1
Christchurch
2 nights
Land, recover, reset your body clock, and start easy.
Beautiful city parksPort Hills views
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
- Land, check in
- Botanic Gardens stroll (1-2 hrs)
- Early dinner + sleep
Day 2
Explore Christchurch
- Riverside Market + Art Gallery (2-3 hrs)
- Port Hills or Godley Head walk (1-2 hrs)
Helpful Links
2
Twizel(Mt Cook Base)
2 nights
Access Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park without needing to stay inside the tiny village.
Hooker Valley Track - NZ's most iconic alpine walkTasman Glacier - largest glacier in NZSealy Tarns (optional big climb)
Day 1
Christchurch to Twizel
- Drive Christchurch to Twizel (~4 hrs)
- Check in, Lake Ruataniwha or Lake Pukaki viewpoints (30-60 min)
- High Country Salmon
Day 2
Mt Cook Day Trip
- Drive Twizel to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village (~55-60 min each way)
- Hooker Valley Track (3 hrs)
- Tasman Glacier / Blue Lakes (1 hr)
- Optional: Sealy Tarns (3-4 hrs, steep)
- Drive back to Twizel (1 hr)
Helpful Links
3
Wanaka
5 nights
Your slow-travel alpine base with incredible hikes + cafes.
Roy's Peak (top 3 hike in NZ)Rob Roy GlacierIsthmus PeakDiamond Lake & Rocky Mountain
Day 1
Twizel to Wanaka
- Drive Twizel to Wanaka (~2 hrs via Lindis Pass)
- Lakefront walk + settle in
Day 2
Work + Biking
- E-Bike tour
Day 3
Rob Roy Glacier
- Rob Roy Glacier Hike (5 hours) + 1 hour drive each way
Day 4
Isthmus Peak & Winery
- Isthmus Peak hike
- Rippon Winery tasting
Day 5
Chill Day
- Rest and explore the town
Helpful Links
4
Queenstown
5 nights
The adventure + food capital of NZ.
Ben Lomond SummitRouteburn Track day hikeCanyoneeringGlenorchy driveOnsen Hot Pools
Day 1
Wanaka to Queenstown
- Drive (~1 hr) get lunch in Arrowtown
- Optional: Queenstown Hill (2-3 hrs)
Day 2
Canyoneering + Onsen Spa
- Canyoneering (half day)
- Onsen Spa (evening)
Day 3
Glenorchy & Routeburn
- Drive QT to Glenorchy (1:15 min each way)
- Routeburn Track day section - Routeburn Flats Hut
Day 4
Work + E-Bike
- E-Bike tour (afternoon)
Day 5
Ben Lomond Hike
- Gondola + Ben Lomond summit (5-7 hrs)
5
Te Anau(Fiordland Gateway)
4 nights
Explore Fiordland, the most dramatic landscape in NZ.
Milford Sound CruiseDoubtful Sound Day TripLake MarianTe Anau Glowworm Caves
Day 1
Queenstown to Te Anau
- Drive QT to Te Anau (~2 hrs)
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves (2 hrs)
Day 2
Milford Sound Day Trip
- Drive Te Anau to Milford Sound (~1 hr 45 min each way)
- Lake Marian Track
- Cruise (2 hrs) + scenic stops
- Drive back
Day 3
Lake Marian
- Lake Marian Track (3-4 hrs)
- Chill / lakefront cafes
Day 4
Doubtful Sound Day Trip
- Full guided day (7-8 hrs) via Lake Manapouri + Wilmot Pass + Doubtful Sound cruise
6
Lake Tekapo
2 nights
Experience the best stargazing in the world and break up long drives.
Mt John Observatory (INSANE)Church of the Good ShepherdTekapo Hot Springs
Day 1
Te Anau to Tekapo
- Drive Te Anau to Lake Tekapo (~4 hr 45 min)
- Mt John Observatory stargazing (late night)
Day 2
Tekapo Rest Day
- Cowan's Hill walk (1-1.5 hrs)
- Tekapo hot pools (1-2 hrs)
- Church of the Good Shepherd + night sky
Helpful Links
7
Nelson / Mapua
4 nights
Sun, beaches, coastal trails - the bright, warm part of NZ.
Abel Tasman Coast Track (via water taxi)Cable Bay WalkMapua Wharf sunsetsBeaches + wineries
Day 1
Tekapo to Nelson
- Drive (8 hrs with lunch stop)
- Evening relax at Mapua Wharf
Day 2
Abel Tasman Day Trip
- Water taxi to trail section
- Abel Tasman Coast Track hike (3-6 hrs depending on choice)
Day 3
Cable Bay + Coast
- Cable Bay Walk (3-4 hrs)
- Evening back at Mapua
Day 4
Beach / Wineries / Chill
- Local beaches + wineries (2-5 hrs as you like)
8
Wellington
2 nights
Culture + film + food - NZ's coolest little capital.
Te Papa Museum (best in NZ)Weta Workshop (Lord of the Rings)Mt Victoria lookoutCuba Street restaurants
Day 1
Nelson to Wellington
- Drive Nelson to Picton (~1 hr 45 min)
- Ferry Picton to Wellington (~3.5 hrs)
- Evening in the city
Day 2
Explore Wellington
- Te Papa Museum (1-2 hrs)
- Cuba Street food + drinks
Helpful Links
9
Taupo
2 nights
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best day hikes on Earth.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing (6-8 hrs volcanic landscape)Huka Falls
Day 1
Wellington to Taupo
- Drive (~4 hr 30 min)
- Huka Falls (30 min)
- Optional: Hukafalls Jet boat
Day 2
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Early morning start, 1 hour drive to trailhead
- Tongariro Crossing hike (6-8 hrs, shuttle)
- Walk past Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe) and Emerald Lakes
Helpful Links
10
Rotorua
2 nights
Geothermal wonders + Maori culture.
Wai-O-Tapu thermal parkTe Puia + Maori dinner showRedwoods NightlightsZipline canopy tour
Day 1
Taupo to Rotorua
- Drive (~1 hr)
- Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park (1.5 hrs)
- Te Puia + Maori cultural dinner (2.5-3 hrs)
Day 2
Rotorua Highlights
- Rotorua Canopy Tours Zipline
- Redwoods Nightlights (45-60 min)
11
Auckland
2 nights
A nice, easy finish before flying home.
Waiheke Island wineriesAuckland harbour + foodPiha or Muriwai west coast beaches
Day 1
Rotorua to Auckland
- Drive (~3 hrs)
- Check in + dinner in Ponsonby
Day 2
Auckland Explore Day
- Waiheke Island wineries & beaches (4-6 hrs)
- Mudbrick Vineyard