14-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for New Zealand

1. Day 1: Auckland
   30 minutes (19.1 km) from Auckland Airport

   City Exploration

2. Day 2: Waitomo Caves
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   2 hours 11 minutes (197 km) from Auckland

   Caving Adventure

3. Day 3: Rotorua
   2 hours 26 minutes (151 km) from Waitomo Caves

   Geothermal Wonders

4. Day 4: Tongariro
   2 hours 28 minutes (173 km) from Rotorua

   Alpine Hiking

5. Day 5: Wellington
   4 hours 15 minutes (322 km) from Tongariro

   Capital City

6. Day 6: Marlborough Sound
   3 hours 37 minutes (246 km) from Wellington

   Coastal Views

7. Day 7: Abel Tasman National Park
   2 hours 8 minutes (144 km) from Marlborough Sound

   Beaches and Hiking

8. Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier
   4 hours 45 minutes (362 km) from Abel Tasman National Park

   Glacier Exploration

9. Day 9: Wanaka
   3 hours 37 minutes (285 km) from Franz Josef Glacier

   Scenic Drive

10. Day 10: Queenstown
    1 hour 27 minutes (68.9 km) from Wanaka

    Adventure Capital

11. Day 11: Te Anau
    2 hours 36 minutes (183 km) from Queenstown

    Fjordland Beauty

12. Day 12: Milford Sound
    1 hour 32 minutes (118 km) from Te Anau

    Cruise Adventure

13. Day 13: Mount Cook
    3 hours 59 minutes (318 km) from Milford Sound

    Mountain Views

14. Day 14: Christchurch
    3 hours 48 minutes (306 km) from Mount Cook

    Final Stop

Time and Cost Estimates

• Auckland City Exploration (4 hours, free)
• Waitomo Caves (2 hours, $45 per person)
• Te Puia Geothermal Park in Rotorua (3 hours, $60 per person)
• Tongariro Alpine Crossing (1 day, free if self-guided)
• Te Papa Museum in Wellington (2 hours, free)
• Marlborough Sounds Boat Tour (3 hours, $55 per person)
• Abel Tasman National Park Hiking (1 day, free)
• Franz Josef Glacier Guided Hike (3 hours, $89 per person)
• Wanaka Scenic Drive (3 hours, free)
• Queenstown Bungee Jumping (2 hours, $179 per person)
• Te Anau Glowworm Caves (2 hours, $105 per person)
• Milford Sound Cruise (4-5 hours, $75 per person)
• Mount Cook Hiking (4-5 hours, free)
• Christchurch Botanic Gardens (2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: $658 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider spending an extra day in Wanaka to explore Mount Aspiring National Park. If you have less time, you can skip the Franz Josef Glacier hike and Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Also, note that the Milford Sound cruise may be canceled due to weather, so have a backup plan.