We've created 10-day itineraries for New Zealand to help you discover the highlights during your trip. For those wanting adventurous and cultural outings, consider a trip like this highlights of New Zealand itinerary, where you'll hike Auckland's Mount Eden, explore limestone caves, and indulge in spa treatments in Rotorua. Consider a trip like this South Island adventure if you'd like to fly into Christchurch, swim with dolphins in Akaroa, stargaze at Lake Tekapo, and end with a farewell in Queenstown. If you're planning a family vacation, opt for something similar to this North Island family-friendly adventure that includes marine encounters in Auckland, exploring geothermal sites in Rotorua, and visiting Te Papa in Wellington.
See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 10-day trips in New Zealand.
This action-packed itinerary dives into New Zealand's South and North Islands for a wide variety of landscapes and attractions. Kicking off in the adrenaline capital of the world, you'll kayak through the Milford Sound, explore the scenic capital (Wellington), take part in Rotorua's geothermal treatments, tour Hobbiton, and finish the adventure in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland.
This 10-day road trip in the South Island combines the best New Zealand has to offer. Discover jaw-dropping scenery here, including Lake Tekapo and its turquoise waters, Mt. Cook and the surrounding glaciers, the peaks of Mt. Aspiring National Park and the magnificent fjords. You will also enjoy more intimate and off-the-beaten-path experiences, including the exploration of the Banks Peninsula, with its active wildlife setting, as well as immersing yourself in the historical gold rush of the small town of Clyde.
This 10-day road trip through New Zealand takes you through fjords, glaciers, and mountains abound. Begin in Christchurch on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, then drive to Mount Cook National Park to embark on two excursions to discover Haupapa / Tasman Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Next is another eventful drive—with stops along the way—to Te Anau, including a visit to a glowworm cave and a day cruise through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Explore Queenstown, board a dinner cruise, visit Wānaka and Franz Joseph Glacier, and drop off your car before riding the exhilarating TranzAlpine Scenic Train back to Christchurch.
This family-friendly adventure takes you along the North Island highlights of New Zealand in 10 days. Begin in Auckland to do some sightseeing, and enjoy a wildlife adventure at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Then, drive to the Coromandel Peninsula to tour the beaches, coves, and gorges. Next is Rotorua, the geothermal city, to discover the Buried Village, Wai-O-Tapu, and Hells Gate Geothermal Park. Enjoy some outdoor thrills in the activities capital of Taupo, an enriching visit to Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, and so much more on this all-ages tour.
This self-drive itinerary covers the highlights of New Zealand's North Island, from Auckland to Wellington. Along the way, you will park your car and switch to your mountain bike to ride unique cycling trails covering historic logging and railway routes, through dramatic landscapes of native bush, volcanoes, and mountains.
On this 10-day, family-friendly tour of the “Middle Earth” region of New Zealand, made famous by The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy, enjoy some of the best filming grounds, and plenty of adventure along the way. Discover Auckland and the landscapes of the beautiful Waitakere Ranges, and then head to Matamata for a visit to The Hobbit film site. Visit the Kiwi House and explore Waitomo’s glowworms, rivers, and caverns. Explore Tongariro National Park, home to LOTR’s Mt Doom, and enjoy a flight over Whakapapa Village. Visit more memorable filming locations out of Wellington, and cap off the trip by playing hobbit for a day at Weta Workshop.
This exciting itinerary combines top highlights in New Zealand's North and South Islands. Spend your first night in Auckland with a dinner cruise facing the twinkling skyline, then hit the road toward volcanoes, spouting geysers, and glow worm caves. Drop your car in Wellington, the nation's capital, and fly to Queenstown for adrenaline sports (if you choose), an overnight cruise in Milford Sound, and a wine tour to finish the adventure.
Movie-loving families can step right into the world of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" on New Zealand's North Island. This fun 10-day itinerary combines Middle-earth highlights like the Hobbiton movie set and Weta Cave Workshop with a range of other active, outdoorsy adventures that parents and kids will love. Go zip lining on Waiheke Island, check out Rotorua's geothermal attractions, meet farm animals in Tauranga, and much more.
