A Pretty Perfect 14 Day Itinerary for New Zealand

For years, New Zealand has been at the very top of my bucket list.

I almost went a few times (a cancelled flight deal in 2018 and changed honeymoon plans in 2021), but finally was able to make it to New Zealand in 2023.

And New Zealand absolutely lived up to the hype! Everything you hear about this country – natural paradise, incredible culture, kind people, great food, epic landscapes – it’s all true!

My husband, Colin, and I luckily got to enjoy three weeks across Aotearoa (the Māori word for New Zealand). But I know not everyone has that much time.

That’s why I’ve put together this 14 day itinerary for New Zealand, covering both islands, the big highlights and a few hidden gems.

Two weeks is a great amount of time to explore New Zealand. But, in my opinion having been there and with decades of trip planning under my belt, two weeks in New Zealand is not enough time to see the entire country.

So many people try to rush from the top to the bottom of New Zealand, changing cities every night and spending long hours in the car.

And while I know some people like to travel faster than others, I still think that style of travel means skipping the best parts of Aotearoa.

The best parts of New Zealand are the small towns, the stops on the side of the road, the natural wonders, the random hikes and viewpoints you stumble upon.

While it’s a great place for a road trip, no one wants to spend the better part of their New Zealand itinerary behind the wheel.

Instead, my two week itinerary is going to allow you to slow down (but just a bit!). You’ll still have a chance to road trip New Zealand and explore both islands.

But rather than rushing to drive the length of the country (1000 miles/1600km), you’ll get to enjoy smaller sections on mini road trips, with a quick flight between islands.

In my opinion, this is the perfect way to explore New Zealand on your first visit. Then, once you’re in love with the country (and you will be!), you’ll have lots of it left to discover on your next trip.

Below I’m sharing my full 14 day itinerary for New Zealand, including where to stay, how to get around and what not to miss. If you have more or less time, I’ve also included separate itineraries for 10 days or 3+ weeks.

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My top 5 highlights from 2 weeks in New Zealand itinerary

Here are my top five highlights from my time in New Zealand.

1. Touring the set of Hobbiton and feeling like I was in an actual magical land
2. Sailing on Lake Taupo to see the impressive Māori rock carvings
3. Floating through a cave in the pitch black and seeing nothing but glow worms all around me
4. Cruising on the incredible Milford and Doubtful Sounds
5. Hiking the Hooker Valley Track with Aoraki Mt Cook looming in the distance

Like the sound of these? Good, because they’re all included on my two week New Zealand itinerary below!

How to get around New Zealand

There are a few different ways to get around New Zealand and follow this itinerary. Your choices include:

Option 1: Car

This was the option my husband and I chose for our three weeks in New Zealand and I would recommend it. Renting your own car gives you the flexibility to move around on your own schedule and to go to places not included on every bus or tour itinerary.

Renting a car is also more affordable than renting a campervan, though of course you have to pay for accommodation. But if you’re like us and would prefer a full-size hotel room and shower each night, renting a car is a good way to go!

We rented our car through DiscoverCars, and it ended up saving us tons of money compared to other rental platforms. Reserving, picking up and dropping off was smooth, insurance was included, and the rate was very affordable!

Book your rental car in New Zealand with DiscoverCars!

Option 2: Campervan

Renting a campervan for your 14 day itinerary in New Zealand would be another great way to get around and see the country.

Like a rental car, a campervan gives you flexibility. In fact, you may have even more flexibility as your accommodation is with you!

The big con of renting a campervan is the added expense; the daily rental cost and fuel costs will be more than a regular car. In some cases, these costs can even be more than a car plus hotel, as campervans can get very expensive during busy tourist season!

You’d also have to be happy sleeping in a smaller space and either using a tiny in-van bathroom or finding public bathrooms to use.

And as flexible as it may be to just drive and pull over whenever you want, some research needs to go into where you are and are not allowed to park. You may need to pay for your overnight spots too, which can add up.

But many people do decide to campervan across New Zealand. I actually think I’d like to give it a try on our next trip as it looks like a fun way to travel.

Option 3: Tours

If you don’t want to drive, the best way to get to the main tourist sites will be on tours. You can take day tours from major cities or multi-day tours to get further afield.

The pros to taking day tours is you don’t have to worry about anything. All of the planning and driving are done for you; you just have to show up! This can be very convenient.

The cons include a lack of flexibility; you are stuck going where the tour says, when the tour says. You’ll also always be travelling with a bus load of new friends (unless you opt for an expensive private tour), which means you’re bringing the crowds with you.

