Seeking help on 15 days in NZ final itinerary
 

The following is provisional plan for the New Zealand port of a longer 6 week trip from Los Angeles to New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. As the “planning spouse” I would really appreciate any helpful perspective or advice from local or experienced with traveling New Zealand.

Note:

· We value planning that provides for efficiency of active but reasonable pace… “full” but with smart margins rather than “foolish full.”

· We enjoy natural beauty and a bit on culture… and doing so by easy to moderate hikes or bikes… more than thrill ventures (ie. rafting, skydiving, etc)

· We enjoy walkability to town / restaurants, especially in evening after a day of driving, when possible… verses more remote lodging.

· It is understood that the drive times only reflect mapped time and we then add time for the expected common road slowdowns and various stops.

· Taking the season of late April into account; sun setting around 5:30 so desire is to reach destinations by 5pm to avoid driving in the dark and enjoy sunset.

· The choice to go to Newcastle and Brisbane is to see friends







April 14 pm

Depart late evening (Dep. 14th 11:55pm arr 16th 12:40pm, Fiji stop)

April 15

In-Flight

April 16

Arrive Auckland 12:40 afternoon… head to hotel.

April 17

Day 1 – Day in Auckland – recoup and visit Auckland sites

April 18

Day 2 – Rent car / Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula (3.5+ hrs plus stops) / Stay in Hahei

April 19 S

Day 3 – Day in Hahei - Cathedral Cove / Hot Water Beach (Stay in Hahei)

April 20

Day 4 – Drive Hahei to Waihi and on to Rotorua (4 + hrs plus 2-4 hr stops) / Stay in Rotorua

April 21

Day 5 – Rotorua: Kuirau Park / Ohinemutu Village; Redwoods Tree Walk / Te Puia 4pm geo & cultural / Stay in Rotorua

April 22

Day 6 – Drive (1 hr + stops) to Lake Taupo - Huka Falls & hikes / Stay in Taupo

April 23

Day 7 – Return car / Fly Taupo to Christchurch (10am-1:25) / rent car/ Afternoon visit International Antarctic Centre / Stay in Christchurch

April 24

Day 8 – Early drive Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (3 hrs + stops); Lunch and shoreline hike; late afternoon continue on (1.5 hrs + stops) to Mt Cook. / Stay Mt Cook

April 25

Day 9 - Mount Cook Nat’l Park – hikes, and evening dark sky / Stay Mt. Cook

April 26 (S)

Day 10 – Morning in Mt. Cook, then drive to Wanaka (2.5hrs + stops) / Stay in Wanaka

April 27 (H)

Day 11 – Wanaka (Mt. Aspiring National Park) / Stay in Wanaka

(Anzac Day is on Saturday, April 25, 2026, so Monday work holiday for many)

April 28

Day 12 – Drive Wanaka to Te Anau (3hrs + stops) / Stay Te Anau

April 29

Day 13 – Cruise in Milford Sound / Stay Te Anau

April 30

Day 14 – Enjoy morning in Te Anau / drive to Queenstown / Stay in Queenstown

May 1

Day 15 - Queenstown - Enjoy activities or relaxing / Stay in Queenstown

May 2

Day 16 - Queenstown - Enjoy activities or relaxing / Stay in Queenstown

May 3 (S)

Attend Church / Fly Queenstown to Sydney / Stay Rocks area

I've done a similar route. Looks well thought. If anything, just be flexible with weather in places like Mt Cood and Milford Sound.