# Bucket-List New Zealand Itinerary. > A 14-day bucket-list New Zealand itinerary for agents — Hobbiton, Waitomo, a Milford Sound overnight, heli-hike and dark skies. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/bucket-list-new-zealand/ Signature 13 nights Thirteen nights built from New Zealand’s signature experiences: Hobbiton, glowworms and Māori culture in the north; bungy, a night on Milford Sound, a glacier heli-hike, the TranzAlpine, a ski-plane landing and a dark-sky night in the south. [Request this at net rates](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [WhatsApp the trade team](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) ![A caver beneath glowworms in a New Zealand cave](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/dest/cave-glowworms-caver-1400.webp) ## What is the Bucket-List New Zealand itinerary? Fourteen days across both islands, built from the signature experiences: Hobbiton and Waitomo, a Rotorua cultural evening, Queenstown’s bungy and jet boat, a night on Milford Sound, a Franz Josef heli-hike, the TranzAlpine across the Alps, a ski-plane glacier landing at Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo’s dark skies. Quoted at net rates. Last updated: 23 October 2026 ## Why it runs in this order. *The shape* North Island first for culture and film, then a domestic flight to Queenstown so the long drive south is never made. The South Island runs in one direction — Fiordland, the West Coast, the train across the Alps, then the Mackenzie Country — with a buffer day at the glaciers and two chances at the ski-plane flight, because weather decides both. **Who it suits:** Milestone trips, honeymoons, incentive winners and repeat long-haul clients who want the experiences rather than the mileage. Several activities carry age, weight and fitness limits, confirmed at quotation. Destination guides on this route: [Auckland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/auckland/), [Hobbiton (Matamata)](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/hobbiton/), [Rotorua](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/rotorua/), [Waitomo Caves](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/waitomo/), [Queenstown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/queenstown/), [Te Anau & Fiordland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/te-anau/), [Milford Sound](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/milford-sound/), [Wānaka](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/wanaka/), [Haast Pass & South Westland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/haast/), [Franz Josef Glacier](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/franz-josef/), [Greymouth & Lake Brunner](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/greymouth/), [Arthur’s Pass & the TranzAlpine](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/arthurs-pass/), [Christchurch](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/christchurch/), [Aoraki / Mount Cook](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/aoraki-mount-cook/), [Lake Tekapo](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/tekapo/). Services this programme draws on: [Once-in-a-lifetime experiences](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/once-in-a-lifetime-experiences-new-zealand/), [Adventure & activities](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/adventure-activities-new-zealand/), [Scenic flights & helicopters](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/scenic-flights-and-helicopters-new-zealand/), [Luxury & VIP travel](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/luxury-and-vip-travel-new-zealand/). At a glance Nights 13 Type Signature Season October to April. The glacier and ski-plane flights are weather-dependent and are sold that way, never as fixtures. Lead time Nine to twelve months for December to February, when lodge rooms, Milford Sound overnight cabins and Queenstown rooms are the constraint Sold as Net B2B rates, white-label ## The programme. *Day by day* - Day 1 Auckland Arrive Auckland and keep the evening light after the long-haul flight. - Day 2 Hobbiton and Rotorua South to Matamata, about two hours, for a guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour, then on to Rotorua in about an hour. - Day 3 Rotorua Geothermal valleys, kiwi at Te Puia or the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, and an evening Māori cultural experience with a hāngī. A marae stay can replace the evening where a marae chooses to host visitors, confirmed at quotation. - Day 4 Waitomo to Auckland About two hours to Waitomo for the Glowworm Caves, or three hours of black-water rafting for the fit (minimum weight 45 kg), then around two and a half hours back to Auckland for the night. - Days 5–6 Queenstown A domestic flight to Queenstown. The original Kawarau Bridge bungy, for jumpers aged 10 and over weighing 35 to 150 kg, and the Shotover Jet through the Shotover River canyons, with a quieter lake or winery day for anyone who prefers it. - Day 7 Milford Sound overnight Through Te Anau to Milford Sound, about four hours on an alpine road. An overnight cruise on the fiord after the day boats leave: the Milford Mariner sails at 4pm, with dinner, a kayak or tender excursion and a nature guide on board. - Day 8 Wānaka Back at the wharf at about 9.15am, then around five hours via Te Anau, Queenstown and the Crown Range to Wānaka. - Days 9–10 Franz Josef Glacier Over the Haast Pass to Franz Josef, around four and a half hours with stops. A glacier heli-hike of about four hours, with around two and a half hours on the ice, and the second day held as the weather buffer. - Day 11 TranzAlpine to Christchurch North to Greymouth, a little over two hours, for the