📍 New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND NATURE: GLACIERS, FJORDS AND VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES

Black sand facing crashing waves, volcanoes smoking under blue sky, glaciers crossing rainforest. New Zealand overwhelms at every horizon.

≈ 22
Days
2343
Km
19
Stops
📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Begin at Piha and its black sand, then explore Tongariro and its volcanic landscapes. Paddle through Abel Tasman coves, then cross toward the glaciers and descend to Fiordland. The Catlins close the march, between wild shores and raw nature. A New Zealand playing on contrasts, from fire to fjord.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Auckland

city of sails harbour bridge volcanic cones

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6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of Auckland city center
🎯

Activities

→
Waterfront walk and trip preparation (ferry to Waiheke, car rental)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 38.7 km
Travel time: 1h17
2
Day

Waiheke Island

vineyard island olive groves ferry escape

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4 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Waiheke vineyards (Tantalus, Te Motu and others)
🎯

Activities

→
Wine tasting tour with a local operator (e.g. Kiwi Connect)
→
Free time on beaches and restaurants with sea view in Waiheke
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 75.4 km
Travel time: 1h15
3
Day

Piha

black sand surf lion rock wild

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6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Piha Beach and Lion Rock
2
Gannet colony at Muriwai (Ōtakamiro Point)
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal hike on the Omanawanui Track to Whatipu Beach
4
Day

Kaitaia Northland

ninety mile beach far north gateway

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9 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Whangarei Heads and Bream Head coastal walk
2
Matapouri, Woolleys Bay and Whale Bay beaches
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic route to the Far North: Matai Bay, Rarawa Beach, Spirits Bay and Cape Reinga
5
Day

Hahei

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10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Cathedral Cove and Hahei Beach
2
Hot Water Beach (hot springs in the sand)
🎯

Activities

→
Secret bays of Coromandel (Lonely Bay, Otama, Opito, New Chums, Waikawau Bay)
→
Forest bathing and relaxation at Wairua Rainforest River Retreat
6
Day

Tongariro

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10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Tongariro Alpine Crossing (one-day hike)
2
Viewpoint over emerald lakes and volcanic craters
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to Tama Lakes
→
Walk to Waihohonu Hut
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 165.6 km
Travel time: 2h04
7
Day

New Plymouth

mount taranaki coastal walkway art gardens

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9 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
New Plymouth city center and waterfront
2
Len Lye Centre / Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
3
Egmont National Park and views of Mount Taranaki
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset over the wild beaches of Taranaki
→
Seaside stay at Ahu Ahu Beach Villas
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 294 km
Travel time: 3h41
8
Day

Marahau

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10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Abel Tasman Coastal Track (day portion)
2
Beaches and coves around Marahau
🎯

Activities

→
Sea kayaking and swimming in sheltered bays
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 250.7 km
Travel time: 3h08
9
Day

Punakaiki

blowholes spray pancake rock formations dramatic

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6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes
2
Porari River Track
🎯

Activities

→
Spectacular West Coast coastal road (Great Coast Road)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 220.5 km
Travel time: 2h45
10
Day

Franz Josef

ice river heli hike rainforest glacier

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8 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Franz Josef Village and Franz Josef Glacier
2
Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson (mirror lake walk)
3
Coastal village of Okarito
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to glacier viewpoints (Alex Knob Track or other trails)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 218.6 km
Travel time: 2h44
11
Day

Wanaka

roys peak that tree instagram serenity

Wanaka - Photo 1Wanaka - Photo 2Wanaka - Photo 3Wanaka - Photo 4Wanaka - Photo 5Wanaka - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Wanaka and downtown
2
Blue Pools (Makarora)
3
Hike to Rob Roy Glacier
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic drive in West Matukituki Valley
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 68.2 km
Travel time: 1h08
12
Day

Queenstown

jet boats bungy canyon swing adrenaline

Queenstown - Photo 1Queenstown - Photo 2Queenstown - Photo 3Queenstown - Photo 4Queenstown - Photo 5Queenstown - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Discovering Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
2
Gibbston Valley and vineyards (including Mt Rosa Wines, Kinross)
3
Cromwell and Central Otago vineyards
🎯

Activities

→
Wine tasting and gourmet lunch in the vineyards
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 111 km
Travel time: 1h51
13
Day

Te Anau

glowworms lake fiordland wilderness gateway peaceful

Te Anau - Photo 1Te Anau - Photo 2Te Anau - Photo 3Te Anau - Photo 4Te Anau - Photo 5Te Anau - Photo 6Te Anau - Photo 7Te Anau - Photo 8Te Anau - Photo 9Te Anau - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Te Anau village on the lakeside
2
Spectacular Te Anau - Milford Sound route
3
Milford Sound cruise
4
Option: overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound
🎯

Activities

→
Portions of the Great Walks (Milford Track, Kepler Track, Routeburn Track)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 244.9 km
Travel time: 3h04
14
Day

Owaka Catlins

yellow-eyed penguins waterfalls wild coast forests

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5 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Purakaunui Bay and deserted beaches of the Catlins
2
Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowai
🎯

Activities

→
Sea lion observation and cliff walk
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 236 km
Travel time: 2h57
15
Day

Oamaru

steampunk victorian blue penguin colony quirky

Oamaru - Photo 1Oamaru - Photo 2Oamaru - Photo 3Oamaru - Photo 4Oamaru - Photo 5Oamaru - Photo 6Oamaru - Photo 7Oamaru - Photo 8Oamaru - Photo 9Oamaru - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Victorian Centre of Oamaru and Steampunk Quarter
2
Oamaru Harbor
🎯

Activities

→
Evening walk to observe penguins returning to shore
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 165.5 km
Travel time: 2h04
16
Day

Lake Tekapo

turquoise water lupins church good shepherd

Lake Tekapo - Photo 1Lake Tekapo - Photo 2Lake Tekapo - Photo 3Lake Tekapo - Photo 4Lake Tekapo - Photo 5Lake Tekapo - Photo 6Lake Tekapo - Photo 7Lake Tekapo - Photo 8Lake Tekapo - Photo 9Lake Tekapo - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Tekapo village and shoreline
2
Church of the Good Shepherd
3
Mount John Observatory
🎯

Activities

→
Stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 56.4 km
Travel time: 56min
17
Day

Mount Cook

Mount Cook - Photo 1Mount Cook - Photo 2Mount Cook - Photo 3Mount Cook - Photo 4Mount Cook - Photo 5Mount Cook - Photo 6Mount Cook - Photo 7Mount Cook - Photo 8Mount Cook - Photo 9Mount Cook - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Pukaki and view of Aoraki / Mount Cook
2
Mount Cook Village
3
Hooker Valley Track
4
Hike to Sealy Tarns
🎯

Activities

→
Photography walk at sunset over glaciers and alpine peaks
18
Day

Kaikoura

whale watching mountains meet sea crayfish

Kaikoura - Photo 1Kaikoura - Photo 2Kaikoura - Photo 3Kaikoura - Photo 4Kaikoura - Photo 5Kaikoura - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Kaikoura town center and harbor
2
Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and seal colony
🎯

Activities

→
Sea excursion for whale watching (sperm whales, humpback whales depending on season)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 197.3 km
Travel time: 2h28
19
Day

Christchurch

botanic gardens punting avon river rebirth

Christchurch - Photo 1Christchurch - Photo 2Christchurch - Photo 3Christchurch - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Christchurch city center
🎯

Activities

→
Final walk in the botanical gardens or along the Avon before departure

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ 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 18 and 26 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.