A two-week New Zealand itinerary is probably the most common one. It’s the average amount of paid time off that most folks can get while also giving you ample time to see as much as possible.
I have been sitting on this post for a while. How do I sum up my trip in a singular blog post? How do I share everything that I did while giving you flexibility for your own trip?
Ever since I told folks that I was going to New Zealand, the first question was always “For how long?” It’s impossible to see an entire country in two weeks, let alone one that’s as vast and as diverse as Aotearoa, and while this itinerary doesn’t come close to capturing everything, it’s a good starting point if you’re also planning a trip to this beautiful, breath-taking nation.
When planning your trip, it’s important to keep in mind that you need to include the things that you want to do and not just necessarily the things that other people tell you that you should do. As you read, you might see that I’ve skipped over a lot of things, and I didn’t spend much time in the big cities, but that was by design. You’re more than welcome to and that’s where the flexibility comes in.
There are so many posts from folks out there sharing their itineraries and claiming that they’re the perfect one or that you’ll see everything you need to in 14 days, but you won’t. You will miss a lot, even if you’re driving on your own (and you will need to drive; public transportation outside of major cities is questionable at best). We managed to cover a LOT of ground in just two weeks so I hope this is helpful! I also have a ton of other New Zealand content coming over the next few weeks/months so stay tuned.
Without further ado, here is my two-week New Zealand road trip itinerary.
Day 1: Auckland
If you’re traveling from the United States, your flight will more likely than not land in Auckland in the early hours of the morning. I left Saturday evening and landed Monday morning, completely skipping a day. While I was exhausted, I was able to take that first day to organize myself and get my sleep schedule on track before we picked up the car rental and had dinner. There are plenty of things to do and see in the city, including the Sky Tower, the Central Business District, and more. You can also pick up your car or campervan rental and head west to see Piha Beach or Bethells Beach, see Waiheke Island, or drive north to Cape Reinga. We didn’t spend much time in Auckland but you absolutely can.
Day 2: Auckland > Hahei, Coromandel & Thames
On our second day, we drove east through Coromandel Forest Park to see Hahei and Hot Water Beach. During our trip, the walking trek to the famous Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve was closed, so we didn’t drive to Coromandel, but I will on my next trip. These beaches are gorgeous, and there is a Cathedral Cove viewpoint you can drive to (or you can book a boat tour). Other sights could include Gemstone Bay and Te Hoho Rock. We then spent the night in an outdoor dome in a cute little town called Thames and got coffee on the main street there the next morning.
Day 3: Thames > Hamilton
This is one of the days that required the most planning. We started early and drove from Thames down to Hamilton, which took about 1.5 hours. We had a 10:30 AM Hobbiton tour booked and this has to be done months in advance because time slots and days sell out quickly. We booked ours back in July for the end of November (some slots were already sold out!) and when we arrived the morning of, every slot was filled. This is one of those experiences that if you want to do it (and you don’t want to leave New Zealand without doing it like us), you need to plan your trip and North Island itinerary around it. And book in advance! The weather was perfect for us and we loved interacting with the hobbit holes. You also get a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn.
We planned little for this day on purpose. After our tour, we had lunch and drove to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, also about 1.5 hours away. They’re technically open until 6 PM but we booked the last tour of the day and lucked out with a solo tour! The caves were so cool and home to a population of glow worms that are only found in Aotearoa. If I get the chance, I’d go back and do the kayaking tour through the caves. There are other things to do in Hamilton like visiting the Zealong Tea Estate or hiking one of the Waikato River trails if you have time to squeeze them in. We stayed the night in a shipping container in the beautiful town of Tamahere.
Day 4: Hamilton > Rotorua > Taupō
On the fourth day, we drove from Tamahere to Rotorua, where we started the morning with the Redwoods Treewalk. It features 28 suspension bridges through towering redwood trees that are over 120 years old. It’s a great family activity but even without kids, we enjoyed it. Book in advance and leave at least 30-40 minutes to walk through. You can also book a time slot for the night!
Our second stop of the day was Te Puia and the Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, which are active geothermal pools that are part of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, one of the most active volcanic areas across the globe. The colors were jaw-dropping and we had a great time walking around with plenty to see. The sounds from one of the craters (Rua Pūmahu) were actually used to create Foley, which was then featured in scenes of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There are three walking paths you can follow that vary in time, but if you opt to do one of the longer ones, make sure you arrive earlier because, for everyone’s health and safety, you have to leave by 4:15 PM.
A few of the other things we saw that day were the Aratiatia Rapids and Huka Falls, which are both Lord of the Rings filming locations. There is a two-hour walkway between the two locations called Aratiatia Walkway, which I recommend doing. It does close early and the dam opens just three times daily.
I definitely regret not spending more time in Rotorua and would love to take the chance next time to explore more of the local Maori culture over a few days. I’d also go ziplining and take a dip in the Waikite Valley Hot Pools.
