If you ask me my favorite country, I will likely answer “New Zealand”. This country has stunning landscapes, laidback vibes, and friendly people. Plus, it’s a hiker’s paradise. This 10 day New Zealand Trip Itinerary is, in my opinion, the best way to squeeze as much adventure as possible into 10 days in New Zealand while hitting all the best areas. The itinerary is centered around the best hiking in New Zealand, but I have also listed my favorite places to stay and eat plus wine tastings, lavender farms, bungy jumping, an awesome bike ride through vineyards, and the iconic Milford Sound Cruise. I hope this 10 Day New Zealand Trip Itinerary helps you plan an epic trip to New Zealand.
When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?
New Zealand’s weather is quite moderate (highs in the 70’s in summer and lows in the 30’s in winter) and a visit at any time during the year would be lovely. If you wish to spend time in the mountains, summer is ideal (November-February).
Best Time to Go Hiking in New Zealand
In my opinion, the best time to go hiking in New Zealand is late spring through summer (November-February). Summer months (December-February) will provide you the longest days (daylight until 9:30pm) and the best conditions especially if you’ll be in the mountains. New Zealand experiences quite moderate weather. During the hottest time of the year, maximum temperatures in the South Island are 60’s- low 70’s and even cooler in the mountains. Auckland, which is in the northern-most part of the North Island, gets slightly warmer in the summer with highs in the mid to upper 70’s.
Best Time to Visit New Zealand to See Lupins in Bloom
If you want to see the lupins in bloom in the South Island, visit during late November.
Best places to see lupins in New Zealand
The best time to complete my 10 day New Zealand trip itinerary is between November and February.
Do I Need a Tourist Visa for New Zealand?
American Citizens:
Americans do not need a tourist visa for New Zealand for stays of up to 90 days. However, you will need to request an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before your trip. Additionally, you may have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). For more detailed information, you can visit Immigration New Zealand https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ and Visa and Entry Requirements for Tourists https://www.newzealand.com/int/visas-and-immigration/ “
UK Citizens:
UK citizens do not need a tourist visa for New Zealand for stays of up to 6 months. However, you will need to request an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before your trip. Additionally, you may have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). For more detailed information, you can visit Immigration New Zealand https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ and Visa and Entry Requirements for Tourists https://www.newzealand.com/int/visas-and-immigration/”
Citizens of Other Countries:
Check out Visa and entry requirements to New Zealand | 100% Pure New Zealand for all visa information. The website is really easy to use. Simply ask the AI assistant what you’ll need for your specific situation.
New Zealand Trip Cost
A trip to New Zealand is not cheap, but manageable if you’re smart about it. Flights will be the worst part with average flights from the US at about $800-$1200. Food and drink costs are about the same as those in the US. The rental car, hotels, and activities; however, can be a bit cheaper. We paid about $440 USD for a rental car for 10 days and about $130/night for hotels (a combination of occasionally splurging on $200 hotels and also staying at Holiday Parks for $50/night for several nights.) With that being said, it’s possible to stay 10 nights in New Zealand for $50/night or less if you chose to stay at Holiday Parks or camp. Holiday Parks are essentially fancy campsites with amenities like showers, bathrooms, laundry, and sometimes a swimming pool. They have standard tent campsites, RV/Camper sites, and motel rooms/cabins. They are similar to KOA sites in the US. Check out TOP 10 Holiday Parks which are all over New Zealand. We had great experiences staying at the Hampshire Holiday Park in Wanaka and Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and Motels in Te Anau.
You can also rent a campervan to explore New Zealand in. Taking a camper van road trip through New Zealand is extremely popular and there are dozens of companies you can use. Check out this blog to help you decide which to use and compare prices: The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in New Zealand. Just be aware that with a campervan or motorhome you will have to pay for the van rental as well as a place to park it each night. Use Spaceships or The Department of Conservation to find free and budget campsites in New Zealand or book sites at Holiday Parks.
10 Day New Zealand Trip Cost Breakdown:
- Flight: ~ $1000
- Car Rental: ~$450
- Hotels: ~$1300 (~ $300-$500 or less if you stay at campsites or Holiday Park motels/cabins)
- Activities: ~$250 depends on what you’re into (hiking is free!) but I’d budget around $250 per person for things like tours, bike rentals, boat rides, etc.
