30 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Paihia is known for wildlife, historic sites, and adventure. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour, and glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Paihia travel planner.

New York City, USA to Paihia is an approximately 27-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), which is usually a 17 hour difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) so you can travel to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Change things up with these side-trips from Taupo: Rotorua (Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, &more). There's lots more to do: admire the sheer force of Huka Falls Walkway, don't miss a visit to Maori Rock Carvings, take a memorable tour with Tours, and stop by Huka Honey Hive.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Taupo trip itinerary planning tool.

You can fly from Paihia to Taupo in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Mon) early enough to drive to Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

On the 9th (Tue), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 11th (Thu), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. There's still lots to do: stroll through Ohakune Old Coach Road, take in the pleasant sights at Mead's Wall, and trek along Taranaki Falls.

To find ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Tongariro National Park trip maker site.

Traveling by car from Taupo to Tongariro National Park takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a shuttle. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Fri): take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car, take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, then get engrossed in the history at The Great War Exhibition, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Here are some ideas for day two: take an in-depth tour of Wellington Museum, then ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament, then look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, and finally see the interesting displays at The One Room Fan Museum.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington online holiday planner.

You can fly from Tongariro National Park to Wellington in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In April, daytime highs in Wellington are 63°F, while nighttime lows are 54°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) so you can travel to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

Queenstown is known for fun & games, adventure, and wildlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, explore the activities along Lake Wakatipu, don't miss a visit to St Peter's Anglican Church, and push the limits with an extreme tour.

To find where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown trip app.

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Queenstown takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a bus to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

On the 18th (Thu), hike the day away at Routeburn Track. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, identify plant and animal life at Doubtful Sound, tour the pleasant surroundings at Lake Gunn, and trek along The Chasm Walk.

To see maps, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Te Anau trip planner.

You can take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 4 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can travel to Mt. Cook Village.

Siting under towering peaks of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt.

Explore Mt. Cook Village's surroundings by going to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Glencoe Walk, Hooker Valley Track, &more). There's lots more to do: get outside with Aoraki/Mt. Cook, explore the activities along Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks, tour the pleasant surroundings at Mueller Hut Route, and trek along Governors Bush Walk.

To find reviews, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read our Mt. Cook Village road trip planning app.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Te Anau to Mt. Cook Village. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) so you can go by car to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Change things up with a short trip to Franz Josef Glacier in Franz Josef (about 32 minutes away). There's lots more to do: trek along Fox Glacier South Side Walk, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, browse the exhibits of ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery, and stroll through Peters Pool Walk.

For reviews, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Fox Glacier trip planner.

Getting from Mt. Cook Village to Fox Glacier by car takes about 5.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Auckland.

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Change things up with a short trip to The Lost Spring in Whitianga (about 2h 45 min away). There's still lots to do: take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower, look for gifts at Pauanesia, head off the coast to Waiheke Island, and get to know the resident critters at Auckland Zoo.

For maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Auckland travel route planner.

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Auckland takes 9.5 hours. In April, daytime highs in Auckland are 66°F, while nighttime lows are 66°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) so you can travel back home.