Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and have the afternoon and evening to settle in at your own pace. The city's known as the 'Garden City,' and you can hop on the tram tour to see how it's bounced back since the 2011 earthquakes, checking out the striking Transitional Cathedral and the modern Turanga library. Later on, meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group at a welcome reception.
Optional Activities
- Christchurch tram tour to discover post-earthquake reconstruction
- Visit Transitional Cathedral
- Visit Turanga central library
Landmarks/POIs Transitional Cathedral Turanga - Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train early and travel through the Southern Alps toward Arthur's Pass, passing through tunnels and crossing viaducts with views of snow-capped peaks and beech forests stretching out around you. By mid-afternoon you'll reach the heritage town of Hokitika on the West Coast, famous for its jade work. From there, head to Franz Josef where you can see the glacier up close. If weather cooperates, there's an optional helicopter flight over the glacier available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps
- See Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere from panoramic viewpoint
- Visit Hokitika
Optional Activities
- Scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier (weather dependent, may include glacier landing)
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere Hokitika - Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Head over the Haast Pass this morning with alpine landscape unfolding all around. You'll stop at Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan to stretch your legs and grab refreshments, then continue to Arrowtown with its charming, movie-set-like streets lined with trees and boutique shops. After that, drive toward Queenstown with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range coming into view.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Flavour-packed stone fruit refuel stop), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit historic Arrowtown
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables - Day 4
Queenstown
Queenstown's yours to explore as you like. Adrenaline seekers can take a high-octane jet boat ride, or there's a wildlife centre where you'll see native New Zealand birds. You might check out local vineyards or just relax around town. Come evening, board the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you'll have a gourmet barbecue dinner and watch a farm show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gourmet barbecue at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Included Activities
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Gourmet BBQ dinner and farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride
- Wildlife centre visit to see New Zealand's birds
- Vineyard tours and wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Lake Wakatipu Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
Travel through Mirror Lakes and the Cleddau Valley into Milford Sound, a World Heritage listed fjord. The cruise through this landscape is something special, with waterfalls and dolphins visible as they cascade down sheer cliff faces. After that, drive back through Fiordland National Park with its beech forests and gin-clear rivers, arriving in Te Anau by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Nature Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Mirror Lakes Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
Start with an optional early morning walk around New Zealand's largest lake if you're up for it, then travel through rolling green hills and sheep-dotted countryside toward Dunedin, known as the 'Edinburgh of the South'. Spend your afternoon exploring art-lined alleys, visiting Speight's Brewery, or discovering Larnach Castle. Nature lovers can head out to spot fur seals and penguins in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Early morning walk around Te Anau
- Visit Speight's Brewery
- Visit Larnach Castle
- Wildlife spotting to see fur seals and penguins
Landmarks/POIs Speight's Brewery Larnach Castle - Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
Take it easy this morning in Dunedin. You can sleep in, stroll the manicured grounds of Otago University, or wander down George Street. Later, travel to Oamaru to visit New Zealand's oldest public gardens and walk through the town's tree-lined streets with their distinctive limestone buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Otago University grounds
- Explore George Street in Dunedin
- Visit New Zealand's oldest public gardens in Oamaru
Landmarks/POIs Otago University - Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
Travel through the Canterbury Plains toward Lake Tekapo with turquoise waters and snow-capped mountains framing the view. Participate in an indoor dark sky astronomy experience hosted by local specialists, learning about one of the planet's quietest yet busiest night skies. See the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, then return to Christchurch. Your Travel Director will guide you through the city's transformation, revisiting the Transitional Cathedral and Turanga library.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Indoor Guided Dark Sky & Astronomy Experience in Tekapo
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Christchurch city tour highlighting post-earthquake reconstruction
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Transitional Cathedral Turanga - Day 9
Christchurch to Picton
Head to Kaikoura, famous for dramatic beaches and marine life including seals and sperm whales. Explore the seaside and search for animals offshore. Continue past the pink-tinged crystallisation ponds at Lake Grassmere Salt Works before arriving in Picton, a pretty seaside fishing village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- See Kaikoura Beach to search for marine wildlife
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Beach Lake Grassmere Salt Works - Day 10
Picton to Wellington
Board the Interislander ferry for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, the Tory Channel, and across Cook Strait, navigating through a maze of arms and inlets as you cross from the South Island to the North Island. You'll arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, with time for a city sights tour to get your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise the Cook Strait from Picton to Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait - Day 11
Wellington to Rotorua
Travel north along the Kapiti Coast, Wellington's traditional summer spot, with panoramic views opening up as you head toward Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest and bluest lake. Continue to Rotorua to explore geothermal features with mud pops and bubbling geysers. This evening, experience Te Puia's geothermal valley and learn about Maori history and culture on a guided tour, followed by a hangi-inspired dinner and cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house, finishing with hot chocolate at the Pohutu Geyser.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hangi-inspired cuisine in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house)
Included Activities
- Te Po Indigenous Experience at Te Puia
- Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua
Landmarks/POIs Kapiti Coast Lake Taupo Te Puia Pohutu Geyser - Day 12
Rotorua
Rotorua's yours to explore today at your own pace. Your Travel Director will give you tips on what to see. If you want to unwind, Wai Araki Hot Springs and Spa is an option. For those interested in cinema history, there's a tour of Hobbiton movie locations from The Lord of the Rings, set in beautiful countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa experience
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour featuring Lord of the Rings locations
Landmarks/POIs Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 13
Rotorua to Auckland
Cross the Waikato River and head toward the Waitomo Caves, where thousands of glowworms light up the darkness as you cruise through limestone waterways. Then continue to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with two harbours dotted with yachts. Visit the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum for views across the harbours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Waitomo Caves including Glowworm Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Auckland War Memorial Museum - Day 14
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Travel north from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, featuring 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Captain William Hobson and Maori chiefs. Your local specialist guide, likely a descendant of an original signatory, will explain the site's significance while pointing out the world's largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Landmarks/POIs Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 15
Bay of Islands
Spend your day in the Bay of Islands exploring at your own pace. Travel up to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northernmost tip, via the idyllic Ninety Mile Beach, or cruise to the iconic hole in the rock. Alternatively, join a tour of Russell to learn about the Bay's colonial settlement history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Drive to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua via Ninety Mile Beach
- Cruise to the hole in the rock
- Tour of Russell
Landmarks/POIs Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua Ninety Mile Beach Hole in the Rock Russell - Day 16
Bay of Islands to Auckland
Travel to Whangarei, New Zealand's most northerly city, which blends nature with forward-thinking culture. Take a brief stroll before heading back to Auckland for a leisurely drive. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner and drinks to toast your New Zealand adventure.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner and drinks to toast the adventure)
Optional Activities
- Brief stroll in Whangarei
Landmarks/POIs Whangarei - Day 17
Auckland
It's time to depart Auckland today. Saying goodbye to this city is tough, but you'll have a camera full of photos to sort through and plenty of memories to relive once you're home.
