{"id":127437,"date":"2020-01-01T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T09:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=127437"},"modified":"2020-01-01T09:00:58","modified_gmt":"2020-01-01T09:00:58","slug":"new-zealand-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/new-zealand-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate New Zealand itinerary for your great outdoor adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud and commonly known as Aotearoa. Let’s get things straight, you will never, ever be short of something to do in this magical faraway land.\u00a0 Expect road trips, adventurous vibes and plenty of activities to fill your days. I\u2019m talking about throwing yourself from planes, bungy jumping from bridges and hiking epic mountains. Get your Frodo & Sam-Wise on in Middle Earth filming locations or bubble away in a geothermal hot pool. This New Zealand itinerary will keep your excitement levels high until your feet touch down.<\/p>\n

The good news for any backpacker planning a trip to NZ<\/a> is that it is a relatively straight-forward country to navigate. With loads of bus tours, airports in most towns and a competitive rental car market, New Zealand has got you covered. I\u2019ve compiled the ultimate New Zealand travel itinerary for you, so read on and get your bags packed, we\u2019re going on an adventure!<\/p>\n

Jump straight to:<\/h2>\n
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  1. Where to start a 2 week New Zealand itinerary<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. How much money do you need for 2 weeks in New Zealand?<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. What to pack for 2 weeks in New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. What’s the best way of travelling around New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. New Zealand itinerary: 2 weeks<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Days 1-2: Auckland<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Day 3: Rotorua<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Days 3-5: Taupo<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Days 5-7: Wellington<\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Days 8-9: Christchurch<\/a><\/li>\n
  11. Days 10-11: Mount Cook<\/a><\/li>\n
  12. Days 12-14: Queenstown and Milford Sound<\/a><\/li>\n
  13. New Zealand itinerary: 3 weeks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Where to start a two-week New Zealand itinerary<\/h2>\n

    You have three options here. New Zealand has three major airports: Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, with Auckland being the most popular. The cheapest international flights land in these and all are great locations to start your two-week New Zealand adventure.<\/p>\n

    How much money do you need for two weeks in New Zealand?<\/h2>\n

    $200 NZD a day would be perfect for the basics, but be sure to save a little extra for those epic activities. The average price for a night in a dorm room is around NZD $30 (\u00a315), daily food budget is around $50 (\u00a325) and you should allow at least $100 (\u00a350) per day for a rental car and petrol \u2013 join forces with your hostel mates to save money.<\/p>\n

    What to pack for two weeks in New Zealand<\/h2>\n

    Pack for all weather. Even in the height of summer, you may experience all four seasons in one day. Comfortable walking shoes or boots, a rain jacket, and warm layers are important in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

    What\u2019s the best way of travelling around New Zealand?<\/h2>\n

    A rental car will give you the most flexibility, meaning you can stop off whenever you like and travel at your own pace. The Kiwi Experience<\/a> and Stray NZ<\/a> bus tours are popular if you\u2019re travelling alone<\/a> and want to meet an awesome crew. You can sometimes grab an internal flight deal and travel via the Intercity Bus too, but the setback is that your timetable will decide how much time you can spend in each location.<\/p>\n

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    Milford Sound<\/em><\/p>\n

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    New Zealand itinerary: 2 weeks<\/h2>\n

    Days 1-2: Auckland<\/h2>\n

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    \ud83d\udcf8:@danfreemanphoto<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

    The country\u2019s most popular international airport is Auckland, making the city the perfect place to start your New Zealand North Island itinerary. With SO many things to do here<\/a> from hipster cafes, mini golf pubs and boujie wineries on an island, you\u2019ll need to start early to pack it in. Check out the viaduct area for some ultra-modern container style eateries, walk the Auckland harbour bridge and visit the top of the Sky Tower for 360 panoramic views of the city below.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019ve already picked up your rental car then head out to the West Coast, or hop on a bus from the city centre. Piha Beach and the Waitakere ranges are excellent escapes from the urban jungle. Jump on a ferry right from Auckland\u2019s CBD to Waiheke island if sipping on wine, surrounded by the ocean overlooking one of New Zealand’s biggest cities is your thing. Or, take the ferry in the opposite direction and hike volcanic Rangitoto island.<\/p>\n

    Getting there<\/b>: Auckland airport to the city is a 40-minute drive<\/p>\n

    Best time to visit<\/b>: Between Jan \u2013 March, as these are the hottest, driest months<\/p>\n

    Best for<\/b>: City vibes and urban exploring<\/p>\n

    Where to stay in Auckland:<\/b><\/h3>\n