New Zealand is often hailed as being an amazing destination for adventure, and upon arrival, you will soon find out why. We found ourselves spoiled for choice with incredible landscapes and a wide variety of thrill thrill-seeking excursions which are sure to get the adrenalin pumping.
With its jaw-dropping scenery, from the fjords of Milford Sound to the geothermal hot springs of Rotorua, New Zealand should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list!
We made the most our time in New Zealand, being sure to include the country’s top highlights, but we also incorporated some hidden gems along the way. Here’s our guide to help you make the most out of your New Zealand adventure!
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How to spend one week in New Zealand
With just one week to explore, you’ll want to make the most of your time and this itinerary will help you do just that!
First, we start off on the North Island where some of the highlights include exploring the bustling city of Aukland, boating down glowworm caves, and relaxing and unwinding in geothermal hot springs.
The second half of this itinerary takes place on the South Island of New Zealand which offers bucket-list-worthy adventures such as skying, cruising down the fjord of Milford Sound, as well as the most scenic hikes I’ve ever experienced.
We typically booked one tour/activity per day but were sure to leave some time each day for exploring. We found that many of the tours booked up ahead of time (especially during the busier months of December- February) so be sure to book your top tours in advance!
Getting Around New Zealand:
When exploring New Zealand, we found the most cost-effective and flexible way to travel was by renting a car. Here ar a few tips to keep in mind when driving in New Zealand.
We booked both of our car rentals on the North and South Island on Expedia because we found they had some of the most competitive rates and we could use the OneKeyCash reward points toward future hotels or flights. Check out car rental rates and availability on Expedia.
Days 1-3 North Island
Chances are, your international flight will arrive in Auckland located on the north island, so that is where we’ll begin our New Zealand adventure! We spent a few hours exploring Aukland before making our way to a volcanic town, Rotorua. On the way, we stopped at the famous Hobbiton Houses featured in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton movies.
Day 1: Exploring Aukland and Hobbiton Houses
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and is known for its waterfront restaurants as well as its iconic Skytower which is the largest man-made structure in the southern hemisphere. You can take a tour from the top for awesome panoramic views of the city and if you’re really adventurous, bungee jump from the top of it!
Aukland is also known for having plenty of scenic waterfront dining options, so we would recommend grabbing lunch here before hitting the road.
From Aukland, we drove about 30 minutes to the Hobbiton Houses which is famously the set for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton
Hobbiton Houses Tour
Touring the Hobbiton Houses is an absolute must-visit for any Lord of the Rings fans which is sure to make you feel as if you are in middle earth!
A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the intricately designed set, pointing out iconic locations like the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. The attention to detail is incredible and our guides were knowledgeable and hilarious.
The tour concludes with a complimentary drink from the Green Dragon Inn, but we also suggest trying one of their famous mince pies!
Highlights
- Official guided tour of the Shire from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton movies
- Includes a drink at the Green Dragon Inn
- Over 5,000 5-star reviews on GetYourGuide
Travel Tip: This tour is known to fill up weeks in advance, especially during their busier months of December-February so be sure to book your tickets in advance!
From the Hobbiton Houses, we drove about an hour to Rotorua where we stayed for 3 nights
Day 2: Glowworm Caves and Wai-O-Tapu
Located about 2 hours from from Rotorua are the famous Waitomo Glowworm caves: where glowworms, which are native to New Zealand, attach to the ceiling and illuminate the caves.
Gliding down the dark cave surrounded by thousands of twinkling blue lights from the glow of the worms was such an unforgettable experience. It gave the illusion of a starry night and felt almost as if we were in another world!
It really is such a unique and experience and a must see when visiting the North Island of New Zealand.
We had an amazing experience doing the Traditional Guided Tour, but if we had the chance to do it again, we’d book the exhilarating Blackwater Rafting Tour where you can tube down the glowworm caves and jump into underground waterfalls!
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Did you know that there are only 5 places in the world where you can see geysers, hot springs, and mudpots all in one place? Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is one of those places and is one New Zealand’s most vibrant geothermal attractions.
Be sure to take your time walking the 3 different loop trails- all of which are well-marked making it easy to navigate on your own.
A few sites that you can expect to see are the Sinter Terrace formations, Bubbling Mud, and huge volcanic craters, but one of our favorites was the iconic Champagne Pool with its bubbling waters and bright orange and green hues.
We would recommend walking all 3 loop trails which would take over 2 hours.
There is an eruption Lady Knox Geyser every morning at 10:15, but we didn’t feel that this was a must-see as it is a man-man eruption and there are so many other stunning natural formations to view.
Day 3: Taranaki Falls Hike and Polynesian Spa
Taranaki Falls Hike
Your third in New Zealand begins in Tangaro National Park where you’ll set off on the Taranaki Falls Hike. This hike is a loop trail that features the “upper track” and “lower track”. The trail is about 3.7 miles and the majority of the trail is flat but does feature some stairs, but we recommend starting at the upper track
The trail begins with a breathtaking view of Mount Ngauruhoe, famously known as Mount Doom by Lord of the Rings fans.
About an hour of hiking with stunning views, you’ll arrive at the picturesque Tatami Falls which cascades about 20 feet down a flat rock face. We stopped here for about 20 minutes to admire the scenery, but if you’re up to it, pack your bathing suit for a dip in the waterfall!
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, we recommend would recommend the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Polynesian Spa
After your hike, there’s no better way to unwind and relax than by soaking in the mineral-rich waters at the Polynesian Spa.
