New Zealand 2026

March 22 – April 5, 2026

Table of Contents

Planning

  1. Trip Overview
  2. Pre-Trip Checklist
  3. Scenic Drives
  4. Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
  5. Indian Restaurants by City

Day Itineraries

  1. Day 1 — Sun Mar 22 — Auckland
  2. Day 2 — Mon Mar 23 — Waitomo & Hobbiton
  3. Day 3 — Tue Mar 24 — Christchurch & Lake Tekapo
  4. Day 4 — Wed Mar 25 — Mt Cook
  5. Day 5 — Thu Mar 26 — Wānaka & Queenstown
  6. Day 6 — Fri Mar 27 — Milford Sound
  7. Day 7 — Sat Mar 28 — Doubtful Sound
  8. Day 8 — Sun Mar 29 — Te Anau & Queenstown
  9. Day 9 — Mon Mar 30 — Glenorchy
  10. Day 10 — Tue Mar 31 — Queenstown & Arrowtown
  11. Day 11 — Wed Apr 1 — Haast Pass
  12. Day 12 — Thu Apr 2 — Franz Josef
  13. Day 13 — Fri Apr 3 — Punakaiki & Hokitika
  14. Day 14 — Sat Apr 4 — Arthurs Pass
  15. Day 15 — Sun Apr 5 — Fly Home

Gear & Packing

  1. Packing List