Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and check into your hotel, where you'll meet your guide and the other travelers on the tour. After settling in, head down to the hotel bar for welcome drinks with the group. Later, everyone walks to a nearby restaurant for dinner that showcases local cuisine before heading back to rest.
- Day 2
Auckland to Waiheke Island
Breakfast happens at the hotel, then you'll walk with your guide to the ferry terminal. The 9am ferry takes 40 minutes to reach Waiheke Island. You get a guided bus tour of the island followed by lunch and wine at Stonyridge. After that, you can either hop on and off the bus to explore independently or return to Auckland with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Waiheke Island Wine & Dine experience
- Guided bus tour of Waiheke Island
- Lunch and wine at Stonyridge
Optional Activities
- Extended island exploration using hop-on-hop-off bus
- Independent island exploration
Landmarks/POIs Waiheke Island Stonyridge - Day 3
Auckland to Hamilton
After breakfast, board the coach headed to Sanctuary Mountain. You'll stop along the way for morning tea or coffee, then spend two hours on a guided tour through old forests learning about native plants, wildlife, and Māori herbal medicine. The drive back to Hamilton City leaves you with a free afternoon to check into your hotel and explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Two-hour guided tour of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
- Indigenous flora and fauna exploration
- Māori herbal medicinal practices insight (Rongoa Rākau)
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Hamilton City attractions
Landmarks/POIs Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari - Day 4
Hamilton
Breakfast first, then the coach departs for Zealong Tea Estate where you'll spend 1.5 hours on a tour that includes a tea ceremony and Signature High Tea. Next you'll head to Hamilton Gardens for a 75-minute highlights tour starting at 1pm. Drop by the Hamilton Museum to look around at your own pace, leaving you a free afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Zealong Tea Estate 1.5-hour tour and tea ceremony
- Zealong Signature High Tea experience
- Hamilton Gardens 75-minute Highlights guided tour
- Hamilton Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Afternoon leisure exploration of Hamilton
Landmarks/POIs Zealong Tea Estate Hamilton Gardens Hamilton Museum - Day 5
Hamilton to Ohakune
Start with breakfast, then head to Hamilton Frankton Station to board the Northern Explorer train in Scenic Plus class. You'll have views and meals included as you travel. You arrive at Ohakune Station and drive along the scenic Ohakune Mountain Road before checking in for a two-night stay. The day ends with an included two-course dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Two-course dinner)
Included Activities
- Northern Explorer train journey from Hamilton to Ohakune
- Scenic Plus dining experience on Northern Explorer
- Scenic drive along Ohakune Mountain Road
Landmarks/POIs Ohakune Mountain Road - Day 6
Ohakune to Taumarunui and return
After breakfast, the group heads to Taumarunui to visit Forgotten World Gardens and see the local area. Lunch takes place at Laurens Lavender Farm with a hot meat dish and salads, then you'll walk through the lavender fields and browse the shop. It's an easy drive back to Ohakune where you have a free evening to relax in hot tubs or explore town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot meat dish accompanied by refreshing salads at Laurens Lavender Farm)
Included Activities
- Forgotten World Gardens visit
- Lunch at Laurens Lavender Farm with hot meat dish and salads
- Lavender field walk
- Lavender shop visit
Optional Activities
- Hot tub relaxation at accommodation
- Ohakune evening activities
Landmarks/POIs Forgotten World Gardens Laurens Lavender Farm - Day 7
Ohakune to Wellington
You'll explore Tūroa after breakfast, with the option to ride Sky Waka for views (at your own cost). Later, you travel to National Park Station to board the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus train heading to Wellington. Afternoon tea and dinner are served onboard as you travel south. The train arrives at Wellington Station and you transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tūroa exploration
- Northern Explorer Scenic Plus train journey to Wellington
- Afternoon tea and dinner on train
Optional Activities
- Sky Waka ascent at Tūroa
Landmarks/POIs Tūroa Sky Waka - Day 8
Wellington
Breakfast comes first, then you visit Te Papa museum. A 90-minute Māori Experience Kīnaki tour follows, led by a Māori guide who shares traditional tools, foods, and medicines of Aotearoa New Zealand. The tour includes traditional food tasting and time to chat with the hosts. Your afternoon is free to explore Wellington, then you'll gather at the hotel lobby to welcome new group members before dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Culinary delights reflecting vibrant flavors of New Zealand at a renowned Wellington restaurant)
