38 days in Oceania Itinerary

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Auckland is known for sightseeing, nature, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at New Zealand Maritime Museum, contemplate the geological forces at Rangitoto Island, admire the masterpieces at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, and admire all the interesting features of Viaduct Harbour.

To see photos, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Auckland holiday planning app.

If you are flying in from United Kingdom, the closest major aiports are Auckland International Airport and Hamilton International Airport. In February in Auckland, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 26°C at night. On the 23rd (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): delve into the lush surroundings at Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest. On your second day here, explore the striking landscape of Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool, then witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, then trot along with a tour on horseback, and finally get interesting insight from Tours.

To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Rotorua online trip builder.

You can fly from Auckland to Rotorua in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Auckland in February, Rotorua is little chillier at night with lows of 19°C. On the 25th (Sat), you're off to Stratford.

Stratford is the only town in Stratford District, and the seat of the Taranaki Region, in New Zealand's North Island. Start off your visit on the 25th (Sat): hike along Connett Loop Track and then take in the dramatic scenery at Dawson Falls.

To see ratings, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read Stratford route planner.

You can drive from Rotorua to Stratford in 4.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to New Plymouth.

Where other cities run, New Plymouth prefers to stroll.

To see photos, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the New Plymouth day trip planner.

Getting from Stratford to New Plymouth by car takes about an hour. You'll set off for Wellington on the 26th (Sun).

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

On the 27th (Mon), examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, then get great views at Wellington Cable Car, and then ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament.

To find reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Wellington trip planner.

You can fly from New Plymouth to Wellington in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In February, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Mon) so you can ride a ferry to Picton.

Take photo after stunning photo in Picton, the gateway to South Island.

Step out of Picton with an excursion to Mount Stokes in Kenepuru--about 40 minutes away. On the 28th (Tue), hike the day away at Queen Charlotte Track. The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at Marlborough Sounds, go for a stroll along the water at Picton Sound, admire all the interesting features of Karaka Point Walk, and look for all kinds of wild species at Kaipupu Sanctuary.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Picton trip builder tool.

You can ride a ferry from Wellington to Picton in 4 hours. February in Picton sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C at night. On the 7th (Tue), you're off to Kaikoura.

Head to the small town of Kaikoura, a humble setting from which to witness some of nature's grandest designs.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Tue): see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stop by Kaikoura Cheese, don't miss a visit to Ohau Point Seal Colony, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway.

For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Kaikoura online driving holiday planner.

Drive from Picton to Kaikoura in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can drive to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Christchurch: Akaroa (Lava, Coronation Library, &more). The adventure continues: walk around Christchurch Botanic Gardens, enjoy breathtaking views from Christchurch Gondola, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, and get engrossed in the history at Canterbury Museum.

To find other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Christchurch driving holiday app.

You can drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In March, daytime highs in Christchurch are 23°C, while nighttime lows are 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can go by car to Geraldine.

Geraldine or Heratini is a town in the Canterbury Region on the South Island of New Zealand. Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): take in the exciting artwork at Susan Badcock Studio, then examine the collection at The Giant Jersey, then examine the collection at Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum, and finally see the sky in a new way at Geraldine Observatory.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Geraldine trip app.

Traveling by car from Christchurch to Geraldine takes 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Twizel.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Thu): explore the activities along Lake Pukaki, then don't miss a visit to Aoraki/Mt. Cook, and then trek along Mueller Ridge. On the 17th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: experience rural life at Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon Shop, relax in the rural setting at High Country Salmon, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Hot Tubs Omarama.

To find traveler tips, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Twizel vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Geraldine to Twizel takes 2 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to drive to Kingston.

Kingston is a small town at the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu, just north of the border of Otago and Southland, in New Zealand's South Island. To find traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, use the Kingston planner.

Traveling by car from Twizel to Kingston takes 3 hours. On the 18th (Sat), you'll travel to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Milford Sound. On the 18th (Sat), look for gifts at Kowhai Gifts & Souvenirs, contemplate the waterfront views at Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and then take some stellar pictures from Te Anau Lion Lookout Point. On the next day, explore the activities along Milford Sound.

For ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our Te Anau online trip itinerary planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Kingston to Te Anau. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Riverton.

Riverton or Aparima is a small town 30 kilometres west of Invercargill via State Highway 99 on the Southern Scenic Route. On the 20th (Mon), contemplate the long history of Templeton Flax Mill Heritage Museum and then head outdoors with Howells Point Reserve.

To see maps, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Riverton trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Te Anau to Riverton. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can go by car to Dunedin.

With its history proudly stemming from the Scottish settlers who came here during the colonial era, Dunedin's streets are lined with well-preserved examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, while a new culture of nightlife and fine dining takes hold around them.

On the 22nd (Wed), tour in style with a train tour and then examine the collection at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

To find reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Dunedin online attractions planner.

Drive from Riverton to Dunedin in 3 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can go by car to Waimate.

Waimate is a town in Canterbury, New Zealand. To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Waimate travel planner.

Traveling by car from Dunedin to Waimate takes 2.5 hours. You will leave for Christchurch on the 23rd (Thu).

On the 23rd (Thu), examine the collection at Air Force Museum of New Zealand and then explore the activities along Avon River.

For ratings, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Christchurch tour planner.

You can drive from Waimate to Christchurch in 3 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time to fly to Blenheim.

Enjoy a heady holiday in Blenheim, the most populous town in the wine-growing region of Marlborough.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Blenheim: Nelson (Brightwater Vineyards, SUPSTAR, &more). Dedicate the 24th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, learn about winemaking at Saint Clair Family Estate Vineyard Kitchen, walk around Pollard Park, and savor the flavors at Allan Scott Family Winemakers.

For other places to visit, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Blenheim trip itinerary maker app.

You can fly from Christchurch to Blenheim in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Christchurch in March since evenings lows in Blenheim dip to 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Auckland.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Auckland trip builder app.

Getting from Blenheim to Auckland by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Blenheim in March, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 22°C in Auckland. On the 29th (Wed), you'll travel back home.