Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and check into the JW Marriott, which offers waterfront views as a Scenic Special Stay. Later this evening, you'll join other travelers for a welcome dinner to start your New Zealand journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
- Day 2
Waiheke Island
This day takes you to Waiheke Island for a relaxed experience tasting fresh oysters, award-winning olive oils, local honeys, and island wines. Your guides will show you around the island's food and charm throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Waiheke Island tasting experience with fresh oysters, olive oils, local honeys, and island wines
- Day 3
Auckland
You'll explore Auckland, known as the City of Sails, where you can walk through bustling marinas, harbourside areas, dining spots, and the arts scene. There are several included Scenic Freechoice options available, or you can upgrade to the All Blacks Experience that includes time with a former player and a wine-matching dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Auckland Harbour Cruise with panoramic skyline views and live maritime heritage commentary
- Waitakere Wilderness Experience with black sand beaches, native rainforest, Maori carvings, and Tasman Sea vantage point
- Auckland City Revealed Tour exploring history, culture, volcanic landmarks, and Maori heritage
- Flavours of Our City Walking Tour with artisan cheeses, handmade chocolates, freshly roasted coffee, and cultural insights
Optional Activities
- All Blacks Experience with guidance from a former All Black or Black Fern and wine-matching dinner at a top Auckland restaurant
Landmarks Waitakere Ranges Tasman Sea - Day 4
Hobbiton - Rotorua
Start your day at the Hobbiton Movie Set walking through detailed film locations from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, including hobbit holes and gardens. From there, you'll travel to Rotorua, New Zealand's geothermal center with hot springs, geysers, and mud pools. By evening, you'll have a Maori fusion dinner at Te Pa Tu featuring traditional song, dance, and storytelling under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Maori fusion dining experience at Te Pa Tu with traditional song, dance, and storytelling under the stars)
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour with hobbit holes and gardens
- Rotorua geothermal exploration with hot springs, geysers, and mud pools
- Maori fusion dining experience at Te Pa Tu with traditional song, dance, and storytelling
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Rotorua Geothermal Area 
- Day 5
Rotorua to Huka Lodge
Begin with a treetop walk at Redwoods Treewalk gliding through native trees. Later, check out Te Puia Rotorua Geothermal Park with its geysers and mud pools, then visit the National Kiwi Hatchery. You'll arrive at Huka Lodge, a luxury property on the Waikato River, and enjoy dinner showcasing New Zealand's finest ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gastronomic experience showcasing New Zealand's finest, often sustainably produced ingredients)
Included Activities
- Redwoods Treewalk among native forest canopy
- Te Puia Rotorua Geothermal Park exploration with geysers and mud pools
- National Kiwi Hatchery visit
Landmarks Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua Te Puia Rotorua 
- Day 6
Huka Lodge
You have a full day to enjoy at Huka Lodge's 30 acres along the Waikato River. Choose from fly-fishing, guided hikes, lake cruises, nearby golf, tennis, pétanque, or croquet. You can also relax in the gardens or have drinks on the riverbank. Dinner continues featuring local produce in an innovative menu.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Huka Lodge), Lunch (Lunch at Huka Lodge), Dinner (Dinner at Huka Lodge with local produce and innovative menu)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Huka Lodge
- Lunch at Huka Lodge
- Dinner at Huka Lodge
Optional Activities
- Fly-fishing
- Guided hikes
- Lake cruises
- Nearby golf
- Tennis
- Pétanque
- Croquet
Landmarks Waikato River - Day 7
Lake Taupo - Napier
You'll visit Lake Taupo, created by a volcanic eruption two thousand years ago, then head to Hawke's Bay and Napier, known for its 1930s Art Deco buildings. Explore boutique wineries, enjoy local dining, and browse shops before arriving at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers for a two-night stay on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lake Taupo visit
- Art Deco Walking Tour through Napier's stylish 1930s district
- Vintage Car Napier Highlights tour in a restored 1930s car
- Napier Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Tour with Little Blue Penguins and marine creatures
Optional Activities
- Art Deco Walking Tour
- Vintage Car Napier Highlights
- Napier Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Landmarks Lake Taupo Napier Art Deco District Napier Aquarium - Day 8
Cape Kidnappers
Spend your day at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers on its dramatic clifftop setting. In the morning, you can explore private trails or play golf at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course with coastal views. Alternatively, get a spa treatment or relax on the terrace with ocean views. Dinner is served at the signature restaurant using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at lodge signature restaurant with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients)
