New Zealand may be compact, but it’s astonishingly diverse—coastlines, volcanoes, wine country, and mountains carved by ancient ice. Māori navigators arrived long before Europeans, and their culture still shapes daily life, from language to kai (food). Today, Aotearoa is adored for its national parks, creative cuisine, and friendly cities that feel like gateways to wild places.

In one week, the smartest move is to focus: we’ve chosen two all-star bases—Auckland on the North Island and Queenstown on the South Island. You’ll sample urban harbors and island views, then dive into alpine landscapes, a Milford Sound cruise, and adrenaline classics. Along the way, expect beautifully roasted coffee, coastal seafood, and Central Otago pinot noir.

Practical notes: drive on the left, pack a rain shell for four-seasons-in-a-day weather, and wear sun protection—the UV is strong. Tap water is safe to drink and tipping is optional but appreciated. For flights into Auckland (AKL) and your domestic hop to Queenstown (ZQN), compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Auckland

Spread between two sparkling harbors, Auckland is a city of sails, volcanic cones, and lively neighborhoods. Britomart and Commercial Bay brim with bakeries and top restaurants; Ponsonby hums with indie boutiques and casual eats; ferries whisk you to beaches and Victorian villas in minutes.

• Top sights: Sky Tower views, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain and Wintergardens, Devonport’s Mt. Victoria, Wynyard Quarter boardwalks.
• Great bites: Amano’s handmade pasta and pastries, Azabu Ponsonby’s Nikkei-style sashimi, Giapo’s inventive gelato, Best Ugly Bagels wood-fired sesame bagels.
• Fun fact: Built on a volcanic field with 50+ cones, Auckland’s green hills are ancient lava domes—climb one for panoramas.

Where to stay (Auckland):

• Boutique design by the waterfront: The Hotel Britomart
• Harborside comfort: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour or The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
• Good-value midrange: Novotel Auckland Ellerslie or Haka Hotel Newmarket
• Budget-friendly: Haka Lodge Auckland
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: Auckland | VRBO: Auckland

Getting here: Fly into AKL; typical nonstop from the U.S. West Coast is ~13 hours. Search options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Afternoon: Touch down and check into your hotel near the Waterfront or Britomart for easy walking. Stretch your legs along Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter—watch superyachts, street art, and kids playing in the splash fountains.

Evening: Toast the trip at Sky Tower’s observation deck for sunset city-and-gulf views. Dinner picks: Amano for handmade pappardelle and tiramisu; Ahi for refined, hyper-local New Zealand cuisine; or Depot’s oysters and small plates at the counter. Nightcap at Caretaker (speakeasy-style cocktails) or Parasol & Swing (rooftop by the water).

Day 2: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves (Full-Day Tour)

Today is a cinematic and subterranean double bill—pastureland shire scenes and a galaxy of glowworms underground. Expect an early start and a 12–13 hour day with hotel pickup and a sit-down lunch.

Book this: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch (typical from ~$210–$260). You’ll wander among hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn, then boat silently beneath a ceiling of bioluminescent glowworms at Waitomo.

Tips: Wear comfortable shoes (some gentle hills), bring a light jacket for the cave’s cool air, and save room for a pint of Southfarthing™ at the Green Dragon.

Day 3: Classic Auckland—Museums, Volcano Views, and the Waterfront

Morning: Coffee at Chuffed (house-made crumpets, silky flat whites) or Daily Bread for pastries. Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum for Māori taonga (treasures) and panoramic steps over the Domain. Stroll the Wintergardens’ hot house ferns and orchids.

Afternoon: Take a quick ferry to Devonport for wooden villas, bookstores, and a gentle climb up Mt. Victoria’s grassy cone—rewarded by harbor-and-city vistas. Lunch back in town at Ponsonby Central: try Dante’s for Neapolitan pies or Bird On A Wire for free-range rotisserie chicken.

Evening: Explore Commercial Bay’s eateries and finish with dessert at Giapo—think hokey pokey reimagined with artful cones. If you’re in the mood, stroll the illuminated Wynyard boardwalks before an early night for tomorrow’s flight.

Queenstown

Queenstown sits on sapphire-blue Lake Wakatipu, encircled by the Remarkables range—a postcard that actually moves. It’s New Zealand’s adventure capital, but also a base for wineries, historic Arrowtown, and iconic Fiordland National Park.

• Top sights: Skyline Gondola to Ben Lomond, Queenstown Gardens, Arrowtown’s gold-rush streets, Glenorchy road trip, Gibbston Valley wineries.
• Signature thrills: Jet boating, bungy at Kawarau Bridge, paragliding, and alpine hikes with lake views.
• Local flavors: Central Otago pinot noir, grass-fed lamb, wild venison, and the legendary Fergburger line you’ll actually enjoy.

