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Wondering how to see the best of New Zealand in two weeks? I planned out a perfect two-week New Zealand trip that covered the highlights of the country but didn’t feel rushed. Copy my itinerary!
In order to see the most of New Zealand with limited time, this trip requires flying into Auckland and flying out of Queenstown. To find flights like this, you can search “multi-city” on Google Flights or other search engines. I paid around $1,200 total for flights from New York to Auckland and Queenstown back to New York.
Table of Contents
Day One: Nelson
Morning
Fly into Nelson, New Zealand. You’ll likely have to connect to Nelson from Auckland, on an international flight, which involves changing terminals. You can either walk by following the green painted line leading you there (approx. 10 minutes) or you can catch the free airport shuttle between the two terminals (runs approx. 15 minutes).
Once you land, pick up a rental car at the airport and drive to Nelson.
Nelson’s inspirational landscapes and vibrant creative environment offer visitors the opportunity to meet and mix with local artists and craftspeople, visit their studios, and participate in art tours and workshops.
Miles of golden sand beaches and vast protected national park areas set the scene for year-round nature, wildlife, and outdoor experiences including sea kayaking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, mountain biking, sailing, and swimming with marine life. The sea surrounding Nelson is the source of some of New Zealand’s finest seafood, and the sunny coastal climate produces grapes, fresh fruit, and produce.
Check into Ah House City B&B, your accommodation for the next few days. There aren’t a lot of hotels in Nelson, so I recommend staying in a bed and breakfast, where you can get a taste of Kiwi hospitality. This one is affordable, clean, and has a great location in the center of town.
Afternoon
The temptation to nap will be strong, but fight it off (you’ll be better off staying awake and adjusting to local time.)
Go out for a walk in Nelson, and grab a light lunch at East Street Vegetarian Cafe.
Spend the afternoon exploring Nelson. I recommend The Centre of New Zealand Walk (The starting point for the Centre of New Zealand walk is the Botanical Reserve. The walk should take approximately 30-60 minutes. There are a couple of routes you can take to the top. From here you will enjoy views over Nelson, native plants, and a platform with seating.)
Evening
Enjoy a casual dinner at Culture, where you can sample New Zealand’s famous burger scene. Stop by the Get Real Fruit Ice Cream Truck, which is usually parked near Tahunanui Beach, and go for an evening stroll on the beach.
Day Two: Nelson and Mapua
Morning
Wake up and have a delicious homemade breakfast at the B&B.
Drive out to Mapua (about 22 minutes away) for a day biking tour with Wheelie Fantastic. The Great Taste Trail One-Way Ride is a stunning trail that’s mostly off-street, and goes past beautiful scenery. Take the bike ferry out to Rabbit Island, a small secluded beach where you can relax in solitude. When you’re done, Wheelie Fantastic will pick you up and drive you back to your car. You can opt for a regular bike or an e-bike, depending on how fast you want to cycle.
Evening
Get a table outside overlooking the water (or inside in front of the picture windows) at The Boatshed, a local favorite restaurant with a seasonally driven menu.
After, grab a nightcap at Kismet Cocktail & Whiskey Bar.
Day Three: Abel Tasman National Park
Morning
Breakfast and check out of the bed and breakfast. Drive from Nelson to Kaiteriteri Beach, which will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Afternoon
Take a guided kayak tour with Aqua Taxi around the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, where brilliant blue waters meet pristine yellow sand.
The tour will drop you off at Awaroa Lodge, your accommodation for the next night. Located within the national park, surrounded by pristine waterways and native forest, the lodge is only accessible by water or a helicopter flight, keeping the location secluded so you can really relax and enjoy nature.
Evening
Walk down to the lodge’s outdoor pizzeria, set in a beautiful forested location, for dinner. After dinner, stroll down to the beach to watch the sunset.
