15 days in New Zealand Itinerary

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Fri): contemplate the geological forces at Mount Ruapehu, then hike along Taranaki Falls, then take in the dramatic scenery at Tawhai Falls, and finally explore the wealth of natural beauty at Te Porere Redoubt. On your second day here, tour the pleasant surroundings at Horsemtrails.

To find ratings, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park attractions planner.

Nantes, France to Tongariro National Park is an approximately 36-hour flight. Traveling from Nantes to Tongariro National Park, you'll lose 11 hours due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) so you can go by car 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.

Visiting Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park will get you outdoors. Buried Village of Te Wairoa and St. Lukes Anglican Church will appeal to history buffs. Go for a jaunt from Rotorua to Mount Maunganui to see Mt Maunganui Main Beach about 1h 15 min away. There's lots more to do: witness a stunning natural landmark at Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park, get interesting insight from Tours, experience rural life at Agrodome, and get engrossed in the history at Rotorua Museum.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Rotorua day trip website .

Getting from Tongariro National Park to Rotorua by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of car and bus. In July, daily temperatures in Rotorua can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can travel to Wellington.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Thu): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint Mary's Church, get engrossed in the history at Wellington Museum, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Old St Paul's, then take in the exciting artwork at Kura Art Gallery, and finally examine the collection at Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take an in-depth tour of The Great War Exhibition, contemplate the waterfront views at Oriental Bay, and then take a memorable ride with Wellington Cable Car.

To see traveler tips, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Wellington day trip planner.

You can fly from Rotorua to Wellington in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 14°C in July, and nighttime lows around 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Invercargill.

Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sat): pause for some serene contemplation at St. John's Anglican Church, take in the architecture and atmosphere at First Presbyterian Church, then take in the exciting artwork at City Gallery, then take an in-depth tour of E Hayes and Sons - The World's Fastest Indian, and finally admire the masterpieces at Southland Museum and Art Gallery. On the next day, get a taste of the local shopping with Otautau Gallery and then examine the collection at Bill Richardson Transport World.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Invercargill vacation planning app .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Wellington to Invercargill. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough to travel 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 (Mon), see the interesting displays at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, trek along Tunnel Beach Track, steep yourself in history at Olveston Historic Home, then learn more about the world around you at Otago Museum, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Knox Church. Keep things going the next day: get to know the fascinating history of Waikouaiti Beach and then identify plant and animal life at Shag Point Nature Reserve.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read our Dunedin vacation planning tool .

You can drive from Invercargill to Dunedin in 3 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.