.jpg/1920px-Auckland_skyline_(24045221962).jpg)
Day 01
Night 1 · Auckland
01
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
Arrive in Auckland
- 1
Viaduct & Wynyard Quarterallow an afternoon
Water, boats and a first flat white. Nothing ambitious.
Night 1 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$250–NZ$430
← All itineraries
Both Islands · 14 days · 13 nights
14 Day New Zealand Itinerary
Both islands, one ferry, no wasted days
Two weeks is enough for both islands if you resist the urge to see everything. This route runs Auckland to Queenstown in one direction, crosses the Cook Strait by ferry, and leaves two nights in the places that reward staying put.
- Starts
- Auckland
- Finishes
- Queenstown
- Days & nights
- 14 days · 13 nights
- On the road
- 2,450 km · approx. 33 hrs
Major highlights
Viaduct & Wynyard QuarterAuckland MuseumWaiheke IslandHobbitonGeothermal parkMāori cultural eveningWai-O-TapuHuka Falls
Where you sleep
Auckland (2 nights) · Rotorua (2 nights) · Taupō (1 night) · Wellington (2 nights) · Kaikōura (1 night) · Christchurch (1 night) · Lake Tekapo (1 night) · Twizel (1 night) · Wānaka (1 night) · Queenstown (1 night)
Auckland
Rotorua
Taupō
Wellington
Kaikōura
Christchurch
Lake Tekapo
Twizel
Wānaka
Queenstown
The journey, day by day
14 days, one route.
Day 02
Night 2 · Auckland
02
Day 2
Auckland — city of sails
Auckland
- 1
Auckland Museumallow 2 hours
The Māori and Pacific collections are the finest in the world.
- 2
Waiheke Islandallow half a day
Forty minutes by ferry to vineyards above the sea.
Book a vineyard lunch in summer.
Night 2 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$520
Day 03
Night 3 · Rotorua
03
Day 3
235 km · approx. 3.25 hrs driving
Auckland → Matamata → Rotorua
- 1
Hobbitonallow 2.5 hours
Guided tours only, in working farmland.
Book weeks ahead over summer.
Night 3 · Rotorua
Rough cost · NZ$320–NZ$560
Day 04
Night 4 · Rotorua
04
Day 4
Rotorua — steam and culture
Rotorua
- 1
Geothermal parkallow half a day
Choose one park and take your time.
- 2
Māori cultural eveningallow evening
Hāngī and performance with an iwi-owned operator.
Book the day before.
Night 4 · Rotorua
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$520
Day 05
Night 5 · Taupō
05
Day 5
105 km · approx. 1.5 hrs driving
Rotorua → Wai-O-Tapu → Huka Falls → Taupō
- 1
Wai-O-Tapuallow 1.5 hours
The most colourful terraces in the country. Go early.
- 2
Huka Fallsallow 45 minutes
The Waikato squeezed into a chute of blue.
Night 5 · Taupō
Rough cost · NZ$270–NZ$460
Day 06
Night 6 · Wellington
06
Day 6
380 km · approx. 5 hrs driving
Taupō → Tongariro → Whanganui → Wellington
MorningSouth past the volcanoes — the Desert Road is bleak and wonderful. · leave 8:00am
- 1
Ruapehu · Tongariroallow 2 hours
The Tongariro chairlift or a short valley walk, weather permitting.
Night 6 · Wellington
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$520
Day 07
Night 7 · Wellington
07
Day 7
Wellington — the creative capital
Wellington
- 1
Te Papaallow 2–3 hours
Free, and genuinely one of the world's best museums.
- 2
Cuba Street & the cable carallow an afternoon
Coffee, small bars, and the view down over the harbour.
Night 7 · Wellington
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$520
Day 08
Night 8 · Kaikōura
08
Day 8
155 km · approx. 2 hrs driving
Wellington ⇢ Picton → Kaikōura
MorningThe ferry through the Marlborough Sounds — stand outside for the last hour. · leave 8:00am sailing
- 1
Pictonallow 1 hour
Lunch at the head of the sound before heading south.
