This 19-day New Zealand road trip itinerary covers both the South and North Islands, taking you to the most breathtaking landscapes we saw and the places we loved most during our own trip. From the turquoise lakes of Tekapo and the towering peaks of Mount Cook to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the charm of Hobbiton, this trip blends adventure, culture, and relaxation into one unforgettable experience. It is especially suitable for first-time visitors who prefer a comfortable, mid-paced journey.
Table of Contents
- Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch
- Day 2: Explore Christchurch
- Day 3: Day trip to Akaroa
- Day 4: Explore Lake Tekapo
- Day 5: Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
- Day 6: Mount Cook National Park
- Day 7: Tasman Glacier & Head to Dunedin
- Day 8: Dunedin & Otago Peninsula
- Day 9: Explore Wanaka
- Day 10: Wanaka, Arrowtown & Queenstown
- Day 11: Explore Queenstown
- Day 12: Day trip to Milford Sound
- Day 13: Explore Queenstown
- Day 14: Transit to Rotorua
- Day 15: Explore Rotorua and Taupō
- Day 16: Explore Rotorua
- Day 17: Hobbiton & Head to Auckland
- Day 18: Explore Auckland
- Day 19: Auckland & Fly back home
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch
Christchurch, also known as the “Garden City,” is where you’ll start your New Zealand adventure. The city combines English heritage with modern resilience after recovering from devastating earthquakes. Since this is your first day, you likely arrived after a long flight, so take it easy today.
What to Do
- Pick up your rental car from the Christchurch airport. Get coffee or lunch at Strange Bandit by Luciano, a cute, lovely cafe near airport.
- Stroll through Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens to immerse yourself in nature.
- Check out the Bridge of Remembrance and Christchurch city center.
- Explore the vibrant Riverside Market for international cuisine and local crafts, and enjoy a delicious dinner here.
Where to Stay: You will spend three nights in Christchurch on this New Zealand itinerary. We stayed in a 2-story townhouse-style apartment five minutes drive from Christchurch’s city center and loved it.
Day 2: Explore Christchurch
Spend another day exploring Christchurch’s mix of history and outdoor beauty.
What to Do
- Breakfast at Little Poms Cafe ☕️🥞, a cozy neighborhood cafe. If you stay near the city center, C1 Espresso, an iconic locale housed in the old High Street post office, is another good place to try- it features brunch dishes delivered by pneumatic tubes!
- Hike up Port Hills or Mt. Vernon Park for sweeping views of the city and beyond. There are plenty of walking tracks in the area for various difficulty levels.
- After lunch, visit the International Antarctic Centre to learn about New Zealand’s connection to Antarctica and see blue penguins. This interactive hangout spot is great for families, and we found it fun as adults, too!
- We did grocery shopping and cooked ourselves for dinner since our Airbnb had a fully equipped kitchen. If you are interested in eating out, Bloody Mary’s, a bar & grill featuring a steakhouse menu, was recommended to us by friends.
Day 3: Day Trip to Akaroa
Akaroa is a charming coastal town on the Banks Peninsula in New Zealand’s South Island, about 1.5 hours’ drive from Christchurch. As New Zealand’s only French settlement, it has a unique blend of French and British heritage and stunning harbor views. The drive to Akaroa is scenic and easy. Since we were still battling against jet lags, we found Akaroa the perfect day-trip destination from Christchurch as we adapted to driving on the left side of the road before the long road trip started.
What to Do
- Stroll along Akaroa’s charming streets and admire its French-inspired architecture.
- Join an Akaroa Dolphin Harbor Cruise Tour to spot rare Hector’s dolphins🐬.
- Lunch at Ma Maison, a nice seafood restaurant overlooking beautiful Akaroa harbor
- Visit The Giant House, a quirky garden with creative sculptures and mosaics.
Day 4: Explore Lake Tekapo
Today, you’ll head to Lake Tekapo, our favorite spot in New Zealand. This glacier lake in the Mackenzie Basin is part of the UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, famous for its turquoise waters and dark skies. The drive to Lake Tekapo from Christchurch is about three hours.
What to Do
- Head out to Lake Tekapo after breakfast. You can stop at the Alpine Alpacas Fairlie (formerly Paca Shack Farm) on the way for a self-guided farm tour (a guided tour is also available for selective days of the week). Experience interacting with cute alpacas, llamas, sheep, and horses!
