Everything you need from flights & logistics to daily plans, photo shot list, packing, and local tips — built from our exact itinerary so you can travel confidently and enjoy every minute.

Quick trip snapshot

Dates: Fly out Fri Oct 10 - Return Sat Oct 25 (if you want to see things, you need at least 2 weeks!)
Arrival NZ: Sun Oct 12, 1:40 PM (AKL) - you’re +18 hours ahead of Chicago (ORD)
Main mode: Rental car (Mode Rentals - pickup in Auckland, return in Queenstown)
Ferry: Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry (Wellington → Picton) on Oct 16
Key apps/forms: NZTD Traveller Declaration (complete 24 hrs before departure)

Weather snapshot (temperatures you may see)

22°C = 71.6°F
20°C = 68°F
18°C = 64.4°F
16°C = 60.8°F
14°C = 57.2°F
12°C = 53.6°F
10°C = 50°F
4°C = 39.2°F
2°C = 35.6°F

Spring note: expect lots of rain and wind - pack layers and be ready for unpredictable weather.

Photo / Reel shot list

(These are my 9 must-get shots every time)

.5x w/ flowers / foreground: close foreground + wide background
Any water reflection: mirror lakes, canals, harbors
Half circle movement: panoramic walkaround
.5 wide walking side to side: pacing shot for motion
.5 wide pan up: reveal sky / peaks
Landscape pan mid zoom: steady mid-tele zoom sweep
Walking side to side: talent POV in landscape
3x zoom landscape zoom: details of a distant subject
Welcome / location sign: park/name sign closeup

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 0 - Fri Oct 10: Depart USA

Check NZTD 24 hrs prior. Keep flight refs and passport handy.
Bring snacks, download entertainment, and set Timeshifter if reducing jet lag.

Day 1 - Sun Oct 12: Arrive Auckland (1:40 PM)

Hotel: JW Marriott (22–26 Albert St)
Car rental: Mode Rentals (110 Montgomerie Rd, (09) 373-3925)
Evening: Marina dinner (harbor view), free bowling/arcade; finish at Sky Tower for city views. Early bedtime (jet lag is real).

Optional beers: Dr. Rudi’s Brewing, Shakespeare Brewing, Batsman Brewing, Twofold Brewing.

Pro tips: First highway drive is a little much - take it slow, drive on the left, and relax into it.

Day 2 - Mon Oct 13: Drive to Waitomo → Hobbiton → Taupō

Hotel: Hilton Lake Taupo (80–100 Napier Rd)
5:15 AM: Depart early (coffee to go from hotel)
9:00 AM: Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour (39 Waitomo Village Rd) - arrive early for parking.
Lunch / midday: Kiwi/bird zoo (Otorohanga) or Cambridge deli stop (potato gratin!).
~2:00–4:00 PM: Hobbiton movie set tour (501 Buckland Rd, Matamata) - tours may move times for weather. Book ahead.
Evening: Drive through mountains to Taupō (~2 hours). Dinner at Sorrento or Waterside.

Weather: Heavy rain reported - bring waterproofs. Expect muddy paths.

Day 3 - Tue Oct 14: Taupō day

Activities: Spa Disc Golf (Spa Rd, Tauhara), Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon geothermal walk, Lake Taupō shoreline walk.
Breweries: Lakeman Brewery (if open), The Deck (peachy beer and great views!).
Dining: Root and Waffles (good brunch), gelato at Lunas (yes, even if cold).

Tip: Craters of the Moon is a steaming, unique geothermal site - great alternative to Rotorua.

Day 4 - Wed Oct 15: Tongariro National Park → Wellington

Drive: ~1.25 hr to Tongariro NP for Alpine Crossing lookouts (aka Mount Doom) and Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool) & Mangawhero Falls.
Afternoon: Drive to Wellington (~3.5 hrs).
Lodging: AirBnB: The coolest one I’ve ever been in!

Optional: Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell) if time/energy allows. Baylands Brewery for local pours.

Day 5 - Thu Oct 16: Wellington → Ferry to Picton → Drive to Kaikōura

AM in Wellington: WETA Cave, waterfront, Mount Victoria lookout, Cable Car, Cuba Street, Escarpment track, Parliament/Capital Buildings.
12:30 PM check-in: Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry from Wellington (50 Waterloo Quay) — departs ~1:30 PM, ~3.5 hr crossing to Picton.
Drive to Kaikōura after arrival.
Grab dinner at Fancy Cow in XX
Airbnb: We stayed here in Kaikōura.

Pro tip: Check ferry weather before leaving Wellington.

Day 6 - Fri Oct 17: Kaikōura → Lake Tekapo

AM: Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway - seal colony (so cute!) & Fyffe House (oldest home).
Drive: To Mount Sunday (Edoras) - 4.5 hr scenic drive; this hike was SO windy but fairly easy and the views were incredible!
Then to Lake Tekapo (~2.5 hrs)
Airbnb: Lake Tekapo AirBnB
Highlights: Lupine fields (seasonal - they were not in bloom when we arrived), Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo canal walkway.