EveningInto Kaikōura with the mountains meeting the sea.
Don't miss
The Sounds from the ferry deck.
Night 8 · Kaikōura
Rough cost · NZ$350–NZ$620
Day 09
Night 9 · Christchurch
09
Day 9
185 km · approx. 2.5 hrs driving
Kaikōura → Christchurch
MorningWhale watch or the peninsula walk.
- 1
Kaikōuraallow 3 hours
Sperm whales year-round; dolphins in their hundreds.
Book the earliest sailing — swell cancels later ones.
Night 9 · Christchurch
Rough cost · NZ$330–NZ$580
Day 10
Night 10 · Lake Tekapo
10
Day 10
225 km · approx. 3 hrs driving
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
- 1
Lake Tekapoallow afternoon and evening
Glacial turquoise, a stone church, and a dark sky reserve.
EveningHot pools, then stars.
Night 10 · Lake Tekapo
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$490
Day 11
Night 11 · Twizel
11
Day 11
165 km · approx. 2.25 hrs driving
Tekapo → Aoraki / Mt Cook → Twizel
- 1
Aoraki / Mt Cookallow 3–4 hours
The Hooker Valley Track: three hours, flat, and an iceberg lake at the end.
Don't miss
The Lake Pukaki lookout on the way in.
Night 11 · Twizel
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$500
Day 12
Night 12 · Wānaka
12
Day 12
200 km · approx. 2.75 hrs driving
Twizel → Ōmarama → Wānaka
- 1
Clay Cliffsallow 1 hour
Eroded pinnacles down a short gravel road.
- 2
Lake Hāweaallow 45 minutes
A quieter lake for lunch.
Night 12 · Wānaka
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
Day 13
Night 13 · Queenstown
13
Day 13
115 km · approx. 2 hrs driving
Wānaka → Crown Range → Queenstown
- 1
Roys Peak or the lakefrontallow 1–6 hours
Big climb or gentle morning — your choice.
- 2
Arrowtownallow 2 hours
Gold-rush cottages and a good lunch.
Night 13 · Queenstown
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$560
Day 14
14
Day 14
580 km · approx. 8 hrs driving
Queenstown → Milford Sound → Queenstown
MorningTake the coach so you can watch instead of drive. · leave 6:45am
- 1
Milford Soundallow full day
Twelve hours door to door, and the right way to finish.
Book coach and cruise together.
Departs from · Queenstown
Rough cost · NZ$350–NZ$620
What it costs.
approx. NZ$330–NZ$500 per person, per day — around approx. NZ$4,600–NZ$7,000 per person for the whole trip, twin share, mid-range.
- AccommodationNZ$170–NZ$300 per night (twin share, mid-range)
- Rental carNZ$70–NZ$130 per day
- Ferry with a carNZ$250–NZ$450 for two people plus vehicle
- FuelNZ$430–NZ$540 for the route
- FoodNZ$80–NZ$130 per person, per day
- ActivitiesNZ$900–NZ$1,600 per person total
Practical notes.
Best time to go
November to April. December to February is busiest and most expensive.
What to book ahead
Cook Strait ferry with a vehicle, Hobbiton, whale watch, Milford, all summer accommodation.
Rental cars
Cheaper to swap cars at the ferry than to take one across. Compare both before booking.
Longest driving day
Day 6 — Taupō to Wellington, around 5 hours.
Where to add a night
Wellington, or a second night at Aoraki.
Costs
Indicative only — always check current prices before booking.
(Book) — Experiences on this route
Book the experiences along the way.
Tours and activities around Queenstown and this route — check availability with our booking partner.
Powered by our booking partner · Featuring Queenstown, New Zealand — you'll continue browsing on their site.
Where to stay
Find & Book Stays →Things to do on the way
Explore Experiences →Make it yours
✦ Ask Aotearoa →More itineraries.
Sources & useful links
Road conditions, closures and alpine passes change daily. Check the official journey planner on the morning you travel.
Last checked 21 August 2026