Remember these are only suggested New Zealand travel itineraries. There is no right or wrong route and they can be shortened, extended or altered as you wish. The itineraries below aim to provide the most cost effective routes whilst incorporating as many top destinations as possible. Don’t be inhibited to any itinerary. Get off the beaten tracks and visit lesser know places – you may even find some secret havens.

Check out our Top 10 Places In New Zealand To Visit while planning your itinerary.

For Those Who Want To Do It All (3-6 weeks)

Popular Route & Destinations

If you want to see everything New Zealand has to offer this is the best and cheapest itinerary.

You can start in any of the cities labelled on the map above. The route is basically a figure of eight and you will finish in the same city you start in, which is great if you have a return flight. You can however do this route as two circles around each island and fly between the islands. There are two off shoots: from Auckland to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga; and from Queenstown to Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Auckland – Bay of Islands – Cape Regina (3-5 days)

Starting in Auckland, check out the small, but beautiful, modern city and it’s stunning harbour islands. Then take the off shoot to the warm weathered Bay of Islands and drive along up 90 mile beach to Cape Regina, New Zealand’s most northern point.

Bay of Islands

Coromandel Peninsula – Rotorua (2-3 days)

After returning and passing through Auckland head East to the Coromandel Peninsula, home to beautiful beaches and warm waters. Next head to Rotorua and it’s geothermal pools, hot springs and geysers.

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel

Lake Taupo – Napier (optional) – Tongariro National Park (2-4 days)

Go South and visit New Zealand’s largest Lake (Taupo) then head further East to Napier (optional). Cut back towards Lake Taupo, but this time to the South of the lake and Tongariro National Park – one of the best day walks in the world and body double to Lord of the Rings’ Mt Doom.

Tongariro National Park

Wellington – Picton (2-3 days)

After stopping in friendly Wellington cross over to the South Island by ferry to Picton through the impressive sounds.

Wellington

Abel Tasman National Park – West Coast (1-3 days)

Head West to Abel Tasman National Park, where you will find lush rainforest, golden beaches and clear waters. Then travel down the West coast.

Abel Tasman National Park

Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers – Haast – Wanaka (2-5 days)

Visit the glaciers and Wanaka, which boast some of the most picturesque views in New Zealand.

Franz Josef Glacier

Queenstown – Te Anau – Milford Sound (3-5 days)

Do something extreme in the adrenaline capital of the world, Queenstown. Then take the off shoot to see the spectacular Milford Sound.

Milford Sound

Queenstown (again, optional) – Mount Cook – Lake Tekapo (2-4 days)

After returning head up Mount Cook, NZ’s tallest mountain, and Lake Tekapo, one of the best start gazing spots in the entire world.

Lake Tekapo

Christchurch – Kaikoura – Picton (2-4 days)

Chirstchurch has been badly damaged by an earthquake in 2011, but is still worth a visit. Complete your journey up the East coast of the South Island in the marine life haven of Kaikoura, where you can see whales, seals and dolphins. Then cross back over at Picton to the North Island on the ferry.

Whale off Kaikoura

Mount Taranaki – Waitomo – Raglan – Auckland (3-7 days)

Back on the North Island, this time visit the West coast on your route back up to Auckland, stopping at Mount Taranaki, the Waitomo glow worm caves and the laidback town of Raglan.

Mount Taranaki

For Those With Little Time Or Budget
(10 days to 3 weeks)

After stopping in Wellington cross over to the South Island by ferry. Head West to Abel Tasman National Park, then travel down the West Coast, visiting the glaciers and Wanaka. Take the off shoot from Queenstown to see the spectacular Milford Sound. After returning head up to Christchurch via Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo.

Extended Stay On The North Island (2-4 weeks)

Go South and visit New Zealand’s largest Lake (Taupo) then head to the East coast town of Gisborne. Head down to Napier along Hawke Bay and then onto Wellington (you can also head along the North coast from Rotorua to Gisborne, then cut back to Lake Taupo from Napier and then go onto Wellington).

Maraetotara Falls, Hawkes-Bay

Travel back North via Tongariro National Park, then move over to the West coast on your route back up to Auckland stopping at Mount Taranaki, Waitomo and the laidback town of Raglan.

Extended Stay On The South Island (2-4 weeks)

University Of Otago, Dunedin

After visiting Kaikoura and Picton on the East coast head over to Abel Tasman National Park on the West coast. Finally travel down the West coast, visiting the glaciers and Wanaka before arriving back in Queenstown.

You may wish to consider taking the TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth and skip Picton and Kaikoura.

TranzAlpine train