10 Day New Zealand Hunting Itinerary

Escape Highlights

A premium trophy hunting escape in New Zealand's dramatic wilderness.
Stay at luxurious hunting lodges with everything taken care of for you.

Our New Zealand hunting packages offer the very best luxury hunting lodges, hunting tours, and New Zealand experiences.

Explore the top hunting destinations on the North and South Islands. New Zealand is one of the world’s best hunting destinations, with high success rates and unparalleled scenery. And our New Zealand hunting packages are designed to showcase the best our country has to offer.

In addition, our New Zealand hunting packages are fully customisable. In other words, we recommend using the below itinerary as a starting point to get an idea of what is possible, and from there, we will work with you to craft the ideal custom itinerary.

Our recommended 10 Day New Zealand Hunting Itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 – Arrive in Auckland, to Treetops Lodge Rotorua
Day 2 – Treetops Lodge Trophy Hunting
Day 3 – Taupo & Poronui Lodge
Day 4 – Poronui Lodge Trophy Hunting
Day 5 – Poronui Lodge Trophy Hunting
Day 6 – Poronui Lodge Trophy Hunting
Day 7 – Wanaka & Minaret Station
Day 8 – Minaret Station Heli Hunting
Day 9 – Minaret Station
Day 10 – Queenstown
Day 11 – Depart Queenstown

Read on for full details of our 10 Day New Zealand itinerary.

10 Day New Zealand Hunting Packages Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland – Rotorua, Treetops Lodge

Flight transfer Auckland to Rotorua – 1.5 hours

Your exclusive New Zealand experience begins in Auckland, the gateway to the North Island. Get a glimpse of the city before being whisked away to Rotorua.

Treetops Lodge and Estate is one of New Zealand’s most unique luxury lodge and wilderness experiences, located in the heart of a 2,500 acre carefully managed eco and wilderness park — a New Zealand wildlife safari. Hunting at Treetops is all about the quality of trophies taken in the field. Spot and stalk type of hunting applies. There are six species of deer, pigs and a healthy population of free range pheasants to harvest each year.

Seek adventure, test your skill, and take on the challenge of hunting wild game in its natural habitat. Let the thrill of the hunt overtake you as you stalk your prey through the pristine wilderness and expansive grounds of the estate. Fly fishing its also available, as is heli-fishing.

There are also myriad things to do for non hunters and fishers: eco-tours, mountain biking, heli sightseeing and wine tours, photographic safaris, horse trekking, spa treatments and much more.

Stay 2 nights at Treetops Lodge, Rotorua (extend your stay for a longer hunt).

Accommodation: Treetops Lodge Rotorua

Day 2 Trophy Hunting

Treetops head gamekeeper and guide Dave is a professional gamekeeper, and believes there is nothing that gives him more pleasure than to take a hunter, whether novice or professional and achieve their trophy animal.

He has extensive experience managing and working on privately owned estates in New Zealand, United Kingdom and the USA – all with an emphasis on the habitat, hunt and game management. Dave holds a Diploma in Game Wildlife and Habitat Management and a National Certificate in Game Keeping and Water Keeping. “To complement a great days hunting – is enjoying a New Zealand wine around the lodge fireplace. This is where lifelong friendships are formed sharing hunting stories.”

Treetops also has its own expediter – John Mitchell. John has been with Treetops Lodge for a number of years and has all the credentials as far as shipping, boxing and delivering trophies to ports all around the world.

Red Deer Trophy Hunting Treetops Lodge Rotorua New Zealand hunting packages

Day 3 Taupo, Poronui Lodge

Flight Transfer Rotorua to Taupo – 30 minutes or Private Land Transfer – 1 hour

Poronui is the ultimate luxury sporting retreat, a place where you can have fun and relax in the authentic New Zealand countryside. Located in the beautiful Taharua Valley on New Zealand’s spectacular North Island, the estate boasts some of the world’s best wilderness experiences. The scenery is breathtaking, the hospitality is second-to-none, but it is the attention to the little things that makes a stay here truly memorable. Immerse yourself in the lodge with a warm welcome, unforgettable experiences, passionate people, luxury accommodation and gourmet New Zealand cuisine.

The main lodge and seven individually appointed guest cabins have evolved from what was once a rustic fishing camp into one of the world’s finest sporting lodges. Poronui Lodge is the spiritual centre of Poronui. It is here, pre-dawn, that hunters and guides gather in anticipation of the challenges ahead and trophies to be won. After the morning hunt, the lodge hosts a hearty brunch for returning hunters, who can then choose to relax here with a good book or coffee in front of the open ﬁre. In the evening, guests gather here again to share stories over a dinner of outstanding local game expertly prepared in the lodge kitchen, and enjoy the genuine hospitality of Poronui staff.

Stay 4 nights at Poronui Lodge, Taupo (extend your stay for a longer hunt).

Accommodation: Poronui Lodge

Poronui Lodge Taupo Hunting packages New Zealand

Day 4, 5 and 6 Trophy Hunting

As a New Zealand outfitter, Poronui Hunting offers superb trophy Red Stag hunting, along with Fallow, Rusa, Sambar, Chamois, Tahr and their speciality – Sika. You can also hunt wild boar, Arapawa Ram and Feral Goat.

Paddle in streams and crawl around fallen logs to get into the perfect position to take your shot. The terrain is challenging but achievable and the hunt is always exciting. The experienced guides are passionate and knowledgeable and will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime.

