17 Days in Beautiful New Zealand
9 cities |
33 attraction(s) |
total distance 1752
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day8
Day9
Day10
Day11
Day12
Day13
Day14
Day15
Day16
Day17
Day1: Christchurch
3 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
Christchurch has a 300,000 square meter green land located by the Avon River, which is the most pleasant place in the city. Over ten thousand species of plants display a colorful array of colors in different seasons, bringing endless surprises to visitors. Whether it's the elderly, children, couples, or friends, taking a stroll in the botanical garden or enjoying a cup of coffee in the cafe is very pleasant. The visitor information center is located between the botanical garden and the Canterbury Museum and provides timely answers to any visitor questions. Come here and experience the atmosphere of the garden city!
1
km
2
The Canterbury Museum is located in the center of Christchurch, with a grand and distinct European architectural style. The museum has a diverse range of exhibitions, including New Zealand history, nature, Maori culture, art, etc. The Antarctic-related theme is particularly fascinating, showcasing vivid sculptures of emperor penguins and Coracle, a small boat used for survival during the shipwreck of 1907 on Disappointment Island. In addition, the museum has abundant specimens of birds from the South Pacific, showcasing the rich ecological diversity of our planet. Before July 2015, the special exhibition "Quake City" was open to the public, displaying the reconstruction and impact of Christchurch after multiple earthquakes since September 2010, providing a deeper understanding of the city’s history and development. The museum’s ticket prices are also very affordable, with only 10 New Zealand dollars for adults to enjoy the exhibitions. A visit to the museum will provide a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Christchurch.
4
km
Day2: Lake Tekapo
3 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
There is a lake called Lake Tekapo in the central part of South Island, New Zealand, managed by Canterbury. The lake is 27 kilometers long, 6 kilometers wide, with an area of 87 square kilometers and an elevation of 700 meters. The average depth of the lake is 69 meters, with a maximum depth of 120 meters. It has strong evaporation capacity and a storage capacity of 6 cubic kilometers.
2
km
2
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a historic church constructed by renowned architect Benjamin Woolfield Mountford in 1935. This church features a unique Gothic wood and stone building and is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. It is located on the shores of Lake Tekapo and surrounded by stunning natural scenery amidst towering mountains. Due to its unique architecture and charming environment, many couples choose to hold their weddings here, making it one of the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand.
2
km
3
Located at the foot of Mount John, Tekapo Springs is a great choice for relaxation after climbing. This hot spring area has three large and small pools, nestled among rocks and grass. The water temperature of each pool ranges from 36℃ to 40℃. There are spacious benches around the pools for swimmers to rest and enjoy the comfort of the hot springs. In summer, you can swim and play here; in winter, you can ski and ice skate here, all of which will make your experience unforgettable.
Day3: Lake Tekapo > South Island > Mount Cook Village
4 attraction(s) ·
82 km
1
There is a lake called Lake Tekapo in the central part of South Island, New Zealand, managed by Canterbury. The lake is 27 kilometers long, 6 kilometers wide, with an area of 87 square kilometers and an elevation of 700 meters. The average depth of the lake is 69 meters, with a maximum depth of 120 meters. It has strong evaporation capacity and a storage capacity of 6 cubic kilometers.
53
km
2
Popular with trekking enthusiasts, this 12,218-ft. peak offers forested trails to glacial views.
10
km
3
The Cook Islands National Park is located in the southeast of the South Alps, New Zealand. It is one of New Zealand's most famous and oldest national parks, adjacent to the West District National Park, the Aspyling Mountain National Park, and the Fjord National Park. There are nearly 20 mountains here that are over 3,000 meters high, including New Zealand's highest peak - Mount Cook, with an altitude of 3,753 meters. In addition, there are more than 360 magnificent glaciers here, the longest of which is the Tasman Glacier, which is up to 27 kilometers long. If you are passionate about outdoor activities such as climbing, skiing, mountaineering, hiking, and river rafting, the Cook Islands National Park will be a perfect destination. However, if you just want to appreciate the wonderful natural scenery or experience the peaceful environment, visiting this national park is also an unmissable opportunity.
