10 Day North Island Luxury Itinerary

Explore the very best of the North Island with our luxury New Zealand tours. From private beaches to luxury lodges, discover a world of sophisticated splendor.

Our recommended luxury New Zealand tours are designed to serve as a starting point as you begin to plan your travels. From there, we will work with you to customise your chosen itinerary until it suits exactly what you imagined. Alternatively, we can work with you to design a bespoke itinerary if you have an idea of what you wish to include.

For a 10 Day North Island Luxury Itinerary, we recommend the following:

• Day 1 – Arrive Auckland
• Day 2 – Auckland
• Day 3 – Rotorua
• Day 4 – Rotorua & Mt Tarawera Helicopter Tour
• Day 5 – Taupo
• Day 6 – Taupo
• Day 7 – Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay
• Day 8 – Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay
• Day 9 – Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay
• Day 10 – Auckland
• Day 11 – Depart Auckland

Read on for full details of our 10 Day North Island Luxury Itinerary.

10 Day North Island Luxury New Zealand Tours

Day 1 Auckland

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.

Your exclusive New Zealand experience begins in Auckland, the gateway to the North Island. Collect your rental car, explore the city, then make your way to your luxury centrally located accommodation.

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.

Stay 2 nights in the Auckland

Accommodation: Park Hyatt, Auckland

Day 2 Auckland

Enjoy your day in Auckland! Spend some time relaxing at one of the numerous local beaches, climb a volcano, sail an America’s Cup yacht or just unwind with some shopping and local cuisine.

For an authentic kiwi afternoon visit Mission Bay, enjoy a stroll along the promenade, hire a kayak or stand up paddleboard, and refuel with some fresh fish and chips by the seaside.

Take a short ferry ride to Rangitoto Island, an iconic part of the Auckland landscape. Climb to the top of the dormant volcano on the Rangitoto Summit Track and experience stunning views of the city.

Participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back relax and watch the action as you sail around beautiful Waitemata Harbour.

Spend time shopping at some of Auckland’s popular fashion boutiques, exquisite jewellery stores or choose a special piece of art – some of New Zealand’s best local artists sell works in Devonport’s galleries, just a 15 minute ferry ride from the Downtown Ferry Terminal.

For outstanding culinary options with waterfront views, stroll to Viaduct Basin. Enjoy fresh local cuisine, al fresco dining or have a pint at the rooftop brewery – Dr Rudi’s.

Day 3 Rotorua

Driving time Auckland to Rotorua, 3.5 hours

Enjoy the scenic journey to Rotorua, distinguished by Maori culture and geothermal activity. This diverse city will put on a display as you encounter dramatic geysers, bubbling mud pools, crystal-clear streams, magical forests and 18 beautiful fresh water lakes.

Rotorua sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of this town’s past and present. Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland and is the tribal home of the Te Arawa people, who settled in its lakeside geothermal area more than 600 years ago.

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 2 nights in Rotorua.

Accommodation: Solitare Lodge

Day 4 Rotorua + Mt Tarawera by Heli

Fly to Mt Tarawera by helicopter with Volcanic Air, stand on the crater’s edge of this sacred mountain with sweeping panoramic views and experience a thrilling walk along the crater’s edge.

Later, discover Rotorua’s captivating geothermal landscapes with colourful sinter terraces, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools. Or join masterchef Charles Royal on an exclusive Māori food trail and bush tour.

Day 5 Taupo

Driving time Rotorua to Taupo, 1 hour

Enjoy the scenic journey to Taupo. Along the way, you may wish to visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Orakei Korako Geothermal Reserve, or Craters of the Moon.

Taupō is rich in natural beauty with attractions such as the Huka Falls. The Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited attraction, where more than 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every second. Keeping with the water theme, Taupō is a great lake for trout fishing and scenic boat cruises. The Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay, which can only be seen from the water, make for a great boat trip.