- Food and Drink ~$500- $1000, Plan for a combination of eating out for dinners plus buying some groceries to make simple breakfasts and lunches (advantage of renting a campervan would be the ability to buy and store groceries in the van fridge which would really cut food costs down) otherwise if you’re planning to eat out, expect to spend about the same amount of money that you would doing so in the US, $20 USD per person for a meal, more with drinks.
- Total: $3500-$4000 standard, $2700 budget
- This New Zealand Trip Itinerary cost me about $4000 USD
How Many Days Do You Need in New Zealand?
There is SO much to see and do in New Zealand. I recommend at least a 10 day New Zealand Trip Itinerary.
10 Day New Zealand Trip Itinerary
There are so many great 10 Day New Zealand Trip Itinerary options. If what you value is beaches, relaxation, visiting the famous Hobbiton Lord of the Rings Film site, and exploring the big cities of Auckland and Wellington, then spend more time in the North Island and pop down to the South Island for a few days if you have time.
If what you value is hiking, adventure, and mountains, spend more time in the South Island and pop up to the North Island for a few days.
This is my general guideline; however, New Zealand is a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation all throughout both islands. Both islands have great hiking, beautiful vineyards with delicious wines, stunning beaches, and fun cities. The itinerary below includes a little bit of it all while focusing mostly on hiking in the South Island plus one epic hike in the North Island, wine tasting, and a tiny bit of city exploring.
Day 1 – Queenstown
Fly into Queenstown. Most international flights come into Auckland in the North Island. Simply book a flight from Auckland to Queenstown via Air New Zealand an hour or two after you arrive in Auckland.
I recommend you stay one night in Queenstown.
Where to Stay in Queenstown New Zealand:
- Driftaway Queenstown – gorgeous lake front resort with lake view rooms for $170/night, near the airport with a boat shuttle into town
- DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown – see below, $180/night, lake front rooms with great amenities and a boat shuttle into town
- Heartland Hotel *excellent location*, in the center of town, $160/night
We stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown which was fantastic. The hotel is close to the airport and right on the lake. It’s on the other side of the lake from town which was nice because parking was easy. Plus, the hotel has a speedboat shuttle that takes guests into town from the pier every hour on the 15th minute. It was not only convenient but so much fun! There is also shuttle service back (ask your boat driver for return times).
Budget Stays in Queenstown New Zealand:
- Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park *excellent location*, in the heart of town, $135/night
- Nomads Queenstown Hostel *excellent location*, in the heart of town, $117 for a private room with bathroom
Splurge Hotels in Queenstown New Zealand:
- Sofitel Hotel & Spa– luxury hotel in the center of town with incredible views, $320/night for a room with a balcony, $800/night for a room with a balcony with hot tub and lake/mountain views
What To Do in Queenstown New Zealand for One Night
On your one night in Queenstown, I recommend exploring the town. Get dinner at Pier, enjoy drinks and live music at Little Blackwood afterward then watch sunset over the lake.
If you somehow have some energy after your long travel day:
- Walk along the water to the Queenstown Gardens (free)
- Check out Skyline Queenstown where you can ride the gondola up to an incredible viewpoint for $36 USD per person or purchase the gondola ride plus 3 luge rides down for about $50 USD per person
Day 2 – Gibbston Valley
Gibbston Valley Vineyards
On day two, drive about 30 minutes to Gibbston to explore some of the beautiful vineyards of the Central Otago Wine region:
Bike Ride from Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jumping
For a little adventure, I highly recommend renting bikes from Better by Bikes New Zealand in Arrowtown and riding along the Arrowtown River Bridge Trail all the way to the Gibbston Valley. You can grab breakfast in adorable Arrowtown then pick up your bikes. You’ll ride through gorgeous vineyards and over the Kawarau Suspension Bridge that you can bungy jump off of if adrenaline is your thing. I recommend riding down to Gibbston Valley Winery and doing a tasting. Afterward, you can call the folks at Better by Bikes and they will come and pick you and your bikes up and transport you back to their rental shop where your car is in the nearby parking lot.
Book your bungy jump ahead of time here: Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Book your bike rental with return shuttle here: E-Bike Hire With Return Shuttle
After a fun day in Gibbston, drive about one hour to one of my favorite towns in the whole world: Wanaka. I recommend you stay the next 2 nights in Wanaka.
End day 2 by watching sunset at the Wanaka Tree and then grabbing some dinner in town. Head to Cork Bar for drinks and live music after dinner (love this place).
