| August 12 | 1 | Melbourne → Auckland | Fly MEL-AKL (morning), collect rental car, explore Auckland city center | Flight | Auckland (3 nights) |
| August 13 | 2 | Auckland | Breweries, restaurants, city exploration | Rental car | Auckland |
| August 14 | 3 | Auckland | Waiheke Island day trip for wineries and beaches | Ferry + rental car | Auckland |
| August 15 | 4 | Auckland → Wellington → Paraparaumu | Fly AKL-WLG (1.5hrs), collect rental car, drive to Paraparaumu (45 mins) | Flight + rental car | Paraparaumu with friends (2 nights) |
| August 16 | 5 | Paraparaumu | Visit friends, local area exploration | Rental car | Paraparaumu with friends |
| August 17 | 6 | Paraparaumu → Martinborough | Visit friends, drive to Martinborough (2hrs) | Rental car | Martinborough (2 nights) |
| August 18 | 7 | Martinborough | Wine tours and tastings - full day exploring wineries | Rental car | Martinborough |
| August 19 | 8 | Martinborough → Wellington | More wine tastings, drive to Wellington (1.5hrs), settle in | Rental car | Wellington (2 nights) |
| August 20 | 9 | Wellington | Te Papa Museum, Cuba Street, craft beer scene, prepare for Beervana | Walking/rental car | Wellington |
| August 21 | 10 | Wellington | Beervana Festival Day 1 (Aug 22-23) | Walking/public transport | Wellington |
| August 22 | 11 | Wellington | Beervana Festival Day 2 (Aug 22-23) | Walking/public transport | Wellington |
| August 23 | 12 | Wellington → Picton → Nelson | Travel day - Interislander Ferry (3.5hrs), drive Picton to Nelson (2hrs) | Ferry + rental car | Nelson (1 night) |
| August 23 | 12 | Nelson → Westport | Explore Nelson's craft breweries (Founders, McCashins), drive to Westport (2.5hrs) | Rental car | Westport with friends (1 night) |
| August 24 | 13 | Westport → Ski Areas | Visit friends, drive to Canterbury ski areas (3hrs) | Rental car | Near ski fields (3 nights) |
| August 25 | 14 | Skiing | Full day skiing at Canterbury ski areas | Rental car | Near ski fields |
| August 26 | 15 | Skiing | Second full day skiing at Canterbury ski areas | Rental car | Near ski fields |
| August 27 | 16 | Skiing → Christchurch | Third full day skiing, drive to Christchurch (1.5hrs), explore city | Rental car | Christchurch (1 night) |
| August 28 | 17 | Christchurch → Melbourne | Explore Christchurch city, evening flight CHC-MEL | Rental car + flight | Return home |