its history proudly stemming from the Scottish settlers who came here during the colonial era, Dunedin's streets are lined with well-preserved examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, while a new culture of nightlife and fine dining takes hold around them.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Fri): examine the collection at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Knox Church. Keep things going the next day: stroll through Dunedin Beach, contemplate the long history of Larnach Castle & Gardens, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Aramoana Beach.

For more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Dunedin trip itinerary maker.

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Paihia to Dunedin in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Sun) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Spend the 5th (Tue) exploring nature at Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu). On the 7th (Thu), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. There's still lots to do: take a memorable drive along Milford Sound, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, trek along The Chasm Walk, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

For where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Te Anau itinerary builder.

You can drive from Dunedin to Te Anau in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

On the 12th (Tue), dedicate a day to the elevated beauty of Coronet Peak. Next up on the itinerary: soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, hit the slopes at The Remarkables Ski Area, push the limits with an extreme tour, and learn about winemaking at Chard Farm Winery.

For other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Queenstown trip planner.

Traveling by car from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) early enough to travel to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Fri): pause for some serene contemplation at Cardboard Cathedral, see the interesting displays at International Antarctic Centre, identify plant and animal life at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, then have some family-friendly fun at Velocity Karts Ltd, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Ohinetahi Garden. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get engrossed in the history at Canterbury Museum and then admire the natural beauty at Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

For more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read our Christchurch holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Christchurch takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. September in Christchurch sees daily highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) early enough 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 17th (Sun): examine the collection at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, learn about winemaking at Cloudy Bay, then do a tasting at Forrest Estate Wines, and finally learn about winemaking at Bladen Wines. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: trek along Queen Charlotte Track.

For where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Blenheim travel itinerary creator.

You can fly from Christchurch to Blenheim in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Traveling from Christchurch in September, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Blenheim, with lows around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can travel back home.