How to Travel New Zealand in 10 Days
By: New Zealand Visa Online
With an incredible wealth of breathtaking scenery, caring and friendly people, and enormous activities to take part in, New Zealand is one of the most popular travel spots for fun-loving tourists. From the Waiheke Island to the skydiving and parasailing activities at Queenstown, New Zealand has a vast diversity of exciting activities and landscapes - a boon and a bane, it often gets difficult for visitors to choose which places to include in their trip to New Zealand.
Worry not, as we are here to help you out - the perfect New Zealand travel itinerary, plan your perfect trip in 10 days!
New Zealand Visa Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. Government of New Zealand now officially recommends New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain NZETA by filling out a form in under three minutes on this website. The only requirement is to have a Debit or Credit Card and email id. You do not need to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.
Day 1 - Arriving in Auckland and settling down (Auckland)
We are sure you have been looking forward to your dream trip for days. The perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your family or friends, when your flight finally lands in Auckland, you are sure to be happy but jet-lagged. So instead of jumping into your sightseeing and adventures right away, we will recommend you take your time to settle in and enjoy the luxury of your hotel. Have a tight night’s sleep, let your jetlag shed off, and prepare yourself for an exciting week ahead!
Day 2 - Visiting the Waiheke Island and the Sky Tower (Auckland)
Your exciting adventure in Auckland will start with a stop at Waiheke Island. Visitors can avail a ferry to reach their destination, and we can assure you that the magnificent blue ocean and the pearl blue sky is going to make your dream destination picture-perfect! The exquisite beach, stunning sceneries, and exceptional weather of Waiheke Island are going to offer an out-of-the-world experience to all its visitors, and you are sure to fall in love with every part of it.
Once you are done with Waiheke Island, you can proceed to the mainland of Auckland city which will offer you a stunning panoramic view from the huge multi-storied Sky Tower. The majestic but thrilling experience of standing at such a height will make you feel like you are standing at the top of the world!
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Rotorua is a special place that is unlike anyplace else in the world, whether you are an adrenaline junkie, want to get your cultural dose, want to explore the geothermal marvels, or just want to unwind from the strains of everyday life in the midst of gorgeous natural surroundings. Learn about The Top Things To Do In Rotorua For The Adventurous Vacationer
Day 3 - Visiting the Bay of Islands and taking the helicopter ride to the ‘Hole in the Rock’ (Paihia)
Your third day in New Zealand will involve a visit to the popular Bay of Islands. If you are a lover of smooth drives, consider renting a car and driving to the location yourself. The smooth driving experience of 3 hours will leave you with a smile on your face, which will only go bigger as you reach the main waterfront town of Paihia. A buzzing town with stunning scenic news, it is the best place to have your hotel at!
The first destination in the town will be the popular spot called ‘Hole in the Rock’ located in the heart of the Bay of Islands. The virgin beauty of the place is best explored from a helicopter, and we can assure you, the stunning blue sky that plays as a backdrop of the exquisite islands is going to throw every traveler aback! The thrill of riding a helicopter is going to be etched into your memory forever.
Day 4 - The exciting scuba dive experience (Paihia)
One of the most fun and exhilarating parts of your New Zealand tour, the fourth day will involve a scuba diving experience. However, before you start your day, you will be required to visit one of the diving shops in Paihia and fulfill the formalities. From there, the scuba diving spot will take an aggregate ferry ride of 45 minutes.
Even if you are not a big lover of adventurous sports, the scuba diving experience is a must-have for every tourist in New Zealand! A mind-blowing activity that will change your whole life, witnessing the diverse marine life from such close proximity is an enchanting and surreal experience that will make you wish to come back for more and more.
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For short stays, vacations, or professional visitor activities, New Zealand now has a new entrance requirement known as the eTA New Zealand Visa. All non-citizens must possess a current visa or digital travel authorization to enter New Zealand. Apply For NZ eTA with the Online New Zealand Visa Application.