Immerse yourself in style on the shores of the Waikato River at Huka Lodge, long considered one of the top retreats in the world. Huka Lodge is set among established gardens along the banks of the surging Waikato River near Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island. Relaxation will come easy as you soak up the serenity with a glass of New Zealand wine expertly paired with cuisine by your executive chef. There are over 20 private dining options, from an intimate riverside pavilion to the atmospheric underground wine cellar.

Stay 2 nights in Taupo.

Accommodation: Huka Lodge

Day 6 Taupo

A stay in the spectacular parklike surrounds of Huka Lodge places guests at the doorstep to a host of wonderful experiences of the destination, from traditional fly fishing on the banks of the Waikato River to hiking, golfing and more. Of course, the luxurious setting at Huka Lodge invites leisurely pursuits onsite, including tennis, pétanque and croquet, while the option to read a book on the riverbank, wander the garden paths or enjoy a drink on the terrace are equally appealing.

Day 7 Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay

Driving time Taupo to Napier, 2 hours

Hawke’s Bay is among New Zealand’s leading producers of wine; notably red wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah – and stunning chardonnays. It is also New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, with the cities of Napier and Hastings rebuilt in the architectural styles of the time following the devastating 1931 earthquake.

Notable landmarks include Cape Kidnappers, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of gannets; Lake Waikaremoana, home to one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks; and Te Mata Peak, with its 360 degree views of Hawke’s Bay and spectacular walking tracks.

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, your luxury lodge for the next three nights, is one of the world’s most extraordinary luxury destinations, set on a 6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm with breathtaking views over the Pacific.

Honoured by Conde Naste Traveller’s Gold List 2017, The Farm exudes character and comfort. With 24 ultra-cosy and spacious cottage suites and a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage – all with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean – a stay at the Relais & Chateaux Cape Kidnappers is truly “farm luxe” at its best.

Stay 3 nights in Cape Kidnappers.

Accommodation: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Day 8 Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay

Leisure opportunities abound with a par 71 championship golf course designed by Tom Doak, luxurious spa facility, Kiwi Discovery walks where guests can interact with this precious native bird, and adventurous Can Am tours to the outreaches of Cape Kidnappers station.

Day 9 Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay

Immerse yourself in exclusive Hawkes Bay experiences at Cape Kidnappers. Enjoy a memorable selection of Hawkes Bay experiences such as Heli Fishing, hiking, or Can-Am Adventure tours are incredible ways to explore the land and sea of Cape Kidnappers. The team at The Farm are happy to suggest activities, or curate an experience that caters to your interests. Alternatively, relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit at The Spa at Cape Kidnappers.

Day 10 Auckland

Flight transfer Hawkes Bay to Auckland – 1.5 hours

Finish your vacation in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the city and sampling the exciting culinary scene. For more adventurous options venture to wild west coast beaches, namely Muriwai Beach or Piha, where the Tasman Sea meets long, vast stretches of black sand. Or visit nearby Rangitoto Island a dormant volcanic cone that sits just off the coast from the central city.

Stay 1 night in Auckland

Accommodation: Fable Auckland

Day 11 Depart Auckland

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

Explore Alternative Luxury New Zealand Tours

We also offer a 7 Day North Island Luxury Itinerary and a 14 Day North Island Luxury Itinerary.

Alternatively, explore our full range of luxury New Zealand tours. We offer special interest tours, South Island holidays, and more.

As we begin to customize your New Zealand vacation package, choose from a range of accommodation that includes luxury lodges on the North and South Island, 5-star hotels, wilderness lodges, luxury holiday homes and villas, and wellness retreats.

In addition, choose whether you prefer to rent a luxury vehicle, travel with a private guide, or use air transfers between each destination.

Finally, you have the option to change the experiences, destinations, and scheduling of our luxury New Zealand tours.

Contact New Zealand Luxury Escapes today to begin planning your North Island luxury holiday.