NEW ZEALAND
2023-2024 GUIDED HOLIDAYS
Kia Ora
Wild, wide and wonderful, Australia and New Zealand continually excite and inspire. It doesn’t matter how many mountains you’ve climbed or remote island shores you’ve visited, there’s always a different creation story to be told or gallery of ancient rock art to be revealed.
We offer our respect and gratitude to the First Nations Australians, Torres Strait Islander and Mãori custodians who have nurtured the land and its cultures for so many millennia, and who are now some of our most trusted partners in introducing them to a curious world.
Welcome Traveller,
Know that there is no comparison to the adventures awaiting you; within these pages you’ll discover snow-dusted mountain ranges, untouched natural havens, volcanic landscapes, and geothermal wonders.
One moment you could be pondering otherworldly possibilities, gazing beyond the Southern Cross at the Dark Sky Reserve, which only the clear skies of the Mackenzie Region allow. Then next, exploring Stewart Island’s wild and wonderful coastline, the home to the rare yellow-eyed penguin and sanctuary for many protected native wildlife.
You can discover the many arts and traditions unique to Māori culture at Te Puia, in the beautifully carved wharenui, meeting cultural performers, and unearthing the techniques of hāngī cooking, where food is steamed underground. Sample your own hand-churned butter at the 500-acre heritage Red Barn, nestled in the countryside of Waikato – this farm takes paddock-to-plate freshness to a new level. And the new All Blacks Experience will bring you up close and personal with this other famous New Zealand passion – Rugby.
With AAT Kings, you’ll go behind the scenes, it’s what 100 years of expertise allows you to uncover. Remarkable experiences that many unknowingly pass by – these unexpected moments are the memories you treasure the most.
We are, and always have been pioneers leading the way and pushing boundaries. Together with our extraordinary Travel Directors on the road, we’re committed to worry-free and sustainable travel - making every single second of your journey remarkable.
Wherever you decide to roam, you’ll be in good hands.
StartExploring
Click below to start exploring 
Cover Image:
Walter Peak High Country FarmCruise across Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage streamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. You'll be entertained by an interactive farm tour before indulging in a gourmet BBQ dinner. Included on most holidays visiting Queenstown.
Today, we're proud of
our history and of our people.
Some things never change...
100 + YEARS OF ADVENTURE - and many more to come
A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travellers' eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pike family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches customised, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid domestic and international travellers on a wild and wonderful ride.
No corner of the Antipodes was - or is - off-limits, from the remote reaches of the Kimberley and the spiritual heartland of the Northern Territory, to the untamed Milford Sound, bubbling thermal Rotorua and quiet shores of Tasmania. Not to mention in-depth journeys across Sydney and its surrounds, where this forward-thinking travel venture came to fruition all those years ago.
We've come a long way and clocked a few kilometres in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgable Travel Directors. The local characters we meet (and will never forget) along the way. The epic, goosebump-inducing stories we're told by First Nations guides. The life-changing experiences on offer - the kind that only 100 years of exploring affords.
Now, we're just jumping into more waterfalls, finding ourselves humbled by more sacred Indigenous sites, laying more footprints on deserted beaches and hiking through more tropical rainforests than ever before. And we've never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us, and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again.
"Keep doing what you're doing,
but try and do it better" - Bill King
Service and smiles from the start
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1920s
AAT Kings can be traced back to George Page's modest transport service from Melbourne to Brighton
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1930s
The Pike family introduced Sydney to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves which is still a part of our Day Tours business.
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1960s
Bill King decided there was a real future with off-the-beaten-track journeys - Bill purchased two Land Rovers, an ex-army international ambulance and a Denning Bus and launched Bill King's Northern Safaris
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1970s
Bill Designed and built his own 18 passenger vehicles and called them Desert Cruisers.
AAT Coachlines had commenced operations in the Northern Territory.
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1980
AAT Coachlines purchased Bill King's Northern Safaris and operated as Bill King's Australian Adventure Tours.
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1984
AAT Kings brand finally formed
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1997
AAT Kings joined The Travel Corporation's Family of Brands.
-
1999
We began operations in New Zealand.
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2010s
Small group and immersive Inspiring Journeys brand was born
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2018
Down Under Tours joined the AAT Kings Group.
2019
SEIT Outback Australia joined the AAT Kings Group
New Zealand,
but not as you know it
New Zealand never fails to captivate, from its record-breaking glaciers to its steamy hot springs; from its world-leading wineries to its ridges of snow-capped mountains. While we’ve spent decades here, meeting the locals and crafting the ultimate itinerary, we’re always looking for ways to broaden our horizons, discovering new destinations and experiences, and coming up with novel adventures – the one-off kind that remind you why travel is transformative, whether drifting through fjords or swimming in World Heritage listed sites, meeting the makers or listening to soul-stirring stories, dining under the stars or decoding them in a Dark Sky Reserve. Regardless of where we go, some things will never change, like our pioneering spirit, our commitment to worry free and sustainable travel, and our passion for revealing New Zealand in a way you never imagined possible.
Amazing Experiences
We were built on pioneering spirit, and to this day our trips include adventures that few others experience. We’re constantly looking for ways to make journeys extraordinary, whether that’s remote night-sky gazing or lunch on a dairy farm. This is New Zealand, but not as you’ve ever seen it.
Diverse Travel Styles
What you want from your holiday is not necessarily the same as your neighbour. Sometimes, it’s about adventure. Often, it’s a good glass of wine and a remarkable view. Perhaps you want to see major sights, or choose your own path while we handle the main roads. Whatever your destination and route, we have an itinerary for you.
Conscious Travel
There are plenty of things we can all do while travelling to contribute to sustainable tourism practices. We’ve developed a series of tours with signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience – to ensure travel has a positive impact on our planet, the communities we visit and the wildlife we encounter.
Worry Free
Your wellbeing is our primary concern. In addition to elevated hygiene protocols, AAT Kings trips guarantee upgraded coach air-con filtration systems. We only work with partners we know and trust, and our Travel Directors ensure everything runs smoothly, with a support team on call.
Family of Brands
When you travel with AAT Kings, you’re not only part of our century-old heritage, but are welcomed into just as many years of experience in The Travel Corporation. Journey confidently knowing our familyowned parent company has welcomed millions of people around the world across its brands.
AmazingExperiences
Every year, millions of adventure-seekers visit New Zealand. But to really get to know it – to take its pulse as an insider – you need to follow the lead of locals. We’ve spent the last 100 years exploring the Antipodes, meeting farmers, winemakers, chefs, Indigenous experts, artists and astronomers, and creating lasting friendships. The kind that now give us – and you, as our guests – unrestricted and unrivalled access to parts of the country that other travellers just can’t go, and to exclusive experiences most will probably never know existed. We’ll take you places, and our passionate people will reveal their true beauty
Get set for a peak performance, Milford Sound
New Zealand boasts more than its fair share of natural wonders, none quite as dramatic as Milford Sound within World Heritage listed Te Wahipounamu reserve. Waterfalls tumble from escarpments into inky water, glaciers sparkle from clifftops and mountains scrape the sky – it’s a natural haven for fur seals, penguins and dolphins, which you’ll observe firsthand on a scenic cruise through the sound. Back on land, your journey through Fiordland National Park continues to Te Anau, from rainforest through wildflower-dusted meadows and across alluvial flats.
All aboard for the
Southern Alps!
One of the world’s great rail journeys, the TranzAlpine train offers a front-row seat to the South Island’s most epic landscapes between Greymouth and Christchurch. Jump aboard to traverse the Canterbury Plains, chugging through immense beech forest, over viaducts, across river-carved gorges and past the ice-fed Waimakariri River, backdropped by the snow-capped Southern Alps. This historic route has been in operation since 1914, and is no less spectacular today than it was more than a century ago.
Discover NZ’s own Galapagos, Stewart Island
New Zealand’s southernmost community resides on Stewart Island, a slip of land where brown Kiwi birds outnumber humans, and where blue and rare yellow-eyed penguins waddle on rocks. More than 85 per cent of this wild and wonderful destination is national parkland, as you’ll discover on a tour around the petite village and its beautiful bays, your journey taking you to Observation Rock and offering unbroken views over Paterson Inlet. This is nature at its most awe-inspiring and humbling.
Sip and savour liquid gold, Greymouth
Monteith’s Brewery has been making lager, IPA and pale ale since 1868. It’s fair to say they know a thing or two about beer – more specifically, excellent craft beer, which you’ll get to sample on a behind-the-scenes tour revealing the traditions and heritage of this national icon. While some menu items never change, others are seasonal and experimental, and all are a refreshing accompaniment to the pub-style lunch you’ll enjoy here.
Prepare to see stars, Tekapo
Free from artificial light pollution, the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve really knows how to dazzle. Visit this spectacular spot, over the Lindis Pass and backdropped by Mt. Cook, at night to gaze at the Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds and wonders hidden along the Milky Way through an optical telescope, the mysteries and magic of the starry sky above decoded by a specialist astronomy guide.
Churn things up on a dairy farm, Waikato
The Waikato countryside, 150 kilometres south of Auckland, is the stuff of postcards. It’s particularly pretty at The Red Barn, a fully functioning dairy farm where you’ll not only meet the gorgeous wideeyed cows, but also try your hand at churning butter – then spread it thick on freshly baked breads before sitting down to a paddock-toplate, country-style lunch with your hosts. It doesn’t get any fresher.
independent & transparent satisfaction rating
Experience sights that will fill you with wonder, and let us take you beneath the surface to show you the enchanting beauty and soul of this diverse country we call New Zealand. From the white sandy beaches of the North Island to the snowcapped mountains of the South Island, you’ll learn the history and be inspired by our Māori culture and spellbinding stories. Our experts’ knowledge and passion for showcasing New Zealand is unrivalled, making our Guided Holidays a truly unforgettable experience. But we’ll let you see it for yourself and hear it in our guests’ own words.
A Great way to see New Zealand.
AAT Kings delivers a quality product in that the buses, tour directors & drivers, accommodation and sight seeing tours are of a very high standard. In fact, as my tour progressed there was definitely a family (whanau) vibe among the group – which was promoted by our outstanding tour director, Hope. Overall, I cannot imagine a better way to see New Zealand.David
Fantastic!
