Pure New Zealand: A 40-Day New Zealand Itinerary

Situated on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the vibrant city of Christchurch is the largest city on the island. Dubbed the 'Garden City', it is known for its many lush green spaces and possesses a multicultural charm with an added dash of Victorian flair.

The city offers a fabulous array of activities, including punting down the Avon River, helicopter tours, hot air ballooning, whale and dolphin watching. Enjoy a stroll around the beautifully sculptured parks, visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and browse numerous art galleries. 

The quaint west coast town of Franz Josef has a few hundred permanent residents, with numbers swelling during the holidays to around 2000 visitors per day. This is glacier country and Franz Josef glacier (after which the town is named) and Fox Glacier, some 23 kilometres further south, are the main attractions. The town offers a myriad of options for cozy accommodation, especially after the snow and ice activities on offer. Combine a helicopter tour with a guided walk on the glacial terrain to view ice caves, and spectacular crevasses and pinnacles. Helicopter tours over the two glaciers are also available, with a stop off at the head of either glacier so you can experience the frozen landscape up close.

Located on the southern shores New Zealand’s 4th largest lake, an hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka is renowned for its village character and strong community spirit.

Wanaka is a small town that's big on the outdoors with plenty to keep you entertained. Embraced by the Southern Alps, Wanaka faces north, blessed with an incomparable alpine panorama in whichever direction you look.

There’s an unparalleled selection of walking and biking trails, short hikes, day walks and adventures including multi-day back-country journeys into the wilderness. If you’re looking for less adventure and more relaxation there are wildlife cruises to the lake’s island reserves, eco rafting trips on the Clutha River, winery tours and magnificent scenic flights around Mt Aspiring and to Milford Sound.

The neighbouring Mount Aspiring National Park, with its world-renowned hiking trails has its headquarters in Wanaka; Cardrona and Treble Cone ski resorts are both only a short drive from the town.

Nestled in picture postcard fashion on the shores of the Lake Wakatipu, and with a reputation as the adrenalin capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown is a sophisticated resort destination like no other.

The gateway to the Fiordland National Park, the town is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, fiords, backcountry fly fishing rivers, Lord of the Rings film scenes, deserted gold mining settlements and a host of exciting tour options. 

Nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, this picturesque town is the gateway to the spectacular wilderness of Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Surrounded by towering mountains, ancient rainforests and pristine waterways, Te Anau offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Explore the renowned Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Great Walks, enjoy scenic lake cruises, kayaking and trout fishing, or discover the magical underground world of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Visit the Punanga Manu o Te Anau bird sanctuary to encounter some of New Zealand’s remarkable native birds, including the rare takahē. With its peaceful lakeside setting and extraordinary surrounding landscapes, Te Anau is an ideal base for exploring Fiordland.

Take a step back in time to a simpler, slower lifestyle; where birdsong and crashing waves are a constant reminder of the natural world around us. Stewart Island is a unique New Zealand treasure just waiting to be discovered!

So often overlooked, just 30km across the Foveaux Strait from Bluff, this tiny paradise represents the last piece of New Zealand’s third island is remote and untamed, the last piece of modern civilization before you hit Antarctica. The Island’s Maori name, Rakiura, means “glowing skies” which is a reference to the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) which can sometimes be seen from the island, just one more reason to visit.

Stewart Island is also a bird watcher’s paradise, it teems with many of New Zealand’s native and endangered species – kiwi outnumber humans by 50 to 1. The Stewart Island Brown Kiwi – or Tokoeka – is active during the day and night, with numbers estimated at 20,000.

The second-largest city on the South Island, Dunedin (Celtic for Edinburgh) overlooks the Otago Harbour and Peninsula. There’s no urban sprawl here, instead, you’ll find impressive historic architecture, parks, and natural beauty in abundance. More than 20 beaches can be reached within 30 minutes and stunning, unspoilt coastlines make for excellent hikes and sunset shots. You’ll want to visit Gothic-revival Larnach Castle, known for its colourful history, a resident ghost and impressive treats, Speight’s Brewery for tours, tastings and hearty meals, glorious St Paul’s Cathedral and the Ice Stadium to watch a game or two of curling. Art lovers should make sure to explore the impressive street art trail through the historic buildings of the Warehouse Precinct.