Included Activities
- Te Papa museum visit
- 90-minute Māori Experience Kīnaki Tour at Te Papa
- Traditional food tasting experience
Optional Activities
- Afternoon leisure exploration of Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Te Papa - Day 9
Wellington to Picton
Meet early in the hotel lobby for transfers to the Interislander ferry terminal. Board the ferry with access to the Premium Lounge offering breakfast and a complimentary bar. After crossing the Cook Strait, you arrive in Picton by midday. You then board the Mailboat Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises through the Marlborough Sounds, enjoying packed lunch and scenery. Arrival at Portage Resort includes a three-course dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Premium Lounge on Interislander ferry), Lunch (Packed lunch onboard Mailboat Cruise), Dinner (Three-course dinner at Portage Resort)
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry crossing Cook Strait with Premium Lounge access
- Beachcomber Cruises Mailboat Tour through Marlborough Sounds
- Packed lunch on Mailboat Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Cook Strait Picton Marlborough Sounds - Day 10
Marlborough Sounds
You'll wake to breakfast at Portage Resort overlooking Kenepuru Sound. Next comes the Paua Pearl Farm Tour with Beachcomber Cruises, which includes morning tea and paua tastings. Back in Picton, you join Sounds Connection for an afternoon featuring a three-course lunch with wine at Allan Scott Wines Bistro, plus tastings at two more wineries and a stop at Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory. Check into your Picton hotel with evening time free.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Portage Resort with view into Kenepuru Sound), Lunch (Three-course lunch menu at Allan Scott Wines Bistro with glass of wine with main meal)
Included Activities
- Paua Pearl Farm Tour
- Paua tastings
- Three-course lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro with wine
- Wine tastings at two wineries
- Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory visit
Optional Activities
- Picton evening exploration
Landmarks/POIs Paua Pearl Farm Allan Scott Wines Bistro Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory Kenepuru Sound - Day 11
Picton to Kaikōura
You have a free morning in Picton to do as you like. Have breakfast at the hotel, then board the Coastal Pacific train in Scenic Plus class. Light lunch, beverages, and afternoon tea are all included as you travel south. You'll arrive in Kaikōura late afternoon, transfer to your hotel, and enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light lunch on Coastal Pacific train), Afternoon Tea, Dinner (Dinner at a renowned Kaikōura restaurant featuring regional flavors)
Included Activities
- Coastal Pacific train journey in Scenic Plus class
- Light lunch on train
- Afternoon tea on train
Optional Activities
- Morning exploration of Picton
Landmarks/POIs Kaikōura - Day 12
Kaikōura
Breakfast at your hotel comes first, then you board Encounter Kaikōura for dolphin viewing. You're back in town by noon with the afternoon free to walk the streets and waterfront at your own pace, grabbing lunch somewhere local (at your own cost). Late afternoon, board the Coastal Pacific train in Scenic Plus with dinner and drinks included as you get coastal views. You arrive in Christchurch at sunset and transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and drinks on Coastal Pacific train Scenic Plus experience)
Included Activities
- Encounter Kaikōura dolphin viewing
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Kaikōura
- Leisurely lunch at local eatery
Landmarks/POIs Encounter Kaikōura - Day 13
Christchurch
Breakfast at your accommodation sets the day up nicely. You'll join a cultural food walking tour that blends history, storytelling, and local tastings as you walk through Christchurch streets with knowledgeable guides. The afternoon is yours to explore as you wish, whether that's visiting Quake City Museum, Ravenscar Museum, punting the Avon River, riding trams, or taking the Gondola up for views. Later, gather with the group for dinner at a well-known Christchurch restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Culinary delights at a renowned Christchurch restaurant with tour group)
Included Activities
- Christchurch cultural food walking tour with local tastings
Optional Activities
- Quake City Museum visit
- Ravenscar Museum visit
- Punting on the Avon River
- Iconic tram rides
- Gondola ascent for Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps views
Landmarks/POIs Quake City Museum Ravenscar Museum Avon River Christchurch Gondola Canterbury Plains Southern Alps - Day 14
Departing Christchurch
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take a moment to reflect on everything you've experienced. Check out of your accommodation and get ready to leave. Your included departure transfer takes care of getting you to your next destination, wrapping up your New Zealand journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