New Zealand's South Island is a dream destination for active families, with a variety of adventure sports, outdoor activities, and nature reserves that will keep every member of the family entertained. This 10-day itinerary that starts in Christchurch and ends in Queenstown will take you through the Southern Alps, where you can stargaze at Aoraki / Mount Cook, cruise on Milford Sound, see glowworms at Te Anau, ride the luge in Queenstown, and more.
Families with active older kids will love the range of outdoor, nature-focused, and adventurous excursions available on this 10-day South Island itinerary. Start in Queenstown for exhilarating, family-friendly activities like luging and jet boating. Explore the vast fjords of Fiordland National Park and glowworm caves at Te Anau, then hit the road and loop north toward Christchurch, spotting penguins in Oamaru, hiking to waterfalls in the Catlins, and whale watching in Kaikoura along the way.
This 10-day itinerary is the perfect match for adventurous families looking to experience the great outdoors of New Zealand's North Island. Starting in Auckland, you'll drive south to Wellington via Rotorua and Napier. Immerse yourself in nature along the way, experiencing native bush, bird, and animal life. Explore some of New Zealand's most intriguing land and cityscapes, including those of the imagination: a tour of the famous Weta Workshop will be a highlight for kids and adults alike.
Explore the very best of New Zealand's natural wonders in this family-oriented 10-day trip. Begin by immersing yourself in Hobbit life at the Hobbiton film set, after which you will be taken to a vast underground network of caves lit up by glowworms. Take a nighttime walk among gigantic redwood trees along a lantern-lit path, and learn about Maori culture during a hearty feast in a natural forest amphitheater. Finally, ride a rail cart to some of New Zealand's most beautiful lavender fields.
This 10-day road trip across New Zealand's South Island squeezes in the best nature experiences and active adventures as you journey from Christchurch to Queenstown. Wake up in remote luxury lodges and 5-star hotels, then tick off bucket-list experiences in ways you didn't expect. Ride a chopper to a mountaintop whisky bar, climb up a waterfall in Wanaka, explore the remote Doubtful Sound by boat, hike part of the famous Routeburn Track, and soak in relaxing onsen hot springs.
This relaxed 10-day getaway introduces you to the highlights of New Zealand's North and South Islands in luxurious style. Between exclusive excursions and tours, you'll embark on scenic road trips between some of the country's loveliest boutique lodges. Soar over Rotorua in a floatplane, cycle between the wineries of Hawke's Bay, cruise around Art Deco Napier in a vintage car, boat across the glassy waters of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, and soak in natural hot springs on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Experience New Zealand's charms in the cooler months of June through September with this luxurious winter road trip. In 10 days, you'll travel from subtropical Auckland to the snowcapped mountains of Queenstown, checking off destination hotels and bucket-list excursions along the way. Sip your way around the "wine island" of Waiheke, soar over Rotorua's geysers by floatplane, trek atop a glacier in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, and warm up with an evening in the onsen hot springs of Queenstown.
Get ready to chip, drive, and putt your way through New Zealand's finest golfing destinations with this 10-day luxury trip across the North Island. Tee off in style and elevate your golfing game with special stays at three prestigious courses—Te Arai Links, Kinloch Golf Course, and Cape Kidnappers Golf Course. After the nineteenth hole, you'll find no shortage of things to do in paradise as you connect with Maori culture, visit the largest mainland gannet colony, and cruise across the spectacular Lake Taupo.
Experience New Zealand's distinct brand of laid-back luxury with this 10-day North Island road trip featuring some of the country's best boutique lodges and historic farmstays. En route from Auckland to Wellington, you'll meet the residents of a kiwi sanctuary in Rotorua, jet boat through the turquoise rapids of Huka Falls, taste your way through the wine country of Hawke's Bay and Martinborough, and wander among the otherworldly rock formations of the Putangirua Pinnacles.