I found the whole trip was perfect. It was my first coach trip and I would and do recommend it to anyone. The Tour Managers and Coach Driver were very pleasant and helpful for the whole trip. The accommodation was well chosen and meals were great.Marjorie
Diverse Travel Styles
No two travellers are ever the same. Which means that with AAT Kings, neither are any two trips. We understand that sometimes you want to switch off and enjoy the scenery, with your itinerary, accommodation and exclusive experiences all seamlessly sorted ‘behind the scenes’. Other journeys require the essentials covered and insider tips provided, but need built-in flexibility so you can go your own way. Whether you have a couple of weeks or a couple of hours, whether you want to leave everything to us or customise parts of your journey, AAT Kings offers a travel style for every kind of traveller. And regardless of the trip you choose, you’ll leave a minimal footprint, connect with culture and support the local communities you visit.
►First Choice Guided Holidays
For explorers who want:- Exclusive experiences and adventures around New Zealand
- Everything taken care of by talented Travel Directors
There’s nothing quite like setting off to see New Zealand, knowing that each wild encounter, all your accommodation – and everything in between – has been taken care of by your Travel Director, guides and the team of supporting experts. All you need to do is enjoy the relaxed pace, make lasting connections and delve into the country’s culture. This is about going to wild places, with creature comforts.
EXPLORE ❯Best Buys Guided Holidays
For explorers who want:- A flexible holiday with some inclusions, and some independent travel
- All the essentials managed by in-the-know Travel Directors
Take a fully curated holiday, add in a good dose of flexibility, and you arrive at this travel style, designed for those who like travel fundamentals taken care of – the transportation, accommodation – but also like the option of exploring independently, with tips from knowledgeable Travel Directors to point you in the right direction if needed.
EXPLORE ❯
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® - This is our goal as a travel provider. We recognise our responsibility to ensure our impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find there, is a positive one. Our work ensures that the impact of our business is positive in two ways; through our TreadRight Foundation, and our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right. The three pillars of our support are:
AAT Kings Cares
►MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences available on selected AAT Kings’ itineraries. They are chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have on their communities and those who experience them. There are plenty of things we can all do while travelling to contribute to sustainable tourism practices. We’ve developed a series of tours that each include a signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, allowing our guests to see and understand firsthand the important work we support and its impact. Look for the symbol below to see how you can MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Save the kiwi bird, Rainbow Springs
The flightless kiwi bird is under threat, with populations of the beloved national species in decline. AAT Kings supports the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa to provide a safe environment for eggs to hatch, as you’ll discover on the Contrasts of New Zealand.
To find out more visit aatkings.com/aat-kings-cares
Pomona Island Charitable Trust, Fiordland
Cruise around Pomona & Rona islands in Lake Manapouri to discover how the Charitable Trust is conserving and restoring the islands’ native plants and animals. Included on Southern Spectacular.
Te Puia Mãori Arts & Crafts Institute, Rotorua
This Mãori-owned and -operated experience reveals the richness of Indigenous culture and heritage, while preserving traditions. An optional experience on Spirit of New Zealand.
Our TreadRight Foundation
TreadRight is a not-for-profit founded by AAT Kings and our sister brands under The Travel Corporation (TTC), to support sustainable tourism projects around the world. Through TreadRight, AAT Kings has helped fund more than 60 projects worldwide
To find out more
visit aatkings.com/aat-kings-cares
Worry-freeTravel
The travel landscape is forever changing, something we know only too well at AAT Kings
– after all, we’ve been crafting life-changing itineraries for more than a century. Now, more than ever, we’re committed to sparking your wanderlust, while ensuring your wellbeing. We’re by your side to take the hassle and worry out of your holiday, so you can enjoy the journey (and the company), then sleep soundly knowing we’re doing what it takes behind-the-scenes to ensure your safety and health.
Trained Travel Directors
Our Travel Directors not only hold a wealth of information about the destinations you visit, but also have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest protocols in hygiene, local etiquette and social distancing.
Always in the know
AAT Kings is an integral part of a much bigger family, The Travel Corporation, with a network of in-the-know advisors and travel professionals around the globe. We’re up-to-date when it comes to the latest health protocols, and are ready to apply internationally proven best practices if issues arise
A full team of support, 24/7
Our Travel Directors and Drivers rarely need backup, but they have it thanks to a full support team on call around the clock to ensure your journey is seamless and hassle-free, from the moment you sign up until the moment you return home.
Air conditioning
Relax and breathe – we’re filtering the air through our fleet of coaches using top-of-the-range air filtration systems to ensure impurities are not left lingering. Expect a full replacement of fresh air every couple of minutes, to protect your health and wellbeing
Stringent on-the-road protocols
We’ve always maintained high levels of hygiene on our coaches, but we've now elevated precautions to include enhanced deep cleaning and sanitisation for your safety. Our protocols meet international standards, and we’re continually monitoring the travel landscape for best practices.
Trusted partners, exceptional standards
The people we work with around Australia and New Zealand care about our guests as much as we do. We’re extremely selective when it comes to our partners – whether restaurants, hotels, suppliers or venues – and we ensure upfront that we’re aligned in our commitment to health and hygiene.
We have worked closely with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to guide and cocreate their “New Normal Safe and Seamless Traveller Journey” global protocols. Find out more ❯
Family Values
At AAT Kings, we’re proud of our service and experience, revealing the wonders and characters of Australia and New Zealand to guests for more than 100 years. We’re even prouder to be part of a much bigger family, The Travel Corporation (TTC), which enjoys a global reach and a portfolio that includes some of the world’s most prestigious travel brands – from luxury hotels and boutique river cruises to independent holiday package companies and guided travel experiences. The collection is diverse, but we all share standards of excellence and common goals: to offer outstanding service and experiences, whichever corner of the planet our guests choose to roam.
Our Commitment
We want our guests to experience everything they expect on their holiday – but we’re committed to giving them a whole lot more. We consistently deliver unexpected moments of joy, so you return home with lasting memories, not just a stamp in your passport.
Our Passion
We’re passionate about the planet, and about sustainably revealing its many wonders to our guests through the highest levels of service, exceptional experiences, and hugely knowledgeable employees and Travel Directors.
Our Customers
You, our guests, are the reason we have been operating and innovating as a family brand for the past century. You return time and time again, and your loyalty and feedback help keep things fresh and fun while we keep discovering the world together.
Our Responsibility
Travel offers the power to have a positive impact not only on us, but also on the destinations and communities we visit. Which is why, through our non-profit TreadRight Foundation, we strive to create meaningful, lasting relationships and projects that enhance and protect the people and places we visit. Learn how you can help at treadright.org/checklist.
Explore New Zealand
From glacial-carved gorges to immense lakes, from rainforest-draped national parks to snowy peaks, New Zealand is diverse and dramatic.
Whichever island you’re visiting, adventure awaits – be transfixed by a bedazzlement of stars in the Southern Hemisphere’s only dark sky reserve, cruise in the company of penguins across Milford Sound, and embrace the opportunity to immerse yourself in both the beauty and importance Mãori culture. This is where magical travel moments are made.
Stories Worth Sharing
Share your memories with us by using #aatkings and #smilekings
@bridget.m.g | Redwood Forest
#visitnz #rotorua #redwoodtrees #smilekings
North Island
South Island
Waitomo Caves
Glide through a sparkling underground cave system lit by thousands of glowworms, and tour the incredible limestone caverns.
Waitangi
Treaty Grounds
Immerse yourself in the stories, people and history of Aotearoa, before standing on the spot where New Zealand’s founding document was signed.
Te Puia
Follow your local guide into a volcanic wonderland of bubbling mud pools, thermal springs and New Zealand’s biggest geyser.
Queenstown
Take on New Zealand’s amazing adventure capital with a wide range of activities, from winery tours to high-speed thrills
Lake Tekapo
View the Church of the Good Shepherd and its bronze sheepdog monument, beside the astonishing turquoise and glacial limestone lake.
Pancake Rocks
Discover the South Island’s wild west coast around Punakaiki, including timehewn blowholes and the famed Pancake Rocks formed over 30 million years ago.
Franz
Josef Glacier
Witness this stunning South Island wonder, with its rivers of ice and mantle of snow (perhaps on an unforgettable helicopter flight!)
Milford Sound
Cruise this multifaceted jewel of magnificent Fiordland, once described as the world’s 8th natural wonder.
New Zealand Uncovered
From$6675
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi has World Heritage status for good reason. Discover its wonderous flora and fauna with an eagle-eyed guide.
Local Connection
The Hinuera Valley is postcard perfect – a mecca for grazing horses. Meet an applauded former jockey and his family on their farm to dive deep into NZ’s racing traditions.
Cultural Immersion
Indigenous culture is celebrated across the country, no more so than at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience. Be immersed in art, tradition, culture and cuisine at a hangi feast cooked underground.
Sustainable Footprints
New Zealand’s remote regions are home to a remarkable cache of wildlife. Help protect native birds that reside on the country’s largest island through the Pomona Island Charitable Trust.
Wildlife and Nature
Penguins and sea lions are among the wildlife you’ll meet when visiting Dunedin – which creature wouldn’t want to live amid this postcard-perfect harbour?
Dining
16 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
7 Dinners with Wine
3 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Be My Guest Lunch
1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea
1 Welcome to Auckland
Auckland is the kind of place you could lose yourself in for a couple of weeks. Arrive at your leisure and explore hip new waterfront precincts, take a cruise out to the wineries of Waiheke Island, or just steel yourself to meet fellow travel companions over dinner and a few local tipples tonight. Hotel: The Cordis, 2 Nights. DW
2 Auckland
A little bit of leisure, a little bit of culture – today is one of those days. Sleep in before a peek behind the scenes of racing history on the New Zealand Maritime Museum’s America’s Cup Tour. Your guide then takes you around the city, pausing at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial for epic photo opportunities. By now you should have a few ideas for how to spend your afternoon exploring. B
3 Auckland - Tauranga
Bet you didn’t know New Zealand is home to horse-racing royalty. The O’Sullivan’s welcome you to their Waikato estate for lunch in the Red Barn. Expect country banter, horse-riding gossip and farm-to-table fare. Venture east to the harbourside city of Tauranga, where you have a free afternoon in the Bay of Plenty to climb extinct volcano Mount Mauao or just chill on the golden sand of the main beach, voted the prettiest in the country. Hotel: Trinity Wharf Tauranga. DW BG B
4 Tauranga - Rotorua
Is there any food more classically NZ than the kiwifruit? The town of Te Puke grows the majority of the country’s bounty, and you’ll enjoy a taste before venturing toward another hot-spot – in every sense of the word – Rotorua. Visit steamy Te Puia and tour the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, a staggering valley where geysers pop and thermal springs jettison skywards. The hot rocks in this part of the world are prefect for cooking your hangi (underground) feast at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, a bastion for Maori culture. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 Nights. HD B
5 Rotorua Free Time
Today, choose your own adventure. We have plenty of ideas for the paths you might follow. Optional sightseeing experiences include a bedazzling show put on by the glowworms of Waitomo Caves. Or perhaps zipping across Rotorua’s three lakes in an amphibious WWII-era Duck. The decision is yours.
