29 days in New Zealand Itinerary

Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Horsemtrails are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Get outdoors at Taranaki Falls and Tongariro Northern Circuit.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Whakapapa trip app .

Havana, Cuba to Whakapapa is an approximately 28-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone changes from Cuba Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time, which is usually a 17 hour difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) to allow time 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.

Get in touch with nature at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Te Puia. Explore Rotorua's surroundings by going to Taupo (Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, Huka Falls Walkway, & more). And it doesn't end there: whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, delve into the lush surroundings at Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, identify plant and animal life at Redwoods Treewalk, and witness a stunning natural landmark at Lady Knox Geyser.

To see photos, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Rotorua trip itinerary builder .

Drive from Whakapapa to Rotorua in 2.5 hours. In February, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can 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.

Get in touch with nature at Dolphin & Whale Watching and Scuba & Snorkeling. Get some cultural insight at Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Pompallier Mission and Printery. Step out of Paihia with an excursion to Blue River Orchard in Waipapa--about 40 minutes away. There's still lots to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Paihia Harbour, stop by Paihia Bookshop, steep yourself in history at KeriKeri New Zealand, and surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Paihia itinerary planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Rotorua to Paihia takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) to allow time 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.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Peregrine Wines and Fallen Soldiers Memorial. Get outdoors at Zipline and Kiwi Birdlife Park. The adventure continues: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, explore the landscape on two wheels at Queenstown Trail, and get interesting insight from Tours.

For reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Queenstown online trip itinerary maker .

Fly from Paihia to Queenstown in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of car and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough 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 in touch with nature at Milford Sound and Hollyford Track. The adventure continues: look for all kinds of wild species at Doubtful Sound, tour the pleasant surroundings at The Chasm Walk, contemplate the waterfront views at Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and hike along Lake Gunn.

For reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Te Anau online route maker .

Take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 3.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Mt. Cook Village.

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

Visiting Hooker Valley Track and Kea Point Track will get you outdoors. There's still lots to do: get outside with Aoraki/Mt. Cook, trek along Governors Bush Walk, stroll through Sealy Tarns Track, and hit the slopes at Ski The Tasman.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Mt. Cook Village trip planner .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options 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.

Visiting Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier South Side Walk will get you outdoors. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Gillespies Beach, look for all kinds of wild species at West Coast Wildlife Centre, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and explore the striking landscape of Fox Glacier.

For photos, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Fox Glacier trip itinerary maker tool .

You can drive from Mt. Cook Village to Fox Glacier in 5.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) to allow enough time 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.

Get outdoors at Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Ruakuri Cave. Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, hike along Ruakuri Walk, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and take in the dramatic scenery at Marakopa Falls.

For traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves online journey builder .

Traveling by combination of bus and flight from Fox Glacier to Waitomo Caves takes 9 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.