Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch and have the afternoon and early evening to wander around the city at your own pace, getting a feel for the local community. This evening your driver guide will meet you along with the other travelers for a briefing about the trip ahead and some drinks to kick things off.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch streets at leisure
- Day 2
Christchurch to Omarama
This morning you'll see Christchurch's key spots including the Cardboard Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens. After that, you're heading across the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine where you'll stop at Barkers Store to try some local cheese. From there the route takes you along the East Coast through the Waitaki Valley, finishing up in Omarama with Lake Benmore as your backdrop for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel)
Included Activities
- Tour Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch
- Visit Botanic Gardens
- Travel through Canterbury Plains
- Visit Geraldine and sample local cheeses at Barkers Store
- Travel along East Coast to Waitaki Valley
- View Lake Benmore
Landmarks Cardboard Cathedral Christchurch Botanic Gardens Lake Benmore - Day 3
Omarama to Invercargill
You'll head to the historic town of Clyde, which has turned its gold mining heritage into cafes and shops worth checking out. Later you'll reach Invercargill and get a guided tour through Transport World, where they've collected classic and rare vehicles since 1967. Dinner happens right there at the venue, so you can keep exploring the collection after eating.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Transport World)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kelvin Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit historic town of Clyde
- Guided tour of Transport World in Invercargill
- Dinner at Transport World
Landmarks Clyde Transport World - Day 4
Invercargill to Te Anau
Today takes you through rolling farmland and pastures to Templeton Flax Mill where a curator will guide you through the place and explain how it works. You'll then drive to the seaside town of Riverton, and from there head into Fiordland National Park toward Te Anau, which sits on the shores of the South Island's largest lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour at Templeton Flax Mill with presentation from Nathan Templeton, Mill curator
- Visit Riverton
Landmarks Templeton Flax Mill Riverton Fiordland National Park - Day 5
Te Anau to Milford Sound
You're traveling through Fiordland National Park today past beech forests, flats, meadows, and lakes. The real highlight is heading to Milford Sound where you'll board a sightseeing cruise through the fiord itself. You'll see the towering cliffs, waterfalls dropping down, and if you're lucky, spot some wildlife along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Distinction Luxmore Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Landmarks Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Queenstown
This morning involves some country life at Real Country farm where you'll see horse communication demonstrations and watch working sheep dogs do their thing. Later you'll get to Arrowtown, a historic gold rush village with streets that look like a movie set and lots of character-filled boutiques. Then it's on to Queenstown where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Real Country Farm Experience with horse communication and sheep dog mustering demonstrations
- Visit historic gold rush village of Arrowtown
Landmarks Real Country Arrowtown 
- Day 7
Queenstown
You have the full day in Queenstown and the surrounding area to do what interests you. Lunch at Fergburger is a good call if you want gourmet burgers they're known for. You can choose optional activities like a jet boat ride on the Shotover River, wine tours of nearby vineyards, or an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw heading out to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown)
Included Activities
- Sample Queenstown's world-famous Fergburger
Optional Activities
- Jet boat ride on Shotover River
- Wine tour of surrounding vineyards
- Afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm with gourmet barbecue dinner
Landmarks Fergburger Shotover River Lake Wakatipu TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak High Country Farm - Day 8
Queenstown to Christchurch
Early on you'll stop at Jones Family fruit stall for fresh local stone fruit, then head over the Lindis Pass alpine crossing with views of rugged mountain peaks including Aoraki/Mount Cook. You'll visit Tekapo on the shores of turquoise Lake Tekapo to see the Church of the Good Shepherd, and from there it's through the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Hotel Christchurch)
Included Activities
- Stop at Jones Family fruit stall
- Alpine crossing of Lindis Pass
- View Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
Landmarks Lindis Pass Aoraki/Mount Cook Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd - Day 9
Christchurch to Punakaiki
Today you'll board the TranzAlpine train which goes through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. You'll visit Greymouth, then continue on to Punakaiki to see the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Tonight you're staying at a coastal eco retreat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Punakaiki)
Included Activities
- Scenic TranzAlpine train journey to Arthur's Pass
- Visit Greymouth
- View Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Landmarks Arthur's Pass Greymouth Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - Day 10
Punakaiki to Nelson
Your coach winds through the Buller Gorge today, a deep canyon that's home to New Zealand's longest swingbridge. You'll also pass through Kahurangi National Park with its wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herb fields and coastal forests. The route follows the Heritage Highway heading toward Nelson.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel through Buller Gorge
- Pass through Kahurangi National Park
