New Zealand rewards curiosity. Māori navigators called this land Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, and you’ll see why as you skim above jade harbors and snow-dusted ranges. From Polynesian settlement to British colonization, the country’s layered history lives in marae (meeting grounds), carved waka (canoes), and a culinary scene that riffs on both tradition and global flavors.

In one week, this itinerary focuses on two essential bases: Auckland on the North Island and Queenstown on the South Island. Expect volcanic cones, waterfront walks, and exceptional coffee up north; then swap to alpine landscapes, glacier-fed lakes, and adrenaline-soaked fun down south. Day trips add the glowworm-laced Waitomo Caves, the film-famous Hobbiton, and the world-renowned Milford Sound.

Practical notes: Distances are long, so we prioritize a smart flight hop between islands. New Zealand’s seasons are opposite the Northern Hemisphere; pack layers and a rain shell year-round. Cuisine spotlights local seafood, lamb, and superb produce—pair it with Central Otago pinot noir and Hawke’s Bay chardonnay for a true taste of the country.

Auckland

Auckland is the “City of Sails,” wrapped by the Hauraki Gulf and dotted with volcanic cones. Its neighborhoods reward wandering: Britomart’s historic warehouses now house polished eateries; Ponsonby hums with cafes and wine bars; and the Domain shelters a superb museum set within botanical grounds.

Top sights include the Sky Tower’s panorama, the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s treasured Māori taonga (artifacts), views from Mount Eden and One Tree Hill, and easy ferries to Devonport or Waiheke Island. Foodwise, expect sourdough from cult bakeries, stellar Pacific seafood, and imaginative modern Kiwi cuisine.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Auckland or Hotels.com Auckland. Excellent options include:
  • The Hotel Britomart (design-forward, steps to waterfront dining).
  • Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour (harborside elegance, spa and pool).
  • Haka Lodge Auckland (budget-friendly, social vibe).
  • Novotel Auckland Ellerslie (easy parking and train access).
  • Haka Hotel Newmarket (handy to boutiques and eateries).
  • The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour (apartment-style by the marina).
• How to get there: Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Auckland Airport to the CBD is ~30–40 minutes by taxi or airport bus (budget ~US$18–45).
• Eat & drink like a local:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Allpress Espresso (classic NZ roaster), Eighthirty Coffee (sleek brew bar), Daily Bread (flaky pastries and sourdough).
  • Lunch: Ponsonby Central (choose from ramen, tacos, or rotisserie), Prego (Auckland icon for Italian classics), Mr. Morris (seasonal plates, refined).
  • Dinner: Amano (handmade pasta, seafood), Cassia at SkyCity (modern Indian tasting menus), kingi (sustainably sourced fish inside The Hotel Britomart).
  • Sweet & sips: Giapo (inventive gelato), Caretaker (speakeasy cocktails), Parasol & Swing (rooftop by the Viaduct).

Queenstown

Queenstown pairs alpine drama with a playful spirit. Set on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, it’s a launchpad for jet boating, hiking, and world-class wine. Yet you can go as mellow as you like—stroll the lakefront, cruise to a high-country farm, or chase sunset from a mountaintop gondola.

Beyond town, Arrowtown’s gold-rush past lives in tidy cottages and riverside trails; Gibbston Valley pours Central Otago pinot noir among rugged schist hills. Winter brings ski buzz; summer favors long days and lake swims.

• Where to stay: Explore VRBO Queenstown or Hotels.com Queenstown. Top picks:
  • Eichardt's Private Hotel (heritage luxury on the lakefront).
  • Heritage Queenstown (alpine views, great for families).
  • Pinewood Lodge (budget cabins and studios near trails).
  • JUCY Snooze Queenstown (pod-style hostel right in town).
• How to get there from Auckland: Fly ~1h55–2h with Air New Zealand or Jetstar. Typical one-way fares run ~US$80–200. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Eat & drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Vudu Cafe & Larder (bakeshop favorites), Bespoke Kitchen (wholefood-leaning brunch with views), Patagonia Chocolates (coffee plus handmade sweets).
  • Lunch: Fergburger (the legend—go early), Taco Medic (corn-tortilla street tacos), Tanoshi (ramen and donburi at a snug spot).
  • Dinner: Botswana Butchery (lakeside steak and seafood), The Bunker (intimate, fire-warmed dining), Flame Bar & Grill (ribs and grills with a view).
  • Wine: Amisfield (Lake Hayes; long lunch heaven), Gibbston Valley Winery (caves and cheese), Peregrine (striking architecture).

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland – Harborside Strolls and Sky-high Views

Afternoon: Land in Auckland and settle into your hotel around Britomart or the Viaduct. Stretch your legs along the waterfront boardwalk from the Viaduct to Wynyard Quarter, pausing at Silo Park for art installations and harbor views.

Evening: Ride the Sky Tower up for a sunset panorama—on clear days you’ll spot Rangitoto’s perfect volcanic cone. For dinner, book Amano for handmade pappardelle with local seafood or kingi for line-caught fish and kūmara sides. Nightcap at Caretaker, where bartenders tailor a classic cocktail to your taste.

