New Zealand 10-Day Tours & Itineraries

Explore 12 trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to New Zealand.
See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 10-day trips in New Zealand.
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Fiordland National Park
Map of Highlights of New Zealand - 10 Days
Highlights of New Zealand - 10 Days

This action-packed itinerary dives into New Zealand's South and North Islands for a wide variety of landscapes and attractions. Kicking off in the adrenaline capital of the world, you'll kayak through the Milford Sound, explore the scenic capital (Wellington), take part in Rotorua's geothermal treatments, tour Hobbiton, and finish the adventure in the cosmopolitan city of Auckland.

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Map of Best of New Zealand’s South Island - 10 Days
Best of New Zealand’s South Island - 10 Days

This 10-day road trip in the South Island combines the best New Zealand has to offer. Discover jaw-dropping scenery here, including Lake Tekapo and its turquoise waters, Mt. Cook and the surrounding glaciers, the peaks of Mt. Aspiring National Park and the magnificent fjords. You will also enjoy more intimate and off-the-beaten-path experiences, including the exploration of the Banks Peninsula, with its active wildlife setting, as well as immersing yourself in the historical gold rush of the small town of Clyde.

Aoraki/Mount Cook
Map of New Zealand: Fjords, Glaciers, & Mountains Self-Drive Tour - 10 Days
New Zealand: Fjords, Glaciers, & Mountains Self-Drive Tour - 10 Days

This 10-day road trip through New Zealand takes you through fjords, glaciers, and mountains abound. Begin in Christchurch on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, then take the beautiful drive to Mt Cook National Park to embark on two excursions to discover Tasman Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Next is another eventful drive—with stops along the way—to Te Anau, including a visit to a glowworm cave and a day cruise through stunning Milford Sound. Explore Queenstown and board a dinner cruise, visit Wanaka and Franz Joseph Glacier, and drop off your car before riding the exhilarating TranzAlpine Scenic Train back to Christchurch.

Cathedral Cove
Map of New Zealand: North Island Family Adventure - 10 Days
New Zealand: North Island Family Adventure - 10 Days

This family-friendly adventure takes you along the North Island highlights of New Zealand in 10 days. Begin in Auckland to do some sightseeing, and enjoy a wildlife adventure at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter. Then, drive to the Coromandel Peninsula to tour the beaches, coves, and gorges. Next is Rotorua, the geothermal city, to discover the Buried Village, Wai-O-Tapu, and Hells Gate Geothermal Park. Enjoy some outdoor thrills in the activities capital of Taupo, an enriching visit to Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, and so much more on this all-ages tour.

Discover New Zealand along the Rimutaka Trail
Map of New Zealand North Island Self-Drive & Cycling Tour - 10 Days
New Zealand North Island Self-Drive & Cycling Tour - 10 Days

This self-drive itinerary covers the highlights of New Zealand's North Island, from Auckland to Wellington. Along the way, you will park your car and switch to your mountain bike to ride unique cycling trails covering historic logging and railway routes, through dramatic landscapes of native bush, volcanoes, and mountains.

Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom)
Map of New Zealand: 'Middle Earth' Family Tour of the North Island - 10 Days
New Zealand: 'Middle Earth' Family Tour of the North Island - 10 Days

On this 10-day, family-friendly tour of the “Middle Earth” region of New Zealand, made famous by The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy, enjoy some of the best filming grounds, and plenty of adventure along the way. Discover Auckland and the landscapes of the beautiful Waitakere Ranges, and then head to Matamata for a visit to The Hobbit film site. Visit the Kiwi House and explore Waitomo’s glowworms, rivers, and caverns. Explore Tongariro National Park, home to LOTR’s Mt Doom, and enjoy a flight over Whakapapa Village. Visit more memorable filming locations out of Wellington, and cap off the trip by playing hobbit for a day at Weta Workshop.

Visit the Hobbiton set in Matamata
Map of New Zealand's North Island Nature & Middle-earth Family Tour - 10 Days
New Zealand's North Island Nature & Middle-earth Family Tour - 10 Days

Movie-loving families can step right into the world of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" on New Zealand's North Island. This fun 10-day itinerary combines Middle-earth highlights like the Hobbiton movie set and Weta Cave Workshop with a range of other active, outdoorsy adventures that parents and kids will love. Go zip lining on Waiheke Island, check out Rotorua's geothermal attractions, meet farm animals in Tauranga, and much more.

See New Zealand's little blue penguins
Map of South Island Active Family Adventure - 10 Days
South Island Active Family Adventure - 10 Days

Families with active older kids will love the range of outdoor, nature-focused, and adventurous excursions available on this 10-day South Island itinerary. Start in Queenstown for exhilarating, family-friendly activities like luging and jet boating. Explore the vast fjords of Fiordland National Park and glowworm caves at Te Anau, then hit the road and loop north toward Christchurch, spotting penguins in Oamaru, hiking to waterfalls in the Catlins, and whale watching in Kaikoura along the way.

This unique tour includes an overnight cruise in the Milford Sound
Map of Best of New Zealand's North & South Islands - 10 Days
Best of New Zealand's North & South Islands - 10 Days

This exciting itinerary combines top highlights in New Zealand's North and South Islands. Spend your first night in Auckland with a dinner cruise facing the twinkling skyline, then hit the road toward volcanoes, spouting geysers, and glow worm caves. Drop your car in Wellington, the nation's capital, and fly to Queenstown for adrenaline sports (if you choose), an overnight cruise in Milford Sound, and a wine tour to finish the adventure.

View over Piha Beach, Auckland
Map of North Island Active Family Road Trip: Auckland, Rotorua, Napier & Wellington - 10 Days
North Island Active Family Road Trip: Auckland, Rotorua, Napier & Wellington - 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary is the perfect match for adventurous families looking to experience the great outdoors of New Zealand's North Island. Starting in Auckland, you'll drive south to Wellington via Rotorua and Napier. Immerse yourself in nature along the way, experiencing native bush, bird, and animal life. Explore some of New Zealand's most intriguing land and cityscapes, including those of the imagination: a tour of the famous Weta Workshop will be a highlight for kids and adults alike.

Ride the chair lift in Queenstown
Map of Active South Island Family Vacation: Christchurch to Queenstown - 10 Days
Active South Island Family Vacation: Christchurch to Queenstown - 10 Days

New Zealand's South Island is a dream destination for active families, with a variety of adventure sports, outdoor activities, and nature reserves that will keep every member of the family entertained. This 10-day itinerary that starts in Christchurch and ends in Queenstown will take you through the Southern Alps, where you can stargaze at Aoraki / Mount Cook, cruise on Milford Sound, see glowworms at Te Anau, ride the luge in Queenstown, and more.

Explore the redwoods of Rotorua
Map of  New Zealand Nature for Families: Geysers, Glowworms & Lavender Fields  - 10 Days
New Zealand Nature for Families: Geysers, Glowworms & Lavender Fields - 10 Days

Explore the very best of New Zealand's natural wonders in this family-oriented 10-day trip. Begin by immersing yourself in Hobbit life at the Hobbiton film set, after which you will be taken to a vast underground network of caves lit up by glowworms. Take a nighttime walk among gigantic redwood trees along a lantern-lit path, and learn about Maori culture during a hearty feast in a natural forest amphitheater. Finally, ride a rail cart to some of New Zealand's most beautiful lavender fields.

Other durations: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 21 days