And, of course, tours can get pricy. If you’re going on a day tour every single day, you’ll end up spending more than if you just rented a car and drove to places yourself. But for some, the added cost is worth it.

Option 4: Buses

Buses are definitely the most budget-friendly way to get around New Zealand. Unfortunately, Intercity, the public bus company that connects cities around the country, is very limited.

You won’t be able to get everywhere by bus, so may have to cut some less popular places off your itinerary. You will also be dependent on the bus schedule, meaning long and infrequent journeys.

Of course, if you’re really on a budget and don’t mind making some sacrifices to your itinerary, buses are a great way to go.

But if you’d like to see more and not waste too much time waiting on buses, I’d recommend splurging on a rental car for some of the time.

Option 5: Flying

While you can fly around New Zealand, unless you only want to stay in cities, you’ll have to combine flying with another transportation option.

In my itinerary below, I combine flying with renting a car, which is what we did on our trip.

This way, you get to cover a ton of ground flying from the North Island to the South Island instead of driving the whole way and taking the ferry.

Your 14 day itinerary for New Zealand

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand! Most likely, your international flight will land in Auckland Airport, making Auckland a great place to spend your first day.

There’s lots to do in Auckland no matter your interest, from parks and museums to shopping, sports and live events.

Colin and I spent our full day in Auckland checking out movie magic at Weta Cave (the same studio that made Lord of the Rings!), walking around Viaduct Harbour and learning all about New Zealand at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

I’m not usually a big museum person, nor am I a huge Lord of the Rings or special effects fan, but I loved both of these activities and would highly recommend them!

Auckland has a great dining scene that you shouldn’t miss with cuisines from all over the world. It’s also home to 53 volcanic centres, so you’ll wan to visit one or two of those before you leave!

Want to spend an extra day in Auckland? Take the ferry over to Waiheke Island for a day of beaches, art and wineries! Check out this Waiheke Island winery tour from Auckland.

Where to stay in Auckland

We stayed at Parkside Hotel & Apartments Auckland for just $148 NZD ($88 USD) per night and I’d highly recommend it.

It was within walking distance of the main sights at Sky Tower and Viaduct Harbour, plus our room was really spacious, modern and clean with a mini kitchen and laundry en suite.

Other options include Ohtel Auckland, which looks like a very cool place to stay, or Park Hyatt Auckland, if you want to splurge and have a view over the harbour.

Day 2: Wander around Hobbiton

On day two in New Zealand, it’s time to hit the road!

While I’d usually recommend another day or two in Auckland to get over jet lag and enjoy more of the city, there’s a lot of New Zealand to see and only two weeks to see it, so we’ve got to get moving.

For this portion of your itinerary, you can pick up your rental car or join a guided tour because today we’re headed to the magical land of Hobbiton!

The Hobbiton film set, made famous by the Lord of the Rings movies, is a real place in Matamata, about two hours from Auckland. As the land is private, it’s only possible to visit on a tour.

You can choose to go on a regular set tour of Hobbiton (which is what we did) or opt for one of their upgraded tickets, which includes a meal and your set tour.

Despite not being a huge Lord of the Rings fan, I was completely mesmerized by our trip to Hobbiton.

It really did feel like we entered a magical land. I was blown away by the attention to detail and how much work went into bringing the Shire to life.

After your set tour, you can either head back to Auckland with your tour bus (2 hrs) or continue driving your rental car onto Rotorua (1.5 hrs).

Get into Rotorua, enjoy dinner and call it a day!

Where to stay in Rotorua

We stayed at an Airbnb in Rotorua which was nice for a cozy, short stay. If you prefer to go the hotel route, I’d recommend Karanda B&B for their stunning views and kind hosts or Pullman Rotorua if you want to be right in the centre of town.

Day 3: Soak in Rotorua

Welcome to Rotorua! You probably smelled this place before you saw it when you were driving in. As the geothermal capital of New Zealand, Rotorua certainly has that sulphur smell.

But you’ll be busy with all the things to do in Rotorua today that you’ll barely have time to notice the smell! Start your day right with breakfast at the Ciabatta Cafe – I highly recommend the passionfruit cronut.

After breakfast, visit the massive Redwood tree forest, Whakarewarewa. You can go on a walk along the forest floor for free or pay to do the Treewalk high in the branches.

For lunch, head to Eat Streat, a partially covered street in downtown Rotorua teeming with the city’s best eateries. Colin and I grabbed lunch at Atticus Finch and I highly recommend it. Save room for their pavlova!

After lunch, it’s time to spend the rest of your day soaking away your stress at the Polynesian Spa. Colin and I enjoyed trying out the different geothermal pools and cold plunge with their Deluxe Lake package.

