Welcome to Aotearoa—New Zealand—where ancient volcanoes meet glacier-carved fiords and Māori stories thread through every valley. In just 10 days, this itinerary traces the North Island’s urban sparkle and geothermal heart before flying south to the Southern Alps for jaw-dropping lakes and Milford Sound. You’ll sample world-class wine, meet glowworms in cathedral-like caves, and cruise beneath waterfalls that tumble into the Tasman Sea.

New Zealand’s history runs deep: Māori navigators settled here in the 13th century, and today te reo Māori names—from Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) to Te Wai Pounamu (South Island)—shape the country’s identity. Expect friendly locals, impeccably kept trails, and coffee that will ruin you for anywhere else.

Practical notes: You’ll drive on the left if you rent a car and pass strict biosecurity on arrival (no fresh food). Weather shifts quickly—pack layers and a waterproof shell. Book iconic experiences (Hobbiton, Te Pā Tū in Rotorua, and Milford Sound) in advance, especially in summer and school holidays.

Auckland

Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) is a city of sails, volcano cones, and salt spray, framed by two harbors and more than 50 islands. It’s your perfect soft landing: great coffee, a waterfront stroll, and easy day trips to Waiheke’s vineyards or the black-sand beaches of the wild West Coast.

• Top sights: Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter boardwalks, Sky Tower views, Mount Eden crater, Auckland War Memorial Museum, ferry to Waiheke Island.
• Food & drink: Britomart’s eateries (Amano’s handmade pasta and pastries), SkyCity’s Cassia (modern Indian), The Grove (fine dining), and Giapo (next-level gelato).
• Fun fact: Auckland sits atop a volcanic field; those grassy “hills” are ancient cones.

Where to stay (Auckland): Boutique luxury at The Hotel Britomart (green-certified design), harborside comfort at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour or apartment-style at The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour. Midrange and family-friendly options include Novotel Auckland Ellerslie and Haka Hotel Newmarket, while Haka Lodge Auckland suits budget travelers.

Browse more stays: VRBO Auckland | Hotels.com Auckland

How to get here: Fly into Auckland (AKL). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Nonstops from the U.S. West Coast run ~12–14 hours; from Australia, ~3–4 hours.

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland, Harborside Welcome

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land and check in. Stretch your legs with an easy wander along Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter—yachts, public art, and sea breeze. Coffee at Eighthirty in Auckland Fish Market or a flat white at Atomic Coffee Roasters nearby.

Evening: Catch golden hour from the Sky Tower (glass-floor sections for the brave). Dinner at Amano (housemade pappardelle, clam linguine, excellent sourdough) or The Grove (multi-course tasting spotlighting NZ produce). Nightcap at Caretaker (speakeasy-style classics) or a scoop at Giapo.

Day 2: Waiheke Island Wine & City Views

Morning: Breakfast at Best Ugly Bagels (hand-rolled, wood-fired) or Daily Bread Britomart. Ferry to Waiheke Island (around 40 minutes each way; return fares typically ~NZD 46–56). Consider a hop-on wine shuttle on arrival.

Afternoon: Wine tastings at Mudbrick (bay views), Cable Bay (sculpture lawn), and Te Motu (Bordeaux blends). Long lunch at a vineyard—order local oysters, green-lipped mussels, and Hawke’s Bay olive oil with fresh bread.

Evening: Back in the city, stroll Britomart’s laneways. Dinner at Cassia (tandoori market fish, charred cauliflower, black pepper crab) or Depot Eatery (fresh kaimoana—seafood—if walk-in space allows). Gelato at Island Gelato Co. on the waterfront.

Day 3: Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworms (Full-Day from Auckland)

Full day: Join a guided small-group day trip combining the Shire and subterranean stars. You’ll explore Hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn before drifting by boat under galaxies of glowworms in Waitomo’s limestone caves. It’s a long but unforgettable day (often ~12–13 hours door-to-door).

• Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch (Viator)

  

• Alternative (more time in Hobbiton): Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour from Auckland (Viator)

  

Dinner back in Auckland: The Fed (The Federal Delicatessen) for Montreal-style smoked meat, or Harbor Society for seafood. If energy remains, sunset from Mount Eden’s volcanic rim.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a living geothermal museum—earth breathes here. Steam curls from drains downtown, geysers roar at Te Puia, and emerald lakes punctuate ancient forests. It’s also a heartland of Māori culture, hospitality, and kai (cuisine).

• Top sights: Te Puia and Pōhutu Geyser, Redwoods—Whakarewarewa Forest, lakes Tikitapu (Blue) and Rotokakahi (Green), Kuirau Park’s free thermal pools.
• Adventure: Kaituna River white‑water rafting (with a world-famous 7m waterfall), mountain biking in the Redwoods, ziplining, and canopy tours.
• Eat & drink: Atticus Finch (share plates), Terrace Kitchen (garden-to-table brunch), Capers Café + Store (local larder), Eat Streat’s lively strip.

Where to stay (Rotorua): Browse character homes and lakeside pads on VRBO Rotorua or hotels on Hotels.com Rotorua.

Getting from Auckland to Rotorua (morning transfer on Day 4): Fly (~45–50 minutes; many days via AKL) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com (often USD $60–$150). Driving takes ~3 hours; intercity coaches are ~3.5–4 hours.

Day 4: Travel to Rotorua, Redwoods & Lakes

Morning: Depart Auckland. Fly to Rotorua or drive through the Waikato countryside (allow time for a bakery stop in Matamata if driving).

Afternoon: Walk among California redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest—choose an easy loop or the elevated Treewalk for lantern-lit bridges later. Coffee at Scope Rotorua or Ciabatta Café, then dip your toes in Kuirau Park’s public foot pools.

