Route
Auckland → Rotorua → Taupō → Wellington → Picton → Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Wanaka → back via Christchurch
The trip
Overview
A classic NZ loop — cities, geothermal parks, wine country, fjords, and mountains. Edit dates and details below to match your actual plan.
Flights
- Outbound: ORD → AKL · Mar 15 · NZ 26
- Return: CHC → ORD · Apr 2 · NZ 1 + connection
- Confirmation: NZ-TRIP-2026
Transport
- Rental car pickup: Auckland Airport, Mar 16
- Drop-off: Christchurch Airport, Apr 1
- Interislander ferry: Wellington → Picton, Mar 23
- Booked: Full-size SUV (automatic, unlimited km)
Accommodation style
Mix of Airbnb apartments, one night in a lakeside cabin (Tekapo), and a hostel bunk in Queenstown for the adventure crowd. All confirmations linked in Logistics.
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap an island to see the schedule. Each card expands for activities, drive times, and notes.
Stay: Auckland CBD Airbnb (2 nights)
- Land AKL ~6:30 AM — clear customs, pick up SIM at airport
- Light explore: Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter
- Early dinner at Depot Eatery — recover from jet lag
Stay: Auckland CBD Airbnb
- Morning: Mount Eden sunrise walk
- Pick up rental car at airport (~11 AM)
- Afternoon: Waiheke Island wine tour (ferry from downtown)
Stay: Rotorua lakeside lodge (2 nights)
- Drive south via Hobbiton Movie Set (pre-booked 2 PM tour)
- Evening: Polynesian Spa hot pools
Stay: Rotorua lakeside lodge
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (morning — less crowded)
- Redwoods Treewalk
- Optional: Māori cultural evening at Te Pā Tū
Stay: Taupō lakefront apartment (1 night)
- Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon walk
- Lake Taupō waterfront — optional sailing charter
Stay: Wellington Te Aro Airbnb (2 nights)
- Day 6: Tongariro Alpine Crossing (full day hike — book shuttle)
- Day 7: Drive to Wellington, Cuba Street food crawl, Te Papa Museum
Stay: Wellington Te Aro Airbnb
- Weta Workshop tour (book ahead)
- Mount Victoria lookout · Cable car to Botanic Garden
- Pack for ferry tomorrow — car loaded by evening
Stay: Blenheim or Kaikōura overnight
- Interislander ferry: 8:45 AM Wellington → Picton (~3.5 hrs)
- Drive coastal route toward Kaikōura if time allows
Bookings
Logistics
Confirmations, links, and key reference numbers. Replace placeholders with your real bookings.
✈️ Flights
| Leg | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ORD → AKL | Mar 15 | NZ 26 · dep 11:45 PM · Seat rows 22–25 |
| CHC → AKL → ORD | Apr 2 | NZ 536 + NZ 1 · layover 2h40 |
🚗 Car rental
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Ezi Car Rental (or your choice) |
| Pickup | Auckland Airport · Mar 16, 11:00 |
| Drop-off | Christchurch Airport · Apr 1, 16:00 |
| Insurance | Full excess reduction — split 4 ways |
| Reminder | Drive on the left · narrow roads · fill tank before return |
⛴️ Ferry
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route | Wellington → Picton |
| Date / time | Mar 23 · 08:45 departure |
| Operator | Interislander · Ref: ISL-2026-NZ |
| Tip | Arrive 60 min early with vehicle · cafeteria on board |
🏠 Key stays
| Location | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland CBD | Mar 15–16 | Airbnb · 2 bed · check-in 3 PM |
| Rotorua | Mar 17–18 | Lakeside lodge · hot tub! |
| Wellington | Mar 20–22 | Te Aro flat · street parking |
| Lake Tekapo | Mar 25 | Cabin · stargazing nearby |
| Queenstown | Mar 26–28 | Hostel + Airbnb combo |
| Wanaka | Mar 29–30 | Lake house · group favorite |
Must-do
Highlights & activities
Pre-booked experiences and optional add-ons. Status updates as we confirm.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Matamata · Mar 17 · 2:00 PM tour · $89 pp
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Shuttle booked · Mar 20 · 19.4 km · bring layers
Interislander Ferry
Mar 23 · Cook Strait crossing · 3.5 hrs
Whale watching — Kaikōura
Mar 24 · 7:00 AM · sea sickness pills recommended
Dark Sky stargazing
Lake Tekapo · Mar 25 · 10:00 PM · dress warm
Milford Sound cruise
Mar 27 · Full day from Queenstown · pack lunch
Bungy / jet boat
Queenstown · AJ Hackett or Shotover Jet · ~$150–250
Roys Peak hike
Wanaka · free · 3–4 hrs · start before sunrise
Know before you go
Essentials
📋 Entry requirements
- Visa: NZeTA required for US citizens (~$17 USD + $35 tourism levy) — apply at least 72 hrs before
- Passport: Valid 3+ months beyond departure
- Customs: Declare all food, hiking boots (clean soil off), camping gear
💵 Money
- Currency: NZD · current rate ~$0.58 USD
- Cards: Widely accepted · notify your bank before travel
- ATMs: Available in all towns · withdraw in larger amounts to reduce fees
- Tipping: Not expected · round up for exceptional service
🌤️ Weather & seasons
- March–April: Early autumn — mild, 55–70°F (13–21°C)
- South Island: Can drop to 40°F at night · pack layers
- Rain: Milford Sound gets ~7m/year — waterproof jacket essential
- Sun: UV is intense — sunscreen even on cloudy days
🚗 Driving in NZ
- Side: Drive on the LEFT
- Roads: Narrow, winding · allow extra time always
- Speed: 100 km/h max on open roads · 50 in towns
- Fuel: ~$2.50 NZD/liter · fill up in larger towns
- One-lane bridges: Common on South Island — know who has right of way
📱 Connectivity
- SIM: Spark or One NZ at airport · ~$35 for 30-day data
- WiFi: Spotty in remote areas · download offline maps
- Apps: Google Maps (offline), CamperMate, MetService (weather)
🏥 Safety & health
- Emergency: Dial 111 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Insurance: Travel insurance with adventure sports cover recommended
- Sandflies: Vicious on West Coast — insect repellent required
- Water: Tap water safe nationwide
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Check items off as you pack. Saves to your browser automatically.
Documents
Clothing
Gear
Health
0 of 0 packed
The crew
Group info
Who's coming, emergency contacts, and shared responsibilities.
A
Alex
Trip organizer
- 📱 +1 (555) 010-0001
- ✉️ alex@email.com
- 🎫 Holds main booking confirmations
J
Jordan
Navigator & driver #1
- 📱 +1 (555) 010-0002
- ✉️ jordan@email.com
- 🗺️ Downloaded offline maps
S
Sam
Activities coordinator
- 📱 +1 (555) 010-0003
- ✉️ sam@email.com
- 🎯 Booked tours & experiences
R
Riley
Food & budget tracker
- 📱 +1 (555) 010-0004
- ✉️ riley@email.com
- 🍽️ Dietary notes: vegetarian
🆘 Emergency contacts (NZ)
Emergency services: 111
US Embassy Wellington: +64 4 462 6000
AA Roadside: 0800 224 357
Car rental breakdown: See glove box doc