12 days in New Zealand Itinerary

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.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Mon): whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks and then enjoy the sand and surf at Orewa Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: steep yourself in history at Howick Historical Village, take a stroll through Parnell, and then learn about all things military at Auckland Museum.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Auckland travel itinerary planner.

If you are flying in from Singapore, the closest major airports are Auckland International Airport and Hamilton International Airport. In April, daily temperatures in Auckland can reach 23°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can go by car to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Wed): admire the masterpieces at Rotorua Museum, steep yourself in history at Tamaki Maori Village, and then relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Thu): fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, learn about winemaking at Volcanic Hills Winery, and then identify plant and animal life at Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre.

To see traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Rotorua itinerary planner.

Getting from Auckland to Rotorua by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can 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.

On the 21st (Fri), examine the collection at Southward Car Museum, look for all kinds of wild species at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary, and then see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat): see the interesting displays at The Weta Cave, enjoy the sand and surf at Scorching Bay, and then steep yourself in history at Katherine Mansfield Birthplace (Te Puakitanga).

To see reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Wellington itinerary maker.

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Wellington are 20°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) to allow time to 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.

On the 23rd (Sun), examine the collection at Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, do a tasting at Gibbston Valley Wines, then look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, and finally push the limits with an extreme tour. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the activities along Arrow River, explore the world behind art at Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery, and then explore the activities along Moke Lake.

For photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown holiday planner.

You can fly from Wellington to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Tue): don't miss a visit to Cardboard Cathedral. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Wed): steep yourself in history at Riccarton House & Bush, see the interesting displays at International Antarctic Centre, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Taylors Mistake.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Christchurch online itinerary creator.

Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Christchurch takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April in Christchurch, expect temperatures between 20°C during the day and 7°C at night. You'll have a few hours on the 28th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling home.