3 Weeks in New Zealand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Epic New Zealand Road Trip: Auckland to Queenstown

This self-drive itinerary is ideal for first-timers who appreciate nature and good eats that want to experience the best of both islands, including unique culinary activities aboard trams and boats. With several romantic excursions—such as geothermal spa treatments, a sunrise hot air balloon ride, and a flight over the fjords.

Dive into your New Zealand adventure with a bungee jump and harbor cruise in Auckland. Then, experience the ethereal atmosphere created by thousands of glowworms in Footwhistle Glowworm Cave before spending a couple of days in Rotorua, where you'll hike Waimangu Volcanic Valley, zip line over native forest, and soak in thermal pools. Days 6 and 7 are dedicated to Wellington. Tour the city aboard a cable car and visit Wētā Workshop to see some of the artistry behind "The Lord of the Rings." Take a scenic ferry ride to the South Island, and taste your way through Marlborough wine country.

Join a whale watching tour in Kaikōura on Day 10, then head to Christchurch, where you'll feast on a multicourse meal aboard a historic tram. Drive to Aoraki / Mount Cook through the Canterbury Plains and enjoy a stargazing tour. Go off-roading in Mackenzie Country, then continue to Queenstown, stopping for a bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge en route. Celebrate with a hot-air balloon ride and a farm feast before departing for Fiordland National Park. Finally, experience the region from land, water, and air: Cruise Milford Sound, hike Te Anau, and take a scenic flight over the fjords. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Best of the South Island Road Trip: Glaciers, Mountains, Coasts & Fjords

This self-drive itinerary covers the best of the South Island destinations after a couple of days in the capital city of Wellington on the North Island. Animal lovers will also appreciate the numerous opportunities to encounter wildlife, including whales, seals, and yellow-eyed penguins.

Check out Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, by cable car, then take a night walk at Zealandia sanctuary and encounter nocturnal wildlife before embarking on a scenic ferry to the South Island on Day 3. Join a kayak tour at Abel Tasman National Park the following day, heading north through Marlborough wine country to Kaikōura for a whale watching excursion. Spend Days 7 and 8 in Christchurch with options that include a punt tour on the Avon River / Ōtākaro and cultural experiences at Ko Tāne Living Māori Village. 

Marvel at icebergs on Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake, and enjoy stargazing at Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. See yellow-eyed penguins at Penguin Place, and bottle your own beer at Speights Brewery in Dunedin on Days 11 and 12. Tour glowworm caves at Te Anau, and spend a peaceful night aboard a boat on Doubtful Sound. Continue to Queenstown, where you can enjoy views from the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere and ride the luge track at Skyline Complex. Spend your final days experiencing ice caves and hot pools at Franz Josef Glacier before sightseeing in Christchurch. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate South Island Self-Drive

This fast-paced South Island road trip is suited to travelers who want to visit popular stops, such as Christchurch and Queenstown, and a few that are farther off the beaten path, including the "pancake rocks" of Punakaiki and gold country near Shantytown.

See Christchurch via tram, punt (flat-bottomed boat), and gondola before heading across the Canterbury Plains to Aoraki / Mount Cook, where you can float alongside icebergs and take a 4WD tour to learn about Tasman Glacier. Spot fur seals on an Otago Peninsula wildlife excursion on Day 5. Cruise through Lake Te Anau glowworm caves, then spend a serene overnight aboard a boat on Doubtful Sound fjord. Days 8 and 9 focus on Queenstown's adrenaline-filled adventures, including bungee jumping and a jet boat ride through Shotover Canyon. 

Drive the West Coast to Franz Glacier on Day 10, and enjoy thermal pools, hiking, and a helicopter tour. Continue to Arthur's Pass National Park for caving and bird watching, then onto Kaikōura for a whale watching expedition. Head north to Marlborough on Day 15 for wine tasting. Then enjoy coastal photo ops along Queen Charlotte Drive en route to Abel Tasman National Park, where you can spot wildlife, like Fiordland penguins, as you paddle in your sea kayak along the shoreline. Stop by Buller Gorge and historic Shantytown before boarding the scenic TranzAlpine Train back to Christchurch. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Epic Australia & New Zealand: Cities, Beaches & Mountains

This two-country itinerary suits travelers who want to cover as much ground as possible and are keen on seeing both Australia and New Zealand. You'll snorkel Australia's Great Barrier Reef and hike the Blue Mountains and experience New Zealand's geothermal activity in Rotorua and wildlife in the fjords. It includes a handful of short flights, guided tours, and a variety of transportation options—including a luxury bus and 4WD vehicles—great for those who prefer less self-driving. 

Begin in Sydney with a city walking tour, a surf lesson at Bondi Beach, and a hike in the nearby Blue Mountains. Fly to Queensland, where you'll snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and take a 4WD tour of Daintree Rainforest before boarding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. On Day 9, fly to Melbourne and tour the city's historic laneways and arcades via the free City Circle tram. Take a hot-air balloon ride over nearby Yarra Valley, followed by a Champagne breakfast and wine tasting. Last, witness the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island with a stop to see kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. 

Fly to Auckland for your New Zealand adventure, and take an eco-tour in the Waitakere Ranges. Board a luxury bus to Rotorua with stops at Glowworm Grotto and Hobbiton Movie Set. Embark on a bush walk and learn about Māori culture at Mitai Māori Village on Day 16 before catching a flight to Queenstown, where you can experience heart-pumping adventures such as bungee jumping. Then spend the day on the water with a jet boat tour and canoe safari in Mount Aspiring National Park followed by a wildlife cruise on the majestic Milford Sound fjord for the grand finale. Learn more

More Great 3-Week New Zealand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to New Zealand? Check out these other three-week New Zealand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.