14 Days in New Zealand: Both Islands

Overview

New Zealand offers dramatic landscapes from fjords to volcanoes, beaches to mountains. This 14-day itinerary covers highlights of both North and South Islands.

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Trip Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Day 1

Arrive Auckland

Activities:

• Arrive Auckland
• Sky Tower
• Viaduct Harbour
• Dinner at waterfront

💡 Tip:

Auckland spread out. Rent car for North Island.

📍 Book Activities:

Auckland Sky Tower

2

Day 2

Auckland to Rotorua

Activities:

• Drive to Rotorua
• Hobbiton Movie Set
• Check into Rotorua
• Evening Maori cultural show

💡 Tip:

Book Hobbiton weeks ahead. Very popular.

📍 Book Activities:

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

3

Day 3

Rotorua Geothermal

Activities:

• Te Puia geyser
• Wai-O-Tapu
• Mud pools
• Hot springs
• Redwood forest walk

💡 Tip:

Rotorua smells like sulfur. You get used to it.

📍 Book Activities:

Rotorua Geothermal Tour

4

Day 4

To Wellington

Activities:

• Drive to Wellington
• Te Papa Museum
• Cuba Street
• Evening at waterfront

💡 Tip:

Wellington windy. Bring jacket.

📍 Book Activities:

Wellington City Tour

5

Day 5

Ferry to South Island

Activities:

• Interislander ferry
• Scenic Marlborough Sounds
• Picton
• Drive to Nelson

💡 Tip:

Ferry 3 hours. Book car in advance.

📍 Book Activities:

Interislander Ferry

6

Day 6

West Coast

Activities:

• Drive to Punakaiki
• Pancake Rocks
• Blowholes
• Continue to Greymouth

💡 Tip:

West Coast rainy. Bring waterproof gear.

📍 Book Activities:

Pancake Rocks Tour

7

Day 7

Franz Josef Glacier

Activities:

• Glacier valley walk
• Helicopter tour (optional)
• Hot pools
• Overnight Franz Josef

💡 Tip:

Weather dependent. Book helicopter early.

📍 Book Activities:

Franz Josef Helicopter Tour

8

Day 8

To Queenstown

Activities:

• Drive to Queenstown
• Haast Pass
• Lake Wanaka stop
• Arrive Queenstown evening

💡 Tip:

Long drive but stunning scenery.

📍 Book Activities:

Queenstown Activities

9

Day 9

Queenstown Adventure

Activities:

• Shotover Jet boat
• Skyline Gondola
• Luge
• Bungy jump (optional)
• Fergburger dinner

💡 Tip:

Adventure capital. Book activities ahead.

📍 Book Activities:

Shotover Jet Boat

10

Day 10

Milford Sound

Activities:

• Early departure
• Drive to Milford Sound
• Fjord cruise
• Return to Queenstown

💡 Tip:

Book cruise ahead. Take motion sickness pills.

📍 Book Activities:

Milford Sound Cruise

11

Day 11

To Christchurch

Activities:

• Drive to Christchurch
• Lake Tekapo stop
• Church of Good Shepherd
• Arrive Christchurch

💡 Tip:

Stop at Mt Cook viewpoint if clear.

📍 Book Activities:

Lake Tekapo Tour

12

Day 12

Christchurch

Activities:

• Botanic Gardens
• Riverside walk
• Cardboard Cathedral
• Restart Mall
• Punting

💡 Tip:

City still rebuilding from earthquake.

📍 Book Activities:

Christchurch City Tour

13

Day 13

Kaikoura

Activities:

• Drive to Kaikoura
• Whale watching
• Seal colony
• Fresh crayfish lunch
• Return

💡 Tip:

Whale watching weather dependent. Book ahead.

📍 Book Activities:

Kaikoura Whale Watching

14

Day 14

Departure

Activities:

• Last-minute shopping
• Return rental car
• Christchurch Airport
• Departure

💡 Tip:

Allow extra time for airport.

📍 Book Activities:

Christchurch Airport Transfer

Where to Stay

Motels

Common, affordable

$80-150/night

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Hotels

Cities and towns

$120-250/night

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Must-Try Food

Getting Around

Packing List