The array of exciting activities and spectacular scenery in New Zealand is unmatched anywhere in the world. Here’s how to plan an itinerary that will give your clients the chance to really look around.

The following itinerary is suggested as a guide to help you plan journeys that will introduce your clients to the best of New Zealand. If your clients have limited time in New Zealand they might stick closely to a day-by-day itinerary, while those who have more time might stop for longer at each place and perhaps add interesting diversions along the way – for more ideas, see the regional section where you will find a choice of itineraries specific to each part of New Zealand. Do ensure that you build in some rest and relaxation time for your clients, particularly if they will be driving.
A popular option for visitors wanting to see the whole country is to arrive in Auckland, travel south by road and finish in Christchurch before flying back to Auckland. This national itinerary takes in sights and attractions from one end of New Zealand to the other, providing a comprehensive view of the country. In the North Island your clients will discover vibrant cities, beautiful beaches, Kauri forests and geothermal activity. In the South Island they can enjoy mountain scenery, adventure activities, historic architecture and wildlife encounters. By the end of their holiday, your clients will know New Zealand from top to bottom.

Planning Tips

When arranging your clients’ New Zealand itinerary, consider the following points:

Getting between the islands

The North and South Islands are separated by a 23-kilometre-wide body of water called Cook Strait. There is no bridge, but there are ferry services for passengers and cars. Please ensure that your clients’ ferry journeys are booked well in advance. Sailings fill up quickly, particularly during New Zealand public and school holidays, and the timing of your clients’ Cook Strait crossing can have a major influence on their itinerary.

Deceptive distances

Although New Zealand is a relatively small country, distances are longer than they may appear on a map. You cannot, for instance, comfortably travel by road between Queenstown and Auckland in a day. Because roads are generally not multi-lane roadways (discussed further below), and may be steep or winding, driving in New Zealand requires careful concentration. When planning itineraries, it is therefore important to allow time for regular rest breaks along the way – a perfect excuse to stop and admire the fantastic scenery!

Highways and by-ways

If your clients will be driving in New Zealand, please advise them that the roads may be very different from what they are used to. You can expect highways between main centres to be sealed and well maintained, but they are not usually multi-lane roadways. There is usually only one lane in each direction and drivers will need to take great care in overtaking or wait until they reach a passing lane. Drivers must remember to keep left at all times.

National itinerary

Start Auckland | Finish Christchurch
Minimum 24 days | Distance 4,968 km

Day 1

Auckland – Paihia, Bay of Islands (216 km; 3 hr, 5 min) Drive north along the eastern leg of the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, stopping for lunch in Whangarei on the way to Paihia. Spend the rest of the day enjoying water activities or visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Day 2

Paihia, Bay of Islands – Kaitaia (122 km; 1 hr, 45 min) Enjoy the short drive north to the charming village of Kerikeri and explore the shops and historic sites. Continue to the far-north town of Kaitaia, gateway to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga.

Day 3

Kaitaia – Hokianga – Auckland (343 km; 4 hr, 51 min) From Kaitaia, drive south along the western leg of the Twin Coast Discovery Highway to Omapere and Opononi on the tranquil Hokianga Harbour (87 km; 1 hr, 12 min). Continue on to Dargaville, stopping to see Kauri trees at the Waipoua Forest (89 km; 1 hr, 17 min). From Dargaville, drive south to Auckland (167 km; 2 hr, 22 min).

Day 4

Auckland – Waitomo – Hamilton (273 km; 3 hr, 57 min) Journey south to Ngaruawahia, taking the bypass to the ‘Kiwiana Town’ of Otorohanga and continuing on to Waitomo Caves (195 km; 2 hr, 50 min). Enjoy an afternoon of underground adventure before driving north to Hamilton (78 km; 1 hr, 7 min).

Day 5

Hamilton – Whitianga (181 km; 2 hr, 35 min) After breakfast in Hamilton, drive through the Waikato countryside to the Coromandel Peninsula, taking the beautiful Thames Coast Road to Coromandel Town and beyond to the beach resort of Whitianga.

Day 6

Whitianga – Tauranga (170 km; 2 hr, 28 min) Drive south along the picturesque winding roads of The Coromandel, through Waihi and Katikati to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Spend the rest of the day enjoying a myriad of activities on land and on the water.