Day 7 - Sat Oct 18: Tekapo → Mt Cook → Te Anau

Early: Hooker Valley Track at Mt Cook (1 hr drive from Tekapo) - iconic views, but the back half of the trek is closed until mid-2026.
Twizel: Gondor/Ben Ohau Station filming sites (drive Glen Lyon Rd).
Drive: to Te Anau (approx 5 hrs).
Airbnb: Te Anau Airbnb

Day 8 - Sun Oct 19: Te Anau → Milford Sound

AM: Takaro Road / Fangorn Forest vibes - this was so cool and underrate if you love Lord of the Rings.
Depart for Milford by 10 AM.
1:15 PM: Milford Sound Boutique Small Boat Cruise check-in (1 Milford Sound Hwy). Parking: paid nearby or free 30-min walk (Deepwater Basin). Book cruise in advance.

Note: Parking at Milford can require a short walk; plan accordingly.

Day 9 - Mon Oct 20: Te Anau → Dunedin → Christchurch

Drive: Long coastal drive through Dunedin en route to Christchurch ~8 hrs total driving time.
Dunedin stops: Speight’s Brewery, Larnach Castle, Otago Peninsula wildlife (albatross & yellow-eyed penguins).
Moeraki Boulders (Hampden) & Caroline Bay blue penguins (Timaru) en route.
Airbnb Christchurch: 299 Cannon Hill Crescent, Mount Pleasant.

Day 10 - Tue Oct 21: Christchurch

Sights: Jamie Kay shop, SALT District, Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens, Art Museum. Consider Christchurch Gondola & wildlife centers if time.

Day 11 - Wed Oct 22: Christchurch → Queenstown

Drive: Long: ~7 hours via scenic stops
Stop in Wanaka - Grab photos of The Wanaka Tree and have dinner at XX
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Queenstown — Conf #61226275.
Musts: Fergburger, Skyline Gondola, Deer Park Heights, Queenstown Gardens / disc golf.

Day 12 - Thu Oct 23: Queenstown → Return car → Fly to Sydney

Morning: Return Mode Rentals (1/26 Glenda Drive Franklin)
Optional: Skippers Canyon or Shotover River drives (weather permitting).
Flight: Jetstar departs evening to Sydney

Days 13–14 - Fri Oct 24 – Sat Oct 25: Sydney

Airbnb: 118A Kirribilli Ave, Kirribilli NSW 2061
Stays: Opera House, Harbour, Bounce luggage storage, Vivid lights (if on), Bondi → Coogee walk, Sydney Cricket Grounds, Centennial Park.
Return flights: Sydney → LAX (United 842 dep 10:30 AM), LAX → ORD (United 1946 arr 2:45 PM local).

Logistics & Practical Tips

NZTD: Complete 24 hrs before departure (you already did — confirm refs). Carry print/screenshots of confirmations.
If flying to Australia, you’ll need a VISA for there as well
Driving: Left-side driving. People also walk on left side of sidewalks. Roundabouts are common - yield to the right. Passing lanes are short - don’t cut trucks off or they WILL get upset.
Queenstown flights: Weather can be unpredictable - avoid scheduling tight connections out of Queenstown if you can.
Ferry: Book Bluebridge in advance; check weather.
Car parking: Milford Sound parking may be a 10–30 min walk depending on lot; budget time.
Currency & tipping: No tipping culture - prices include tax.
Heat/AC in Airbnbs: Many places may not have central heat. Check heaters and towel warmers; pack warm layers.
Wildlife tours: Book albatross/penguin tours ahead (they sell out). Don’t assume sightings; expert-led tours are best.
Connectivity: Download offline Google Maps for each region; top up data / SIM if needed.

Packing list (NZ Spring focus)

Essentials

Driver’s license + International Permit (if required by rental company)
Passport, NZTD confirmation, ferry and flight refs, travel insurance
Reusable water bottle, snacks, meds, basic first aid

Clothing

Waterproof coat + rain pants
Warm mid-layer (fleece) + insulating layer
Quick-dry shirts and leggings/travel pants
Sturdy hiking shoes + extra shoes (road/mud)
Hat, gloves (for higher altitudes), sunglasses

Tech & Photo

Phone + Gimbal / tripod, extra batteries, SD cards
Portable charger/power bank, plug adapter (NZ outlet)
Camera lens for landscape + telephoto for wildlife
Downloaded entertainment & Timeshifter app (for jet lag)

On-the-road comfort

Neck pillow, eye mask, melatonin (consult doctor), Colgate Wisps, face wipes, under-eye masks
Waterproof daypack and dry bags for electronics

Safety & travel mindset

Weather is the #1 variable: build flexibility into days (especially Milford, Queenstown, and coastal ferry days).
Keep petrol topped up in rural stretches — gas stations can be sparse.
Respect wildlife and local rules — especially penguin/albatross viewing (no flash photography, stay quiet).
Always confirm opening hours & book key tours (Hobbiton, Waitomo, Milford cruise) ahead of time.

New Zealand quirks & local tips

Some homes lack central heat — check listing details (room heaters are common).
Towel warmers in bathrooms are common.
Roundabouts replace many stoplights.
Passing lanes are short — be predictable and courteous when merging.
Sidewalk etiquette: Kiwis walk on the left.
Four-season days — pack for all conditions and embrace the rain — it makes the landscapes pop.

Until next time,

Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide