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2 Week New Zealand Itinerary (Including the locations we Stayed)

2 Week New Zealand Itinerary (Including the locations we Stayed)

Planning a two-week trip to New Zealand can feel daunting, especially when you’re trying to decide what’s actually worth your time and how to connect it all without rushing. This blog post lays out a complete, real-world 2 week New Zealand itinerary based on our own trip, combining city stays, must-do excursions, and a scenic campervan road trip through both islands. It breaks down where we stayed, what we booked in advance, and how we structured the route to balance iconic highlights with slower, memorable stops. Make sure to check out the individual blog post links (as we write them) if you’d like to learn more about each activity!

Pro Tip: Make sure to bookmark this page

*Many (not all) of these links contain our affiliate codes to sites like Expedia, Booking.com, Viator, etc. If you find this free itinerary helpful, we’d love it if you would consider using our links (and returning to them) if you choose to book any of these items. You can also book other things on said sites after clicking these links Thank you!

Table of contents

Auckland (North Island)

Day:

  1. Land in Auckland – Recommend staying at the Park Hyatt Auckland
  2. Rest/Recover
  3. Waiheke island Wine Tours – PREMIUM wine tasting MAX 11 clients!

Queenstown (South Island)

Day:

  1. Fly to Queenstown – Recommend staying at The Spire hotel
  2. Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown (Half-Day excursion)
    1. Queenstown Hydro Attack Shark Ride Adventure – Only takes 15 minutes per person
      1. Check out our full blog post about the Hydro Attack Shark Ride
    2. Queenstown Lake Cruise & Walter Peak Farm Adventure – Make sure to book the time slot that has the TSS Earnslaw, a coal-fired steamship that was built in 1912, the same year as the Titanic – Around 3.5 Hour experience roundtrip
      1. Alternatively you could choose their Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise or Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown if animals aren’t really your thing.
  4. Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

Campervan Back to Auckland (Crossing the Cook Strait)

(Be sure to see sights along the way as time allows – Make sure to check the latest time you can check into different campervan parks)

Day

    1. Fly to Christchurch in AM, pick up Campervan – We booked a luxury RV through the highly rated Wilderness Motorhome Rentals at their Christchurch location
    2. Stop for supplies at the Woolworths Grocery Store in Amberley
    3. Stop for Lunch/Dinner in Kaikoura
    4. Stay overnight in Picton at a Campervan Park near the Interislander Ferry – Book the Ferry slot you want way in advance. We booked the Adults Only Premium Lounge
    1. Take a morning ferry to Wellington
    2. Grab Fuel along the way (we stopped in Bulls)
    3. Possibly a short hike along the way like:
      1. Gollum’s Pool
      2. Lake Rotopounamu Track – 15min hike to see the lake, 2hrs to walk all the way around it
    4. Check into Lake Taupo Holiday Resort for the next 2 days
    1. Tour the National Kiwi Hatchery and explore Rotorua
    2. Stop by the scenic and free Huka Falls
    3. Head to the free and relaxing Spa Park Hot Pools before returning to the Resort
    1. Check out of the resort
    2. Book a morning/noon tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set – Book way in advance. This is easily booked 90+ days in advance during peak season
    3. Head to Hahei
      1. On the way, stop and do a hike in the incredibly beautiful Karangahake Gorge.
        1. Hikes are as short as 20 minutes and as long as a couple of hours. The Windows Walk Hike was one of the most unique hikes we’ve done, but bring a flashlight/headlamp!
    4. Check into Hahei Beach Resort – Book in advance to get a powered beachfront lot
  5. Beach Day!
    1. Enjoy the beach, either hike or take a water taxi to the famous Cathedral Cove, or rent a shovel at the resort and visit Hot Water Beach
  6. Head back to Auckland to drop off the Campervan at the Wilderness Motorhomes Auckland location
    1. Check into a hotel either near the airport or in Auckland Downtown – we chose the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour (an Amex Fine Hotel & Resort booking)
    2. Alternatively you can extend your campervan to another night, especially if your flight home is later in the afternoon/evening.
  7. Pack up, and head home!

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DeAndre Coke February 1, 2026
Written by DeAndre Coke

DeAndre Coke is a financial advisor and avid traveler with a passion for helping others explore the world affordably and luxuriously. Ranked by Forbes as one of Virginia’s top financial security professionals for two consecutive years, DeAndre brings his strategic mindset to his travel pursuits. Together with his fiancée, Taryn, he navigates the world of points and miles, uncovering the secrets of award travel to share with his audience.