This itinerary is suggested for family travelers, adventure seekers, eco tourists etc. covering the whole of New Zealand. The 14 day itinerary covers much of North Island with Auckland being the starting and Christchurch being ending destination. The itinerary involves train and road journey covering cities, mountain ranges, geo thermal hot spots, lakes, Fiordland, glaciers, marine life etc. There are organized tour services provided by coach services with guide, which can be booked through the internet.

       South Island Itinerary     North Island Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Auckland. During the day time, you can explore the Auckland Domain, known for its volcanoes. Also, are few of the best museums in New Zealand, depicting the countries arts, culture and heritage. In the evening, visit the Auckland Sky Tower to experience a panoramic view of the beautiful lit city in the night. You can dine around Victoria street known for some the best fine dining experience. Stay overnight in Auckland.

You can choose to explore the Auckland area known for its natural beauty. Try out few of the adventure activities in the offering. Or else, you can choose to go on a day excursion to the Bay Of Islands. There are many tour operators providing daily tour package to the Bay Of Islands from Auckland. Stay overnight in Auckland.

Day 3

Drive south of Auckland towards Rotorua. On the way visit the Waitomo glowworm caves. When you are in Rotorua, visit the geo thermal hot spots, mud pools, geysers, volcanoes etc. There are many spa resorts offering therapeutic packages for visitors. Also visit Taupo located on the banks of Lake Taupo, New Zealand largest lake. You can also experience the Maori culture and heritage by visiting few of Maori villages located around Rotorua. Dinner with Haka Dance show is quite famous among tourists. Stay overnight in Rotorua.

Day 4

Drive south to Wellington, New Zealand’s political capital. There are many beautiful government heritage buildings to explore. There are many heritage museums to explore in Wellington. Take a ride on the famous cable car that takes you up the hill to the Botanic garden. It’s a beautiful panoramic view from the top of the hill. Stay overnight in Wellington. Visitors have the option to take the scenic Overlander rail journey to reach Wellington from Auckland.

Day 5

                       

Day 6

Explore the cathedral square, tram rides. There are many Victorian landmarks such as Christchurch cathedral, Arts centre, Arts gallery and Canterbury museum. Dine in few of the best restaurants located around Christchurch. Stay overnight in Christchurch.

Day 7

Visit Kaikoura for a whale watching experience. The whale watch excursion takes you deep into the sea for about 2 to 3 hours. There are many coach services from Christchurch offering a single day tour to Kaikoura. You can also drive to Kaikoura. However, Tranz Coastal Scenic Rail Journey is the most preferred and suggested mode of transportation between Christchurch and Kaikoura. You can return back to Christchurch on the same day evening. Stay overnight in Christchurch.

Day 8

From Christchurch, take Tranz Alpine rail journey to Greymouth via Arthur Pass. This rail journey passing through the Southern Alps is one of the most scenic rail routes in the world. The train reaches Greymouth by noon. Visit Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes located an hour drive towards north from Greymouth. Stay overnight in Greymouth.

Day 9

Drive south towards Queenstown. Along the way visit the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers. It is worth spending some time here. You can take optional heli scenic rides with snow landing on top of the Glaciers. For adventure savvy travelers, you can go on a glacier hiking tour. You may choose to stay overnight in the nearby townships. This would add an extra night to your itinerary. Otherwise, continue driving towards Queenstown. You can take a break in Hokitika know to visit jade mining and carving outlets. Further down the road you will pass through Wanaka and Arrowtown, before reaching Queenstown. Stay overnight in Queenstown.

Day 10

Spend the day in Queenstown at leisure. There is a lot to do for every type of visitors. For family and kids take gondola ride or explore the majestic Lake Wakatipu on board TSS Earnslaw or take a Shotover river jet boat ride. To give a boost to your adrenalin, go for various bungy rides offered in Queenstown. Visit The Station located in the city centre to plan and book your activities in Queenstown. It is worth spending an extra day in the adventure capital of the world. Stay overnight in Queenstown.

Day 11

Take day tour to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Milford Sound is the most beautiful and the most traveled of the two fiordlands. There are many single day coach+ferry tours or scenic flight tours departing from Queenstown. Alternately you can choose to drive to the Milford Sound ferry terminal for a cruise ride and choose to stay overnight in the township of Te Anau.

Day 12

Drive towards west to Dunedin. Explore the Scottish heritage city with its sizable collection of churches of various denominations, museums and the famous railway station. Visit to Larnach Castle, the only castle of New Zealand is worth the effort. You can also take the Taieri Gorge Rail journey if you have some time to spare. Stay overnight in Dunedin.

Day 13

Drive towards the north to Mt Cook National Park. Along the way you will pass through Oamaru and Timaru. Oamaru is a must to visit for it has New Zealand's most impressive streetscapes due to the many prominent buildings constructed from local limestone. Drive further north and you can visit the Moeraki Boulders. By evening, you would have driven through one of most picturesque landscapes to reach Mt Cook National Park. You can choose to stay overnight in Omarama or Mt Cook village.

Visit the Mt Cook national park, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Don’t miss the eye catching site of the Mt Cook reflecting from blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church Of The Good Shepherds located on the banks of Lake Tekapo. Drive further north east through the plush green Canterbury plains to reach Christchurch. You can spend the remaining time of the day shopping souvenirs from the shops located around the cathedral square.