Newzeland trip itinerary(Courtesy social Media)

Itinerary 1:

Sydney to Christchurch flight

Day 01: Christchurch to Arthur Pass
Day 02: Arthur Pass to Franz Josef
Day 03: Franz Josef to Lake Wanaka
Day 04: Lake Wanaka to Manapouri
Day 05: Manapouri to Milford Sound and Back to Manapouri
Day 06: Manapouri to Cromwell
Day 07: Cromwell to Queenstown and back
Day 08: Rest and roam around
Day 09: Rest and roam around
Day 10: Cromwell to Twizel, Mount Cook and back to Twizel
Day 11: Twizel to Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and then Christchurh
Fly back to Sydney

Following are the most beautiful places/ drives which are must

1 Milford Sounds , Drive from Manapouri to Milford Sounds
2 Drive from Franz Josef to Lake Wanaka
3 Drive from Twizel to Mount Cook Village (along Lake Pukaki), 
4 Hiking in Mount cook to Glacier lake (Must do if you can manage, short hike(2 hours up/down) and you don't need to stay in mount cook for this


U need about 7 days each for North and South island. Both are beautiful, but if I had to choose, it'd be South. Check in Google maps for the above routes and add a couple of hrs to it. The roads are windy there, so we took much more time than that mentioned in Google. Caravan is popular there and would help cut cost, but we personally think it'd be uncomfortable with family. We stayed in Airbnb. Rented car from Avis/europcar(check if u have any discount from credit cards, nrma etc). Like Aus,it starts getting dark early (5ish) from May, so we had to start our day early to see the views. Also we found there were hardly any vehicles on highway road after it gets dark. Food is also expensive, so get groceries from countdown/new world (like coles) n try to cook simple food at home as much as possible. Jetstar has frequent sales to NZ, book a couple of months ahead for great deals. We got return fare to Christchurch for $190!!


You can do couple of modifications 
1. I spent three nights in Cromwell, it can be cut by one day and you can stay anywhere near queens town. Just avoid staying in queens town itself as it’s bloody expensive and commercialized 
2. If you can find accommodation in mount cook village then stay there than staying in twizel. It’s a very small village which gets booked out very soon. I couldn’t find accommodation even seven months in advance for Christmas period

Itinerary 2:

New Zealand
Europe of Southern Hemisphere 

2 islands: North Island, South Island

North Island: Totally Green, Adventure sports

South Island: Totally White (snow, glaciers), scenic views, buildings. 

*Places in North Island*
Cape Reinga
Holy place of Moaris. Northern most tip of NZ. 3 Oceans meet.

Bay of Islands & Coromandel Coast
Adventure Sports

Auckland 
Biggest cosmopolitan city. Sky Tower. Swami Narayanan Temple. Haldirams. Mission Bay (like Darling Harbour - go at night)

Hamilton
River. Gardens. 

Jenolan Caves
Glowworm caves *Do not miss*

Rotorua
Natural Hot water Springs. Herbal mud pools. Geysers. 

Taupo
Big Lake. Adventure Sports. 

Milford Sound
Waterfall *Do not miss*

Wellington, Christchurch

Best Italian Restaurant 
La Porcheta

Best Icecream
Movenpick

Best Pizza
Hell pizza

Best Burger
Burger Fuel

Best Soft Drink
L&P