15 Luxury Lodges of New Zealand

The Ultimate Five-Star Journey

Discover Four Unforgettable Luxury Lodges in New Zealand’s Most Breathtaking Locations

On this 15-day New Zealand journey, four exceptional luxury lodges form the heart of your adventure—each in a breathtaking location that feels entirely your own. From serene coastal hideaways to dramatic alpine retreats, these world-class properties are renowned for exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and warm hospitality.

This itinerary is just the beginning—an inspiring base for your bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime escape. We’ll tailor every detail to your passions, ensuring each day blends luxury, authenticity, and unforgettable moments.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Milford Sound Helicopter Tour

  • Private Wine Tour

  • Optional Fly Fishing

  • Private Driver

  • New Zealand’s Best Lodges

  • Fine Dining

Day 1: Welcome to Auckland

  • Auckland, New Zealand's self-proclaimed "City of Sails" is the country's largest metro area. Resting between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, this urban paradise has something for everyone. Surrounded by native bush, rainforests, and an abundance of beaches, Auckland is a playground for both the city savvy and those with an eye for adventure. Explore the central museums and galleries on foot, or get out onto the water to experience the best views of the city.

  • Private Transfer Auckland Airport to Delamore Lodge

    You will be met at the Auckland airport by the driver and transferred to a private water taxi then onto Delamore Lodge.

    Option for Private Helicopter transfer

  • Delamore Lodge

    Delamore Lodge is built cliffside with commanding views overlooking Owhanake Bay, superior facilities, first-class service, and delicious dining. Inspired by the Mediterranean with a unique New Zealand flavor, this elegant and exclusive luxury lodge is designed in the shape of a traditional Maori fish hook (Matau) and is literally molded into the hillside.

    Includes: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 2: Waiheke Island

  • Waiheke Island is a sanctuary of natural beauty, where lush landscapes and pristine coastlines invite endless exploration. For those with a taste for adventure, the island offers an array of exhilarating pursuits — from private guided mountain biking trails and bespoke sea kayaking excursions, to deep-sea fishing charters, luxury sailing voyages, and refined archery experiences.

    Beyond its natural splendour, Waiheke is a haven for creativity, where acclaimed artists and master artisans showcase exquisite sculpture, hand-blown glass, fine art, and intricately crafted woodwork in elegant galleries, boutique studios, and exclusive markets.

  • The Wine Connoisseur's Tour

    A private wine-focused tour for those who wish to indulge their passion for fine wine visiting three of Waiheke's top wine producers. Taste a selection of premium wines and learn about them from the winemaker, owner, or senior team member

Day 3: Hauraki Gulf

  • Encompassing over a million hectares of glistening sapphire waters adorned with emerald-green islands, the Hauraki Gulf is a playground of endless maritime pleasures and secluded island escapes. Celebrated by Lonely Planet as New Zealand’s premier experience, Auckland’s harbour and the Gulf offer an unparalleled blend of adventure and elegance. Indulge in private yacht charters, bespoke kayaking tours, deep-sea fishing expeditions, or the thrill of jet boating. Or simply surrender to the tranquillity of a luxury harbour cruise, where fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and panoramic vistas create an unforgettable journey.

  • Full Day Fishing Charter (Private)

    Come on the ultimate Waiheke fishing charter. We will target in-season fish from snapper, kingfish, kahawai, john dory, and many other species along the way. We will go where the fishing takes us around the Hauraki Gulf. Our local and experienced Skipper will take you to the best fishing spots around the Hauraki Gulf and at the end of the day, your fish will be cleaned, filleted and ready to eat!

Day 4: Auckland to Taupo

  • Your private journey south from Auckland unfolds in refined comfort, sweeping past the verdant Bombay Hills — the graceful threshold between the cosmopolitan charm of the city and the pastoral beauty beyond. Beyond this natural boundary, the landscape opens into the rolling emerald farmland and lush dairy pastures of the Waikato, a region steeped in rural elegance. As you meander through quaint farming communities, the scenery slowly transforms, and delicate veils of steam rise from the earth — a tantalising prelude to the geothermal wonders ahead. Soon, the road delivers you to the legendary Huka Lodge, an icon of sophistication nestled beside the roaring Waikato River


  • Private Tour

    Private guided sight seeing tour to Hula Lodge with multiple photos stops.

    Option to transfer on a private helicopter

  • Huka Lodge

    Long regarded as one of the world’s most revered and inspirational luxury accommodations, Huka Lodge is set among established gardens along the banks of the surging Waikato River near Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island. With humble beginnings nearly a century ago as a fishermen’s camp made famous for its trout-rich waters and featuring white canvas tents along the river’s edge, today Huka Lodge has secured its place as one of the country’s oldest and celebrated luxury lodge with an impressive heritage, welcoming some of the world’s most influential guests to the region.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Taupo

  • Taupō, nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, is a destination of extraordinary natural beauty and refined adventure. Set along the shimmering shores of the country’s largest lake — a vast, sapphire expanse formed within an ancient volcanic caldera — this elegant retreat offers world-class experiences from trophy trout fishing to exhilarating private jet boat excursions. The lake’s pristine waters spill into the iconic Huka Falls, where crystal-blue torrents cascade with breathtaking force, best admired on a guided hike or bespoke cycling tour. Encircling the town, natural hot springs and ethereal geothermal landscapes, such as the steaming Craters of the Moon, invite indulgent moments of relaxation and wonder.

