I have been lucky enough to do both a one month trip to New Zealand, and a 3 month trip. Drawing on these experiences, I have put together my ultimate 1 month New Zealand itinerary for people who are short on time. This includes 1 week on the North Island, starting in Auckland, and 3 and a half weeks on the South Island, ending in Christchurch.
This itinerary is assuming that you are using your own vehicle to get around (a rented car or camper van). There are other ways of visiting New Zealand, say by bus or train, but driving yourself is the most efficient way.
Seeing all of New Zealand in just one month isn’t realistic—but you can experience an incredible amount with the right plan. This itinerary is designed to help you make the most of 31 days, covering as many highlights as possible across both islands. Be prepared, though: it includes around 3,597 km (2,235 miles) of driving—nearly 50 hours behind the wheel—and a fast-paced schedule.
North Island
Below is a map displaying the North Island route.
Day 1: Auckland
Fly into Auckland and spend the day recovering from the long flight and trying to get over jet lag! Auckland is a great city but probability not worth spending much time here if you only have one month in New Zealand. This is also the time to pick up your rented car/camper van and get excited about your upcoming adventure!
Day 2-3: Coromandel National Park
Drive Duration: 3 hours
Drive Length: 186km/116 miles
Campsites: Whangapoua Car Park (free), Royal Billy Point Reserve (free), Tui Reserve (free)
The first stop of your New Zealand adventure: The Coromandel National Park. This is a large National Park, and with only 2 days to spare it is best to stay on the east coast. The Coromandel is well-known for its gorgeous coastline with stunning beaches. It is a nice, chill place to carry on getting over any residual jet lag. I would recommend spending the first night in Whangapoua, and then driving south and spending the second night in Whitianga.
Top things to do:
- Cathedral caves
- Hot Water Beach
- New Chums Beach
- Visit Luke’s Kitchen
Day 4: Hobbiton and Putāruru Blue Springs
Drive Duration: 3 hours, then 30 minutes, then 16 minutes
Drive Length: 195km/121 miles, then 34km/21 miles, then 16km/10 miles
Campsites: Horahora Domain (free), Jones Landing (free)
Drive early in the morning from Whitianga in the Coromandel to Putāruru Blue Springs. This is one of the prettiest places in New Zealand; a gorgeous, clear river which is just so peaceful. I spent about an hour here.
Want to see my top 20 Most Beautiful Places in New Zealand? Click here
After lunch, drive the 30 minutes to Hobbiton Set Movie Tours. This is a 2 and a half hour tour through the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie set. Even if you are not a huge fan (like me!), I would still really recommend visiting. I have been twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. However, this is something you will need to book in advance as it is very popular. Tickets costs NZ$120 per adult.
Day 5-6: Taupō
Drive Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes, then 2 hours, then 1 hour 10 minutes
Drive Length: 103km/64 miles, then 149km/93 miles, then 75km/47 miles
Campsite: Whakaipo Bay (free)
In the morning, drive from Matamata to Waitomo Caves. These caves are renowned for thousands of magical, native glowworms lighting up underground limestone chambers. You can either take a boat ride, guided walking tour, or rafting adventure, with the cheapest tour costing from NZ$80. New Zealand is one of the primary countries that has glowworms so this isn’t an activity to pass up.
In the afternoon, after your glowworm experience, drive from Waitomo Caves to Taupō. This lakeside town is a popular tourist destination and for good reason. Over your day and half here, these are the top things to do:
- Huka Falls
- Play the hole-in-one golf challenge
- Get a burger at Jimmy Choos
- Visit the Airplane McDonalds!
In the evening of your second day, drive from Taupō to Tongariro National Park.
Day 7: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Campsites: Tongariro Junction Accommodation (NZ$19 per person), Oasis Motel and Holiday Park (NZ$25 per person)
Complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing! This is one of New Zealand’s most popular day hikes. A 20km hike with 800m in elevation over an active volcano – what’s not to love! Even if you are not a huge hiker, I would really recommend doing this one. It is an absolute highlight from my time in New Zealand. The landscapes are like nothing I’ve ever seen and I felt so satisfied after finishing it.
Read this Complete Guide so you feel fully prepared beforehand.
Day 8: Ferry Crossing to South Island
Drive Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes
Drive Length: 327km/203 miles
Campsites: Crow Tavern (free), Tasman Holiday Park ($20 per person)
After a rapid 1 week tour across the North Island, it is now time to drive down to the South Island! This is where the adventure really begins. Drive down to Wellington and get the ferry across to Picton on the South Island. Depending on what time your crossing is, you might have some time to wander around Wellington too.
Don’t make the same mistake I did and wait too long to book the ferry crossing. The spaces fill up super quick so it is worth booking a few months in advance.
I have used Interislander and Bluebridge for the crossing and they were both great. I would recommend just going with whichever is cheapest! My trip with Bluebridge cost NZ$157, and with Interislander I paid NZ$276 (but we did book 2 days in advance for this one)!
After the crossing, stay the night around Picton and have a good sleep before a full day of exploring the next day!
Alternate Option:
Your other option is to rent a different car in the South Island and drop your North Island car off in Wellington. Then you can fly from Wellington airport to wherever you please, generally Queenstown or Christchurch.
This plan is still good, you would just miss out on Marlborough Sounds in the north. You can still follow the itinerary below, just start at a different point.
South Island
Here is the route map for the South Island!
Day 9: Marlborough Sounds
Drive Duration: 2 hours
Drive Length: 139km/86 miles
Campsites: Cowshed Bay Camping Area ($15 per person), Havelock Holiday Park (NZ$24 per person)
Explore Marlborough Sounds by driving from Picton through to Nelson. Although this is only a 2 hour drive, there are so many amazing stops on the way. Here are my top recommendations:
- Swim at Ngakuta bay
- Walk parts of the Queen Charlotte Track
- Look for Weka birds!
- Admire the view from many layovers on the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive
Day 10: Punakaiki
Drive Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
Drive Length: 259 kilometres/161 miles
Campsites: McMillan Road (free), Punakaiki Beach campsite ($24 per person)
It is a very long drive through to Arthur’s Pass, so Punakaiki is the perfect stop-over point.
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks were formed 30 million years ago from compressed layers of dead marine creatures and plants on the seabed. Tectonic activity then lifted these beds, and over millennia, rain and seawater eroded the softer layers faster than the hard ones, creating these unique, stacked rocks.
Day 11-12: Arthur’s Pass National Park
Drive Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
Drive Length: 153km/95 miles
Campsites: Lake Pearson campsite (NZ$15 per person), Avalanche Creek Shelter Campsite (NZ$18 per person)
Arthur’s Pass National Park is a must-visit location. This small, alpine town is surrounded by stunning mountains with great scenery and walks.
This is one of my favourite places as it is home to the world’s only alpine parrot, the Kea. This inquisitive bird is sadly endangered, with an estimated 7,000 left in the wild. There are a few different places to see them in Arthur’s Pass, including the Otira Viaduct lookout and Arthur’s Pass Store & Cafe.
Things To Do:
- Walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall
- Do parts of the Arthur’s Pass walking track
- Swim in Lake Pearson
- Visit Castle Rocks
- Walk through a cave at Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
For a more comprehensive list, have a look at this blog.
Day 13-14: Franz Josef
Drive Duration: 3 hours 16 minutes
Drive Length: 246km/153 miles
Campsites: Franz Josef Campervan Park (NZ$25 per person), Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park (NZ$27 per person)
It is a long drive back to the west coast to reach the next destination: Franz Josef. This is a small town with epic views and a 12km long glacier. There are tons of amazing walks to do around here, and Fox Glacier can be visited from here too.
Main things to do:
- Walk the Robert Point Track (read my full guide to this hike here)
- Franz Josef Glacier walk
- Sentinel Rock walkway
- Explore the township
- Walk the Fox Glacier South Side Walkway
Day 15: Jackson Bay / Haast
Drive Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Drive Length: 177km/110 miles
Campsites: Haast Lodge and Motor Park Accommodation (NZ$30 each)
This is something you probably won’t see on many other New Zealand itineraries and is an absolute hidden gem. It is a tiny place, with only one seafood restaurant (The Craypot) right by the beach.
The highlight of our time here, however, was Neil’s beach. The beach itself is gorgeous, but its main attraction is its abundance of Hector Dolphins which have a nursery offshore. They were so inquisitive and confident and swam among us for over an hour. This was one of my most memorable experiences from my time in New Zealand. My friend and I saw no one else on the beach at all during our 2 hour visit.
Day 16-18: Wanaka
Drive Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
Drive Length: 140km/87 miles
Campsite: Albert Town Campsite (NZ$12 per adult)
The Haast Pass is the name of the spectacular drive between Haast and Wanaka. I did this drive over a whole day so I could stop at all the amazing places along the way. Here were my highlights:
- Roaring Billy Falls
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Fantail Falls
- Haast Pass Lookout
- Blue Pools
- Wilson Creek Chasm
There are then 2 full days left to explore everything Wanaka has to offer. Wanaka is one of my favourite places in New Zealand, and my absolute top town. It is located on the shore of Lake Wanaka and is surrounded by mountains. This blog details all the best things to do here, but this list has a quick rundown:
- Roy’s Peak Hike (click here for a full guide to this amazing hike)
- Visit the famous Wanaka tree
- Go kayaking or paddle boarding
- Eat at the Wanaka Food Truck Park
Day 19-21: Queenstown
Drive Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Drive Length: 68km/42 miles
Campsites: Lakeview car park (free), Boundary Street car park (free), Queenstown Events Centre (free), Glenorchy Domain car park (free)
Known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’ you can get up to all sorts of fun here with skydiving, bungee jumps, zip lining and so much more.
