New Zealand is famous for its epic scenery, volcanoes, waterfalls, being the gateway to the South Pole and of course, Lord of the Rings. A little larger than the UK but with less than 10% of the population, it offers space to enjoy this vast array of beauty.
I’ve put together the ideal two-week itinerary including highlights from the North and South Islands to help you enjoy this amazing country in all its splendour in just a short space of time.
Getting a visa for New Zealand
The visa application process for New Zealand is a fairly simple experience. You can apply on the New Zealand immigration website.
In all honesty, I found it easier than Australia’s system. The fantastic thing about a New Zealand visa is that for just $52.00 NZD (under £25), you can remain in the country for six months with multiple entries within this period.
An overview of the ideal two-week New Zealand itinerary
North Island
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Day 2: Auckland Domain Wintergardens
Day 3: Hobbiton
Day 4: Discover Rotorua
Day 5: Rotorua to Lake Taupo
Day 6: Huka Falls and more volcanic activity
Day 7: Travel from Lake Taupo to Wellington
Day 8: Discovering Wellington
Day 9: Red Rocks
Day 10: More Lord of the Rings and city views
South Island
Day 11: Heading to Kaikoura
Day 12: Kaikoura Seal Colony and Wood Teepee
Day 13: Kaikoura to Christchurch
Day 14: Discovering Christchurch
Day 15: Gondola Christchurch
North Island and arrival in New Zealand
Day 1: Landing in Auckland
First up, check in to your hotel. There is a fantastic budget-friendly chain called Haka House in many of the cities across New Zealand and this one is on Queen Street in the heart of Auckland. I believe the Haka House hostels used to be YHAs.
Then it’s time to start exploring. Your first stop during your two days in Auckland is the Sky Tower where you can get some beautiful views across the city for around $45 NZD if you pre-book or $47 NZD walk-in.
Keep dinner budget friendly at Sal’s Pizza where they do a great slice of pizza for under $10.
Day 2: Auckland Domain Wintergardens
Auckland Domain Wintergardens offer fantastic views across the city and a tranquil space to just sit and be. It’s free too.
The cafe is very chilled and is the perfect place for coffee and breakfast.
It’s now time to move onwards, towards Matamata. There is a coach company called InterCity operating across New Zealand which is very budget-friendly, with VIP options for a more luxurious and spacious ride.
It takes around three and a half hours to get to Tauranga from Auckland.
The next part of the journey is a little less accessible via public transport so it’s best to rent a car for a few days from Tauranga Airport. Car rental in New Zealand offers a convenient way to explore the country’s stunning landscapes at your own pace.
Accommodation in Matamata: Hugo & Carters Backpackers & Motel This hostel is basic but clean and nice. It’s perfect for budget travel.
Day 3: Lord of the Rings sights
Hobbiton movie set tour
The next stop is the Hobbiton Tour, which is definitely a highlight when visiting New Zealand. Many people visit New Zealand specifically to see the different filming locations from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings franchise.
This is the location of Hobbiton located on the Alexander family’s sheep and cattle farm near Matamata. The set for Lord of the Rings was dismantled shortly after filming finished but when the crew came back to film The Hobbit they left the set as it is.
They now even give you the opportunity to look inside a fully functional hobbit house. The whole tour is magical and allows you to experience this little piece of Middle Earth, finishing off with a waterside drink at The Green Dragon Inn.
There are some great cakes and food available at The Green Dragon Inn or at the base where you set off and finish the tour.
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Hidden beneath New Zealand’s lush countryside, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves can best be described as a cathedral of shimmering lights, creating a hidden galaxy underground. They hold deep cultural significance to the Maori people of New Zealand.
According to Maori tradition, these caves are considered tapu (sacred), as they are connected to the ancestral land and the spiritual world. It certainly is a spectacular sight.
Note: These caves are sacred to the Maori people, please don’t take pictures or film inside the caves.
If you don’t want to explore the Lord of the Rings attractions by driving, you can get a guided tour instead:
Where to eat in Rotorua: After a short drive to Rotorua, dinner at Saigon 60’s Vietnamese is definitely a good shout.
Where to stay in Rotorua: Haka House Rotorua
Day 4: Discover Rotorua
Famous for its volcanic activity, Rotorua is definitely an interesting place. You’ll see steam coming from craters within some of the parks, it’s very warm and there’s cracked paving from the heat below.
You will come across quite a strong smell of sulphur in certain areas (similar to the Geysir geothermal area in Iceland) but you soon get used to it. There are plenty of places to experience the volcanic activity near Rotorua including Thermal Wonderland which is $45 NZD for entry.
Mr Wolf is a great spot for food and is right by the tourism office. Another thing to note is that the office also has storage lockers where you can leave your stuff during the day.
Day 5: Rotorua to Lake Taupo
After dropping your car at the airport, it’s just a short bus ride that takes around an hour to the tranquil waters of Lake Taupo.
It’s great to just go for a wander along the peaceful lakeside, dip your toes into the hot springs or perhaps try your hand at the Hole in One Challenge and bag yourself $10,000 NZD.
Food and drink in Lake Taupo: There are plenty of cafes to pick from in Lake Taupo and they all fit in with its super chilled vibe, including Victoria’s Kitchen Cafe Kitchen Bar. You could also pick something up at Bakers Delight and enjoy it on the waterside, overlooking Mount Ngauruhoe, the mountain famously used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films.
Accommodation for two nights: Haka House Taupo
Day 6: Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon
Just outside the town lies the awesome Huka Falls, just a short seven-minute drive or taxi ride away. This is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions with glistening icy blue waters.
