Itinerary
- Day 1
Christchurch
You'll arrive in Christchurch, the Garden City, with the rest of your day open for exploring at your own pace or just settling into your accommodations. This evening, meet up with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a briefing about the trip ahead, followed by drinks to get to know everyone.
Optional Activities
- Explore Christchurch at leisure
- Relax at accommodation
- Day 2
Christchurch to Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train heading toward Arthur's Pass, traveling through tunnels and over viaducts while snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, and gorges pass by your window. Later you'll stop in Hokitika on the West Coast to explore the small town known for its jade heritage. By evening, you'll arrive in Franz Josef/Waiau. If you're interested, there's an optional scenic helicopter flight available over Franz Josef Glacier with a possible landing on the ice, weather permitting and at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Journey on TranzAlpine Train through Southern Alps
- Visit Arthur's Pass
- Visit Hokitika
- See Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere from panoramic viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with possible landing on glacier
Landmarks/POIs Arthur's Pass Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere - Day 3
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Travel over the Haast Pass with alpine scenery and Southern Lakes views unfolding ahead. You'll stop at the Jones Family fruit stall to grab some fresh stone fruit and refresh yourself. Next, head through Arrowtown's streets lined with trees and character-filled boutiques that feel like a movie set. After that, take a tour around Queenstown featuring Lake Wakatipu and views of the Remarkables mountain range.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit historic Arrowtown
- Queenstown tour
Optional Activities
- Stop at Jones Family fruit stall
Landmarks/POIs Lake Hawea Lake Dunstan Arrowtown Lake Wakatipu The Remarkables - Day 4
Queenstown
Spend your day in Queenstown exploring however you'd like. There are optional activities on your own dime, including a high-octane jet boat ride, visiting Kiwi Park to see native birds, or wine tasting at local vineyards. Later this evening, head to the dock to board the 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 dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm)
Included Activities
- Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw Steamship
- Relish gourmet BBQ dinner and farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm
Optional Activities
- High-octane jet boat ride
- Visit Kiwi Park
- Wine tasting at surrounding vineyards
Landmarks/POIs Kiwi Park Walter Peak High Country Farm TSS Earnslaw - Day 5
Queenstown to Te Anau
Travel through Mirror Lakes and the Cleddau Valley on your way to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, a World Heritage listed area. Once there, cruise through the sound where waterfalls create a misty curtain across sheer escarpments and dolphins often appear. The journey back takes you through Fiordland National Park with beech forests, meadows, and gin-clear rivers before you arrive in Te Anau by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Nature Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Mirror Lakes Cleddau Valley Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Fiordland National Park - Day 6
Te Anau to Dunedin
If you're an early riser, there's an optional morning walk around South Island's biggest lake before heading out. You'll leave the forested slopes of Fiordland behind and travel through rolling green hills dotted with sheep toward Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South. In the afternoon, you can explore art-lined alleys, visit Speight's Brewery, or tour Larnach Castle at your own expense. There's also optional wildlife viewing to spot fur seals and penguins, also at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit grand Larnach Castle
Optional Activities
- Early morning walk around Te Anau lake
- Explore atmospheric art-lined alleys
- Sipping lager at Speight's Brewery
- Wildlife viewing - fur seals and penguins
Landmarks/POIs Te Anau Lake Larnach Castle Speight's Brewery - Day 7
Dunedin to Oamaru
This morning you have the option to sleep in or take a stroll around Otago University's manicured grounds down to the city's main George Street. Later you'll travel to Oamaru, where New Zealand's oldest public garden and stately tree-lined streets await, along with impressive limestone buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Oamaru and New Zealand's oldest public gardens
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Otago University grounds
- Explore George Street
Landmarks/POIs Otago University George Street Oamaru - Day 8
Oamaru to Christchurch
You'll see the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and snow-capped mountains while crossing the Canterbury Plains. During the afternoon, experience an indoor Dark Sky and Astronomy Experience at Tekapo hosted by local specialists, who'll show you one of the planet's quietest yet busiest skies. After that, return to Christchurch for a city tour featuring the Transitional Cathedral and Turanga gold-clad central library, both showing how the city has transformed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Guided Indoor Dark Sky & Astronomy Experience in Tekapo
- Guided city tour of Christchurch
Landmarks/POIs Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd Canterbury Plains Transitional Cathedral Turanga - Day 9
Christchurch to Picton
Travel to Kaikoura, known for its dramatic beaches and as the marine wildlife center of New Zealand where seals and sperm whales are frequently spotted. You'll pass the pink-tinted crystallization ponds of Lake Grassmere Salt Works before arriving in Picton, a pretty seaside fishing village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spot marine wildlife from Kaikoura Beach
Landmarks/POIs Kaikoura Lake Grassmere Salt Works Picton - Day 10
Picton to Wellington
Today you'll trade wheels for water aboard the ferry for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel, and across Cook Strait from the South Island to the North Island, navigating through a maze of arms and inlets. You'll arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's cool little capital, and then take a city sights tour to get your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise the Cook Strait from Picton to Wellington
- Guided city tour of Wellington
Landmarks/POIs Queen Charlotte Sound Tory Channel Cook Strait - Day 11
Wellington to Rotorua
Travel through a broad panorama of Lake Taupō, the largest lake in the country, then continue to Rotorua, an otherworldly landscape where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the earth. You'll experience Māori culture and traditions at Te Puia with a cultural performance in a beautifully carved meeting house called Te Aronui a Rua, views of the Pohutu Geyser, and a buffet dinner featuring locally sourced hāngī-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner of locally sourced hāngī-inspired cuisine at Te Puia)
Included Activities
- Explore the Geothermal Wonders of Rotorua
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia with cultural performance and Pohutu Geyser views
Landmarks/POIs Lake Taupō Te Aronui a Rua Pohutu Geyser - Day 12
Rotorua
This day is yours to explore Rotorua at your own pace, and your Travel Director will have plenty of suggestions. If you want to relax, there's the optional Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. Or consider touring Hobbiton movie set locations from The Lord of the Rings films set in gorgeous countryside, both at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relax at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
- Hobbiton movie set tour
Landmarks/POIs Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa Hobbiton - Day 13
Rotorua to Auckland
Cross the Waikato River heading toward Waitomo Caves, where you'll cruise through cavernous limestone waterways illuminated by thousands of glowworms creating a magical light. After that, continue to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with two harbours and plenty of yachts. Stop at the lookout at Auckland War Memorial Museum for panoramic views of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitomo Caves including Glowworm Cruise
- Visit Auckland War Memorial Museum lookout
Landmarks/POIs Waikato River Waitomo Caves Auckland War Memorial Museum - Day 14
Auckland to Bay of Islands
Journey north from Auckland to New Zealand's dramatic Bay of Islands with 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 Māori chiefs. A local specialist will share the historical significance of the site and show you the world's largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore the Bay of Islands
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - Guided tour and Cultural Performance at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Landmarks/POIs Bay of Islands Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Day 15
Bay of Islands
Spend the day exploring the Bay of Islands however you'd like. You can travel north to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua at the very top of New Zealand via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach, cruise to the iconic hole in the rock, or join a tour of Russell to learn about the Bay of Islands settlement history, all at your own expense.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Travel 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
Visit Whangarei, New Zealand's most northerly city, where nature and forward-thinking culture meet. You'll explore the city briefly before returning to Auckland for a final dinner and drinks to toast your New Zealand adventure with fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and drinks to toast your adventure)
Included Activities
- Visit Whangarei
Landmarks/POIs Whangarei - Day 17
Auckland
Depart Auckland today with photos and memories from your New Zealand tour.
