New Zealand Retreats: A 10-Day Itinerary for the South Island

Land in Queenstown and breathe in the alpine air. Whether you choose Eichardt’s Private Hotel, a heritage lakefront retreat, or Sofitel Queenstown, where Parisian touches meet New Zealand hospitality, your first evening is all about arrival and exhaling.

Explore the waterfront, sip local Pinot Noir, or take the Skyline Gondola up to a panoramic sunset. This is the South Island’s grand opening — and it doesn’t disappoint.

Dive into the wild heart of Fiordland National Park, one of the world’s most otherworldly landscapes. You can choose between a scenic flight and Milford Sound nature cruise, complete with a pilot-led bushwalk and waterfall views — or saddle up for horseback riding through the Te Anau Basin, where sheep-dotted hills open to 360° mountain views. See why a visit is a can’t miss by viewing my guide here.

A day made for wine lovers. Pedal (or cruise on e-bike) through Gibbston Valley’s award-winning vineyards, stopping at cellar doors, a gin distillery, and tucked-away picnic spots. Prefer luxury with altitude? Book a heli wine tour, complete with an alpine landing with private tastings and a wine-paired lunch. Wind down with a soak at Onsen Hot Pools, where lanterns float after dark and stars hang low above the river valley.

Trade roads for remote waters. Cruise through Doubtful Sound, the larger and less-visited sister of Milford. This 24-hour wilderness journey includes kayaking, wildlife spotting, and gourmet meals — all under a blanket of stars. PSA: Milford also offers overnight cruises.

Disembark and head into the heart of Wānaka, where wild landscapes meet small-town warmth. Two exceptional stays await:

• Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, accessible only by helicopter and known for heli-skiing, remote fly fishing, and elegant alpine charm

• Mahu Whenua, a sprawling conservation estate now exclusively available for full-property buyouts — perfect for weddings, wellness retreats, or gathering your people

Let this day be about slowing down and settling in. The lake, the views, the possibilities, they're all yours.

This is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of day. At Mahu Whenua, explore the land’s conservation legacy through private hikes, horse treks, or off-road adventures. Minaret Station offers remote heli-picnics, alpine hikes, and access to the family’s private backcountry experiences that shift your perspective.

Drive northeast through the Mackenzie Basin, where vibrant lupines bloom along the roadsides in late spring and striking turquoise glacial lakes like Tekapo and Pukaki mirror the sky. Choose the Galaxy Boutique Hotel in Tekapo for panoramic views and dark sky, or opt for The Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook — a historic retreat near New Zealand’s highest peak.

You can start with a heli-hike over the Tasman Glacier, or fly above the West Coast’s icy giants. Or take a slower route: a guided high-country walk on private land leading to sweeping views of New Zealand’s longest glacier and its milky-blue terminal lake.

Later, soak in the thermal pools at Tekapo Springs. Lay back in a floating hammock and look up — you’re soaking in the starlight.

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye, I often recommend a North Island finale:

• Waiheke Island: Stay at Omana Luxury Villas, dine with a sea view, and sip wine at coastal vineyards

• Lake Taupō: Choose between The Kinloch Manor & Villas for design-forward adventure or the legendary Huka Lodge, a riverfront hideaway with a royal-worthy reputation.

Conclude your journey with a Māori cultural experience in Rotorua — one of the most moving parts of any trip to Aotearoa. Participate in a traditional welcome, share a Hangi meal, and take part in storytelling under the stars.

It’s the kind of experience that stays with you — and reminds you that travel, at its best, connects.