6 Rotorua - Wellington
Say haere ra (goodbye) to Rotorua and hello to an immense amount of water. First stop is the raging rapids of Huka Falls, where 220,000 litres of water barrel over an 11-metre-high waterfall every second. Your outlook then unfolds into the dreamy landscape of Lake Taupo, the largest of its kind in the country and with a twinkling, blue-eyed-boy charm. Traverse the volcanic Central Plateau to NZ’s cool little capital of Wellington, set on a pretty harbour that beckons with too many good restaurants to choose from. Ask us for recommendations. Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. B
7 Wellington - Blenheim
If you don’t fall in love with Wellington instantly, then you will surely find a spark after visiting Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand – the morning is yours to peruse the jaw-dropping exhibits at your leisure. Re-join your mates to cruise Cook Strait across tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. You’re on the South Island now, and dinner reflects the best of Marlborough food and wine. Hotel: Chateau Marlborough. HD B
8 Blenheim - Christchurch
Sperm whales and fur seals are a common sight in Kaikoura – get lucky and you can see them from shore or sign up for a bird’s-eye view on an optional scenic flight over dramatic black beaches framed by turquoise ocean. You won’t be disappointed. Follow the coast and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, home to some of the country’s most innovative restaurants. We can help you make a booking.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel.
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9 Christchurch - Twizel
From its eye-popping, cardboard-crafted Transitional Cathedral to its gold-clad central library, Christchurch has well and truly rebuilt itself since the 2010/11 earthquakes. But South Island locals still cherish a simple life, as you’ll discover over a Be My Guest afternoon tea with farmers Angie and Stan Taylor among the emerald fields of Morelea in Mackenzie Country. Hotel: MacKenzie Country Hotel. DW BG B
10 Twizel - Dunedin
We’ve got the power – hydro, that is. The Benmore Dam holds back New Zealand’s largest artificial lake, and when the Benmore Power Station was opened in 1965 it was the biggest in the country. That should fuel you through to Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and glam limestone buildings, before landing in Dunedin. The afternoon is yours to discover the ‘Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere’ (there’s even a castle), take a wildlife cruise or refuel at a brewery. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross. DW B
11 Dunedin - Te Anau
From sheep farms to rugged mountains, today is one of contrasts. Venture into Fiordland National Park toward the South Island’s largest lake and the town of Te Anau, the gateway to Pomona Island where native birds are under threat – and you can help protect them. Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas. DW B
12 Te Anau - Queenstown
There aren’t many places in the world that remind you how precious the planet is. Fiordland National Park is one. Your journey toward Milford Sound/Piopiotahi traverses native rainforest, alluvial flats and meadows, with mirrored lakes, thundering waterfalls, dramatic rocky ranges and millennia-old valleys. That’s enough drama for an entire travel year – you still have the streets of Queenstown to explore. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 Nights. B
13 Queenstown
The roll-call of activities you could sign-up for today is near endless. Adrenaline-junkies may wish to zip about in the Shotover Jet, get some perspective on a gondola to Bob’s Peak or tour the gorges of Skippers Canyon. Gourmand at heart? Perhaps a Central Otago wine tour? Your day ends on a dreamy TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu, landing at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. HD B
14 Queenstown - Franz Josef
From Arrowtown’s tree-lined avenues to Central Otago’s gleaming lakes, nature rules today. Alpine scenery tiers into rainforest along the West Coast, where Thunder Creek Falls and the glacier-studded Mt. Hooker steal the scene. Welcome to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, which is ideally explored on an optional helicopter flight – conditions pending, you may even be able to land and walk across the ice-fall. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing). DW B
15 Franz Josef Glacier - Punakaiki
Swap white at Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Maori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved-one. Then steel yourself for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki, a sliver of South Island geology that is as humbling as it is awe-inspiring
Hotel:
Ocean View Retreat Punakaiki.
DW
B
16 Punakaiki - Christchurch
Beer for breakfast? We’ve got you sorted on a morning tour of legendary Monteith’s Brewery. The best is yet to come – all aboard for the scenic TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch. Travel through tunnels and over viaducts, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Hotel:
Distinction Christchurch Hotel.
FD
L
B
17 Farewell from Christchurch
How many travel highs can you pack into a holiday? This itinerary has certainly pushed the boundaries. Now all you have to do is go home and sort through all those photos. B
Contrasts of New Zealand
From$4831
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is remarkable to look at; it’s even more thrilling when its flora and fauna is decoded by your oh-so-knowledgeable cruise guide.
Local Connection
Ever wondered about Southern Alps life on the land? Enjoy lunch with farmers and go behind the scenes.
Cultural Immersion
Discover just how strong Māori culture is at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, celebrating art, tradition and cuisine. Bring your appetite for a hangi meal, cooked underground.
Sustainable Footprints
Operation Nest Egg may sound James Bond-esque, but it’s actually a National Kiwi Hatchery project to care for the country’s kiwi population. You can be involved.
Wildlife and Nature
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d be transported to Mars when you arrive at Rotorua, a place where steam and mud pop, fizz and swoosh at every turn.
Dining
9 Full Breakfasts
1 Be My Guest Morning Tea
1 Lunch
2 Dinners with Wine
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Be My Guest Lunch
1 Welcome to Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city is also one of its prettiest, as you’ll discover exploring at your leisure. Arrive early to linger in its hip harbourside precincts, where galleries and design-driven stores await. You’ll have worked up an appetite by the time you meet your fellow travel companions for a few local tipples at a Welcome Reception and dinner. Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity, 2 Nights. DW
2 Auckland
If you didn’t get your Auckland bearings yesterday, you will today. Have your camera poised as you reach Mission Bay, a dreamy waterside suburb where the blues patchwork to the horizon. Then get snap happy at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, offering epic vistas over Auckland and its harbours. Want some tips on how to spend your free afternoon? How about going behind the scenes of the All Blacks or cruising to Waiheke Island to sip more wine? B
3 Auckland - Rotorua
You could be forgiven for thinking Rotorua’s landscapes are a sci-fi movie set. Mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. The surrounding forest is a fertile habitat for New Zealand’s national bird, being protected and bred at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. The cute-as-a-button, cotton-ball kiwi is under threat in the wild; at the hatchery, passionate conservationists reveal how they are saving the population, one incubated egg at a time. Tonight, dive deep into Indigenous culture and traditions on a Rotorua tour at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, Enjoy a forest kai horotai (summer season canape) and complimentary chef choice aperitif, followed by a seasonal three-course dinner. This is a meal you won’t forget in a hurry. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. HD B
4 Rotorua - Auckland - Queenstown
Lord of the Rings fanatics, prepare for a day of goosebumps – breakfast is served in the very spot that Frodo and Bilbo once lived. The Hobbiton Movie Set is all rolling hills and emerald pastures, a storybook landscape for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The feel-good vibes will follow you all the way to Queenstown, where some of the country’s most awarded restaurants await. Whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask us for recommendations. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 Nights. B
5 Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi Cruise
Bring your stamina and sense of adventure – things get a little wild today. Nature rules as you skirt gleaming Lake Wakatipu, over the Devil’s Staircase to Te Anau, the alpine gateway to World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Once you’ve paused to admire the drama at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, you’ll begin to understand why Rudyard Kipling called this the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. You haven’t even seen Bowen Falls or Milford Sound/Piopiotahi yet… Cruise the latter with an eagle-eyed guide, on the lookout for fur seals and dolphins. L B
6 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Prefer to be able to talk while you cruise? Glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue lunch. Wherever you wander, be sure to save space for tonight’s Highlight Dinner at Postmasters Café, a historic Arrowtown cottage replete with picket fence and Instagrammable gardens HD B
7 Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Whether pinot noir grapes or cherries, things grow well in Central Otago. Get a taste for the region’s stone fruit at a local orchard. Mountain drama – including views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook – is your backdrop en route to Lake Tekapo, with water so turquoise it looks like a Renaissance painting. This part of the country is ravishing and remote; the lack of light pollution means dazzling Southern Hemisphere stargazing at UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s handy to have an astronomer in your company to decode the constellations of the Milky Way. Life in perspective… Hotel: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo. DW B
8 Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Arrive into the beautiful English city of Christchurch for a guided visit. The city is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 2 Nights. B
9 Christchurch
Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm kiwi hospitality from the Bamford Family, who have farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus Cattle. Enjoy stunning scenery, meet the farm animals & discover what it is like to live off the land on this unique By My Guest experience. Continue to local vinyard Waipara Springs Winery where you will enjoy a platter style lunch among the vines. A big day leads to a big evening joining your Travel Director and travel mates for a celebratory Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region. L BG FD B
10 Farewell from Christchurch
You’ve travelled hundreds of kilometres across two islands, likely taken thousands of photos, and made countless memories and new friends. The only thing left to do is plan your next trip. B
Iconic North
From$2985
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
You may have tasted kiwifruit before. But you’ve probably never savoured one plucked fresh and handed to you by the farmer. Get set for a flavour explosion.
Local Connection
The dairy industry is big business in New Zealand, as you’ll discover in the company of Bridgette and Lance O’Sullivan on their Waikato farm. The stories they’ll tell you about life on the land…
Cultural Immersion
Discover just how strong Indigenous culture is at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, celebrating art, tradition and cuisine. Bring your appetite for a hangi meal, cooked underground.
Sustainable Footprints
Your visit to the Te Puia Geothermal Reserve not only reveals Rotorua’s steamy history, but also supports up-and-coming Maori creatives.
Wildlife and Nature
If you want to be blown away by nature, Huka Falls is the place to go. This mighty waterfall sees 220,000 litres of water per second thunder over an 11-metre ridge. Prepare to get wet.
