The Ultimate 2 Week New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

Are you headed to New Zealand and looking for a day-by-day 2-week road trip itinerary? If so then you’ve come to the right place. From top to bottom, New Zealand is one of the most naturally beautiful countries on earth. 

I lived in New Zealand for two years and drove just about every road in this amazing country. So on this page I’ve developed the ultimate 2 week New Zealand itinerary for you.

Have longer? Check out my perfect 3 week New Zealand itinerary!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent World Nomads, GetYourGuide, or discovercars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

Why Should I Listen to Some American? 

You might be asking yourself this already. Surely it makes more sense to trust a Kiwi with your New Zealand plans over me, right!? But that’s not really the case here. I lived in Wellington – the capital of New Zealand – for two years and in those two years I went just about everywhere there is to go in New Zealand. 

I’d wager that I’ve seen more of New Zealand than 99% of Kiwis, as New Zealanders typically spend their holidays traveling abroad or going somewhere near where they grew up that they absolutely love going to over and over again. I say this confidently.

I hit almost every corner of the country while I lived in New Zealand. From the south tip in Bluff to the north tip at Cape Reinga, I’ve seen just about everything New Zealand has to offer, including many things two, three, four, or even five times! So trust me, you’re getting the best advice possible here.

New Zealand Travel – The Basics

Get There

Unless you’ve got your own yacht you’ll be flying to New Zealand. And unless you’re coming from Australia you will arrive in Auckland (though United announced in 2023 that they will begin a direct flight from the US to Christchurch). Just about everyone starts and ends their journey in Auckland. The only reason why you’d be any different is if you’re coming to or headed to Australia, as you can get flights from Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown from Australia. 

Auckland has some of the longest direct flights in the world, including Doha (17 hours 15 minutes), Dubai (17 hours 25 minutes) and New York (17 hours 30 minutes). Flights from every continent other than Australia to New Zealand are really expensive. So be prepared for some sticker shock when you’re searching for flights. 

This 2 week New Zealand itinerary starts in Queenstown on the South Island, so you will need to figure out how to get there first. You can either book directly to Queenstown with a layover in Auckland, or book an international flight to Auckland and a one way domestic flight to Queenstown on a separate ticket.  

Depending on flight prices, it might also be cheaper to fly through Sydney or Melbourne to Queenstown. Though take any price differences with a grain of salt though, as New Zealand and Australia are not close. If you’re flying from Los Angeles to Queenstown, going through Sydney will add another 6 hours of flying time to your journey. 

If you’re coming from Asia, Africa, or Europe though, flying through Australia makes sense if the price is right.

Lay of the Land

New Zealand is composed of two main islands, creatively called the North Island and the South Island, as well as some smaller islands scattered around. The vast majority of the population lives on the North Island, mainly in Auckland. 

The North Island has volcanoes, geothermal pools, beautiful beaches and coastlines dotted with vineyards. The South Island is rugged, barren, full of sharp mountains and endless herds of sheep. Both islands are awesome, but you’ll be spending most of your time on this 2 week New Zealand itinerary on the more desolate South Island.

How to get around New Zealand

This road trip will involve you renting a car. It is possible to hit all the spots without your own transportation, relying on flights, trains, and organized tours. But my god, that would be a difficult trip to plan and organize. It’s not worth it! 

So this itinerary is prepared as if you have your own car. You can book your car rental from the Queenstown airport here. 

It’s also possible to do this trip in a campervan, which would save you a ton of money on accommodation. Campervans are common in New Zealand. Just note that unlike Australia, freedom camping (i.e. parking wherever the hell you want and spending the night) is not legal in New Zealand. You will have to book campsites just like if you were tent camping.

Money

Be prepared to spend a significant amount of money on this trip. Things are expensive in New Zealand and you’re just going to have to adjust to it. A burger at a mediocre restaurant will run you at least $25. A nice local beer? Hope you’ve prepared to drop at least $13 on it. 

Luckily for most other Westerners the exchange rate is pretty good these days so those prices will be severely reduced in US dollars or euros. Also remember that there is no tipping in New Zealand and tax is included in all prices. 

Still, between the flight, the rental car, hotels/campsites, eating out, and booking some excursions you are going to spend thousands of dollars per person on this trip. It will be worth it though!

Best Time of Year to Visit New Zealand

The best time of year to visit New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere summer (December to February). But this is also the most expensive and crowded time. 

Coming in the winter also offers its benefits. You can see the mountains all encapsulated in snow and avoid large crowds of people. But most mountain hikes are inaccessible in winter. You also have to deal with short days and long nights in winter too. 

Spring and fall offer comfortable weather and less crowds. Visiting in early fall means the mountains haven’t been covered in snow yet, so it’s the best of both worlds. 

