• Entry to Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Journey along 90 Mile Beach – or – take a Hole in the Rock Cruise & Tour of Russell
• Visit the Auckland Museum
• Narrow-gauge railway journey through native Coromandel bush
• Visit Hot Water Beach and photogenic Cathedral Cove
• Tour around a geothermal valley with geysers, mud pools and hot springs
• Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley – or – experience Hobbiton Movie Set
• Delve into Māori life and enjoy a powerful cultural performance and feast
• Discover Napier’s history and architecture on foot during a tour from a local guide
• Enjoy an evening meal at Mission Estate in Napier
• Travel on Wellington’s famous Cable Car and visit Te Papa Museum
• Scenic ferry journey across the Cook Strait
• Wine tasting at one of Marlborough’s premier wineries
• Cruise the turquoise waters of Abel Tasman National Park
• Kaikōura Whale Watch cruise – or Scenic Fixed Wing Flight featuring marine life and views
• Relax as you’re guided along Christchurch’s Avon River on an authentic Edwardian punt
• Journey aboard a beautifully restored heritage tram through Christchurch’s city centre
• Journey on the famous TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass
• Join a local eco-guided tour – or – a rugged off-road adventure
• Explore the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
• Experience the excitement of a Fiordland jet boat ride and a guided farm visit
• Cruise, with a picnic lunch, on the breathtaking Milford Sound
• Enjoy true kiwi hospitality with morning tea at a local home on the shores of Lake Tekapo

Day 1  Auckland

Haere mai – welcome!  Arrive in Auckland where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.  Spend the afternoon and evening at your leisure exploring the ‘City of Sails’. 

Accommodation: M Social, Auckland

Day 2  Auckland to Bay of Islands

Travel north via Auckland’s iconic Harbour Bridge to visit Reed Memorial Park.  Here, walk along an elevated canopy walkway through a remnant of the original kauri forests – some kauri trees are known to be at least 500 years old.  Take in the picturesque Whangārei Falls, formed more than 2 million years ago, before continuing to the Bay of Islands- a stunning region of 144 subtropical islands scattered through warm, shallow waters and bays abundant in natural wonders and marine life.  Regarded as the birthplace of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is rich in both Māori culture and early European history.  You are welcomed to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn the story of Waitangi, including the signing of the 1840 treaty between Māori tribes and British settlers; the magnificent meeting house; the interactive and contemporary museum; and the war canoe (waka).  Next, take a ferry to the seaside village of Russell, spending the next two nights at the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel. 

Accommodation: Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 3  Bay of Islands

Today you have the choice of two excursions:

Discover the Far North of New Zealand – This full-day coach tour will take you to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, where you can watch the Pacific Ocean collide with the Tasman Sea – and where according to Māori legend, spirits depart on their journey to the homeland of Hawaiki. In the morning, we will travel from Russell to Paihia on the Belle Bay Ferry, where we’ll join a Great Sights coach (other passengers will be on board) for an unforgettable journey to the very tip of the North Island, travelling along the sand-swept shore of Ninety Mile Beach (Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe). During the trip you will have the opportunity to try sandboarding down sand dunes on boogie boards, take in magical views as you stand beneath the iconic Cape Reinga lighthouse, and enjoy the drive on the vast and empty Ninety Mile Beach. A knowledgeable local guide will share fascinating stories and insights throughout the day, bringing the region’s rich history and culture vividly to life. At day’s end, we’ll return to Russell from Paihia aboard the Bay Belle Ferry. Depart Russell at 7.00am and return to Russell at approximately 7.00pm. Lunch is included.

OR

Hole in the Rock Cruise & Tour of Russell – This morning, enjoy a breathtaking cruise aboard a purpose-built catamaran through the pristine waters of the Bay of Islands and along the dramatic Cape Brett Peninsula. Take in views of the historic Cape Brett Lighthouse and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ – a highlight of the journey. Weather permitting, the boat will cruise slowly through the Hole and into the stunning Grand Cathedral Cave. Your skipper will provide engaging and informative commentary throughout the cruise. The Bay is rich with marine life and native bird species, so keep watch for dolphins, whales, and seabirds along the way. The cruise includes a stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where you can purchase lunch (own cost), take a swim, or go for a leisurely walk. This afternoon, return to Russell and meet a local guide for an entertaining insight into this pretty little town’s rip-roaring past, when drunken sailors earned it the name ‘the hell hole of the Pacific’. Visit some of New Zealand’s most historically significant buildings and enjoy sweeping views from Flagstaff Hill.

