Spend the day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Start with the Queenstown Hill Hike, which takes about 3 hours and offers stunning panoramic views of the area. Follow up with a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River, and end your day with bungee jumping at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy.
Explore the beauty of Fiordland National Park, where you can take a helicopter tour to see glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls from above. Continue on a hiking trail to explore the picturesque scenery and wildlife of the park. The highlight of the day is a cruise through the breathtaking Milford Sound.
Drive to Lake Tekapo, a beautiful glacial lake located in the heart of the South Island. Take a stargazing tour to see the night sky in all its beauty. During the day, take a scenic flightseeing tour to see the Southern Alps and glaciers from above.
Visit Tongariro National Park, which is home to active volcanoes, hot springs, and stunning landscapes. Hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which takes about 7 hours and offers incredible views of the park's unique features. Follow up with a relaxing soak in the Tokaanu Thermal Pools.
Visit New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, and climb to the top of the Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city. Explore the Auckland Domain, a sprawling park in the middle of the city with beautiful gardens and museums. End your day with a visit to the Viaduct Harbour, a bustling waterfront area with bars and restaurants.
Drive to Matamata, a small town where you can experience Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Take a guided tour of the set where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed, and enjoy a pint at the Green Dragon Inn.
To explore New Zealand's diverse landscapes, a rental car is highly recommended. Driving times and distances are longer than most places, so be prepared for several hours on the road each day. Budget around $800 for a rental car for the week.
If you have more time, consider visiting other iconic locations such as glaciers in Fox and Franz Josef, geothermal wonderland Rotorua, or the beaches of Bay of Islands. For those with less time, consider skipping Lake Tekapo and the North Island entirely, focus on South Island and visit The Glacier Road or Haast Pass that is a scenic drive along the coast that offers stunning views of the ocean and mountains.
The largest airport in New Zealand is Auckland Airport (AKL), located about 13 miles from the city center.