Evening: Dinner and cultural immersion at Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū—expect songs, haka, forest-lit pathways, and a seasonal feast cooked with indigenous techniques.

Day 5: Geysers, Rafting, and Eat Streat

Morning: Breakfast at Terrace Kitchen (kumara hash, house granola) or Capers (excellent cabinet food). Visit Te Puia to see Pōhutu—Southern Hemisphere’s largest geyser—and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute carving schools.

Afternoon: White‑water time: Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna takes you through lush gorges and over Tutea Falls—one of the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfalls. Allow ~3 hours roundtrip.

Evening: Sunset at Lake Tikitapu’s lookout, then graze along Eat Streat: Atticus Finch (lamb shoulder, house pickles), Ambrosia (comfort classics), or Poco Tapas Bar. Dessert: Lady Jane’s Ice Cream Parlour on Tutanekai St.

Queenstown

Queenstown is the South Island showstopper: a lakeside alpine town set beneath the Remarkables, built for adventure and gilded with excellent food and wine. Whether you’re canyon-jetting, cruising to a high-country farm, or day-tripping to fiords, the views steal every scene.

• Top sights: Lake Wakatipu, Skyline Gondola & Luge, Arrowtown gold-rush heritage, Gibbston Valley wineries, day trips to Milford or Doubtful Sound.
• Adrenaline: Shotover Jet, bungy, paragliding, and epic hiking (Queenstown Hill or Ben Lomond).
• Eat & drink: Fergburger and Fergbaker, Rātā by Josh Emett, The Bunker (intimate alpine dining), Atlas Beer Café (craft brews and steak), and Amisfield (cellar door & long lunches).

Where to stay (Queenstown): Historic-luxe on the lake at Eichardt's Private Hotel; resort comfort at Heritage Queenstown; social-budget at JUCY Snooze Queenstown; wallet-friendly chalets at Pinewood Lodge. More options: VRBO Queenstown | Hotels.com Queenstown

Getting from Rotorua to Queenstown (morning transfer on Day 6): Fly with one connection (Auckland or Christchurch), ~3.5–5 hours total. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Driving/ferry combos are scenic but not practical for this 10‑day plan.

Day 6: Fly to Queenstown, Skyline Views & Lakefront

Morning: Fly Rotorua → Queenstown. Sit on the left side for Southern Alps views on arrival if possible.

Afternoon: Check in, then ride the Skyline Gondola for a panorama over Lake Wakatipu; add a couple of Luge runs for fun. Coffee and raw slices at Vudu Café & Larder or brunch-late at Yonder.

Evening: Early dinner at Rātā (Southland cheese roll snack, venison, Central Otago pinot) or The Bunker (cosy fire, classic cocktails). Stroll the lakefront under the willow trees.

Day 7: Jet Boats, Wineries, and Arrowtown

Morning: Kick off with pure adrenaline on the iconic Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown—high-speed drifts through the narrow Shotover Canyons.

Afternoon: Slow the pace in Gibbston Valley: tastings at Amisfield (near Arrowtown), Peregrine (sleek architecture), and Gibbston Valley Winery (cheese pairing in the wine cave). Light lunch: prosciutto panino and local cheeses at the cellar door or Arrowtown’s Slow Cuts (great sandwiches).

Evening: Casual dinner at Fergburger (order the “Big Al” or a classic with beetroot and egg) with a sweet treat from Fergbaker. Post-dinner, sample NZ craft beers at Atlas Beer Café.

Day 8: Milford Sound Day—Fiordland’s Cathedral Cliffs (Full Day)

Full day: Journey to Piopiotahi/Milford Sound: forest, mirror lakes, and the dramatic Homer Tunnel before a cruise beneath sheer granite walls. Choose a small-group coach & boutique cruise (budget-friendly) or splurge on a flightseeing + cruise combo (saves time and adds epic aerials).

• Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown (Viator)

  

• Alternative (time-saver, weather permitting): Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown (Viator)

  

Dinner: Back in Queenstown, reward yourself with rustic Italian at Aosta (Arrowtown) or lakeside tapas at The Bathhouse. Early night recommended.

Day 9: Lake Cruise to a High-Country Farm, Hot Pools & Fine Fare

Morning: Leisurely coffee at Bespoke Kitchen (above-town views) and a lakeside stroll.

Afternoon: Cruise across Lake Wakatipu for a gourmet BBQ lunch at Walter Peak’s lakeside station on the classic TSS Earnslaw when operating (note: scheduled maintenance 19 May–1 Oct 2025; alternative vessels used during that period). Book: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise.

Evening: Soak at Onsen Hot Pools (book ahead) as dusk colors the Shotover Canyon. Dinner at Botswana Butchery (lamb shoulder, duck-fat potatoes) or The Bunker’s rooftop for cocktails under the stars.

Day 10: Last Sips & Souvenirs, Depart Queenstown

Morning: Breakfast at The Exchange. Quick browse for merino and possum-blend knitwear at local boutiques, or an easy Queenstown Hill hike if you’re keen (allow 2–3 hours roundtrip).

Afternoon: Fly out of Queenstown (ZQN). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have a late flight, sneak in a final Fergbaker pie for the road.

Optional swaps and extras if you have more time: Doubtful Sound (quieter, grand-scale fiord) from Manapouri—see Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

or, for glowworms without the long Auckland day, Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour.

This 10‑day New Zealand itinerary stitches together harbor city energy, geothermal drama, and South Island grandeur. With thoughtful pacing and standout experiences, you’ll leave with memory cards full of blue lakes, emerald forests, and starry caves—and every excuse to return.