Five days may seem short, but allows for an eventful adventure through New Zealand. Since there is not much time, it is ideal to travel within the South Island or the North Island—which budgets for a successful road trip with a few scenic stops.

Five days is technically enough to visit one specific region of New Zealand, but it is far too short to see the entire country. New Zealand consists of two large islands, and even traveling between major hubs like Auckland (North Island) and Queenstown (South Island) can eat up a significant portion of a 5-day trip. If you only have five days, the best strategy is to pick one island and stick to it. For example, you could spend five days in the "Adventure Capital," Queenstown, exploring Milford Sound and Wanaka, or five days in the North Island visiting the Rotorua geysers and the Hobbiton movie set. You must also factor in "jet lag" if you are flying from the Northern Hemisphere, which can effectively turn a 5-day trip into 3 days of conscious activity. To truly experience the diverse landscapes and "Kiwi" culture of both islands, most travelers recommend a minimum of 14 to 21 days.