- Get lunch and continue your drive to Lake Tekapo. You’re likely to be arriving at Lake Tekapo early to mid-afternoon. Settle into your accommodation, then visit the Church of the Good Shepherd ⛪️, one of New Zealand’s most iconic photo ops, and the Sheepdog Memorial statue.
- Spend the rest of the afternoon walking or riding 🚴♀️ along Lake Tekapo. We enjoyed riding leisurely from Lake Tekapo town center to Pine Beach and back, and we recommend BeSpoke Bike Tours NZ or Outdoor Sports Tekapo for bike rentals.
- After dinner, stargazing 🔭 near the Church of the Good Shepard. The stars were so bright that we saw the Milky Way with our naked eyes! It was one of the most magical moments in our life.
Where to Stay: You will spend two nights in Lake Tekapo on this New Zealand itinerary. We stayed at Grand Suites Lake Tekapo and highly recommend it. The spacious room has a fully equipped kitchenette and nice views of the lake.
Day 5: Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
Spend the morning exploring Lake Tekapo and venture out to Lake Pukaki in the afternoon. Lake Pukaki is another beautiful glacier lake in New Zealand, about a 45-minute drive from Lake Tekapo. The lake has a distinct blue hue, and you get breathtaking views of Mount Cook on a clear day. Visiting Lake Pukaki is one of our Top 10 favorite experiences in New Zealand.
What to Do
- Get up early and hike the Mt. John Summit Circuit Track. Enjoy delicious coffee and cakes at the Astro Cafe on the summit and take in amazing panoramic views of Lake Tekapo. This is a very popular cafe, and it can get busy quickly, so try to arrive before 9:30am (it opens at 9am typically) so that you get a more serene experience. On your way down, you can return the same way you came up or loop back via the Lakeshore Walkway, a longer but less steep descent with stunning view of the lake most of the time. We did the full loop and found it moderate-level challenging (about 5 miles total length-wise).
- After lunch, drive to Lake Pukaki. Stop at Peter’s Lookout for a picture-perfect view of Mount Cook.
- Get fresh salmon sashimi at the Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon Shop while enjoying the spectacular view of Lake Pukaki.
- Head back to Lake Tekapo and enjoy a scenic drive at Godley Peaks Road.
- We cooked dinner ourselves for both nights in Lake Tekapo. If you prefer to eat out, Blue Lake Eatery & Bar (contemporary local New Zealand cuisine), Jack Rabbit (stylish cafe with some of the best views of Tekapo), and Kohan (classic Japanese fare) are great options.
Day 6: Mount Cook National Park
Today, you’ll head to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain and incredible alpine scenery. The drive to Aoraki is slightly over one hour.
What to Do
- Before saying goodbye to beautiful Lake Tekapo, take a morning walk around Lake Tekapo village and soak in the beautiful scenery one last time. Get breakfast at the Greedy Cow Cafe ☕️ and order sandwiches to-go 🥪 for lunch (you’ll be eating it during a hike at Mount Cook).
- Upon arriving at Mount Cook National Park, head directly to hike the Hooker Valley Track, a beautiful 6.5-mile out-and-back moderate-level difficulty hike. It is the most iconic hike in Mount Cook National Park. So, if you only have time to do one hike, this should be the one. We passed three suspension bridges across turquoise glacial rivers on this winding track and enjoyed gorgeous views of snow-peaked Mount Cook and Mueller Glacier along the way. The trail ended at Lake Hooker with stony beach, where we ate the delicious sandwiches we brought and soaked in breathtaking views of ice blue water and floating icebergs!
- You can begin the hike at Option #1, White Horse Hill Campground, or Option #2, the Hermitage Hotel. The latter is easier to park in, especially if you stay at the hotel, but it’ll add about 2 miles of hiking distance out and back.
- Regardless of where you start the hike, we highly recommend bringing a packed lunch, snacks, and ample drinking water. Dress in layers, as the weather can change quickly, and wear comfortable, supportive footwear.
- Check into your accommodation, have dinner, and rest.