Accommodation: Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 4  Bay of Islands to Auckland

Head south through rural towns and past delightful beaches before arriving in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, to enjoy a sightseeing tour of the ‘City of Sails’, including panoramic views from Bastion Point; trendy Parnell Village; the lovely bays of the waterfront drive; and the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area.  Also enjoy a guided tour of the Auckland Museum, which gives an excellent introduction to the artistic legacy and cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific.

Accommodation: M Social, Auckland

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 5  Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula

Travel across the fertile Hauraki Plains to Thames, then head up the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula.  This coastal drive is quite spectacular, and on a clear day, keep an eye out for the SkyTower which can be seen across the Firth of Thames.  Ride the nearby Driving Creek Railway, climbing 120 metres on a narrow-gauge line to the ‘EyeFull’ Tower for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and back over the Hauraki Gulf. Next, drive east across the Peninsula through beautiful scenery to reach the resort of Whitianga on Mercury Bay.   

Accommodation: Oceans Resort, Whitianga

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 6  Coromandel Peninsula

White cliffs, golden beaches, inviting turquoise waters, and green forests are the colours of the Coromandel, with scarlet highlights courtesy of the flowers of Pōhutukawa trees in summer, making this one of our favourite regions.  Rightly famous is Hot Water Beach, where warm springs bubble up through the sand, and when the tide is right you can dig out your very own ‘spa’ pool for a wallow in the warm waters. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic walk to Cathedral Cove, where you’ll spend time soaking up the beauty of one of New Zealand’s most photogenic beaches before returning the same way. Next, your driver will take you to Cooks Beach – named after Captain James Cook, who sailed on the HMS Endeavour into Mercury Bay in 1769. Famous for its long golden sandy beach, it is now a popular retreat for Kiwis during summer months. 

From Cooks Beach you can choose to catch the short ferry ride back to Whitianga and walk to your accommodation or travel back with your driver.

Accommodation: Oceans Resort, Whitianga

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 7  Coromandel Peninsula – Rotorua

Taking the Pacific Coast Highway through the beachside towns of Whangamatā and Tauranga in the beautiful Bay of Plenty before turning inland to visit a well-formed bushwalk with scenic lookouts over Okere Falls.  From there, we continue on to Rotorua, the epicentre of New Zealand’s geothermal activity and Māori heritage. No visit to Rotorua would be complete without a stop at Te Puia, where we explore its active geothermal sites, experience the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, and learn about Kiwi conservation projects.  At Te Puia it’s part of their culture to welcome, guide, entertain, and treat you like part of the family.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 8  Rotorua

Today you have the choice of two excursions:

Visit the Waimangu Volcanic Valley – Site of the eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886, the devastating eruption buried local Māori villages and destroyed the world-famous ‘Pink and White’ silica terraces, once considered to be the eighth wonder of the world. This catastrophic event changed the landscape forever and created the valley you can now walk through, past boiling craters and jewel-coloured steaming lakes. Take a cruise across Lake Rotomahana to the site of the old silica terraces, hear the story of Guide Sophia, and see the new terraces of silica slowly forming.

OR

Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set – Visit the delightful setting for The Shire that featured in Peter Jackson’s films, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit film series. Your Hobbiton guide will escort you through the ten-acre site, recounting fascinating details of how the movie set was created (other visitors will join this tour). The Hobbit Holes, Green Dragon Inn, The Millhouse and other structures created for the films can be viewed, and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth. At Bagshot Row, you’ll get an authentic glimpse into Hobbit life, including time to explore one of two beautifully detailed Hobbit Holes.

