Classic 10 Day North & South Island Highlights Itinerary

After planning your personalised journey with one of our Travel Designers, your New Zealand adventure begins today. On arrival in Auckland, a private transfer can be arranged to meet you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel so you can settle in comfortably after your flight.

With time to relax this afternoon, start discovering the ‘City of Sails’. Surrounded by two harbours and dotted with volcanic cones, Auckland offers a vibrant waterfront, excellent dining and an easy coastal lifestyle.

Later today, enjoy an included visit to one of Auckland’s most iconic landmarks.

Auckland Sky Tower Entry
Rising 328 metres above the city, the Sky Tower is Auckland’s most recognisable landmark. From the observation decks, enjoy sweeping 360° views across the city, its twin harbours and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

Every First Light Travel itinerary is fully customisable. Speak with one of our expert Travel Designers to tailor this journey to your interests, travel dates and travel style.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Discover the heart of the Central North Island on a journey that blends iconic scenery, culture and wonder into one unforgettable day.

Begin your experience at the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set, where fantasy feels beautifully real. Wander through the charming village built to the scale of a 3-foot Hobbit, where smoking chimneys, lush gardens and storybook details bring Middle-earth to life.

Continue to Rotorua, a place shaped by extraordinary natural forces. Steaming lakes, geothermal landscapes and bubbling hot springs create a dramatic backdrop for your visit, while the region’s living Māori culture offers a powerful connection to the land and its history.

Your Travel Designer can adapt today’s inclusions to match your interests or even add another night in Auckland.

Approximate Distance: 240 km | 149 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 

Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 Night

Collect your rental vehicle on arrival at Christchurch Airport and drive to Mount Cook.

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is part of UNESCO's Te Wāhipounamu (The Place of Greenstone) World Heritage region. Here in Mackenzie Country you'll find Australasia's highest mountain - Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724m) - nestled in the splendid Southern Alps.

Known to Māori as Aoraki or Cloud Piercer, this magnificent mountain is surrounded by over 150 peaks along with countless glaciers, ice and snow fields, mountain lakes and ranges.

Today we recommend a Mount Cook Helicopter Flight, affording you a spectacular bird's eye view of these natural wonders, with a landing on the Tasman Glacier to make you feel like you're on top of the world.

Call us or enquire online to begin shaping your ideal New Zealand experience with your very own Travel Designer.

Approximate Distance: 330 km | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Mount Cook - 2 Nights

A day in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers a rich connection with nature. Explore alpine trails, glacial rivers, and scenic lookouts with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks. Prefer a slower pace? Enjoy a peaceful picnic or simply soak in the dramatic surroundings. As night falls, the park’s clear skies provide an exceptional stargazing experience. Whether you seek adventure or quiet reflection, this spectacular landscape caters to every nature enthusiast with unforgettable moments.

Today you have an included visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. The centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe. Designed to educate and entertain, the centre depicts Sir Edmund's longstanding connection with the region and touches upon his achievements, expeditions and life's work. 

Make the most of this morning to enjoy the beauty of Mount Cook National Park at your leisure. Take your time heading south this afternoon: you won't want to miss the spectacular scenery as it transforms from rugged ranges and mirror lakes to the winding Kawarau River Gorge. During your drive you might like to stop and visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. You will finally emerge into the lush green farmland surrounding Queenstown. 

Approximate Distance: 265 km | 164 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Sit back and take in the stunning views as you ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! You'll be carried 450 metres to the top of Bob's Peak where you get to experience a spectacular 220 degree panorama with breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak.

Although celebrated as New Zealand's 'adventure capital' Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Head down the Gibbston Valley wine trail to sample some of the region's best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett's 'Rata.' - but if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shot over Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or Heli-ski.

The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef is one of the most scenic in New Zealand. Mountain passes give way to ancient rainforest and the windswept West Coast. There's beauty around every bend, with woodland walks and dramatic waterfalls along the way - perfect for picnic stops. Nestled in a rainforest clearing, Franz Josef Glacier Village lies at the heart of the Westland National Park. Welcome to one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of New Zealand.

Take the time this afternoon for a walk to the Glaciers Terminal Face.

Approximate Distance: 355 km | 220 miles  Total Driving Time: 5 hours 

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 2 Nights

Today  you will pay a visit to the West Coast Wildlife Centre, the official home to the breeding and incubation program of Rowi Kiwi. Found only in the local South Okarito Forest, the Rowi is New Zealand's rarest species of kiwi. You also have the opportunity to view Tuatara, a highly endangered dinosaur like reptile found only in New Zealand.

While the Franz Josef Glacier is the star attraction, the village itself is the perfect base to enjoy the surrounding landscapes. You can wander through nearby rainforest tracks that offer stunning views of the glacier or visit scenic viewpoints. For a more leisurely experience, unwind at the local hot pools, soaking in the natural beauty of the area. 

Begin your morning with a breathtaking coastal drive to Greymouth. You might like to pause in Hokitika for a spot of shopping - this town is home to many artisan carvers of the local pounamu (greenstone), which is sacred to Maori. A unique, locally carved greenstone pendant would be a special way to remember your trip.

Arriving in the town of Greymouth it's time to drop off your rental vehicle and head to the station to begin the TranzAlpine Scenic Rail Journey.

Renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world, you will descend through spectacular gorges, river valleys and over massive viaducts before completing your journey at Christchurch.

Approximate Distance: 175 km | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

"Haere rā" Goodbye and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. We take care of your transfer to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.

Your New Zealand, or even South Pacific, story does not have to end here. When you are ready to return, the team at First Light Travel will be here to help design your next extraordinary journey.