Day 1
Auckland
Today you will arrive in Auckland, where you will transfer to your hotel and rest ready for the tour ahead.
Day 2
Auckland - Rotorua
Your tour begins in Auckland, where you’ll be met by a tour guide and travel to Rotorua. First, you’ll visit the incredible Karangahake Gorge and saunter along the Ohinemuri River to discover the gold-mining relics and ruins, before passing through Te Puke to see the Kiwifruit capital of the world and visit a working Kiwifruit orchard. Afterwards, you’ll continue on to Rotorua - well-known for its geothermal wonders - taking a private sail across Lake Rotoiti to take a dip in the hot pool, and ending at your lake view accommodation in Rotorua.
Overnight: Novotel Lakeside
Day 3
Rotorua
The morning is free for you to enjoy at leisure. We’d recommend ambling along to the lakeside, and Ohinemutu marae is not to be missed either – it’s one of only two living Maori villages left in New Zealand. After a morning to yourself, you’ll head to the Buried Village of Te Wairoa for a delicious hosted lunch with locals David and Karen, a fascinating couple with plenty of stories from their Maori and European histories.
After lunch, you’ll explore the village itself, learning about New Zealand’s national icon – the Kiwi bird – and the conservation efforts made at the Rotorua Kiwi Encounter to ensure their survival. We have no doubt you’ll be surprised by just how big a Kiwi bird can be.
Overnight: Novotel Lakeside
Day 4
Rotorua – Tongariro National Park
Today you will explore the volcanic landscape of the Central North Island, including discovering the surreal geothermal Wai-o-Tapu and wandering through exciting Tongariro National Park.
Overnight: Ruapehu
Day 5
Tongariro National Park – Wellington
After breakfast you will venture south through picturesque farmland and small rural towns. Before arriving at your hotel, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy amazing views from Mt Victoria.
Overnight: The Bolton Hotel
Day 6
Wellington
Your central location is in walking distance to the waterfront and Te Papa National museum as well as all the eateries and breweries. You'll have a full day at leisure to wander around and enjoy all that this city has to offer. Wellington is also the spiritual home of "The Lord of Rings" where you can visit Weta Workshop and see how all the props are made or drop into the Embassy theatre which hosted the world premier back in 2003.
Overnight: The Bolton Hotel
Day 7
Wellington – Cook Strait Crossing – Picton – Blenheim – Nelson
Cruising along from the North Island to the South Island on the Interisland ferry is a trip that will take your breath away. For three hours, you can take in the amazing views of the Cook Strait, Queen Charlotte Sound and Picton before finally setting foot on Te Waipounamu – the South Island.
Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a vineyard for a delectable wine tasting and lunch, right in the heart of the Marlborough sauvignon blanc region. From wine country you will travel to Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand. Along the way cross the Pelorus River Bridge, scene of the Barrel run from the Hobbit movie before relaxing at the hotel.
Overnight: Tides Hotel
Day 8
Nelson – Abel Tasman National Park
The picture-perfect Abel Tasman National Park is your port of call today. With turquoise waters framed by luscious flora and sugary sand beach, this national park never fails to amaze those who visit. Take your pick from a cruise or a cruise walk combo, giving you the opportunity to hike park of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and find out how a recent crowd funded initiative increased the area of the park to protect even more of its landscape.
This is your opportunity to truly relax and soak up the sun. Laze around on the golden sands, swim in the water with dolphins, and enjoy the blazing sunshine.
Overnight: Tides Hotel
Day 9
Nelson – Kaikoura
In the morning you will travel the rugged coastline between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges, which offer spectacular views. The afternoon is then free to explore, you’ll have the chance to whale watch, swim with dolphins, or visit the seal colony who reside on the edge of town.
Overnight: White Morph Inn
Day 10
Kaikoura/Methven – Akaunui Homestead – Aoraki/Mt Cook
Travelling over the hills to the Canterbury Plains, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the spectacular Southern Alps in the horizon. Lunch is a special affair today, taking place in Akaunui Homestead – a Canterbury heritage building adorned with huge, colourful gardens – with food localled sourced and cooked in the company of Kiwi locals Di and Ian Mackenzie.
After you’ve tucked in the lunch, you’ll head over the Mackenzie Country, home to wonderful views of the Southern Alps. There’ll be many stops en route, including the unbelievably crystal blue Lake Pukaki and the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo.