This evening visit Tamaki Māori Village for Te Pā Tū. The evening experience and feast is aligned to and changes with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). Feast on Māori song, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) amidst towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre. Hākari (feasting) begins with forest horotai (canapes) and culminates in a lavish four-course fusion feast. Hāngī is featured in varied seasonal menus designed by Māori chefs served to table- al fresco when warm, or in the wharekai (dining room) if cooler.

During summer months, Tū Te Rā celebrates harvest and concepts concerning ancient Māori warfare and peace. Over winter months, Tū Te Ihi celebrates the Matariki star cluster with mystical ritual, energy, and passion. Return hotel transfers included – other travellers will be on board.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua

Meals Included – Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9  Rotorua to Napier

Visit the powerful Huka Falls then view the vast Lake Taupō – more inland sea than lake, though its fresh waters teem with trout.  Across the lake stands the mighty volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe, and Tongariro, within the Tongariro National Park.  Then continue on to Napier to view one of the world’s most complete examples of Art Deco architecture, second (arguably) only to Miami Beach.  This joyful seaside town had a tragic birth, being virtually levelled by fierce fires that followed the devastating 1931 earthquake.  Napier was rebuilt in the most up-to-date style of the time, which today is referred to as Art Deco.  This afternoon your local guide brings history and architecture alive with entertaining stories as you discover Napier on foot.  Today’s journey has brought us to the North Island’s wine country, so this evening’s treat is dinner at New Zealand’s oldest winery, Mission Estate, where you enjoy dinner in the restored seminary buildings with sweeping views of Napier.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier

Meals Included – Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10  Napier to Wellington

Travel through the vineyards and orchards of Hawke’s Bay and the bush-clad ranges of the Wairarapa into New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.  On arrival, view New Zealand’s magnificent Parliament Buildings including the iconic ‘Beehive’ building.   From the Kelburn lookout take the Wellington Cable Car down into the central city precinct before visiting Te Papa – one of the most exciting museums in the world, featuring New Zealand insights; the shaping of its land, the spirit of its diverse peoples, its unique wildlife, landscapes, and its distinctive popular culture. 

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton, Wellington

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 11  Wellington to Nelson

Your day commences with one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world. Travelling through the waters of Cook Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, the ferry is often accompanied by dolphins riding the bow waves. Disembarking in Picton, travel the short distance to Blenheim in the heart of the Marlborough wine country.  Enjoy a wine tasting at one of Marlborough’s premier wineries – what better way to enjoy this region famous for its Sauvignon Blanc?   From Marlborough, cross to the Nelson district – a corner of the South Island blessed with a sunny microclimate and your base for the next two nights.   

Accommodation: Heritage Rutherford Hotel

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 12  Abel Tasman National Park

Paradise found!  Abel Tasman National Park is a mosaic of golden coves and turquoise lagoons, sheltered by forested ranges to the south.  With few roads in this pristine wilderness, most journeys are made by boat. Enjoy a morning cruise exploration of New Zealand’s smallest National Park.  View world-famous Split Apple Rock, New Zealand Fur Seals, golden sands, and the turquoise waters of Anchorage, Bark Bay, Tonga Quarry, Awaroa, and Tōtaranui Beach. After the cruise, transfer back to Nelson for an orientation tour of the charming city before having the afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.

Accommodation: Heritage Rutherford Hotel

Meals Included – Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 Nelson to Kaikōura

Depart Nelson and drive through farmlands and pine plantations, then the Rai Valley to the vineyards surrounding Blenheim in the Marlborough Wine Country. From here travel south down the stunning eastern coastline, along the thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges, to Kaikōura – where the mountains meet the sea.

Today you have the choice of two excursions:

Whale Watch Cruise

Take a 2-hour Whale Watch cruise experience, aboard a modern, purpose-built catamaran for an exciting, close-up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment. The upwelling of nutrient rich waters around Kaikōura support an abundant and diverse fauna of vertebrates, fish, and marine mammals. At times you may also see Dusky Dolphins and the rare Hector Dolphins, NZ fur seals, sea lions, and a large variety of seabirds, including the smallest of the penguins, the Little Blue Penguin.

