ONE WEEK ITINERARIES FOR NEW ZEALAND
NORTH ISLAND
ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND
DEPART FROM AUCKLAND
**TIP: For your travels between cities, consider taking one of InterCity’s bus passes.
**TIP: To get to downtown Auckland from the airport, take the SkyDrive bus (NZ$17) or, if you have purchased a bus pass with Intercity, book your transport with them.
AUCKLAND (3 NIGHTS)
- Book a free walking tour to learn more about the city and get your bearings around it.
- Discover the best New Zealand beers in Auckland's bars and microbreweries. Some suggestions: Urbanaut Brewery and Tap Room, Brothers Brewery, Brew on Quay, Good George North Wharf, Dr Rudi's Rooftop Brewing.
- Explore some neighborhoods like Britomart, Ponsonby, Kingsland, Viaduct Harbor or CBD.
- Book a Hobbiton Movie Set day tour leaving from Auckland.
- Try to find the best coffee in Auckland. Some of my favorites in CBD: The Receptionist, Remedy Coffee, Cosmo Coffee, Scarecrow.
- Take a ferry to Waiheke Island and do some wine tasting, hiking or relax on the beach.
- Enjoy one of Giapo's incredible ice creams.
- Climb to the top of one of Auckland's 53 volcanoes (Maungawhau, Mount Eden, Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill or Rangitoto Island - you must take a ferry for this one).
- If the weather is nice and warm, enjoy one of the beaches around Auckland.
ROTORUA (2 NIGHTS)
- Take a bus or train to Rotorua.
- Visit Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village.
- Relax in the area's natural hot springs.
- Visit Wai-O-Tapu National Park
- Walk through the Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest.
AUCKLAND (1 NIGHT)
- Take a bus or train from Rotorua to Auckland.
- Catch your flight back home.
SOUTH ISLAND - OPTION 1
ARRIVE IN CHRISTCHURCH
DEPART FROM CHRISTCHURCH
**TIP: For your travels between cities, consider taking one of InterCity’s bus passes.
CHRISTCHURCH (1 NIGHT)
- Book a free walking tour and learn more about Christchurch’s history.
- Hop aboard the historic tram to explore the city.
- Grab a bite at Riverside Market.
- Party or simply have a drink (or two) at one of the bars on Oxford Lane and Oxford Terrace.
- Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
KAIKOURA (1 NIGHT)
- Take a bus or train to Kaikoura.
- Book a whale, dolphin or sea lion watching tour.
- Enjoy fresh seafood or delicious fish & chips.
- For a good cup of coffee and really good baked goods and healthy meals, try BeeBox.
- Explore the city and admire the magnificent landscapes.
NELSON (1 NIGHT)
- Take a bus to Nelson.
- Discover the city's delicious cafes.
- Taste New Zealand beer.
- Relax on Tahunanui Beach.
- Hike to the Center of New Zealand.
- Visit one of the city's art galleries.
ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK (1 NIGHT)
- Take a shuttle or bus to Abel Tasman National Park.
- Hike on one of the park's beautiful trails.
- Spend the night in one of the park's huts or camp.
NELSON (1 NIGHT)
- Return to Nelson by shuttle or bus.
- If you're visiting on a Saturday, visit the Nelson Market.
CHRISTCHURCH (1 NIGHT)
- Return to Christchurch by bus.
- Catch your return flight.
SOUTH ISLAND - OPTION 2
ARRIVE IN QUEENSTOWN
DEPART FROM QUEENSTOWN
**TIP: For your travels between cities, consider taking one of InterCity’s bus passes.
QUEENSTOWN (3 NIGHTS)
- Hike on Ben Lomond Trail which has an elevation of 1438 meters.
- Take a walk along Lake Wakatipu and admire the views of the mountains.
- Watch the sunset on Queenstown Bay Beach.
- Get your thrills on a jet boat or bungee jumping or skydiving.
- Try a burger at the famous restaurant Fergburger.
- MUST DO: Book a day trip including a cruise on Milford Sound, a stunning fjord.
WANAKA (3 NIGHTS)
**Getting to the mountains around Wanaka can be difficult. Consider renting a car or hitchhiking.
- Take a bus to Wanaka.
- Walk around Lake Wanaka or kayak on it.
- Take a picture of That Wanaka Tree.
- Admire the view from Roys Peak summit, at 1578 m above sea level.
- Explore the city's bars and cafes. Suggestions: Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar (for the food and the beers), The Coffee Shack (for the coffee).
- Take the bus to Queenstown to catch your flight back home.
SOUTH ISLAND - OPTION 3
ARRIVE IN CHRISTCHURCH
DEPART FROM QUEENSTOWN*
*For this itinerary, you need to rent a car.
CHRISTCHURCH (1 NIGHT)
- Book a free walking tour and learn more about Christchurch’s history.
- Hop aboard the historic tram to explore the city.
- Grab a bite at Riverside Market.
- Party or simply have a drink (or two) at one of the bars on Oxford Lane and Oxford Terrace.
- Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
KAIKOURA (1 NIGHT)
- Take a bus or train to Kaikoura.
- Book a whale, dolphin or sea lion watching tour.
- Enjoy fresh seafood or delicious fish & chips.
- For a good cup of coffee and really good baked goods and healthy meals, try BeeBox.
- Explore the city and admire the magnificent landscapes.
AORAKI / MOUNT COOK (1 NIGHT)
- Drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village).
- If you like adventure and if the weather is good, consider doing a 2-day/1-night hike and sleep in one of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park huts.
- Hike on the Hooker Valley Trail
- Hike around Lake Tasman.
- Admire the spectacular mountain landscapes.
WANAKA (1 NIGHT)
- Drive to Wanaka.
- Walk around Lake Wanaka or kayak on it.
- Take a picture of That Wanaka Tree.
- Admire the view from Roys Peak summit, at 1578 m above sea level.
- Explore the city's bars and cafes. Suggestions: Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar (for the food and the beers), The Coffee Shack (for the coffee).
QUEENSTOWN (2 NIGHTS)
- Drive to Queenstown.
- Hike on the Ben Lomond Trail which has an elevation of 1438 meters.
- Take a walk along Lake Wakatipu and admire the views of the mountains.
- Watch the sunset on Queenstown Bay Beach.
- Get your thrills on a jet boat or bungee jumping or skydiving.
- Try a burger at the famous restaurant Fergburger.
- MUST DO: Book a day trip including a cruise on Milford Sound, a stunning fjord.
- Return your rental car and take your return flight.