Day 7

Tauranga – Rotorua (77 km; 1 hr, 14 min) From Tauranga, enjoy a short drive south to Rotorua and experience the geothermal and cultural attractions that make this town so popular with visitors.

Day 8

Rotorua – Taupo (76 km; 1 hr, 5 min) After a leisurely start, continue south to the lakeside resort of Taupo and enjoy an exciting day of activities on and around the lake. Visitors may choose to visit the Ruapehu region for an afternoon of adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventure.

Day 9

Taupo – Napier (142 km; 2 hr, 3 min) Drive to Napier on the east coast and admire the remarkable Art Deco architecture and visit the Hawkes Bay Museum, before sampling the region’s famous wines over a vineyard lunch.

Day 10

Napier – Palmerston North (179 km; 2 hr, 35 min) Pass through country towns as you cross southern Hawke’s Bay and drive through the Manawatu Gorge to the university town of Palmerston North.

Day 11

Palmerston North – Wellington (143 km; 2 hr, 3 min) Drive south to the Kapiti Coast, stopping to explore vibrant towns along the way. Spend the afternoon enjoying Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.

Day 12

Wellington – Blenheim (98 km; 3 hr, 44 min – including 3 hr, 20 min ferry sailing) Today, catch the ferry from Wellington to Picton. Stop to enjoy this charming town in the Marlborough Sounds before continuing on to Blenheim.

Day 13

Blenheim – Nelson (168 km; 2 hr, 24 min) After breakfast in Blenheim, drive through to Nelson and explore its galleries and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Day 14

Nelson – Greymouth (296 km; 4 hr, 15 min) Drive south along the West Coast, enjoying a remarkably scenic road trip past untamed beaches and rainforest on the way to Greymouth.

Day 15

Greymouth – Franz Josef (180 km; 2 hr, 30 min) Continue along the coastline, stopping to explore charming West Coast towns on the way to Franz Josef. Spend the rest of the day experiencing a thrilling glacier walk or helicopter landing.

Day 16

Franz Josef – Wanaka (285 km; 4 hr) From Franz Josef, drive south to the remote town of Haast and turn inland, through the rugged Haast Pass, to the welcoming lakeside resort of Wanaka.

Day 17

Wanaka – Queenstown (113 km; 1 hr, 40 min) Enjoy a lakeside stroll before making the easy drive south to Queenstown. Spend the rest of the day selecting from a wide range of adventure activities and finish with dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 18

Queenstown – Milford Sound (290 km; 4 hr, 15 min) Drive around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau (174 km; 2 hr, 34 min). Stop for refreshments in this picturesque setting before continuing to Milford Sound to enjoy the region’s remarkable wilderness (116 km; 1 hr, 41 min).

Day 19

Milford Sound – Te Anau – Invercargill (245 km; 4 hr) Return to Te Anau (116 km; 1 hr, 40 min) and continue south to enjoy a warm southern welcome in Invercargill (159 km; 2 hr, 20 min).

Day 20

Invercargill – Dunedin (210 km; 3 hr) Drive through the rolling hills of Southland to Dunedin and spend the rest of the day enjoying historic architecture and unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Day 21

Dunedin – Oamaru – Mt Cook (327 km; 4 hr, 44 min) North of Dunedin, stop to see the strange Moeraki Boulders on the way to the historic coastal town of Oamaru (115 km; 1 hr, 40 min). Drive inland to Mt Cook in the Mackenzie Country (212 km; 3 hr, 4 min).

Day 22

Mt Cook – Methven (275 km; 4 hr) Take a scenic flight over Mt Cook then drive past the mountains and astonishing blue lakes of the Mackenzie Country on your way to Methven in Canterbury.

Day 23

Methven – Hanmer Springs (235 km; 3 hr, 24 min) Drive north from Methven, bypassing Christchurch as you cross the magnificent Canterbury Plains. Enjoy adventure or a relaxing soak on arrival in Hanmer Springs.

Day 24

Hanmer Springs – Kaikoura – Christchurch (324 km; 4 hr, 43 min) The final day of the journey begins with a drive to Kaikoura (134 km; 1 hr, 57 min) to experience the thrill of whale-watching or other outdoor activities. Drive south via the wineries of Waipara and finish in Christchurch (190 km; 2 hr, 46 min).