Queenstown to Auckland: 18-day Adventure Tour
12 cities |
25 attraction(s) |
total distance 1961
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day8
Day9
Day10
Day11
Day12
Day13
Day14
Day15
Day16
Day17
Day18
Day1: Queenstown
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
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.
Day2: Queenstown
3 attraction(s) ·
27 km
2
Skiing & snowboarding mountain with varied trails & terrain parks, plus cafes & an on-mountain bar.
13
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.
Day3: South Island > Te Anau
3 attraction(s) ·
203 km
3
Fiordland National Park is a beautiful protected area located in the southwest corner of New Zealand's South Island. Conservation efforts began in 1904 and it was established as a national park in 1952. In 1990, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest national parks in the world. Here, you can admire cascading waterfalls, ancient rainforests, and granite peak formations that reach several hundred meters high. Due to the valuable mineral resource "greenstone" found here, it is also known as the "jade city".
The Anduin River from the film "The Lord of the Rings" is actually the Waiau River. This river flows through the area between Te Anau and Manapouri, and it was used by the Fellowship of the Ring to travel south. The towering mountains surrounding the river represent the harsh environment of southern Isengard in the movie. The Fangorn Forest scenes were shot along the Takaro Road, where a remote-controlled camera was attached to a rope high above the trees to capture the scene of Aragorn walking through the forest.
If you want to visit the Fangorn Forest for yourself, you can head out to the Takaro Road. In Te Anau, you can take a jetboat tour of the Waiau River, cruise through Milford Sound on a boat tour through the magical misty mountains, or explore breathtaking scenery along the Kepler Track.
Day4: South Island
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day5: South Island
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Day6: South Island
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day7: Hokitika
2 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day8: South Island
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
The mountains that run through this park split the habitats into distinct east and western regions.
Day9: Christchurch
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day10: Kaikoura
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Day11: Blenheim
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Day12: Wellington
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
Day13: Wellington
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
The National Museum of New Zealand, located in the city center, was originally the Colonial Museum and was built in 1865. It is one of the largest museums in the Southern Hemisphere. The museum mainly showcases Maori culture and has a rich collection. It also displays artworks from the Pacific region. The museum features a Maori meeting house and high-tech exhibitions, including a shaking house experience, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts periodic renowned temporary exhibitions that require separate admission fees. However, visiting the museum itself is free. As the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, it is the best choice for tourists to learn about the local culture.
Day14: Ruapehu District Council
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
The 4th National Park in the world, this protected area is important for its culture & its nature.
Day15: Rotorua
3 attraction(s) ·
3 km
2
Tepuia, located about 2.5 kilometers from the city center of Rotorua, is a must-visit tourist destination. This is because it is home to the world-famous Pohutu geyser, with unique and stunning scenery. In addition, Tepuia is also the birthplace of New Zealand's Maori crafts and arts school, where visitors can enjoy traditional Maori dance performances and craft productions, and gain a deep understanding of Maori culture.
1
km
3
Cultural attraction with Maori dance performances, a traditional feast & geothermal features.
Day16: Rotorua
2 attraction(s) ·
3 km
1
Scenic redwood forest with trails for walking, biking & horse-riding, with toilet facilities.
3
km
2
Polynesia Spa is located in the government garden. It is a historical mineral spring and can be reached within a 5-minute walk from the center of Rotorua. There are a total of 35 hot spring pools here, and visitors can also buy a variety of hot spring derived products. Among them, the mineral mud beauty and skincare products are very famous.
Day17: Coromandel
3 attraction(s) ·
35 km
2
Hahei Beach is located in New Zealand, adjacent to towering Christmas tree forests and floating pink shells. The natural wave barrier formed by the island here allows tourists to swim, boat, and fish in a safe environment. The coastline extending north along the coast and the nearby marine reserve make this a popular spot for diving and kayaking. There are a large number of coral reefs, caves, arches, and soft sediments, making it an ideal environment for various plants, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. At the south end of Hahei Beach is a site known as Te Pare Historic Reserve, which was once a fortified village of ancient Maori. Walking along the northernmost trail of the beach for an hour, then down the beach, you can reach the beautiful Cathedral Cove. Here, a huge arched stone gate connects two secluded bays, creating a solemn atmosphere for the entire beach. The beach is covered with soft sand and Christmas trees that shading the sun, making it very suitable for picnics and swimming. On Cathedral Cove, there is a giant conical angular rock, called Te Hoho, which has been eroded by sea winds and waves for a long time, looks like the bow of a large ship slowly heading towards the beach.
6
km
3
Day18: Auckland
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
Sky Tower, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, was built in 1996. It stands at 328 meters tall and boasts multiple observation decks which offer a 360-degree view of Auckland. High-powered binoculars aid visitors in enjoying the view. Broadcast services in various languages and interactive technology can be found throughout the tower. There are also audio-visual exhibits to help visitors learn more about Auckland. Visitors with tickets can access the main observation deck at 186 meters and the Sky Deck at 220 meters. If you are not afraid of heights, you can opt for the glass elevator ride, which allows you to admire outside views as you ascend. There are two observation decks on the tower, both surrounded by glass floors. You can stand on them and look up at the blue sky or feel the thrill of the high altitude beneath your feet. The SkyWalk and SkyJump are two extreme sports offered on the tower that require courage and daring to attempt. Several restaurants can be found on the tower, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious food. At night, the view from the tower is breathtaking, with many considering it even more spectacular than during the day. Visit the Sky Tower and enjoy an unparalleled experience, while taking in the beautiful sights of Auckland.
