Auckland, New Zealand - Queenstown, New Zealand 28 days trip

Famed for its cultural diversity and vibrant energy, this metropolis boasts parks and museums, two harbors, and great restaurants.

An icon of Auckland's cityscape, the tower offers an observation deck with superb views, a revolving restaurant, and bungee jumping.

Take in the lively ambiance as you make your way through Auckland's central streets, lined with shops and cafes for any taste.

Set in a fine Neoclassical building with lush grounds, this museum traces New Zealand's history, as well as its natural history.

A historic park full of cultural landmarks, lush greenery, athletic and recreational facilities, and gorgeous sprawling lawns.

Offering an array of beaches with many fun water activities, this island is also home to art galleries and superb local vineyards.

This beautiful island is a recognized nature reserve, famed for its variety of native birds, plant species, and nice guided tours.

Lined with restaurants with residential buildings, this flourishing district is brimming with energy and a posh atmosphere.

Home to over 15,000 items, this gallery exhibits New Zealand, Pacific, and European artists from the 16C onwards.

With fine white sand and an abundance of restaurants, clubs, and bars, this dynamic beach is the perfect getaway for beach-lovers.

Affording spectacular views over Auckland, this volcanic summit boasts a significant Maori memorial and lush parkland.

This hilly area stretches for 25km and boasts several natural features popular with nature lovers, from surf beaches to hiking trails.

This iconic volcanic island boasts strong links to local Maori heritage, offering great hiking and incredible views from the top.

Home to over 10,000 plants, these vast botanic gardens boast an array of thematic gardens and an informative visitors' center.

Comprised of sections imitating various habitats, this zoo is home to New Zealand's largest collection of native and exotic animals.

A gem of architectural history, this village replicates New Zealand's colonial township, featuring original buildings and a museum.

A historic neighborhood known for its upscale nature, boasting a range of lush restaurants, art galleries, and posh nightclubs.

Perfect for surfing, fishing, and lots of other watersports, this incredible beach also offers nice picnic areas and great swimming.

Dive into a world of fascinating marine creatures, or take a glass boat to explore the colorful fish surrounding this scenic island.

A rich transportation museum, housing an abundance of vehicles, including aircraft, trains, trams, trolleys, buses, and more.

Spanning New Zealand's naval history from Polynesian settlers to recent yachting events, this museum houses over a dozen of exhibits.

A wonderful experience for the whole family, the aquarium is home to penguins, sharks, stingrays, seahorses, and many colorful fish.

Stretching for 3km from the waterfront inland, Auckland's largest commercial street is full of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Steeped in rural charm, this quaint village offers an abundance of shops, as well as a farmers' market full of fresh local produce.

With history dating to the 1860s, this charming town is surrounded by rolling hills, and retains its historic charm.

With a great arts scene, pristine beaches, and lovely hikes through the nearby forests and mountains, this northern city is a gem.

A veritable heaven of subtropical and exotic flowers, these marvelous gardens are run by volunteers and boast lush natural beauty.

Visit a museum, enjoy a cup of a coffee at a local cafe, or go to the beach for a relaxing afternoon.

Follow the wooden deck through treetops of ancient kauri trees, visit swimming holes and the stream, and have a picnic on the banks.

This quaint gem of local history boasts a collection of over 1,500 clocks and timepieces, offering a delightful experience for all.

Descending for 26m over fine basalt rock, these waterfalls boast lush natural surrounding, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

Dive into a world of fascinating marine creatures, or take a glass boat to explore the colorful fish surrounding this scenic island.

Set within a cluster of historic buildings, this museum complex traces the local history and provides a glimpse of native wildlife.

Home to modern and historic art exhibits, as well as a collection of photography, this museum maintains a focus on Maori culture.

This beautiful island is a recognized nature reserve, famed for its variety of native birds, plant species, and nice guided tours.

Dedicated to the preservation of the surrounding marine life, this reserve is also a superb destination for lovers of scuba-diving.

Home to a remarkable variety of animal species, this wonderful sanctuary features 28 different species of cats.

Relax on the sandy shores of this beautiful beach, enjoying the warm sun and taking a dip in the clear blue sea.

