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New Zealand Grand Explorer: North to South
A comprehensive 30-day journey spanning both islands. Experience the subtropical North, volcanic heartlands, and the dramatic Southern Alps, concluding with the majestic fjords and coastal wonders of the South Island.
30days
63stops
3543km
Day 1: Auckland CBD → Sky Tower
5min · 0.8km2 stops
Auckland CBD
09:00 – 11:00
5min · 0.8km
Sky Tower
12:00 – 14:00
Day 2: Whangarei Falls → Paihia Waterfront
2h 8min · 162km2 stops
Whangarei Falls
09:00 – 11:00
2h 8min · 162km
Paihia Waterfront
12:00 – 14:00
Day 3: Waitangi Treaty Grounds → Russell Village
4min · 2.1km2 stops
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
09:00 – 11:00
4min · 2.1km
Russell Village
12:00 – 14:00
Day 4: Cape Reinga Lighthouse → Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
3h 43min · 228km2 stops
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
09:00 – 11:00
3h 43min · 228km
Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
12:00 – 14:00
Day 5: Tane Mahuta → Opononi
3h 39min · 211km2 stops
Tane Mahuta
09:00 – 11:00
3h 39min · 211km
Opononi
12:00 – 14:00
Day 6: Muriwai Gannet Colony → Auckland CBD
3h 52min · 267km2 stops
Muriwai Gannet Colony
09:00 – 11:00
3h 52min · 267km
Auckland CBD
12:00 – 14:00
Day 7: Cathedral Cove → Hot Water Beach
2h 23min · 175km2 stops
Cathedral Cove
09:00 – 11:00
2h 23min · 175km
Hot Water Beach
12:00 – 14:00
Day 8: Hobbiton Movie Set → Waitomo Glowworm Caves
2h 17min · 160km2 stops
Hobbiton Movie Set
09:00 – 11:00
2h 17min · 160km
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
12:00 – 14:00
Day 9: Te Puia → Redwoods Treewalk
1h 59min · 142km2 stops
Te Puia
09:00 – 11:00
1h 59min · 142km
Redwoods Treewalk
12:00 – 14:00
Day 10: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland → Huka Falls → Lake Taupo
1h 5min · 80km3 stops
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
09:00 – 11:00
28min · 32km
Huka Falls
12:00 – 14:00
37min · 48km
Lake Taupo
15:00 – 17:00
Day 11: Tongariro National Park → Ohakune
1h 21min · 97km2 stops
Tongariro National Park
09:00 – 11:00
1h 21min · 97km
Ohakune
12:00 – 14:00
Day 12: Napier Marine Parade → Te Mata Peak
2h 59min · 192km2 stops
Napier Marine Parade
09:00 – 11:00
2h 59min · 192km
Te Mata Peak
12:00 – 14:00
Day 13: Pukaha National Wildlife Cent… → Wellington Waterfront
2h 26min · 188km2 stops
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
09:00 – 11:00
2h 26min · 188km
Wellington Waterfront
12:00 – 14:00
Day 14: Te Papa Tongarewa → Weta Workshop
1min · 0.2km2 stops
Te Papa Tongarewa
09:00 – 11:00
1min · 0.2km
Weta Workshop
12:00 – 14:00
Day 15: Interislander Ferry Terminal → Picton Foreshore
22min · 11km2 stops
Interislander Ferry Terminal
09:00 – 11:00
22min · 11km
Picton Foreshore
12:00 – 14:00
Day 16: Kaiteriteri Beach → Marahau
17min · 9.3km2 stops
Kaiteriteri Beach
09:00 – 11:00
17min · 9.3km
Marahau
12:00 – 14:00
Day 17: Buller Gorge Swing Bridge → Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
2h 24min · 162km2 stops
Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
09:00 – 11:00
2h 24min · 162km
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
12:00 – 14:00
Day 18: Hokitika Gorge → Franz Josef Glacier Village
1h 35min · 115km2 stops
Hokitika Gorge
09:00 – 11:00
1h 35min · 115km
Franz Josef Glacier Village
12:00 – 14:00
Day 19: Lake Matheson → Haast Pass Lookout → Wanaka Lakefront
3h 2min · 214km3 stops
Lake Matheson
09:00 – 11:00
32min · 28km
Haast Pass Lookout
12:00 – 14:00
2h 30min · 185km
Wanaka Lakefront
15:00 – 17:00
Day 20: Roys Peak Track → That Wanaka Tree
7min · 6.6km2 stops
Roys Peak Track
09:00 – 11:00
7min · 6.6km
That Wanaka Tree
12:00 – 14:00
Day 21: Arrowtown Historic District → Skyline Queenstown
1h 1min · 59km2 stops
Arrowtown Historic District
09:00 – 11:00
1h 1min · 59km
Skyline Queenstown
12:00 – 14:00
Day 22: Kawarau Bridge Bungy → Queenstown Gardens
28min · 24km2 stops
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
09:00 – 11:00
28min · 24km
Queenstown Gardens
12:00 – 14:00
Day 23: Glenorchy Wharf → Queenstown CBD
49min · 47km2 stops
Glenorchy Wharf
09:00 – 11:00
49min · 47km
Queenstown CBD
12:00 – 14:00
Day 24: Lake Te Anau → Te Anau Glowworm Caves
2h 10min · 173km2 stops
Lake Te Anau
09:00 – 11:00
2h 10min · 173km
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
12:00 – 14:00
Day 25: Eglinton Valley → Milford Sound → Te Anau
1h 47min · 119km3 stops
Eglinton Valley
09:00 – 11:00
43min · 53km
Milford Sound
12:00 – 14:00
1h 4min · 66km
Te Anau
15:00 – 17:00
Day 26: Nugget Point Lighthouse → Dunedin Octagon
2h 56min · 236km2 stops
Nugget Point Lighthouse
09:00 – 11:00
2h 56min · 236km
Dunedin Octagon
12:00 – 14:00
Day 27: Moeraki Boulders → Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
59min · 75km2 stops
Moeraki Boulders
09:00 – 11:00
59min · 75km
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
12:00 – 14:00
Day 28: Lake Pukaki Viewpoint → Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
1h 55min · 157km2 stops
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
09:00 – 11:00
1h 55min · 157km
Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
12:00 – 14:00
Day 29: Hooker Valley Track → Church of the Good Shepherd
7min · 3.3km2 stops
Hooker Valley Track
09:00 – 11:00
7min · 3.3km
Church of the Good Shepherd
12:00 – 14:00
Day 30: Christchurch Botanic Gardens → Christchurch City Centre
2h 54min · 226km2 stops
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
09:00 – 11:00
2h 54min · 226km
Christchurch City Centre
12:00 – 14:00
Heads Up
- 1. Book the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry well in advance if traveling with a vehicle.
- 2. Check the NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) website for real-time road closures and alpine conditions.
- 3. Many popular trailheads and Great Walks require pre-booked parking or shuttle transfers.
- 4. Weather can change rapidly; always carry layers and waterproof gear regardless of the season.