Poronui believe the experience of the hunt is just as important as the size of the trophy, and strive to exceed both expectations. Whatever your passion, guests talk of the magic of hunting in New Zealand – the breathtaking locations, the genuine Kiwi warmth, and the camaraderie they share with guides and fellow adventurers.

**Poronui have a range of accommodation options from the luxury hunting lodge to a high country hut and top New Zealand hunting guides. Each property offers different species and hunting conditions. Hunting is primarily spot and stalk and they cater for both bow and rifle hunters.

Day 7 Wanaka, Minaret Station Alpine Lodge

Flight transfer Taupo to Queenstown – 5 hours (2 flights)

Board a domestic flight from Taupo to Queenstown. Here, you will meet your helicopter transfer to Minaret Lodge near Wanaka.

Wanaka is like no other and is New Zealand’s premier alpine destination. Here you will find stunning glacial lakes, incredible mountain vistas, world class hunting and all manner of outdoor pursuits.

Minaret Station Alpine Lodge is the epitome of comfortable and luxurious accommodation in the wilds of the Southern Alps. Minaret Station is only accessible by helicopter therefore treats guests to an authentic Alpine experience. Framed by the rugged beauty of this secluded mountain landscape, guests will enjoy a level of comfort and style never before available in New Zealand’s wilderness.

Guests staying at Minaret Station’s luxury lodge are hosted either exclusively, or accommodated as part of a group in one of the four luxuriously appointed Alpine Chalets. Impeccable cuisine is central to any luxury vacation experience. Using fresh local produce resident chefs and kitchen staff prepare modern European and Asian Fusion cuisine coupled with an extensive range of local and award winning wines. Guests can choose to dine in the Mountain Kitchen’s dining room, alfresco on the deck or in the privacy of their own chalet.

Stay 3 nights at Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, Wanaka (extend your stay for a longer hunt).

Accommodation: Minaret Station Alpine Lodge

Minaret Station Wanaka New Zealand hunting packages

Day 8 Heli Hunting

As one of New Zealand’s long established guided hunting businesses, Minaret Station offers a premium guided hunting experience. The Southern Alps are host to an expansive game population. With a temperate climate and in the absence of any natural predators, hunting provides excitement and trophy opportunities whilst also providing an important and essential conservation benefit.

Minaret Station privately owns a 50,000 acre parcel of wilderness, providing guests with exclusive access to prime hunting territory in the Southern Alps. In addition to this, Minaret Station holds independent concessions to hunt on conservation lands covering some four million acres including National Parks.

The region’s terrain is nothing short of dramatic. Gently undulating lowlands are shouldered by steep ridges rising to permanent snow fields. Clearly defined vegetation zones separate densely forested hillsides, sub alpine scrubland and open mountain-tops

A hand picked team of professional and highly experienced guides possess comprehensive local knowledge allowing guests to safely access remote areas of wilderness. All guides are well acquainted with the terrain and game species in New Zealand. Many have also spent numerous seasons guiding internationally, bringing a wealth of knowledge to enhance your experience. They are skilled at assessing a hunters’ personal ability and thus ensuring success. Whether guests are well seasoned and internationally experienced, or looking to pick up a rifle for the first time, the guides have the ability to adapt their expertise accordingly, ensuring the highest level of satisfaction is achieved. Minaret Station guides are also members of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association and are further trained specifically to exceed industry benchmarks.

Non-hunting companions are welcome to enjoy a wide range of exciting or relaxing activities on offer.

Minaret Station Hunting New Zealand packages

Day 9 A Day in the Wilderness

Relax…Heli Ski…Guided Fishing…More Hunting…Heli Adventures

Minaret Station provides New Zealand’s premier private heli-ski experience. Explore hundreds of square kilometers of untracked terrain on an exclusive private heli ski charter. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, if you can ski or snowboard then you can heli-ski.

Minaret Station Heli-Adventures allow guests to experience the otherwise inaccessible breathtaking wilderness of the Southern Alps. The options are endless. From scenic flights to heli-biking.

New Zealand is renowned as a world class fishing destination. Unquestionably Minaret Station is the first choice for guided fishing experiences. Minaret Station offers both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities within the remote Southern Alps, and off the coastline of New Zealand’s West Coast. A great diversity of wild fish species provides exceptional experiences for anglers of varying abilities.

Minaret Station Luxury Wilderness Retreat Wanaka

Day 10 Queenstown, Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Today your journey takes you to Queenstown, the ultimate luxury destination on New Zealand’s South Island. From world-class luxury lodges to indulgent spa experiences, superb cuisine and exclusive tours, Queenstown is a delight to experience.

Experience the best of Queenstown from the comfort of your premium lakefront penthouse at Eichard’s Private Hotel. For those who demand the height of excellence, the penthouse at Eichardt’s is the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounds, the penthouse offers pure indulgence. The Penthouse experience commences on arrival. Your dedicated butler will escort you to your rooms, where you will enjoy every luxury, including pre-dinner cocktails served in-suite, Krug Champagne, and an excellent selection of Moet & Hennessy spirits replenished daily. Enjoy daily breakfast prepared by your private chef.

Choose from an array of adventures to finish your vacation on a high note.

Stay 1 night in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Eichardt’s Private Hotel