Book your visit to the Polynesian Spa here!

For dinner, I highly recommend getting tickets to Mitai Māori Village where you can enjoy a hangi feast, cultural performance, tour of a traditional village and Q&A session with local Māori hosts.

Māori culture is extremely important in New Zealand and this is a great way to learn about it. You’ll see Māori language and customs pop up throughout New Zealand.

We went to the Mitai Māori dinner during our time in Rotorua and it was one of the best experiences of our whole trip!

Stay: Karanda B&B or Pullman Rotorua in Rotorua

Day 4: Explore geothermal parks

Today we’re diving deep on all things geothermal in Rotorua on our way to the next stop on our New Zealand itinerary, Taupo.

Get your feet wet (literally, there’s a pool where you can soak your feet!) at Rotorua’s free geothermal area, Kuirau Park. While it’s cool to see the steam coming off the pools, this is just a small taste of what you’ll see today.

After Kuirau Park, we’re headed to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. If you’ve ever Googled Rotorua, you’ve likely seen photos of this park. Enjoy being wowed by the bubbling Champagne Pools and neon green waters.

After Wai-O-Tapu we have one more geothermal park on the itinerary: Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This was actually my favourite geothermal experience in Rotorua.

Unlike the crowds at Wai-O-Tapu, we had Waimangu all to ourselves on an afternoon in April.

This park definitely feels less touristy and more like you’re on a scenic nature walk. The sights aren’t as wow as they are at Wai-O-Tapu (which is why I recommend both parks), but they’re still worth seeing.

Book your tickets to Waimangu Volcanic Valley here!

After Waimangu, you’ll carry onto Taupo. By visiting these parks, you’ve actually made it halfway from Rotorua to Taupo, so there’s only about a 30 minute drive ahead of you.

Check into your hotel and grab some dinner. If you arrive before dark, you can also take a walk through Taupo’s downtown (if not, we’ll hit it tomorrow!).

We loved the noodles and chicken skewers from Mira Thai, burgers from Pauly’s Diner and a scoop of passionfruit gelato from Luna’s Gelateria for dessert!

Where to stay in Taupo

We stayed at the Barrington Motel in Taupo, which is a small motel only a few minutes’ drive from downtown.

Our room was nice and cosy with an ensuite bathroom, communal outdoor eating area and free parking. The wifi was a bit slow for streaming, but fast enough to check email and scroll through social media.

Looking for something more luxurious? Book a stay at Sacred Waters Taupo Luxury Apartments.

Day 5: Sail in Taupo

While there’s lots to see and do in Taupo, we have to start with the most famous activity: sailing on Lake Taupo out to the Māori rock carvings.

When we did this, we went with a smaller sailing company and I would highly recommend it. Rather than a packed boat, our small group got to enjoy a gorgeous sail across the calm waters.

Once we reached the Māori carvings, our skipper pointed out all of the different formations and told us about how the carvings were done over a few summers in the 1980’s.

All in all, it made for a beautiful morning on the water!

Book your sailing trip to the Māori rock carvings here!

Once back on shore, take some time to stroll along the shoreline checking out the Taupo sign, boardwalk, parks and a fun opportunity to win $10,000 if you nail the Hole in One Challenge (hit a golfball from shore to a floating pontoon on the lake).

Keep walking into downtown Taupo. Not only does this area have so many adorable shops and restaurants (I loved the decor for sale at Spacecraft and the coffee from Replete Cafe), but it’s also home to the world’s coolest McDonalds inside a plane!

After lunch (if you don’t want to eat at the McDonalds, there’s a good Vietnamese restaurant across the street appropriately called Vietnamese Joint), jump in your car and explore a few stops just outside of town.

Witness the power and beautiful blues of Huka Falls, taste delicious products at Huka Honey Hive and once again be blown away by the power of water at the Aratiatia Dam release. There are also theme parks, spas and hiking trails in this area.

Return to Taupo for dinner and call it a wrap on day five!

Stay: Barrington Motel or Sacred Waters Taupo Luxury Apartments

Day 6: See glowworms & botanic gardens

Today we’re wrapping up our final day on the North Island and starting to make our way back to Auckland. But there’s still lots to see along the way!

From Taupo, drive about two hours north to Waitomo where you’ll be going on a glowworm cave tour.

Glowworms are fungus gnats that produce a bioluminescence and are found in dark and damp places around the country. One of the best places to find them is around Waitomo.

With your tour group, you’ll journey into a cave and watch as the glowworms light up the dark surroundings. Depending on your tour, you may be floating on an inner tube, in a boat or walking through the cave.

