10 Day Aotearoa Highlights Holiday Package

This New Zealand itinerary for 10 days includes the highlights of the country, from Auckland to Queenstown.

Visit top locations such as Rotorua, Wellington, and Lake Tekapo. Plus, enjoy a range of top activities that include the Shotover Jet, a whale watching scenic flight, and a geothermal reserve visit.

Fast-paced and action-packed, this New Zealand itinerary for 10 days is perfect for travellers who want to see it all.

Read on for the full details of the 10 Day Aotearoa Highlights Holiday Package.

10 Day Aotearoa Highlights New Zealand Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland – the “City of Sails” and New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland is bordered by two stunning harbours. Collect your rental car from the airport, then make your way to your accommodation.

Relax in Auckland today. Your options include visiting the Sky Tower, the Auckland Zoo, or Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium; venturing to one of Auckland’s stunning beaches or West Auckland wineries; or doing a spot of shopping.

Stay 1 night in Auckland City.

Day 2 Rotorua

Driving time Auckland to Rotorua 229 km / 142 miles, 3.5 hours

Rotorua is distinguished by Maori culture and geothermal activity.

Stroll through Hell’s Gate, a steaming thermal reserve. See bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, and hot springs, and even try Maori weaving and wood carving! After this, the geothermal waters of the Hell’s Gate Sulphur Spa will rejuvenate and refresh you, as you relax and take in the surreal surroundings of the wondrous geothermal landscape.

In the evening enjoy dinner at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – Skyline Restaurant. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold on your journey to the Skyline complex. The Skyline Restaurant will then serve you a mouthwatering taste of New Zealand, a buffet of legendary proportions. Feast on mouth-watering fresh soups, salads and seafood specialities such as mussels, queen scallops, sushi and sashimi. Enjoy carvery roasts of beef, lamb or pork with speciality sauces to match, with live cooking from your friendly chefs. Add to that a range of sumptuous desserts, and you’ve got yourself a unique dining experience not to be missed. Tiered seating guarantees stunning views from every table! After dinner, enjoy the scenic ride back down on the gondola.

At the top of the gondola, you also have the option to add on a thrilling Luge Ride, enjoy nature walks, and visit the Jelly Belly Shop and Volcanic Hills winery and tasting room.

Stay 1 night in Rotorua.

Day 3 Taupo

Driving time Rotorua to Taupo 82 km / 51 miles, 1 hour

Enjoy the short drive south to Taupo, rich in natural beauty and filled with attractions such as the Huka Falls, relaxing boat cruises, and bungy jumping. Taupo is a great lake for trout fishing, boat cruises, water-skiing, sailing and kayaking. The Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay, which can only be seen from the water, make for a great boat trip or kayaking excursion. The forests surrounding the lake offer hiking and mountain biking to suit all levels of experience.

Stay 1 night in Taupo.

Day 4 Wellington

Driving time Taupo to Wellington 375 km / 231 miles, 5.5 hours

Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, has so much to offer. Set on the edge of a stunning harbour, surrounded by rolling hills, it’s a city rich in culture waiting to be explored. From shopping and picturesque walks to live theatre, exhibitions, Te Papa Tongarewa: the Museum of New Zealand, and more – Wellington has something for everyone.

Wellington’s top attractions include Te Papa, Weta Workshop, Wellington Cable Car, Mt Victoria Lookout and Wellington Zoo.

Stay 1 night in Wellington.

Day 5 Kaikoura

Sailing time Wellington to Picton 70 km / 43 miles, 3 hours
Driving time Picton to Kaikoura 156 km / 97 miles, 2.5 hours

It’s all about the journey today as you board the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry, which will transport you on a scenic cruise to Picton. Enjoy the coastal drive along the East Coast to Kaikoura.

In the afternoon, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a Whale Watch Scenic Flight to view the majestic Sperm Whales off the Kaikoura Coast.

Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.

Day 6 Hanmer Springs

Driving time Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs 130 km / 81 miles, 2 hours

Travel on to Hanmer Springs, a year-round holiday destination offering a variety of outdoor activities and of course the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Visitors have been travelling to bathe in the rejuvenating mineral pools for over 120 years! Relax in open-air thermal pools and de-stress with spa therapies.

Stay 1 night in Hanmer Springs.

Day 7 Lake Tekapo

Driving time Hanmer Springs to Lake Tekapo 353 km / 220 miles, 4.5 hours

Travel south across the Canterbury Plains and inland towards the Southern Alps to reach Lake Tekapo, an amazing turquoise lake. Lake Tekapo presents many world-class vacation attractions, from the famous Church of the Good Shepherd and Tekapo Springs to scenic flights exploring New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers, including Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, and Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Stay 1 night in Lake Tekapo.

Day 8 Queenstown

Driving time Lake Tekapo to Queenstown 256 km / 159 miles, 3.5 hours

Venture past Lake Pukaki, a picturesque turquoise glacial lake, before you travel through the dramatic Lindis Pass which links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. Queenstown awaits you, New Zealand’s adventure capital and top vacation destination.

Enjoy a relaxing evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. The historic steamship will take you across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a gourmet BBQ dinner followed by a farm tour. Cruise back to Queenstown as the sun sets over the mountains and lake.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Day 9 Queenstown

Today, get ready for the world’s most exciting jet boat ride! It’s a thrilling ride – skimming past rocky outcrops at close range in your Shotover Jet ‘Big Red,’ you will twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breathtaking speeds. And a major highlight – hold tight for the world-famous Shotover Jet full 360º spins!

Relax and explore Queenstown for the afternoon.

Day 10 Queenstown

Today you have the option to make a trip to Arrowtown. You’ll be enchanted by historic Arrowtown, a New Zealand treasure located 20 minutes from Queenstown. Arrowtown is charming and quirky – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of heritage buildings that stretches into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miner’s cottages. The buildings in this lovely precinct house shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants – many classy, most individual, and not one from an international chain.

You can also from an exciting range of optional activities including rafting, scenic flights, 4WD safaris, winery tours, lake cruises and more. Ask about our fantastic package deals.

Day 11 Depart Queenstown

Drop your rental car off at Queenstown Airport and depart Queenstown.

Plan a New Zealand Itinerary for 10 Days

We offer a range of 10-day New Zealand holiday packages. If this itinerary doesn’t match what you are looking for, we recommend browsing our other options for inspiration.

Our New Zealand holiday packages are fully customisable. In other words, we can change the schedule, inclusions, and accommodation level to suit your preferences.

Some travellers may find the pace of travel very quick for a 10-day holiday around both islands. Because of this, we often recommend choosing either the North Island or the South Island for a New Zealand itinerary of 10 days.

Another option is to book a domestic flight between the two islands to cut down on driving time. For instance, the 10 Day Iconic New Zealand Holiday Package packs in countless highlights at a more relaxed pace.

Your personal travel consultant will help decide which itinerary is best for you–and tailor it to match exactly what you want.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your unforgettable holiday.