20
km
4
This 5-km. walking track in Mount Cook National Park leads to Hooker Lake & offers sweeping views.
Day4: South Island > Queenstown
3 attraction(s) ·
201 km
1
Popular with trekking enthusiasts, this 12,218-ft. peak offers forested trails to glacial views.
199
km
3
Nestled in a glaciated valley, New Zealand's third largest lake is shaped like a lightning bolt and boasts stunning scenery. The northern end is where the Dart River merges into it, while the Kawarau River flows into the lake mouth after originating from Queenstown. It is surrounded by high mountains, with the highest peak being Mount Earnslaw at 2,819 meters above sea level. The towns around the lake include Queenstown, Kingston, Glenorchy, and Kinloch, the center of New Zealand's outdoor activities. Bungee jumping, a worldwide sensation, originated here. One of the activities by the lake is a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship to see the lake views. In the early 20th century, the Earnslaw mainly provided transportation for goods to the ranches on the lake shore. Today, it is still well-preserved and takes tourists to the Walter Peak sheep farm for a stunning view. All of these towns quietly nestled along the lake are worth a visit.
Day5: Queenstown
3 attraction(s) ·
2 km
1
Attraction featuring a gondola to a panoramic restaurant/bar, hiking trails & a luge ride down.
2
km
2
Lush, lakefront peninsula with a waterfront trail & alpine vistas, plus an ice rink & skate ramps.
1
km
3
Day6: Queenstown
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Milford Sound is world-renowned for its towering mountains and wildlife, and draws more visitors than its rival, Doubtful Sound. One of the most well-known peaks in the area is Mitre Peak, which stands at 1682m tall and is named for its resemblance to a bishop's mitre. Bowen Falls is the only permanent waterfall in the area, standing at 161m tall, while the other permanent waterfall, Sterling Falls, is 155m tall. Visitors to Milford Sound can also see seals resting on the shore and may be fortunate enough to spot penguins, dolphins, and whales. Due to the area's high annual rainfall, visitors can often enjoy misty and magical views of countless waterfalls. There are two options for one-day tours of Milford Sound: a bus and cruise tour or a plane and cruise tour. The bus and cruise tour typically departs around 7am, boards the cruise ship between 12pm and 1pm, completes the tour of the sound within two hours, and returns to Queenstown in the afternoon. The plane and cruise tour takes 4 to 4.5 hours, and the two best cruise companies, Real Journeys and Southern Discoveries, provide Chinese-language commentary and offer both one-day tours of Milford Sound and plane-and-cruise tours. Most tour companies offer free hotel transfers, but this should be confirmed at the time of booking.
Day7: Dunedin
3 attraction(s) ·
3 km
2
This British railway station is steeped in history, with exhibitions inside and tourists able to take trains to the nearby coastal peninsula.
2
km
3
This university, founded in 1869, is one of the oldest in New Zealand. The clock tower at the Registrar's office is an iconic building in Dunedin, with its architecture modeled after the main building at the University of Glasgow. The use of dark basalt and light Oamaru stone creates a strong color contrast. The university is open to visitors and guided tours are available to showcase its beautiful campus and rich history.
Day8: Dunedin
3 attraction(s) ·
19 km
1
Every visitor to Dunedin will head to this residential street with a slope of about 19 degrees. For drivers with strong skills and responsive brakes, they can speed down the slope at the top like on a rollercoaster. However, most visitors choose to hike up and take interesting photos on the way. In February, the Gutbuster race is held here and in July, the Cadbury World chocolate factory rolls down 10,000 chocolate candies from the top of the slope for visitors to enjoy for free - both fun and delicious.