We finished the day by heading to Taupō for the night. We saw a cool “I Love Taupō” sign on the waterfront, the ‘World’s Coolest McDonald’s’, and local art. Taupō is easy to walk through and there are a ton of restaurants to dine at. Plus, you get stunning views of the mountains in Tongariro National Park across the lake. You can also opt to take a lake cruise (I was able to find an eco-friendly one but it was sold out).
Day 5: Taupō > Wellington
Today was one of our big driving days: almost five hours total. We started the day by driving around Lake Taupō to the Kuratau Lagoon. If you’re looking for something to do that is off-the-beaten path and isn’t swarmed by tourists, do a quick 10-15 minute walk through the bushes (the path isn’t clear) until you reach this stunning, picturesque blue-green lagoon. It was so serene and we had the lagoon to ourselves for a bit. I would recommend wearing a swimsuit so you can take a quick dip.
From there, the weather got quite gloomy but we made it to Tongariro National Park, the fourth national park in the world, where you can hike and see Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Tongariro, and Mt. Ngauruhoe, which is the LOTR’s Mount Doom. It got cold so we didn’t stay long but we stopped at Tawhai Falls, a.k.a. Gollum’s Pool. Taranaki Falls is also nearby.
From there, we drove down to the capital of Wellington. It took about 2.5-3 hours and there are plenty of small towns along the way but make sure you have gas. You could take the Desert Road instead. We explored downtown and saw The Beehive, one of New Zealand’s iconic government buildings, and had dinner at Hell Pizza, a hell-themed pizza chain with flavors named after deadly sins and a vegan menu. If we had had more time, I would have checked out the Wētā Cave and workshop. In total, we spent five days on the North Island. One of my goals for my next trip (or the trip after that) would be to explore the North Island more.
Day 6: Wellington > Picton > Kaikōura > Christchurch
In the morning, we woke up early to see the Mount Victoria lookout point before boarding the ferry to cross the Cook Strait and reach the South Island. The ferry ride was incredible and we passed the time easily. Definitely spend some time on the deck (and mind your hats because it gets windy; I almost lost mine). For reference, our trip took 3.5 hours aboard the Kaitaki Interislander ferry and I recommend bringing your own snacks/food.
We didn’t stay in Picton, though there are plenty of things you can do: hit the Queen Charlotte track and other trails, dine on the seafront, take a wine tour, kayak and more. Instead, we drove down to Kaikōura, where we stopped at Lavendyl, a lavender farm, and walked along the Peninsula Walkway to see the seals! Do not disturb or feed them. Kaikōura is one of my favorite places and I wish I had stayed longer. I had planned to go whale-watching and swimming with dolphins, but neither activity panned out. Do them if you can!
After that, we went straight to Cass Bay, south of Christchurch, where our Airbnb was. The drive from Picton to Christchurch via Kaikōura was one of the most beautiful, most serene drives of our entire trip. I was in awe. I couldn’t stop taking pictures and staring out the windows with my jaw dropped, and I kept repeating, “This is unreal.” Even though I saw the gorgeous mountain backdrops, lush green valleys, and black sand beaches with my own eyes, I could hardly believe it. Take the long route and make as many stops as you can. I promise you won’t regret it.
Day 7: Christchurch > Tekapo/Takapō
On this day, we spent the morning walking around downtown Christchurch. We got breakfast and coffee at Bohemian Bakery, did some shopping, and explored the city. In the afternoon, we then drove to see the Washpen Falls and the Rakaia Gorge. The Washpen Falls walkway takes about two hours and you’ll need to bring cash for entry. There is significant elevation gain, so bring an inhaler if you’re asthmatic like me and a hat because it can get hot. Pathways are mostly clear but they’re not all shaded. And wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes! The hike is more than worth it and you’ll see the Rakaia Gorge.
From there, we drove further south to Tekapo/Takapō, which was beyond beautiful. The lake and mountain views are surreal and serene, and the lupins were in full bloom at the end of November (though they’re an invasive species). It’s such a cute little town and we had dinner before walking along the waterfront for photos. We also went to see the Church of the Good Shepherd after sunset. After that, we drove to a lupin sea that was within ten minutes and was deserted save for us, plus other incredible, less-traveled lookouts.
Day 8: Tekapo > Wānaka > Queenstown
The drive from Tekapo to Queenstown takes about 3.5 hours through Mackenzie Country. Our first stop of the day was Lake Pukaki, which is about half an hour away from Tekapo and you should ABSOLUTELY stop here. The blue was a shade that I couldn’t have thought of even in my wildest dreams. The water is also crystal clear. These were some of my favorite views of the entire trip; you just can’t beat it. After that, you can stop in Twizel for a Lord of the Rings filming location tour but it has to be booked in advance because it’s on private land.