Even if those activities don’t appeal to you, there’s still plenty to keep you busy. I’d highly recommend spending two days exploring Queenstown and its surroundings, then setting aside your third day for a trip to Glenorchy. This spot completely exceeded my expectations and ended up being one of the highlights of my entire trip. If you’re curious why, I’ve shared more in my Queenstown blog. In the meantime, here are my top recommendations for making the most of your time in this amazing town:
- Try the famous Ferg Burger
- Walk the Queenstown Hill Track or take the gondola
- Play Disc Golf
- Take the paddle steamer around the lake
- Walk around the Queenstown Gardens
- Visit the historic Arrow Town
- Visit Glenorchy
Day 22-23: Te Anau and Milford Sound
Drive Duration: 2 hours, 1 hour 45 minutes
Drive Length: 171km/106 miles, 118km/73 miles
Campsites: Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park (NZ$34 per person), Cascade Creek campsite (NZ$18 per person)
Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound and is a great place to stop for a night before doing a cruise.
Milford Sound is one of the most highly-anticipated activities for many people exploring New Zealand. Over 700,000 people visit per year, making it one of the country’s top attractions. The towering cliffs, picturesque waterfalls, and abundance of wildlife creates a truly astounding environment.
On the following day, drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound. This is only a 1 hour 45 minute drive, but there are some amazing places to stop on the way. Depending on what time your tour is, you can either do the stops on the way there or way back.
I made a Complete Milford Sound Guide with everything you need to know, including different cruise options, prices, all the stops to do along the way, the best weather conditions, and much more.
Day 24-25: The Catlins
Drive Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes, then 1 hour 20 minutes
Drive Length: 198km/123 miles, then 88km/55 miles
Campsites: Fortrose Township (free), Waikawa Recreation Reserve (free), Catlins Inn (NZ$10 per person)
Drive from Te Anau to Fortose in the Catlins. This area is known for its wild weather, native forests and dramatic coastlines. It has amazing wildlife such as fur seals, sea lions, and the rare yellow-eyed penguin. In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated spots in New Zealand, and I definitely think it should make your itinerary. Drive east from Fortrose to Owaka and stop at these incredible places on the way:
- Waipapa Point
- Slope Point
- Curio Bay
- McLean Falls
- Cathedral Caves
- Surat Bay
- Nugget Point
Read this blog for a full guide to The Catlins.
Day 26: Dunedin
Drive Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Drive Length: 110km/68 miles
Campsites: Brighton Domain Campgorund (free), Baird Hills Park (free), Ocean View Recreational Reserve (free)
Head to Dunedin with a stop in between to visit the Moeraki Boulders. This is one of those things that (in my opinion) does not live up to the hype but, for a quick stop with low expectations, it’s quite fun.
Dunedin is a fun city with plenty to do in a day. It would also be a good place to have a chill day if you are starting to feel a little burnt out! But if you do fancy some activities, these are my top recommendations:
- Walk up the world’s steepest street – Baldwin Street
- Visit Taiaroa Head – the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross
- Walk around the botanical gardens
- Explore the Otago Museum
Day 27-28: Aoraki / Mount Cook
Drive Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
Drive Length: 316km/196 miles
Campsites: White Horse Hill campground (NZ$20 per person), Glentanner Holiday park (NZ$34 per person), Lake Pukaki campground (free)
It is a long drive up the east coast and then across the country almost all the way back to the west coast, but I promise it is for a worthy cause. This is one of the most magnificent drives in the country. Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,724 metres and is a premier destination for mountaineering, hiking, and amazing views. Even if you are not an avid hiker, the scenery is stunning and there are lots of shorter, easy walks to do here too. Here are my top ways to spend your time:
- The Hooker Valley Track
- Kea Point walk
- Sealy Tarns Hike
- Explore Mount Cook Village
- Star Gaze
Day 29: Lake Tekapo
Drive Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Drive Length: 103km/64 miles
Campsites: Mackenzie Waitaki RV Campsite (free), Lakes Edge Holiday Park (NZ$32 per person)
A short drive to one of the prettiest lakes in New Zealand. It is renowned for its intense turquoise-blue lake, stunning mountain backdrop, and exceptional stargazing. Here are the best things to do here in one day:
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd
- Go stargazing
- November-December: admire the lupin bloom
- Relax at Tekapo Springs
Day 30-31: Christchurch
Drive Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes
Drive Length: 226km/140 miles
Campsites: Tasman Holiday Park (NZ$30 per person)
The last drive to the final stop of this epic adventure is to the largest city in the South Island – Christchurch. Here you can drop off your rental car / campervan and say goodbye to New Zealand. If you have time to do anything here, make it one of these:
- Visit the Botanical Gardens
- Take a trip on a tram
- Ride the Christchurch gondola
- Do a tour of the local street art
Thank you for reading this New Zealand Itinerary! I hoped it has helped you to plan your adventure to this amazing country.
Please like this post and comment if you have any questions.
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