Landmarks Buller Gorge Kahurangi National Park - Day 11
Nelson
You have a leisurely day completely at your own pace in Nelson. If you want to do something, there's an optional trip to Abel Tasman National Park where you can take a cruise and walk combination through golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs. It's part of one of the country's most legendary coastal tracks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Rutherford Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Cruise and walk combination at Abel Tasman National Park
Landmarks Abel Tasman National Park - Day 12
Nelson to Wellington
You'll board a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, navigating through a maze of arms and inlets. The journey takes you from the South Island to Wellington on the North Island, New Zealand's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Cook Grand Chancellor)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound
- Cruise Cook Strait to Wellington
Landmarks Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait 
- Day 13
Wellington to Napier
After touring Wellington's highlights, you're traveling to Napier, a city famous for its beautifully preserved 1930s architecture including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco styles. The city was rebuilt after the devastating 1931 earthquake, which makes the architecture even more significant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)
Included Activities
- Tour Wellington highlights
Landmarks Wellington Napier Art Deco Quarter - Day 14
Napier
You'll take an easy stroll through Napier's Art Deco Quarter with a local guide from the Art Deco Trust who can explain the fascinating architectural history. In the afternoon you can relax or choose an optional wine tour of Hawke's Bay vineyards or a safari to Cape Kidnappers to see the Gannet nesting colony.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Hotel Te Pania)
Included Activities
- Guided Art Deco Walking Tour in Napier
Optional Activities
- Wine tour of Hawke's Bay vineyards
- Safari to Cape Kidnappers Gannet nesting colony with Gannet Safaris Overland
Landmarks Napier Art Deco Quarter Cape Kidnappers - Day 15
Napier to Rotorua
You're traveling through panoramic landscapes of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in the country, and you'll see the Huka Falls. Then you arrive in Rotorua with its otherworldly geothermal landscape and bubbling geysers. You'll explore Te Puia's geothermal valley, learn about Maori history and culture, visit a traditional jade carving workshop, and enjoy a cultural performance with a buffet dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)
Included Activities
- View Lake Taupo
- View Huka Falls
- Explore Te Puia geothermal valley
- Learn about Maori history and culture at Te Puia
- Visit traditional Pounamu jade carving workshop
- Cultural performance in Te Aronui a Rua meeting house
- View Pohutu Geyser
- Buffet dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine
Landmarks Lake Taupo Huka Falls Te Puia Te Aronui a Rua Pohutu Geyser - Day 16
Rotorua
Today in Rotorua is full of choices depending on what appeals to you. You can relax in the steamy thermal springs at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, tour the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, or take a scenic flight for a bird's-eye view of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Lake Rotorua)
Optional Activities
- Relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
- Tour Hobbiton Movie Set
- Scenic flight over Rotorua
Landmarks Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 17
Rotorua to Auckland
You're traveling from Rotorua to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and known as the 'City of Sails'. You'll take an interactive All Blacks Experience tour that takes you through the national rugby team's history via displays and presentations, and you'll see a traditional haka performance with you front and center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart)
Included Activities
- Interactive All Blacks Experience in Auckland
Landmarks All Blacks Experience 
- Day 18
Auckland to Bay of Islands
You're heading to the Bay of Islands, which has 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. You'll visit the Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between Captain William Hobson and Maori chiefs. Your local specialist guide will explain the historical significance and point out the world's largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds with cultural performance
Landmarks Waitangi Treaty Grounds Bay of Islands - Day 19
Bay of Islands
You have a full day to explore the Bay of Islands at your own pace. You can travel to Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach, glide around on an historic tall ship, cruise to the Hole in the Rock, or join a tour of Russell to learn more about how the Bay of Islands was settled.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Copthorne Hotel and Resort)
Optional Activities
- Travel to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua via Ninety Mile Beach
- Cruise on historic tall ship
- Cruise to Hole in the Rock
- Tour of Russell
Landmarks Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua Ninety Mile Beach Hole in the Rock Russell - Day 20
Bay of Islands to Auckland
You're heading south to Whangarei, the island's most northerly city, to explore the local basin with riverside galleries and museums showcasing nature and forward-thinking culture. After that you return to Auckland for a final dinner and drinks with your travel director and companions to celebrate the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and drinks with Travel Director and travel companions)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart)
Included Activities
- Explore Whangarei and local basin attractions
Landmarks Whangarei Whangarei Basin - Day 21
Auckland
You'll depart Auckland today, taking with you memories of three weeks exploring New Zealand's most inspiring attractions and the friendships you've made along the way.