Day Four: Blenheim
Morning
Have breakfast at the lodge and check out. Take the boat ride back to Nelson with Aqua Taxis. Pick up your car, and drive to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive, one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand. The drive will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes, but you’ll find so many opportunities for photo stops or snacks that it will likely take you longer.
Afternoon
Arrive in Blenheim, one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Located in the heart of the famous wine-growing Marlborough region, you’ll find more than 20 wineries within driving distance of the town. There are also a number of local cafes, shops, restaurants, and golf courses to enjoy.
Check into the Picton Yacht Club Hotel. Set beside Picton Harbour, this stylish and modern hotel provides a great base to explore the dramatic local coastline and New Zealand’s wine country. It features an award-winning restaurant, a bar, and a swimming pool. Enjoy the fresh air with a dip in Park Regis Picton’s heated outdoor swimming pool. You can also try the fine cuisine served in the maritime-themed Chartroom Restaurant. Then relax with a drink in the Boatshed Bar, with views over the charming harbor. Picton Yacht Club Hotel lies just a short distance outside Picton city center.
Evening
Enjoy dinner and live music against unparalleled views of the Marlborough Sounds at Le Cafe.
Day Five: Motuara and Marlborough
Morning
Have a quick breakfast at the hotel and check out before heading to the waterfront for a Motuara Bird Sanctuary Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises.
This wild island is home to a variety of native species, including many endangered ones. All introduced pests were removed in the early 1990s, and the island is now home to animals you won’t find elsewhere. After cruising around, you’ll have about an island to walk around the island. I recommend following the track which winds up to the highest point of the island and admire the views from the Cook Straight Lookout where you can see the North Island. Along the walk, be sure to lift the lids on the wooden nesting boxes along the path to see if you can find a snoozing penguin inside! The island is predator-free, making it a safe spot for Little Blue Penguins.
Afternoon
Drive to The Vines Village in Blenheim, approximately 30 minutes away. Rent a bike from Explore Marlborough and go on a self-guided vineyard tour (maps are provided).
Treat yourself to lunch and a wine tasting at Wairau River Wines before continuing your cycling and sipping. My favorite vineyards were:
- Nautilus Estate
- Giesen Wines
- Framingham Wines
Evening
Check into the Marlborough Wine Barrel Cabins, unique accommodations where you can sleep in an oversized wine barrel.
Have dinner at Arbour, one of Marlborough’s best restaurants. Get a table outside if you can (the gas fireplace will keep you warm) and enjoy sampling wine and local cuisine while admiring the views.
Day Six: Christchurch
Morning
Breakfast at the hotel and checkout.
Drive to Christchurch.
Afternoon
Take a break during the drive and have lunch at Nin’s Bin. This iconic caravan on the side of the road serves up fresh seafood for you to enjoy right beside the coast. It’s simple, yet divine.
Head into Kaikoura, a cute coastal town worth wandering around. On the way out of town, stop by the seal colony on the peninsula, where you can see seals up close and enjoy an incredible alps to ocean view.
If you feel like making the drive even more leisurely, there are a few wineries I recommend stopping at along the way. (Just make sure you designate a driver, as New Zealand’s drinking and driving laws are quite strict.) My favorite winery was Black Estate, a family-run vineyard, cellar door, and restaurant in Waipara.
Evening
Arrive in Christchurch. Christchurch is a city of art and culture that also serves as a gateway to fun-filled South Island adventures. It has an international airport and is within a couple of hours by road to all the major regional destinations.
Check into the Hotel Montreal, Christchurch’s best luxury boutique hotel. The hotel has a prime location overlooking Cramner Square on the edge of Hagley Park. The rooms here are comfortable and affordable.
Get dinner at 5th Street, one of the best restaurants in Christchurch. After, experience some New Zealand humor at the Christchurch comedy club, Little Andromeda.
Day Seven: Christchurch
Morning
Wake up with breakfast and coffee at Under the Red Verandah, a cute cafe.
Christchurch is very bike-friendly, and cycling is one of the best ways to see the city, so take a self-guided tour from Ōtautahi – Christchurch.