Day 5 - Spend a day at Rotorua and witness the vivacious nightlife of Auckland (Auckland)
A six-hour drive from Paihia, a day at Rotorua is a must-have for a soothing and calm break from all your adventure-filled days! The town is in itself a rather pleasant place to be and the friendly attitude of the townsfolk is guaranteed to brighten up your mood. Do not miss out on the delicious breakfasts from the local cafes while you are there.
A trip to New Zealand is simply incomplete if you do not experience the lively nightlife of Auckland. Filled with amazing casinos and pubs, here you are free to party and have fun till the wee hours of the morning. There is simply no alternative to having a vibrant night out with your partner or travel buddies than this!
Day 6 - Visiting the Thermal Village in Rotorua (Rotorua)
A drive of about 3 to 4 hours from the mainland, this unique destination is going to be one of your favorites! The main attraction of this thermal village in Rotorua is the famous ‘natural hot water pools’ which were created because of the geothermal activities that took place in this area. A truly marvelous experience that is bound to stand out, every chore that you can imagine, from cleaning to cooking, everything is done in the hot water that you will see at this place.
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Learn about New Zealand Weather.
Day 7 - The hot water pool session (Queenstown)
The next stop on your trip will be Queenstown, for which you will need to catch a flight from Auckland early in the morning of Day 7. Once you land at Queenstown, make sure that you book an accessible hotel, leave all your luggage, and take a short break before you head over to the next destination for your day.
Next, you will be heading over to the heart of the queen of the mountains, where you can take a relaxing bath in a hot water pool and get relief from all your stress. The resort that overlooks the stunning hills is a sight to behold, the one-hour activity will leave you energized and ready for a new day and new adventure!
Day 8 - Experiencing the Gondola Ride and Shotover (Queenstown)
Having energized yourself the previous day, it is the day of having one of the biggest adventures in your trip to New Zealand, if not in your whole life! For the first part, you will be taking part in a gondola ride. A soothing yet adventurous experience, the view that you will get from the top is so serene that you will feel at one with nature itself.
Now that you have had a calming experience, it is about time to be a part of something more exciting - now you will be taking part in a shotover ride, in which you will be put in a motor raft that speeds through a running river. This thrilling adventure which many believe is the father of river rafting will keep the heartbeats pounding of all thrill-seekers!
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We previously covered stunning Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
Day 9 - The Milford Sound Tour (Queenstown)
The 9th day is reserved for The Milford Sound Tour, and once you have had your hotel breakfast, you will need to hop into a shuttle, which will take you to the point of attraction. In this 4-hour long shuttle ride, you will come across at least 150 waterfalls, both big and small, which will leave you in awe at the astonishing beauty of nature.
Once you come onboard The Milford Sound cruise, you will be taking part in a surreal journey that is filled with mist, clouds, and mountains, everywhere you see. The cruise will ultimately take you onto a magnificent sea, and we can assure you, there are simply no words that can describe the grand running experience!
Day 10 - Skydiving or Parasailing (Queenstown)
Yet another grand exciting adventure that is going to shape your New Zealand tour, end your trip with the sky diving experience! It will tell you what it feels like to step out of an airplane that is sailing at a height of 15,000 feet, and freefall for up to a minute before your parachute opens up, and eventually glides you back to the earth. An experience that can only be described when you have it yourself, Queenstown is the birthplace of sky diving in the country!
Parasailing is another experience that will offer you the ultimate bird's eye view of Queenstown town and Lake Wakatipu. You can choose either to fly by yourself or with your travel buddies, this is an experience that you simply cannot miss out on!
An excellent travel destination for all solo and group travelers, New Zealand stands out for its scenic beauty, exciting activities, and friendly and caring people. So pack and bags and gather your friends. It is time to head out for the journey of a lifetime!
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Hong Kong citizens, and United Kingdom citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.
Please apply for a New Zealand eTA 72 hours in advance of your flight.