Be sure to book your glowworm tour tickets in advance as these are often small-group activities than can sell out. Our tour only had 12 people on it.

Book your glowworm tour tickets here!

After being blown away by nature’s coolest gnat, it’s time to drive another hour to Hamilton. Grab lunch (I highly recommend the Dan Dan noodles at Dumpling House) and then head to the main attraction, Hamilton Gardens.

Hamilton Gardens are a sprawling collection of some of the most impressive, creative and interesting themed gardens you can imagine. Best of all, it’s free to enter!

Watch the trees move in the Surrealist Garden, go back in time in the Ancient Egyptian Garden, find peace in the Japanese Garden of Contemplation and start getting hungry for dinner in the Herb Garden.

Once you’ve fully converted to Garden Geek, it’s time to call it a day and make your way to your accommodation.

Where to stay in Hamilton

We actually stayed in a cute laneway house halfway between Waitomo and Hamilton called 40 Winks.

But if you want to stay in Hamilton proper, there’s Novotel Tainui Hamilton, a funky spot in the city centre, or Quantum Lodge Motor Inn, a more basic but very well-rated option just outside of town.

Day 7: Fly to Queenstown

Week one of your 14 day itinerary is coming to a close, which means it’s time to head south!

From Hamilton, drive 1.5 hours back to Auckland. Here you’ll return your rental car and board a flight to the South Island.

As I mentioned above, many New Zealand itineraries have you driving from the North to the South Island. But in order to save time and see more, I think you should fly.

The flight from Auckland to Queenstown is just under two hours and the route is served a few times a day by both Jetstar and Air New Zealand. I’d recommend jumping on a mid-morning flight.

Once you touch down in Queenstown, make your way to your accommodation. The Queenstown Airport is quite close to the city centre, and you can conveniently take the public bus into town (much cheaper than a taxi/Uber!).

Depending on what time your flight was, you may just want to grab dinner and head to bed or you may want to get a head start on all of the things to do in Queenstown.

If you’ve got some energy, I’d recommend taking a stroll around Queenstown Gardens and Lake Wakatipu. You can also hit up an iconic restaurant for dinner, like Fergburger.

Where to stay in Queenstown

We stayed at Queenstown Motel Apartments and I’d recommend it as a convenient and budget-friendly place to stay in Queenstown.

Our room was very large and clean, we could walk to town and we only paid $153 NZD ($96 USD) per night. Plus, there was free parking and very cheap laundry facilities. The only downside was the place was a little dated.

If you’re looking to splurge or be right on the water, I’d recommend Kamana Lakehouse. I used to book this hotel for clients when I worked as a travel planner and they always raved about it!

Day 8: Take in the views around Queenstown

Today you can hang out in Queenstown or pick up your next rental car and head to some hikes and views nearby. If you’re really ambitious, you can do both!

If you didn’t have time last night, head down to Lake Wakatipu and stroll along the water. I particularly loved going over to Queenstown Gardens, which were much quieter than the main beach.

Next, head on up to Skyline Queenstown for a beautiful view over the entire city, lake and mountain range.

My husband, Colin, would strongly recommend you go on a few luge rides at the top of Skyline as he had a blast! You can also mountain bike, paraglide, grab a bite to eat or stick around until nightfall to stargaze.

Back down on the ground, it’s time to pick up your rental car and head out to some attractions nearby. I’d suggest a stop at Bob’s Cove, just 20 minutes from Queenstown. We went on a gorgeous hike here and had most of the area to ourselves.

Another 30 minutes from Bob’s Cove is where you’ll find Glenorchy, famous for its red shed. Stop at the General Store for a delicious lunch and then take a walk along the water.

After that very full day, head back into Queenstown for the night.

Stay: Queenstown Motel Apartments or Kamana Lakehouse in QT

Day 9: Drive to Milford Sound & cruise

Today we’re heading to one of the highlights of any New Zealand itinerary: Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park!

You can get to Milford Sound by car or on a tour bus. If you’re comfortable driving, I’d recommend going by car as the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is full of so many amazing stops!

Otherwise, you can book a tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Don’t worry, your tour bus will make a few scenic stops along the way too!

PS: You can also fly to Milford Sound, which I hear is the most beautiful way to arrive!

The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound takes about four hours, but I would allow 5-6 hours to account for stops, traffic and breaks. Trust me, you won’t want to rush this!

