New Zealand Itinerary: 12 Places You Cannot Miss
If you are planning a New Zealand road trip, odds are you are having a hard time narrowing down what to see and do. For our two week trip we planned on seeing both the North AND South Island, making it even more difficult! Here are 12 of the beautiful places we went that I recommend you include on your New Zealand itinerary, too.
New Zealand Itinerary: 12 Places You Cannot Miss
WAIHEKE ISLAND
WAIHEKE ISLAND
Waiheke Island is an island off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, reachable in 40 mins by ferry. It is known for it’s beautiful beaches and boutique wineries offering breathtaking sea views and top-notch tastings. When crafting your New Zealand itinerary, this is a spot I would definitely not skip, especially if you are flying in and/or out of Auckland.
WHAT TO DO ON WAIHEKE ISLAND:
Wine tasting, of course! Click here to book the tour I went on and very highly recommend. To read my full review of it, click here.
Have lunch at Casito Miro (make reservations)
Have dinner at Cable Bay
WHERE TO STAY:
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
ROTORUA
ROTORUA
Rotorua, also located on the north island, is known mainly for being the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. To be honest, the town itself is nothing to write home about. The draw is definitely the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, which is why you should include it on your New Zealand itinerary.
WHAT TO DO IN ROTORUA:
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: the main Rotorua attraction! Do not miss it. Click here to skip the long line by reserving your ticket now! Prefer a guided tour? Click here for the unanimous five star small group one I recommend.
Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Click here to see the latest prices.
Mount Ngongotaha for the best view in town! I very highly recommend the gondola and luge rides. It is such a blast. Click here to see the latest prices. If you want just a gondola ticket, click here (but again, I very highly recommend luging).
Hells Gate Geothermal Walk, Mud Bath and Spa Experience. Click here to see the latest prices.
Zipline through Rotorua’s famous forest! Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot.
Hike in the Whakarewarewa Forest full of California Redwoods
Visit the Tamaki Maori Village, New Zealand’s most awarded cultural experience, to experience a traditional Maori "hangi" feast and performance. Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot.
Lake Rotorua jet boat ride. Click here to see the latest prices.
White water rafting adventure! Click here to see the latest prices.
If you instead prefer to visit Rotorua as part of a day trip from Auckland, click here for the one I recommend.
WHERE TO STAY:
WAITOMO
Glow worms caves! They are actually maggots, but you will learn about then when you go. Prior to visiting I had a handful of friends tell me that it is a tourist trap and I actually could not disagree more. I found Waitomo to be much more enjoyable than Rotorua so if you have time for one or the other, pick Waitomo.
WHAT TO DO IN WAITOMO:
Visit the glow worm caves via the Black Labyrinth tour. You jump backwards down waterfalls and it is SO MUCH FUN. Definitely worth it and not a tourist trap. Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot (this sells out so do it ASAP).
If you’re short on time or just less adventurous, you can instead do a 45 minute tour by boat. Click here to reserve your spot.
TURANGI
TURANGI
Turangi is a very small town located on Lake Taupo, well known for it’s fishing. If you plan on doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing it is a great place to stay as it is very close. We stayed here instead of in Taupo and really enjoyed it!
WHAT TO DO IN TURANGI:
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the most popular day hike in New Zealand! For transportation assistance, click here.
Stay in the woods at Creel Lodge
Grab breakfast at the very cute Creel Tackle House & Cafe on your way out
Waikato River jet boat ride. Click here to see the latest prices
Tongariro River grade 3 whitewater rafting. Click here to see the latest prices
Lake Taupo Maori rock carving sailing cruise (very highly rated!). Click here to see the latest prices.
WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and located on the southernmost point of the North Island. It’s a fun city with lots of great restaurants and bars as well as many museums and other cultural experiences. Definitely worth including in your New Zealand itinerary if you’re visiting the North Island!
WHAT TO DO IN WELLINGTON:
Visit the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa) to learn about New Zealand’s history. Very interesting and worth it! Click here to skip the long line by getting your ticket now.
Check out the view from Mount Victoria
Stroll through the botanical garden
Lord of the Rings movie location tour. Click here to see the latest prices.
Tour the Martinborough wine region. Click here to see the latest prices.
See kiwi birds at Zealandia eco-sanctuary. Click here to reserve your spot (it’s guided by torchlight!). If you prefer to visit during the day, click here.
Get a tour of the city from a local (this is very highly rated). Click here to reserve your spot.
Eat dinner at Ortega Fish Shack - SERIOUSLY!