The spa is located in a beautiful area in Rotorua surrounded by mountains and a serene lake and features many different mineral-rich pools.
Each pool varies in temperature so you can easily find the perfect one for your liking- whether it’s a warm soak, a cold plunge, or a pool with different acidic or alkaline properties.
When we first arrived around 3pm, the spa was fairly busy, but became more peaceful over the next few hours, allowing us to fully relax and soothe our muscles.
The whole experience was incredibly rejuvenating and the well-organized facility made it more enjoyable.
If you’re in the mood for even more relaxation, you can book an onsite massage which includes treatment such as a mana honey massage and facial, and be sure to grab a smoothie from the cafe before you leave!
We found the cheapest entry tickets for the spa by booking through this link on GetYourGuide. Here, the tickets are $26 compared to a $45 entry fee booking directly through the website.
Alternative North Island Ideas
While we only spent 3 full days on North Island, there’s so many incredible activities to do. Here are a few others to consider adding to your New Zealand adventure.
Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: Immersive Maori cultural experience where you can feast on a traditional earth-oven cooked meal as you learn about their customs and rituals.
Kaituna River: Whitewater Rafting Experience: Thrilling rafting adventure which takes you through 14 rapids and 3 waterfalls including Tutea Falls (the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the world!
Days 4-7 South Island
Next, we’re off to South Island where we spent the rest of our trip in Queenstown: New Zealand’s adventure capital! There are no direct flights from Rotorua to Queenstown, so we drove from Rotorua to Aukland and took an early morning, two-hour flight to Queenstown.
Day 4: Skydiving and Queenstown Hill Hike
Skydiving
Your first day in Queenstown begins with an exhilarating skydive over some of the most incredible view’s you’ll ever see!
We chose to go skydiving in Queenstown not only for the unbeatable views but also because of their high safety standards.
If you’re nervous and second-guessing booking this activity, we were too, but the experience was definitely worth it!
As you freefall from thousands of feet above, you’ll experience breathtaking sights of snowcapped mountains and stunning lakes. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
We would highly recommend booking with the company below as they receive incredible reviews and the guides were incredible! The staff were so well organized, and the guides immediately put our mind at ease.
Highlights
- Highly qualified company with high safety standards which won New Zealand’s Supreme Tourism Award
- Incredibly experienced and friendly guides
- Over 1,000 5-star reviews on Viator
Travel Tip: We recommend booking your skydive as early as possible during your time in Queenstown since the excursion can be canceled due to poor weather conditions.
Queenstown Hill Hike
After the adrenaline rush of skydiving, we sat down for lunch at a restaurant in downtown Queenstown before setting off for a short hike up Queenstown Hill.
This popular hike features incredible views of the mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and panoramic views of Queenstown. The trail is moderately challenging with a steady incline but is only about 3 miles out and back and takes a little over 2 hours to complete.
Day 5: Milford Sound Boat Cruise
The Milford Sound is New Zealand’s most visited destination and for a good reason! This incredible destination is often regarded as the eighth wonder of the world and features tall mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls.
Even the drive to the Milford Sound is incredible and takes you through the Fiordland National Park which has dramatic landscapes and incredible scenery. While the drive is beautiful, it’s also extremely long and will take about 4 hours from Queenstown so this is an all day excursion.
Once you arrive at Milford Sound, you’ll board a cruise which takes you gives you the opportunity to see the lush landscape up close.
Be sure to keep your eye out for wildlife such as seals, dolphins, or maybe even penguins!
Make sure to pack a raincoat as Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in the world with an average of 267 inches of rain annually. Despite the rain, we felt the misty weather just added to the scenery and the experience.
Day 6: Roy’s Peak Hike and Exploring Arrowtown
We’re off to an early start of day 6 to conquer the scenic Roy’s Peak hike located about an hour and fifteen-minute drive from Queenstown in Wanaka.
This hike will definitely test your endurance as it is long (about 5 miles to reach the top) and relentlessly steep, but absolutely worth every step.
After finally reaching the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views like no other!
It took us about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the top going at a steady pace, but stopping for photos along the way. Be sure to appreciate the views and take plenty of photos before you begin your descent.
About 5-6 hours is a good amount of time to plan for this hike.
Travel tip: dress in layers and bring plenty of water!
Explore Arrowtown
After a challenging hike, the rest of the day is spent exploring the historic town of Arrowtown. This historic gold mining town which offers plenty of rustic charm.
The historic buildings, many of which have been turned into shops and restaurants, give the appearance of an old west town.
After a few house of exploring Arrowtown, a quick, 20 minute drive will take you back to Queenstown.
Day 7: Canyon Swing
It’s only right to end your stay in New Zealand’s adventure capital with another adrenaline pumping adventure!
Situated over the scenic Shotover River Canyon, the canyon swing features a free fall of about 60 meters and speeds of up to 120 Kilometers per hour.
There are numerous “jump styles” to choose from which range from a backwards fall to being released in a chair.
To make reservations, book through their website here. We highly recommend including the photo and video package!
Alternative Queenstown Ideas
Queenstown was truly one of the most incredible places we’ve ever been to. We could’ve spent months in this scenic and adventure filled place. Here are a few ideas to consider if you have more than 4 days in Queenstown.
Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown: Take an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride on the Shotover River, where you’ll skim across the water, race through narrow canyons, and experience thrilling 360-degree spins
Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown: Experience the world’s steepest tree to tree zipline as your soar over the beautiful sights of Queenstown