Admire the 27m of single-drop waterfall over basalt rock, hike around for wonderful views, or have a picnic on the banks of the pool.

This marvelous kauri forest is home to two of the largest specimen in the world, as well as plenty of native flora to explore.

Famed for its geothermal activity, this city is favored by travelers and offers an array of geysers, hot springs, and mud pools.

Discover Maori traditions and delve into their rich culture through food, music, and stories, in this wonderful heritage village.

Walk the streets breathing its distinctive sulphuric air, drop by a spa for a mud bath, or head to the town center to view the geyser.

A wonderful village still occupied by Maori, where you can learn about local myths, traditional crafts, and buy authentic souvenirs.

An cultural center with a wealth of Maori arts and crafts, as well as live performances, kiwi, mud pools, and the renowned geyser.

A chain of vivid blue waterfalls cascading into Lake Taupo. Hike along the way and explore the lush surrounding nature.

Hike through this remarkable geothermal area to admire the breathtaking hot springs, each with unique characteristics and colors.

A public park dating to the 19C, featuring architectural curios, sports facilities, and lovely natural beauty.

A piece of New Zealand's spectacular natural beauty awaits you in this redwoods forest, simply perfect for hiking and biking.

Steeped in myth, the park is famed for its geothermal activity, offering trails among its bubbling mud pool and hissing steam vents.

Housed in a historic bath house, this museum traces regional history and art, exhibiting photography, paintings, and Maori relics.

New Zealand's largest lake rests within a volcanic caldera, offering cultural curios, water activities, lively atmosphere, and more.

A web of popular limestone caves, offering a range of tours from easy to extreme, famed for its glow-worm colonies and stalactites.

Located in the former belly of a volcano, this lake boasts gorgeous surroundings, great walking trails around, and nice playgrounds.

Formerly a Maori village, this neighborhood is full of cultural monuments and traditional wood carvings.

A modern complex, lined with a multitude of restaurants and cafes, offering a unique outdoor dining experience year-round.

Merging Tudor architecture and Maori-styled decor, this lovely church boasts a wealth of remarkable decorative details.

A well known volcano where several historic eruptions have formed the scenery, featuring lakes, rivers, and wide calderas.

Home to a lion pride, this wildlife park also hosts a multitude of native animals and birds, offers feeding spots, and lush nature.

Full of Art Deco architecture, this city offers an array of cultural attractions, from museums, to monuments, to verdant gardens.

The oldest winery in New Zealand offers wonderful tours, historic overviews of local viticulture, and marvelous tastings.

Wander through main streets and thoroughfares brimming with the charm of the Roaring Twenties, quaint shops, and great cafes.

Go for a dip in the water, or while away your afternoon reading and basking in the sun.

Hike up to the Bluff Hill Lookout for some marvelous views over the surrounding area.

Hike up to this marvelous summit on any of the paths riddling the mountains, and you'll be rewarding with marvelous views of the area.

A chain of vivid blue waterfalls cascading into Lake Taupo. Hike along the way and explore the lush surrounding nature.

With nice sprawling lawns and a variety of native and exotic flowers, these botanical gardens offer a nice afternoon.

Take a stroll along the boardwalk, with gorgeous views, parks, and children's play areas.

Serving as museum, gallery, and theater, this institute exhibits collections on history, natural history, Maori culture, and more.

Featuring a 50m tunnel that offers a close encounter with a large array of marine wildlife, this aquarium if fun for all ages.

New Zealand's oldest national park boasts active volcanoes, Maori sites, and world-renowned hiking, including Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings!

New Zealand's largest lake rests within a volcanic caldera, offering cultural curios, water activities, lively atmosphere, and more.

Symbolic of the city, the statue represents the mythological figure of an ocean maiden who was loved and betrayed by a Maori youth.

Preserving remnants of an ancient Maori settlement, this reserve features nice walking trails and breathtaking views of the region.

Escape the bustling city streets to this lovely garden, located lower than the road level and thus maintain a serene atmosphere.

Run mostly by enthusiastic volunteers, this fun colorful museum traces the development of technology and its influence on our lives.

An interesting geological formation, this headland is home to two gannet colonies and offers superb views over the nearby area.