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll spend one night at Aoraki. We stayed at The Hermitage Hotel and had an unparalleled alpine experience. We highly recommend booking their full-board package, which includes the room, breakfast, and dinner. Aoraki is a small mountain village, and there are not many dining options nearby. So, it’s a much better experience to book dining directly with the hotel. We also found it worth sprinkling more dollars to get a room with a view- we had an unforgettable experience drinking tea and relaxing in our room while watching a beautiful golden sunset over Mount Cook after the Hooker Valley Track hike.
Day 7: Tasman Glacier & Head to Dunedin
Start the day exploring Tasman Glacier Lake, New Zealand’s largest glacier, in Mount Cook National Park. In the afternoon, drive to Dunedin, a charming city with Scottish heritage on the southeast side of South Island.
What to Do
- After breakfast, join the Tasman Glacier Explorer boat tour. The meet-up point is at the Hermitage Hotel. From there, we walked about 1 mile with our guide to the lake’s edge and boarded a speed boat. We cruised on the lake for about 1.5 hours and got a close-up view of the Tasman Glacier and floating icebergs- we even got to touch one floating iceberg with our bare hands! It was a surreal and mesmerizing experience in a totally unique environment. The tour was both thrilling and educational as we learned about the ever-changing glacial landscape and how climate change and other climatic processes had taken their toll on New Zealand glaciers. The tour can be booked directly with the Hermitage Hotel, and it sells out fast, so book it early and in advance.
- Grab a quick lunch at the Hermitage Hotel cafe, then head to Dunedin. The drive takes about four hours, and we recommend the following stops en route:
- Take a Coffee break ☕️ in Twizel, a small town about one hour away from Aroaki. We got delicious coffee from the Musterers Hut Cafe and bought cute magnets from its souvenir shop. The cafe also had a children’s playground.
- Visit the Elephant Rocks in Waitaki Valley (about one more hour from Twizel), a fascinating collection of large limestone formations resembling a herd of elephants, set amidst rolling farmland and famous as a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia.
- Watch the sunset at Koekohe Beach and admire the Moeraki Boulders, a fascinating geological phenomenon featuring large, perfectly spherical rocks formed over millions of years by natural calcification processes.
- Arrive Dunedin, dinner at Takeichi 🍜, an authentic Japanese Ramen franchise in Dunedin city center. Check into your accommodation and rest.
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll stay at Dunedin for two nights. We chose an apartment near Octagon, the central hub of Dunedin, and loved the convenience of the location.
Day 8: Dunedin & Otago Peninsula
Discover Dunedin’s cultural sites and the wildlife haven of the Otago Peninsula, a stunning stretch of rugged coastline near Dunedin.
What to Do
- Take a morning walk to the Octagon. Visit the Statue of Robert Burns, a prominent statue of the Scottish poet Robert Burns that stands in the Octagon, reflecting Dunedin’s rich Scottish heritage and St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Drive to the Otago Peninsula (about one hour from Dunedin’s city center). Visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, and get lunch at the lovely Ballroom Cafe in the beautiful Larnach Castle Garden.
- Take a wildlife tour at the Royal Albatross Centre to see albatrosses and other native species. Albatrosses are some of the largest flying birds in the world known for their incredible wingspans, which can reach up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). The Royal Albatross Center in Otago Peninsula is the world’s only mainland breeding colony for the majestic Northern Royal Albatross. The center offers several different tours, and advance reservations are recommended. We joined the Unique Taiaroa tour, a 90-minute in-depth guided tour offering both Albatross viewing and Fort Taiaroa exploration. Watching the albatrosses fly was one of the most mesmerizing experiences we have ever had, as we felt as if all our stress and worries also flew away with those albatrosses.
- Drive back to Dunedin and visit Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world.
Day 9: Explore Wanaka
Drive to Wanaka, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and enjoy its laid-back atmosphere and stunning lake views. The drive to Wanaka is about four hours.
What to Do
- After breakfast, head to Wanaka. Stop in the town of Clyde for lunch. We recommend The Old Clyde Bank, a lovely restaurant serving great pasta and salads.
- Arrive Wanaka. Visit the iconic #ThatWanakaTree, a lone willow growing in the lake, and get an Instagram-worthy photo.
- Hike the Mt. Iron Track (a 3-mile moderate-difficulty loop) for panoramic views of Wanaka, Lake Wanaka, and its surrounding mountains.
- Check into your accommodation. Have dinner at Kika, a fine dining restaurant in Wanaka town center offering both a delicious tasting menu and a la carte.