Day 3 – Wanaka
Wanaka is truly one of my favorite towns in the world. The town is small and right on gorgeous Lake Wanaka which is surrounded by The Southern Alps. I recommend staying at least 2 nights in Wanaka so you can have 2 full days exploring the town and surrounding areas.
Where to Stay Wanaka
There are plenty of places to stay in Wanaka but I have a hard time recommending anything other than Hampshire Holiday Park. We rented the cabin with linen and shared bathroom for $50 USD per night and it was a great way to save some money on this 10 day New Zealand trip. Yes, we shared a campground style bathroom with other people, but it was very clean and never overcrowded. The location is excellent and we were able to walk into town each night for dinner. You can also book a cabin with a private bathroom for $100 USD per night.
Other Places to Stay in Wanaka:
- Wanaka Hotel – great location, walking distance to town, $160 USD per night lake view room
- Wanaka View Motel – great location, walking distance to town, $200 USD per night for a one-bedroom apartment with lake and mountain view
Mount Aspiring National Park:
On your first full day in Wanaka, drive about one hour to Mount Aspiring National Park. I recommend hiking the Rob Roy Glacier Track or Raspberry Creek Car Park to Aspiring Hut. Both hikes start at the same parking lot.
- Rob Roy Glacier Track
- 6.4 miles out and back with 1500 feet of elevation gain
- This hike was highly recommended to us but was closed at the time so we chose the alternative
- Raspberry Creek Car Park to Aspiring Hut
- 11 miles out and back, fairly flat hike only 649 feet of elevation on the way out
Want to stay the night in one of New Zealand’s iconic mountain huts?
If you want a fun and challenging adventure, hike past the Aspiring Hut (5.7 miles) and keep going until you reach the Liverpool hut (10 miles out) and stay the night here with other campers from around the world (there’s a bunk bed but you’ll need to bring all other supplies: lightweight sleeping bag, camping pillow, plenty of water, food, etc.) then hike back the next day. You must book the bed ahead of time, $25 per person. Book here: bookings.doc.govt.nz. Of course you’ll have to spend most of the next day hiking back out and therefore may not have time for much else in Wakana.
If you chose the day hike and find yourself back in Wanaka with some day light left, check out Wanaka Lavender Farm and make sure to try the lavender ice cream.
Then get dinner at The Food Truck Park Wanaka. I recommend the Pad Thai at the Asian noodle place.
Day 4 -Wanaka
Hike Roy’s Peak at Sunrise
On your second day in Wanaka, I recommend hiking to the top of Roy’s Peak which is just 10 minutes outside of town. This hike is tough at 10 miles total with 4200 feet of elevation to climb (basically straight up with multiple switchbacks for 5 miles). Despite the challenge, this is one of my favorite hikes of all time. The views from the summit are spectacular making it well worth the climb.
I recommend starting the hike at 3-4am in order to try and reach summit at sunrise. The path is well maintained, and you certainly won’t be alone. Hiking Roy’s Peak at sunrise is very popular. Make sure to pack a headlamp and water.
After the hike and a well-deserved breakfast in town (check out Ritual Espresso Cafe), head over to Rippon Vineyards for a FREE wine tasting. Just be sure to book a reservation ahead of time. This is the most stunning vineyard I have ever seen, and I’ve been to quite a lot of them!
After grabbing lunch in Wanaka, hit the road and drive about 2.5 hours to your next destination: Mount Cook Village. Check in at your hotel (I recommend Mount Cook Lodge and Motels). See why below.
Day 5- Mount Cook
Where to Stay in Mount Cook Village
Mount Cook Lodge and Motels
I recommend staying at Mount Cook Lodge and Motels because it’s in the heart of Mount Cook National Park, just 10 minutes from all of the trailheads while still being affordable. The view from the upstairs pizza restaurant and bar is amazing plus guests staying at the Mount Cook Lodge and Motels are welcome to use the amenities at the upscale Hermitage Hotel just up the road. In fact, there is a shuttle from Mount Cook Lodge that will drop you at the Hermitage for free. I definitely recommend taking advantage of this and having dinner one night at the Hermitage or having a drink at the bar. The views are stunning. There is also an onsite museum dedicated to Sir Edmund Hilary, a New Zealand mountaineer who became one of the first people confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Hermitage Hotel
If you want to splurge and treat yourself, you can book a room at the luxurious Hermitage Hotel just up the road from Mount Cook Lodge and Motels.
