Auckland To Christchurch: A 13-Day New Zealand Trip

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland & Explore the City's Life

Arrive in Aukland, a city with a charming skyline, and take a taxi to your luxurious accommodation. Once you have settled in the hotel, enjoy your palatable breakfast. Then your private guide will help you explore the nearest attractions in the city. Start your journey with the citys waterfront from the Viaduct to Wynyard Quarter. Leave no stone unturned to range over the delights of city life - a museum, a waterfront theatre, the Kura Gallery, and Jack Tar for beer and wine, to name a few.

Once you explore the city center, return to your hotel for the nights rest in your ensuite room. 

Day 2: Spend an Adventurous Day in Aukland

Venture out with your private guide for a Skywalk or Skyjump at the Sky Tower.

Go at full sail by a Kayak or a Harbor Cruise to the stunning Rangitoto Island, Auklands largest volcanic cone. Drive further to embrace more adventure in Aucklands immaculate west coast beaches. The best way to traverse this beautiful coastline is by foot. Feel the scrunching sand beneath your feet as you stroll on the serene coast. Either accompany a guide or follow one of the many trails into the picturesque native forest of the Waitakere Ranges.

Also read: 7-Day Itinerary For An Adventurous Tour in New Zealand

Day 3: Set out for the Spectacular Bay of Islands

Travel north via Whangarei to the breathtaking Bay of Islands. It takes up half of your day. Spend the rest of the day exploring Paihia. Take a quick ferry ride to the beautiful village of Russell or head up to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. After you explore the picture-perfect seaport of Russell, your guide will take you back to your accommodation for a nights sleep following a delicious dinner. 

Day 4: Take up some Coastal Adventures

Today, your guide books a cruise ride through the regions striking islands. Hop in to spectate scenic rocky coastlines and beautiful beaches. En route, enjoy seeing the friendly dolphins frolicking. If luck favors, you get to swim with them. In the afternoon, enjoy kayaking through the harbor's clear waters. Or you could spend the day diving in one of the region's many dive spots.

Day 5: Waipou Forest - Welcome to the Wild Side of Auckland

Today, your guide takes you west from Paihia to Hokianga, where you get the kick out of sandboarding on the giant dunes. En route to Waipou Forest, drop by the mighty Tane Mahuta, towering above the forest canopy. You cant afford to miss this thick-branched 2000-year-old kauri giant. After unearthing this region, head south to visit Kauri Museum in Matakohe. Visit Maungaturoto and Paparoa's antique and craft stores before taking the short drive back to Auckland.

Day 6: Auckland - Rotorua via Waitomo

Buckle up for an adventurous trip from Auckland to the Waitomo Caves, which involves passing through rolling farmland. Gaze at the multitude of glowworms as they light up the rocky ceiling like stars. Witness the beauty of these glowworms liting up the sky or abseil into the depths of the Lost World cave. Leave Waitomo in the evening and travel across the forested Mamaku Range to the thermal resort town of Rotorua. Then you will head to the Polynesian Spa, home to naturally heated mineral pools, a perfect spot to unwind after a long day before getting under the covers.

Day 7: Spend a Day in Rotorua

Your guide will accompany you to explore Rotorua's several geothermal wonders - the famous Pohutu geyser, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Hells Gate, and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, known to be the youngest geothermal eco-system in the world. To make your trip venturesome, go for the famed Skyline luge, bungy jumping, or zip-lining through the forest canopy. Visit the Whakarewarewa Forest for an unbeatable blend of mountain biking trails and conclude the day with a Maori cultural performance.

Day 8: Visit the photogenic town of Queenstown

Begin your journey in the morning to travel back to Auckland for a flight to the beautiful city of Queenstown. Play up to the evening by exploring Queenstown's stunning lakefront and vibrant restaurants. Flanked by the Alps, the picturesque town is a perfect place to unwind or get adventurous. 

Day 9: Spend a Sensational Day in Queenstown

The beautiful city of Queenstown offers plenty of activities to get your blood pumping. Experience the thrill of a jet boat and feel the touch of the Kawarau's waters. Queenstown, well-known across the globe for its adventures, is also a paradise for Bungee jumpers. Feel the adrenaline rush when the scenes below you come closer at a tremendous speed as you jump.

Wear your hiking gear to follow fascinating trails through the mountains. You can hire a bike and pedal along the wine country. Queenstown is a place that offers immense activities to elevate your adventurous mood. Spend your evening stargazing, an experience thats second to none. 

Day 10: Milford Sound day trip

Set off early with your guide from Queenstown for an unforgettable journey to Milford Sound. Drive through the Eglington Valley, a place of ancient alpine forests and gushing waterfalls. Clap your eyes on the beautiful Mirror lakes along the way.

If you prefer to fly, scenic flights from Queenstown will take you on an epic tour through the mountains to the sounds. In Milford Sound, board a cruise boat and enjoy the wonders of the fiord's glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that are hundreds of meters high. Alternatively, hire a kayak and paddle the tranquil waters. It is advisable to come back to Queenstown at night.

Day 11: Queenstown - Franz Josef

Depart early with your guide from Queensland. Enjoy traversing Lake Wanaka through the historic Haast Pass to the World Heritage Westland National Park at your leisure. Continue your drive up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests, and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef. The beautiful evening view of the glacier region is worth the visit. Helicopter rides, including unforgettable glacier landings, would be the cherry on the cake.

Day 12: Franz Josef - Christchurch via Greymouth

Your guide will lead you North to the west coast town of Greymouth. If time permits, pull off and stroll along the spectacular Devil's Punchbowl Falls, just an hour's return from Arthurs Pass village. Continue your drive over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch and treasure the beautiful vistas during your final night in the land of the Long White Cloud. 

Day 13: Spend a Day in Christchurch

Spend your last day in New Zealand exploring Christchurch, New Zealand's garden city. Visit the Botanical Gardens or take a relaxing trip down the Avon River aboard a punt boat. Go for a historic tramway ride to visit the city before catching your flight home.

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