12 days in New Zealand Itinerary
12 days in New Zealand Itinerary
Created using Inspirock New Zealand Trip Planner
Start: Auckland
1
Auckland
— 1 night
Drive
2
Rotorua
— 2 nights
Fly
3
Wellington
— 2 nights
Fly
4
Queenstown
— 3 nights
Fly
5
Christchurch
— 3 nights
End: Christchurch
Mon, Apr 17 - Fri, Apr 28
Edit
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See full calendar
Auckland
— 1 night
©
City of Sails
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.
Things to do in Auckland
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 16 — 18:
Highlights from your trip
Rotorua
— 2 nights
©
Sulphur City
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.
Things to do in Rotorua
Find places to stay Apr 18 — 20:
Highlights from your trip
Wellington
— 2 nights
Harbour Capital
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 4.5 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.
Things to do in Wellington
Side Trip
Find places to stay Apr 20 — 22:
Highlights from your trip
Queenstown
— 3 nights
©
Shallow Bay
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 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 25th (Tue) to allow time for travel to Christchurch.
Things to do in Queenstown
Side Trips
Find places to stay Apr 22 — 25:
Highlights from your trip
Christchurch
— 3 nights
©
Garden City
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.
Things to do in Christchurch
Find places to stay Apr 25 — 28:
Highlights from your trip
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New Zealand travel guide
Land of the Long White Cloud
Far-flung New Zealand has become known for its astounding topography, singular biodiversity, varied climate, and for marrying native Maori and post-colonial European cultures on its two main islands and the multitude of smaller landmasses dotted around them. Free-spirited New Zealanders cultivate a love of sports, sustainability, and the outdoors. Far from other landmasses, the islands existed for millions of years before being inhabited by humans, so an abundance of species have come to thrive in the thick, wild rainforest, vast and rugged backland, and extensive surrounding marine areas. While much of New Zealand tourism centers around adventures through this spectacular scenery, take time to explore the nation's rich cultural heritage as well. The traditions and history of the Maoris, and the industry and internationalism of the descendents of the first European settlers endure in fascinating attractions, ranging from museums, to farms, to places of worship.