Some of my favourite stops on the route include:

• Lunch at Miles Better Pies in Te Anau
• Seeing the reflection of the mountains at Mirror Lakes
• Watching the rushing water at Monkey Creek
• Seeing the views at the Milford Valley Lookout

We also had a kea jump on our car while waiting to go through the Homer Tunnel, which was really fun, but I can’t guarantee that will happen on your drive!

Since getting to Milford will take you the better part of the day, I recommend booking a late afternoon cruise. After all the amazing sites along the way, your cruise on Milford Sound will be the cherry on top!

Milford Sound is other-worldly. The best way to experience the steep cliff faces, numerous waterfalls and cool waters of the fiord is on a cruise. If you’re lucky, you might even spot wildlife – we saw dolphins on our cruise!

After all of the epic views you saw today, it’s time to drive to your accommodation and call it a day. More incredible views await tomorrow!

Where to stay in Milford Sound

If you want to stay directly in Milford Sound and don’t mind splurging on a beautiful hotel with great views of the fiord, Milford Sound Lodge is for you. This is really the only hotel option in Milford Sound and seems like a stunning place to wake up.

Otherwise, you can do what many people do and stay in Te Anau (apx 2 hours from Milford Sound). Or you can do what we did, which is stay at Eglinton Valley Camp, just an hour outside of Milford Sound.

Eglinton Valley Camp is an affordable option where you can stay in a self-contained cabin with cooking facilities and an ensuite bathroom. Just be warned – there’s no wifi!

PS: If you came to Milford Sound by tour bus from Queenstown, your tour likely includes a ride back to Queenstown. You can continue to stay at your QT accommodation.

Day 10: Board a Doubtful Sound overnight cruise

While many visitors to New Zealand only make it to one fiord, this itinerary gives you two! Today you’re going to head to Milford’s longer and more remote sister, Doubtful Sound.

To board your Doubtful Sound cruise, you’ll need to drive to Manapouri (two hours from Milford Sound, one hour from Eglinton Valley Camp, 15 minutes from Te Anau). From there you’ll take a boat across a lake and then a bus to reach Doubtful Sound.

If you headed back to Queenstown last night, you’ll board another tour bus that will bring you from Queenstown to Manapouri.

Once you finally reach Doubtful Sound, you’ll be treated to another fiord experience that’s just as magical (or maybe even more magical!) than the one you had yesterday.

Because Doubtful Sound is so hard to get to and because it’s so vast, I actually recommend staying the night on a Doubtful Sound overnight cruise. That way, you have more time to explore the fiord.

(PS: Don’t have the time or budget to stay overnight? I think the Doubtful Sound day cruise would still be worth it!)

We did this during our trip and it was one of the highlights of my time in New Zealand.

It was incredible to see the fiord at different times of day and in different weather conditions. I also loved the delicious food our boat provided and the nature talk onboard.

Book your Doubtful Sound overnight cruise here!

Where to stay in Doubtful Sound

Hopefully you took my advice and you’re falling asleep tonight in the middle of a fiord in New Zealand (how cool is that?). I was going to say you’ll be rocked to sleep by the waves but you won’t, because the fiord water is incredibly calm!

If you only opted for a day cruise, you can stay in Te Anau for the night or head back to Queenstown.

Day 11: Drive to Wanaka

If you stayed overnight on Doubtful Sound, you’ll wake up to an amazing treat. Truly one of the best experiences of my life was watching the clouds lift and hearing waterfalls in the distance as we woke up on Doubtful Sound.

Your cruise will make its way back to port where you’ll bus across the Wimot Pass and boat across Lake Manapouri before returning to Manapouri around noon.

From there you can hop back in your car to start the drive from Manapouri to Wanaka, with lots of fun stops along the way.

The drive will take about three hours without stops, so with stops, let’s assume you’ll get to Wanaka in time for dinner.

Your first stop will be Arrowtown, a historic mining town where you can learn about the area’s history, pan for gold and browse the local shops. I thought this place had a real Stars Hollow feel (a la Gilmore Girls).

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also head to nearby Kawarau Gorge and try bungee jumping! Or if you’re a scaredy cat like me, you can just watch other people jump.

From there you’ll be driving through the Crown Range, a mountain range known for its twisty hills and beautiful views. You’ll want to pull over often to appreciate this scenic stretch.

Lastly, you’ll make two quick stops in Cardrona: The Cardrona Hotel and the Cardrona Bra Fence (aka Bradrona). The hotel is said to be the most photographed building in New Zealand.

The fence has dubious origins but is now something of a cultural landmark where hundreds of bras are attached to a fence. Stop by to make a donation (either a bra or money to support breast cancer research) or just to check out this spectacle!