Hike the Hooker Valley Track
On your first full day at Mount Cook, hike one of New Zealand’s most iconic trails, the Hooker Valley Track. The hike is fairly flat and is 6.8 miles out and back. Afterward, relax in the park or at the hotel or check out another easy hike like Tasman Lake Track.
Drive to Lake Tekapo
Next, hit the road towards Lake Tekapo about 1 hour away. You’ll drive all around Lake Pukaki, the bluest lake I have ever seen. Make sure to stop at pull out points and enjoy the view. If it’s late November, the lupins will be fully in full bloom.
Best places to see lupins in New Zealand:
- Braemar Road between Tekapo and Lake Pukaki
- The road to Lake Alexandrina
- All around Lake Tekapo
Stay the night at The Godley Hotel. If it’s past lupin time (mid December and later), you can consider skipping Lake Tekapo. There isn’t a whole lot to do in town. The main attraction is the lupin bloom. We visited Lake Tekapo in January and the town was dead. I would consider staying an extra night at Mount Cook Village instead if it’s past Lupin peak. See below for alternative plan.
Day 6- Lake Tekapo or Mount Cook
There are two options here based upon your preference and the time of the year. If it’s late November and you’re hoping to catch the lupins in full bloom, I recommend heading to Lake Tekapo after the Hooker Valley hike and staying the night at The Godley Hotel. If it’s past lupin time (mid-December and later), I would skip Tekapo and stay an extra day at Mount Cook Lodge and Motels.
If you went to Lake Tekapo…
Have Dinner at TLV on the lake (the food is amazing). Wake up the next morning and enjoy views of the lake. After checking out of the hotel, hit the road and drive 5 hours to Te Anau where you’ll check into Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and Motels or another accommodation in town and rest up for another big day tomorrow.
If you stayed an extra day in Mount Cook…
Hike the Mueller Hut Route
Wake up early on your second day in Mount Cook and you can hike the tough Mueller Hut Route which is 6 miles out and back with 3400 feet of elevation gain.
Be aware that after you finish up on the Mueller Hut Route, you’ll need to hit the road and drive 5 hours to Te Anau where you can crash and rest up for another big day ahead.
If you have an extra night and want more adventure..
You can camp at the Mueller Hut. Much like The Liverpool Hut in Mount Aspiring Park, you can plan to stay the night in the Mueller Hut if you reserve a bunk bed ahead of time. Book here: bookings.doc.govt.nz. There is a bunk bed but be aware you will need to bring all other supplies: lightweight sleeping bag, camping pillow, plenty of water, food, etc. If you do this, adjust the rest of your trip accordingly.
Day 7- Fiordland National Park
Where to Stay for Exploring Fiordland National Park
Te Anau is the closest town and a good base for exploring Fiordland National Park from.
I recommend staying at Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park and Motels. We booked a cabin with private bathroom for under $100 USD. It was close to town but not walking distance. We drove into town for dinner.
Milford Sound Cruise
From Te Anau, you’ll drive about 2 hours to the Milford Sound Ferry Terminal where you’ll embark on one of New Zealand’s most iconic activities: a cruise on the famous Milford Sound.
It’s hard to choose which cruise ship to go with. I recommend booking the 2 Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise through Get Your Guide. The small boat made it possible for us to get super close to the fiords to see wildlife and waterfalls up close. We even got a little bit wet under one of the waterfalls. It was so much fun!
Book our cruise here: 2 Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise
Enjoy Fiordland National Park and Look for Keas
After the Milford Sound Cruise, take your time driving out of Fiordland National Park. The scenery is gorgeous.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Kea, the brightly colored parrot who resides only in alpine regions of South Island New Zealand. It is the only alpine parrot in the world. If you see one, hold tightly onto any food you have- the kea is known to steal food from people!
After leaving the park, grab a meat pie from Miles Better Pies in Te Anau before making the long drive back to Queenstown where you’ll stay the night before flying out the next day to Wellington and on to a few days of exploring the North Island!
Day 8- Travel Day to Tongariro National Park
Fly Queenstown to Wellington
Head to the Queenstown airport and catch an Air New Zealand flight to Wellington, the big city at the southernmost point of the North Island. Make sure to grab a window seat on the plane!
Wellington
When you land in Wellington, you’ll grab a new rental car and hit the road for a 4 hour drive to Skotel Alpine Resort where you’ll stay in preparation for hiking the Tongariro Crossing the next day.
