Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and connect with your driver guide for a briefing about the tour. This is a good chance to get your bearings around the city and learn how it's changed since the 2010/11 earthquakes reshaped the area.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
- Day 2
Geraldine - Waitaki Valley - Omarama
Start the day at Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral and walk through the Botanic Gardens. Then you'll head to Geraldine to try local cheeses at Barkers Store. From there, you travel along the East Coast through the Waitaki Valley, passing Lake Benmore and snow-capped mountains before arriving in Omarama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit the Cardboard Cathedral
- Tour the Botanic Gardens
- Stop at Barkers Store in Geraldine to sample local cheeses and produce
Landmarks Cardboard Cathedral Christchurch Botanic Gardens Lake Benmore - Day 3
Invercargill
You'll see Clyde, a historic town with gold mining heritage that's now full of cafes and shops. After that, head to Invercargill for a guided tour of Transport World, where you can explore classic vehicles and learn about Bill Richardson's collection of unusual trucks. The day wraps up with a highlight dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Highlight Dinner at Transport World)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kelvin Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Transport World
- Highlight Dinner at Transport World
Landmarks Transport World - Day 4
Templeton Flax Mill - Riverton - Te Anau
Travel through Southland's farmland to Templeton Flax Mill for a guided tour with curator Nathan Templeton, who'll explain the flax mill industry's history. You'll continue to Riverton, a charming seaside town, then head toward Fiordland National Park and Te Anau on the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Templeton Flax Mill with presentation from Nathan Templeton
- Visit Riverton
Landmarks Templeton Flax Mill Fiordland National Park - Day 5
Milford Sound
You'll travel through Fiordland National Park's beech forests, alluvial flats, and mirror-like lakes heading toward Milford Sound. An included sightseeing cruise takes you out to see towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and wildlife including the Kea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Landmarks Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Day 6
Arrowtown - Queenstown
Start with country life at Real Country Farm, where you'll watch horse communication and sheep dog mustering demonstrations. Then visit Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with tree-lined streets and boutiques. Later, you'll arrive in Queenstown for a two-night stay in the adventure capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Real Country Farm Experience with demonstrations of horse communication and working sheep dog mustering
- Visit historic Arrowtown
Landmarks Arrowtown 
- Day 7
Queenstown
You have the day to explore Queenstown at your own pace. Lunch is included at Fergburger, known for gourmet burgers. If you want more action, consider optional jet boat rides on the Shotover River, wine tours through local vineyards, or an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Fergburger, cult eatery famous for its mouthwatering gourmet burgers and vibrant atmosphere)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Fergburger
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on Shotover River (own expense)
- Wine tours through surrounding vineyards (own expense)
- Afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm with gourmet barbecue dinner (own expense)
Landmarks Shotover River Lake Wakatipu - Day 8
Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Stop at Jones Family Fruit Stall for fresh local stone fruit early on. Then you'll cross the alpine Lindis Pass with panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks and Mount Cook. Later, see the stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, then continue through the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Visit Jones Family Fruit Stall
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Mount Cook - Day 9
TranzAlpine Train - Greymouth - Punakaiki
You'll board the TranzAlpine train for a scenic journey through tunnels and over viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, and river valleys. Stop in Greymouth to learn about its mining history, then head to Punakaiki to see the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes before settling at your coastal eco retreat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Punakaiki)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
- Visit Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Greymouth Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - Day 10
Buller Gorge - Nelson
Your coach travels along the Heritage Highway toward Nelson. You'll pass through the deep Buller Gorge with New Zealand's longest swing bridge and Kahurangi National Park, which features wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herb fields, and coastal forests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)
Landmarks Buller Gorge Kahurangi National Park - Day 11
Nelson
This day is yours to do as you like. Sleep in if you want or stay active, the choice is up to you. If you're interested, an optional cruise and walk combination is available at Abel Tasman National Park, where you can explore golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Abel Tasman National Park cruise and walk combination (own expense)
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Nelson to Wellington by Ferry
You'll board the ferry from the South Island to the North Island, cruising through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel, and across the Cook Strait. The journey takes you through a maze of arms and inlets as you arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's cool little capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Cook Grand Chancellor)
Included Activities
- Cruise the Cook Strait from Picton to Wellington
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Cook Strait 
- Day 13
Napier
This morning you'll see Wellington's sights including the Beehive and Parliament grounds. Then you travel to Napier to experience the city's beautifully preserved 1930s architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)
Included Activities
- View the Beehive and Parliament grounds in Wellington
Landmarks The Beehive Parliament Grounds - Day 14
Napier
Take an easy walk through Napier's compact Art Deco Quarter with a local guide from the Art Deco Trust, who'll explain the city's fascinating architectural history. In the afternoon, you can relax or choose optional wine tours of local Hawkes Bay vineyards or a safari to see the famous Gannet nesting colony at Cape Kidnappers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)
Included Activities
- Guided Art Deco Walking Tour in Napier with Art Deco Trust guide
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of local Hawkes Bay vineyards (own expense)
- Safari to the famous Gannet nesting colony at Cape Kidnappers with Gannet Safaris Overland (own expense)
Landmarks Napier Art Deco Quarter - Day 15
Rotorua
You'll see the mighty Huka Falls, then continue to Rotorua, known for its bubbling mud pools, geysers, and Maori culture. Learn about jade carving at a traditional Pounamu workshop. Later, the Te Po Indigenous Experience at Te Puia includes a cultural performance, the Pohutu Geyser, and a buffet dinner with hangi-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner of hāngī-inspired cuisine at Te Puia)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Visit Huka Falls
- Visit traditional Pounamu workshop to learn about jade carving and its cultural meaning
- Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia including cultural performance, Pohutu Geyser viewing, and buffet dinner
Landmarks Huka Falls Te Puia Pohutu Geyser 
- Day 16
Rotorua
You have the day to explore Rotorua as you like. Consider touring the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, relaxing at Wai Ariki Hotel Springs and Spa, or taking a scenic flight over the geothermal landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)
Optional Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour (own expense)
- Wai Ariki Hotel Springs & Spa (own expense)
- Scenic flight (own expense)
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 17
Auckland
Travel from Rotorua to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and the 'City of Sails'. Your city tour focuses on rugby with an interactive All Blacks Experience exploring the sport as part of New Zealand culture, ending with a traditional haka performance where you'll participate. Finish with drinks with your travel director and travel companions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Drinks with Travel Director and travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart)
Included Activities
- City tour of Auckland
- Interactive All Blacks Experience with traditional haka performance
Landmarks All Blacks Experience 
- Day 18
Auckland
You'll depart from Auckland today. It's a good time to reflect on all the adventures and experiences from the past 18 days throughout New Zealand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
