TWO WEEKS ITINERARIES FOR NEW ZEALAND

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 (1 NIGHT)

• 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.
• Try to find the best coffee in Auckland. Some of my favorites in CBD: The Receptionist, Remedy Coffee, Cosmo Coffee, Scarecrow.
• 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).
• HOBBITON MOVIE SET: if you want to visit the famous movie set (which I recommend), book, on the 2nd day, a tour departing from Auckland, but returning to Rotorua at the end of the day.

ROTORUA (1 NIGHT)

• 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.

TURANGI (2 NUITS)

• Take a bus to Turangi. 
• Book a return shuttle to the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing*.

     *If you are taking a shuttle, you may need a booking to hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Check with your shuttle company or visit the Department of Conservation (DoC) website.

WELLINGTON (1 NIGHT)

• Take a bus to Wellington.
• Explore the bars, cafes, restaurants and shops of Cuba Street.
• Enjoy delicious ice cream at Duck Island Ice Cream.
• Visit the Te Papa Museum.
• Hike to the top of Mount Victoria.
• Relax on the beach at Lyall Bay.
• If you're in Wellington on a Sunday, visit the Harborside Market.

NELSON (2 NIGHTS)

• Take the ferry from Wellington to Picton. From Picton, get on a bus to Nelson.

**Book your ferry ticket in advance.

• Book a day trip to Abel Tasman National Park.
• Discover the city's delicious cafes.
• Taste New Zealand beers in local bars.
• Relax on Tahunanui Beach.
• Hike to the Center of New Zealand.
• Visit one of the city's art galleries.

KAIKOURA (1 NIGHT) 

• Take a bus 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.

CHRISTCHURCH (1 NIGHT)

• Take a bus to Christchurch
• 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.

AORAKI / MOUNT COOK (1 NIGHT) 

• Take a bus to Mount Cook (Aoraki).
• 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.

QUEENSTOWN (2 NIGHTS)

• Take a bus to Queenstown.
• 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.

AUCKLAND (1 NIGHT) 

• Fly from Queenstown to Auckland.
• Keep exploring the city.
• Take your return flight.