10 Days in New Zealand - 5 Luxury Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: New Zealand Luxury Highlights: North & South Islands

This 10-day luxury highlights tour introduces you to the renowned wineries, mountains, gorges, and geothermal wonders of New Zealand. Perfect for first-time visitors, you'll hit must-sees like Waiheke Island and Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, as well as local favorites, including Cape Kidnappers and Skippers Canyon. To top it off, spend your nights at premium accommodations in Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, and Queenstown and enjoy three delightful days of winery-hopping.

Welcome to Aotearoa (Māori-language for New Zealand)! Your luxury-infused adventure begins in Auckland, and over a two-day stay, you'll uncover the city's impressive cuisine and natural beauty. Kick things off with an immersive All Blacks experience before hopping between ocean-backed vineyards on Waiheke Island the following day. Settled in, it's time to collect a rental car and hit the road to the geothermal-rich city of Rotorua. Your home here is the 5-star On The Point, which provides the perfect place to relax between a paddleboarding excursion, scenic flight, spa session, and an insightful Māori culture show.

Back on the road, your next destination is Napier. Upon arrival, you'll discover its quirky vibe during a vintage car tour and its lush surroundings through a Cape Kidnappers 4WD adventure. Additionally, between overnights at the expansive Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, cycle amid enchanting wineries. From Napier, a flight brings you to the South Island's iconic Queenstown, where four days of activities await. Admire the night sky from a private hot pool, sip your way through Gibbston Valley's wineries, fly to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi for a spectacular cruise, and round off your trip with a thrilling 4WD safari. Learn more

Itinerary #2: New Zealand South Island Luxury Getaway

Discover the mighty Southern Alps and remote Fiordland on this luxury self-drive getaway through the South Island. Scenic helicopter rides and awe-inspiring cruises introduce you to glaciers, towering peaks, and drowned valleys in style, while a Via Ferrata waterfall hike and trek along the Routeburn Track unveil the same landscape's hidden secrets. To top it off stays at premier accommodations and farm-fresh dinners make this itinerary perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure and leisure.

There's nowhere in the world quite as lush and dramatic as New Zealand's South Island. After a rejuvenating overnight in its gateway city of Christchurch, you'll experience the wild beauty for yourself during a drive to Mount Cook National Park. A scenic private helicopter tour greets your arrival, followed by a Haupapa / Tasman Glacier heli-hike experience. In addition, a two-night stay at Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat ensures you're ready to tackle a drive to Wānaka. Upon arrival, choose between a waterfall climb and a lake cruise, then continue exploring your mountainous surroundings by bike and jet boat. 

After an action-packed few days, you'll take a more leisurely approach to discovering the remote wonders of Fiordland. Using Te Anau's upscale Fiordland Lodge as your base, cruise to an underground cave home to glowworms and amid the waterfall-lined cliffs of Doubtful Sound. Then, tackle a portion of the renowned Routeburn Track before setting your sights on Queenstown. Your trip might be winding down, but there's no shortage of memorable experiences to look forward to, with a soak in an Onsen hot pool, a wine-tasting tour, and a thrilling skydive rounding off your adventure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Luxury Highlights of New Zealand's North Island

Hop between sprawling vineyards, geothermal wonders, and tucked-away luxury accommodations on this finely-tuned North Island-focused itinerary. Ideal for discerning travelers with a taste for top-notch experiences and fine wine, you'll fly, drive, cruise, and sip your way from Auckland to Wellington. Along the way, unwind in a natural spa, skydive in Taupō, and admire sweeping coastal views from Cape Palliser.

Straight off the plane in Auckland, your adventure gets off to a stylish start with dinner at Ahi and a stay at the 5-star Park Hyatt Auckland. Then, hit the road to Rotorua, where a pampering session at Wai Ariki Spa energizes you for the following day's excursions, including a scenic floatplane tour above geothermal landscapes and an introduction to kiwi chicks at the National Hatchery. Continuing your road trip, you'll next arrive at the impressive Huka Lodge near Taupō. Spend your first evening exploring by yacht before braving a thrilling trio of jet boating, skydiving, and kayaking.

