60 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Auckland: Muriwai Gannet Colony (in Muriwai Beach) and Orewa Lookout (in Orewa). Dedicate the 4th (Sat) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: enjoy breathtaking views from Sky Tower, get impressive views of Rangitoto Island, meet the residents at Auckland Zoo, and brush up on your military savvy at Auckland Museum.

For other places to visit, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read our Auckland day trip planner.

Amritsar, India to Auckland is an approximately 23-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 6.5 hours. Traveling from Amritsar in March, expect nights in Auckland to be somewhat warmer, around 22°C, while days are little chillier, around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) to allow time to fly 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Paihia: Whangarei (Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve & Bream Head Coast Walks) and Mount Parihaka War Memorial (in Whangarei Heads). Spend a day of island exploring on the 6th (Mon) at Urupukapuka Island. Spend the 8th (Wed) observing fascinating marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour. Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, admire the striking features of The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, and look for gifts at The Cabbage Tree Shop.

You can plan Paihia trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

Traveling by flight from Auckland to Paihia takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Hamilton.

On the banks of the Waikato River lies Hamilton, a pretty, active city on North Island.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Sun): walk around Victoria on the River, then take in nature's colorful creations at Hamilton Gardens, then examine the collection at Waikato Museum, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Brewaucracy.

Planning Hamilton trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

You can fly from Paihia to Hamilton in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and flight; or drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to go by car 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.

Change things up with a short trip to Mangakara Nature Walk in Pirongia (about 46 minutes away). The adventure continues: explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, and get outside with Waitomo Clay Birds.

To find reviews, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, read our Waitomo Caves online vacation planner.

You can drive from Hamilton to Waitomo Caves in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) to allow time to drive 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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Mount Maunganui (Mount Maunganui Summit Track & Mount Maunganui Base Track), Hobbiton Movie Set (in Hinuera) and the Zeus Gallery (in Tauranga). And it doesn't end there: take in the natural beauty of Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, identify plant and animal life at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and admire the masterpieces at Rotorua Museum.

To find maps, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Rotorua travel route planner.

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. March in Rotorua sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can go by car to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Taupo is known for nature, theme parks, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic scenery at Huka Falls Walkway, race across the water with a speed boat tour, don't miss a visit to Maori Rock Carvings, and push the limits with an extreme tour.

For traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Taupo trip planner.

Getting from Rotorua to Taupo by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Mon) so you can take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

On the 28th (Tue), hike the day away at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On the 29th (Wed), hike the day away at Horsemtrails. And it doesn't end there: hike along Tongariro Northern Circuit, admire the sheer force of Taranaki Falls, go for a walk through Mead's Wall, and contemplate the waterfront views at Tama Lakes.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Tongariro National Park tour planner.

Take a shuttle from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Go for a jaunt from Wellington to Paraparaumu to see Southward Car Museum about 48 minutes away. The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, take some stellar pictures from Mount Victoria, take an in-depth tour of Wellington Museum, and catch a ride on Wellington Cable Car.

To see where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Wellington trip itinerary planning website.

Fly from Tongariro National Park to Wellington in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In April, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Christchurch: Akaroa (The Giants House, Dolphin & Whale Watching, &more). There's lots more to do: admire the natural beauty at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, see the interesting displays at Quake City, catch a ride on TranzAlpine Train, and meet the residents at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Christchurch sightseeing planning site.

Fly from Wellington to Christchurch in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Expect little chillier evenings in Christchurch when traveling from Wellington in April, with lows around 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can fly to Franz Josef.

Located in the World Heritage Site that is home to its eponymous glacier, the town of Franz Josef provides a comfortable and welcoming rest spot for adventurers after a long day out on the ice.

Change things up with these side-trips from Franz Josef: Fox Glacier (Minnehaha Walk, Gillespies Beach, &more) and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Kea Point Track, Glencoe Walk, &more). The adventure continues: explore the striking landscape at Franz Josef Glacier, trek along Fox Glacier Hiking Trails, tour the pleasant surroundings at Moraine Walk, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Franz Josef trip itinerary tool.

You can fly from Christchurch to Franz Josef in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can go by car to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

On the 20th (Thu), dedicate a day to the elevated beauty of Coronet Peak Ski Resort. The adventure continues: get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, explore the activities along Lake Wakatipu, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and tee off at Queenstown Golf Club.

To find other places to visit, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Queenstown holiday builder site.

Traveling by car from Franz Josef to Queenstown takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Te Anau: Milford Sound (Bowen Falls & Milford sound Hwy). Spend the 22nd (Sat) exploring at Doubtful Sound. On the 24th (Mon), hike the day away at Kepler Track. Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the waterfront views at Milford Sound, look for all kinds of wild species at Ivan Wilson Park, hike along The Chasm Walk, and Head underground at Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Te Anau travel planner.

Traveling by bus from Queenstown to Te Anau takes 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.