New Zealand packs a huge variety of landscapes into an island area about the size of Colorado. From the volcanoes of the North Island to the Alpine peaks, fjords and glaciers of the South Island, with some thriving cities and indigenous culture, it needs months to thoroughly explore. With smart planning, two weeks are just about enough to scratch the surface of the whole country during a whirlwind tour that will include highlights of both islands.
New Zealand isn't particularly large, stretching about 1,000 miles from the very north tip of the North Island to the southernmost end of the South Island. It is, however, a sparsely populated country abundant in natural attractions often in remote locations. Driving, either in a hire car or one of the popular camper vans or motor homes, is by far the best way to explore. The road infrastructure is good and outside the few cities, traffic isn't an issue. The hire charges are very reasonable, including one-way deals that make flying into one airport and leaving from another a good option. Fly to Auckland and leave from Christchurch, or the other way around, in order to make the most efficient trip.
You will most likely arrive in Auckland. Spend two days in the largest Kiwi city whose must-sees include the Sky Tower for the views of the city and surrounding area from 722 feet above it. Sky Walk takes you out in the thin air, without a handrail -- but in a full body harness -- walking around the Tower's pergola 630 feet above the city. The partially glass floor on the lower observation deck and in one of the elevators offer milder thrills. After all that excitement, calm down with the Auckland Museum and its Maori artifacts, walk Mission Bay's pretty beach promenade or visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. Visit Waiheke Island for a taste of the local wine (there are 19 wineries there), art galleries and the rocky coves and sandy beaches that draw the rich, the hipsters and the bohemians alike to this mini island paradise only a half-hour ferry hop from downtown Auckland.
The geothermal area of Rotorua is extremely touristy, but the mud-spitting geysers and other thermal wonders of Waimangu and Waiotapu combined with the Maori heritage of the locality make for one of the undisputed highlights of the North Island. On leaving Rotorua, continue the volcanic theme with a drive through Tongariro National Park, used for filming Mordor locations in the “Lord of the Rings." If you feel up to the task, complete the spectacular day hike on the Tongariro Crossing.
Before taking the morning ferry across the pretty Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton on the South Island, spend a day in the Kiwi capital of Wellington. Take in the treasure box that is the New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, with its collection of Maori artifacts, well presented information on New Zealand's geology and natural history and engaging interactive displays. Don't miss the ride on the cable car from Lambton Quay to Kelburn with its Observatory and Botanic Gardens.
After the crossing, take the coastal road from Picton to Christchurch via Kaikoura, where, depending on timing, you might be able to fit in a Maori-run whale-watching trip. In Christchurch, take a trip to the nearby village of Sumner with its vast, white beach, or explore the volcanic, if long extinct, Banks Peninsula.
The drive northwest from Christchurch to Hokitika will take you past a spectacular hillside strewn with surreal boulders at Castle Hill -- stop for a walk if time allows -- and then through the breathtaking mountain views of Pearson's Pass and Arthur's Pass, along the Taramakau River, to emerge on the West Coast of the North Island: mist-engulfed, wet and covered with intense green of the curly rain forest.
Take a day to explore some of the West Coast, stopping on the way south to look at or enjoy a small hike near the the unique New Zealand glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox, which crawl down between rain forest-covered slopes almost to sea level.
Drive back across the Southern Alps via the Haast Past, from the rain forests of the West Coast to the drier, Alpine landscape around Queenstown. Stop for a spot of gold panning in Arrowtown to eventually arrive in New Zealand's mecca of adventure sports, Queenstown. The town is worth visiting just for its stunning location on the shores of the Lake Wakatipu, flanked by moody mountains, with every view more breathtaking than the previous one. In addition to winter skiing and summer hiking, the host of activities in and around Queenstown include bungee jumping, jetboat rides, pony trekking and hang gliding for the more actively minded. If you prefer less energetic pursuits, cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the paddle steamer T.S.S. Earnslaw or sample products of the nearby wineries of Central Otago.
Leave early to drive the scenic route from Queenstown to Manapouri in time to catch the late morning departure of the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise, the only way to see the second-most-famous of the Fiordland's sounds. Spend the night in Manapouri or Te Anau and drive to Milford Sound: The journey along the Milford Road is as much of the experience as the iconic destination at the end, so make plenty of time for photo stops and small hikes on the way. Both sounds -- which are really technically fjords, gouged out by the glaciers in the ice age -- are stunningly beautiful. The peaks of surrounding mountains raise against the ever changing sky, the hillsides either covered with lush rainforest or bare rock fall steeply towards the sea. Waterfalls everywhere add to the magic, and more so after the rain. From here you can drive back to Christchurch through Central Otago, taking in the bleakly beautiful landscape along the Lindis Pass, past the unbelievably blue Lake Tekapo with views of the highest peak of New Zealand, Mount Cook.
New Zealand's climate is mild, tempered by the influence of the ocean surrounding the island country. The winter months, from late May to mid-September, however, can be cold, snowy and bleak, especially in the south. It's an excellent time for a skiing holiday in Queenstown, but for any other purpose, plan your trip for the period between October and April to ensure the tourist infrastructure is operational, paths are passable and the weather favorable.
