In December of 2023, I set out on the most epic road trip I have ever done. For myself and many other nature lovers, New Zealand is a big bucket list destination. Here is the route I took for my month exploring the country, and I hope it helps you to plan yours. This is just a bare boned 4-week New Zealand itinerary to get you started and the ideas rolling. Enjoy one of my favourite countries to date!
Good to Know
Best time to go: New Zealand summer is December-February and the peak season. The shoulder seasons before and after summer could also be good times.
Getting Around: Driving yourself is the ideal, whether that’s renting a car like I did or a camper van. They drive on the left side which is daunting if you’re from a right-side country, but honestly if I could do it anyone can. There is a hop-on on hop-off bus option for those on a tighter budget or if driving isn’t an option.
Currency: The New Zealand Dollar. You can pay with debit/credit everywhere so taking out cash isn’t necessary.
Helpful Apps: The Roady App (points of interest along your route), Great Walks App, Camper Mate, Rankers Camping NZ
Days 1-2 or 3
Most people land in Auckland to start. Depending on when you land and jet lag, you’ll likely be tired so take it easy for a day or two. I actually spent no time in Auckland as I stayed with my cousin for the first few days just south near the town of Waiuku. I’m sure you can find plenty to do in the city, but if you’re eager to get out into nature you could try Waiheke Island.
Day 2 or 3
Head to the Coromandel Peninsula and explore the north-east coast. This is where you’ll find Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, and take in some stunning coastal scenery. The roads on the peninsula are windy, but worth it.
Stay: Magpies Mirror Chalet
Day 4
Head to the Matamata area for rolling hills and trees that make the area look like Tuscany. This is where you can do a Hobbiton tour if you are a Lord of the Rings fan. Even if you’re not the biggest fan the movie set is still cool to see.
Stay: Hamilton or nearby town such as Cambridge
Day 5
The next stop is Waitomo. Now this may be skippable for some if you have no interest in seeing glow worms, I however was pumped for this. The glow worms were a big bucket list item for me and they did not disappoint. I did Black Water Rafting to add some adventure and see the worms in the dark above while floating through the cave, but there are plenty of tours. The area is nice to see as well, but if you decide to skip you can head straight to Rotorua.
Day 6
Visit Rotorua, a geothermal area with geysers and hot mud pools. You can start your day by walking through Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve to see redwood trees and blue pools in the springs. Then head to Kuirau Park right in the town to see hot pools and a designated area where you can soak your feet. After I highly recommend taking a tour of Whakarewarewa, a Maori village, to learn about their culture and how they live with the geothermal activity. It was fascinating, affordable, and you’ll get to see the Pohutu Geyser spout periodically. Seriously, it was one of the coolest tours I have ever done.
Stay: Rotorua or head to the National Park to sleep.
Days 7-9
Spend time in the National Park and do some hiking. This is where Tongariro Crossing is, which is one of the most iconic day hikes in the world, and would be a good activity to do on Day 8. You’ll see volcanoes, craters, and emerald lakes, and you’ll be walking through where they filmed Mordor scenes from LOTR. The hike is long and hard, and I was fully intending to do it until the day before when I felt unprepared and decided not to. I ended up doing the Upper Tama Lakes Hike instead, a 17 Km hike with views of volcanoes and lakes in the park. There are easier ones as well, so you should be able to find something that suits your fitness level.
Stay: National Park Alpine Lodge (can camp here as well).
Day 9
From here, you can either head to the west or east coast. Go west to do more hiking (eg. Pouakai Circuit Reflective Tarn) and see Mt Taranaki. Go east if you want to explore Napier, an art-deco town rebuilt after the earthquake with plenty of nearby wineries. I had intended to go west until the morning of but due to bad weather on the west coast, I changed my plans and went east to enjoy the sun and some wine. In the end I was very happy with my decision. If you have more time you can do both, you’ll just have to re-work the route a bit. If you drive through Taupo I suggest stopping at the McDonald’s in an airplane, I missed it by mistake so please go for me.
Day 10
Make your way down toward Wellington. If you have a free day and don’t mind long drives you can head straight there. Otherwise, you can split it up and stay in a town along the way. I chose to stay in Greytown in the Martinborough area, one of their main wine regions. I went to Poppies Martinborough for a wine tasting and would recommend but there are plenty of wineries to choose from.
Stay: Greytown Hotel
Day 11
Arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, if you are not there already. Explore the city and visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Stay: The Marion Wellington
Day 12
Take the 3-hour Ferry from Wellington to Picton to start your adventure on the South Island.
Stay: The Villa
Day 13-15
Go to Abel Tasman National Park for a couple of days. Enjoy coastal hikes, kayaking, animal spotting, and beaches. I feel this was one of the most underrated parts of the country!
Stay: The Barn
Day 15
Make your way down the west coast of the South Island. This is a long driving day, but you’ll be rewarded with great views.
Stay: Te Nikau Retreat
Days 15-17
Today, you will arrive in Franz Josef. Stop at Paparoa National Park along the way to see limestone canyons and the pancake rocks. That evening, if you want to get some movement in after a long day of driving, do Okitaro Trig for a fairly easy hike with great views at the top. The next day you can tackle a bigger hike if you like, I did Robert’s Point Track, but another popular one is Alex Knob. Alternatively, you can book a helicopter ride and glacier walk if interested. On your way out the next morning take an easy walk around Lake Matheson.
Stay: Glow Worm Accommodation
Days 17-19
Make the journey to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Stop to see “That Wanaka Tree” along the way. This town has no shortage of activities to entertain. Bop around town shopping and get a burger at Fergburger. Put your nerves to the test with skydiving, canyon swings, bungee jumping, jet boating, mountain biking, or lugeing down a mountain. There are also plenty of hikes in the area, Ben Lomond being a popular but challenging one, or take a gondola up for views without exertion.
Days 19-22
Head to the town of Te Anua and sit in anticipation for the exciting day ahead, because this is when you’ll finally be visiting Milford Sound. Take a cruise on the river to see these majestic fjords and be in awe of their self-proclaimed “eighth wonder of the world.” Don’t sleep on Te Anau either, the town has a lovely lake with a nice beach you can enjoy. If you’re short on time, you can cut a day out here, but I was happy to chill for a full day and not drive anywhere for once.
Days 22-24
Get to Mount Cook National Park to see the biggest mountain in New Zealand. Take in the views and get some more hiking in. Do the hooker valley trail, and if looking for something more challening do the Meuller Hut hike or go halfway up to Sealy Tarns. You can stay the night in Mueller Hut if you book in advance.
Days 24-26
Head to Lake Tekapo for some relaxation and stargazing. If you’re there in December, you’ll get to see lupins (purple flowers) here as well.
Stay: Haka House Lake Tekapo
Days 26-28
Unfortunately, you’ve made it to the end of your trip! Your last stop will be Christchurch – see the city, return your rental car, repack your bag, and prepare for your flight home or to your next destination. If you want more time in nature instead of the city, take a day out here and add it earlier in the trip.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This trip can be done in reverse if that works better for you, and might get you a cheaper car rental as it’s the less common route. I hope this has inspired you to book the trip and has helped with planning. Congrats on setting a month aside to dive into this country and see some amazing sights. If you have any questions or comments on something I might have missed please drop them below, and have the BEST time ever!!