Volcanoes and fiords

Who it is for

For anyone who wants New Zealand in a week, with one city and one mountain base.

Not for anyone who wants to see the whole South Island, which needs a separate itinerary.

The strategy

Auckland comes first, followed by Queenstown by air, allowing for transfers and getting to the hotel. If choosing Milford Sound by road, reserve the whole day for the return journey and outing, with breaks; check road operation and boat times. Leave the gondola and Queenstown outings for another day.

What you will see

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland. Tāmaki Paenga Hira, atop the Domain, in a neoclassical 1929 building erected as a First World War memorial.
• Skyline Gondola, Queenstown. Opened in 1967, it climbs 450 m at a 37.1° gradient, the steepest in the Southern Hemisphere, to a lookout at 790 m with the luge track, ziplines, and the 47 m Ledge Bungy.

Day by day

Auckland

1. 1
   Day 1: Downtown, Karangahape Road and the harbor

   1. 4Auckland Art Gallery Toi o TāmakiUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. Sky TowerYou can skip it
2. 2
   Day 2: Volcanoes, a museum and a food street

   1. 7Devonport and Maungauika / North HeadWorth a visit
   2. 1Auckland War Memorial MuseumEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: Island or west coast · if you have more time

   1. 8Piha and the Waitākere RangesWorth a visit

Queenstown

1. 4
   Day 4: The lake, the mountain above, and the steamer

   1. 3Queenstown GardensUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 9TSS Earnslaw and Walter PeakIf there is time
2. 5
   Day 5: Kawarau, wine, and the gold village

   
3. 6
   Day 6: The head of the lake and hot water

   1. 4Glenorchy and ParadiseEssential
4. 7
   Day 7: Milford Sound (day trip) · if you have more time