Day 1
Auckland
Once you’ve arrived in Auckland you will be met by a representation who will transfer you to your hotel for the night. You can meet your travelling companions over a pre-dinner drink tonight.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Auckland or similar
Dinner included.
Day 2
Bay of Islands
Today you will board your luxury coach and travel to Parry Kauri Park to discover the majestic Kauri Tree. After an informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, you will journey to Paihia - a charming town in the Bay of Islands - where you’ll embark on a fascinating guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Here is where the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British took place.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Room) or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3
Bay of Islands
The whole day is free for you to explore the Bay of Islands as you please. There’s plenty of activities to take advantage of, including a Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach, or a scenic dinner cruise along the islands.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Room) or similar
Breakfast included.
Day 4
Auckland
Day four will be spent sailing on board a luxury catamaran, stopping at Urupukapuka Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. After your trip, you’ll travel south to Auckland.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Auckland or similar
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 5
Rotorua
Begin the day with a city sights tour of Auckland, before venturing to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a fun 15km trip back in time on a wonderfully restored vintage steam train. On your return, you will visit the restoration workshop and enjoy a lovely morning tea. Next you will journey to Rotorua, visiting Rainbow Springs and enjoying a Kiwi Encounter experience at the National Kiwi Hatchery along the way.
Overnight: Regent of Rotorua or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6
Rotorua
Breakfast is a special affair today, taking place at the Skyline Rotorua after a scenic gondola ride. A decadent champagne breakfast, spectacular views and a fun luge ride afterwards – what could be a better start to the day?
Next is the Agrodome, where you’ll enjoy a whole hour of farming entertainment, before travelling to Te Puia to see the interesting boiling mud pools and geysers that makes Rotorua so well-known. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi and concert.
Overnight: Regent of Rotorua or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7
Wellington
Begin your day with a journey along the Thermal Explorer Highway, where you’ll come across the beautiful Huka Falls. You’ll then have some free time to explore the charming lakeside town of Lake Taupo, before continuing on to Wellington via Tongariro National Park.
Overnight: InterContinental Wellington or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8
Wellington
The morning will be spent at Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, to learn about fascinating New Zealand stories. You’ll then enjoy an extensive city tour back on your coach, before having the rest of the day and evening free for you to enjoy as you wish.
Overnight: InterContinental Wellington or similar
Breakfast included.
Day 9
Christchurch
The Interislander Ferry is your first port of call today, sailing over the Cross Strait and through the stunning Milford Sounds to get to Picton. From here you’ll hop on a new coach and journey through St Arnaud, beech Maruia Forest and Lewis Pass all the way to Christchurch.
Overnight: The George or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 10
Christchurch
Today you will begin with a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, which will teach you about life in Antarctica. Afterwards, you will enjoy an introductory tour of Christchurch, before hopping on the Tram – one of the city’s leading attractions, and then spending the evening as you please.
Overnight: The George or similar
Breakfast included.
Day 11
Arthur’s Pass & Fox Glacier
The beginning of day 11 will be spent on the TranzAlpine, known as one of the greatest rail journeys in the world. Travelling over magnificent viaducts, impressive gorges and sweeping river valleys, you’ll soon reach Arthur’s Pass, nestled in the centre of the Southern Alps. From here you’ll board your coach and travel to Hokitika to see its famous Greenstone, before continuing via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier. You’ll have time to experience a scenic flight over the glaciers in the afternoon (optional and weather permitting).
Overnight: Distinction Fox Glacier or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 12
Queenstown
Your first journey of the day is along the West Coast, marvelling at the snow-capped Southern Alps along the way. Continue via the stunning Haast Pass and arrive in Arrowtown for a visit to the Lakes District Museum. Afterwards, you’ll travel on to Queenstown for an evening at your leisure.
Overnight: Heritage Queenstown or similar
Breakfast included.
Day 13
Queenstown
The whole day is free for you to explore Queenstown at your own pace. In the evening, you will board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station, where you’ll tuck in to a gourmet BBQ at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner and a short farm tour, you’ll board the TSS Earnslaw again and sing alongside the piano as you return to Queenstown.
Overnight: Heritage Queenstown or similar
Day 14
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Today you will travel via Te Anau to Manapouri, before enjoying a delightful picnic lunch as you cruise across the glacial lake. After a quick drive over the Wilmot Pass you will board the Fiordland Navigator for a spectacular overnight cruise, sailing through the phenomenal Doubtful Sound as naturalist guides provide commentary and help point out resident wildlife. In the evening, you’ll tuck in to a sumptuous carvery prepared by the onboard chef.
Overnight: Fiordland Navigator or similar
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 15
Te Anau
A hearty breakfast will set you up for today. Soon you’ll head back to Deep Cove for the cruise back to Manapouri, where you’ll meet your coach again and drive to Lake Te Anau to discover the remarkable Glow Worm Caves, marvelling at cascading waterfalls and exploring the Glow Worm Grotto.
Overnight: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 16
Dunedin
Today you will drive to Dunedin, where you will board the Silver Fern railcar to venture along the impressive clifftops that overlook Blueskin Bay. Once you’ve returned to Dunedin’s historic Edwardian Railway Station, you’ll board the coach for an informative tour around the city.
Overnight: Distinction Dunedin or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 17
Dunedin
In the morning, you will travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnarch Castle, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour, a walk around the Garden of International Significance, and a High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Once you’ve retuned to the city, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free. We’d recommend boarding the Taieri Gorge Limited for a gorgeous journey through stunning scenery (optional).
Overnight: Distinction Dunedin or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 18
Christchurch
The day will start with a brief visit to Olveston House – a prestigious historic home – before a journey to Oamaru to see its famous limestone. The evening will be spent at a farewell dinner with your fellow travel companions.
Overnight: The George or similar
Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 19
Christchurch
This is your last day of the tour. Say goodbye to your new-found friends and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