Surrounded by the dramatic alpine landscapes of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, this spectacular destination is home to New Zealand’s highest mountain and longest glacier. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Area, the region offers extraordinary wilderness experiences, from scenic walks and alpine adventures to glacier lake cruises and breathtaking stargazing beneath some of the world’s darkest skies. Explore the magnificent Hooker Valley, discover the Tasman Glacier or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to learn about New Zealand’s mountaineering heritage. With its towering peaks, glacial valleys and remarkable natural beauty, Aoraki / Mount Cook is one of the South Island’s most unforgettable destinations.

Geraldine is a quietly captivating rural town in the heart of Canterbury, perfectly placed between Christchurch and the dramatic landscapes of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Set at the foot of the Southern Alps, it’s the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin’s turquoise lakes and the starting point of the famed Starlight Highway leading to Takapō/Tekapo and the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Visitors are drawn to Geraldine’s boutique village charm, where artisan food producers open their factory doors and cafés proudly serve local specialties. The town’s relaxed, creative spirit shows in its galleries, studios, and vibrant dining scene, making it an ideal stop for those who like to wander, taste, and discover.

Where mountains meet the sea and wildlife takes over civilisation, Kaikōura is best known for its vast coastline which hugs the Pacific Ocean. Kaikōura is a year-round destination featuring some of the most memorable experiences that New Zealand has to offer including Whale Watching and one of our all-time favourite activities in New Zealand, Swimming with the Dolphins.

Add in a visit to the local seal colonies, watching the incredibly graceful Royal Albatross, a walk around the Kaikōura Peninsular, a visit to the museum and simply taking in sun rising over the Pacific; there’s lots to do here.

The oldest city on New Zealand’s South Island, Nelson, lies on the eastern shore of Tasman Bay. With more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year, it is also considered the country’s sunniest city and is a perfect setting in which to enjoy an array of adventure and leisure activities – biking, horse trekking, rock climbing, wine-tasting at local estates, or simply enjoying the golden beaches and superb views of the Tasman Bay. 

Located at the southern end of New Zealand’s North Island, the Lonely Planet names Wellington as “the coolest little capital in the world”.

As well as being a ‘cool little capital’ and the seat of government, Wellington is compact and easy to get around, locals often say you can walk anywhere in under 30 minutes. On most visitors list of places to visit is the National Museum, also known as Te Papa, meaning ‘our place’; one of the world’s best interactive museums. A ride on the city’s cable car takes you up the hill to Kelburn and the city’s botanical gardens, from here you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views over the city and across the sea.

Wellington is well known as the country’s culinary capital, home to some of the New Zealand’s best award-winning restaurants, great bars and some wonderfully quirky cafes, great food trucks, day and night markets. Almost everything about Wellington, the mix of history, culture and creative energy epitomise the diversity, colour and inclusiveness of this city surrounded by water and hills.

The popular tourist city of Napier on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island is one of the country’s most likeable regional centres. The inner-city streets are lined with palm trees and the sculpted Marine Parade is sprinkled with numerous lush parks, landscaped gardens and grand memorials, giving the water’s edge its unique character. Arriving in Napier gives the distinct feeling of stepping back in time, owing to its unique concentration of remarkably well preserved 1930s art-deco buildings, built after much of the city was destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1931. The city is also known for its gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers and its abundance of world-class wineries on the surrounding plains. This is the place to enjoy a Mediterranean climate, an excellent variety of restaurants and cafes and the air of an affluent English seaside resort.

