Itinerary Auckland, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch & Queenstown

Seasonality: December is the start of summer in New Zealand, providing long days, mild-to-warm temperatures (15–27°C), ideal hiking/road-trip conditions, superb for adventure activities, and access to alpine trails.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	3500 USD
🏨 Accommodations	2250 USD
🧳 Gear	300 USD
🗺️ On-site	2950 USD
Total	9000 USD

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇳🇿 Auckland - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Auckland Sky Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Panoramic views; try the SkyWalk for a thrill
• [ ] 🌳 Auckland Domain & Wintergardens ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Central park with botanical glasshouses
• [ ] 🏝️ Waiheke Island ⭐⭐ (~5h)
  • Short ferry; vineyards, beaches & walking trails
• [ ] 🛳️ Viaduct Harbour ⭐ (~1h)
  • Trendy waterfront for walking, people-watching
• [ ] 🏛️ Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Leading NZ artworks; free entry main collection
• [ ] 🥾 Mount Eden (Maungawhau) Crater Walk ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Stunning city and harbour views—sunset recommended
• [ ] 🏙️ Ponsonby Road ⭐ (~1h)
  • Hipster restaurants and bars to explore

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Britomart precinct ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Chic bars, live music, cocktails
• [ ] 🍽️ Depot Eatery ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • NZ produce-focused bistro, bustling atmosphere

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Odettes Eatery ⭐⭐
  • Brunch, modern Kiwi cuisine (~30 USD/pp)
• [ ] 🍜 Auckland Fish Market ⭐⭐⭐
  • Fresh seafood stalls, casual and lively (~25 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌲 Waitakere Ranges Regional Park (~3h)
  • Wild black sand beaches & rainforest walks

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🇳🇿 Rotorua & Taupō - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌋 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Geothermal pools, champagne-coloured hot springs
• [ ] 🛕 Te Puia ⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Māori culture, geysers, kiwi bird viewing
• [ ] 🚴 Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Giant trees, great for mountain biking & hiking
• [ ] 🏞️ Huka Falls ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Turquoise waterfall, footbridges and jetboat rides
• [ ] 🚤 Lake Taupō ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Swimming, kayaking, lakeside strolls
• [ ] 🏙️ Eat Street, Rotorua ⭐ (~1h)
  • Vibrant dining precinct

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🌌 Polynesian Spa ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Geothermal pools overlooking Lake Rotorua
• [ ] 🎭 Mitai Māori Village ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Evening cultural show and hangi dinner

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Capers Epicurean ⭐⭐
  • Café-favourite, local foods (~20 USD/pp)
• [ ] 🍜 Huka Prawn Park Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Fun setting, prawn dishes (~25 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Kuirau Park (~1h)
  • Free public hot pools & bubbling mud

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🇳🇿 Tongariro National Park - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🥾 Tongariro Alpine Crossing ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h)
  • One of the world’s best one-day hikes—craters, lakes, volcanic vistas
• [ ] 🏞️ Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Easy walk, film location
• [ ] 🛕 Whakapapa Village ⭐
  • Visitor center, short walks to Taranaki Falls
• [ ] 🏔️ Mount Ruapehu ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Summer hiking, volcanic scenery
• [ ] 🌄 Silica Rapids Track ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Scenic stream, wildflowers

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍲 Chateau Tongariro lounge ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Historic hotel spot for drinks and dessert

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Ruapehu Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Alpine-inspired modern dishes (~40 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Tama Lakes Track (~5h)
  • Less crowded alternative for scenery

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🇳🇿 Wellington - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Te Papa Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • NZ’s national museum—interactive, free
• [ ] 🌊 Oriental Bay & Waterfront ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Stroll, swim, kayak in summer
• [ ] 🚋 Wellington Cable Car & Botanic Garden ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic red cable car ride, city views, lush gardens
• [ ] 🏙️ Cuba Street ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Bohemian shops, cafés, street performers
• [ ] 🌄 Mount Victoria Lookout ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Sweeping views of city & Cook Strait
• [ ] 🎨 City Gallery Wellington ⭐ (~1h)
  • Contemporary exhibitions

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Hannahs Laneway ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Craft chocolate, boutique bars
• [ ] 🍺 Garage Project Taproom ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Local craft beer, buzzing scene

