Itinerary
- Day 1
Wellington
You'll have the full day in Wellington to check things out at your own pace. Start by walking along Oriental Parade, then head into the city to browse the quirky shops on Cuba Street. Te Papa, the national museum, is worth a few hours if you want to dive into New Zealand's history and culture. It's all pretty walkable from the central area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Oriental Parade
- Browse Cuba Street's unique boutiques
- Visit Te Papa national museum
Landmarks Te Papa Oriental Parade Cuba Street 
- Day 2
Wellington to Nelson
The ferry crossing the Cook Strait is one of those journeys that's worth the time. You might see dolphins riding the bow wave along the way. After arriving in Picton, you'll drive through Marlborough wine country toward Blenheim for a wine tasting at one of the local wineries. Then it's on to Nelson where you'll settle in for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry across Cook Strait
- Wine tasting at Marlborough winery
Landmarks Cook Strait Marlborough wine region - Day 3
Nelson
This day centers on Abel Tasman National Park with its golden beaches, turquoise water, and forested hillsides. You'll board a small cruiser at Kaiteriteri that stops for swimming and exploring. Later you can choose your own adventure: relax back in Kaiteriteri, take a 2.5-hour walk out to Anchorage Beach, or do a longer 4-hour hike that passes South Head lookout, Falls River swing-bridge, and Cleopatra's Pool. Either way you'll return to Nelson by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Abel Tasman National Park cruise
Optional Activities
- Relax in Kaiteriteri at leisure
- 7km self-guided walk to Anchorage Beach (2.5 hours)
- 10.5km self-guided walk to Anchorage Beach with scenic highlights including South Head lookout, Falls River swing-bridge, and Cleopatra's Pool (4 hours)
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park Kaiteriteri Anchorage Beach 
- Day 4
Nelson to Kaikoura
Your itinerary here depends on when you're traveling. Before October 2026: You'll head through Nelson Lakes National Park with its rugged peaks and glacial lakes, stop in the small village of St. Arnaud, drive along the scenic Buller River Gorge, and end up in Punakaiki on the coastline where the famous Pancake Rocks limestone formations rise from the wild shoreline. October 2026 onwards: Instead you'll travel through Marlborough's vineyards to Kaikoura, known for mountains meeting ocean. There you'll choose between a whale watching cruise or a scenic flight to spot them from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pancake Rocks visit at Punakaiki (before October 2026)
- Whale Watch Cruise or Wings Over Whales in Kaikoura (October 2026 onwards)
Landmarks Nelson Lakes National Park St. Arnaud Buller River Gorge Pancake Rocks Kaikoura - Day 5
to Fox Glacier
Before October 2026: From Punakaiki you'll head west to Hokitika on the West Coast to look at greenstone jewelry galleries and artwork, check out Hokitika Gorge with its vivid blue-green water, then continue south to Franz Josef and Fox village below the massive glaciers flowing from the Southern Alps. October 2026 onwards: You'll board the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch, crossing the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass. After meeting up with your coach in Greymouth, you'll explore Hokitika's galleries, visit the gorge, and travel through rainforest and rugged coast to Fox village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tranz Alpine Train journey Christchurch to Fox Glacier (October 2026 onwards)
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over the glaciers (additional cost)
Landmarks Hokitika Hokitika Gorge Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier Waimakariri Gorge Arthur's Pass 
- Day 6
Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Start by visiting Lake Matheson where Mount Cook reflects in the water on clear days. Then you'll cross the Haast Pass, traveling along the river road (which took over 40 years to build) through Mt Aspiring National Park. The drive takes you to Lake Wanaka and the scenic town of Wanaka where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Matheson
Landmarks Lake Matheson Haast Pass Mt Aspiring National Park Lake Wanaka Mount Cook 
- Day 7
Wanaka
You get to pick between two activities today. Option 1 is an eco-tour where you'll take a boat to an island, hike through native forest to a mountaintop lake with 360-degree views of Lake Wanaka, its mountains and valleys, and you might spot the rare Buff Weka bird. Option 2 is a 4WD farm adventure exploring the high country on a working property with Lake Wanaka as your backdrop, getting close to farm animals, visiting historical spots, and doing optional alpine walks. The afternoon is yours to relax in Wanaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Local eco-guided tour - island hike with mountaintop lake and views of Lake Wanaka
