The Best of New Zealand in Three Amazing Weeks

When it comes to spectacular scenery, rolling landscapes, and overall variety, few destinations in the world can compare to the north and south islands of New Zealand. Located in the Pacific Ocean just a short flight from the east coast of Australia, New Zealand is a dream destination for many tourists. Its North Island is home to impressive geothermal parks, enchanting caves, and the “Middle Earth Experience”; the South Island, on the other hand, is best known for its pristine lakes, whale watching, and adrenaline-charged activities. Read on for our 21 day Best of New Zealand itinerary!

While it is definitely possible to start in the city of Christchurch, the variety of flights to the islands will often mean that Auckland is the best place to begin your travels in New Zealand. You can certainly drive from Auckland to the South Island and then all the way back to catch a return flight, but this is not always necessary. Here are a couple of options that may allow you to avoid the long, although beautiful, drive back to Auckland:

Book an Open Jaw Flight – It is possible to fly into Auckland and return to a particular destination from Christchurch. Check if this might be an option for your particular destination.

Take a Charter Flight from Christchurch to Auckland – Charter flights between these two destinations can be quite inexpensive. This again, can save you driving back to Auckland if you do in fact have a return flight from this city.

The Best of New Zealand: Three Week Travel Itinerary

Regardless of how you get there, you are sure to have an amazing time in New Zealand! I recommend that you follow this 21-day travel Best of New Zealand itinerary for a complete and unforgettable experience. You would start in Auckland at the very tip of the North Island and finish in the beautiful metropolis of Christchurch.

Day 1 & 2 Welcome to Auckland

In most cases, travelers will arrive in the city of Auckland, which offers an array of interesting activities. While several of these are in the city, there are many more attractions a short distance away. Some popular places of interest in the city include the Museum of Transport and Technology, Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, and the infamous Sky Tower. In addition, be sure not to miss these attractions in Auckland for the first few days of your time in New Zealand:

Visit Howick Historical Village

Located on the eastern side of Auckland, the cottages in Howick Historical Village were once home to ex-British soldiers. They were granted free accommodation in return for their service as a front line of defense for New Zealand. Dating back to the 1800’s, the cottages are antiquated and charming in every way. They also now appear like something you might see in a Lord of the Rings movie. There are excellent tours on which you can learn more about the history of this timeless little place.

Travel to the North Shore of Auckland

The vibrant atmosphere at the North Shore is certainly popular with surfers and backpackers alike. Consisting of a lively nightlife, and restaurants with world-class food, this can be a fun place to spend an evening. At the same time, the North Shore is also ideal for a relaxing weekend at the beach.

Visit the Imposing Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is the towering landmass often pictured as a backdrop to Auckland in photographs. It is close enough to visit on a day tour, but not so close as to really feel near the city. Best of all, this volcano is more than six hundred years old, and offers the most exciting encounters with nature near Auckland.

Get Lost in Otara Flea Market

While in Auckland, be sure to stop by the Otara Flea Market. This incredible place is filled with Maori crafts and Polynesian clothing, and is truly a great way to start your Best of New Zealand trip!

Day 3 Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings Movie Set)

While I mentioned Howick Village near Auckland, Hobbiton near Matamata is arguably a much more interesting tourist attraction. Renowned as the “Middle Earth Experience,” this incredible landscape was the backdrop for the epic and world famous movie, Lord of the Rings. Featuring jungle-like forests and beautiful gardens, this is a truly relaxing place to spend time, and a favorite with visitors.

Day 4 & 5 Waitomo Caves

Have you ever heard of glowing worms? Yes, they do exist! Located deep inside the magical Waitomo caves, the glow-worms create an unforgettable show of light. Since they are only accessible by boat, you will need to take a boat tour to witness the spectacle. Given the amount of history and interest inside, these organized tours are certainly worth the effort. In fact, Waitomo itself is more than thirty million years old, and one of the most visited attractions on the North Island.

Having made the trip down from Hobbiton, you may want to consider stopping for the evening here. There are many restaurants and accommodations to stay overnight in the town before moving onward to Rotorua.

