Hey, as someone with a big appetite, a love for travel and sports, I definitely can’t miss out on this beautiful and delicious neighboring country! This time, I’ve planned a 10-day trip to New Zealand and hope to eat my way to heaven.

Day 1: Arrival in Auckland

• Upon arrival, check-in at the pre-booked hotel. It’s recommended to choose a hotel not far from the city center for ease of exploration.
• In the afternoon, take a stroll around Auckland city center and admire the beauty of the Sky Tower.
• Dinner, try New Zealand’s specialty cuisine – green-lipped mussels and cheese.

Day 2: Auckland → Hobbiton Village → Rotorua

• After breakfast, drive to Hobbiton Village to visit the filming location of “The Lord of the Rings”.
• In the afternoon, continue driving to Rotorua and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
• Upon arrival in Rotorua, check-in at the pre-booked hot spring resort.
• Dinner, try traditional Maori cuisine – earth oven feast.

Day 3: Rotorua

• After breakfast, visit the geothermal park and marvel at the wonders of nature.
• In the afternoon, relax in the hot springs.
• Dinner, try the local specialty restaurants.

Day 4: Rotorua → Tauranga Waterfall → Wellington

• After breakfast, drive to Tauranga Waterfall and admire one of the highest waterfalls in New Zealand.
• In the afternoon, continue driving to the capital city of Wellington.
• Upon arrival, check-in at the pre-booked hotel.
• Dinner, try the specialty restaurants in Wellington city center.

Day 5: Wellington

• After breakfast, visit the Te Papa National Museum to learn about the history and culture of New Zealand.
• In the afternoon, visit the Weta Workshop, the production studio for “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movies.
• Dinner, try the seafood feast in Wellington city center.

Day 6: Wellington → Christchurch

• After breakfast, take a domestic flight to Christchurch in the South Island.
• Upon arrival, check-in at the pre-booked hotel.
• In the afternoon, explore the city of Christchurch and experience its British charm.
• Dinner, try the local specialty lamb chops.

Day 7: Christchurch → Franz Josef Glacier

• After breakfast, drive to Franz Josef Glacier.
• In the afternoon, take a glacier hike and experience the beauty of the glacier.
• Upon arrival in the nearby town, check-in at the pre-booked hotel.
• Dinner, try the local specialty pizza.

Day 8: Franz Josef Glacier → Queenstown

• After breakfast, drive to Queenstown, a famous tourist destination in New Zealand.
• In the afternoon, experience the thrill of bungee jumping.
• Check-in at the pre-booked hotel.
• Dinner, try the local cuisine in Queenstown.

Day 9: Queenstown

• After breakfast, visit the beautiful scenery around Queenstown, such as Milford Sound.
• In the afternoon, enjoy the thrill of jet boating in Queenstown.
• Dinner, try the local cuisine again.

Day 10: Queenstown → Auckland

• After breakfast, take a domestic flight back to Auckland.
• On the last day, you can go shopping in Auckland and choose souvenirs for family and friends.
• In the evening, take the return flight and end this unforgettable trip to New Zealand.

When booking hotels, flights and activities, I usually use online travel platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor. These platforms provide rich information and discounts, making it easy to plan the trip.

Actually, I want to tell you a little secret. Although I have listed a detailed itinerary for New Zealand here, in reality, I don’t like having overly detailed plans. During the trip, I prefer unexpected surprises. Sometimes we may discover a great little eatery in a small alley, or meet an interesting local by chance. These spontaneous experiences can be the most memorable and enjoyable part of the trip.

As a side note, when traveling to New Zealand, it’s important to respect the local culture and customs. For example, it’s customary to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. It’s also important to be mindful of the environment and keep the natural beauty of New Zealand intact. Lastly, don’t forget to take out travel insurance before embarking on your trip to ensure peace of mind in case of any unexpected incidents.

Tags: Hobbiton, New Zealand, Queenstown