11 days in New Zealand Itinerary

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Get a sense of the local culture at Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Pompallier Mission and Printery. Escape the urban bustle at Scuba & Snorkeling and Parasailing & Paragliding. Go for a jaunt from Paihia to Russell to see Tapeka Point Track about 36 minutes away. The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Paihia Harbour, admire the striking features of The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, and learn about winemaking at Byrne Northland Wines.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our Paihia trip planner.

Denver, USA to Paihia is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. You'll lose 19 hours traveling from Denver to Paihia due to the time zone difference. On the 19th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel 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 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Huka Falls Walkway will get you outdoors. Do some cultural sightseeing at Te Puia and Volcanic Hills Winery. There's still lots to do: test the waters at a local thermal spa, contemplate the geological forces at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, take a memorable tour with Tours, and witness a stunning natural landmark at Lady Knox Geyser.

Plan my trip to Rotorua with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Paihia to Rotorua in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around °F in December, and nighttime lows around °F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Birdlife Park, thenzoom along the surf with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, and then race across the water with a speed boat tour. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Peter's Anglican Church, get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, and then learn about winemaking at Peregrine Wines.

To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Queenstown trip itinerary maker app.

Fly from Rotorua to Queenstown in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can travel back home.