Dining
6 Full Breakfasts
2 Dinners with Wine
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Be My Guest Lunch
1 Welcome to Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city is blessed when it comes to water views – on one side of the isthmus is Manukau Harbour; on the other, Waitemata. Exploring pretty precincts, gazing out over a flurry of yachts, you’ll begin to understand why Auckland is fondly known as the ‘City of Sails’. Meet your fellow travel companions for dinner and a few local tipples, and share stories of your day-one wanderings. Hotel: The Cordis, 2 Nights. DW
2 Auckland
Remember all those sails you spotted on the harbour yesterday? They come from a long and fascinating history of boat-building and sailing, as you’ll discover on an America’s Cup tour at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. This is a story of migration, innovation, team-building and skill. Plus, you get to glimpse one of the few existing replicas of the America’s Cup. The water is your backdrop as your skirt the harbour toward dreamy Mission Bay, onward to Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. This is the place to get some perspective. Yes of Auckland and its improbable location, but also of life in general. There’s nothing like an epic view to set your soul soaring. If you want tips on how to spend your afternoon, we have a few ideas, whether you’re a sports fanatic or a budding gourmand. B
3 Auckland - Tauranga
If you hadn’t noticed already, Kiwis are a friendly bunch. None more so than Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan, who welcome you to their bucolic Waikato farm for a country-style lunch in the aptly-named Red Barn. Expect plenty of stories about horses – the couple are racing royalty, after all. Fuel up on this Be My Guest lunch, as there’s an afternoon of activity ahead of you in the Bay of Plenty region, should you wish to lace up your hiking shoes. Work up a sweat exploring the trails of Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano. Or kick off your boots and wander barefoot along a golden stretch of sand by the same name. There’s a reason why many consider it the prettiest beach in the country. Hotel: Trinity Wharf Tauranga. DW BG B
4 Tauranga - Rotorua
Te Puke takes home the great honour of being the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. And these sweet treats don’t get much tastier than when freshly picked straight from the orchard, handed to you by a farmer. Expect an explosion of flavour. It will linger all the way to Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village. Indigenous heritage is also celebrated at Te Puia cultural centre, where you can witness Maori artisans at work, and Te Pā Tū Māori Experience , an important hub keeping tradition, art and music alive. Oh, and nurturing Maori cuisine. Sit down to a hangi meal, cooked underground. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 Nights. HD B
5 Rotorua
Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Nature lover? We might point you in the direction of the sparkling Waitomo Caves, where a galaxy of glow worms twinkle above your head while you cruise an underground waterway. Add on a visit to Hobbiton, if you’re a Lord of the Rings fanatic. Who isn’t? Or explore Rotorua and its three lakes in an amphibious WWII era Duck. Yes, it’s a thing. We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa.
6 Rotorua - Wellington
You’ll hear Huka Falls well before you see it – at this natural wonder, a staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11-meter-high waterfall every second. Photos just don’t do it justice; this is an every-sense-heightened experience. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from you’ll need a guide book. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to…
Hotel:
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.
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7 Farewell from Wellington
Wellington leaves you wanting more. It’s a good thing we’re ready to show you around, taking in distinctive architecture and cultural icons, not in the least waterside Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand – don’t miss a visit to the Maori marae (meeting house). It’s an eye-opening ending to an equally eye-opening trip. B
Jewels of the Bay
From$1170
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 to acknowledge New Zealand as a member of the Commonwealth. Any visit here is humbling, particularly in the company of a signatory descendent
Local Connection
The Bay of Islands naturally attracts creatives, inspired by the bucolic surrounds. Meet them – artists, makers and producers – on an optional experience.
Cultural Immersion
Free day in the Bay of Islands? An optional mini tour of Russell takes you to iconic locations that make it so significant in New Zealand’s early history.
Wildlife and Nature
From its 20-million-year-old volcanic dome to its spectacular waterfall, Whangarei feels more like an oasis than New Zealand’s most northerly city.
Dining
2 Full Breakfasts
1 Dinner
1 Auckland - Bay of Islands
We hope you slept soundly, because today is jam-packed with adventures. Hit the road in the morning for a scenic sojourn to the Bay of Islands. This pocket of the country deserves its name – there are more than 140 subtropical islets off the coast here. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret; this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely an ancestor of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. You wanted an introduction to New Zealand heritage on day one – you got it. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Water View Rooms, 2 Nights. D
2 Bay of Islands Free Time
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps out on to the water to ride the waves aboard a historic tall ship, glass of New Zealand wine in hand. Or maybe on a mini-tour around the romantic town of Russell, the country’s first permanent European settlement and seaport. Fun fact: the town’s streets retain their original names and layout from 1843. Just ask your Travel Director for touring tips – and places to wine and dine come dusk. This part of the country was made for blazing sunsets. B
3 Bay of Islands - Auckland
If you’ve never heard of Whangarei, you’re probably not alone. But today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. A place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums, Whangarei is the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland. B
Southern Spectacular
From$4180
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
Cruising World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is a ‘pinch me’ experience. The only way it gets better is with a guide pointing out dolphins and fur seals.
Local Connection
Angie and Stan Taylor are the kind of people you will want as best friends. After visiting their lush estate in Tekapo – Angie’s afternoon tea is a dream – they will be.
Cultural Immersion
Farming is a big deal in New Zealand, as you’ll fast discover at Walter Peak Station. Learn about life on the land, then sit down to a barbecue dinner.
Sustainable Footprints
Pomona Island Charitable Trust works with passionate volunteers to rehabilitate the South Island’s largest inland island. You get to be a part of the magic.
Wildlife and Nature
Snow-capped mountains, a mirror-like lake, white-water rivers and vine-laced fields. Queenstown is blessed with natural assets.
Dining
9 Full Breakfast
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
4 Dinners with Wine
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea
1 Welcome to Christchurch
At once forward-thinking and fun, Christchurch is the kind of city you could lose yourself in for a week – or more. You have this afternoon, so make the most of it. We recommend riding the rails on the vintage Christchurch Tram, a narrated hop-on, hop-off experience that loops around town, your host pointing out historic architecture and new developments that have popped up since the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Time to meet your fellow adventure-seekers over a Welcome Reception. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel.
2 Christchurch - Twizel
If you didn’t get your Christchurch bearings yesterday, you certainly will on today’s city tour, taking in the record-breaking Transitional Cathedral – who knew you could build a church from cardboard? The buildings of the city fade into a patchwork of farms as you ease across the Canterbury Plains toward Morelea. Here, Angie and Stan Taylor welcome you to their home with a slap-up Be My Guest afternoon tea and tales about life on the land. And this land is truly dramatic, backdropped by powdery mountains and cut with turquoise lakes, none quite as pretty as Lake Tekapo, on its banks the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd. Hotel: MacKenzie Country Hotel. DW BG B
3 Twizel - Dunedin
More water awaits, your journey following the Waitaki River to mighty Benmore Dam; it powers 300,000 New Zealand homes. You’re en route to Dunedin, replete with rolling green meadows and grand stone castles. It kind of feels like you’ve been transported to Scotland – small wonder it’s known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Afternoon at your leisure, we recommend a cruise to spot penguins and fur seals along the Otago Peninsula, or perhaps a visit to Speight’s Brewery – a New Zealand institution. There’s always that castle to explore. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross. DW B
4 Dunedin - Te Anau
Leave Dunedin’s bucolic sheep-farming countryside behind as you venture into World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, a place of yawning gorges and gem-like glaciers, and azure lakes so large they have their own islands. Case in point Pomona Island, where a charitable trust of passionate volunteers works to restore flora and fauna. With your help. Your cruise across Lake Manapouri is remote and ravishing during the day – it’s even prettier at night, when glowworms fill caves. Can we tempt you? Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas. D B
5 Te Anau - Queenstown
Nature rules today, from the moment you depart Te Anau and begin your journey deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Think native rainforests, beech forests, alluvial flats and meadows; Mirror Lakes perfectly reflecting mountain scenery; and precipitous lookouts holding guard over alpine rivers. And this is just the entrée. The main course is Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where you cruise in the company of dolphins that frolic under the torrent of mighty Bowen and Stirling Falls, and gaze at misty escarpments so sheer they appear to cleave off the edge of the Earth. Life in perspective. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 Nights. B
6 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Prefer wine to get your heart started? See why Central Otago makes some of the world’s most raved about cool-climate pinots on a cellar door tour. Wherever your daily wanderings take you, reunite with your companions come dusk to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, your barbecue Highlight Dinner served on the grounds of Walter Peak High Country Farm. HD B
7 Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
In the shadow of the Remarkables, Queenstown is pretty spectacular. But it has some stiff good-looks competition from neighbouring Arrowtown, with its movie-set tree-lined avenues and 19th-century buildings that once housed gold-rush fortune-seekers. Things grow well in this verdant countryside, from cherries to pinot grapes and all manner of stone fruit. Have you ever tasted a freshly-plucked peach handed to you by a farmer? Prepare for a flavour explosion. The next explosion is a visual one as you arrive at Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Get some perspective of this immense ice fall on an optional helicopter flight – you may even get to land on it. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing). DW B
8 Franz Josef/Waiau - Punakaiki
As if yesterday’s perspective wasn’t enough, gain new heights on the West Coast Treetop Walkway for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest. The emerald hues of the canopy are reflected in the greenstone (jade) mined in Hokitika, where artisans show you just how talented they are at carving jewellery and mementos. Nature carved Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes, where waves thunder through cracks in the Earth. Hotel: Ocean View Retreat Punakaiki. DW B
9 Punakaiki - Christchurch
Wine may steal the scene across much of New Zealand, but at legendary Monteith’s Brewery, beer rules. Sip your way through a tasting paddle of XPA, IPA, lager and pale ale because, hey, you’re not driving to the station where your TranzAlpine train awaits. This is one of those experiences where the journey matters just as much as the destination, as you sweep through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. What a way to end a day. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel. FD L B
10 Farewell from Christchurch
Wait, the last 10 days flew by. Return home with new friends, a full SD card on your camera – and even more memories. B
Spirit of New Zealand
From$7055
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
It doesn’t matter how you choose to explore Abel Tasman National Park – on foot or by boat – you’ll be wowed by its all-consuming natural beauty.
Time For You
There are some holiday moments where it’s great to have someone else take care of the details. And others where you want to wander at your own pace. We’ve got the perfect mix.
Iconic Sites
There are few places in NZ quite as humbling as Milford Sound within World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park. Waterfalls, ancient escarpments and dolphins await.
Natural Wonders
Cruising across mirror-like Lake Wakatipu, your backdrop the staggering Remarkables range of mountains, you’ll feel insignificant – in the best possible way.