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Logan Brown ⭐⭐⭐
  • Iconic NZ cuisine, historic building (~55 USD/pp)
• [ ] 🍜 Wellington Night Market ⭐⭐
  • Street food, multicultural (~15 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🐧 Zealandia Ecosanctuary (~2h)
  • Rare NZ wildlife & night tours

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🇳🇿 Kaikoura - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🐋 Whale Watching Cruise ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Year-round giant sperm whales and dusky dolphins
• [ ] 🥾 Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Dramatic coastal cliffs & seal colonies
• [ ] 🏖️ South Bay beach ⭐ (~1h)
  • Calm bay for kayaking or swimming

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍷 The Pier Hotel ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Local seafood and ocean views

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Kaikoura Seafood BBQ ⭐⭐⭐
  • Seafood shack, crayfish rolls (~20 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🦭 Ohau Point Seal Colony (~1h)
  • Free roadside viewing

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🇳🇿 Christchurch - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌸 Christchurch Botanic Gardens ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Vast, stunning displays—perfect for summer picnics
• [ ] 🛶 Punting on the Avon ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Gondola ride through the city river
• [ ] 🏙️ Riverside Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Food stalls, local produces, lively vibe
• [ ] 🏛️ Canterbury Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Maori and Antarctic exploration exhibits
• [ ] 🌆 New Regent Street ⭐ (~1h)
  • Colourful art deco shops and cafés
• [ ] 🏞️ Port Hills Summit ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • City and Lyttelton Harbour views

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 The Last Word ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Whisky bar with relaxed atmosphere

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Little High Eatery ⭐⭐⭐
  • Food court with variety (~18 USD/pp)
• [ ] 🍜 Twenty Seven Steps ⭐⭐
  • Local produce, intimate setting (~40 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Sumner Beach (~1.5h)
  • Surfing, clifftop walks

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🇳🇿 Queenstown & Fiordland - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Milford Sound Cruise (from Te Anau) ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h incl. drive)
  • Towering fjords, waterfalls, dolphins
• [ ] ⛷️ Ben Lomond Track ⭐⭐⭐ (~6h)
  • Panoramic mountain and lake vistas
• [ ] ⚡ AJ Hackett Bungy Kawarau Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Home of bungee jumping—iconic thrill
• [ ] 🥾 Queenstown Hill Time Walk ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Walk through pine forest, summit views
• [ ] 🗻 Skyline Gondola & Luge ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Gondola up, mountain biking, luge rides
• [ ] 🚤 Shotover Jet ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • High-speed jet boating, river canyons
• [ ] 🏔️ Glenorchy & Paradise Road Trip ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • LOTR film scenery, lakeshore picnic stops
• [ ] 🍇 Gibbston Valley wineries ⭐ (~2h)
  • Local pinot noir tasting

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍺 Perky’s Floating Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Lake views, lively ambience
• [ ] 🍸 Eichardt's Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Sophisticated cocktails, lakeside vibe

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Fergburger ⭐⭐⭐
  • Legendary gourmet burgers (~15 USD/pp)
• [ ] 🍜 Rātā ⭐⭐
  • NZ fine dining (~50 USD/pp)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🚴 Arrowtown Village (~2h)
  • Historic gold-mining town nearby

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇳🇿 Auckland/Rotorua

• [ ] 🎬 The Piano (1993) — ⭐ 7.5 — NZ classic filmed in wild north — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Top of the Lake (2013) — ⭐ 7.5 — Gritty NZ mystery series — Amazon Prime

🇳🇿 Tongariro

• [ ] 🎬 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — ⭐ 8.9 — Volcanic Mordor scenes filmed here — Max

🇳🇿 Wellington

• [ ] 🎬 Boy (2010) — ⭐ 7.5 — Quirky NZ coming-of-age — HBO Max
• [ ] 🎬 What We Do in the Shadows (2014) — ⭐ 7.7 — Mockumentary vampire comedy — Hulu

🇳🇿 Kaikoura/Christchurch

• [ ] 🎬 Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) — ⭐ 7.8 — Adventure/comedy set in NZ bush — Netflix

