- 20 Sep, 2024
Snow-capped mountains, enchanted forests, and mesmerizing road trips to Lake Takepo are pictures that come to mind whenever we think about New Zealand. Suppose you are also planning a trip to New Zealand for the first time with your loved one and want to make it an unforgettable journey. Make the perfect itinerary to explore beautiful towns and fantastic national parks on New Zealand's South Island, which is an absolute pinnacle. In this travel guide, you will find the seven day-by-day breakdowns of must-see spots, essential tips for smooth traveling, and more. Still, you need to make up your mind before the trip not to expect to see everything if you have only seven days, as it offers exciting landscapes in North and South Island.
Day-by-Day Breakdown of Must-See Spots:
Here, we have prepared an inactive guide on spending one week in New Zealand, although it seems pretty packed as most travelers love exploring new places. However, you can easily modify your itinerary to suit your needs and make the trip to New Zealand worth it.
Day -1 Visit Christchurch:
To make the trip relaxing, you can start ey with a visit to Christchurch, a very refreshing city famous for its English Heritage, Spectacular Culture, and nightlife. Here, you can see the delightful backdrop of both the Alps and the ocean, and to enhance your experience, travelers can enjoy cycling on its banks.
Things to do in Christchurch:
Here are some tourist spots you can explore on the first day of your trip to Christchurch.
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
- Canterbury Museum.
- Christchurch Gondola.
- Willow Bank Wildlife Reserve.
- Hike to Mitchell Track, which is 2.5km.
Day -2 Road Trip to Lake Takepo:
On the second day of your trip, you should take a rental car and start the road trip from Christchurch to Lake Takepo, 3 hour's drive. Usually prefer to leave for Lake Takepo early in the morning although the drive is on the highway which is pretty smooth and you can see the most scenic views during the road trip. As soon as you drive through the mountains, you will glimpse turquoise water. Lake Takepo is not a large township; several accommodation options are available for every budget.
Things to do in Lake Takepo:
As Lake Takepo is not a large township, there are few hikes and spots where you can see the beauty of nature.
- Mt John Summit Circuit Track.
- Takepo Springs.
- The Church of the Good Shephard.
- University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory.
Day -3 Visit Mount Cook National Park:
Mount Cook National Park is a popular tourist destination on the South Island of New Zealand; therefore, it is home to the highest snowcapped mountains and largest glaciers. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky even though the weather changes in the blink of an eye in summers or winters. You can experience flight scenic view by make the booking prior for Mt Cook Ultimate Helicopter ride which may costs nearly between $450 - $750.
Where to Hike in Mount Cook:
- Hooker Valley.
- Tasman Glacier Lookout.
- Sealy Trans.
- Mueller Hut.
- Kea Point.
Day -4 Drive to Queenstown:
You can start your day four drive to Queenstown from Mount Cook, located on the shores of the South Island's lake Wakatipu, renowned for several adventurous activities like bungee jumping, skiing, jet-boating, and more. Here, you can explore the vineyards and historic mining towns.
Where to Hike:
- Lake Alta Track.
- Mount Crichton Loop Track.
- Queenstown Gardens Loop.
Day-5-7 Glenorchy and Fiordland National Par
On the 5th, consider driving to Glenorchy to experience the scenic route. It is located on the edge of Wakatipu, 29 miles from Queenstown, and it will take only 45 minutes to get there. There are several tourist spots that you shouldn't miss, including Moke Lake, Bob's Cove, Wilson Bay, Bennet's Bluff, Glenorchy Jetty, and Paradise Road.
In your last two days of the trip, you should leave Glenorchy and move to Fiordland National Park which is a 2-3 hour drive including stops. Therefore, the first stretch of the road is quite windy. It would be best if you didn't miss the Scenic Cruise around the Fjords, Scenic Flight, which is what few Cruise Companies offer.
Essential Stops and Experiences:
New Zealand has so much to offer, from glaciers to beaches to wine tasting. You can start your trip with the places listed below.
- Experience wine tasting on Waiheke.
- Adventure in Queenstown.
- Milford Sound's Scale.
- Explore Geothermal Phenomena.
- Hobbiton Movie Set.
- Hike a Glacier.
- Cruise with whales in Kaikoura.
Tips for a Smooth Travel Experience:
New Zealand is spectacularly beautiful and offers numerous tourist destinations, but before planning a trip, you should know a few things to enhance the traveling experience. We have compiled a few of the best New Zealand travel tips to help you travel smoothly.
- You should avoid trying to do everything as while trying to see it all in a few days, you will be disappointed.
- New Zealand is divided into two islands with different climates, so you should plan according to the season.
- There is limited public transport on the city's outskirts, so you should rent a car or campervan to explore the multiple areas of the country at your own pace.
- If renting a car is not an option for you, there are several other transport choices available, including Public transport, Domestic online flight ticket booking, and Guided Tours.
- To make your trip smooth, you must know the New Zealand Road rules, which you can check on the country's official website. Also, make sure to learn about the driving license requirements.
- For those who are visiting New Zealand for the first time, make sure to try the local cuisine, as it has a wide range of delicious foods. You can try a variety of street food in Auckland. Otherwise, if you want to taste the Hangi meal, the best place to try it is Rotorua. West Coast is famous for its whitebait fitter.
- As we all know, New Zealand is well known for its wine so you can pre-book your wine tours at some famous places, including Waiheke Island, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago.
- Use a board spectrum screen, as the UV rays are intense here.