Dining
20 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
5 Dinners
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Christchurch
Community spirit is strong in Christchurch, as you’ll discover exploring its streets at your leisure. We recommend jumping on the tram to discover how the city has rebuilt itself since the 2010/11 earthquakes. Look out for the Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Omarama
More of Christchurch is revealed before the colours of the Canterbury Plains spread before you: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. It’s quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of Good Shepherd. Opt to take in the drama from afar on a scenic flight over Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
3 Omarama - Dunedin
Easing through the Waitaki Valley, you’re en route toward New Zealand’s oldest public gardens. They lie in the pretty town of Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings. Architectural drama of a different kind awaits in Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speights Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover Larnach Castle, fur seals and penguins. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin. B
4 Dunedin - Invercargill
Rolling green pastures dotted with wide-eyed sheep are your backdrop to Gore. Fun fact: this is the country music capital of NZ. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city, telling the story of everyone from Burt Munro to Bill Richardson – his shed full of classic vehicles is the largest private collection of its type in the world. Hotel: Kelvin Hotel, 2 Nights. B
5 Stewart Island
Wild, wide and wonderful, Stewart Island’s rugged coastline cuts a dramatic form in the Southern Ocean. It’s largely untouched – 97% is national parkland – which means that endemic flora and fauna (including a menagerie of birds) thrive here. But don’t take our word for it. Meet the locals on a tour through valleys and bays. Later you may choose to take a cruise out to wildlife sanctuary Ulva Island, or furher explore Stewart Island by E-bike. B
6 Invercargill - Queenstown
You've probably already noticed that there's a lot of farmland here in New Zealand. It's fitting, then, that you meet southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Continue to Queenstown and take today at your own pace. Continue to Queenstown and take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps, twisting and revving along Queenstown's Shotover River. There's a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Tours of the South Island don't get much tastier than this. There's also an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
7 Queenstown
We wouldn’t blame you for using today to linger by the banks of Lake Wakatipu, marvelling at sky-scraping Remarkables. But if you want to venture further afield, we can point you in the right direction. A spot of bungy jumping at the place it was born, perhaps? Or an epic journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, carved by waterfalls and a playground for dolphins and seals. There’s a reason why this part of the island has World Heritage status. B
8 Queenstown - Franz Josef
We know you’ll want to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes is calling, from Lake Dunstan – pause for juicy stone fruit picked fresh from the tree – to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier, a white-out of snow and ice, shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
9 Franz Josef - Punakaiki
There aren’t many communities on the wild West Coast, Hokitika is one, and boy does it make the most of its setting. Wander the windswept coast before discovering the town’s other beauty: pounamu (native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Prepare yourself for Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep. Hotel: Ocean View Retreat Punakaiki. D B
10 Punakaiki - Nelson
Sit back and relax – that’s all you have to do today as you ease along the Heritage Highway toward Nelson. Press your nose against the glass as your coach weaves through Buller Gorge – a deep canyon home to New Zealand’s longest swingbridge – and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herb fields and coastal forests. Hotel: The Rutherford Hotel, 2 Nights. B
11 Nelson
Sleep in or work up a sweat – today is completely at your leisure. We have a few ideas up our sleeve, of course. Lace up your hiking shoes and head off on a bushwalk, or sit back on a boat and soak up the silence of Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the north of the island inspires calm, its golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs that all unite to create one of the country’s most legendary coastal tracks. B
12 Nelson - Wellington
Swap wheels for water aboard the Inter-islander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. Bring your appetite – the city is known for its oh-so-cool restaurants and bars. Ask us for tips. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington, 2 Nights. L B
13 Wellington
After a strong coffee – take your pick of cafes – it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stroll through Te Papa, the city’s mindboggling museum, or tour Parliament. Peter Jackson fans will have their sights set firmly on a Lord of the Rings movie tour or visit to Weta Workshop, where special-effects wizards work their magic creating goblins and dinosaurs for blockbuster films.
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14 Wellington - Napier
From a devastating earthquake in 1931, Napier rebuilt itself in just two years. The end result is architectural Nirvana, a city home to the world’s greatest concentration of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings. If these walls could talk… instead, get the lowdown from your in-the-know local guide. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania. B
15 Napier - Rotorua
The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country – it feeds thundering Huka Falls. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, dive deep into Indigenous culture and traditions at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, where your hangi dinner is cooked underground. Hotel: Sudima Lake Rotorua, 2 Nights. HD B
16 Rotorua Free Time
Today is one of decisions, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa. Animal lover? Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. B
17 Rotorua - Auckland
From New Zealand’s longest waterway, the Waikato River, to its largest city: welcome to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. You’ll understand how it got its moniker when you glimpse yachts gliding around its two harbours. But today your sights are firmly set on the city’s other love: rugby. The interactive All Blacks Experience begins with a haka before journeying through the sporting team’s remarkable history. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
18 Auckland - Bay of Islands
140 – that’s how many droplets ringed by turquoise sea comprise the Bay of Islands. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, perhaps a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 Nights. D B
19 Bay of Islands
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy local drops on a wine tour of the region, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. B
20 Bay of Islands - Auckland
For a little more northern exposure, make your way to Whangarei, the island’s most northerly outpost and a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalising snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. FD B
21 Farewell from Auckland
Over three weeks, we hope you’ve packed your address book with the names of new friends and your camera with photos of New Zealand’s most inspiring attractions. But at the end of the day, it’s the memories that will fuel your flight home.
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Essence of New Zealand
From$6130
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
It’s a bit of a luxury to have three nights in Queenstown. But then again, you need that time to discover everything this adventure playground offers
Time For You
We’ve crafted an itinerary with plenty of two-night stays, which means you can sleep in and truly take the pulse of your destination.
Iconic Sites
From the bubbling geysers of Rotorua to the gem-like surface of Franz Josef Glacier, nature and culture unite across the North and South islands.
Natural Wonders
More than 97% of Stewart Island is protected national parkland – unspoilt and largely unpeopled. It’s a magnet for the kiwi bird, which thrives here.
Dining
17 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
6 Dinners
1 Welcome to Christchurch
You’ll want to arrive early to see just how Christchurch has transformed itself since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes. The best way to do this? Aboard the city’s tram. It loops past important historic attractions as well as some new ones, like the Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Omarama
Step out with your guide for a deeper dive into ‘The City of Gardens’ before traversing the colourful Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and wildflower-strewn meadows. It’s quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of Good Shepherd. Opt to take in the drama from the air on a scenic flight over Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
3 Omarama - Dunedin
Easing through the Waitaki Valley, you’re en route toward New Zealand’s oldest public gardens. They lie in the pretty town of Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings. Architectural drama of a different kind awaits in Dunedin. The afternoon is yours to while away. Perhaps sipping a lager or two at Speights Brewery (a national institution). Or venturing further afield to discover Larnach Castle (the only one of its kind in the country), or cruising to spot fur seals and penguins. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin. B
4 Dunedin - Invercargill
If you’ve got an odd urge to hear Slim Dusty while traversing rolling green pastures en route to Gore, you’re not alone. Fun fact: this is the country music capital of NZ. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city, telling the story of everyone from Burt Munro to Bill Richardson – his shed full of classic vehicles is the largest private collection of its type in the world. Hotel: Kelvin Hotel, 2 Nights. B
5 Stewart Island
The ferry ride out to Stewart Island is wild, wide and wonderful. When you arrive, you’re welcomed by the country’s southernmost community. It’s largely untouched – 97% is national parkland – which means that endemic flora and fauna (including a menagerie of birds) thrive here. But don’t take our word for it. Meet the locals on a tour through valleys and bays and out to avian heaven at Ulva Island. Or, jump on an e-bike for a little pedal power. B
6 Invercargill - Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand for good reason. If you’d like to discover why, we can point you in the direction of the world’s first bungy jump, the Shotover Jet to speed along the Shotover River, or 4WDs to explore Skippers Canyon. But there are also plenty of alternatives for gourmands and sybarites. Like postcard-worthy vineyards, onsen hot pools with a view, and Lake Wakatipu walking trails. Speaking of which, there’s also an afternoon cruise across the lake aboard historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. The choice is yours. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
7 Queenstown Free Time
You clearly need more than one day to appreciate Queenstown and its surrounds. And when we say surrounds, we mean Milford Sound. Today, sign up to dive deep into this yawning gorge within World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park – it’s within easy reach of your base, and is best explored on an optional tour that sees you jumping aboard boat to cruise the mirror-like waterway. Don’t be surprised if you see dolphins and seals playing in the wake of waterfalls. B
8 Queenstown - Franz Josef
Arrowtown found its riches in gold, its residents building stately homes – now filled with boutiques and restaurants – that still line the street to this day. It’s a bit like stepping onto a movie set. Around the next ben is the Alpine countryside of the Southern Lakes, from Lake Dunstan, where you’ll refuel on stone fruit picked fresh from the tree, to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it.
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing).
D
B
9 Franz Josef - Punakaiki
Wandering Hokitika’s windswept shore on the West Coast feels a bit like you’ve discovered the end of the Earth. The town’s other natural beauty is pounamu (native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; when you find a trinket you like, flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Prepare yourself for Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep. Hotel: Ocean View Retreat Punakaiki. D B
10 Punakaiki - Nelson
Sit back and relax – that’s all you have to do today as you ease along the Heritage Highway toward Nelson. Press your nose against the glass as your coach weaves through Buller Gorge – a deep canyon home to New Zealand’s longest swing bridge – and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herb-fields and coastal forests. Hotel: The Rutherford Hotel, 2 Nights. B
11 Nelson Free Time
Sleep in or work up a sweat – today is completely at your leisure. We have a few ideas up our sleeve, of course. Lace up your hiking shoes and head off on a bushwalk, or sit back on a boat and soak up the silence of Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the north of the island inspires calm, its golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs that all unite to create one of the country’s most legendary coastal tracks. B
12 Nelson - Wellington
You’ll want a window seat for the cruise from the South Island to the North aboard the Inter-islander. This spectacle unfolds as you glide through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. We’ll gladly point you in the direction of one of the city’s happening restaurants for dinner tonight. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington, 2 Nights. B
13 Wellington Free Time
The best way to start a Wellington day is in one of its cafes. There are too many to count, and all are fab. You’ll need it to fuel your free day, whether that sees you catching up on Māori culture at Te Papa, the city’s mindboggling museum, or perhaps taking a tour of the Parliament. Peter Jackson fans will have their sights set firmly on a Lord of the Rings movie tour or visit to Weta Workshop, where special-effects wizards work their magic creating goblins and dinosaurs for blockbuster films.
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14 Wellington - Napier
Napier has a remarkable rebirth story. After it was flattened by an earthquake in 1931, locals rallied together to rebuild it in just two years. They did a rather remarkable job, and now the city is home to the world’s greatest concentration of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings. Your local guide will give you the architectural lowdown. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania. B
15 Napier - Rotorua
Lake Taupo, the largest of its kind in the country, is rather remarkable not only for its blinding blue colour, but also for the fact that it feeds thundering Huka Falls – you’ll hear them before you see them. Nature continues to rule as you arrive in Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, Indigenous culture and traditions are in the spotlight at Tamaki Māori Village, where your hangi dinner is cooked underground.