  • Fly Fishing

    Huka Lodge has its very foundations in the sport of fly fishing, as the trout-rich Waikato River which flows alongside the property was the original motivation for Alan Pye to set up a series of white canvas tents as a well-positioned fishermen’s camp. As word of the bountiful properties of the river spread, visitors came to the remote outpost from around the world to cast their lines and try for a bite.

Day 6: Rotorua

  • Cradled within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions, Rotorua is a land where nature performs in its most dramatic form — from mineral-rich hot springs and bubbling mud pools to ethereal clouds of steam rising from deep within the earth. Beyond its geothermal wonders, Rotorua is steeped in a rich indigenous heritage, home to esteemed Māori tribes whose traditions infuse the region with profound cultural significance. A private visit to an authentic Māori village offers an intimate glimpse into this living legacy, while an indulgent escape to the renowned Polynesian Spa promises pure rejuvenation, where you can soak in therapeutic mineral waters against a backdrop of serene lake views.

  • Mount Tarawera & Orakei Korako Thermal Explorer by Helicopter

    Combine the thrill of landing on Mount Tarawera with a flight that includes spectacular aerial views of Rotorua's stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves.

    Leaving Wai-O-Tapu, descend to follow the Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Once landed, you will ferry across the river and begin your land-based tour. Experience hot springs, gushing geysers and the natural beauty of this geothermal wonderland. The return flight takes in views of farmland and the Paeroa mountain range before flying over Rotorua City and returning to the lakefront pier.

Day 7: Huka Lodge

  • A stay at Huka Lodge is an immersion into a world of rare elegance and serene beauty, where the rhythm of flowing waters echoes the tranquillity of the sea. Palatial suites and two ultra-exclusive Owners’ Residences provide sumptuous, private sanctuaries, each opening to mesmerising views of the ever-changing Waikato River, its sapphire currents as captivating as an ocean tide. Indulge in our collection of bespoke packages, each thoughtfully curated with generous inclusions to create a stay as effortlessly luxurious as it is unforgettable.

  • Enjoy the Huka Lodges in-house wellness centre

    A range of facial therapies employs the organic, plant-based Janesce skin care range to offer a rejuvenating, reinvigorating treatment using aromatic oils and healing masks as well as relaxing massage techniques. A green peel treatment aligns with Taupō's lush green surrounds and deep, rolling river..

Day 8: Taupo to Christchurch

  • Board a seamless domestic flight to Christchurch, New Zealand’s famed Garden City, where timeless elegance meets contemporary vibrance. Framed by a sweeping green belt, the city charms with its grand, tree-lined avenues and exquisitely manicured gardens. Discover its beauty in style — perhaps aboard a restored heritage tram, gliding past architectural gems en route to the renowned Botanic Gardens, a sanctuary of rare and exotic blooms. Don’t miss the remarkable Transitional Cathedral, an award-winning architectural marvel ingeniously crafted from cardboard, embodying both innovation and grace.

  • Private Transfer to Taupo Airport then from Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Accommodation

    You will be met at the Christchurch airport by the driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.

  • The George Hotel

    The George is the essence of supreme comfort. The award-winning 5 star hotel is opposite Hagley Park and just a few minutes stroll from the Botanic Gardens. It also has an award-winning restaurant, 50 Bistro onsite.

    Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Christchurch to The Lindis

  • Journeying across the vast Canterbury Plains, the fertile landscapes that once drew early settlers unfold in a tapestry of pastoral beauty. Leaving the city behind, the horizon begins to rise, revealing the majestic Southern Alps. Along the way, the crystalline turquoise waters of Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki shimmer like rare jewels, framing awe-inspiring vistas of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest and most revered peak. Your day concludes at the incomparable Lindis Lodge — an architectural masterpiece seamlessly woven into the surrounding wilderness, offering a sanctuary of refined elegance beneath a canopy of endless southern stars.

  • Private Tour

    Private guided sight seeing tour to your accommodation with multiple photos stops.

    Option to take a private Helicopter

  • The Lindis Lodge

    Near the bottom of the habitable world is the breathtaking and pristine Ahuriri Valley. Carved over millions of years by the once fierce glacial waters of the Ahuriri River, the valley is now a tranquil, yet a comfortingly rugged slice of paradise in New Zealand’s South. And resting almost imperceptibly on the valley floor is The Lindis, a truly unique luxury lodge.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Aoraki/Mt Cook

  • No journey through the Mackenzie Region is complete without a pilgrimage to the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak and a revered natural icon. Here, snow-capped summits rise like ocean waves frozen in time, and alpine streams sparkle with the clarity of glacial waters. Among the many walking and hiking trails, the celebrated Hooker Valley Track offers a truly unforgettable experience — a graceful path leading past crystal-fed rivers, dramatic swing bridges, and sweeping vistas where the mountains meet the sky in a horizon as endless as the sea.