OR

Wings over Whales

Gain an aerial perspective during a 30 min “flightseeing” tour on the world of whales and dolphins in Kaikōura’s stunning marine environment, from the comfort of a high fixed-wing aircraft for unobstructed viewing. Enjoy panoramic views of Kaikōura’s stunning coastline, towering mountains, and sparkling Pacific Ocean, combining incredible marine life encounters with breathtaking scenery.

Accommodation: Sudima Hotel, Kaikōura

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 14 Kaikōura to Christchurch

The road south follows the wild coastline, affording constantly changing seascapes and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean before turning inland and climbing the Hundalee Ranges. Then descend into the rolling farmland of North Canterbury, passing through a number of small country towns before entering the city of Christchurch. This afternoon we join punting boatmen, resplendent with straw boaters and traditional Edwardian dress, for a relaxing cruise in flat-bottomed punts along the River Avon through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a journey in style onboard a beautifully restored heritage tram through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre.

Accommodation: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 15 Christchurch to Fox Glacier

From Christchurch, traverse the Southern Alps aboard the famous TranzAlpine rail journey to Arthurs Pass. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps. On arrival in Arthurs Pass, reboard your coach to continue the journey to the West Coast. Pass through historic towns reaching Hokitika and its galleries specialising in pounamu (greenstone) jewellery and artworks. Continue south through forests and farmland, with views of the Alps to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west, to Franz Josef, then on to Fox village. The huge rivers of snow and ice of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers flow from vast snowfields high in the Southern Alps, down almost to sea level.

Accommodation: Te Weheka Retreat, Fox Glacier

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 16 Fox Glacier to Wānaka

Have your camera ready for your visit to nearby Lake Matheson for a morning stroll – when conditions are right the lake perfectly mirrors beautiful Mount Cook in its still waters. Head over the Haast Pass along the river road beside the icy river and deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park. The atmosphere lightens as we reach lovely Lake Wānaka, reflecting the mountain peaks that in winter offer superb skiing, and the pretty resort town of Wānaka.

Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, Wānaka

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 17 Wānaka

This morning you have the choice of two excursions:

Today join a passionate local eco-guide – Depart Wānaka by boat, cruising to a predator-free island alive with birdlife. Walk to the summit lake with its tiny islands and breathtaking 360-degree views of Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps.

OR

Experience a rugged off-road adventure with a Kiwi twist – Explore remote backroads of an authentic High Country farm overlooking Lake Wānaka. See Red Deer, cattle, and sheep up close, visit historical sites, and enjoy short alpine walks surrounded by glaciers and valleys.

This afternoon is at leisure to relax or enjoy your own choice of activities.

Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, Wānaka

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 18 Wānaka to Te Anau

Depart Wānaka, stopping at the famous Cardrona Pub, then traverse the Crown Range Road to Arrowtown – a charming gold-rush village. Continue via the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, enjoy a jet-boat journey on the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri and visit a local working farm with a sheep-shearing and dog-mustering demonstration.

Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 19 Te Anau to Milford Sound to Queenstown

Travel through the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Cruise the fiord beneath towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea – watch for seals and dolphins. Return via the Cleddau Gorge, Homer Tunnel, Eglinton Valley, and Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Meals Included – Breakfast and Lunch

Day 20 Queenstown

Surrounded by majestic mountains and Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital. The day is yours: try zip-lining, a Shotover Jet, or white-water rafting. Or take a gondola to Bob’s Peak, tour wineries, or cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 21 Queenstown to Mt Cook to Twizel 

Continue north through Kawarau Gorge and Lake Dunstan, crossing Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Basin. Drive along Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village, home to New Zealand’s tallest peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook. Stay overnight in Twizel.

Accommodation: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 22 Twizel to Christchurch 

Visit a lakeside home at Lake Tekapo to learn to make Pavlova – enjoy morning tea with views of the lake. See the Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This evening, celebrate with a relaxed farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

Meals Included – Breakfast and Dinner

Day 23 Depart Christchurch

Haere rā – farewell from New Zealand. After breakfast you’re transferred to the airport for your return home, taking with you fond memories of your time in New Zealand. Extensions available on request.

Meals Included – Breakfast