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.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): kick back and relax at Orewa Beach. On the next day, contemplate the long history of Howick Historical Village, then take a stroll through Parnell, and then take an in-depth tour of Auckland Museum.

For more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Auckland vacation planner.

If you are flying in from Singapore, the closest major aiports are Auckland International Airport and Hamilton International Airport. April in Auckland sees daily highs of 22°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive 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.

On the 19th (Wed), admire the masterpieces at Rotorua Museum, then get a taste of local nightlife at Tamaki Maori Village, and then take a memorable tour with Tours. On your second day here, learn about winemaking at Volcanic Hills Winery and then identify plant and animal life at Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre.

To see maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Rotorua attractions planner.

Getting from Auckland to Rotorua by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Auckland in April, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Rotorua, with lows of 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough 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.

On the 21st (Fri), see the interesting displays at Southward Car Museum, identify plant and animal life at ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, and then examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. On your second day here, learn something new at Weta Workshop, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Scorching Bay, and then steep yourself in history at Katherine Mansfield House and Garden.

For other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Wellington online holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Rotorua to Wellington takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Rotorua in April, you will find days in Wellington are slightly colder (20°C), and nights are about the same (14°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) early enough 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.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): appreciate the extensive heritage of Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, do a tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery, then look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, and finally take a memorable tour with Tours. On your second day here, contemplate the waterfront views at Arrow River, then take an in-depth tour of Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Moke Lake.

To find photos, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Queenstown road trip tool.

You can fly from Wellington to Queenstown in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Tue) to allow time for travel to Christchurch.

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

On the 25th (Tue), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cardboard Cathedral. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire all the interesting features of Riccarton House & Bush, then see the interesting displays at International Antarctic Centre, and then steep yourself in history at Taylors Mistake - Awaroa / Godley Head Walk.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Christchurch tour builder.

Traveling by flight from Queenstown to Christchurch takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 8°C. You'll have a few hours on the 28th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling home.