Day 2: Classic Auckland – Volcanic Vistas, Museum Treasures, and Ponsonby Flavor

Morning: Coffee at Eighthirty or Allpress, then hike up Mount Eden’s grassy cone. The summit crater is a sacred site; admire, don’t enter. Head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum to see intricate waka, bone carvings, and a moving exhibit on the 20th-century Pacific migrations.

Afternoon: Tram or taxi to Ponsonby. Graze your way through Ponsonby Central (try a rotisserie sandwich or sushi handroll) and browse boutiques. If you prefer beaches, head to Mission Bay for a gelato and a flat, family-friendly promenade.

Evening: Dine at Cassia at SkyCity for refined Indian flavors (think tandoori market fish and brilliant condiments) or at Mr. Morris for seasonal, Pacific-influenced plates. Finish with inventive cones at Giapo.

Day 3: Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworms Day Trip (from Auckland)

Join a full-day guided excursion to two North Island icons. At Hobbiton, stroll past the Green Dragon Inn, Bagshot Row, and perfectly tended hobbit gardens; at Waitomo, glide by boat beneath a galaxy of bioluminescent glowworms in ancient limestone caverns. Expect ~12–13 hours including scenic countryside drives.

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch (typical price ~US$180–220 per person).

Back in the city, keep dinner easy: Prego in Ponsonby for late-night pasta or a quick bite at the Viaduct before turning in.

Day 4: Fly to Queenstown – Gondola Views and Lakeside Dining

Morning: Morning flight Auckland to Queenstown (~2 hours). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (often US$80–200). Check in, then grab brunch at Vudu Cafe & Larder by the lake.

Afternoon: Ride the Skyline Queenstown gondola for sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables; do a few Luge runs if you like a playful glide. Stroll the Queenstown Gardens loop among towering Douglas firs and rose beds.

Evening: For dinner, book Botswana Butchery—oysters and Central Otago lamb are standouts—or The Bunker for a cozy, firelit meal. Post-dinner, sip a pinot at The Lodge Bar & Dining overlooking the lights on the lake.

Day 5: Milford Sound – The South Island’s Crown Jewel

Dedicate a full day to Milford Sound’s waterfalls, sheer granite walls, and (with luck) dolphins and fur seals. A premium small-group coach tour includes scenic stops such as Mirror Lakes before you board a boutique boat to cruise the fiord out toward the Tasman Sea. It’s an unforgettable highlight in any New Zealand itinerary.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown (typical price ~US$160–220 per person).

Time-saver upgrade: Fly over the Southern Alps one way or both for bird’s-eye views of fiords, glaciers, and waterfalls, paired with a scenic cruise.

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown (typically ~US$380–520 per person).

Back in town, keep it casual with tacos at Taco Medic or grab-and-go from Fergbaker if you’re returning late.

Day 6: Queenstown Thrills and Central Otago Wine

Morning: Fuel up at Bespoke Kitchen, then blast through the Shotover Canyons at 85km/h with 360° spins—an iconic Queenstown rush.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown (typical price ~US$100–120 per person).

Afternoon: Lunch at Fergburger (line moves faster than it looks—order the Chief Wiggum or the Classic Ferg). Then follow the lake to Amisfield (book ahead) for a tasting flight or a long-lunch vibe; alternately, sample pinot noir and cheese in the Gibbston Valley wine caves.

Evening: Book the Onsen Hot Pools for twilight (reserve in advance) and soak as the sky turns pink over the Shotover River. Dinner at Flame Bar & Grill for ribs and skyline views, or opt for The Bunker’s degustation if you’re leaning elegant.

Day 7: Slow Morning by the Lake and Departure

Morning: Sunrise stroll along the Frankton Track or the Queenstown Gardens. Brunch at The Boatshed Cafe (historic, sunny spot by the marina) or Yonder (plant-forward options and great coffee). Pick up last-minute goodies from Patagonia Chocolates or the Remarkables Market (seasonal weekends).

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your departing flight. If you have extra time before check-in, squeeze in a final gondola ride or a lakeside picnic—Queenstown rewards lingering.

Getting Around and Between Cities

• Auckland local transport: Buses and rideshares are plentiful; ferries run to Devonport and Waiheke. Central neighborhoods are walkable—Britomart, the Viaduct, and Commercial Bay cluster together.
• Flights between islands: Morning departures help you maximize sightseeing. Compare prices and times on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Expect ~2 hours gate-to-gate between Auckland (AKL) and Queenstown (ZQN).
• Rental cars: Not required for this itinerary, but handy for winery days. If you drive to Milford Sound, allow a very early start and always check road conditions—weather shifts fast in Fiordland.

Booking shortcuts:

• Stays: VRBO Auckland, Hotels.com Auckland, VRBO Queenstown, Hotels.com Queenstown.
• Flights: Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com flights.
• Key tours: Hobbiton & Waitomo day trip from Auckland, Milford Sound premium small-group tour (or Fly-Cruise-Fly), and Shotover Jet—all linked above.

In a single week, you’ll sip world-class coffee by Auckland’s harbor, wander Middle‑earth in rolling Waikato hills, and cruise beneath the waterfalls of Milford Sound. Queenstown brings the thrill; Auckland brings the flavor—and together they make a balanced, unforgettable New Zealand adventure.