New Zealand 15-Day Trip: Must-See Places & Activities to Pre-Book for January

Hi everyone, we are planning a 15-day family trip to New Zealand in January 2027 from Australia.

Flights and accommodations are already booked, so now I’m looking for some suggestions on what are the must-see places and activities while we are there. We will mainly be travelling around the South Island and finishing in Auckland. [Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Queenstown → Wānaka → Franz Josef → Hokitika → Christchurch → Auckland]

We are travelling with teenagers, so looking for a mix of sightseeing, scenery and some fun/adventure activities. Also happy to hear about any hidden gems, good stops along the drive, activities that are really worth the money, or anything you think we can skip. If you have travelled NZ in January, would really appreciate your suggestions and anything you wish you had booked earlier. Thanks!