If you’ve only got a month in New Zealand, planning ahead is crucial to making sure you hit up all the best places. New Zealand is split into the North Island and the South Island, each with more than a few spots you just cannot leave without seeing.
So here are New Zealand’s greatest hits, the must dos, and the ideal itineraries to help you make the most out of what’s going to be a super exciting month in New Zealand. (If you’ve got longer, don’t worry, there are plenty more ideas where these came from).
North Island
Auckland
Stay: 3-4 nights
Your adventure will probably begin in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, at the top of North Island. Take some time here to get over that initial jetlag. We recommend a hotel like Hotel DeBrett (*****) or Braemar on Parliament Street (***).
Check out Hotel DeBrettCheck out Braemar
When you have the energy, spend your days wandering the harbour and through the city’s pretty parks, before trying out top Kiwi meals at Greenwood’s Fresh Catch, The Lumsden Freehouse and Little Easy.
Waitomo
Stay: 2 nights
Next, it’s time to get stuck into the real New Zealand adventure and travel just two and a half hours from Auckland to the west coast’s Waitomo. It’s a pretty town with lots of lush green hills, but there’s really only one reason people visit Waitomo, and that’s to venture inside the labyrinth of underground tunnels and caves that lies beneath the hills. Lit by the light of glow-worms, you can raft, tube and canyon your way through these mystical caverns.
Two nights in Waitomo ensures a full day at the caves. Stay at the Otorohanga & Waitomo Motels and make the most of the pool in the beautiful surroundings.
Matamata
Stay: 2 nights
From one phenomenon to another, Matamata is a short drive from Waitomo and another important pit stop on the way to Rotorua.
This rural spot, just below the Kaimai Range Mountains, may look quiet, but really it’s harbouring hobbits. It’s here that you can tour the famous Lord of the Rings movie set, get your fill of movie magic, and find out everything concerning hobbits.
You can stay at the Lake Karapiro Lodge – it’s one of the closer hotels (****) already to the set (30 mins) or Tower Road Motel (***).
Check out Lake Karapiro LodgeCheck out Tower Road Motel
Rotorua
Stay: 3 nights
So far it’s been about quick stop-offs at New Zealand attractions, but when you reach Rotorua you can kick back and stay for a few days. This city is known for its lakeside location and the geothermal waters that give way to mud pools and geysers.
Pohutu (‘big splash’) geyser is one of the biggest attractions, shooting fountains of bubbling water up to 30 metres high. Other things to do in the area include getting your fill of Maori culture in Mitai Maori village, completing an authentic Maori canoe ride across Lake Rotorua and exploring the native bush. This adventure playground full of natural beauty and culture will keep you entertained for days.
You’ll find plenty to do here. Find Rotorua hotels here on hotels.com
Wellington
Stay: 3 nights
If it’s culture you’re after, New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, should be your next stop. Located on the southern tip of North Island, it’ll take about 5 hours to reach from Rotorua, but once you’re there you can hit the beaches of Princess Bay and Scorching Bay for some relaxation time.
For a capital city it’s surprisingly compact, and the red Victorian buildings, old-fashioned museums – like the City Gallery and Nairn Street Cottage – and cute cable car give it an enchanted feel. Wellington is well into its craft beer scene – just stop by Fork & Brewer or the Little Beer Quarter to try out some local brews. There are plenty of kooky coffee shops to explore here, including the Flight Coffee Hangar and Caffe Astoria.
Stay three nights for a good look around – Mövenpick Hotel Wellington is a lush (*****). ibis Wellington is an excellent choice for a 3 star.
Mövenpick Hotel Wellingtonibis Wellington
South Island
Lake Matheson New Zealand
Stay: 3 nights
From swimsuits to scarves, it’s time to make the trip to South Island and visit the Franz Josef glacier. With its small buildings and dusty mountain backdrop, Franz Josef itself is totally Insta-worthy, but it’s the impressive glacier, a World Heritage Site, that really puts this town on the map.
You can ice-climb, hike or helicopter your way around the Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the Franz Josef Glacier itself, depending on your budget and energy levels. It’s a spectacular experience, however you tackle it.
We’d recommend staying 3 nights, just so you can take as many photos as possible.
Stay Closer
Queenstown
Stay: 4 nights
Once you’ve crossed glacier climbing off your list, head further south to Queenstown where you can continue your icy love affair by skiing in the Southern Alps. The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona are among the most popular resorts.
If you just want to stay warm then look outside the city to Milford Sound, the Routeburn Track and Lake Wanaka. These three spots are some of the most beautiful and are ideal for hiking, fishing and skydiving.
In fact, Queenstown is well known as the home of extreme sports. Try the world famous Nevis Bungy Jump, the Nevis swing (biggest in the world!), or something a little tamer like zip lining or Zorbing.
So much to do in Queenstown! Stay four nights, and consider staying at The Rees Hotel for the ultimate luxury (*****). Or Sudima Queenstown Five Mile is an excellent choice as well (****).
The Rees HotelSudima Queenstown
Lake Tekapo
Stay: 3-4 nights
By this point New Zealand will have won you over with its natural beauty, but Lake Tekapo will definitely take it one step further. Around three hours north of Queenstown, this small lakeside town boasts some of the world’s most beautiful sky.
In fact, it’s so precious that it’s a part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve. Just head to the Mount John Observatory at nightfall to check out the starriest sky you’ve ever seen.
Make the most of the sky gazing possibilities and stay at Grand Suites Lake Tekapo (*****). It’s the perfect location to see the stars. Lakes Edge Holiday Park (**) is a very good budget option as well.
Grand Suites Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Christchurch
Stay: 3-4 nights
End your whirlwind New Zealand adventure on the South Island’s east coast in the city of Christchurch. As one of the spots that got hit the hardest by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, they’ve had to use as much creativity as possible to get the city back on its feet so expect to see and storage containers as buildings, in the most creative of ways.
Other impressive things to catch include the city’s gondola, the Botanic Gardens and Orana Wildlife Park. Even just a walk around this city though will have you revelling in its urban style with art, architecture and mini gardens giving you plenty to photograph.
Stay somewhere a bit different in Christchurch and check out The Muse Christchurch, Art Hotel (***). Sudima Christchurch City will be your top luxury option (*****). Stay at least three nights to get a good look around the city.
The MuseSudima</a
And after all of that you’ve still got three or four days to play with, in case you love a place so much you want to stay longer (or in case something goes wrong). Have fun!
Co-Founder of the OFT Blog. Mother of 2 who disguises as a 9 to 5 finance professional on most days. She loves to travel, is an amateur website builder and cook. And given her day job, she loves travel planning and saving money. Follow along!