When the dam gate open, witness the powerful rapids and see if you can recall the famed scene from "The Hobbit" shot here.

Learn about wetlands and their environmental significance on a visit to this park, with excellent walk-ways and gorgeous view points.

With museums, parks, and art galleries, Hastings true draw is its amazing food scene, with fine wine, farmers markets, and more.

A quiet city offering a selection of Maori landmarks, watersports opportunities, nice museums, and lots of outdoorsy fun.

A family-friendly park surrounding the lake, boasting a Winter Garden, walking trails, an aviary, and a few cultural landmarks.

One of New Zealand's largest rivers offers a variety of hiking in its vicinity, as well as breathtaking canoeing routes.

Wander through streets lined with fine historic buildings, trace the curve of the river bisecting the city, or head to the lake.

Housing items of natural history, this museum also traces local history through ceramics, bone tools, textile, jewelry, and more.

New Zealand's oldest national park boasts active volcanoes, Maori sites, and world-renowned hiking, including Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings!

This massive national park is located on New Zealand's North Island and protects the habitats of brown kiwis, blue ducks, and other indigenous birds.

Home to over 5,500 items, this gallery exhibits 16C-19C art in a variety of media, as well as many contemporary pieces.

New Zealand's only public underground elevator is a significant historic site. It connects Anzac Parade with the suburb of Durie Hill.

An extensive park with an impressive playground, full of slides, colorful swings, and jungle gyms shaped like various animals.

With trails ranging from beginner to expert, skiers of all levels will enjoy a day on the slopes of Whakapapa.

Feed and pet a multitude of native animals and birds in this large reserve, full of lovely natural features and great for all ages.

Nicknamed for the scene from the Lord of the Rings that was filmed here, this scenic pool and waterfall is a must for LOTR fans and nature lovers.

Situated on the Kapiti Coast, this gorgeous coastal park is known for its sand dunes and historic pa sites at Whareroa Beach and Wainui Beach.

Accessible only by hiking or biking, this abandoned concrete bridge over the Mangapurua Stream offers beautiful views of the area.

A botanic garden famed for its impressive selection of orchids, a variety of local and foreign flora, and a few architectural curios.

A hub for water-sports and active leisure, this town is also known for its fabulous local wines and a mellow atmosphere.

A popular museum tracing the history of New Zealand's aviation, featuring diverse exhibits of aircraft and relics from WWI onwards.

A great park with diverse gardens, sports facilities, playgrounds, and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Grab a glass of wine in one of the local cafes, or just walk around exploring streets lined with quaint buildings and shops.

Named for the scenic hills bordering the vineyards, this winery offers tastings and a great selection of local wines.

A must for all wine lovers, explore New Zealand's Wine Region to sample wines from an array of excellent wineries.

Rich in Maori and European history, this island also retains an almost pristine ecosystem full of indigenous animal and bird species.

A lovely small park featuring a historic landmark and a multimedia fountain, great for a stroll or a respite from a day of walking.

Mingle with the locals and sample farm-fresh produce at this wonderful market, open every Sunday from 9:00-12:00.

Learn about local culture and heritage at this fun museum, which boasts an impressive collection of artifacts related to Marlborough.

This spectacular underground complex was created during WWII, and boasts an array of tunnels, bunkers, and storage rooms.

Once done exploring the city, take this path towards the coast for marvelous views over the ocean and glimpses of marine wildlife.

A major transportation hub, Picton offers ferry access to New Zealand's North Island.

Follow along the Ohau stream to this lovely waterfall, and you might see some of the seal pups swimming in the pool.

New Zealand's third-largest city boasts an array of architectural styles, landmarks of cultural significance, and many green areas.

With a variety of alcoves - including rose and herb gardens, as well as a fernery - this botanic garden promises a nice afternoon.

Lined with shops, eccentric cafes, and historic buildings, Christchurch's central streets echo many European cities with its grace.

Christchurch's largest park boasts sprawling lawns and abundant greenery, perfect for strolling, picnicking, or just to read a book.

A wildlife and nature reserve preserving local ecosystem and native fauna, such as kiwi, takahe, tuatara, and others.

An open-range zoo housing over 400 animals, offering close encounters with diverse wildlife, including lions, rhinos, and giraffes.