Hotel:
Sudima Lake Rotorua,
2 Nights.
HD
B
16 Rotorua Free Time
You could spend weeks discovering Rotorua. But you have today, so seize the moment and set out to explore. Your Travel Director can point you in the direction of a kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. Want a bit of down time? Bliss out at the Polynesian Spa. Arguably the best way to understand just how otherworldly your destination is, is from the air. Ask us about a scenic flight. B
17 Rotorua - Auckland
From New Zealand’s longest waterway, the Waikato River, to its largest city: welcome to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. You’ll understand how it got its moniker when you glimpse yachts gliding around its two harbours. But today your sights are firmly set on the city’s other love: rugby. The interactive All Blacks Experience begins with a haka before journeying through the sporting team’s remarkable history. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
18 Farewell from Auckland
It’s amazing how much of two attraction-packed islands you can see in 18 days. Provided you have the right people at the helm, and like-minded company, that is. B
Kia Ora New Zealand
From$5695
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
Explore the extremes of the North Island, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Or just relax by the pool. The choice is yours
Time For You
Queenstown is best explored at a leisurely pace. Follow your guide (or go as you will) to appreciate this Alpine town’s many allures.
Iconic Sites
You don’t need a reason to visit World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. But if you’re looking for one, make it shimmering Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. This place is nature writ large.
Natural Wonders
End-of-the-Earth drama awaits in the Bay of Islands, where 140 droplets of land unite powdery beaches with dreamy pockets of forest.
Dining
16 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
5 Dinners
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Auckland
Auckland is hypnotic, the kind of place you could easily lose yourself in for a couple of days. Or weeks. Arrive at your leisure and explore waterfront precincts filled with yachts, take a cruise out to the wineries of Waiheke Island, or just meet fellow travel companions over a few local tipples tonight. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland.
2 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely an ancestor of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 Nights. D B
3 Bay of Islands Free Time
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy local drops on a wine tour of the region, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. B
4 Bay of Islands - Auckland
Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerising commute back to Auckland. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
5 Auckland - Rotorua
Another day in Auckland. Lucky you. After a morning of sightseeing, set your GPS for the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, dive deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, where your hangi dinner is cooked underground. Enjoy your packed lunch today knowing that a donation is being made on your behalf to local charity Auckland City Mission, where real change can start with just one meal. Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 Nights. HD L B
6 Rotorua Free Time
Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa. Animal lover? Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Culture vulture? The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of mud pools B
7 Rotorua - Wellington
You’ll hear Huka Falls well before you see it – at this natural wonder, a staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11-metre-high waterfall every second. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you’ll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington. B
8 Wellington - Picton
Your final few hours in Wellington should – must – begin with a coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafés, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Onwards to the Inter-islander for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South, through a maze of arms and inlets into the sleepy seaside village of Picton. Hotel: Picton Beachcomber Inn. D B
9 Picton - Christchurch
There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the black sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight – Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch. B
10 Christchurch - Omarama
Christchurch is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Take it in on an optional scenic flight for added perspective of Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roi o Hine Hukatere. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
11 Omarama - Dunedin
If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B
12 Dunedin - Te Anau
Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or channel your inner royalty on a visit to grand Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this. Te Anau is also home to magical glowworm-filled caves accessed by boat across the lake. We highly recommend a visit. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.
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Hotel:
Distinction Luxmore Hotel.
D
B
13 Te Anau - Queenstown
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
14 Queenstown
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. HD B
15 Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, the pretty town of Franz Josef awaits. Get some perspective on an optional scenic flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
16 Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch. FD B
17 Farewell from Christchurch
Two New Zealand islands. Multiple glaciers. Endless lakes. Thermal springs. Black beaches, and white beaches. An endless parade of wildlife. We hope you find the words to describe this epic adventure to your family back home. B
New Zealand Magic
From$5695
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
Have an adventure at the very top of the North Island, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Or just relax by the pool. The choice is yours.
Time For You
Explore Queenstown at your own pace, whether sipping your way around wineries or zipping across rivers. Your Travel Director has endless ideas.
Iconic Sites
Visiting Milford Sound/Piopiotahi within World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park is a humbling experience. Waterfalls, ancient escarpments and dolphins await.
Natural Wonders
Franz Josef Glacier sparkles like a gem in the Southern Alps, cutting through the mountains for more than 12 kilometres.
Dining
16 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
7 Dinners
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Welcome to Christchurch
Explore the ‘Garden City’ at your leisure. We recommend jumping aboard the Christchurch Tram – the conductors are a hoot – to discover how the city has rebuilt itself since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes. It’s changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau
Your New Zealand adventure starts on a high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Arriving in Hokitika, your outlook is all pounamu (native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Things are about to get cool again as you arrive at Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, a white-out of snow and ice that shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
3 Franz Josef/Waiau - Queenstown
Over the Haast Pass, the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes spreads before you. First up there’s lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Followed by oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. We know you’ll want to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables await in Queenstown.
Hotel:
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown ,
2 Nights.
B
4 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. HD B
5 Queenstown - Te Anau
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. The onward road through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more magical, glowworm-filled caves make an appearance. We highly recommend a visit. Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel. D B
6 Te Anau - Dunedin
Soak up the serenity of the South Island’s biggest lake on an early morning walk, perhaps, before leaving the forested slopes of Fiordland behind. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are your new backdrop as you ease into the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B
7 Dunedin - Omarama
Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or channel your inner royalty on a visit to grand Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck with a visit to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings.
Hotel:
Heritage Gateway Hotel.
D
B
8 Omarama - Christchurch
Your outlook this morning is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Take it in on an optional scenic flight for added perspective of Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Back on the ground, you’re becoming reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know guide pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Local spirit is strong here. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch. D B
9 Christchurch - Picton
There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the black sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore – a sighting is practically guaranteed if you opt for an aerial tour over the coastline. Your onward route skirts the pink tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lake Grassmere Salt Works, before arriving in the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton. Hotel: Picton Beachcomber Inn. D B
10 Picton - Wellington
Swap wheels for water aboard the Inter-islander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. Bring your stamina for a session at the award-winning (and eye-opening) Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Your final few hours in Wellington should – must – end with a coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafés, many of them around Lamberton Quay. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington. B
11 Wellington - Rotorua
Follow the lead of locals along the Kapiti Coast, the traditional summer playground of Wellingtonians. You’ll understand why. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, delve deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Puia. Witness a traditional welcome, followed by a hangi feast cooked underground, and a Māori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
Hotel:
Ibis Rotorua Hotel,
2 Nights.
HD
B
12 Rotorua Free Time
Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa. Animal lover? Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway. B
13 Rotorua - Auckland
Set your internal GPS for the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous limestone waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. The next thing that glows on your horizon is Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city with not one, but two harbours. And plenty of yachts to decorate both, as you’ll see from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. D B
14 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely an ancestor of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 Nights. D B
15 Bay of Islands Free Time
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy local drops on a wine tour of the region, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. B
16 Bay of Islands - Auckland
Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
17 Farewell from Auckland
It’s hard to say goodbye to Auckland – this city is hypnotic. But you have a camera full of photos to categorize before you get home.
New Zealand Marvel
From$4790
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
From helicopter jaunts to thrilling jet-boat rides, winery expeditions to Hobbiton tours, your Travel Director is at your beck and call to organise travel optional experiences.
Time For You
There’s a reason why we give you downtime in Rotorua and Queenstown – there are enough attractions to fill every traveller’s wish list.
Iconic Sites
Waterfalls, ancient escarpments and dolphins await in Fiordland National Park’s Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. This World Heritage Site is as humbling as it is immense.
Natural Wonders
From snow-tipped mountains to a wild and dramatic coastline and turquoise alpine lakes, the Southern Lakes region is one of NZ’s most diverse and distinctive wilderness areas.
Dining
13 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
6 Dinners
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Welcome to Christchurch
There are plenty of reasons to arrive in New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’ early, among them the astonishing transformation that has reinvigorated streets since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes. Explore at your leisure. We recommend jumping aboard the Christchurch Tram – the conductors are a hoot – to glimpse the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau
When the journey matters just as much as the destination, jump aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch. This scenic spectacular takes you through tunnels and over viaducts, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys along the way. Arriving in Hokitika, your outlook is all pounamu (native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at the one you love. Around the corner is Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, compact of snow and ice that shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. Now that’s cool. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
3 Franz Josef/Waiau - Queenstown
If you thought the scenery yesterday was dramatic, wait until you hit the Haast Pass today: over the saddle, the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes spreads before you in a patchwork of blues and greens. First up there’s lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Then Lake Hawea – the colour of an Ice Mint – and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruits. As tempting as it is to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables await in Queenstown. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
4 Queenstown Free Time
Today, choose your own adventure – there are plenty to be had. Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Or discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner and a little late-night dancing. HD B
5 Queenstown - Te Anau
There are some travel days that defy the imagination. Thankfully, you don’t have to dream about all the natural highs in today’s itinerary – they’re about to become a reality. Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, a cavernous wonderland where waterfalls thunder from ancient escarpments into inky water where dolphins play. It’s all part of World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside. This is your backdrop all the way to Te Anau. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more magical, glowworm-filled grottoes make an appearance. We highly recommend a visit. Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel. D B
6 Te Anau - Dunedin
On the banks of the South Island’s biggest lake, Te Anau turns on the sunrise charms. Enjoy a morning stroll before swapping the forested slopes of Fiordland for the rolling green hills of the Edinburgh of the South. Welcome to Dunedin, a beguiling union of both Māori and Scottish heritage (it was colonised by Scots in the 19th century). While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speights Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins, anyone?
Hotel:
Scenic Hotel Dunedin City.
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7 Dunedin - Omarama
If you didn’t get a taste for Dunedin’s Scottish heritage yesterday, you surely will today. Explore grand Larnach Castle at your leisure – this is, after all, the only one of its kind in the country – then wander the manicured grounds of Otago University or the city’s main George Street for an additional reminder of the city’s ties to Europe. If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck with a visit to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
8 Omarama - Christchurch
Day 8 Omarama – Christchurch
Your outlook this morning is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, hemmed by snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. If it seems familiar, that’s because it regularly stars on postcards. Take it in on an optional scenic flight for added perspective of the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Back on the ground, it’s time to become reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know guide pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Local spirit is strong here.