Day 6 – 9 Rotorua

Rotorua is perfectly situated, so you can easily discover the many exciting attractions nearby.  The points of interest here include Maori villages, beautiful hiking trails, and stunning spas throughout. Rotorua is also quite a small town, which can make the experience feel more personal. For this reason, I suggest taking at least four days to relax and enjoy many of the activities this area has to offer. Here are just a few of the most interesting attractions and things to do near Rotorua:

Try the Skyline Zipline and Restaurant

While in Rotorua, stop by the Skyline located on the side of Mt. Ngongotaha, and take the scenic gondola to the top, where the Skyline Rotorua Complex is. Among the myriad of activities is a zipline, which evokes fear in the imagination of many travelers. For everyone else, it is an incredibly unique, and super fun way to experience the surroundings! In addition to the zipline, the Skyline Complex has a luge run, sky swing, mountain biking, and plenty of gorgeous views. There is also another reason to visit the Skyline – a world-class restaurant at the top.

Visit Wai-O-Tapu

Located near Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu is a geothermal park in a volcanic region, which offers stunning insight into the natural beauty of New Zealand. Featuring a “Champagne Pool” and all the colors you might expect in such a region, this is a memorable encounter in every way. While at the park, you may also have a chance to observe the eruption of Lady Knox Geyser, which is quite active and erupts every day.

Check out Hells Gate Geothermal Park

Even the name of this geothermal park is enough reason to visit.  Amazingly, the Maori people still live in Hells Gate, and there are few places that can feel so isolated. However, the Ngati Rangiteaorere Maori tribe is not the only attraction here. The thermal pools and surrounding nature are perfect for unwinding and taking a step away from the busyness of conventional living.

Other Things to do in Rotorua

There are many more things to do, and places to visit in the Rotorua region. Some of these include Kerosene Creek, the Rotorua Museum, and Ohinemutu – an authentic Maori village.

Day 10 & 11 Lake Taupo

As opposed to the bustling towns and tourist attractions, Lake Taupo can feel like a glorious escape from normality. Surrounded by hiking trails, and interspersed with small local restaurants, the region is ideal for tourists wanting to get away from the noise. I must  mention that there are some adrenaline-charged activities, which seem quite in contrast to an otherwise peaceful area.

Skydive in Taupo

Yes, you can set foot on an airplane with the intention of jumping out of it more than fifteen thousand feet above Lake Taupo. Does this sound like fun? Certainly it’s not for everyone, but the scenes from up above are said to be some of the most incredible in New Zealand.

Bungee Jump in Taupo…or Maybe Not

More than one hundred and fifty feet above the water, the bungee at Lake Taupo is another popular adrenaline-charged activity. If you cannot face the prospect of jumping, it is also possible to watch tourists take the jump for you – at no cost!

Day 12 & 13 Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand

Wellington is said to have one of the best standards of living in the world. With so many beaches and beautiful hills nearby, I can definitely understand why! Offering countless restaurants, bars, and attractions, Wellington is also a great place to break up the journey and take a couple of days away from the road.

While there are certainly some interesting things to do in Wellington, the Wellington Cable Car is perhaps the most popular. It takes visitors up the hillside to a botanical garden with beautiful city views all around. However, for those feeling more active, there is the hike to nearby Mount Victoria. At the top, you will find some of the most iconic panoramas of Wellington.

Day 14 & 15 Kaikoura (Traveling from the North Island to the South Island)

The Interislander Ferry offers a seamless way to transition from one island to the other and is quite a scenic ride. You will board in Wellington, and travel along Cook Strait to the town of Picton on the South Island. Your car can come along as well, but it’s best to arrange the crossing in advance.

However, with not too much to do in Picton, it is often best to continue onward to the amazing Kaikoura. Situated on the very eastern coastline, Kaikoura is often the subject of magazines wanting to show off the spectacular scenery of New Zealand. Here, you will find pristine lakes, marine life, rugged coastline, and some truly inviting outdoors.

Some of the most fun and interesting things you can do in Kaikoura are:

Swim with Dolphins   

Did you know that you can swim with dolphins in New Zealand? Kaikoura is known for this activity, as the dolphins travel close to its coastline. It is a unique experience, which is enhanced by all the spectacular views of the nearby mountains.