With the largest ski area in New Zealand's South Island, Mount Hutt is a popular attraction for winter sports enthusiasts.

Set in a Gothic Revival mansion, this museum houses exhibits on Maori culture, history, geology, natural history, art, and more.

Take the cable car to the mountaintop, where panorama of the whole area awaits you. Enjoy the cafe or hike to the nearby lookout.

This museum traces the history of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, exhibiting an array of aircraft, a simulator, weapons, and more.

A memorial consisting of 185 unique chairs, each representing a life that had perished in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Offering a range of walking and hiking trails of all difficulty levels, this forest park also features heritage sites and camping.

Featuring a number of hikes and treks of varying difficulty, this breathtaking park boasts mountains, rivers, lagoons, and more.

Constructed with cardboard, wood, and steel, this church boasts a modern design and a lovely stained-glass window front.

Housed in a fascinating construction of steel and glass, this major museum houses exhibits by local and international artists.

Take a tour of the house to view original 19C decor, explore the grounds, or come on a Saturday for the Christchurch Farmers' Market.

Dedicated to New Zealand's history of earthquakes, this museum presents Maori legends, personal accounts, artifacts, and films.

Named the "Spiritual Center of the Universe" by the Dalai Lama, this gorgeous hill features massive boulders that resemble castle ruins.

Experience authentic New Zealand farming and learn about the history of farmig dating back to French pioneers.

Discover the mysteries of Antarctica, learn about expeditions, take a ride on a Hagglund truck, and see a colony of penguins.

A stately war memorial dedicated to the victims of WWI and WWII, as well as soldiers perished in subsequent armed conflicts.

If you're looking for a thrill, head to the casino and try your luck at its many tables, or visit one of its bars for a drink.

Elaborately designed and extremely colorful, this historic fountain is located within Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Methven attracts visitors every year for skiing and other winter sports at nearby Mt. Hutt and the surrounding Southern Alps.

Settled by French pioneers, this lovely town has a distinctly French feel, and is a busy port for cruise ships.

This tiny mountain village offers the best access to New Zealand's beautiful Fox Glacier, as well as several eateries.

Located within easy distances from a village, this gorgeous glacier stretched for 13km and can be explored with guided groups.

New Zealand's longest glacier boasts a length of 27km, stunning scenery, beautiful lakes, and heli-skiing opportunities.

Take a guided tour to explore the glaciers up close, uniquely situated near the ocean, as well as the park's beaches and mountains.

Situated at the foot of the majestic Mt. Cook, take a stroll around New Zealand's largest Alpine Lake, known for its bright aqua color.

With peaks reaching over 3,000 meters tall, this craggy landscape is made up of ice, rock, mountains, and breathtaking scenery.

Famed for the stunning aquamarine color of its water, this scenic reserve offers walks and hikes, as well as spectacular landscape.

The best starting point for your exploration of the Fiordland National Park, this town is surrounded by marvelous natural features.

Stock up on snacks and water before heading off to explore nearby lakes and mountains, enjoying the fresh air and friendly locals.

A route leading you through lush nature strewn with native trees, featuring a trout-fishing lake for children, and biking trails.

These aviaries are home to many interesting native birds, including the iconic takahe that is highly elusive in nature.

One of New Zealand's favored natural attractions, this fiord is riddled with waterfalls and offers breathtaking scenery year-round.

A resort town offering a plethora of thrilling activities among gorgeous landscape, as well as a fine galleries, eateries, and more.

New Zealand's largest national park features breathtaking fjords, lush valleys and lakes, several gorgeous hiking trails, and more.

One of New Zealand's famed fjords boasts a unique marine ecosystem, picturesque scenery, and many beautiful waterfalls.

Delve into the belly of these limestone caves, trailing through elaborate stone formations to a cavern full of colorful glowworms.

Pack up your gear and head out to an adventure through Fiordland National Park on this wonderful 4-8 day track.

This picturesque lake is the longest and third-largest lake in New Zealand, offering nearby ventures for lovers of active leisure.

Travel from Queenstown to Dunedin, driving along the southern coast and enjoying the best of New Zealand's natural landscape.