The second half of your journey brings you to the wine-growing regions of Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa. Start with a two-night stay at Napier's charming Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, which allows you to explore the Art Deco town center and bike between idyllic wineries. Then, drive to Martinborough, where a delightful stay at Wharekauhau awaits. While its dramatic views of Palliser Bay invite you to settle in, there's plenty to explore, and before ending your trip in Wellington, you'll fit in a wine tour and a day trip to the coastal wonders of Cape Palliser and the Patungirua Pinnacles. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Winter Luxury in New Zealand: Auckland to Queenstown

New Zealand's dramatic landscapes are even more striking, dusted in snow, and this 10-day winter adventure gets you exploring right amid them. Perfect for travelers who enjoy elevated accommodations and experiences and quieter trails and towns, you'll experience iconic highlights like Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, Waiheke Island, and the towering Mount Cook without the usual crowds. Hike in search of glowworms, glide in a helicopter to the top of a glacier, gaze at the Milky Way from a private hot pool, and warm up at top-notch accommodations. 

Your wintry adventure begins with a two-night stay in Auckland, and thanks to your 5-star accommodation, The Hotel Britomart, and an Auckland Harbour Bridge climb, you'll quickly shrug off any jet lag. In addition, spend an afternoon on the wine island of Waiheke before driving to Rotorua. This geothermal city is bursting with unique activities. Throughout your visit, you'll enjoy a restorative spa session, hike in search of glowworms, sightsee by floatplane, and attend a Māori ceremony. Afterward, board a flight bound for Christchurch, where the South Island portion of your trip begins.

In Christchurch, a self-guided city stroll and dinner onboard a moving tram ensure you experience the city highlights, and then you're off to the snow-covered mountains of Mount Cook National Park. Here, a scenic flight and heli-hike adventure introduce you to glaciers and towering peaks, while a backcountry 4WD tour gets you deeper into the rugged landscapes. Last on your itinerary is a two-night stay in Queenstown at the luxury Rosewood Matakauri. Throughout, jet boat along the Shotover River, fly to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi for a cruise, and warm up during a wine cave experience before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #5: New Zealand Luxury Golf Experience

Crafted for golf enthusiasts, this tour of New Zealand's finest golf courses takes you on a leisurely journey from Mangawhai through the central volcanic plateau to Taupō and onward to the coastal city of Napier. Along the way, tee off at the Te Arai Links, Kinloch Golf Course, and Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, each renowned for its premier amenities and fascinating scenery. When you're not chasing down pars, explore the surrounding North Island landscapes by yacht, on foot, and with a wine in hand.

While your adventure begins in Auckland, upon arrival, you'll collect a rental car and shoot straight out to Mangawhai, where a three-day stay at Te Arai Links awaits. This world-class golfing destination features a South Course and a North Course, and in addition to tackling them both, you'll find time to embark on a coastal hike or two and book in for a massage and activities catered to your interests. Afterward, hop behind the wheel for a scenic drive to Taupō and spend the evening sailing along its namesake lake. The next morning, another superb round awaits, this time at the well-ranked Kinloch Golf Course.

On your final day in Taupō, tackle another round at New Zealand's only Jack Nicklaus Signature course or conquer the surreal Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. Then, you're off to Napier—home to the remarkable Cape Kidnappers Golf Course. Beyond featuring ridge, valley, and coastal views, there are also 71 holes to tee off at, and over a three-night stay, you'll have ample time to make your way through them. When you're not golfing, discover the must-see wonders of the region, including Hawke's Bay wine region and Sharks Tooth Island, before catching your onward flight. Learn more

More Great 10-Day New Zealand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to New Zealand? Check out these other 10-day New Zealand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

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