29 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The country's largest ski resort brings winter sports enthusiasts from all over New Zealand, while a series of short volcano walks as well as numerous alpine crossings make it easy to hike on your Whakapapa trip throughout the year.

Ohakune Old Coach Road and Te Porere Redoubt will appeal to history buffs. Get a sense of the local culture at Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Rotopounamu Track. Step out of Whakapapa to go to Tongariro National Park and see Horsemtrails, which is approximately 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: hike along Tongariro Northern Circuit, get around town with Tongariro Crossing Shuttles, and admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls.

For more things to do, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read Whakapapa day trip tool.

Havana, Cuba to Whakapapa is an approximately 28-hour combination of flight and car. Traveling from Havana to Whakapapa, you'll lose 17 hours due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) early enough to travel 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Huka Falls Walkway and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Change things up with these side-trips from Rotorua: Taupo (Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours, &more). Next up on the itinerary: witness a stunning natural landmark at Te Puia, look for all kinds of wild species at Redwoods Treewalk, kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and delve into the lush surroundings at Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Rotorua trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Whakapapa to Rotorua takes 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around °C in February, and nighttime lows around °C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds and KeriKeri New Zealand are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Get outdoors at Paihia Harbour and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Venture out of the city with trips to Pompallier Mission and Printery (in Russell) and Blue River Orchard (in Waipapa). There's still lots to do: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, get interesting insight from Tours, and take in the dramatic scenery at Haruru Falls.

To see photos, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read our Paihia trip planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Rotorua to Paihia takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) 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.

Get a sense of the local culture at Peregrine Wines and Chard Farm Winery. Get outdoors at Adrenaline & Extreme Tours and Zipline. The adventure continues: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, steep yourself in history at Fallen Soldiers Memorial, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Queenstown tour itinerary maker tool.

Fly from Paihia to Queenstown in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, car, and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) to allow time to take a bus to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Get outdoors at Milford Sound and Hollyford Track. Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Doubtful Sound, hike along The Chasm Walk, stroll through Lake Gunn, and explore the activities along Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

To find photos, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Te Anau journey planner.

Getting from Queenstown to Te Anau by bus takes about 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to travel to Mt. Cook Village.

Siting under towering peaks of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt.

Escape the urban bustle at Hooker Valley Track and Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks. Venture out of the city with trips to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Kea Point Track, Sealy Tarns Track, &more). Next up on the itinerary: hike along Mueller Hut Route, stroll through Red Tarns Track, get outside with Aoraki/Mt. Cook, and fly down the slopes at Ski The Tasman.

To see more things to do, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Mt. Cook Village trip itinerary builder app.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Te Anau to Mt. Cook Village. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Step out of the city life by going to Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier Hiking Trails. There's lots more to do: hike along Fox Glacier South Side Walk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Minnehaha Walk, look for all kinds of wild species at West Coast Wildlife Centre, and take in the pleasant sights at Lake Matheson Walk.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Fox Glacier trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Mt. Cook Village to Fox Glacier in 5.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) early enough to travel to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

Escape the urban bustle at Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Ruakuri Cave. There's much more to do: let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, hike along Ruakuri Walk, explore the fascinating underground world of Footwhistle Glowworm Cave, and take in the dramatic scenery at Marakopa Falls.

To see other places to visit and other tourist information, go to the Waitomo Caves trip planning site.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Waitomo Caves in 10.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry. On the 29th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.