Hotel:
Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
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9 Christchurch - Picton
Forget powdery white sand – once you’ve seen the dramatic black Kaikoura cove, you’ll be spoilt for all future beach-bashing. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore; a sighting is practically guaranteed if you opt for an aerial tour over the coastline. Your onward route skirts the pink-tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lake Grassmere Salt Works, before arriving in the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton. Hotel: Picton Beachcomber Inn. D B
10 Picton - Wellington
Cruising through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait is a journey as scenic as it is serene. Today’s chariot, the Interislander, transports you from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. We hope you got some rest on your journey, because you’ll need all your stamina to explore the award-winning (and eye-opening) Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Ask your Travel Director for tips on where to sip wine and coffee tonight – this city is known for its uber-cool cafés, restaurants and bars. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington. B
11 Wellington - Rotorua
Follow the lead of locals along the Kapiti Coast, the summer playground of Wellingtonians – for good reason. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, delve deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Puia. Your dinner, a hangi cooked underground, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. The highlight is a Māori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
Hotel:
Ibis Rotorua Hotel,
2 Nights.
HD
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12 Rotorua Free Time
Sometimes, the best adventures are those that you have when you least expect them. Like wandering into Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa and falling into a few hours of bliss while soaking in steamy thermal springs. Who knew nature was this relaxing? Or discovering endangered birds on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway.
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13 Rotorua - Auckland
Before you reach your final destination, get set to glow through the Waikato River’s Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous limestone waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, appears on the horizon, dazzling with not one, but two harbours. And plenty of yachts to decorate both, as you’ll see from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. D B
14 Farewell from Auckland
The ‘City of Sails’ flutters as if waving goodbye as you make your way home – with two weeks’ worth of extra baggage (all that wine!) and an innumerable number of memories B
New Zealand Vista
From$4790
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
Whether you like sky-high adventures – think, landing on a glacier – or prefer to keep your feet on the ground, we have a little black book of adventures ready to inspire.
Time For You
Free days in Queenstown and Rotorua means you can explore at leisure – thermal soaks and hiking slopes could be on the menu.
Iconic Sites
Within World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is the kind of place you expect to see on postcards. You’re here in real life.
Natural Wonders
Get your glow on at the Waitomo Caves, a magical subterranean world lit by thousands of glow-worms. Drift along and prepare to be dazzled.
Dining
13 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
4 Dinners
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Auckland
Auckland never fails to turn on the charm, as you’ll discover while exploring the city before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers. Arrive at your leisure and peruse waterfront precincts filled with yachts; take a cruise out to the wineries of Waiheke Island; or hit up the CBD to discover local designers. Turns out Kiwi creativity is surging. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland.
2 Auckland - Rotorua
Another day in Auckland… things could be worse. After a morning of sightseeing, set your GPS for the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. Here, your cruise route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, dive deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, where your hangi dinner is cooked underground. Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 Nights. HD B
3 Rotorua Free Time
We’re leaving you up to your own devices today. But have plenty of travel tips, depending on your mood. Want a bit of down time? Bliss out in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa. Animal lover? Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway. The choice is yours. B
4 Rotorua - Wellington
A staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over Huka Falls’ 11-metre-high escarpment every second. It creates quite the calamity. From here, the road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue they resemble an Ice Mint. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you’ll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to.
Hotel:
Travelodge Wellington.
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5 Wellington - Picton
Forget everything else you have to do today and focus on one thing: getting a cup of Wellington’s amazing coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafés, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Onwards to the Interislander for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South, through a maze of arms and inlets into the sleepy seaside village of Picton. Hotel: Picton Beachcomber Inn. D B
6 Picton - Christchurch
Black is the new black, as you’ll fast discover when walking along the dramatic ink-hued Kaikoura beach. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight – Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one.
Hotel:
Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
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7 Christchurch - Omarama
From its devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has become one of the most forward-thinking cities in the world when it comes to design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Choose to take it in from the air for added perspective, on an optional chopper flight around the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
8 Omarama - Dunedin
Oamaru may have supplied other NZ cities with limestone, but it kept some for itself – and the result is glorious leafy streets with grand 1800s buildings that stand proud before you journey further south toward Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in ‘little Edinburgh’s’ atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B
9 Dunedin - Te Anau
There’s no judgement that comes from a sleep-in. But if you have the energy, channel it into exploring Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.
Hotel:
Distinction Luxmore Hotel.
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10 Te Anau - Queenstown
There are some travel days that blaze into your memory. Today is one. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
11 Queenstown Free Time
Queenstown is known as NZ’s adventure capital for good reason. But don’t take our word for it. Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, skidding, twirling and zipping along white-water river. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner. HD B
12 Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
As if Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu wasn’t pretty enough, you have a parade of gleaming waterways to keep you company today. After departing the movie-set-perfect streets of Arrowtown, discover Lake Dunstan, surrounded by orchards where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere sparkles like a gem. You don’t get many opportunities in life to land and walk on a glacier. This afternoon is one. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
13 Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Swap white at Franz Josef Glacier/ Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere for green at Hokitika: the pounamu (native jade) found here is the stuff jewellery dreams are made of. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch. FD B
14 Farewell from Christchurch
Two islands, two weeks. It’s remarkable what you can see when you have the right people guiding you. B
Northern Wonders
From$2765
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
Auckland and Wellington are a bit like foodie paradise for gourmands. Ask your Travel Director to point you in the direction of top bars and restaurants.
Time For You
Ziplining through the forest, soaking in thermal springs, meeting endangered wildlife – how you spend your free time in Rotorua is up to you.
Iconic Sites
The Waitomo Caves are the stuff fairytales are made of. Illuminate your day cruising this limestone network, cast in the magical light of glowworms.
Natural Wonders
Rotorua is hot, in more ways than one. Steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools and mineral-rich springs are the beating heart of this geothermal valley.
Dining
7 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
2 Dinners
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Welcome to Wellington
New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington is the kind of place you could easily lose yourself in for a day. Good thing you arrived early. Check out one of the city’s oh-so-hip cafés before exploring Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, home to an extraordinary collection of artefacts, including an eye-opening exhibit dedicated to Māori history. Time to meet your fellow adventure-seekers. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington.
2 Wellington - Rotorua
The Kapiti Coast is the summer playground of Wellingtonians – for good reason. You’ll follow in local footsteps as you make your way along a road that unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, dive deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, where your hangi dinner is cooked underground. Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 Nights. HD B
3 Rotorua Free Time
If there’s a New Zealand city where you want free time, Rotorua is it. Go your own way today, perhaps blissing out in the Polynesian Spa’s thermal springs (we recommend a mud wrap). Who knew nature was this relaxing? Or discovering endangered birds on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway.
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4 Rotorua - Auckland
The Waitomo Caves are radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous underground waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a fairytale start to your day. One that only gets better as you descend on Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. You’ll discover how it got its moniker while gazing over its two yacht-studded harbours from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. D B
5 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Your journey north to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is not short of drama – discover 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea at the top of the country. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely an ancestor of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 Nights. D B
6 Bay Of Islands Free Time
Go as fast or as slow as you like today – there’s no rush, and no agenda. Talk to your Travel Director to organise leisurely jaunts up to Cape Reinga, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy local drops on a wine tour of the region. If you’re a history buff, you may want to join a tour of Russell and learn B
7 Bay of Islands - Auckland
You’re about to reach the very tip of New Zealand, as your travels take you to Whangarei – the county’s northern-most city. This is and a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalising snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your coach seat for the mesmerising commute back to Auckland. Ask your Travel Director for tips on where to dine; Auckland is a bit of a culinary hotspot. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
8 Farewell from Auckland
The only bad day in Auckland is the one where you have to bid farewell. On your journey home, just remember how much pleasure you have packed into this last week. B
Northern Spotlight
From$2765
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
Sometimes, the best meals are those you stumble upon. We can point you in the right direction in Auckland and Wellington – then go for it!
Time For You
Explore at your own pace in Rotorua. Slow? Opt for a thermal soak at the Polynesian Spa. Fast? Zipline through the rainforest.
Iconic Sites
Life becomes all the more radiant at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a subterranean wonderland that replicates the night sky.
Natural Wonders
Ancient volcanoes, thundering waterfalls and a yacht-studded harbour are your backdrop in Whangarei, New Zealand’s northernmost city. What a wildlife wonderland.
Dining
7 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
1 Dinner
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Welcome to Auckland
Auckland is known as the ‘City of Sails’. And you’ll discover why when exploring its two harbours at your leisure. Pick a waterfront precinct and find a perch to while away the afternoon with a glass of Central Otago sauvignon blanc and a backdrop of yachts darting the water. Should you need a closer look, take a cruise out to the wineries of Waiheke Island. Meet fellow travel companions over a few local tipples tonight. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland.
2 Auckland - Bay of Islands
Your journey north to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands is not short of drama – discover 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea at the top of the country. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, likely an ancestor of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 Nights. D B
3 Bay of Islands Free Time
If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. And today, you can do just that. At your leisure, venture up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy local drops on a wine tour of the region, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. The choice is yours. B
4 Bay of Islands - Auckland
Northern exposure is a thing today, when you journey toward the top of the country to visit Whangarei – NZ’s northern-most city, and a place where waterfalls meet beaches, galleries meet museums. It’s like the country in a tantalising snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerising commute back to Auckland. Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland. B
5 Auckland - Rotorua
There’s no bad day in Auckland – today, yours is filled with expeditions to the War Memorial Museum and Waitemata Harbour, before you set your GPS for the Waikato River and Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, delve deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Puia. Your dinner, a hangi cooked underground, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. The highlight is a Maori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 Nights. HD B
6 Rotorua Free Time
Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at in the steamy thermal springs at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa. Animal lover? Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway. B
7 Rotorua - Wellington
You’ll hear Huka Falls well before you see it – at this natural wonder, a staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11-metre-high waterfall every second. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you’ll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington. B
8 Farewell from Wellington
The best way to begin a Wellington day? With a coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafés, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. After lunch – read: a lunch that changes lives – it’s time to bid farewell to your NZ crew. What a week. B
Southern Spirit
From$4715
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
New Zealand’s chefs make the most of the South Island’s epic produce bounty. Dig in at restaurants across Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington.
Time For You
The gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson inspires calm. Find your own path in this wilderness paradise.
Iconic Sites
New Zealand’s cool little Capital, Wellington’s diversions range from cultural Nirvana at Te Papa to the beehive-like Parliament building.
Natural Wonders
An island off an island, Stewart Island is wild, wide and wonderful. Some 97% is national parkland – prepare for epic animal encounters.
Dining
13 Full Breakfasts
5 Dinners
1 Lunch
1 Welcome to Christchurch
Arrive early in Christchurch to get your bearings in this forward-thinking city. The best way to do that? Aboard the Christchurch Tram. Your journey not only takes you past jaw-dropping attractions – like the Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library – but also tells an inspiring story of community spirit in the rebuilding and reinvigoration of the city since the 2010/11 earthquakes.
