New Zealand in 11 Days: 4 Recommended 11-day Itineraries to New Zealand
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New Zealand 11-day Itinerary Options
Stuck for ideas? Take a look at our recommended New Zealand 11-day itinerary suggestions below. From the stunning fjords of Milford Sound to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, these plans cover both iconic highlights and hidden gems, making the most of your time in this spectacular country.
Itinerary #1: North Island Explorer
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Auckland and tuck into the city’s world-class gastronomic scene. | Arrival |
| Day 2 | Visit the Harbor Bridge, Reed Memorial Park, Whangarei Falls, and Bay of Islands. | Island exploration |
| Day 3 | Check out the northern tip of New Zealand at Cape Reinga. | Exploration |
| Day 4 | Return to the capital to shop at harborside markets and visit the Auckland Museum. | Museum visits |
| Day 5 | Travel to Whitianga and explore the stunning landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula. | Exploration |
| Day 6 | Soak in bubbling springs at Hot Water Beach and catch a ferry to historic Cooks Beach. | Beach exploration |
| Day 7 | Cruise to Rotorua, the epicenter of NZ’s Maori culture and geothermal activity. | Cruise tour |
| Day 8 | Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley before dinner and show at Tamaki Maori Village. | Village exploration |
| Day 9 | Explore the Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, and Tongariro, the backdrop of the LOTR’s ‘Mordor’. | Exploration |
| Day 10 | Travel to Wellington to visit Parliament, Kelburn Lookout, and the Te Papa Museum. | Museum visits |
| Day 11 | Transfer to the airport for your flight home. | Departure |
Experience the magic of the North Island with this 11-day New Zealand itinerary. Savor New Zealand's highlights on this action-packed trip, from bustling cities to quaint country towns and breezy coastlines to steamy volcanic plateaus. Culture vultures can visit numerous insightful museums (Te Papa is a must), while nature lovers can admire the Coromandel Peninsula and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Save the South Island for another trip and give the North the attention it deserves. See all New Zealand tours.
Itinerary #2: Southern Wonders of New Zealand
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Christchurch and explore Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens. | Arrival |
| Day 2 | Take the world-famous TranzAlpine train to Greymouth and transfer to Hokitika. | Train ride |
| Day 3 | Visit a local jade-carving center, the National Kiwi Centre, and bunker down in Franz Josef. | Exploration |
| Day 4 | Admire the iconic Franz Josef Glacier from a helicopter, then cruise Lake Mapourika. | Helicopter ride and cruise tour |
| Day 5 | Visit the Chinese gold-digging settlement of Arrowtown before taking the Queenstown trip. | Exploration |
| Day 6 | Brave dare-devil adventure sports, sip sublime wines or hike around Queenstown. | Wine tasting and hiking |
| Day 7 | Climb Queenstown Hill, then travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. | Hiking |
| Day 8 | Take a two-hour cruise in Milford Sound, then head south towards Invercargill. | Cruise tour |
| Day 9 | Explore Edwardian and Art Deco buildings before transferring to Dunedin. | Exploration |
| Day 10 | Sip Dunedin whisky and admire marine life, then visit the Moeraki Boulders and Oamaru. | Exploration |
| Day 11 | Transfer back to Christchurch for your flight home. | Departure |
Got a thing for magnificent ice-capped mountains? New Zealand’s South Island has those in droves. The world-famous TranzAlpine train offers the best high-altitude views, but the scenery everywhere will blow you away. Misty rainforests, groaning glaciers, mirror-like lakes, and jaw-dropping fjords come standard in the South Island. Over 11 days in New Zealand, visit highlights like Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Invercargill, and Dunedin.
Itinerary #3: Kiwi Adventure: Caves, Peaks, and Iconic Landscapes
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Start your trip in Auckland and visit the Harbor Bridge and Reed Memorial Park. | Arrival |
| Day 2 | Explore the Waitomo Caves and Te Puia Geothermal Park in Rotorua. | Cave exploration |
| Day 3 | Discover the real Middle-Earth on a two-hour Hobbiton Movie Set tour | Exploration |
| Day 4 | Fly from Rotorua to Christchurch and explore on a traditional tram | Exploration |
| Day 5 | Travel to Mount Cook National Park to see New Zealand’s highest mountain | Hiking |
| Day 6 | Cross Lindis Pass and arrive at the adventure capital of Queenstown | Exploration |
| Day 7 | Enjoy thrilling activities or ride the gondola for sweeping views | Exploration |
| Day 8 | Cruise Milford Sound and return back to Queenstown | Cruise tour |
| Day 9 | Head to Franz Josef and take a glacier helicopter tour | Helicopter tour |
| Day 10 | Travel to Greymouth and take the TranzAlpine Crossing to Christchurch | Exploration |
| Day 11 | Visit the Botanic Gardens before catching your flight back home | Departure |
Travelers seeking to savor both islands should check out this combined itinerary. Flying between Rotorua and Christchurch slashes travel time and gives you room to explore all the highlights, from geyser spotting in Te Puia to adventure sports in Queenstown. No best-of-New Zealand tour would be complete without Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, Mount Cook, Rotorua, and Hobbiton—this trip lets you see them all.
Itinerary #4: North Island Revive for Adventure Lovers
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Auckland and admire the city from the SkyTower | Arrival |
| Day 2 | Visit Whangarei Falls and the Waitangi ‘Birthplace of the Nation’ | Exploration |
| Day 3 | Sail around the Bay of Islands to fish or spot dolphins | Island exploration |
| Day 4 | Paddle in a traditional Maori Waka to Haruru Falls, then return back to Auckland | Boat tour |
| Day 5 | Visit a black sand beach at Manu Bay and take a boat ride through the Waitomo Caves | Beach exploration |
| Day 6 | Meet little people in Hobbiton, then walk among giants at the Rotorua Redwoods | Walking tour |
| Day 7 | Check out Rotorua’s National Kiwi Hatchery, gondola, geysers, and Te Pa Tu Maori Village | Village visits |
| Day 8 | Admire Great Lake Taupo and Huka Falls, then join a sailing trip in Lake Taupō | Boat trip |
| Day 9 | Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand’s best one-day hike | Hiking |
| Day 10 | Go white-water rafting in Rangitikei River or horseback riding in River Valley | Horseback riding |
| Day 11 | Watch a gumboot-throwing competition in Taihape and travel to Wellington to fly home | Departure |
Queenstown might be New Zealand’s adventure capital, but it’s not the only place to get an adrenaline fix. Awash with steamy geysers, thundering falls, and vast volcanic landscapes, the North Island is a paradise for outdoorsy types. This action-packed itinerary includes an array of gung-ho activities, from kayaking to hiking and white-water rafting. A solid dose of culture and stunning North Island scenery ensure a well-rounded 11-day New Zealand tour.
Need help in planning your 11-day itinerary to New Zealand?
These curated North and South Island itineraries offer plenty of thrills for travelers planning 11 days in New Zealand. Got less time to kill? Check out our 7 days in New Zealand and 10 days in New Zealand suggestions. You can also check out our article on how long to stay in New Zealand.
If you’re looking for a fully customized tour to New Zealand, contact our local travel experts today. For more New Zealand 11-day itinerary plans, go through our New Zealand travel guide. For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit New Zealand.
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