Country itinerary · New Zealand
7 days in New Zealand
A route that follows geography, not a list: Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0
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Quick answer
Spend 3 days in Christchurch, 2 days in Wellington, 2 days in Auckland. The stops are ordered to keep travel short — about 799 km in total. Go in November–April for good conditions everywhere.
Key facts
- Stops
- 3
- Total distance
- About 799 km
- Start
- Christchurch
- Best months
- November–April
Days 1–3: Christchurch
A rebuilt garden city on the Avon and the gateway to the South Island
Christchurch (Ōtautahi), the South Island's largest city, was largely rebuilt after the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes, and its compact centre now mixes new architecture, street art and the Riverside Market with heritage survivors such as New Regent Street and the restored tramway.
- See: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Punting on the Avon, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Transitional Cathedral, Christchurch Gondola and International Antarctic Centre
- Eat: Canterbury lamb and Whitebait fritter
- Stay: Central City — The rebuilt core around Cathedral Square, Oxford Terrace and the Avon
Days 4–5: Wellington
About 305 km from Christchurch.
New Zealand's capital wraps around a deep harbour at the southern tip of the North Island, with a compact, walkable centre squeezed between the waterfront and steep green hills.
- See: Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Cable Car, Wellington Botanic Garden and Space Place at Carter Observatory
- Eat: Flat white and Craft beer
- Stay: Te Aro — Cuba Street cafés, Courtenay Place bars and Te Papa on the waterfront
Days 6–7: Auckland
About 493 km from Wellington.
Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau, spreads across a narrow isthmus between the Waitematā Harbour and the Manukau Harbour, dotted with more than 50 volcanic cones.
- See: Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Maungawhau / Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island
- Eat: Flat white and Meat pie
- Stay: City Centre and Viaduct Harbour — Sky Tower, Britomart dining lanes and waterfront bars on the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter
The route at a glance
| Stop | Days | From previous stop |
|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | 3 | Start |
| Wellington | 2 | 305 km |
| Auckland | 2 | 493 km |
Total straight-line distance between stops: about 799 km. November–April suit every stop on this route.
What 7 days in New Zealand costs
Estimated spend per person on the ground, excluding flights, from the daily ranges in our destination research. Prices change; treat these as planning figures.
| Stop | Days | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | 3 | $210–$360 | $510–$900 | $1,200–$2,700 |
| Wellington | 2 | $150–$260 | $360–$640 | $840–$1,900 |
| Auckland | 2 | $140–$220 | $320–$560 | $900–$2,000 |
| Total | 7 | $500–$840 | $1,190–$2,100 | $2,940–$6,600 |
Costs are similar across the route: every stop is expensive for international visitors.
Questions travellers ask
+Is 7 days enough for New Zealand?
It covers Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland at a steady pace. With more time, add Queenstown.