Our next stop, however, was the Clay Cliffs. It’s a fairly easy 10-15 minute walk one way to see gray and white sandstone and claystone cliffs with fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a bit uphill with great viewpoints and you can attempt the steeper climb if able.
From there, we drove to Wānaka, which may sound familiar. We spent the afternoon wandering around the Wānaka Lavender Farm, which is a 20-acre working farm. The lavender was growing but not yet in full bloom; however, there were so many other flowers, a herb garden, a distillery, lots of photo opportunities, and of course, the animal farm. Chickens, ponies, goats, highland cows, alpacas, and so many more were there to see. I even enjoyed a vegan lavender and boysenberry sorbet (they have tea, ice cream, and a ton of other goodies in their shop).
We went to Lake Wānaka (and Wānaka City Centre) next to see the infamous Wānaka Tree. It’s a beautiful sight to behold and I took some incredible photos. The lake was calm enough that a man had swum out (and was likely ruining some shots but I think he had a better time than the rest of us). I try not to get frustrated while traveling but when we arrived around 7:30 that evening, there was already a crowd set up by the shore with their tripods and camera equipment to take photos and didn’t budge for the entire time we were there. I’m someone who likes to take photos and then move on because the angles and the lighting are only going to change so much. You’ll have a crowd no matter when you go but you may have to find other spots to get your perfect photo.
We then proceeded onward to Queenstown. Go slowly and enjoy the drive. I really cannot emphasize this enough. You’ll regret rushing through if you try to just go from one destination to the next. Play some music, roll the windows down, make sure you have a full tank of gas, and enjoy the ride. We stopped once on the way in Cardrona, where we saw Bradrona. It’s a fence where hundreds of folks hung/tied their bras to it in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and there are QR codes you can scan to donate.
We made it to Queenstown and had dinner before heading to our accommodation in Jack’s Point, a wealthier neighborhood, where we stayed with our honorary Kiwi Grandma, a super sweet lady who baked shortbread and croissants and did our laundry and dishes. We also met her dogs! She actually helped us plan our next few days in the Te Anau area and told us what routes to take and where to stop.
Day 9: Queenstown > Te Anau
We got a late start (as our Kiwi Grandma told us to) to our drive to Te Anau in the Southland/Fiordland region of Aotearoa. In Māori, Te Anau means “Place of the Swirling Waters”. We drove along the southeastern edge of Lake Wakatipu until we reached Kingston. Our stops were first coffee at The Coffee Bomb, and then the sights and suspension bridges and cows before reaching Five Rivers/Luther, which is a shortcut to Te Anau.
We then stopped in Manapouri, a small lakeside town that sits on the edge of Fiordland National Park. Lake Manapouri is the second deepest lake in Aotearoa and the beach was deserted when we arrived. Then we drove to Te Anau, which was about 20 minutes from here. We stocked up on groceries that night and had dinner while watching Derry Girls.
Day 10: Te Anau
Today was the day we did our Milford Sound cruise. Our Kiwi Grandma, bless her heart, recommended that we do the cruise on a day when it rains because then, we’ll get the chance to actually see the waterfalls. So we left early and stopped at the Milford Road Merchant to get coffee and breakfast (I had an iced chai latte with oat milk and a fantastic vegan cinnamon swirl muffin, which they can heat up for you). We then hit the Milford Road and explored a small part of Te Wāhipounamu, the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, which encompasses Westland Tai Poutini, Mount Aoraki/Cook, Mount Aspiring and the aforementioned Fiordland National Park. It’s also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you go slower and the weather is better, the Milford Road consists of some of the following: Te Anau, Walker Creek, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lake, Lake Gunn, Creeks/Flats, The Divide/Key Summit, Pop’s View/Lookout, Monkey Creek, Homer Tunnel, The Chasm, and finally Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Tūtoko Bridge, but there’s plenty more in the shared map.
Once you reach the car park, you’ll walk until you get to the visitor terminal for your cruise. There are so many different cruise options but our Kiwi Grandma recommended the “Real NZ Milford Sound Cruise” and so we took the 1PM cruise on the Milford Mariner. The tour guide was knowledgeable and we spent most of the cruise on the upper deck outside, fully soaking through our clothes and shoes (and my camera has damage). But it was more than worth it.
This corner of the world is such a special place and I’m still in disbelief that I saw it. I definitely wouldn’t mind spending more time here on a future trip, doing a Doubtful Sound cruise and hiking the Kepler Track among other activities. We didn’t do anything else on this day but we didn’t need to.
Day 11: Te Anau > Orepuki > Queenstown
We left Te Anau in the morning after another stop at the Milford Road Merchant and then saw the Clifden Suspension Bridge, New Zealand’s longest wooden suspension bridge built in 1898-1899 that spans 111.5 meters above the Waiau River. We took the Southern Scenic Route today and stopped at lookouts in the wetlands, passed through Tuatapere (where the bridge was), took pictures at McCracken’s Rest for the view before hitting Gemstone Beach and Orepuki.