TranzAlpine across Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch, a journey of just under five hours. The train does not run on a handful of dates each year, so the day is confirmed at quotation. - Day 12 Aoraki / Mount Cook About four hours to Aoraki / Mount Cook Village. A ski-plane flight with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier that afternoon or the next morning, whichever the pilot allows, and the Hooker Valley Track in the other half day. - Day 13 Lake Tekapo An hour and a quarter to Lake Tekapo for the Dark Sky Project’s guided summit tour on Mount John. - Day 14 Christchurch About three hours to Christchurch Airport and out. Drive and ferry times are approximate and depend on stops, weather and road conditions. ## What the net rate covers. *Included* - Thirteen nights in hotels and lodges to the client’s category, one of them aboard on Milford Sound - The domestic flight from Auckland to Queenstown - Private vehicles with driver-guides on both islands - Hobbiton Movie Set tour, Waitomo Glowworm Caves and an evening Māori cultural experience with hāngī - Bungy, Shotover Jet, glacier heli-hike and ski-plane flight, each subject to the operator’s limits and the weather - TranzAlpine seats and the Dark Sky Project summit tour - 24/7 duty desk ## What it does not. *Not included* - International air - Meals beyond breakfasts, the hāngī dinner and dinner aboard on Milford Sound - Travel insurance ## When to ask. *Lead time* Nine to twelve months for December to February, when lodge rooms, Milford Sound overnight cabins and Queenstown rooms are the constraint. Six months is usually enough in the shoulder seasons. Send the brief — party size, dates, hotel category and what the client cares about — to [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) and we will quote this programme, or the version you want, at net rates. ## Bucket-List New Zealand — what agents ask. *FAQ* **How long is the Bucket-List New Zealand itinerary?** 13 nights. North Island first for culture and film, then a domestic flight to Queenstown so the long drive south is never made. The South Island runs in one direction — Fiordland, the West Coast, the train across the Alps, then the Mackenzie Country — with a buffer day at the glaciers and two chances at the ski-plane flight, because weather decides both. **How far ahead does it need booking?** Nine to twelve months for December to February, when lodge rooms, Milford Sound overnight cabins and Queenstown rooms are the constraint. Six months is usually enough in the shoulder seasons. **How is this programme priced?** A confidential net rate to the travel agent, which you mark up yourself. Explera DMC New Zealand does not publish prices and does not sell to your client — the programme runs white-label under your brand. ## Other programmes. *Itineraries* - [North and South Island Classic](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-north-and-south-island-classic/) - [South Island Self-Drive](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-self-drive/) - [South Island Campervan Loop](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-campervan-loop/) - [North Island Culture and Geothermal](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-culture-and-geothermal/) - [Queenstown and Fiordland Lodges](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-and-fiordland-luxury-lodges/) - [Queenstown Incentive Programme](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-mice-incentive/) - [Auckland and Hauraki Gulf Incentive](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/auckland-and-hauraki-gulf-incentive/) - [New Zealand Food and Wine](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/new-zealand-food-and-wine/) - [Queenstown and Wānaka Ski](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/queenstown-and-wanaka-ski/) - [Guided Milford Track and Aoraki](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/milford-track-guided-walk/) - [North Island Family Programme](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-family/) - [South Island Wildlife and Stars](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/south-island-wildlife-and-stars/) - [North Island Nature and Culture](https://www.explera.co.nz/itineraries/north-island-nature-and-culture/) ## Related trade briefings *The trade blog* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) - [New Zealand MICE Destinations: Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-mice-incentives-queenstown-auckland-rotorua/) - [New Zealand Driving Times: Building Realistic Coach Days](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-10-new-zealand-driving-times-distances-coach-days/) - [Waitomo and Hobbiton: Planning a Waikato Day for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-07-waitomo-hobbiton-waikato-day-groups/) Your New Zealand DMC partner Explera DMC New Zealand is the B2B New Zealand DMC for Bucket-List New Zealand. We contract the accommodation, transfers, licensed guides and experiences at net rates, so you sell Bucket-List New Zealand with one accountable ground partner and your own branding. Send the brief to our New Zealand DMC desk for a net service quotation. ## Start quoting New Zealand at net rates this week. *Trade desk* Register on the Explera trade platform for net rates, white-label documents and one accountable desk from first quote to final transfer. Registration is free and approval is fast. [Request a quote](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [Become a partner](https://b2b.expleradmc.com/web/signup) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090?text=Hi%20Explera%2C%20I'm%20a%20travel%20agent%20interested%20in%20New%20Zealand%20DMC%20services.) [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz)