A Complete New Zealand North Island Itinerary

You’ll want to start the day early as it will be a long – yet exciting – one. If you don’t stop, the drive from Lake Pukaki towards Wanaka will take approximately 2.5 hours. Enjoy local refreshments as you relax on the shore of tranquil Lake McLaren while the ducks or swans go about their evenings. Waimarino’s kayak tour guide will take you to the lake at dusk to see the sun setting over the rolling hills. Gently paddle your kayak in the night to discover the magic of the glow worm canyon. This kayak tour is truly a magical, unique and magical experience.

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  • Depending on how much time you have and what type of activities you’re looking to do, the cost of an average trip can fluctuate greatly. You can travel around New Zealand quite cheaply if you are a hiker and stay in hostels. However, if you want to go bungy jumping, sky diving, and enjoy fine dining, expect to pay an arm and a leg.

    Day North Island Luxury Itinerary

    This quick, eventful road trip takes you through the South Island and the Southern Alps. Enjoy the highlights of busy Christchurch, the history and landscapes of the Otago Peninsula, and the rare wildlife settled along The Caitlins. Queenstown Hill is a return trail that takes between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the route taken.

    Spoiler alert: Milford Sound and a New Zealand cruise through it must be at the top of everyone’s wish list. Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, is a great place to start a day trip. You can take it from a Kiwi, there are some amazing views in the South Island. Check out this South Island New Zealand itinerary to see where you can go. There are many great places to visit in North Island, but the South Island is the best. Luxmore HutThere are other options available if you don’t want to climb steep hills or walk all day.

    Arthur’s Pass is both the road you will take from Hokitika to Christchurch and a National Park. This beautiful stretch of highway cuts directly through the mountains, passing by numerous points of photographic interest along the way. A short trail leads to views of lush greens and deep blues, in a remote setting near the Hokitika River.

    This tour has one drawback: you miss many beautiful stops on your way to Milford Sound. The upside is that Queenstown’s views are spectacular from the sky. You also save time and have more time to enjoy Queenstown. If you are on a tight schedule, consider making a detour to Lake Ohau. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Mt Cook to Queenstown. We do recommend a detour from Lake Ohau for landscape photographers and nature lovers. This will add about an hour to your trip time for driving, plus however much time you spend photographing.

    Perfect 7

    The Hotel Armitage has been providing quality accommodation Tauranga since 1971. It is currently undergoing major renovations, including new well-appointed rooms and suites. Whakatane is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes’ drive from Mount Maunganui. 4.5-star motel accommodation nestled between the Whakatane River and a pohutukawa tree-lined escarpment. With a delicious menu, scrummy savoury cabinet options, incredible coffee, and the best salads in town, Nourish has something for everyone. Explore the history of Tauranga or take a walk along the endless waterfront. This amazing building was originally built in Edwardian Baroque style, in 1906.

    new zealand 7 days itinerary