📍 New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND IN TWO WEEKS: VOLCANOES TO FJORDS ADVENTURE

Q: What weather should you expect?

Summer (December-February): Peak season with warmest weather (18-25°C), long daylight hours, and best conditions for hiking, beaches, and outdoor activities. Highest prices and crowds. Autumn (March-May): Excellent weather with comfortable temperatures (12-22°C), stunning fall colors, and fewer tourists. Great value season with stable weather conditions. Winter (June-August): Cool temperatures (5-15°C) perfect for skiing, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates. Best time for Southern Alps snow sports and cozy indoor experiences. Spring (September-November): Mild weather (10-20°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and good value. Ideal for hiking and outdoor activities before summer crowds arrive.

Hot springs steaming in fern forests, turquoise lakes reflecting snow-capped peaks, fjords carving primordial rock. Two weeks barely scratch the surface.

≈ 17

Days

2102

Stops

📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Relax in Rotorua's hot springs, then explore Coromandel's bays and hidden corners. Then reach glacier country, follow Lake Tekapo's blue and reach Mount Cook. End at Queenstown, where adventure blends with summit and lake panoramas. An itinerary moving from steam to open air.

Rotorua: hot springs Maori culture
Coromandel: cathedral cove hidden beach
Lake Tekapo: turquoise lupins starlight
Queenstown: mountains lake pure thrill

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Auckland

sky tower harbour volcanic field urban

6 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Mount Eden summit crater and city panorama

Auckland CBD waterfront photo walk (Viaduct Basin)

🎯

Activities

→

Jet lag recovery & light city stroll

Day

Taupo

great lake bungy skydive geothermal activity

5 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour

Huka Falls viewpoint near Taupo

🎯

Activities

→

Optional black-water rafting in Ruakuri Cave system

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 330 km

Travel time: 4h45

Day

Taupo

great lake bungy skydive geothermal activity

5 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Mangatepopo → Ketetahi, shuttle-based, 19.4 km)

Finish at Ketetahi carpark and shuttle return

🎯

Activities

→

Evening soak at Taupo DeBretts or local hot pools

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 81.9 km

Travel time: 1h22

Day

Rotorua

sulfur steam maori village thermal wonderland

6 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Whakarewarewa Redwoods forest walk

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland boardwalks

🎯

Activities

→

White-water rafting including Tutea Falls (Kaituna River)

→

Evening Māori cultural experience (Tamaki Village)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 82 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Hahei

cathedral cove kayak hot water dig

10 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Hobbiton Movie Set guided tour (Matamata)

Hot Water Beach natural hot pools (low tide)

Cathedral Cove walk (Hahei to Cove)

🎯

Activities

→

Sunset photo stop at Cathedral Cove or Hahei Beach

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 215 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

Lake Tekapo

lupin fields dark sky reserve turquoise

10 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Morning coastal stroll in Hahei (optional)

Domestic flight AKL → CHC (Auckland to Christchurch)

Lake Tekapo lakeside walk and sunset

🎯

Activities

→

Stargazing in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 397 km

Travel time: 5h10

Day

Mount Cook

10 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Church of the Good Shepherd (Tekapo)

Mt John Observatory lookout & Astro Cafe (daytime view)

Hooker Valley Track (Aoraki/Mt Cook)

🎯

Activities

→

Kea Point short hike (optional add-on)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 105 km

Travel time: 1h30

Day

Wanaka

treble cone puzzle world lake calm

6 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Tasman Glacier Lake viewpoints and short walks

Lindis Pass alpine viewpoint en route to Wanaka

🎯

Activities

→

Golden-hour photography at That Wanaka Tree

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 200 km

Travel time: 2h15

Day

Wanaka

treble cone puzzle world lake calm

6 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Rob Roy Glacier Track (from Raspberry Creek carpark)

Scenic drive along Mount Aspiring Road

🎯

Activities

→

Self-guided bike: Hawea → Wanaka via Hawea River Track

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 177.9 km

Travel time: 2h13

Day

Te Anau

milford road gateway underground glowworm magic

10 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Crown Range Road scenic drive (Wanaka → Queenstown)

Devil’s Staircase lakeside viewpoints (SH6 south of Queenstown)

🎯

Activities

→

Evening lakeside walk in Te Anau

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 230 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

Te Anau

milford road gateway underground glowworm magic

10 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Milford Sound fjord cruise (Piopiotahi terminal)

Mirror Lakes short boardwalk stop (en route)

Key Summit lookoff (short tramp from The Divide, optional)

🎯

Activities

→

Scenic flight (weather permitting) over Milford Sound & Fiordland

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 111 km

Travel time: 1h51

Day

Queenstown

remarkables backdrop lake adventure sports mecca

6 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Drive Te Anau → Queenstown via Kingston and SH6

🎯

Activities

→

Skyline gondola & luge runs (Bob’s Peak)

→

TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu (optional)

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 172 km

Travel time: 2h

Day

Queenstown

remarkables backdrop lake adventure sports mecca

6 photos

Day 13

🔍

Discover

Kawarau Bridge Bungy site visit (jump optional)

Queenstown Gardens lakeside loop walk

🎯

Activities

→

Free time for adventure activities or winery visit (Gibbston Valley)

Day

Queenstown

remarkables backdrop lake adventure sports mecca

6 photos

Day 14

🔍

Discover

Departure prep or short Lake Wakatipu shoreline walk

🎯

Activities

→

Optional scenic viewpoint at Bennett’s Bluff (if time before flight)

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

NEW ZEALAND NATURE HIGHLIGHTS ROAD TRIP

📅 22 days 🛣️ 2342.8000000000006 Km

THE ULTIMATE ONE-MONTH ROAD TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND

📅 27 days 🛣️ 4322 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - New Zealand

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (December-February): Peak season with warmest weather (18-25°C), long daylight hours, and best conditions for hiking, beaches, and outdoor activities. Highest prices and crowds.

Autumn (March-May): Excellent weather with comfortable temperatures (12-22°C), stunning fall colors, and fewer tourists. Great value season with stable weather conditions.

Winter (June-August): Cool temperatures (5-15°C) perfect for skiing, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates. Best time for Southern Alps snow sports and cozy indoor experiences.

Spring (September-November): Mild weather (10-20°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and good value. Ideal for hiking and outdoor activities before summer crowds arrive.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 20 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in New Zealand?

Adventure paradise with stunning landscapes, Maori culture, and outdoor activities. Experience Lord of the Rings scenery, traditional culture, and incredible natural beauty. The country offers adventure activities with cultural authenticity and natural preservation. New Zealand provides life-changing experiences with natural wonders and cultural richness.