North & South Island New Zealand Holiday Itinerary
Recommended a minimum of 21 days to complete this North & South Island New Zealand itinerary
This itinerary incorporates both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The arrival point of this itinerary is Auckland where you can pick up your rental vehicle. The route takes in the Bay of Plenty on the East Coast of the North Island, then continues on to Taupo, home to NZ's largest lake. Travel south down the centre of the island to the Rangitikei area, then on to onto the capital city of Wellington. From here you can either fly over the Cook Strait, or take the 3 hour journey on the Interislander Ferry through the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island port of Picton. Most rental car companies allow you to drop your rental vehicle off in Wellington and collect another in Picton.
Now in the South Island, travel down the scenic East Coast via Kaikoura, famous for whale watching to the alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Return back to the East Coast to the Canterbury region, then onto the coastal city of Timaru. From here head inland to Aoraki Mt Cook, NZ's highest peak and into MacKenzie Country. Next stop is Lake Wanaka & Lake Hawea region, then onto your final destination the Southern Lakes District and Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.
Queenstown Airport has flights to most of New Zealand and Australia's major cities, and rental car options are also available.
Use the itinerary below by simply selecting the tourism operators you are interested in. Once submitted, this system will email all of your chosen operators and they will reply to you directly with a no obligation free quote and availability. You can also use this itinerary service to make direct bookings for accommodation, rental vehicles and activities.
- STOPS
- 1. Auckland
- 2. Bay of Plenty
- 3. Lake Taupo
- 4. Rangitikei
- 5. Wellington Region
- 6. Kaikoura
- 7. Hanmer Springs
- 8. Christchurch / Canterbury / Akaroa
- 9. Timaru
- 10. Mt Cook / Mackenzie Country
- 11. Wanaka / Lake Hawea
- 12. Queenstown