If you’re coming all the way to New Zealand you don’t want to be limited by short days and snowfall. So my advice is to visit in the late spring, summer, or early fall and just deal with the crowds.  

Isolation

Most people don’t realize just how far New Zealand is from the rest of the world. Many people think Australia is close to New Zealand. Only if you consider a 4 hour flight across the Tasman Seas a “close.” 

For Americans, a visit to New Zealand means an 11-12 hour flight across the Pacific from the west coast or a 17 hour flight from the east coast. For Europeans, make that two 11-12 hour flights. For Asians, at least 10 hours unless you live in Papua New Guinea. If you thought New Zealand was close to Asia, well I’m afraid you were gravely mistaken! 

But if you are willing to make the journey you will be rewarded with an epic holiday that you will tell your friends about for years to come.

Travel insurance

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance when road tripping around New Zealand so that you’re protected in case of unexpected circumstances or illness. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. Word Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.

The Ultimate 2 Week New Zealand Itinerary 

The standard trip length for visitors to New Zealand is usually two weeks. Two weeks gives you time to see some highlights of both islands, but you’ll be going at a pretty fast pace. The itinerary is summarized in the table of contents below. You can click on a day of the itinerary to skip to that day. 

The Google Maps below shows you the exact route you’ll take on this awesome 2 week New Zealand itinerary. It’s a lot of driving, but my god will it be awesome!

Day 1: Queenstown

Wherever you’ve come from, it’s been a long journey to get to New Zealand. But you don’t have a whole lot of time to get over that jetlag. It’s time to get to it! 

Queenstown is in the southwest corner of the South Island and is nestled between high mountains and beautifully calm lakes. It’s the adventure capital of the world. Bungee jumping was invented down here. Want to ride 100mph in a speedboat through a twisting Gorge? Queenstown is the place to be.

Depending on where you’ve come from you’ll probably get there late morning to early afternoon. Walk around the town (it’s small) or if you’re up for it take a hike to the top of Queenstown Hill for a great view of the town and The Remarkables, the mountain range to the south.

For dinner head downtown where there are a ton of restaurants for you to choose from. I don’t have any specific recommendations, as none of them really stand out. All I will say is I never got what all the fuss is about with Fergburger.

People come from all over and wait in line for hours to get a burger here. I did it once and was sufficiently disappointed. My personal recommendation is to not waste your time, but plenty of other people will tell you differently.

Day 2: Milford Sound

Today you’re traveling to Milford Sound, one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. It’s a 3 hour drive from Queenstown so it will be a long day. Fight that jet lag and make it happen.

For a detailed look at Milford Sound, refer to my full article on the fjord here. Book your fjord cruise in advance and allow an entire day for this journey. By the time you get back you’ll be exhausted and ready to hit the hay. Should you have some more energy, take the Skyline gondola up to the observation deck for another great view of the area. 

Alternatively, if you want to avoid an additional 6-hour drive, there are tons of organized tours that will take you from Queenstown to Milford Sound and back. The benefit of these is that everything is booked for you and you don’t have to drive. The downside is that you get to Milford Sound at the most crowded time of the day.

There are a few tours on GetYourGuide offering essentially the exact same thing. One such tour you can read more about here.

Day 3: Mount Cook National Park

Get an early start and leave Queenstown on your way to Mount Cook National Park. It’s about 3 hours on the road, not accounting for stops for photo stops, and you’ll want to get to the park by noon so you have time to explore. On the way there are some great views along the shores of Lake Pukaki. 

There are various hikes you can do around the park, with the main one being the Hooker Valley track. This is a good place to start. It’s mostly flat and at the end you are right in front of Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand. Spend the rest of the day exploring the park. There are ample lodging opportunities in the park for all budgets. Be sure to book in advance, especially in peak season.

Day 4: Mount Cook and Kaikoura

Take some additional time to enjoy Mount Cook National Park this morning. The weather here is hit or miss, and a two-week itinerary gives you an opportunity to spend a full 24 hours in the park, where you’re likely to get at least some clear skies. Make sure to check out Tasman Lake and Tasman Glacier and aim to get on the road by noon at the latest. 

It’s about 6 hours to Kaikoura, a funky peninsula that juts out of the east coast. Once you pass Oaro the drive along the coast on Highway 1 is simply stunning. Kaikoura is the whale-watching capital of New Zealand. It’s small and there are not many places to stay so be sure to have something booked already.

Before dark make sure to drive to the end of the peninsula and see the Kaikoura seal colony, a large colony of seals that have found a home here. 

