Sample itineraries

Itineraries that actually work

Ten real-world routes our planners would happily sign off on. Use one as a starting point, then make it your own and have a real person check it.

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North Island

North Island · 8 days

Northland beaches and the Coromandel

A relaxed loop north of Auckland, then across to the Coromandel's coves without long driving days.

Auckland → Bay of Islands → Auckland → Coromandel → Hahei

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North Island · 9 days

Geothermal heartland to Wellington

Rotorua, Taupō and the Tongariro Crossing, then down through Hawke's Bay to the capital.

Auckland → Waitomo → Rotorua → Taupō → Napier → Wellington

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South Island

South Island · 7 days

Southern Lakes and Fiordland

Queenstown, two nights in Wānaka and two nights in Te Anau, with time to slow down by the lakes.

Queenstown → Wānaka → Te Anau → Queenstown

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South Island · 10 days

Top of the South and the West Coast

Marlborough wine, Abel Tasman, then the wild West Coast down to the glaciers and over Haast Pass.

Picton → Nelson → Abel Tasman → Punakaiki → Franz Josef → Wānaka

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North and South Island

North & South · 14 days

The classic two-week New Zealand

The highlights of both islands at a sensible pace, flying the long middle section.

Auckland → Rotorua → Taupō → Wellington → Christchurch → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Queenstown

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North & South · 12 days

Family-friendly North and South

No drive longer than about three hours, with plenty of hands-on stops kids remember.

Auckland → Rotorua → Wellington → Kaikōura → Christchurch

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North & South · 10 days

Wine, food and coast

Hawke's Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago — the country's best wine regions.

Napier → Martinborough → Wellington → Blenheim → Queenstown

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North & South · 16 days

Active New Zealand

Tongariro, Abel Tasman, the glaciers and Fiordland, with weather buffer days built in.

Auckland → Tongariro → Wellington → Abel Tasman → Franz Josef → Wānaka → Queenstown

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North & South · 18 days

Three weeks at an easy pace

Fewer bases, longer stays, and time to just sit by a lake.

Auckland → Bay of Islands → Rotorua → Wellington → Nelson → Christchurch → Queenstown

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North & South · 21 days

End-to-end by campervan

Top to bottom with real campervan drive times and the ferry booked ahead.

Auckland → Coromandel → Rotorua → Wellington → Kaikōura → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Dunedin → Queenstown

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