8
km
2
In 1871, Dunedin businessman and politician William Larnach built a luxury castle for his first wife. It is New Zealand's only castle and is located on the highest point of Otago Peninsula. The interior is beautifully decorated with luxurious furniture and exquisite carvings. The banquet hall, a gift for Larnach's daughter's 21st birthday, is truly lavish. Today, visitors can enjoy food and coffee at the castle's café. The peaceful and beautiful garden in front of the castle offers stunning views of the peninsula and harbor. However, the landlord eventually committed suicide by gunshot in 1898 due to financial crisis.
11
km
3
"Penguin Place" is a privately funded sanctuary aimed at saving the rare species, Yellow-Eyed Penguin, from global extinction. This adorable tailcoat gentleman is currently only found in natural reserves within New Zealand, with only around 5,000-6,000 in existence. Visitors are recommended to travel to Dunedin and join a local tour to Penguin Place to observe and admire these lovely creatures. The entire trip takes about 2 hours, and visitors can get up close and personal with the penguins using a unique hidden system and concealed tunnels. The best time to observe Yellow-Eyed Penguins is from 3pm until before dark.
Day9: South Island > Te Anau
2 attraction(s) ·
17 km
2
Lake Te Anau is a famous lake in the Fiordland National Park in the southwest of the South Island of New Zealand, and is the second largest lake in the country after Lake Taupo. The lake is 55 kilometers long, covers an area of 344 square kilometers, and has an altitude of 210 meters. Lake Te Anau is also one of the largest glacier lakes in the southern hemisphere, with three huge fjords extending westward along its north-south axis, namely the North, Middle and South fjords. In addition, the lake has many small bays and estuaries. The maximum depth of Lake Te Anau is 417 meters, and the Waiau River originates here. The lake also breeds salmon and sturgeon, and is a popular tourist attraction.
Day10: Te Anau
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
The scenic Mirror Lake in a national park in the South Island of New Zealand is a pleasant destination for a self-driving tour.
Day11: Queenstown
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day12: Queenstown
2 attraction(s) ·
19 km
1
Kawarau Bridge Bungee Center is a famous outdoor adventure destination located in Queenstown, known as the birthplace of bungee jumping. The center provides free bungee jumping history short film for all visitors to understand the origin and development of bungee jumping. The famous Kawarau River flows slowly under the bridge, you can choose to challenge bungee jumping with water or without water, and the staff will adjust the bungee rope according to your needs. Welcome to come!
19
km
Day13: South Island > Wanaka
2 attraction(s) ·
19 km
2
From the shore of Lake Wanaka, magnificent views of the town of Wanaka can be enjoyed, and there are a variety of activities to choose from on the lake and along its banks. Wanaka is a unique place full of vitality and a sporty atmosphere, where visitors can try cycling, water skiing, surfing, mountain climbing, running, off-road motorbiking, winter snowboarding or skiing, or simply stroll along the beautiful lake and experience the natural scenery here.
Day14: Wanaka
2 attraction(s) ·
51 km
1
Aspiring National Park is a national park located in the southwestern part of the South Island of New Zealand, also known as Mount Aspiring National Park. It is situated in the Southern Alps, at the border of the Otago and West Coast regions. The park features stunning alpine scenery, glaciers, valleys, and high mountain lakes, with the highest peak reaching 3,033 meters, making it one of New Zealand's famous mountains. Hiking, mountaineering, and skiing are popular activities in the park.
51
km
2
Day15: South Island > Fox Glacier
2 attraction(s) ·
5 km
2
Matheson Lake is located in the Fox Glacier region, offering an opportunity for hikers to enjoy the magnificent snow-capped mountains and lake scenery. The lake area has three viewpoints located at 15, 25, and 60 minutes respectively clockwise. Among them, the Reflection Island viewpoint offers the most captivating view, where visitors can witness the stunning sunset scenery.
Day16: South Island
2 attraction(s) ·
15 km
2
7.5-mi.-long glacier accessible by an 8-hour hike or by helicopter for guided tours at the top.
Day17: South Island > Christchurch
2 attraction(s) ·
213 km
