10 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary

Our 10 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary offers the best of luxury travel New Zealand.

This itinerary is carefully designed to visit the top New Zealand luxury destinations while traveling at a comfortable pace. Explore breathtaking natural wonders from the Bay of Islands to Fiordland, staying at exquisite luxury lodges and hotels along the way.

Luxury travel New Zealand rewards visitors with an unparalleled look at the diverse natural beauty and sophistication this country has in abundance.

Our recommended 10 day itinerary for luxury travel New Zealand is as follows:

• Day 1 – Arrive in Auckland to Bay of Islands
• Day 2 – Bay of Islands & Private Charter Cruise
• Day 3 – Bay of Islands
• Day 4 – Auckland
• Day 5 – Rotorua
• Day 6 – Rotorua & Mount Tarawera by Helicopter
• Day 7 – Rotorua & Wai Ariki Hot Springs + Spas
• Day 8 – Queenstown
• Day 9 – Queenstown & Paradise Picnic by Helicopter
• Day 10 – Queenstown & Milford Sound Experience
• Day 11 – Depart Queenstown

Read on for the full details of this 10 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary.

10 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary: Luxury Travel New Zealand

Day 1 Auckland – Bay of Islands

Driving time Auckland to Bay of Islands – 4 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 the Bay of Islands a world renowned holiday destination offering over 144 islands to explore in a sub tropical paradise.

Eagles Nest, your multi-award winning New Zealand luxury hotel & retreat, is set within a 75 acre estate atop its own private ridgeline offering spectacular views of the Bay of Islands.  Unlike so many New Zealand luxury hotels, Eagles Nest at Russell in the Bay of Islands also offers the services of its own resident personal trainer and spa therapists ensuring the most indulgent of stays. Four of the five world class villas offers its own private heated horizon edged lap pool.

A team of talented resident personal chefs can spoil you for the evening. They will offer a specially designed menu of your choice featuring freshly caught fish, venison, lamb, crayfish (lobster) and more.

Stay 3 nights in Bay of Islands.

Accommodation: Eagles Nest

Day 2 Bay of Islands & Private Charter Cruise

Today, jump on board a 18m power catamaran, Pāua Cat, for your own private cruise into the beautiful Bay of Islands. Your skipper will deliver a tailored Bay of Islands experience with an island excursion where you can swim, snorkel and paddleboard, or simply relax on your private anchorage. Take in the natural beauty and enjoy!

Included is a flexible itinerary to suit the conditions on the day as well as your own specific destination requests, a gourmet barbecue lunch will be prepared and served by your onboard host. The boat is fully licensed with drink packages available on request.

Day 3 Bay of Islands

Relax and enjoy your day in the Bay of Islands. A smorgasbord of adventures are at your fingertips. World class big game fishing, scenic cruising, sailing, diving, kayaking, bush walking, mountain biking, helicopter flight seeing, and romantic picnics on your own private island are some of the many options available from Eagles Nest.

Alternatively, enjoy the beautiful seaside walking tracks.

Day 4 Auckland

Driving time Bay of Islands to Auckland – 3.5 hours

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city. Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. It’s where sparkling waters and lush landscapes meet city sophistication.

In the evening, the fairy lights of Federal Street will lure you into some of the finest restaurants in Auckland or head down to The Viaduct, a food and drinks hub in central Auckland. The Viaduct area is a mecca for excellent restaurants and roof top bars with a relaxing outlook of the harbour.

Park Hyatt Auckland is perfectly located on the water’s edge and offers expansive views across Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and out to the Waitematā Harbour. The sophisticated waterfront residence has 195 guestrooms, four restaurants and bars, versatile and elegant event spaces, a day spa, 25-metre infinity pool, and a full fitness center. Enjoy a luxurious, 5-star experience.

Day 5 Rotorua

Driving time Auckland to Rotorua – 3.5 hours 

Rotorua is known for crystal-clear streams and magical forests, bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing our fascinating Maori culture.

Rotorua also offers an adventure scene with an epic network of biking trails, walking trails and adventure activities such as rafting and tree-top zip lining.

Solitaire Lodge Rotorua, one of the first New Zealand luxury lodges, offers secluded luxury accommodation and attentive hosting from a spectacular lakeside location. Renowned for its fine dining, Solitaire Lodge serves contemporary New Zealand cuisine prepared with fresh local produce and complemented by superb wines from selected vineyards.

Your stay at Solitaire Lodge includes complimentary mini bar (alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and snacks), pre-dinner drinks and canapés, five course dinner, full country breakfast and light lunch. You will also have use of Lodge dinghies and kayaks.

