First Choice
New Zealand Panorama
7 Day Guided Vacation | Queenstown to Rotorua
Travel Period
You don’t need to do everything to appreciate a destination – sometimes the best journeys are those when you have time to immerse yourself in a city. This Queenstown to Auckland tour will have you wandering the streets of Auckland on the hunt for a great restaurant, soaking in Rotorua’s thermal springs, stopping to appreciate Maori culture and enjoying adventure with a side of wine in Queenstown.
Prices From Code: RPACA
$2768
$3413
$2498
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New Zealand Panorama
First Choice
7 Day Guided Vacation
Queenstown to Rotorua
You don’t need to do everything to appreciate a destination – sometimes the best journeys are those when you have time to immerse yourself in a city. This Queenstown to Auckland tour will have you wandering the streets of Auckland on the hunt for a great restaurant, soaking in Rotorua’s thermal springs, stopping to appreciate Maori culture and enjoying adventure with a side of wine in Queenstown.
Highlights

Local Connection
Sheep farming is a thing in the South Island. Learn about life on the land through the eyes of local Laura Douglas.

Insider Knowledge
There’s little your guide doesn’t know about the insect world shimmering around you as you explore the Ruakuri Glowworm Caves.

Cultural Immersion
Your hosts at Whakarewarewa Living Village share intimate stories and Indigenous traditions during your visit to this important cultural site.

Sustainable Footprints
The kiwi bird may be NZ’s national icon, but it’s as elusive as it’s cute. Spot them and contribute to protection, visiting a hatchery.
Itinerary

Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand. Upon arrival into Queenstown, we travel to the faithfully restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. As you amble down the beautiful tree-lined avenues, past the 19th century wooden buildings, you will feel like you have stepped into a movie set. Later, you will have free time to explore Queenstown.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights
Get a feel for real country life this morning when we meet our host Laura for a Be my Guest Experience. Born and raised on a sheep and deer farm in the deep south of New Zealand, Laura will share her story of her life growing up in the country. Try your hand at sheep mustering, whip cracking as well as the chance to feed and pet the farm animals. You'll leave feeling more like a local than a visitor. Early evening, enjoy a peaceful evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue highlight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. Then enjoy an entertaining after-dinner farm show providing a glimpse into high-country farm life.
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine, Breakfast
While Queenstown wears its Global Adventure badge proudly, it’s also the perfect place to relax and explore. The town boasts great shopping with luxury brands, iconic New Zealand design stores and boutique fashion. If bungy jumping or tree-to-tree ziplining aren't your cup of tea, consider an Optional Experience to spectacular Milford Sound, travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Experience magnificent scenery and many photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout (Pop’s view), Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel towards the iconic Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound for your cruise.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today we depart the adventure capital of New Zealand Queenstown and head north to the City of Sails, Auckland. Tonight, why not dine at one of the many eateries on Federal Street, a hotspot for food lovers right on your doorstep. With an impressive accolade of awards between them, there is something to suit every taste at Federal Street.
Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today we journey south through the King Country region which was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860’s. Join our 'Local Specialist' in a starry wonderland - a cavernous galaxy of twinkling bright green and blue glow-worms that light up the Ruakuri Caves, Waitomo. This evening, we join our hosts at the Mitai Maori Village for an authentic introduction to Maori culture, experience a delicious Hangi feast and cultural performance.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights
Included Meals: Highlight Dinner, Breakfast
Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the national leader in kiwi husbandry. Learn about the work being done to save New Zealand’s national bird, see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks. Continue to the Living Maori Village Whakarewarewa and gain in-depth insights into the lives of the Māori people and the special bond they share with this ancient land. See New Zealand's biggest geyser, bubbling mud pools and thermal springs. Later we'll join our Travel Director and new-found friends for a Farewell Dinner at Terrace Kitchen on the Lakefront.
Included Meals: Farewell Dinner, Breakfast
Bid farewell to your epic Antipodean adventure as you are transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:


Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating.
- Air Conditioning
- Colour TV
- Refrigerator
- Mini Bar
- Phone
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Electric blankets
- Broadband Internet access
Features


Discover an oasis of luxury in the heart of Auckland's vibrant city. The modern and spacious SKYCITY Grand Hotel allows you to relax in style while enjoying our world-class casino, more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower.
- Plasma television
- Bathrobe
- Luxury bathroom products
- Mini Bar
- Refrigerator
- Air Conditioning
- In-house movies
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Work Desk
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- In-room safe
Features


Centrally located in the city beside mystical Lake Rotorua, this hotel is just a brief stroll from the Rotorua Museum, Convention Centres and adjacent to a Polynesian Spa.
- Air Conditioning
- Mini Bar
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Internet Access
- Sky TV
- Personalised message and wakeup service
- Work Desk
- Radio
- Hair Dryer
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
Features
Need accommodation before or after your tour?
Our special discounted rates make booking accommodation with us during your holiday both easy and affordable at selected AAT Kings hotels and resorts. Ask our friendly reservations at the time of booking.
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- • 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site – Fiordland National Park
- • Be My Guest Experience - Laura Douglas Farm Experience
- • Centrally located premium 4- & 5-star hotels
- • 5 included attractions/experiences
- • Arrival and departure airport transfers
What to Bring
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Camera
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
Fitness Requirements
- • Low level of fitness required
Dining
- • Breakfast (6)
- • Dinner (2)
- • Farewell Dinner (1)
Flight Information
- • Day 1: Flights to arrive by 4:00pm into Queenstown airport
- • Day 4: Queenstown to Auckland NZ614 (*Required Internal Flights)
- • Day 7: Flights to depart after 2:00pm from Auckland Airport