Overnight: Aoraki/Mt Cook Village
Day 11
Aoraki/Mt Cook – Queenstown
The morning will be spent exploring the soaring landscapes of Mount Cook, the home ground of Sir Edmund Hillary. You can choose between embarking on an easy walking tour around the village, or hopping on a boat cruise on the glacial lake, a scenic flight, or even a heli-hike up on the Tasman Glacier.
Then after tucking into lunch you’ll travel along the Lindis Pass and through Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown, known for its adventurous activities. Take a trip up the Gondola to Bob’s Peak for unforgettable views of the Wakatipu, and then spend the evening taking your pick of Queenstown’s wicked restaurant and bar scene.
Overnight: Scenic Suites
Day 12
Queenstown - Milford Sound
On day 11 you’ll visit Milford Sound, venturing into the heart of Fiordland National Park to marvel at the breath-taking landscapes. Once you’ve arrived you’ll enjoy a cruise out onto the sound, surrounded by Mitre Peak and home to prolific birdlife, large seal colonies, and wonderful pods of dolphins, before taking a flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown for the evening.
Overnight:Scenic Suites
Day 13
Queenstown
Day 12 will be free for you to partake in brilliant activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Those who wish to go at a slower pace will enjoy a jet boat ride along the Dart River to take a peek of The Lord of the Rings scenery, or while away an afternoon walking through the Botanic Gardens. An exhilarating raft ride along the Kawarau River is perfect for adrenaline junkies, and we also highly recommend wine tasting in one of Central Otago’s boutique vineyards, or embarking on the 1912 Steamship, the Earnslaw, for a cruise along Lake Wakatipu.
Overnight: Scenic Suites
Day 14
Queenstown – Arrowtown – Wanaka
Arrowtown’s gold mining history is wildly fascinating, and where better to find out more than beside the foliage-framed Arrow River and in the stimulating museum. Afterwards you’ll have the chance to climb up the Crown Range for an unbelievable view of the Wakatipu Basin, before visiting Cardrona Hotel for a delve into the colonial era. After lunch you have plenty of time to discover this lovely lakeside town for yourself or perhaps head next door to the Rippon Vineyard for wine tasting with a view!
The hotel you’ll be staying at this evening is nestled on the lake edge, close by to wonderful bike and waterfront trails and fabulous kayaking opportunities.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort
Day 15
Wanaka – Haast Pass – Franz Josef Glacier
Today is jam-packed full of excitement. The day begins with a drive along Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, before exploring the sweeping mountains and river scenes of the Mount Aspiring National Park. You’ll then travel over the Haast Pass and discover wonderful beech forests and cascading waterfalls before following the Haast river out to the sea. The whole adventure will be leisurely, so there’ll be ample time for taking photos and drinking in the views.
Once that adventure is complete, you’ll then wander through Gondwanaland forest, stopping off at Ship Creek to stroll along the sand and spot dolphins in the shallows. The beach then turns into icy glaciers as you marvel at Lake Matheson’s famous reflections and spot the striking Fox Glacier that descends from Mount Cook.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel
Day 16
Franz Josef Glacier – Hokitika – Punakaiki
Your morning is free to discover Glacier Country, right in the heart of our West Coast wilderness. Your guide will lead you on a walk up Franz Josef Glacier Valley, to the glacier lookout. You may also take the opportunity to visit West Coast gem of Okarito Lagoon, the home of the rare Kotoku or White Heron. You’ve got a couple of options to discover the lagoon, your choice of kayaking or a nature cruise with a specialist local guide. This afternoon drive through countryside adorned with lakes and rivers and take a coffee stop in Hokitika, the setting for colonial novel The Luminaries. Home to craft-enthusiasts, you’ll even be able to visit the carvers and watch glass blowers, wood and copper artisans. Hokitika is the Pounamu (greenstone) capital, so you won’t want to miss the locals getting crafty.
Overnight: Punakaiki - The Ocean View Retreat
Day 17
Punakaiki
Today you have plenty of time to explore Paparoa National Park and Punakaiki, taking in views of rugged limestone cliffs shrouded with tropical flora, including New Zealand’s only native palm tree, the Nikau Palm. Punakaiki is also home to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. There are also some great optional activities here, our favourite is the Glowworm Caves a t Charleston, but you’ve also got horse riding or kayaking too if that’s your thing.
Overnight: Punakaiki - The Ocean View Retreat
Day 18
Punakaiki – Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Cross New Zealand’s main divide, traverse the stunning Canterbury High Country and cross the plains into Christchurch. Highlights of the day include the Otria Viaduct, the spectacular cantilevered road through towering mountains to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Arrive in Christchurch late afternoon and transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.