Afternoon
Refuel with lunch at C1 Espresso, housed in Christchurch’s old post office building (built in the 1930s.) This quirky cafe has a pneumatic tube system that delivers food to your table!
After lunch, take a journey back in time on one of Christchurch’s lovingly restored heritage trams. Jump aboard at the quaint and colorful New Regent Street and enjoy your ride through Christchurch, as friendly and knowledgeable drivers share history and stories about the city.
Hop on and off the tram at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puno o Waihetu.
End your afternoon with a leisurely boat ride down the Avon River. Sink back into the velvet cushions of your boat as the Edwardian punter gently glides you down the Avon River, passing the trailing willows and leafy banks of the stunning Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This is an iconic Christchurch experience not to be missed.
Evening
Dine at King of Snake, timelessly inspired by Southeast Asia and situated within the nightlife hub of Christchurch’s Victoria Street. The interior is warm and moody, set in a casual, sophisticated atmosphere, serving a fusion of Asian and New Zealand dishes.
Day Eight: Mount Cook National Park
Morning
Grab a quick breakfast and coffee at Affogato Cafe, and then hit the road early for a long drive to Mount Cook. The drive will take approximately 4.5 hours, and you’ll want to be sure to stop at gas stations when you can, as there are limited places to fill up your car within Mount Cook National Park.
Afternoon
Check into The Hermitage, the best place to stay in Mount Cook National Park. The views here are incredible, and you’ll wake up to views of Aoraki Mount Cook towering above you. The Hermitage Hotel is the perfect base camp from which to explore the park.
Have lunch at Old Mountaineers Cafe in Mount Cook Village. This cafe has an extensive historic photographic gallery so you can see how the area has evolved over the years while you relax with organic coffee, cold beer or wine, and excellent food.
After lunch, head out to the Hooker Valley Track, a spectacular hike around the base of Aoraki/Mount Cook. This trek should take you about three hours from the hotel (add an extra hour if you’re starting from the village.) The trail leads up the Hooker Valley towards Aoraki/Mount Cook, passing close to the Alpine Memorial (a great viewpoint) and Freda’s Rock, before coming to the viewing point of the Mueller Glacier and the first swing bridge.
Day Nine: Mount Cook National Park
Morning
Hop on a tour with Glacier Explorers (make sure you book in advance). This is the only tour of its kind in New Zealand, and one of only three in the world! Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer of these are accessible to the average person. By using a boat Glacier Explorers get close to towering icecliffs and huge floating icebergs. The boats provide a safe way to unseen and inaccessible areas of New Zealand’s largest glacier. View, touch and taste 500-year-old ice.
Afternoon
Take another hike within the park to soak in the scenery. Depending on how long of a hike you’re feeling, I recommend:
- Sealy Tarns Track (3.3 miles)
- Tasman Glacier View Track (0.8 miles)
- Mueller Hut Route (6.0 miles)
Evening
Enjoy a sundowner at the hotel, watching the light change over the mountains, before having dinner.
Day 10: Lake Tekapo
Morning
Have a quick breakfast at the hotel and squeeze in a short hike (maybe the Tasman Glacier View Track if you didn’t do it yesterday) before checking out.
Afternoon
Drive to Lake Tekapo, which will take a little over 1.5 hours. Check into Peppers Bluewater, set the heart of Mackenzie Country in New Zealand’s central South Island. Overlooking Lake Tekapo, this resort is located in an intensely beautiful part of the world and set amongst the purest national landscape.
Take a taster tour of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail with Lakeland Explorer. This nine-section bike trail links the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean and runs for nearly 200 miles. There are plenty of beautiful sections that will give you a sample of the trail in just a day.
Evening
Relax and soothe your tired muscles at the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools and Spas. These outdoor hot springs offer stunning views of Lake Tekapo and Mount John from steaming pools.
Sample the area’s fresh seafood for dinner at Kohan Restaurant, which serves sashimi, sushi, and more.