Finally, you’ll pull into Wanaka, check into your hotel and go out for dinner. We really enjoyed our meal at Bombay Palace and I’ve also heard great things about Big Fig.

Where to stay in Wanaka

I highly recommend the accommodation we stayed at in Wanaka, Archway Motels & Chalets.

We had a studio suite with two beds, a mini kitchen and dining area, and ensuite bathroom. Everything was very clean, modern and spacious, and we were walking distance to the lake and main downtown strip.

Our twin room was $170 NZD ($103 USD) per night; there were also family rooms and 2-3 bedroom apartments available.

Day 12: See pools, trees and falls around Wanaka

With only one full day and lots to do in Wanaka, I suggest an early start to head out and visit Wanaka’s most famous site, #ThatWanakaTree.

You’ll likely recognize That Wanaka Tree from its many shots on social media. It’s just a very picturesque tree that sits out in the middle of the lake.

I will say, it wasn’t quite as impressive in person as it looks in the photos. And the crowd gathered around to see it is almost comical.

But I still think the tree is worth seeing while you’re in Wanaka. Plus, if you get there first thing in the morning, you’ll beat the tour bus crowds.

After checking out the tree, head back into town and grab breakfast. You can pop into the little shops (I really loved Thieving Kea) and sit by the lake if the weather is nice.

Depending on your interests, the season and the weather, you can then head to one of three Wanaka attractions: Puzzling World, Cinema Paradiso or Wanaka Lavender Farm.

If you love mazes or have kids with you, Puzzling World looks like a lot of fun. If you’re a movie buff or the weather is bad, head indoors to classic Cinema Paradiso where you can watch a film in mismatched seats and enjoy a warm cookie at intermission.

Or if the lavender is in bloom, take an idyllic trip to Wanaka Lavender Farm. Traipse through the purple fields, buy a few lavender scented products and enjoy lavender ice cream.

In the afternoon, I suggest hopping back in your car and going on a mini half-day trip to the Blue Pools and nearby waterfalls.

The Blue Pools are about an hour’s drive from Wanaka. Once there, you can take the Blue Pools Track to, you guessed it, the Blue Pools. I really enjoyed this easy walk through the forest and seeing the bright blue water at the other end.

Just a few minutes from the Blue Pools you’ll find Fantail Falls and Thundercreek Falls. Both of these epic waterfalls are only short walks from their respective parking lots, making them easy and worthwhile quick visits.

After seeing the pools and the falls, head back to Wanaka for dinner.

Stay: Archway Motels & Chalets in Wanaka

Day 13: Journey to Aoraki Mt Cook

We’re heading to the final stop on your two week New Zealand itinerary: Aoraki Mount Cook aka the tallest mountain in New Zealand.

From Wanaka it’s a 2.5 hour drive to Mt Cook Village, where you’ll base for your time at Aoraki. But being another New Zealand road trip, of course we’re going to make a few scenic stops along the way.

You’ll start your drive through the Lindis Pass, where you may want to pull over to appreciate the view. But your first official stop will be the Omarama Clay Cliffs.

These cliffs look like something out of a Star Wars movie and I definitely think they’re worth the quick gravel road and trail detour. Note that the Clay Cliffs are on private property and there is a $5 NZD fee per car (paid in cash via honesty box).

From Omarama, carry onto Twizel. Twizel is going to be your last proper opportunity to fill up your gas tank, go to a grocery store and take out money as gas, groceries and ATMs are sparse to non-existent in Mount Cook.

Once you’re all fuelled up, continue driving to Mount Cook Village. You’ll now be driving along Lake Pukaki, which means if you’re like me, your head will be hanging out the window to take in these views!

I recommend a stop at the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop, for a delicious freshwater salmon snack, and the Punatahu Visitor Center next door.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Mount Cook Village and check into your accommodation.

For dinner, you can check out the Hermitage Hotel restaurant or make something from the provisions you picked up in Twizel. Colin and I opted for a little picnic in our hotel room!

Where to stay in Aoraki Mt Cook

Accommodation at Mount Cook Village is extremely limited and can be very expensive. Some people choose to stay in Twizel and just drive in for a day trip, but I recommend staying overnight and giving yourself two days around Aoraki Mount Cook.

Luckily, I’ve found the perfect budget accommodation in Mt Cook, Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge. While not the newest, this lodge offers spacious rooms with kitchenettes and comfortable beds right in the heart of the village.

They also have a guest lounge with large cooking facilities, tons of couches and tables, and the most incredible view of Aoraki. Our room at this lodge cost us $216 NZD ($126 USD) per night.