Day 5: Kaikoura and Blenheim 

Your whale watching trip will start in the morning and run about three hours. The main tour agency is Whale Watch Kaikoura and they are so confident you’ll see a whale that they offer an 80% refund if you don’t. It’s also possible to do a short whale watching flight if you want quicker satisfaction.

There are also other marine adventures such as swimming with seals or dolphins if you’d rather do that. If none of that sounds great then just get on the road and head to Blenheim/Renwick for extra time tasting sauvignon blanc in one of the world’s most famous wine regions.

Assuming you’ve done one of the morning adventures in Kaikoura you will arrive in the Marlborough wine region in mid to late afternoon. Most wineries close at 5:00 so you’ll only really have time to hit one of them before the day is over. But don’t worry, you’ve got a full day of wine tasting tomorrow.

Blenheim is a jovial little town and due to its proximity in the heart of the Marlborough wine region, there are tons of lodging and dining opportunities. If you’d prefer an even smaller town, Renwick is tiny and closer to more wineries.

Day 6: Marlborough Wine Region 

Today you are waking up in the world famous Marlborough wine region. When you hear about New Zealand wines, they come from here. Of course there are numerous wine regions in New Zealand, but the only one that produces wine for international consumption is Marlborough. 

This area is famous for its sauvignon blanc. You’ve probably seen Matua and Oyster Bay at your local supermarket. While these mass produced wines are everywhere in this region, you can also find small local wineries without the international clout. 

Most wineries are open for tastings from 10-5. There is a fee for tasting at most of the wineries, usually $5-$10, but if you buy a bottle that fee will be deducted from the cost of the bottle.  

If you’re up for a bike ride through the vineyards, rent a bike and hit the road. While a full list of the best vineyards in the region is beyond the scope of this post, one of my personal favorites is Brancott Estate. There is no shortage of beautiful vineyards in this region, though, so no matter which ones you choose to visit you will not be disappointed.

Day 7: Nelson and Marlborough Sounds

Switch it up a bit today and head on a nice peaceful drive past Marlborough Sounds to Nelson. The Nelson region is known for its hops, as in hops that are needed to make beer. The best hops in the world grow in Nelson and I do not say that lightly. All the best IPAs you will ever taste are made with Nelson Hops and New Zealand makes some of the absolute best beer in the world. 

I don’t know what it is about this region but the hoppy beer that comes from these hops is second to none. Don’t leave Nelson with some beer tasting at one or two of the local breweries. Kombucha Brothers is the best local microbrewery, so try to make it there if you have time. 

From Nelson it’s another three hours south to Charleston, where you will spend the night.

Day 8: Glowworm Cave Tubing

Today you will get a unique New Zealand experience: tubing through a glowworm cave. The main tubing outfitter here is Cave Rafting. I don’t have any personal experience with them as the outfitter I used back in the day has gone out of business, but they have great reviews.

They will take you tubing down a river and through a glowworm cave (spoiler alert, they’re not actually worms, just larvae, but they do glow in the dark). There are many locations throughout the country to see glowworm caves, but only this area will let you float on a tube through it (though you can take a boat through the glowworm caves on the North Island).

These tours usually take about 4 hours and could run you up to $200 NZD. But it’s totally worth it.

After your glowworm cave tubing experience you’ll head south to Franz Josef Glacier, a drive of about 3.5 hours. There are two massive glaciers down here, Franz Josef and Fox.

The road to Fox Glacier was destroyed by a landslide a few years ago and there are no immediate plans to rebuild it. So getting up close and personal with Fox Glacier is tougher these days. There is still a road to Franz Josef so spend the night in the small village just outside the glacier also called Franz Josef.

Day 9: Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Today’s highlight will be viewing Franz Josef Glacier up close and Fox glacier at a distance. The unique thing about these glaciers is that they are in the middle of a rainforest. Not where you typically find glaciers! 

These glaciers have carved their way through this temperate rainforest for millenia. A few years ago you used to be able to book a tour that took you on a hike onto Fox Glacier. You could walk on it, and I have. But to conserve the glaciers, people are no longer allowed to walk on them unless you book a helicopter tour. 

The helicopter tour will set you down high up on the glacier, where the ice is not quite as fragile, and let you walk around. Some helicopter tour options with GetYourGuide are shown below. Be sure to book in advance! 

If you’re not willing to drop $350 for the helicopter tour, the closest you can get is the viewpoint on the trail. Set out in the morning to see Franz Josef glacier and drive to the end of the road. There is ample parking in the lot. 

The trail to the foot of the glacier is easy and will take maybe 45 minutes or so. After you’re satisfied with Franz Josef, you can head to Fox Glacier, just be prepared to not get a great view due to the road closure. 