Stay 3 nights in Rotorua.

Accommodation: Solitaire Lodge

Day 6 Rotorua + Mt Tarawera by Heli

This morning join Volcanic Air and fly to Mt Tarawera by helicopter. Stand on the crater’s edge of this sacred mountain with sweeping panoramic views and experience a thrilling walk along the crater’s edge.

Relax and explore Rotorua this afternoon, with the option to take a trip to one of the surrounding towns. One destination you may want to visit is Hamurana—this small township with 900 dwellings is located 15 kms (20 minutes drive) northeast of Rotorua, and is renowned for the stunning Hamurana Springs. A stream-side walk runs through a redwood grove with beautiful views of the crystal-clear water that runs into Lake Rotorua.

Day 7 Rotorua + Wai Ariki Hot Springs + Spas

Step into Wai Ariki, a place where Ngāti Whakaue culture, healing traditions, and warm hospitality converge. Nestled by the captivating Lake Rotorua, its name, ‘Chiefly Waters,’ reflects the majesty it holds. Owned and curated by the local iwi, you’ll discover the Wai Whakaora, a path to restoration, and the exclusive sanctuary, Āhuru Mōwai, both deeply rooted in Māori values. Experience a world of uniqueness that transcends borders and touches hearts. Wai Ariki awaits to embrace you with its magic.

Enjoy a 60 minute massage and 60 minute bathing, induce a calm balance between your mauri (vital energy) and your wairua (spirit). Your choice of signature oil blends, infused with rongoā rākau (plant remedies) further enhance this restorative massage.

This afternoon you have the option to a wander through Rotorua’s public Kuirau Park and discover the steaming, hissing and bubbling geothermal activity.

You also have the option to visit the Redwoods Treewalk, which features 23 suspension bridges through 115-year-old redwood trees, or explore the Government Gardens, located on the waterfront of Lake Rotorua.

Alternatively go back to your luxury resort and enjoy the facilities on offer.

Day 8 Queenstown

Flight transfer Rotorua to Queenstown – 3 hours 

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.

Collect your rental car and head to your Queenstown accommodation, Blanket Bay.

Nestled amidst rugged snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s finest Lodge – Blanket Bay. Here we celebrate the art of pure relaxation.

In this spectacular corner of New Zealand, discover endless ways to restore your physical and spiritual well-being. There is nowhere else on Earth where there are so many activities so close by – fly-fishing and heli-skiing, the country’s best hiking on the Routeburn or Milford Tracks, jet boating and kayaking, 4WD tours, horse riding, art trails and vineyards, plus flight-seeing over the World Heritage Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. And let’s not forget the numerous international standard golf courses around Queenstown.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Blanket Bay Lodge

Day 9 Queenstown + Paradise Picnic

Today, enjoy an unforgettable helicopter picnic in an alpine wonderland. Let Heliworks fly you to the ultimate location in paradise, where you get to relax, unwind and have time to take in all the beauty that only the incredible Earnslaw Burn can offer. Only Heliworks has helicopter access to this location, made famous by Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit and TV’s Travel Guides.

Enjoy a gourmet picnic with all the finest New Zealand produce, including wine or bubbles, while taking in the views of the cascading waterfalls and blue ice hanging glacier. This is the perfect romantic getaway!

Day 10 Queenstown & Milford Sound Experience

Enjoy a scenic flight over Fiordland to reach Milford Sound. Upon reaching Milford Sound, you will enjoy a 2.5 hour Milford Sound Nature Cruise.

With specialist nature guides on board, Real Journeys Nature Cruises offer a close-up experience of Milford Sound’s rainforest, soaring rock walls, towering snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, hanging valleys and wildlife… words just don’t do it justice, you have to see it for yourself! Throughout the cruise, the guides share stories of the fiord’s history and are happy to answer your questions.

After your cruise, relax on the flight while your pilot delivers you back to Queenstown.

Day 11 Depart Queenstown

As your unforgettable holiday draws to a close, soak in the views one last time before departing Queenstown at your leisure.

Luxury Travel New Zealand

Our luxury itineraries offer discerning travelers the very best experiences and indulgences for luxury travel New Zealand. In addition, we specialize in designing bespoke holidays to match exactly what you dream of.

We therefore offer a wide range of luxury, from 5-star hotels to exquisite luxury lodges, and from luxury vehicle rentals to helicopter transfers.

If you hope to experience both islands, we also offer a 7 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary and a 14 Day New Zealand Luxury Itinerary.

In addition, we offer a range of special interest itineraries, including honeymoon and elopement packages, golf holidays, Lord of the Rings tours, adventure holidays, and more.