Where to stay (Queenstown):

• Iconic lakeside luxury: Eichardt's Private Hotel
• Resort-style comfort with views: Heritage Queenstown
• Great-value chalets/rooms: Pinewood Lodge
• Budget/hostel with pods: JUCY Snooze Queenstown
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: Queenstown | VRBO: Queenstown

Day 4: Fly Auckland → Queenstown, Skyline Views, and Lakeside Strolls

Morning: Fly AKL to ZQN (about 1h50–2h). Typical one-way fares run ~$80–$180 if booked early. Compare routes on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in and grab lunch at Fergburger (the “Classic” beef or the venison “Sweet Bambi”) with a side stop at Fergbaker for custard squares. Ride the Skyline Gondola for sweeping vistas; adventurous travelers can add a couple of Luge runs on the way down.

Evening: Stroll the Queenstown Gardens loop at golden hour. Dinner at Rātā (seasonal South Island produce, superb wine list) or Botswana Butchery (lakeside, great for lamb and sides). Drinks at Little Blackwood (crafted cocktails) or Atlas Beer Café (local taps). Rest—tomorrow is a big day.

Day 5: Milford Sound Coach + Cruise (Full Day)

Fiordland is a UNESCO World Heritage area where waterfalls ribbon down thousand-meter cliffs. This full-day experience includes scenic stops en route (Mirror Lakes, Hollyford Valley), a cruise beneath Mitre Peak, and a relaxed return through glacier-carved valleys.

Book this: Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch (about 12–13 hours; from ~$145–$210).

Upgrade idea: Prefer to save time and go epic? Swap to a Fly–Cruise–Fly from Queenstown (about 4 hours total, weather-dependent) for glacier and alpine views before and after your fjord cruise.

Day 6: Jet Boats, Wineries, and Arrowtown Ambles

Morning: Fire up your day on the Shotover River with high-speed spins and canyon skims—an only-in-Queenstown rite of passage.

Book this: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown (about 25 minutes on the water; total experience ~1.5 hours; from ~$95–$115).

Afternoon: Head into the Gibbston Valley for cellar doors and a relaxed lunch. Aim for Amisfield Restaurant & Cellar Door (Lake Hayes) for set-menu excellence, then sip pinot at Kinross (multiple labels), Peregrine (striking winged-roof winery), or Brennan Wines (laid-back tastings). If you prefer history to wine, browse Arrowtown’s Chinese Settlement and riverside trail.

Evening: Polynesian flavors meet Asian techniques at Blue Kanu (try the ika mata and duck). For a cozy finale, The Bunker serves elevated New Zealand dishes by the fire, and The Lodge Bar (by Rodd & Gunn) does refined cocktails with lake views.

Day 7: Lake Mornings and Departure

Morning: Easy breakfast at Vudu Café & Larder or Bespoke Kitchen (excellent granola, mushrooms on toast). Walk the lakefront or rent a bike for a short spin toward Frankton. If you have a later flight and want one last iconic experience, consider a leisurely lake cruise and farm lunch:

Optional (time permitting): Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise (typically ~3.5 hours). Note: the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship is scheduled for maintenance May 19–Oct 1, 2025; alternative vessels may operate during this period.

Afternoon: Depart from Queenstown Airport. For flights to Auckland or onward international connections, compare schedules and fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Intercity Travel Details (Auckland ⇄ Queenstown)

• Plane: AKL ↔ ZQN nonstop ~1h50–2h, from roughly $80–$180 one-way when booked in advance. Check Trip.com and Kiwi.com for times and deals.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (Quick Reference)

• Auckland: Coffee at Chuffed or Espresso Workshop; pastries at Amano; lunch at Ponsonby Central (Dante’s, Bird On A Wire); dinner at Ahi or Azabu; dessert at Giapo; cocktails at Caretaker or Parasol & Swing.
• Queenstown: Breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen or Vudu; Fergburger/Fergbaker; dinner at Rātā, Blue Kanu, or Botswana Butchery; drinks at Little Blackwood, The Lodge Bar, or Atlas Beer Café.

Included Viator Activities in This Itinerary

• Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch
• Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch
• Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
• Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise (optional on Day 7 if flight time allows)

Why this route works: With two bases in seven days, you minimize packing and maximize variety—urban harbor vibes up north, alpine drama down south—plus unforgettable day trips to Hobbiton, glowworm caves, and the fjords of Milford Sound.

Trip summary: In one week you’ll sip flat whites by Auckland’s waterfront, wander the Shire, sail under waterfalls in Fiordland, and celebrate with Central Otago pinot beneath the Remarkables. It’s a concise New Zealand itinerary that feels wide open—enough depth to savor, with reasons to come back.