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll stay in Wanaka for one night. We stayed at a Frech farmhouse-inspired guest house adjacent to a local’s home on the edge of Wanaka. The guest house was set on acres of olives and lawns, giving us a glimpse of local life. It was such a serene environment that we wished we had planned more days in Wanaka!
Day 10: Wanaka, Arrowtown & Queenstown
Spend the morning exploring Wanaka before heading to Queenstown, a vibrant alpine town. Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the majestic Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown is a year-round destination perfect for adventurers, nature lovers, and relaxation seekers alike. En route, visit Arrowtown, a charming historic gold-mining town nestled beside the Arrow River and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Arrowtown’s vibrant foliage and quaint atmosphere cannot be missed if you visit New Zealand during fall!
What to Do
- Check out your accommodation. Hire a bike at Wanaka town center and cycle 🚴♀️ the Wanaka Lakeside Track from Wanaka Lakefront to Lake Outlet and back.
- Lunch at the Big Fig Wanaka, a lakefront cafe with great salad and protein dishes.
- Head to Queenstown (~one-hour drive). En route, visit Arrowtown. Step back in time at the gold mining sites and stroll along Buckingham Street, lined with heritage buildings, boutique shops, galleries, and cafes. When we visited in the fall, we were impressed by the vibrant fall colors 🍂🍁 at the Buckingham Street Car Park and Arrowtown War Memorial Park. We also enjoyed delicious, creamy gelato from Patagonia Chocolates.
- Arrive in Queenstown and head for dinner at the renowned gourmet burger place, Fergburger. In 2015, CNN recognized it as “the best burger joint on the planet”!
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll stay in Queenstown for four nights. We stayed at a lake-front apartment situated under a local’s family home, located midway between Queenstown city center and Frankton (where Queenstown airport is located). It was an amazing experience waking up to a beautiful view of Lake Wakatipu.
Day 11: Explore Queenstown
Spend the day enjoying Queenstown’s adventures and iconic attractions.
What to Do
- Ride the Queenstown Gondola (also known as Skyline Queenstown) to Bob’s Peak, the steepest cable car lift 🚡 in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding Remarkables mountain ranges.
- Experience the Skyline Luge, a thrilling gravity-powered cart ride that is fun for both adults and kids.
- After lunch, aboard the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Farm. We joined the Walter Peak Farm with Afternoon Tea Tour and had a wonderful experience. Upon arriving at the farm, we had a relaxing afternoon tea at the farm’s lake-front cafe. A farm staff member then gave us a walking tour of the farmland, where we fed and interacted with many cute animals, including alpacas, cattle, sheep, and deer. The tour ended with a sheepdog demonstration where we saw skilled sheepdogs showcasing their abilities by herding sheep with precision and a live sheep shearing demonstration where a farm staff showed us the techniques used to shear sheep efficiently and humanely. It was a memorable experience that was both so fun and educational!
- Dinner at The Bunker, an intimate haunt featuring inventive New Zealand dishes, craft cocktails, and wine.
Day 12: Day Trip to Milford Sound
Visit Milford Sound, a stunning fjord carved by glaciers and often called the “eighth wonder of the world.” It is an awe-inspiring destination surrounded by steep cliffs and misty waterfalls and has rich wildlife, such as dolphins.
What to Do
- Join an organized group tour to enjoy the journey to Milford Sound without worrying about driving. Most day trips from Queenstown to Milford Sound are by bus (about 4-5 hours one-way) or helicopter (about 1 hour 45 minutes one-way). When you arrive at Milford Sound, you board a scenic cruise for a couple hours to marvel at waterfalls, fjords, and wildlife before returning to Queenstown. We were lucky to spot pods of dolphins swimming alongside our boat when we visited, a memorable encounter in a pristine setting.
- We chose the coach-cruise-coach option because it best fits our budget. The package included round-trip coach services from Queenstown to Milford Sound and a two-hour cruise through the fjord. We pre-ordered lunch with the tour company, which they distributed once we boarded the cruise. On the way to Milford Sound, our coach stopped at a cafe and souvenir shop at Te Anau, where we could buy pies, sandwiches, or snacks to carry with us.
- If budget is not a concern or you have limited time, helicopter-cruise-helicopter or coach-cruise-helicopter are great alternative options. The flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound provides stunning aerial views of the Southern Alps and Milford Sound, and some tours even include glacier landings.