I admit, it would have been very nice to have an extra day to stay in Wellington for a night or two. I would have loved to ride the Wellington Cable Car, shop on Cuba Street, and just explore the city.
Nonetheless, short on time, we drove through Wellington and onto our next destination. Plus, I wanted to get there in time to see the sunset from our hotel room because it had a pretty special view. See below for details.
Day 9- Tongariro Crossing and Taupo
About Hiking the Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand is often regarded as one of the best day hikes in the world. It is a 12.5-mile point to point hike between three active volcanoes (Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu). You’ll hike very close to Ngauruhoe which is “Mount Doom” in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
The hike is difficult, and you will climb 2700 feet up through dry, volcanic soil, then over a cold, windy pass, and then descend through the forest on the other side. Make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and bring layers to wear over the chilly pass. When you reach the bottom, wait at the bus stop until your return shuttle arrives. There are bathrooms at the start and finish of the hike.
Arranging Transportation to and From the Hike
There is no permit required for this hike; however, you will need to arrange transportation to the start of the hike and from the finish. The start and finish are two different points plus there is no parking allowed at either. There are many shuttles that run the routes several times per morning for drop off and several times in the afternoon for pickup, but you’ll need to reserve this ahead of time. You cannot get on any shuttle; your reservation will be checked.
Book your shuttle here with Get Your Guide: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Hike Trail Roundtrip Shuttle
Booking with GetYourGuide made the process so easy. I recommend selecting the earliest possible shuttle. You’ll need to meet at 1 Ward Street, National Park 3989 and park in the large parking lot here. Meet your bus at the “Park and Ride” bus stop at the end of Findlay Street near the train station. Simply board the bus and they will take you to the trailhead and give you all necessary information regarding return shuttle times. For us, the shuttle pick-up times were every hour in the afternoon.
Where to Stay to Hike the Tongariro Crossing
Most people planning to hike The Tongariro Crossing will stay in Waimarino which is right next to the shuttle pickup. I happened to find an even better spot which is affordable and has AMAZING views of the volcanoes. I highly recommend Skotel Alpine Resort. It is only a 15-minute drive from the shuttle pickup point and it’s within the heart of the national park with volcanoes in the back yard.
Whakapapa Village (Volcano views**):
- Skotel Alpine Resort – book one of the rooms with a balcony facing the volcanoes if you can. We booked the “Ngauruhoe Room” and had a fantastic view from our balcony of Ngauruhoe which was “Mount Doom” in The Lord of The Rings. If you don’t get a balcony room, don’t worry, the hotel’s restaurant and bar have amazing views of the volcanoes.
Waimarino:
- Adventure Lodge & Motel – although there are no volcano views from the lodge, staying here would make logistics easy. For one, the lodge is located right next to the train station so if you happen to be travelling via train and did not rent a car, this is the place to stay. It’s also right next to the shuttle pickup for the hike. Plus, you can book shuttle and hotel room packages to make everything easy. Packages even have the option for a takeaway lunch to bring on the hike with you.
After finishing the Tongariro Crossing hike, you should make it back to your car/the parking lot around 3/4pm. I recommend you start to make your way towards Auckland where you’ll be flying home from. Drive about one hour and stay in Taupo.
Taupo
By the time we made it to Taupo, we were pretty exhausted and didn’t explore much in the town but there are great restaurants and bars on Lake Taupo. Check out Taupo Official Website for more information.
We stayed at Hilton Lake Taupo and loved the onsite restaurant and pool.
Day 10- Auckland
By your last full day of this 10 day New Zealand trip itinerary, you will likely be exhausted and ready for a relaxing night in Auckland. Drive a few hours to Auckland and check into your hotel. After check-in, I recommend heading to Viaduct Harbor to check out some of New Zealand’s best waterfront bars and restaurants:
After you’ve explored Auckland, head back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep in preparation for your flight home tomorrow.
North Island New Zealand
If I had more time to explore the North Island, I’d check out places like Waiheke Island, Mount Taranaki at Egmont National Park, the Hobbiton Movie Set, go wine tasting in Martinborough, and visit some of the gorgeous beaches: Karekare Beach and Piha Beach. Guess I’ll just have to go back one day!
Hope this 10 Day New Zealand Trip Itinerary helps you plan your own epic New Zealand Trip Itinerary!