10-Day New Zealand Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day New Zealand tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in New Zealand South Island, incl. Christchurch and Queenstown

  

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  • Day 1

    Start your South Island adventure in Christchurch.

    Arrive before 4 PM to skip rush hour traffic. Stay near Cathedral Square for easy access to everything. "Wonderful trip, the city's rebuild since the 2011 earthquake is inspiring," one traveler shared. Spend your first evening walking along the Avon River and through the Botanic Gardens.

    
  • Day 2

    Drive to Lake Tekapo through the Canterbury Plains.

    Stop in Geraldine and visit Talbots Forest Cheese. Get there before 11 AM to avoid tour buses. The Church of the Good Shepherd offers great photo opportunities at sunset. Bring warm clothes. The lakes get cold even during summer.

    
  • Day 3

    Head to Oamaru, known for its Victorian buildings.

    Take 2-3 hours to walk through the historic area before going to Dunedin. Visit Larnach Castle first thing at 9 AM when it's quieter.

    
  • Day 4

    Trip to Te Anau takes about 4 hours.

    Break up your drive with stops in small towns like Gore. Try the Waiau River jet boat ride to see the wilderness up close. Book the glowworm cave tour for 7 PM. The caves look best when they're darkest.

    
  • Day 5

    Leave Te Anau by 7 AM for Milford Sound.

    Catch the morning light. Stop at Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel for photos. In Queenstown, pick accommodation near the lake to make getting around easier.

    
  • Day 6

    Drive to Franz Josef, about 6 hours.

    Visit Mrs. Jones' Fruit Stall in Cromwell between 9 AM and 5 PM for fresh fruit. Take a morning helicopter flight at Franz Josef before clouds appear.

    
  • Day 7

    Stop at Monteith's Brewery in Greymouth.

    Take the TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch. Book seats on the right side for mountain views. The train trip takes 4.5 hours through the Southern Alps.

    
  • Day 8

    Book flights after 10 AM on your last day.

    Avoid rushing. This route hits all the major spots while keeping drive times reasonable. Most drives are 3-4 hours with plenty of stops.

    

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• 10 Days in New Zealand, incl. Auckland and Queenstown

  From Auckland to Christchurch, 5 major cities reveal their secrets over 10 days, featuring Rotorua's Te Pā Tū Maori Experience, Queenstown's adventure activities, and Milford Sound's fjords. The tour includes UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie Reserve stargazing and Waipara Springs wine tasting.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Auckland

    Land in Auckland before 4 PM to settle in on your first evening. The Skybus runs every 15-20 minutes from the airport to downtown. On day two explore the city starting with the All Blacks Experience to learn about rugby culture. Visit Mission Bay in the afternoon when the sunlight makes the harbor views look their best.

    
  • Day 3

    Auckland to Rotorua

    Drive about 2 hours south to the Hobbiton Movie Set. Book the 9 AM tour to beat the crowds and get better photos. After that head to Rotorua for an evening at Te Puia where you'll see Māori culture and the Pohutu Geyser. Bring some extra layers since the geothermal areas get cool after dark.

    
  • Day 4

    Rotorua to Queenstown

    Start at the National Kiwi Hatchery then catch your afternoon flight to Queenstown. You'll have time for lunch at Eat Streat in Rotorua before leaving. Once you arrive in Queenstown take the Skyline Gondola up Bob's Peak to watch the sunset over Lake Wakatipu.

    
  • Day 5

    Milford Sound

    Leave early for your Milford Sound cruise. The drive from Queenstown is about 4 hours through Fiordland National Park. Bring motion sickness medicine for the winding roads and warm clothes since Milford is usually much cooler than Queenstown.

  • Days 6-7

    Queenstown Area

    Spend one full day exploring Queenstown's activities. Visit the Otago wine region on a half-day tour that stops at 3-4 vineyards. The next day drive to Lake Tekapo (3 hours) to see the Dark Sky Reserve at night. Pack warm clothing since temperatures often drop to near freezing.

  • Days 8-10

    Christchurch Region

    Drive to Christchurch (3 hours) and explore the rebuilt city center including the Transitional Cathedral. Visit a Canterbury sheep farm to see local farming and go wine tasting in Waipara Valley just 45 minutes north of the city.

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• Premium New Zealand South Island (9 destinations)

  

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  • Christchurch New Zealand

    103 mi

  • Greymouth New Zealand

    24 mi

  • Punakaiki New Zealand

    46 mi

  • Hokitika New Zealand

    59 mi

  • Franz Josef New Zealand

    76 mi

  • Makarora New Zealand

    32 mi

  • Wanaka New Zealand

    59 mi

  • Milford Sound New Zealand

    43 mi

  • Queenstown New Zealand

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