You might find some precious stones but you should leave them behind, and you’ll see washed-up jellyfish on the shore. Because the winds are coming from the south (i.e. Antarctica), they are STRONG and COLD, and you absolutely need to bundle up and keep a blanket in the car. We stopped at the Orepuki Beach Cafe for lunch (they don’t have any vegan options labeled on the menu but the lady behind the counter made me a nice roast mushroom focaccia sandwich with hot chips).
After lunch, we went to Monkey Island Beach. Monkey Island itself is a short 10-minute walk and if it was warmer/less windy, I would have gone in the water. It’s also a good spot for campervans. The island was a lookout for the local Māori people to spot whales in the waters. Those walks are usually supervised, however, because the waters can get rough. From there, we went to Colac Bay/Ōraka before returning to the Southern Scenic Route to head back up to Queenstown. We stopped at a few lookout points on the “Devil’s Staircase” because the views are second to none and for dinner, we had to get Fergburger!
Day 12: Queenstown > Tekapo
We spent most of today in Queenstown because I went bungee jumping! The world’s first permanent commercial bungee site is in Queenstown, and I told myself that if I didn’t do it, I would regret it forever. So I did it. We booked with AJ Hackett Bungy, one of the main (and only) operators. They have a few different options for adrenaline-seekers but I did the bungee! It was 134 meters (the highest in New Zealand) and lasted at least 8.5 seconds. I lost a shoe in the process but I got a free t-shirt and incredible memories. You jump headfirst, and it was exhilarating and I loved every second of it. I’m already looking for my next bungee jumping opportunity. I highly recommend it!
We skipped lunch and hit the road to make it back to Tekapo. We saw two rainbows (and a double rainbow!) so we stopped to take photos. You could definitely spend more time in Queenstown (I would on a future trip and even make it my home base). We had planned to go stargazing but our tour with Chameleon Stargazing got canceled because it was storming pretty badly. I would plan better next time as Tekapo is one of the best places in the world to see the stars because it’s part of the Aoraki/Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Day 13: Tekapo
We stayed local on our second-to-last day. We started with the Tasman Bay Glacier and Blue Lakes walk. It’s a steep-ish climb; I counted 412 steps to get to the top but it was worth it. The water is so blue! Unfortunately, the glacier itself is rapidly shrinking. It does get quite windy at the top so tie up your hair, tighten your hats, and wear layers. There are also plenty of lookouts you can stop at on this route, including Lake Pukaki.
We then went to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village/National Park to walk the Hooker Valley Track. It takes about three hours from start to finish and is relatively flat/easy. I regret not walking the entire track and would do it in its entirety next time; I turned around about halfway through the first half because the person I was traveling with returned to the car earlier. It was very hard to find parking so go early, wear sunscreen (the sun is strong and there’s virtually no shade), bring water and a hat, and wear sandfly repellent.
We finished the night with dinner by the lakefront and came back to our unit to rest.
Day 14: Tekapo > Christchurch
On our final day in Aotearoa, we did the lengthy drive from Tekapo to Christchurch. Our first stop of the day was in Fairlie, a cute little town, where we had coffee and lunch at the famous Fairlie Bakehouse. I had an iced latte with oat milk and an award-winning vegan mince and cheese pie. We walked across the street to Blank Space (which sells different Kiwi and Aussie brands) and did some shopping. We also stopped at a lookout just outside town and took mostly back roads/farm routes to see That Perfect Square and more of the open New Zealand country. It was a bittersweet day, finished by having a nice Italian dinner in town and then a fiasco trying to get home (after my flight from Christchurch to Auckland was canceled due to the weather).
If you’ve read this long, one question you might be having is: Namrita, why did you go up-down on the South Island and not a loop? Well, we thought it would be the easiest way to hit all the main things we wanted to do. Next time, I would perhaps avoid the center and drive on the coasts, hitting Abel Tasman National Park, the entire West Coast, Dunedin and Oamaru (all of which I regret not doing). We also planned our trip to be more South Island-heavy but you may not want to do this and that’s totally fine!
If it isn’t obvious enough already, I fell in love with New Zealand. I was so enamored that I started looking at houses on sale because I had no interest in flying home (but ultimately had to because I love my dog too much). This was a bucket list trip for me and I’m so glad I was able to make it happen, and I hope I get the chance to return one day.
As I said before, I hope this was helpful! I do have a ton of other New Zealand coming over the next few weeks/months that can help you plan your trip (Airbnb recommendations, vegan food guides, travel tips, and more) so stay tuned. For now, you can start with my perfect two-week New Zealand packing list.
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