36 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, wildlife, nature, nightlife, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car, admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden, and kick back and relax at Lyall Bay.

For photos, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, use the Wellington online vacation builder .

The Route module shows you travel options from your home to Wellington. In June, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 15°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Fri) 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Rotorua: Huka Falls tracks (in Taupo) and Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera). Spend the 30th (Sat) immersed in therapeutic waters at a local thermal spa. The adventure continues: look for all kinds of wild species at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, get engrossed in the history at Rotorua Museum, witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and trot along with a tour on horseback.

For traveler tips, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read Rotorua trip builder website .

You can fly from Wellington to Rotorua in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. In June, daytime highs in Rotorua are 18°C, while nighttime lows are 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Thu) so you can go by car to Auckland Central.

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 Central: Piha Beach (in Piha) and Orewa Beach (in Orewa). Dedicate the 10th (Tue) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Tower, look for gifts at Pauanesia, go for a stroll along the water at Viaduct Harbour, and enjoy a live performance at Sea Life Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium.

For ratings, reviews, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Auckland Central trip planner .

Traveling by car from Rotorua to Auckland Central takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Rotorua in July: highs in Auckland Central hover around 13°C, while lows dip to 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can travel to Queenstown.

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

Go for a jaunt from Queenstown to Te Anau to see Milford Sound about 1h 50 min away. On the 18th (Wed), spend an exhilarating day on the slopes at Coronet Peak. And it doesn't end there: relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, tee off at Queenstown Golf Club, push the limits with an extreme tour, and do a tasting at Chard Farm Winery.

For where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip itinerary builder app .

You can fly from Auckland Central to Queenstown in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of car, ferry, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can drive 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.

Go for a jaunt from Dunedin to Waikouaiti to see Waikouaiti Beach about 48 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Otago Peninsula, kick back and relax at Aramoana Beach, examine the collection at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Dunedin trip planner.

Getting from Queenstown to Dunedin by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) 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.

Change things up with a short trip to Queen Charlotte Track in Picton (about 48 minutes away). Dedicate the 26th (Thu) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: learn about winemaking at Cloudy Bay and examine the collection at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Blenheim route planner.

You can fly from Dunedin to Blenheim in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. In July, daytime highs in Blenheim are 14°C, while nighttime lows are 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.