- Dinner at Saigon Kingdom Vietnamese Restaurant Steamer Wharf and enjoy a delicious, hearty pho noodle soup after a long day of sightseeing.
Day 13: Explore Queenstown
Relax and enjoy more of Queenstown and the last day on the South Island.
What to Do
- Hike the Queenstown Hill Time Walk for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range, the Remarkables, and Lake Wakatipu. This is a 3-mile, moderate-difficulty loop, popular among both locals and visitors. If you are taking this hike, we highly recommend doing the loop clockwise: At the junction about 0.8 miles from the trailhead, turn left to take the steeper route up to the summit, then take the longer but flatter route on the way down.
- Lunch at Flame Bar & Grill, an energetic, modern restaurant emphasizing New Zealand & South African-style meat dishes, or Captains Steak and Seafood, a rustic and relaxed space offering traditional seafood and meat dishes.
- Unwind at the Onsen Hot Pools, a serene retreat overlooking the Shotover River. They tend to be fully booked quickly, so make advance reservations.
- Dinner at Margo’s for some high-energy Mexican soul food.
Day 14: Transit to Rotorua
Today is mostly a transit day. You say goodbye to the South Island of New Zealand and head to Rotorua, a city on the North Island known as the “Sulphur City” for its geothermal wonders. It is also a culture hub offering immersive Māori experiences.
What to Do
- Return the rental car at Queenstown airport in the morning. Fly to Auckland.
- Pick up another rental car at Auckland airport. Grab a quick lunch, then head to Rotorua. The drive to Rotorua from Auckland airport is about three hours.
- Time permitting, we recommend breaking down the drive by visiting the Blue Spring Putaruru en route and hiking the Te Waihou Walkway. You can do the hike in two ways: Option #1, a 6-mile return full walk from the official trailhead (moderately challenging), or Option #2, a 1-mile return short walk from Leslie Road’s end (easy). Our flight got significantly delayed when we visited, so we had to skip it. Yet we heard that Blue Spring Putaruru is a real gem in the area with gorgeous clear sapphire blue water, and the walkway through the spring is very scenic.
- Arrive at Rotorua. Check out Rotorua city center and the Government Gardens.
- Check into your accommodation. Dinner and rest.
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll stay in Rotorua for three nights. We stayed at a guest house in the Lynmore neighborhood. This neighborhood is about a five-minute drive from the city center and walkable to the Redwoods Treewalk, which we highly recommend.
Day 15: Explore Rotorua and Taupō
Enjoy a day exploring Rotorua’s geothermal features, Taupō, a vibrant lakeside town nestled on the shores of Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, and immersing yourself in an authentic Māori Culture and Food Experience.
What to Do
- After breakfast, visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see its vibrant geothermal features. We spent a leisurely morning there and were captivated by its colorful pools and mineral terraces. Make sure to arrive in time for Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts daily at 10:15 a.m.
- Head to Taupō. Lunch at Central Wok, an authentic Thai-Vietnamese restaurant.
- Visit Lake Taupō and check out Taupō McDonald’s, one of the world’s coolest McDonald’s, where you can enjoy a meal inside a decommissioned Douglas DC-3 airplane! 🛫🍟
- Hike Huka Falls Walkway to admire the dramatic Huka Falls, an awe-inspiring display of nature’s force with its powerful flow and striking blue waters. You can do the hike in two ways: Option #1, a 4-mile return full walk from Spa Park to Huka Falls Lookout (moderately challenging), or Option #2, a much shorter 0.5-mile loop from Huka Falls Car Park to the Huka Falls Lookout (easy). Thrill-seekers can join a jet boat ride to get up close to the base of the falls and get a more immersive experience.
- Drive back to Rotorua. Join the immersive Te Pā Tū Māori Experience to learn about Māori traditions and values and enjoy a traditional hāngī feast. Through stories, music, and the powerful haka dance, we gained a deeper understanding of Māori culture, had a ton of fun, and bonded with fellow travelers from across the globe. The best way to book this experience is via the official Te Pā Tū website. Be sure to check their current schedule and availability before planning your visit.
Day 16: Explore Rotorua
Explore Rotorua’s geothermal features, waterfalls, and beautiful nature for another day.