Included Activities
- Dinner at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers signature restaurant with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
Optional Activities
- Exploration of lodge's private trails
- Round of golf on Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
- Spa treatment
- Terrace relaxation with ocean views
Landmarks Cape Kidnappers Golf Course - Day 9
North Island to Christchurch
A short flight takes you to Christchurch on the South Island. This city shows resilience by blending contemporary ideas with historical elements. You can walk through boutique galleries, quirky cafes, the Riverside Market, and city streets with artistic murals. Later, spend time at leisure or take a casual walk along the Avon River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Exploration of boutique galleries
- Quirky cafes
- Riverside Market
- Walk along Avon River
Landmarks Avon River Riverside Market - Day 10
Christchurch
Choose from several included Scenic Freechoice activities like punting on the Avon River, exploring the Botanic Gardens, sightseeing through the city's revival, or taking an Akaroa day trip with a nature cruise. You'll also visit the International Antarctic Centre to see penguins and explore exhibits. This afternoon brings a Kai Safari culinary journey connecting you with local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Kai Safari with authentic local tastes and culinary insights), Dinner
Included Activities
- Punting on the Avon River with historic architecture and gardens
- Botanic Gardens Tour with rare and native flora
- Christchurch Sightseeing Tour exploring heritage buildings and contemporary architecture
- Akaroa Day Trip with Nature Cruise watching dolphins, seals, and native birdlife
- International Antarctic Centre with penguins and interactive exhibits
- Kai Safari culinary journey with local produce, Maori language, and cultural insights
Landmarks Christchurch Botanic Gardens International Antarctic Centre Akaroa - Day 11
Christchurch to Franz Josef
You'll board the TranzAlpine train for a rail journey across the Southern Alps, passing through the Canterbury Plains, braided rivers, and dramatic gorges. The train arrives in Franz Josef in a World Heritage area where you can see the glacier landscape. Optional activities include helicopter flights over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier with the chance to land on ice. Dinner at your Scenic Special Stay lets you reflect on the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Peaceful dinner reflecting on the region's natural beauty)
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine train journey across the Southern Alps with Canterbury Plains, braided rivers, and dramatic gorges
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier
- Helicopter flight over Fox Glacier with option to land on ice
Landmarks Southern Alps Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier - Day 12
Haast - Queenstown
Start the day with a jet boat ride down the Haast River, cutting through the South Westland World Heritage area with glacial valleys, native forests, and waterfalls passing by. After that, you'll head to Queenstown and check in for your two nights at QT Queenstown, which sits right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Later in the evening, board the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise out to Walter Peak High Country Station. Dinner happens on the water with a carvery-style meal featuring local produce and regional wines as the sun goes down.
- Meals
- Dinner (Carvery-style dinner at Walter Peak High Country Station highlighting local produce and wines)
Included Activities
- Haast River Safari jet boat ride through South Westland World Heritage area
- TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship cruise to Walter Peak High Country Station
- Carvery-style dinner at Walter Peak High Country Station with local produce and wines
Landmarks Haast River South Westland World Heritage Area Lake Wakatipu Southern Alps Walter Peak High Country Station - Day 13
Queenstown
Continue your time in Queenstown, the adventure capital. Pick from several Scenic Freechoice options including jet boat adventures on the Dart River, boutique winery tours with food, the Shotover Jet experience, Middle Earth tour locations, Skyline Gondola rides to Bob's Peak, or a guided 4WD journey through Skippers Canyon with gold mining sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dart River Safari jet boat exploration with wilderness hiking
- Boutique Winery Tour with award-winning wines and local cuisine
- Shotover Jet Adventure navigating canyons and rapids
- Safari of the Scenes at Middle Earth filming locations
- Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak with panoramic Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu views
- Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour with historic gold mining sites and dramatic cliffs
Landmarks Dart River Shotover River Bob's Peak Skippers Canyon - Day 14
Queenstown Departure
After breakfast, you'll leave Queenstown and transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying unforgettable memories of your New Zealand adventure with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