  • Mt Cook Private Heli Hike

    A bespoke, private helicopter charter flying North along the main divide of the Southern Alps passing New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki/Mt. Cook at 12,218 feet (3,724 metres).

    Landing amidst the crevasses of the Tasman Glacier, you will put on snowshoes or crampons to explore the glacier’s seracs, icefalls, and astonishing caves of ancient blue ice. Lunch and all equipment is included and your professional guide will choose a stunning location to enjoy your gourmet picnic.

Day 11: The Lindis

  • At The Lindis, the connection to the valley flows effortlessly beyond the lodge’s walls, immersing you in the untamed beauty of the Ahuriri. This pristine landscape offers a wealth of ways to explore, each tailored by our attentive and knowledgeable team to suit your personal desires. Cast your line in the world-renowned Ahuriri River for an unforgettable fly-fishing experience, traverse the high country on horseback along trails both gentle and exhilarating, or surrender to the magic of some of the clearest night skies on earth, where stargazing becomes an awe-inspiring celestial event. Here, every moment is a bespoke encounter with nature at its most refined.

  • Horse Riding

    With 14-bay stables, 12 horses, and 1 foal on-site, trek across high country farmland with breathtaking views of Ben Avon station and the surrounding Ahuriri Valley.

    3 treks are available, each catering to different riding levels

Day 12: The Lindis to Queenstown

  • Glide over the golden curves of the spectacular Lindis Pass, where the land rolls like waves toward the horizon, before arriving in Cromwell, a charming enclave graced with award-winning vineyards. Continue south into the Queenstown region, the world’s celebrated adventure capital, where alpine grandeur meets the serene beauty of deep blue waters. Following the shimmering shoreline of Lake Wakatipu — its surface shifting like a restless sea beneath towering peaks — you arrive at the exquisite Matakauri Lodge, a sanctuary of understated elegance with panoramic lake and mountain views.

  • Private Tour

    Private guided sight seeing tour to Matakauri Lodge with multiple photos stops.

    Option to transfer on a private helicopter

  • Matakauri

    With clean lines in glass, stone, and timber, Matakauri’s own take on luxury is understated and welcoming – embracing guests and championing the mountainscape. Four suites are classically located within the main lodge, with the remaining suites nestled on the banks of Lake Wakatipu overlooking the mountain panorama. Styled by acclaimed interior designer Virginia Fisher, you won’t want to leave your sumptuous suite with its awe-inspiring views

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: Milford Sound

  • Celebrated by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a masterpiece of nature’s design and a must-visit destination in New Zealand. This awe-inspiring fiord captivates in every season, its sheer cliffs and dramatic mountain peaks rising majestically above tranquil, deep-blue waters. Towering waterfalls — some cascading over 1,000 metres — create a spectacle of pure grandeur, and when the frequent rain falls, countless new streams emerge, tumbling from the heights in a breathtaking display. Whether explored by luxury cruise, private charter, or scenic flight, Milford Sound promises an unforgettable experience of world-class natural beauty.

  • Milford Sound Fly/Cruise/Fly

    Take a fixed wing shared flight spanning secluded alpine lakes, lush rainforest, and rugged mountain peaks of the Southern Alps. Land in Milford Sound and board a shared vessel for a 90 minute cruise. View cascading waterfalls, towering rocks, and unique wildlife as you voyage out to the Tasman Sea

    At the end of your cruise return to Queenstown via a different flight path taking in lake Wakatipu and the Glenorchy.

Day 14: Queenstown

  • Renowned as New Zealand’s “Adventure Capital,” Queenstown offers far more than adrenaline-fuelled thrills — it is a world-class destination of alpine elegance, gourmet indulgence, and breathtaking landscapes. Nestled on the shimmering shores of Lake Wakatipu and framed by the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range, this enchanting town invites you to discover its rich history, award-winning vineyards, and extraordinary dining experiences. For those seeking Queenstown’s famous rush of adventure, the options are endless: glide across the Shotover River by jet boat, soar on a canyon swing, zipline above native forest, race down the luge, or carve pristine slopes on an unforgettable heli-ski experience.

  • Private Central Otago Wine Tour

    The Classic Full Day Wine Tour that explores the scenery, history, food and wines of Central Otago. Enjoy an unhurried amble through six of the region's finest wineries, pausing only to admire the ever-present views. Savour the unique atmosphere of the arts, crafts and history of Old Cromwell Town and share the unforgettable indulgence of a gourmet lunch.

Day 15: Queenstown to Auckland

It’s time to say goodbye with a domestic flight back to Auckland

  • Private Transfer Azur to Queenstown Airport

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