How long should you viti New Zealand for? Although it’s a long journey, the scenery along the way and the views at Milford Sound make it worth it. After two days of driving, take a full-day to explore Queenstown. A themed tour is available for Lord of the Rings fans. It will take you to the filming locations. It should take you approximately five hours to drive the first leg of your trip from Picton to Christchurch. This is a distance that covers 210 miles. Blenheim is your first stop in South Island. It is the largest town in Marlborough and is well-known for its vineyards.

Other than spas and geysers, you can check out some fun and thrill-seeking activities like the zorb or the luge or mountain biking. You could also consider a trip to Piha, a rugged west coast beach located not far from Auckland, if you are looking for adventure. Swimming is not advised here. Piha Rescue, a TV program dedicated to saving tourists caught in rough Piha conditions, has been created. Alternatively, jump on the ferry to Devonport to visit the more family-friendly North Shores beaches.

You can reach the tops of Mt Victoria and North Head, which are two of Auckland’s extinct volcanic cones. Fly to Auckland with Air New Zealand and then fly to the country for stunning scenery and exciting activities. I’m sure it depends on where you are, some roads might be very well taken care of and others might not be. The stunning Mount Aspiring National Park is located just an hour north of Wanaka. Walk the 1.5-hour return Blue Pools Track and stop at Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls. Head to Franz Josef to stay overnight and make sure you stop at Lake Matheson along the way.

Here you can find pricing information for accommodation, transport, and other activities. Onsen Hot Pools near Arthur’s Point is just a short drive from Queenstown. Enjoy the tranquillity and privacy of your own cedar-enclosed spa room overlooking the spectacular Shotover River. Take a gondola ride up Bob’s Peak to enjoy panoramic views of the alpine. There are many other activities at the top, such as a ziplining tour with Ziptrek Ecotours and a luge track. This is a great day trip to this little piece of colonial France in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s summer months are the peak season for travel between December and February. Summer is the busiest time to travel in New Zealand, with the school holidays occurring between 20 December and January. Stroll back into the city centre along the Avon River and pause at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. Take a stroll down Oxford Terrace to the Riverside Markets, and then explore the city’s new laneways and architecture, as well as the retail and dining areas. Rainbow Springs Nature Park is an ecotourism must-see. Take a behind-the scenes tour to see conservation in action.

After a morning of geothermal activity it is just a short drive to Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve. If interested there is a 1.5 hour round trip trail that takes you to the top of the mountain with some INCREDIBLE views of the surrounding area. There are many options available: you can choose to do one of the three treewalks, mountain biking, or hike the trails.

Queenstown: Recommended Itinerary

The majority of campervans will come with a chilly bin, small fridge, a sink or water storage, a gas stove, cookware, and other kitchen utensils. However, the quality and extras may vary from one van to another. To discover the best the city has to offer, head to the laneways which contain lots of art, awesome cafes and hidden cocktail bars. You can also check out the city beaches around Oriental Bay and enjoy ice-cream or fish and chips on the beach. There are many things to do in Wellington, but Te Papa, the national Museum on Wellington’s waterfront that contains so many stories about New Zealand’s past, should be at the top of your list. Rotorua is the number one tourist location on the North Island because it offers a mix of cultural and natural attractions plus lots of adventure options. The Coromandel Peninsula is where many North Islanders come for holidays because of the miles of beautiful swimmable beaches.

Start gently with a jet-boat ride through the Shotover River canyons. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook from a scenic helicopter flight. Dial up the adrenaline with a visit to the famous Kawarau Bridge Bungy.

If you are able to drive a bit more, I recommend driving along the coast and visiting all the beaches. This itinerary shows the highlights of North Island, as it is impossible to see the entire island in 10 days. However, if you have a bit more time, there’s a 2 week variation that squeezes more in. New Zealand is a small country but that doesn’t mean you can see it quickly, instead, it’s best to split your time by island and this 10 day North Island New Zealand itinerary is a great place to start.