Just a stone’s throw away you’ll also find Craters of the Moon which is definitely a more economical option when it comes to volcanic activity, with tickets only costing $10 NZD per person.
Day 7: Travel from Lake Taupo to Wellington
I took a bus from Lake Taupo to Wellington. This is definitely a long ride but with New Zealand’s spectacular countryside to accompany you, it’s not too bad. It’s definitely worth sitting on the top deck if there is one to enjoy the views.
There was also a stop in Taihape which has some nice handmade shops and also Crystal Bar Bakery which is nice for a snack.
Food in Wellington: Once you get to Wellington, you’ll most likely want to just eat and head to bed. There are two Sal’s Pizzas in Wellington. This chain is always a quick and easy place to get food.
Accommodation for three nights: Haka House Wellington
Day 8: Discovering Wellington
After a long day of travel it is great to just wander around and discover what Wellington has to offer. Within this city that is full of hills, there are plenty of walkable places.
Wellington Botanic Gardens is free to enter and great to look around. They also have a fantastic cafe too with plenty of sweet treats.
The harbour is great for a stroll while enjoying a coffee from one of the nearby cafes or visiting quirky shops like Shipwreck Trading. There is also the parliament building and Old St Paul’s, a beautiful gothic revival cathedral built in the 1860s.
The inner city has a very relaxed feeling with plenty of shops and restaurants, along with sweet treats from places like Duck Island Ice Cream.
Where to eat in Wellington: Aunty Mena’s Vegetarian Cafe is so cool, with graffiti on the walls and plenty of delicious vegan options too.
Day 9: Red Rocks
Just over 30 minutes from Wellington lies the rugged coast of Red Rocks, a fantastic walking route and home to a seal colony. You may be fortunate enough to see them but if not there’s plenty of other nature, along with a cracking little cafe called Beach House & Kiosk.
Day 10: More Lord of the Rings and city views
Mount Victoria Lookout in Wellington is a fantastic place to admire the harbour and its beautiful surroundings. You’ll be able to see the ferries to the South Island leaving the harbour.
Just below Mount Victoria are two famous filming locations from the Lord of the Rings films called Hobbit Hideaway and Road to Ngazi. They are quite hard to find even with Google maps but you’ll definitely find the benches along the way which contain famous quotes from the film.
One includes Samwise Gamgee’s famous quote, “If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest from home I’ve ever been.” Quite fitting, especially if you’re travelling from the other side of the world.
Dinner in Wellington: Ngon! offers many Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese, Thai and Korean dishes. They have some fabulous vegan and vegetarian options too.
Sailing to the South Island
Day 11: Heading to Kaikoura
Next stop is Kaikoura on the South Island. To get there, you have to hop on the ferry from Wellington to Picton.
The journey is just over two hours long and can be a bit rocky but they do a fantastic, hot lemon, ginger and honey drink, perfect to dampen any sea sickness. Tickets can be booked via Direct Ferries and cost around $135-$160 NZD.
Next, I got the InterCity bus that takes around two hours from Picton to Kaikoura. You can also take the train.
Accommodation in Kaikoura: The Lazy Shag is a basic but lovely hostel, run by very friendly staff.
Where to eat in Kaikoura: Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel you’ll find Kaikoura Indian Restaurant, which is fantastic.
Day 12: Kaikoura Seal Colony and Wood Teepee
The coast here is home to a huge colony of seals. It’s about an hour’s walk from Kaikoura’s centre but you really wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
It’s a spectacular walk where you can see the glistening sea with dolphins jumping and a backdrop of the mountains in the distance. I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful walks I’ve done during my travels.
If you were disappointed at Red Rocks you won’t be here, there are so many seals. But a small disclaimer, the seals are quite smelly and sadly, you may see a few deceased ones along the way.
Just beyond the colony there’s a beautiful wood teepee.
Where to eat in Kaikoura: I Sea Gelato, Why Not Cafe, and Kaikoura Bakery are all great picks.
Day 13: Kaikoura to Christchurch
It’s now time for your journey to Christchurch via InterCity bus, which takes around two hours.
Upon arrival you’ll probably want to check in to your accommodation straight away if you can. Haka House Christchurch is great, along with Daffodil Motel which is a little cheaper.
Day 14: Discovering Christchurch
Christchurch is a very beautiful city. It is known for its English-style architecture and stunning gardens.
It’s a very picturesque city and there’s even punting on the river. It’s worth noting that the earthquake in 2011 caused absolute devastation but the city is slowly rebuilding, although parts like the cathedral may never be rebuilt unfortunately.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens is a great place to enjoy the city’s beauty for free, along with Victoria Gardens. The old trams also offer a really fun experience, with tickets costing about $40 NZD.
It’s a great way to learn about the history of this city as there’s running commentary throughout the ride.
Where to eat in Christchurch: The cafe at the botanical gardens is a great spot for lunch. There is also a Sal’s Pizza in town.
Day 15: Gondola Christchurch
The gondola is a great place to enjoy the views over Christchurch for $42 NZD. Views span across the city and the sea below. There’s also a cool prehistoric ride to enjoy with your ticket.
The cafe is great too and you can enjoy the views while indulging in a slice of cake or a frittata.
Dinner for the evening: Auntie Dai’s Dumplings, Westfield
Beyond this New Zealand Itinerary
There’s plenty more to do beyond Christchurch, with Queenstown and more to explore on the South Island. There’s also Waipoua Kauri Forest above Auckland.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, New Zealand is also the gateway to the South Pole. I chose to fly home via Singapore which is a great way to break up the journey back to the UK.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled New Zealand last year.