Hotel:
Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Omarama
We peel off a couple more Christchurch layers on a city tour before setting the GPS for Lake Tekapo, a blinding shade of turquoise accented by the soaring snow-capped peaks and wildflower-strewn fields that surround. It’s quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of Good Shepherd. Opt for a bird’s-eye view on a scenic flight, taking you over Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, as well as Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
3 Omarama - Dunedin
Limestone put the pretty town of Oamaru on the map – its stately tree-lined streets are a parade of grand buildings. But it’s just as popular today for nurturing New Zealand’s oldest public gardens. Architectural drama of a different kind awaits in Dunedin, in the form of Larnach Castle, the only one of its kind in the country. This afternoon is at your leisure. We can point you in the direction of atmospheric art-lined alleys or toward Speights Brewery, a national institution. Or venture further afield to discover the fur seals and penguins that pad around the Otago Peninsula. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin. B
4 Dunedin - Invercargill
If you find yourself humming a Garth Brooks tune en route to Gore, you’re probably not alone. Fun fact: this is the country music capital of NZ. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the town, telling the story of everyone Burt Munro to Bill Richardson – his shed full of classic vehicles is the largest private collection of its type in the world. Hotel: Kelvin Hotel, 2 Nights. B
5 Stewart Island
Invercargill is the gateway to the southernmost community in the country. Welcome to Stewart Island, a wild and wonderful drop of land that is 97% national parkland. Naturally, it’s a magnet for endemic flora and fauna, as you’ll discover touring valleys and bays with a local. Forest-clad Ulva Island is avian heaven, completely pest free and an important breeding and nesting ground for all manner of birds. B
6 Invercargill - Queenstown
Adventure, nature, food and wine, relaxation – Queenstown is like New Zealand’s chocolate box; there’s something for everyone. Talk to your Travel Director then head off in your own direction, perhaps to feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet or bungy jumping off a bridge. Or to sip your way through surrounding vineyards. You might like to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue dinner awaits. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
7 Queenstown
We wouldn’t blame you for using today to linger by the banks of Lake Wakatipu, marvelling at sky-scraping Remarkables. But if you want to venture further afield, we have a few ideas. Top of our list today is an epic journey through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, carved by waterfalls and a playground for dolphins and seals. There’s a reason why this part of the island has World Heritage status.
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8 Queenstown - Franz Josef
Atmospheric Arrowtown was born from gold, and its movie-set-like streets still shimmer today. It’s hard to tear yourself away, but the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes is calling, from Lake Dunstan – pause for juicy stone fruit picked fresh from the tree – to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka, with its shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier glistens like nature’s gem. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. How cool is that? Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
9 Franz Josef - Punakaiki
On the wild West Coast, Hokitika may be small in size, but boy is it big in personality, not to mention natural attractions. Wander the windswept coast before discovering the town’s other beauty: pounamu (native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself. That’s what your loved one is for, right? Steel yourself for Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep. Hotel: Ocean View Retreat Punakaiki. D B
10 Punakaiki - Nelson
After action-packed days, all you need to do today is sit back and enjoy the drama of the Heritage Highway en route to Nelson. Gaze over Buller Gorge – a deep canyon home to New Zealand’s longest swingbridge – and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herbfields and coastal forests. Hotel: The Rutherford Hotel, 2 Nights. B
11 Neslon
The South Island’s oldest city, Nelson is the ideal starting point for outings through Abel Tasman National Park. This pocket in the north of the island is a beguiling union of golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs. It’s home to one of the country’s most legendary coastal tracks, if you fancy stretching your legs on a hike. Otherwise, drift away on a cruise around the coast, revealing unpeopled bays and dreamy inlets. The choice is yours. B
12 Nelson - Wellington
All aboard the Interislander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. Your local guide will help you get your bearings, then point you in the direction of some of the city’s most innovative restaurants and bars. Wellington is a bit of a foodie mecca. Hotel: Travelodge Wellington, 2 Nights. B
13 Wellington
Wellington also knows a thing or two about good coffee, and you’ll need a strong one to get you through today’s sightseeing. You may wish to linger in town, discovering Māori culture at Te Papa museum. Or head further afield on a Lord of the Rings movie tour or visit to Weta Workshop, where special-effects wizards work their magic creating goblins and dinosaurs for blockbuster films. Decisions, decisions. D B
14 Farewell from Wellington
It’s hard to say goodbye to the south of New Zealand. If you can’t bear to leave, we have a few ideas up our sleeve to extend your holiday… B
Southern Spotlight
From$3145
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
If you came to Queenstown expecting to lose weight – think again. This southern city has some of NZ’s best restaurants and bars. Dig in.
Time For You
Sometimes, the best travel experiences are those you have on a whim. Enjoy downtime to go at your own pace.
Iconic Sites
The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…
Sustainable Travel
Your journey deep into Fiordland National Park is helping sustain this wild and wonderful part of New Zealand for future generations.
Natural Wonders
Franz Josef Glacier is quite possibly the South Island’s coolest attraction. Literally. This gem sparkles from its perch in Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Dining
8 Full Breakfasts
3 Dinners
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Christchurch
Since its 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. Discover how when you step back in time aboard the Christchurch Tram, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. Expect quite the commentary – your conductors are a hoot. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Omarama
Christchurch is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. If you wish (and you should wish) take it in on a scenic flight for added perspective of the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
3 Omarama - Dunedin
If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Thirsty? Visit Speights Brewery, a New Zealand institution. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B
4 Dunedin - Te Anau
There are some days when you’re travelling, that all you want to do is sleep in. Go for it. Or channel your inner royalty on a visit to Dunedin’s grand Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this. Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel. D B
5 Te Anau - Queenstown
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
6 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner. HD B
7 Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere sparkles like a gem. You don’t get many opportunities in life to land and walk on a glacier. This afternoon is one. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
8 Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika. In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Hotel:
Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
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9 Farewell from Christchurch
New Zealand’s South Island never fails to wow. We hope you find the words to describe this epic adventure to your family back home. B
Southern Wonders
From$3145
Highlights
Flexible Holidays
If you cane to Queenstown expecting to lose weight – think again. This southern city has some of NZ’s best restaurants and bars. Dig in.
Time For You
We love leading you to NZ’s top attractions. But we also enjoy giving you the freedom to discover at your leisure. Some adventures are those unplanned.
Iconic Sites
The TranzAlpine train ride has been described as one of the most scenic cross-country jaunts in the world. But don’t take our word for it…
Sustainable Travel
Your journey deep into Fiordland National Park is helping sustain this wild and wonderful part of New Zealand for future generations.
Natural Wonders
The Dunedin coast dials up the natural drama, its wind-carved cliffs and beaches attracting wild seabirds, sea lions and penguins.
Dining
8 Full Breakfasts
4 Dinners
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Christchurch
You don’t have to arrive in Christchurch early, but we recommend you do – this South Island city has some of New Zealand’s most innovative architecture, not to mention forward-thinking restaurants and bars. Spot them aboard the Christchurch Tram, linking some of the city’s most legendary attractions. Your conductors are quite the entertainers. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch.
2 Christchurch - Franz Josef
Your South Island sojourn starts on a literal high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train, crossing the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass. This is one of the world’s most scenic rail experiences, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. At the other end of the line is Hokitika, the home of pounamu (also known as native greenstone or jade). In Māori tradition, it’s bad luck to buy this sacred stone for yourself; flutter your eyelids at your loved one. Just when you thought your day couldn’t get any better, Franz Josef Glacier twinkles on the horizon. You don’t get many chances in life to land and walk on a glacier. This afternoon is one. How cool is that? Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing). D B
3 Franz Josef - Queenstown
Over the Haast Pass, alpine drama awaits. The Southern Lakes deserve their name: there are almost more waterways here than you can count. First up there’s lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Followed by oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. As tempting as it is to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables await in Queenstown. Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 Nights. B
4 Queenstown Free Time
The adventure capital of New Zealand doesn’t disappoint when it comes to activities that are fast and furious. Take your pick of zipping about on the high-octane Shotover Jet or exploring the natural drama of Skippers Canyon. Prefer life at a more leisurely pace? Opt to step onto a Lord of the Rings movie set or sip your way through surrounding vineyards. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner. HD B
5 Queenstown - Te Anau
Nature rules today as you motor from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley. But this is just a teaser of what’s to come: World Heritage listed Milford Sound. Cruising this dreamy expanse will give you goosebumps, its string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins and fur seals – they’re a common sight here. The onward road through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more magical, glowworm-filled caves make an appearance. We highly recommend a visit. Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel. D B
6 Te Anau - Dunedin
The South Island’s biggest lake is a blissful place for an invigorating morning walk. If it doesn’t set your pulse racing, than your outlook of rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep surely will. This bucolic countryside surrounds the country’s city of Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution). Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. B
7 Dunedin - Omarama
Did you know that Dunedin takes its name from the Scottish word for Edinburgh? The city nods to its European heritage at Larnach Castle – the only one of its kind in the country – as well as through the grounds of Otago University and along the city’s main George Street. Explore at your leisure, before venturing on to New Zealand’s oldest public gardens and grand limestone buildings at Oamaru. Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel. D B
8 Omarama - Christchurch
If there’s a lake with a more vivid turquoise colour than Tekapo, we’re yet to see it. It’s made even more dramatic by snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns that surround. Take it in from the air for added perspective of the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Back on the ground, you’re becoming reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know guide pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. Local spirit is strong here. Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch. D B
9 Farewell from Christchurch
If you feel like you’ve only seen the tip of the South Island’s iceberg, you’d be correct. This beguiling part of the country could keep travel enthusiasts entertained for eons. Thankfully, we have more itineraries – ask your Travel Director and start planning your next trip B
The immersive, vast beauty of Australia and New Zealand awaits.
You’ll witness the many hues of an outback sunset blend into ochre natural wonders, hear ancient languages spoken and see stories written in the sand.
Indulge in native flavours and relax in dwellings nestled within the heart of your destination.
This is where your journey begins.
Meet our vibrant makers and creators, and the local storytellers whose passion it is to share with you the very best of these unique lands. Delight the senses with exclusive culinary experiences and allow your expert guide to show you the iconic sights that promise moments of awe and wonder.
Your journey will be expertly curated with no detail forgotten, ensuring your adventure is seamless, stress free and timed to perfection. With more than 100 years’ experience in showcasing these mesmerising locations, we’ve collected a wealth of unmatched knowledge and passion that allows us to create an unforgettable travel experience for you.
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