What to Do
- Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system, featuring colorful crater lakes, hot springs, and steaming cliffs. For a comprehensive exploration, we highly recommend the half-day Full Waimangu Experience. This experience includes a scenic 2.5-mile easy self-guided hike through the volcanic valley, a 45-minute relaxing cruise on Lake Rotomahana (a lake within the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, formed after the devastating 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera), and a short shuttle bus ride back to the visitor center.
- Drive back to Rotorua. After lunch, walk the Okere Falls Track. This is an easy 1.5-mile loop trail near Rotorua. You walk through a serene forest and see three picturesque waterfalls along the way: Okere Falls, Tutea Falls, and Trout Pool Falls.
- Spend the rest of the afternoon unwinding at Polynesian Spa ♨️, a geothermal hot spring on Lake Rotorua’s shores. It offers natural mineral pools with stunning lake views and luxurious therapeutic treatments. Both public and private pools are available. Advance reservations are recommended, especially for spa therapies and private pools.
- After dinner, go on the Redwood Evening Walk, an enchanting evening experience in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest. The walk features 28 suspension bridges connecting towering 120-year-old redwood trees, and it is adorned with unique lanterns and illuminations designed by renowned designer David Trubridge, which create a magical ambiance.
Day 17: Hobbiton & Head to Auckland
Head to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and a vibrant urban hub known for its stunning harbor, diverse culture, and proximity to nature. En route, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, a must-see whether you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or not.
What to Do
- Check out your accommodation and head to Matamata. Join the guided 2-hour Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Set amid rolling green hills, Hobbiton brings Tolkien’s world of Middle-earth to life, complete with detailed Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and stunning gardens. We found it an enchanting experience despite being unfamiliar with the film ourselves. Be sure to book your tickets online well in advance through the official Hobbiton Movie Set website, as tours can sell out quickly, even during shoulder seasons.
- Quick lunch at the cafe in Hobbiton, then head to Auckland (the drive to Auckland is about two hours). Check into your accommodation upon arriving in Auckland.
- Stroll along the promenade of Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the world, offering picturesque views of the city skyline and the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge.
- Dinner at Beau, a cozy restaurant and bar offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas.
- End the day with some souvenir shopping at Queen Street shops.
Where to Stay: For this New Zealand itinerary, you’ll stay in Auckland for two nights. We stayed at a guest house in the Grey Lynn neighborhood. This neighborhood is less than a 10-minute drive from the city center while offering a much quieter and local experience, which we highly recommend.
Day 18: Explore Auckland
Spend a full day exploring Auckland’s urban sophistication and natural beauty. Take advantage of the city’s international food scene.
What to Do
- Enjoy dim sum and wok fare at Pearl Garden Restaurant, a traditional, family-run, authentic Chinese/Cantonese restaurant.
- Explore Mt. Eden, an extinct volcano, and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Auckland skyline at its summit.
- Visit Devonport, a suburb on the north shore of Auckland, and enjoy its seaside charm. Explore Mt. Victoria and the North Head, two prominent volcanic peaks located in the Devonport area. Both places offer great views of the Auckland skyline from the north side.
- Stroll along Devonport Harbor for sunset.
- Dinner at Gganbu Korean Restaurant and enjoy an authentic Korean food feast.
Day 19: Auckland and Fly Back Home
Say goodbye to beautiful New Zealand and fly back home from Auckland today. When we visited, our flight departing Auckland was late at night, so we spent almost another full day enjoying Auckland’s parks and nature before we flew back home.
What to Do
- Check out your accommodation and have breakfast.
- Visit One Tree Hill, a historic landmark, and stroll in the adjacent Cornwall Park, a nice urban grassy park.
- Lunch at Cornwall Park Bistro, a lovely cafe located in the Cornwall Park.
- Visit Ambury Regional Farm Park. Have fun observing and patting various farm animals (sheep, goats, pigs, horses, roosters, cows, etc.)
- Visit Mangere Domain, another well-preserved volcanic cone in Auckland. Take a nice leisurely walk to the summit for a breathtaking view of the Manukau Harbour.
- Head to Auckland airport. Return the rental car. Wave goodbye to beautiful New Zealand and ✈️ fly back home.
For more New Zealand travel tips and resources, I recommend reading our article New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide to Timeless Wonders.
The End. Happy Traveling!
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