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, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, admire the landmark architecture of St Paul's Anglican Church, and take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find where to stay, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Paihia driving holiday site.

New York City, USA to Paihia is an approximately 27- hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of bus and flight. Traveling from New York City to Paihia, you'll lose 17 hours due to the time zone difference. Finish up 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: get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway, take in the exciting artwork at L'Arte, and stop by Huka Honey Hive.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Taupo trip itinerary planning tool.

You can fly from Paihia to Taupo in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. 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 Taranaki Falls, take in the pleasant sights at Mead's Wall, and admire all the interesting features of Ohakune Old Coach Road.

To find photos, reviews, 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 do a combination of shuttle and taxi. 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 Sanctuary, and finally see the interesting displays at The One Room Fan Museum.

To find ratings, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington online holiday planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Tongariro National Park to Wellington in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a 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 interesting insight from Tours, get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, view the masterpieces at Silver Fern Gallery, and admire the natural beauty at Queenstown Gardens.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Queenstown day trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Wellington to Queenstown takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of ferry and car. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) to allow 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 Doubtful Sound, hike along Lake Gunn, and tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk.

For maps, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, read our Te Anau online journey planner.

Traveling by bus from Queenstown to Te Anau takes 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to 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, hit the slopes at Ski The Tasman, tour the pleasant surroundings at Mueller Hut Route, and trek along Governors Bush Walk.

For ratings, other places to visit, 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: kick back and relax at Gillespies Beach, stroll through Minnehaha Walk, hike along Peters Pool Walk, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

For maps, other places to visit, photos, 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 30 min away). There's still lots to do: take in panoramic vistas at SkyTower, learn about all things military at Auckland Museum, get to know the resident critters at Auckland Zoo, and hunt for treasures at Otara Market.

For more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Auckland day trip planner.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Auckland in 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight; or do a combination of bus and flight. In April, plan for daily highs up to 66°F, and evening lows to 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.