If you’re looking to splurge, check out  The Hermitage Hotel. This famous and historic hotel is the place to stay in Mount Cook if you’re after a little luxury.

Day 14: Hike in Mt Cook Village

There are quite a few things to do in Mount Cook, from hiking and biking to more adventurous heli-ski experiences, ice climbing, skydiving and jet boating.

But the one thing you must do is hike the Hooker Valley Track.

The Hooker Valley Track is a 10 km (6.2 mi) hike that is said to be one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. And lucky for a non-hiker like me, it’s also one of the best tracks for beginners.

This track offers stunning views of Aoraki and the nearby mountain range and glaciers along a winding path that includes boardwalks, swing bridges and a few staircases. The track is generally pretty flat and very clearly defined.

This is a popular route, so I recommend getting an early start. You can also bring a snack to enjoy at the end where there are a few picnic tables – and a chance to touch the glacier lake!

The Hooker Valley Track was one of my favourite things we did in New Zealand. We lucked out with beautiful weather and clear views the entire time, making the hike that much more worth it.

After your morning hike, I’d recommend spending an hour or so at the Mount Cook Visitor Centre. Unlike some visitor centres that just hand out maps, the Mount Cook one is a full on museum with tons of interesting displays.

You can learn about how Aoraki was formed, the history of the first people to climb it, it’s importance in Indigenous cultures, and the flora and fauna who call it home today.

In the afternoon, you can tackle another hiking path or head out on something more adventurous, like a helicopter ride or snowshoe activity. Colin and I walked around a hiking path at Tasman Lake, checking out another beautiful glacier lake and mountain.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can drive out to Lake Tekapo (75 mins each way) and see the lupins in bloom.

In the evening, don’t miss looking up at the stars as Aoraki Mount Cook is part of a Dark Sky Reserve. You can join a stargazing tour or simply drive or walk out to a dark area and look up.

Stay: Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge or The Hermitage Hotel in Mt Cook

Heading home after 2 weeks of New Zealand travel

Sadly, your time in New Zealand has come to an end. You packed a lot of adventures into two weeks!

To head home from Aoraki Mount Cook, you can drive to Queenstown (3 hours) or Christchurch (4 hours).

I would recommend returning to Queenstown as it’s a shorter drive and you can drop your car off where you picked it up, rather than paying a one-way fee for dropping it off in Christchurch.

From Queenstown, you can begin flying home. You will likely have to connect through Auckland and then onward to your international destination.

Short on time? 10 day New Zealand itinerary

If you have less than two weeks in New Zealand, my recommendation is just to stick to one island. You can check out my full North Island itinerary or South Island itinerary.

Or, if you really want to see both islands on a 10 day New Zealand itinerary, I’d recommend flying between Auckland and Queenstown, with quick trips to nearby places.

From Auckland, you can do a day trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo glow worms, plus a night or two in Rotorua.

And from Queenstown, you could do a quick trip to Fiordland visiting Milford or Doubtful Sound. You may also be able to squeeze in a night in Wanaka.

Extra time? 3 weeks in New Zealand itinerary

We had three weeks in New Zealand when we visited in April 2023 and I thought that was the perfect amount of time.

We actually didn’t add in any extra stops compared to my itinerary above, but we had more time in each place to explore more and slow down.

If you’re going for 3+ weeks, I would recommend slowing down and adding in a rest day. Travel burnout is real and it’s nice to have a day where you give yourself permission to skip the itinerary. For us, that usually looks like Netflix and takeout.

Of course, you can also add some more stops to your New Zealand trip. I would have loved to visit Northland (the region north of Auckland), known for its tropical setting and cool coastlines, and Wellington strikes me as a city that I would really like.

Over on the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park looks beautiful, and so do the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on the West Coast.

The Otago region looks really nice and I would have loved to spend more time on the northeast coast, known for wineries and wildlife.

New Zealand itinerary FAQs

Is 14 days enough for New Zealand?

I think 14 days in New Zealand is a great amount of time to get a good taste of the country. It’s enough time to see both the South Island and North Island, do a little road trip, spend some time relaxing out in nature and check some things off the bucket list.

I know two weeks is the most that many people can get off work. So if two weeks is what you have, I think it’s well worth coming to New Zealand!

However, I don’t think 14 days is enough time to drive the entirety of New Zealand. A lot of people pick up a car in Auckland and drive it all the way down to Queenstown.

While I’m sure this is a fun drive, it’s hard to do it in two weeks without rushing, spending tons of time in the car and cutting lots of places from your itinerary.

Instead, make the most of your 14 days in New Zealand by flying between the North and South Island so you can spend more time enjoying the country than racing across it.