Breakfast at The Larder
WHERE TO STAY:
TEKAPO
TEKAPO
Tekapo is a small town between Christchurch and Mount Cook. It is home to Lake Tekapo which often has shockingly blue waters. You have likely seen it on Pinterest many times surrounded by purple lupin flowers, which unfortunately were not in bloom while we were there. It's worth a quick stop along your road trip to snap some pics.
WHAT TO DO IN TEKAPO:
Star gaze! It is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve
Stop by the Church of the Good Shepherd
Visit Lake Tekapo
To visit Lake Tekapo as part of a day trip from Christchurch, click here to reserve your spot!
TWIZEL
TWIZEL
Twizel is a small town just south of Lake Pukaki and a great place to stop for a bite to eat if you are on a road trip to Mount Cook! Especially since we learned the hard way that there are almost no dining options in Mount Cook. It is pronounced “Twy-zel” not “Twizzle”. If you are road tripping through the South Island, do not skip Twizel on your road trip itinerary.
WHAT TO DO IN TWIZEL:
Grab breakfast and/or lunch at Shawty's. So good that we went for lunch on our way to Mount Cook and for breakfast on our way out!
Stop by stunning Lake Pukaki on the way, of course
MOUNT COOK VILLAGE
MOUNT COOK VILLAGE
Mount Cook Village is home to Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand! The village is beautiful but very remote and small with limited options for dining and sleeping.
WHAT TO DO IN MOUNT COOK VILLAGE:
Walk the Hooker Valley Track
Visit the Tasman Glacier
Take a helicopter tour! Click here to see the latest prices.
Save an appetite and grab dinner at The Alpine Restaurant buffet at The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook. It's a bit pricey but good
WHERE TO STAY:
YHA Mt. Cook if you want a hostel
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
WANAKA
WANAKA
Wanaka is an extremely charming resort town and was easily one of the highlights of my New Zealand trip!
WHAT TO DO IN WANAKA:
Hike Roys Peak. See my guide below!
Walk the Blue Pools Track
Explore around town and around the lake
Kayak on Lake Wanaka. Click here to see the latest prices and reserve your spot for a good half day tour
Take a happy hour cruise on Lake Wanaka. Click here for more info
Explore Ruby Island. Click here to reserve your spot!
Go on a jet boat and wilderness walk (very popular). Click here to reserve your spot
WHERE TO EAT:
Big Fig for some healthier options
Kai Whakapai to grab a beer or food with the locals! Perfect on a nice day
Lake Bar
WHERE TO STAY:
YHA Wanaka if you want a hostel
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
QUEENSTOWN
QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is a wonderful town near the southern end of the South Island. It is known for having a large amount of adventure sport options such as bungee jumping and jet-boating. There are also many vineyards where you can wine taste.
WHAT TO DO IN QUEENSTOWN:
Day trip to Milford Sound (more on that below)
Walk around Queenstown
Bungee jump if that is your thing
Try jet-boating - I recommend Skippers Canyon Jet
Take the Skyline gondola to the top of Queenstown and luge (it’s like Mario Kart in real life!). DO NOT MISS THIS!! Click here to get your tickets.
Take an Instagram tour. Click here for more info
Go on a UTV tour (I didn’t do this but if I had known it existed when I went I definitely would have!). Click here for more info
WHERE TO EAT:
Vudu Cafe & Larder - great for breakfast!
Surreal Bar & Restaurant - try the mulled wine and visit the rooftop
Bespoke Kitchen - for something fresh and healthy
Bunker - pricey but good if you want to splurge a bit. If not, visit their bar for a drink
Patagonia - for dessert!
WHERE TO STAY:
MILFORD SOUND
MILFORD SOUND
Despite the name, Milford Sound is actually a fiord and is located on the coast of the South Island a few hours west of Queenstown. It is often called the 8th wonder of the world and is something you should absolutely not miss! You can visit either as a day trip from Queenstown or go and stay there.
Do note that if you are planning a day trip and on doing so via flight, they often get canceled due to weather. The alternative to flying, though, is taking a long bus ride which sounds very time consuming and not ideal.
Click here to reserve your flight and cruise ticket. Do this ASAP - they sell out!
If you do instead prefer on taking a bus, click here to reserve your spot.
NUGGET POINT LIGHTHOUSE
While I didn’t actually make it here myself, I can tell from the photos alone that it’s worth the trek. It’s one of the most iconic places in New Zealand and if you can find a way to fit it in your schedule, I definitely would. I unfortunately could not but I plan to visit if I ever make it back to New Zealand!
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