- Authentic 4WD adventure on High Country farm with animals and historical sites
Optional Activities
- Optional hikes through alpine meadows and lakeside forests (during 4WD adventure option)
Landmarks Lake Wanaka Arethusa Pool - Day 8
Wanaka to Te Anau
You'll start at the iconic Cardrona Pub, then drive the scenic Crown Range road to Arrowtown, a charming gold rush village on the Arrow River. From there the route splits by travel date. Before October 2026: You'll head straight through high-country scenery toward Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest freshwater lake and the entrance to Fiordland National Park. October 2026 onwards: You'll stop at Woodstone Farm to learn about sheep and beef farming, then finish the day with a thrilling Fiordland Jet ride skimming across Lake Te Anau and the Waiau River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fiordland Jet experience and Woodstone Farm visit (October 2026 onwards)
Landmarks Cardrona Pub Crown Range road Arrowtown Arrow River Lake Wakatipu Lake Te Anau Woodstone Farm Waiau River - Day 9
Te Anau to Queenstown
Today you'll drive through Fiordland National Park, part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, with towering mountains and deep glacial valleys all around. Then you'll board a cruise through Milford Sound, famous enough to be called the eighth wonder of the world. You'll pass Mitre Peak on the way out to the Tasman Sea, watching for seals and dolphins along the way. After the cruise you'll head back to Te Anau, then drive through Southland farmlands around Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch during Milford Sound cruise), Dinner
Included Activities
- Milford Sound cruise and lunch
Landmarks Fiordland National Park Milford Sound Mitre Peak Tasman Sea Lake Wakatipu Queenstown - Day 10
Queenstown
Queenstown sits among mountains on Lake Wakatipu and has something for every type of traveler. If you want thrills there's zip-lining at Bob's Peak, Shotover jet-boat rides, or white-water rafting. For something calmer, take the gondola up Bob's Peak, do a 4WD safari through Skippers Canyon, visit local wineries, or cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw steamship and visit Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Zip-lining at Bob's Peak
- Shotover jet-boat ride
- White-water rafting
- Gondola ride to Bob's Peak
- 4WD safari to Skippers Canyon
- Visit boutique wineries
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on TSS Earnslaw steamship
- Visit Walter Peak High Country Farm
Landmarks Bob's Peak Shotover Canyon Skippers Canyon Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 11
Queenstown to Twizel
You'll head north through Kawarau Gorge past Lake Dunstan, cross the Central Otago countryside to Lindis Pass, then descend into the Mackenzie Basin with the Southern Alps filling the horizon. The drive along Lake Pukaki is scenic, and you'll reach Mt. Cook Village at the base of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. You'll spend the night in the nearby town of Twizel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Kawarau Gorge Lake Dunstan Lindis Pass Mackenzie Basin Southern Alps Lake Pukaki Mt. Cook Village Aoraki/Mt. Cook Twizel - Day 12
Twizel to Christchurch
This morning you'll visit a local home on Lake Tekapo to learn how to make Pavlova, a beloved New Zealand dessert, and you'll eat what you make over morning tea with lake views. After that you'll see the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Southern Alps as its backdrop. From there you'll travel through high-country tussock plains, pass through small towns like Fairlie and Geraldine, and eventually cross the fertile Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch, a city that's combined post-earthquake rebuilding with heritage, culture, and modern design.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning tea at a local home on Lake Tekapo's shores with Pavlova-making experience
Landmarks Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Southern Alps Fairlie Geraldine Ashburton Canterbury Plains Christchurch 
- Day 13
Christchurch
Start with a leisurely punt down the River Avon through Christchurch Botanic Gardens with boatmen in straw boaters and Edwardian clothing. After that, ride a beautifully restored heritage tram to see how the city has changed and recovered. As your trip winds down, you'll have a relaxed farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Punt cruise along River Avon through Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Heritage tram tour of Christchurch cityscape
Landmarks River Avon Christchurch Botanic Gardens - Day 14
Christchurch
Your New Zealand adventure ends here. A transfer will take you to Christchurch Airport for your flight home.
Landmarks Christchurch Airport