How much money do I need for 2 weeks in New Zealand?

New Zealand is notoriously expensive but I didn’t find it that much more expensive than home. Though I live in Vancouver, Canada, which is also known for being expensive!

That being said, there are lots of ways to save money in New Zealand. Most of the outdoor sights are free to visit, meat pies are affordable and delicious, and you can save on booking your rental car when you use a site like DiscoverCars.

How much money you’ll need for two weeks in New Zealand will depend on what kind of traveller you are. Someone who is staying in hostels and taking the bus will be spending a lot less than someone going on guided tours and staying in luxury hotels.

For a more mid-range budget like we were on – renting a car, a mix of free and paid activities, eating cheap, staying at comfortable motels – I’d budget around $320-480 NZD ($200-300 USD) per day for two people.

That budget would include accommodation in a decent motel/hotel, car rental and gas, food and drinks, and activities. That would not include international flights to get to Aotearoa.

You can check out the exact breakdown of what we spent on our trip to New Zealand here.

What is the best month to travel to New Zealand?

We travelled to New Zealand in April and I think it was the perfect time!

Our April New Zealand weather was fantastic – it only rained one afternoon during our entire three week trip. The rest of the trip was sunny but comfortable; we generally wore t-shirts and pants.

April would be considered shoulder season in New Zealand, though things can get busy during the Easter and school holidays. During our trip nowhere felt overly crowded, but it certainly wasn’t deserted.

We booked most of our itinerary in advance and are very grateful we did. I noticed lots of “no vacancy” signs on hotels and knew bucket list items like Hobbiton or a Milford Sound cruise must be booked in advance.

High season in New Zealand is during their summer (northern hemisphere winter) in December and January. January is especially busy as schools are on holiday and the weather is bright and sunny.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to travel to New Zealand in January. I’d rather avoid the crowds and high prices of peak season.

I’d recommend travelling in shoulder season (spring or fall) or even in winter, if you don’t mind the colder weather. I always prioritize smaller crowds and lower prices over perfect weather.

What to skip in New Zealand?

It’s hard to say what you should skip in New Zealand. But if you only have two weeks, you will have to skip something. There simply isn’t time to visit the entire country.

As you can see from my itinerary above, I’ve skipped large parts of the country. I did this so we could focus on the best sights to see in the most convenient areas, making the most of your two weeks.

If you have to skip things in New Zealand, I’d recommend spending less time in the big cities. While places like Auckland and Queenstown are great, they’re not what New Zealand is known for.

I’d also recommend skipping things that are far away from anything else on your itinerary. For example, I would’ve loved to go to Abel Tasman National Park, but it was 10+ hours away from my next closest stop.

It’s also a good idea to skip anything in New Zealand that’s going to blow your budget or be too weather-dependent, like heli-skiing on the Franz Josef Glacier, if you’re short on time or money.

You should also, of course, skip anything you’re not interested in or able to do. For me, this means skipping the 6-8 hour Tongariro Crossing hike. I’m sure it’s awesome, but it’s well beyond my hiking capabilities!

Where should I go for my first time in New Zealand?

Your first time in New Zealand should cover both the natural wonders on the North Island and the beautiful landscapes on the South.

Don’t miss geothermal parks outside of Rotorua and glowworm caves in Waitomo. On the South Island, I’d definitely prioritize a cruise on the fiords and time spent in the Southern Alps.

You’ll also want to learn more about Māori culture – a great way to do that is by attending a hangi dinner – and enjoy some of New Zealand’s delicious cuisine on your first visit!

Of course, LOTR fans should not miss Hobbiton and other filming locations.

The two week itinerary I laid out above is perfect for a first time visit to New Zealand, covering the highlights on both islands and giving you a good mix of what the country has to offer.

Wrapping up: Enjoy your 14 days in New Zealand!

It has been so fun to wrap up my trip to Aotearoa and all of the posts I’ve written about it with this epic 14 day itinerary for New Zealand. I’ve loved looking back at photos and refining my own itinerary into one I would recommend to you.

New Zealand was absolutely a bucket list destination for me. I’ve dreamed of visiting for years; we even planned to honeymoon there but covid said otherwise.

Luckily, when we finally got there, New Zealand completely lived up to the hype!

14 days in New Zealand is a great amount of time to explore. You can really see a ton and cross a lot of places off your bucket list.

I don’t think you’ll get bored either, as each part of New Zealand seems too offer something brand new and mind blowing.

While two weeks isn’t enough to see all of New Zealand, I think that’s okay. It just means you have to come back one day to keep exploring, which is the best feeling to have when a trip ends!