When you’ve had your fill of glaciers it’s time to head to Queenstown, New Zealand’s recreational playground. Arrive in Queenstown in the evening or night and check in to your accommodation.

Day 10: Queenstown to Coromandel

Book a flight back to Auckland from Queenstown as early in the morning as you can. Since you have a few days left you’re going to catch a few things on the North Island before heading home! 

Assuming you’ve taken the first flight out of Queenstown, you’ll arrive in Auckland a bit before noon. From the airport you’ll rent a car and head east towards the Coromandel Peninsula, one of my favorite regions in all of New Zealand.

You won’t have time to see everything in one day, so book a holiday home in Tairua for two nights. Arriving there the first day, just enjoy the views. Take a short walk to the top of Mount Paku or head down to Tairua beach.

While the South Island does not have too many amazing beaches, the North Island is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all over the place, especially in the northern part of the island. This is a very residential area but there are a few dining options in town so you won’t go hungry. 

Day 11: Cathedral Cove and Tairua

Today you will take a day trip to Cathedral Cove, one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand (and one of the only free things to do in this itinerary). With sharp cliffs and rocks sticking out of the shoreline, it’s a pretty popular place for locals and visitors alike.

To get to Cathedral Cove, leave Tairua early and park in the Cathedral Cove parking lot. In the summer you might have to wait for someone to leave to get a spot. From there it’s about a 45 minute walk along the coast to the beach. The beach here is gorgeous, but beware the water is damn cold! Pack lunch and enjoy the day at Cathedral Cove. 

If you’re up for swimming in some geothermal hot springs head a bit north of Cathedral Cove into the town of Whitianga, where you’ll find The Lost Spring. Here you can relax in some natural hot pools. Though the pools themselves are manmade and well manicured, the water comes from the geothermal hot springs in the area.

If you’d prefer a more natural option, check out Hot Water Beach on your way back to Tairua. Whatever else you might choose to do in this region will be spectacular as well. 

Day 12: Tauranga and Rotorua

Today you will head to Rotorua, New Zealand’s vast region of geothermal activity. But first, stop by Tauranga and Mount Maunganui to check out New Zealand’s 5th most populated metro area. 

From the beach town of Mount Maunganui you can take a short hike to the top of the actual Mount Maunganui to get a great view of the coast and the city of Tauranga. Have lunch in Mount Maunganui or Tauranga and then get back on the road towards Rotorua. 

Rotorua is the southern hemisphere’s answer to Yellowstone and Iceland. There are geysers, hot springs, mud volcanoes, and green lakes scattered all around. Unlike Yellowstone though, most of these are privately owned and charge individual admission fees.

There are some geothermal features you will randomly find around the actual city of Rotorua though, such as the Kuirau Park Mud Pools, but they’re not that great. Save the big geothermal adventure for tomorrow and if you’re up for it, book an evening dinner and Maori cultural experience at Takaki Maori Village. 

Day 13: Rotorua   

Today you will explore the geothermal paradise of Wai-O-Tapu, about 30 km south of Rotorua. Some of the geological formations here are bonkers. Neon green lakes and boiling pots of mud are a common sight. Plan about a half day here as there is a lot to see.

If you haven’t had your fill of boiling lakes and geysers yet, head on over to Waimangu Volcanic Valley to see some stunning turquoise blue lakes. Just don’t jump in them because you know, they’re still boiling. 

If you’re a fan of The Hobbit, today is your day. The Hobbiton Movie Set is about 90 minutes from Wai-O-Tapu on the way back to Auckland. You have to book an organized tour so book in advance. It takes about two hours so you will still have time to drive back to Auckland for a nice dinner along the water in the City of Sails. 

Day 14: Auckland and Waiheke Island

Your last day in New Zealand. You’ll be in Auckland all day so it’s sort of a choose your own adventure type day. There are a number of things to do in Auckland, but if you’re not sick of spending money yet, take the ferry over to Waiheke Island. 

The ferry to Waiheke is quite expensive for a 45 minute hop over to the island with a car, but this island is magical. It’s a playground for Auckland’s rich and famous, but also raw and local. Drive around and enjoy the beaches and boutique wineries.

You can see downtown Auckland from the island, but you’ll think you’re a world away. When you’ve sufficiently explored Waiheke, head back to Auckland and have a nice last meal in New Zealand. You’ve earned it! I recommend getting some Chinese food at Canton Cafe, though it’s not exactly downtown. Try the barbecue pork. It’s to die for.

2 Week New Zealand Itinerary: The End

What an epic two weeks you’ve just had in New Zealand! Even though you just scratched the surface of all the amazing things to see and do in New Zealand, you’ve got to see a whole lot. Head back home and give the credit card a rest!