🇳🇿 Queenstown & Fiordland

• [ ] 🎬 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) — ⭐ 8.7 — Epic mountain and fjord scenes — Max
• [ ] 🎬 Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) — ⭐ 7.7 — Stunt scenes in Fiordland — Paramount+

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🍜 Local specialties

🇳🇿 Auckland

• [ ] Green-lipped mussels
• [ ] Hāngi (traditional Māori earth oven meal)
• [ ] Hokey pokey ice cream

🇳🇿 Rotorua/Taupō

• [ ] Hāngi (traditional Māori meal)
• [ ] Rewena (Māori potato bread)
• [ ] Smoked trout

🇳🇿 Tongariro

• [ ] Manuka honey
• [ ] New Zealand lamb
• [ ] Feijoa juice

🇳🇿 Wellington

• [ ] Paua (abalone) fritters
• [ ] Flat white coffee
• [ ] Whitebait fritters

🇳🇿 Kaikoura

• [ ] Crayfish/lobster
• [ ] Blue cod
• [ ] Whitebait patties

🇳🇿 Christchurch

• [ ] Canterbury lamb
• [ ] Pavlova
• [ ] Cheese rolls (“Southland sushi”)

🇳🇿 Queenstown

• [ ] Fergburger
• [ ] Bluff oysters (in season)
• [ ] Central Otago pinot noir

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇳🇿 Auckland

1. 🏙️ Auckland Sky Tower
2. 🍸 Britomart precinct
3. 🛍️ Queen Street
4. 🏨 Central Airbnb (CBD)
5. 🍽️ Auckland Fish Market

🇳🇿 Rotorua & Taupō

1. 🌋 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
2. 🌌 Polynesian Spa
3. 🛍️ Rotorua Central Mall
4. 🏨 Rotorua lakeside Airbnb
5. 🍽️ Capers Epicurean

🇳🇿 Tongariro

1. 🥾 Tongariro Alpine Crossing trailhead (Mangatepopo)
2. 🍲 Chateau Tongariro
3. 🛍️ National Park mini-mart
4. 🏨 Tongariro Airbnb
5. 🍽️ Ruapehu Restaurant

🇳🇿 Wellington

1. 🏛️ Te Papa Museum
2. 🍸 Hannahs Laneway
3. 🛍️ Cuba Street
4. 🏨 Te Aro Airbnb
5. 🍽️ Logan Brown

🇳🇿 Kaikoura

1. 🐋 Whale Watch Kaikoura
2. 🍷 The Pier Hotel
3. 🛍️ Kaikoura town centre
4. 🏨 Kaikoura Airbnb
5. 🍽️ Kaikoura Seafood BBQ

🇳🇿 Christchurch

1. 🌸 Botanic Gardens
2. 🍸 The Last Word
3. 🛍️ Riverside Market
4. 🏨 City centre Airbnb
5. 🍽️ Little High Eatery

🇳🇿 Queenstown & Fiordland

1. 🏞️ Milford Sound
2. 🍺 Perky’s Floating Bar
3. 🛍️ The Mall, Queenstown
4. 🏨 Lakeside Airbnb, Queenstown
5. 🍽️ Fergburger

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Auckland
• [ ] 🚗 Auckland → Rotorua (Self-drive, ~3h)
• [ ] 🚗 Rotorua → Tongariro NP (Self-drive, ~2h)
• [ ] 🚗 Tongariro → Wellington (Self-drive, ~4h)
• [ ] ⛴️ Wellington → Picton (ferry, 3.5h, with car)
• [ ] 🚗 Picton → Kaikoura (Self-drive, ~2h)
• [ ] 🚗 Kaikoura → Christchurch (Self-drive, ~2.5h)
• [ ] ✈️ Christchurch → Queenstown
• [ ] ✈️ Queenstown → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Auckland	2	CBD Airbnb Apartment	350 USD
Rotorua	2	Lakeside Airbnb	325 USD
Tongariro NP	2	National Park Airbnb	275 USD
Wellington	2	Te Aro Airbnb Loft	375 USD
Kaikoura	1	Seaside Airbnb	125 USD
Christchurch	2	Central Airbnb Flat	325 USD
Queenstown	3	Lakeside Airbnb	475 USD
Total	14		2250 USD