Discover the wild beauty of Te Urewera, a breathtaking landscape of ancient forests, rugged mountain ranges and pristine lakes spanning the northern Hawke’s Bay and eastern Bay of Plenty regions. Rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, Te Urewera is the ancestral homeland of Tūhoe, known as the ‘Children of the Mist’, whose deep connection to the land is woven into its stories and traditions. Explore the region’s fascinating history, including Te Totara Hut, a reminder of the area’s early deer-culling days. For nature lovers, Te Urewera offers exceptional opportunities for hiking, kayaking, boating and fishing, surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most remote and unspoilt wilderness.

Step into a unique landscape of utter beauty; a region offering authentic Maori cultural encounters, thrilling adventure, and bubbling mud pools.

Rotorua is known for showcasing our fascinating Maori culture, mud pools, shooting geysers, and natural hot springs as the seething power of inner earth comes to the surface. Boasting 18 incredible lakes, three major rivers, and the mighty Mount Tarawera; these treasured natural assets are all part of Rotorua’s allure.

The region is host to some incredible fishing locations with trophy trout to be had year round on the lakes, rivers and streams. Adventure is right around the corner on the Kaituna River, with White Water Rafting on the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall; or perhaps you are tempted by the soothing powers of the regions many natural hot springs. Whatever your inclination, you’ll be wishing you had more time!

Set on the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula’s Mercury Bay, alluring Whitianga is a charming seaside destination best known for Buffalo Beach, a five-kilometer-long stretch of white sand perfect for swimming, fishing, and collecting seashells. There are plenty of other activities on offer, including hiking through the Coromandel Ranges and kayaking or snorkelling among bright schools of fish in the secluded Cathedral Cove, where a cathedral-like tunnel separates two tranquil, pristine beaches lapped by calm, turquoise waters. Those seeking an unusual and relaxing experience can dig themselves a private spa bath on Hot Water Beach.

Situated just 67 kilometres north of Auckland, Matakana Village rests in the heart of the picturesque Matakana wine region in the Rodney District of New Zealand’s North Island. This charming little town is a food lover’s dream destination with an array of home-grown delicacies at the local farmer’s market, including artisan cheeses, homemade spreads, organic foods, craft beer, olive oils and award-winning wines. Surrounding the market lies a slew of specialist shops, beauty salons, bars, restaurants, cafes, art galleries and boutique cinemas. Those who explore further will discover beautiful east coast beaches, boutique vineyards, quaint fishing villages and regional parks dotted throughout the surrounding region.

Nestled along the shores of the spectacular Hokianga Harbour, Omapere and neighbouring Opononi offer a peaceful coastal escape surrounded by natural beauty and rich Māori heritage. With sweeping harbour views, golden beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, the area is perfect for swimming, fishing and scenic walks. Venture across the harbour to explore towering sand dunes and enjoy the thrill of sandboarding, or discover the ancient kauri giants of nearby Waipoua Forest, including the magnificent Tāne Mahuta. Steeped in history and framed by breathtaking landscapes, Omapere is a wonderful destination for those seeking tranquillity, adventure and a connection to Northland’s unique heritage.

Paihia is a tourist town in the Northland Region of New Zealand’s North Island. This popular hub is home to some great sights and attractions, as well as being an excellent gateway to the beaches and dive-sites of the area known as the Bay of Islands. Begin at the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the site of the signing of New Zealand’s founding document, before heading out of town to visit the spectacular Haruru Falls or the towering Waipoua Kauri Forest. Finally, cruises depart the Paihia Wharf multiple times per day, giving visitors the chance to explore the Bay of Islands’ many attractions, including swimming with dolphins, sea kayaking, relaxing on beautiful beaches (such as Taiputuputu Pahi Beach) and visiting geological marvels such as Hole in the Rock.

There’s more to Auckland than you might think – the region offers access to world-class luxury accommodation, award winning wineries, vibrant culture and unique experiences making it a hot spot for kiwis. The City of Sails sprawls over volcanic hills and around twin harbours, offering an exhilarating mix of natural wonders and urban adventures.

It is the largest Polynesian city in the world, and with over 180 different ethnic groups, Auckland has blossomed into a multi-cultural hub of culture and art making it a bustling, cosmopolitan and vibrant city.