Cap off your night with a trip to the largest International Gold Dark Sy Reserve in the world at the University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory. The observatory is not accessible to private vehicles, so take a tour there with the Dark Sky Project. You’ll have an unforgettable evening viewing planets, stars, and distant galaxies, along with informative commentary from astronomers.
Day 11: Queenstown
Morning
Check out and drive to Queenstown, about a three-hour drive away. Queenstown has earned its moniker as the world’s adrenaline epicenter, and if you’re up for it, you’ll find plenty of heart-stopping thrills here, including bungy jumping and jet boats.
Check into the QT Queenstown, a five-star hotel with an incredible location right on the water.
Afternoon
Get acquainted with Queenstown by riding the Queenstown Skyline Gondola, a cable car that will whisk you nearly 1,500 feet up the mountains for an incredible view of the city and scenery beyond. There are two restaurants to choose from at the top, but you’ll find the best views at Skyline’s Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar.
After you’ve digested, hit the luge track for an exhilarating (and scenic) ride down the mountain.
Evening
Go for an evening stroll around The Mall, Queenstown’s main shopping area, where you’ll find lots of bars, restaurants, and boutiques to pop into. Grab a casual dinner at New Zealand’s famous Ferburger, a restaurant centered around hamburgers.
Don’t get too sucked into Queenstown’s lively nightlife scene tonight, as you don’t want to be hungover for tomorrow morning’s activity!
Day 12: Queenstown
Morning
If you’re feeling up for it, head to Shotover Canyon Swing, the world’s highest canyon swing. Based in Queenstown, you can take the shuttle to the swing or drive yourself. Once you’re in the canyon (located about an hour away), you can choose to safely fling yourself off the edge in a variety of styles—from doing a backflip off the edge to having one of the staff members cut your safety cord with a chainsaw. Unlike with a bungy jump, the canyon swing doesn’t have a bounce at the end of the freefall, just a smooth swing.
Afternoon
Celebrate your achievement with a drink (or two) at Perky’s Floating Bar, a bar on a boat in beautiful Queenstown Lake followed by lunch at Flame Bar & Grill.
Work off some of the excess adrenaline after lunch with an easy walk up the Queenstown Hill Track, a short trail (3 miles round trip) that starts right in downtown Queenstown and offers panoramic views at the top.
Evening
For a unique dinner experience, book tickets to Walter High Peak Country Farm. The evening starts with cruise of Lake Wakatipu on a vintage steamship Board the TSS Earnslaw. You’ll then be dropped off at Walter Peak High Country Farm where you’ll be treated to an authentic Kiwi barbecue dinner. After eating, you can see farm demonstrations or just relax at the bar.
Day 13: Queenstown
Morning
Have a light breakfast and coffee at Vudu Cafe, before heading to Shotover Jet to experience a classic Queenstown adventure activity. You can take a shuttle from the office in downtown Queenstown, or drive yourself to the river, which is about 10 minutes away.
You’ll shoot through Shotover Canyon on a jet going around 50 mph, doing jaw-dropping turns and spins through the rapids.
Afternoon
Recover from your wild morning with a trip to the Onsen Hot Pools, where you can soak in cedar tubs overlooking the Shotover River. Treat yourself to a massage while you’re here.
Evening
Cap off an amazing day with dinner at Nest Kitchen & Bar, one of Queenstown’s best special occasion restaurants.
Day 14: Queenstown
Fly back home from Queenstown.
New Zealand Travel Tips
- Make sure you hold a current passport with at least six months of validity
- Confirm if you will need a visa
- No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand
- Visitors bringing in a large quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand customs.
- New Zealand has strict biosecurity procedures at airports to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. All food items, even the smallest amount, must be declared. Any hiking shoes, sporting, or camping equipment must be declared and inspected for soil, plant matter, and seeds.
- Tipping in New Zealand is not customary, even in restaurants and bars.
- The emergency phone number in New Zealand is 111.