Watch the Whales

Famous for sperm whales, Kaikoura attracts tourists from all over the world who want to see this amazing creature up close. Although they are known to dive extremely deep, visitors can often spot them on whale watching tours. Amazingly, they are present year-round. Orca Whales and Humpback Whales, on the other hand, make an appearance at certain times of the year.

Day 16 & 17 – Milford Sound (Te Anau)

On this day you will actually bypass the end point of the road trip, Christchurch, and continue onward to Milford Sound. In many ways, this is perhaps the most scenic drive of the entire travel itinerary. You will move between imposing peaks, past flowing rivers, and through luscious rain forests. Once you arrive in Milford Sound, there is always an opportunity to take a cruise, and this is yet another highlight of the trip. Carved by immense glaciers during the ice age, the valleys in Milford Sound appear even more impressive from the perspective of a boat. There are also a number of hiking trails, which usually appeal to visitors who find themselves with a little more time.

Day 18 & 19 Queenstown

Having left Milford Sound and the incredibly beautiful Te Anau, the scenery continues to impress as another spectacular drive ensues. However, Queenstown is a popular town for a good reason and a great place to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Of course, there are also more adrenaline-charged activities like bungy jumping, jet boat thrills, and the white water rapids of the Shotover River – should that be your thing.

Shotover Jet

Regardless if you stay a few days or not, the Shotover Jet is worth experiencing, and not too costly. This is quite an affordable attraction and offers an opportunity to travel by jet boat amidst truly spectacular scenery. At more than eighty kilometers per hour, you can be sure of a memorable experience! Surprisingly, you are never moving quite fast enough so as not to appreciate the surrounding nature.

Day 20 & 21 Christchurch, “The Garden City”

Having by passed it already, you will know what to expect on the journey back to Christchurch. “The Garden City,” however, takes a little time to explore. In spite of an earthquake that occurred in 2011, most of the attractions are back to normal service. The sublime mix of parks, restaurants, and bars make this a great place to finish up your Best of New Zealand travel adventures.

Hagley Park is one of the beautiful spots in Christchurch, and this along with the Avon River are a great place to escape the noise. On the other hand, you may want to jump on the Tramway and experience the city this way. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is also worth a visit, while the café culture on Madras Street is another neat way to wind down and reflect on a most enjoyable trip.

End of Your Amazing Three Weeks…Unless You Want to Stay Longer

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, it is certainly possible to travel back to Auckland overland. However, in many instances, travelers can find this prospect a little tiresome. For this reason, charter flights from Christchurch are an excellent option to get you back for a connecting flight in Auckland. Of course, this is only necessary if you are not returning home from Christchurch.

Either way, New Zealand is an extremely easy destination to navigate and full of surprises and beauty at every turn. You could spend two weeks rushing around or one month getting to know a little bit more. Three weeks seems like a good amount of time to give you a chance to get to know this incredible place nicely.

Additional Resources to Help Plan Your Trip to New Zealand

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• 100% Pure New Zealand – A very comprehensive website with incredible amount of information about New Zealand, and its different regions
• The Great Journeys of New Zealand – Check out this website to book a transfer on the Interislander Ferry, or a scenic train adventure
• Shotover Jet – Stop by this website to read more about riding the Shotover Jet boat in Queenstown, and book your adventure
• Milford Sound – This is a nice website about the breathtaking Milford Sound. Stop by to see all the things you can do in this area, and book a tour or a cruise if you wish

The Cities of New Zealand

• Auckland, New Zealand – Here is a site dedicated specifically to all the exciting things that you can do in Auckland. Stop by for more information, and book interesting tours
• Christchurch Attractions – Visit this website for more information on all the things you can do in Christchurch. Here, you can also book a number of tours around this beautiful city
• Christchurch, New Zealand – Here is one more website dedicated to the city of Christchurch
• Queenstown, New Zealand – As the name suggests, this website is dedicated to Queenstown, New Zealand. Check it out to get more information about the area, and book tours
• Wellington, New Zealand – Similarly to the website above, here is one that is dedicated to the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington. Visit to get more detailed information about attractions, and book tours if you wish

Note: All photos in this article were purchased from Dreamstime, and edited by me, Vessy. Photo credit for the featured image at the beginning of the article goes to © Martin Molcan | Dreamstime.com

 

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